Her Fake Lover

Chapter 13

Corbin turned to Emmeline, and looked at her for a moment. "You really want to know?" he asked.

"Yes, of course."

Corbin let out a silly sigh. "Why? Wouldn't it be nice for you, if your absurd plan tonight could go well? That I could fill the ridiculous role you needed, and your wish to deceive all of your family worked? So is my reasoning still important to discuss? Though I don't mind telling you if you really want to know." Corbin straightened his strong, manly body.

Emmeline had been a bit confused at that point. Her eyes nimbly looked around her, worried if anyone was listening to them. "Keep your mouth shut. Your words about me deceiving my family sound piercing to my ears. Don't think badly of me about this. You don't know anything. Just tell me your reasons. Fine. I was the one who planned this ridiculous act, but I did it because I thought you would benefit too. It wouldn't be too embarrassing for me if our deal was mutually beneficial for us."

"So you're feeling embarrassed now?" said Corbin.

Emmeline raised her eyebrows and glared at Corbin. Those words sounded so bold. "Why are you asking so many questions? Obviously I find all this ridiculous. Now just tell me why you didn't open up to me."

Corbin, looked at Emmeline calmly, with an unreadable expression for a moment. "I didn't mean to lie to you, because I'm not interested. But indeed your attitude has been quite annoying to me, so I'll let you learn a few things. First," he said calmly, and Emmeline had started to frown in surprise, even though she had only just heard the beginning. "What I'm asking for is three months to make you realize that you won't always be able to get what you want right away. My belief hasn't faded that my sister isn't the only one to blame for the missing ring, but you won't listen to me about the possibility that the person over there who had made the ring can't be found—"

"I told you I checked all my men—"

"Ah, fine," Corbin raised his hand to stop Emmeline's words, "let's just say they're innocent. Maybe an intruder broke in, or someone who was lucky that day hid the luxury item, I don't know. But it's clear that you've been acting like Anna's the only one to blame, and you—can I call you holding me up, suddenly asking me for the money? What if I'm really poor and penniless?"

"That's why, I'm offering another solution! I'm not really that bad—"

"Ah, well. We've finally arrived at the answer to your second question," Corbin retorted. "You do sound like you've made things easy for people who are having bad luck. But you know, Miss, your recklessness in offering a stranger to pretend to be your lover, accompany you to dinner, and introduce him into your family, that is your second mistake."

Emmeline squinted in surprise at this.

"You're too reckless," Corbin continued. "If it was Annaliese who did it, I won't stop nagging her for the rest of my life. Whoever that stranger is, he can take advantage of you with this. With all the life experience you have, you should know this is a risky move."

Emmeline, began to draw eyes from Corbin. She looked awkward for a moment, and seemed to think about those words.

"Besides, I'm also curious about your ability to predict problems. You think it's just a one-time, finished moment, but you know, that's not necessarily the case." Corbin started to smile mischievously at this opportunity. He turned and walked leisurely, "Now enjoy the show you've started yourself. I'm not sure, but it seems Mr. and Mrs. Karfis seem enthusiastic about this fake relationship. Not to mention your sister, Lea." Corbin started to open his car door, but then Emmeline, who was walking after him, stopped his movement. As awareness grows.

"Wait," said Emmeline. Her eyes flashed panic. "You're right. I think everyone in the house likes this relationship. It exceeded my expectations."

"I've asked you to consider it beforehand. But you said you can manage everything," Corbin said calmly, at the same time sarcastically.

"Hh, my God. This is pathetic." Emmeline ruffled her own hair. "I seem to be taking them flying high before dropping them. Hh!" Emmeline glanced at Corbin sharply. "This cannot be separated from your unexpected play." Emmeline clasped her hands together. "I saw how much you enjoyed your role earlier, Corbin. You didn't even hesitate to tell us about your family, and you—ah, how comfortable you are using your real identity."

"That's because I can't pretend to be someone else. But by the way, I also haven't forgiven your recklessness in saying that I will make a watch for your company," Corbin said brightly. He leaned back against his car and crossed his arms while looking at Emmeline calmly, but critically. Emmeline squinted in surprise.

