Wild Nights With My EX's Uncle

"Let go of what was and hold on to what will be."

"Come on, Amanda. Pick up your phone."

Lexie whispered to herself, she already lost track of how many times she tried to call her cousin, only to end up being annoyed as the phone just kept ringing.

"Dang! The witch seemed busy."

Lexie could not do anything except roll her eyes out of annoyance when for the nth time, the call's cut off tone rang in her ear.

If only she didn't need her counsin's help, she wouldn't even try to call her like this.

Lexie planned on paying her cousin Amanda a visit, she wanted to ask her for help to prepare a surprice party for Rafael, her fiance.

"Tsk! Fine then, I will come tob your house anyway."

Lexie whispered to herself again, a warm smile escaped her lips as she hopped on to her car and drive excitedly to Amanda's house.

--

"Cous?"

She called out loudly the moment she entered the door, her brow instantly shot up when instead of her cousin, the maid hurriedly came to her and greet her, suspicions began to gnawed at her as she noticed the maid's worried expression.

But she chose to just brush it off, instead, she gave her a warm smile.

"Where's Amanda?"

She asked, her voice filled with excitement.

"Y-you looked like you just come out from school, come... I'll make a delicious snack for you."

The old woman said, and forced a worried smile.

"Nahh, it's okay, I'm not really hungry, thank you. Where's Amanda?"

"Sh-she's not here, Lexie. She went outside, she said she had something really important to attend to."

Her brow's once again furrowed as she heard the maid's answer, it also didn't escape to her attention the way the old woman kept glancing upstairs where her cousin's room was, the maid's behavior was too odd, almost suspicious.

Lexie shook her head, she didn't bother to say a single word and began to walk straight to the stairs, refusing to pay attention the the old woman's calls, Almost screaming her name as if the old woman would be in such a big trouble if she'd continue.

Lexie let out a sharp exahale, she knew the woman would only forbid her to go upstairs.

But then, Lexie once again refused to pay attention to it, instead, she walked straight to her cousin's bedroom.

"Amanda?"

She called out, her voice louder than the usual.

But instead of hearing answers to her calls, Lexie's ears shot up, her eyes widened as she heard familiar voices coming from behind the closed door.

From Amanda's room

"What the hell? Is that Rafael?"

She whispered to herself, Lexie even managed to push herself even closer, pinning her own ears to the wooden door.

Seconds later, she felt her heart punded painfully against her chest, her eyes widened in horror as she heard muffled moans and screams inside, not only she was curios, she knew who was in there.

The familiar sound they make, she heard it all before.

It took her a few more seconds until she could no longer bear it, Lexie finally pushed the door open.

The door made a loud bang enough for the two familiar faces turn to her direction.

Lexie clamped a hand over her mouth, stunned into silence as she stared at the two naked figures on the bed.

"You stupid motherf#c#ers!"

Her voice was barely above a whisper, but it was enough to send both her cousin Amanda and her fiancé Rafael scrambling. Amanda yanked the blanket over herself, while Rafael hurriedly reached for his clothes.

"B-babe?" – "L-Lexie?"

They called her name in unison, panic evident in their voices. Rafael rushed to get dressed, while Amanda clutched the sheets to cover herself.

"You disgusting animals!"

Lexie gritted her teeth, barely holding back her tears.

"Cous, we can explain."

Amanda's voice was filled with worry.

"I have so much to say to both of you, but I don't even know where to start. I hate you, Amanda. So much that I can't even stand hearing you call me 'cous.'"

Lexie's voice trembled with anger as she shot a glare at Rafael, who was now fully dressed and cautiously approaching her.

"Don't even think about coming near me, Rafael. God help me, I'd love to dissect you without anesthesia."

"Babe, please, let me explain."

He pleaded, taking another step toward her.

With tears brimming in her eyes, Lexie quickly backed away before bolting out of the room.

"Lexie, wait!"

She heard both her cousin and her treacherous fiancé yell as she rushed down the stairs.

"Stop following me! I don't want to hear your lies! I've seen enough!"

