Her Fake Lover

Chapter 39

Emmeline didn't expect that she would just accept Annaliese's request after only a brief deliberation. But she didn't deny Chloe's statement that she needed a break from all the things that were tiring her. Emmeline had been feeling really tired the past few days, and she felt that taking a sudden vacation wasn't such a bad idea.

After all, apart from that reason, Emmeline also kept her own questions and curiosity about why Aunt Aude wanted to meet her so much. Anna's explanation more or less showed that Aunt Aude was too moved by the moment involving Emmy and Anna at the fashion show the other day. But what Emmy had recently experienced, made her wonder if there might be another possibility.

Then while Emmeline was thinking about it, on the balcony of her room, when it was very late at night, Emmy unintentionally reached for her cell phone. She scrolled through Corbin's number on the screen of her phone, and when her hand flew freely over the screen, her mind not so focused, her finger had unknowingly dialed the number. Emmeline contacted Corbin. She quickly turned off the call when it had been running for a few seconds. Emmeline shrieked weakly. "What did I do? Gosh," she sighed weakly. Her heart was beating fast.

Emmeline hurriedly put the phone down. But it's too late to act like nothing happened. The phone was ringing now. Emmeline widened her eyes. She reached for the phone, and found, Corbin called her. "Oh my gosh. It must be because of my accidental call earlier."

Emmeline shrugged her shoulders. She cleared her throat once, then picked up the phone.

"Hello," she said. She actually felt a little nervous.

"You're awake?" said Corbin.

"Em, I'm not sleepy yet," answered Emmy casually.

"Oh, is it because you thought about my Aunt's request?"

Emmy was silent.

"I didn't expect you to comply with that request. A request you might consider a little too much," Corbin said. "Sorry for that. I saw my Aunt acting a bit strange myself today. At first she just asked me to call Anna to ask her to come back to Italy. But after that she asked me to ... as she told Anna. Asking you to come along."

"Why?" asked Emmy. "Is it just because she was moved to see our appearance at the fashion show?"

Corbin was silent for a moment. "I would have told you if I knew. But now, there's nothing better than trying to believe what she said. What other possibilities do you have in mind anyway?"

"Em ... she doesn't know about ... "

"No," Corbin said calmly. "I didn't tell her." Corbin immediately understood what Emmeline meant. Emmy tried to talk about whether Aunt Aude knew about their fake relationship.

There was a moment of silence. Emmeline gulped for a moment. "All right. I'll take Anna back to Paris tomorrow. And we'll get ready for Italy."

Corbin was heard sighing with a chuckle. "What happened there?"

Emmeline wore an annoyed expression even though Corbin couldn't see it. She knew what Corbin meant. "That crooked news—ah, you already know it all. I know you can guess, too, how my family responded knowing Anna is your sister and I kept quiet about it. They want to meet Anna. They also often ... often ask about you. Not to mention the tiring work of being peppered with news—"

"Well, I know," Corbin said calmly. Still with a smile that can be heard from his breath. "You're going to Brilfaxa and running away from it all?"

"Em—I didn't run away. I just—"

"Never mind. I was thinking anyway, things were getting out of hand. I can understand that. All right. It's getting too late, Emmy. Go to sleep. Good night."

Corbin hung up the call. Emmeline, agreed softly and smiled. She took a deep breath. Gazing up at the sky, empty space, and sparkling lights that adorn almost every corner that caught her eye. She was enjoying the evening a little more. To feel, her heart felt a little more spacious after the conversation with Corbin.

The next morning, Emmeline, brought the news of her planned departure to the midst of her family as they had breakfast.

Everyone was shocked. Lea asked, "Are you serious?"

Emmeline nodded her head. "Only a while."

Mr. Guillaume, just put down his spoon and fork. He sipped his drink with a happy smile. "Ah," he said after he had finished drinking, "that's fine, honey. You go places on business, and this is the first time you've told us you're going to your lover's place."

Mrs. Jeanne agreed. "It's only a matter of time until we too will go visit the Corbin family to Italy. Em—meet Mrs. Aude ... Altieri?" Jeanne was half reminiscing.

"Yes, Mom. You said it well. That's what Emmy told us," said Lea.

Emmeline glanced at everyone one by one. Everyone seemed happy with her plan of leaving.

"It's also good for you to take a break from the stress of work, my dear," added Mr. Guillaume. "But I wonder, how long will you be there?"

Emmeline rolled her eyes for a moment. "I-I don't know yet, Dad. I'll see how it is later."

Lea smiled. "Enjoy your vacation, Emmy."

Emmeline replied with a smile as well. She took her drinking glass and drank it. All she saw around her was a smile. Until then, some time after that, Lea said, "I'm going to see Darren for a bit after this, before going to the hospital."

"What's wrong with Darren, honey?" asked Jeanne.

"Yesterday he had an accident. But it was just a minor accident. I didn't tell you all because I didn't want you to worry. He's fine now anyway. He just needs more rest. He's at his house, and I'm going to see him after this."

"Oh, you should have told us yesterday, Lea," said Jeanne.

"We'll see him this afternoon too. How about it, honey?" Mr. Guillaume asked his wife.

"Of course. We'll have some time later."

Emmeline was silent as she glanced at Lea. Lea looked a little sad. Emmy knew that although Lea tried to be cheerful, the sadness did not completely disappear from her face.

Emmeline asked that as she went out with Lea to their respective cars. Emmy said, "You could have not told Mom and Dad, Lea. But why didn't you tell me?"

"Didn't you do the same yesterday? You didn't tell me anything about Corbin and Anna," said Lea. Emmeline raised her eyebrows.

"Are you mad at me, Lea?" asked Emmy. "Listen, I didn't mean to—"

Lea chuckled, and that cut Emmy's words off. Emmy was silent and stared at her in disbelief. "Calm down, Emmy. I was just kidding. There's no way I'd be mad about that, though ... I admit I was a bit upset." Lea laughed again. Emmy, just smiled stiffly while sighing in relief to hear that. "You and Darren think alike, you know what, Emmy?" Lea added. "I didn't expect him to protest my actions to upload our photos." Emmy frowned. "Yes!" said Lea. "I didn't think he would have anything to do with this, but apparently he reprimanded me. He said it's better if I don't talk about other people's relationships, and yes, although I was surprised at first, I apologized. We were discussing it, when suddenly he had an accident. He was driving yesterday, when we were on the phone. And our conversation might have made him lose his concentration. I ... I just didn't know he would be that upset. It ... makes me wonder if my mistake was that big ?"

Emmy widened her eyes hearing that. But apart from the content of the information surprising her, she also instantly found the light on Lea's face fading. A hue of sadness instantly colored her.

Emmeline shuffled over and hugged Lea. "There's no need to feel bad, Lea," said Emmy. "I even forgave you. You calm down. Forget about it."

Lea let go of Emmy's arms. "The photos are still there, Emmy. Should I delete them?"

Emmy was silent for a moment. Her mind was whispering to her something. She thought, if that turned out to be enough to influence Darren, Emmy thought it was great. After all, everyone had seen it. A report had even been made based on the post. Deleting it at this time wouldn't have much effect. In addition, Corbin has also agreed to jointly endure the fake relationship. Emmy smiled. "Just leave the photos there. No need to delete them." Emmy winked.

Lea laughed. "That was so much fun, Emmy. It made me feel better."

***