"Oh, that, just now ... um ... I was just confused, because I need to make Darren sure we are really busy with work, you know Lea mentioned about that absurd marriage, and Darren also happened to ask about, what that's exactly, what you're doing that you're refusing to get married anytime soon, and—and in the meantime, I know—I mean I heard from Annaliese—that you just quit your job in Italy, so I guess I ... um .... ”

"You're worried because your boyfriend is just unemployed?" Corbin cut in. With such a straightforward and clear question.

Emmeline, gasped at the question. She opened her mouth ready to speak, but was at a loss for words. "D—don't get me wrong, Corbin. That's not what I meant. I—ah, no. I mean—"

"No. Don't be nervous. It's natural for you to feel that way. But ... if you had just let it be, I meant to let me look bad and not try to defend me, they might not have had a very good impression of me. And it will be easier for you to end this game, later. Wouldn't that be a good scenario?"

Emmeline tilted her head back and winked, with a thoughtful expression. "You're right. But they can't think badly of you. We can't break up just yet."

"Why?" Corbin asked bluntly. "Did you wait a certain amount of time to end it?" The man looked at Emmeline calmly without hesitation.

Emmeline looked thoughtful. It was only a few seconds before Emmeline was startled by the sudden appearance of someone. Or maybe it was just that they were too busy chatting that they didn't even notice someone was approaching them?

"What's the matter, Emmy? Why are you nervous? Are you guys talking about something so secret that you're nervous to see me come?" Darren, said with a faint smile. His arrival had invited a mysterious sigh from Corbin. Corbin remained calm, allowing the newcomer to speak.

"I hope I'm not bothering you guys," Darren said, but the quiet welcome made him correct his words. "Oh, okay. Sorry, I know I might bother you guys. But trust me. The conversation we had inside just wasn't enough for me." Darren chuckled. "Marriage, family history, ah. I was thinking, why don't we talk about something other than that." Darren cast a sarcastic glance at Corbin, before looking at Emmeline with a smile. "Ah, Emmy, is it true that I've missed so much in your life? He said softly, sighing. "Aaa," he then asked, bluntly to the two people in front of him, "may I know, how long have you actually known each other?"

It was an odd question for Emmeline. "A year," said Emmy bluntly but lazily, and sadly it coincided with Corbin's "A day," answer.

Darren squinted in surprise. Meanwhile, Emmy glanced sharply at Corbin.

"Oh, what is this? Why are you guys saying different things?" Darren smiled as if satisfied. "What is this?"

"Why is our introduction important to you?" said Corbin nonchalantly.

"Oh, I was just curious. Emmy, do you mind if I ask like that?" Darren asked.

Emmeline was seen gulping and blinking her eyes with an expression as if her mind was busy.

"Corbin was just joking, because he's tired. It's time for him to go home. Em—Corbin," Emmy put her arm around Corbin's arm, "okay, you can go home and rest."

"Hey, what's the rush?" stop Darren. He grabbed the shoulders of the two people who had their backs to him. Emmy and Corbin stopped immediately.

"Emmeline, a short conversation won't tire Corbin, calm down."

"But we all chatted a lot in the dining room," said Emmeline.

"Oh, no, come on." Darren pulled Emmeline a little hard, and unfortunately, it sprained Emmeline.

"Ah," Emmy shrieked softly.

"Hey, watch out," Corbin snapped. His words sounded sternly rebuking Darren. He grabbed Emmeline and pulled her carefully to his side, pulling Darren's body away from her. Emmy was surprised, and so was Darren.

"Hey, man, calm down. Do you think I'm going to hurt Emmeline?" Darren looked emotional.

"Who knows?" said Corbin.

"Be careful when you speak. What do you know about me that you can think like that?" Darren started to move forward and approached Corbin with a sharp look showing disapproval. Emmeline was starting to feel panicked. Corbin, meanwhile, let Darren close to him, and they were so close as they faced each other and exchanged intense stares. Corbin, however, still looked calmer and showed signs that he could control himself.

"Come on, stop it, I beg you," said Emmeline. Her face was pale at the tension in front of her. But before anything happened, a cheerful voice interrupted them.

"Emmy, Corbin, Darren, you guys still here?"

***