She shouted, picking up her pace. Without looking back, she ran straight to her car and sped away.

-

"Lexie, I know you're in there. Please, open the door. Let's talk."

"Get lost!"

She yelled back at Amanda, who had been knocking nonstop at her condo door.

"I'm not leaving until you talk to me!"

"Then rot out there!"

Lexie snapped before collapsing onto her sofa.

"Lex? Babe, please talk to us."

Her head snapped up at the sound of Rafael's voice.

The nerve.

They had the audacity to show up together after what they had done?

Furious, Lexie grabbed a glass vase from the table and hurled it at the door. The loud crash echoed through the room as shards scattered across the floor.

"Please, we know you're mad, but let us explain," Rafael pleaded, his voice joined by Amanda's sobs.

"I'm sorry, what we did was wrong. I never wanted you to find out this way, but please..."

Amanda's tearful voice only fueled Lexie's rage. She shot up from her seat and yanked the door open-not to let them in, but to demand answers.

"Since when?"

She asked coldly before either of them could speak.

"How long have you been betraying me?"

Her voice trembled with pain as she stared at them. Rafael and Amanda exchanged nervous glances before Amanda finally admitted,

"A-almost a year... I'm so sorry, Lexie."

A year.

Lexie shut her eyes tightly, no longer holding back her tears.

"W-why?"

It was the only word she could manage.

For nearly a year, the two people she trusted the most had been deceiving her. Had she been too trusting? Too blind to notice the affair between her cousin and the man she had loved for six years?

"I... I'm pregnant, Lex. I'm so sorry..."

Amanda's voice was barely above a whisper, but the words crushed Lexie's heart.

Her knees buckled, and she clutched the doorknob for support, feeling the strength drain from her body.

"I can't believe this. What the hell did I ever do to you? To you, Rafael? What did I ever do to deserve this?"

She screamed.

"Y-you did nothing wrong... We just-"

"Just what, Rafael?" Lexie cut him off. "You got horny, and because I wouldn't sleep with you, you ran to her?"

Her voice broke as she pointed accusingly at Amanda.

Silence.

Neither of them had anything to say.

Lexie's blood boiled.

"I will make your lives a living hell!"

With that, she slammed the door in their faces.

Lexie couldn't stop crying as she clutched a shot glass. She knew people at the bar were staring at her, but she didn't care.

"Pshhh, what do they know about me? People keep staring, and it's pissing me off. Have they never seen a miserable woman before?"

She sobbed, frustration lacing her voice. She must have spoken louder than she intended because the bartender glanced in her direction.

"What?"

Lexie snapped at him.

"A-Are you okay, ma'am?"

The bartender's concerned tone made her roll her eyes.

"Do I look okay? My stupid fiancé got my stupid cousin pregnant, and they're getting married. So no, I am not okay. Okay now? Can you leave me alone?"

She downed her shot of scotch in one gulp, squeezing her eyes shut as the bitter burn trailed down her throat.

For a moment, she wondered how many shots she'd already had, but she dismissed the thought. Instead, she gestured for the meddlesome bartender to pour her another.

"Rafael is getting married. My stupid, stupid fiancé is marrying someone else..."

She laughed bitterly, but the laughter quickly morphed into heart-wrenching sobs.

The pain in her chest grew heavier by the day, and she hated how miserable she felt.

She and Rafael had been together for seven years. Two years ago, he proposed, and she spent those years preparing for their wedding. Yet the moment she let her guard down, he betrayed her.

It might have been bearable if it had been with a stranger. But just last week, she had caught him and her cousin Amanda in bed-at Amanda's place. Then, to make things worse, she found out Amanda was pregnant. And Rafael was the father.

As if that wasn't painful enough, her cousin had shamelessly announced earlier that day that she and Rafael were getting married.

"One year..."

She whispered to herself, desperately trying to hold back the fresh wave of tears.

"They've been deceiving me for a year, and I didn't even notice... God, I am so stupid..."

"Get revenge."

Lexie's head snapped up, her tears falling even faster as the bartender spoke.

"As if it were that easy, right?"

She scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"It's simple. Just think of something that will hit him where it hurts the most," the bartender said with a sly smile.

"Come on, you're just saying that to make me feel better, aren't you?"

She wiped her tear-streaked face.

"You've been crying for a while now."

"Oh, and you think telling me to get revenge will fix everything?"

She frowned, making the bartender chuckle and nod.

"Ugh, you just gave me a stupid idea. Why am I even talking to you?"

She huffed, but then paused, deep in thought.

"But you know... you might be right. If I get back at them and make them feel the same pain... will I feel better?"

She mused absentmindedly.

"Possibly. Remember when we were kids, and it felt good to get even with those who wronged us?"

The bartender grinned.

She fell into deep thought, only to scowl moments later.

"You don't make sense. Just go back to work and let me be miserable in peace."

She waved him off irritably, but he just smiled and placed two more shots of scotch in front of her.

"On the house. Because you're heartbroken."

With a smirk, he walked away.

It was past eleven, and Lexie was still at the bar. She knew she had drunk a lot-her head was spinning, and her vision was hazy.

"Hey, you're here."

"Yeah, what's up?"

"I'm glad to see you here, Ram Jordan."

Lexie's gaze shot up at the mention of that name.

Ram Jordan...

Had she drunk so much that she was now hearing her ex-fiancé's last name?

When she looked up, she was met with the sight of a handsome, well-dressed man.

He exuded wealth and confidence, standing tall with a muscular build that made her think he could lift three of her at once.

His tanned skin, sharp gaze, straight nose, and chiseled jawline only added to his striking appearance.

'Oh, my God. He's gorgeous...'

She averted her eyes immediately.

'What the hell? I'm still crying over my cheating ex, and now I'm checking out a hunk?'

She scolded herself.

"So, what's a Ram Jordan doing in my bar?"

The bartender's voice pulled Lexie out of her thoughts.

Ram Jordan...

So she hadn't misheard his name.

"Wait... No way."

Lexie's eyes widened as a possibility struck her.

Was this man related to her cheating ex?

She subtly studied his face, comparing his features to Rafael's.

'No way... Impossible...'

She mumbled under her breath, unaware that Ram had heard her.

"Can I help you?"

He frowned.

She quickly shook her head.

"You've been staring at me for a while now. Do you have something to say?"

He asked, irritation in his tone.

"I-I just thought you looked f-familiar..."

She lied and quickly looked away.

'Impossible... Maybe they just have the same last name.'

She reassured herself, still unaware that she was staring at him again.

"If you have something to say, just say it. You staring at me like that is creeping me out."

He snapped. Feeling embarrassed, Lexie rolled her eyes.

"Can I buy you a drink?"

She blurted out without thinking, making him scoff.

"I'm rich. I can buy my own drink."

He replied curtly.

"Hah! Arrogant much? Oh, sure, Mr. Moneybags."

She retorted with a scowl.

"Why the hell are you staring at me?"

"Is it a crime to look at you?"

"Yes, because staring is rude."

"No, you're the rude one."

Their argument grew louder.

Lexie thought about it-personality-wise, this man was nothing like Rafael.

"You are nothing like him..."

She murmured without realizing it.

Ram frowned. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Look, I didn't mean to stare. You just looked familiar, and I thought you were someone I knew."

She explained.

Instead of accepting her answer, he smirked.

"Well, clearly, I'm not."

"Yes, clearly, you're not."

She shot back, glaring at him.

The bartender whispered something to Ram, and based on his reaction, Lexie knew they were talking about her.

Whether it was good or bad, she didn't care. She was too heartbroken to argue.

Lexie was about to leave when Ram muttered something that made her freeze.

"So your ex left you? How sad."

Her cheeks burned with anger.

Without thinking, she grabbed a shot glass and hurled it at him.

"What the hell?!"

He shouted as the drink splashed onto his expensive suit.

"You're an asshole, so you don't get to be mad."

She glared at him.

"You're crazy. No wonder your ex left you for someone else."

Lexie fell silent.

He had no right to say that.

He didn't even know her.

She let out a bitter smile before grabbing an empty shot glass and throwing it at him again, hitting his forehead.

"You have no right to say that, you stupid old cow!"

Her voice cracked with anger.

She wanted to hold his gaze defiantly, but the tears she thought had dried up fell once more.

She slumped onto her barstool, sobbing uncontrollably.

Ram hesitated before handing her a handkerchief.

"Hey, stop crying. People will think I hurt you. I'm sorry, okay? I didn't mean it-I was just pissed."

He admitted.

Instead of stopping, Lexie cried even harder.

"I'm so stupid... They fooled me for a year, and I didn't even notice..."

Ram awkwardly patted her back.

"Stop crying... Okay, can I buy you a drink?"

She sniffled and nodded.

"Okay, wait here."

She watched as he approached the bartender and returned with two glasses of expensive-looking liquor.

"Here."

He offered her one.

"I'm really sorry for what I said."

"I-It's okay..."

"My name is Ram, by the way. Ram Jordan."

He introduced himself, extending his hand.

Lexie hesitated before shaking it.

"I-I'm Lexie."

"Are you from around here? You look too young to be drinking alone."

"I'm not a kid."

She frowned.

"I'm just visiting... for my nephew's wedding."

Lexie froze.

"W-Wedding?"

"Yeah. My nephew Rafael Jordan is getting married. Do you know him?"

Lexie's jaw dropped.

'Oh my God... This gorgeous hunk is my stupid ex's uncle?!'

So he really is Rafael's uncle?

Lexie whispered to herself in shock while her hands continued to move, clicking the mouse of her laptop.

"What are you looking at?"

She nearly jumped in surprise when her cousin, Claire, spoke from behind her. She quickly closed the laptop and looked at her with a frown.

"Whatever I am doing, I believe is no longer your business, Claire," she said irritably. She wasn't even sure why she was wasting time looking at pictures of Ram all over the internet instead of studying for her upcoming exam.

"So he really is rich? Like overly rich?"

She whispered to herself again.

"What are you talking about, Lex? OMG, have you completely lost it?"

Claire asked her dramatically, which earned her an eye roll.

"I am most certainly not, Claire. Can you just please leave me alone?"

She snapped.

"As much as I wanted to leave you alone, I'm sorry to say I can't do that. Grandpa wants to see everyone at the hotel right now, and by 'everyone,' he meant you too. So get your ass moving," Claire said dramatically before turning her back on her.

"Wait, why?"

"Well, I don't know if you can handle it, but Amanda and 'the guy' are having a meeting with the family to-"

"Talk about the wedding."

Lexie finished for her cousin, completely uninterested.

"They seem a little too excited about that stupid wedding, don't they? And what makes them think I'll even attend that meeting?"

She said in frustration, sneering at Claire.

"Uh-huh, don't be mad at me. I'm just the messenger here."

"Whatever. I am not going."

-

Lexie was practically stomping as she walked through the family-owned hotel. Her protests against attending the 'important meeting' had been completely ignored. Now, she was forced to be in the same room as her backstabbing ex, Rafael, and her traitorous cousin, Amanda.

"Fix yourself, Lexie. Nobody wants to see you looking all grumpy," her older cousin scolded her.

"Shut up, Claire."

Despite Claire's words, Lexie refused to adjust her expression. Why should she pretend to be okay when her heart was breaking into pieces?

"Don't you 'shut up' me."

"Claire, stop. You know what happened between me and those two stupid soon-to-be-weds, and I'm sorry if I can't control my anger. For the record, I believe I have every right to be," she said, scowling before marching ahead.

As she neared the meeting area, she stopped in her tracks. Her family was there, chatting and laughing with none other than the man who had broken her heart-Rafael.

Lexie tried to keep herself calm. She put on a blank face and walked toward them.

The moment they noticed her, the room fell into an awkward silence. Lexie showed no reaction and simply sat near the glass wall of the lounge.

"H-Hi L-Lexie. H-how are you?"

Amanda stuttered nervously. Lexie wanted to roll her eyes but resisted. Her gaze shifted to Rafael, who was watching her with concern.

For a second, she wanted to talk to him, but she held herself back and instead turned her attention to their grandfather, who was observing the situation closely.

Lexie smirked.

Who in this room had the audacity to act all happy when everyone knew what Amanda and Rafael had done to her?

"So what? Are we just going to sit here in silence, or are we going to talk about the stupid wedding?"

She finally snapped when the room remained quiet.

"Language, Lexie," her grandfather scolded.

She was too furious to care about the warning in his voice.

"I don't mean to be rude, but can everyone stop pretending that nothing is wrong here?" she said, glaring at Amanda and Rafael.

"We know that, dear, but please understand that we-"

"Oh, come on, Grandpa. Are we really going to talk about this right now? Because I'm sure Amanda and Rafael here don't want to hear it," she interrupted.

Amanda lowered her head in shame.

"Okay, if you can't put yourself together, I think it's best if you leave," Amanda muttered, almost whispering.

Lexie's blood boiled.

"Oh, you think so? Because honestly, I don't even know what the hell I'm doing here. What? You wanted to humiliate me some more, Amanda? Rafael? Is that why you asked me to be here?"

Her voice trembled with restrained anger.

"T-that's not what I meant. I just thought... maybe you should calm down. Rafael's parents are here, and-"

"Yeah, they're here. And I'm sure they know the kind of betrayal you both committed. What? After everything you did to me, you expect me to be polite? No. I'm sure Rafael's parents will understand why I'm acting this way," Lexie said, her voice rising.

"Lex, please, that's enough," one of her cousins pleaded.

"No. This-this is enough! You wanna get married? Fine, go ahead! But keep me out of this mess!"

She yelled, standing up so abruptly that her chair almost toppled over. She was about to storm off when Amanda grabbed her arm. Lexie looked at her in irritation.

"I-I am s-sorry. I'm sorry for everything, Lex. I really am. I never meant for this to happen, and believe me, I feel terrible," Amanda said, her voice pleading.

Lexie stared at her for a moment before suddenly bursting into laughter.

"Oh, wow. Best actress award? You feel terrible? Sure, you deserve to feel that way. No offense," she said flatly.

"Please, you never let me or Rafael explain-"

"You took advantage of me, Amanda. You were my cousin. Rafael was your best friend. I tried to trust you. I kept telling myself that whatever I was suspecting was just in my head, that I was just being paranoid. But I wasn't, was I?"

Amanda stayed silent, her head bowed in shame.

"And then today, you pull this stunt? It wasn't enough that you humiliated me by sleeping with my fiancé-you had to rub it in my face? Rafael may have been the one who destroyed our relationship, but you...

You were a woman, Amanda. And you did this to another woman. How cool is that?

You stole something from me like a petty little thief.

You're the one who should be ashamed."

Lexie took a deep breath, trying to suppress her tears. She looked at Amanda, who was now crying.

"You... don't you dare come to me for forgiveness, you traitorous bitch!"

She yanked her arm away from Amanda's grip.

"And that goes for you too, Rafael! I swear, both of you will regret this!"

She pointed at Rafael before storming off.

As she walked away, she could no longer hold back her tears.

She wiped them harshly and quickened her pace, ignoring Claire calling her name.

"Ouch!"

She cried out as she bumped into something solid and landed on the marble floor.

"Oh shit, I'm sorry! Are you okay?"

A concerned voice asked as strong hands helped her up.

Lexie looked up, eyes widening in shock.

It was him.

The man she had been staring at in countless pictures on her laptop.

"Ram Jordan?"

"Lexie?"

They said each other's names at the same time.

"Hey, I'm sorry. Are you hurt?"

Ram asked, looking at her with concern.

"Yeah-I mean, no. I should be the one apologizing. I wasn't looking," she said, biting her lip.

Her eyes drifted to his suit-covered but clearly muscular frame.

'He's even hotter in person...' she thought to herself.

And then an idea struck her.

Maybe she could use Ram Jordan... against his dear nephew, Rafael.