Her Fake Lover

Chapter 44

Emmeline and Corbin only got back to the house when it was late afternoon. A situation that makes Anna, provoked and eager to tease them. Anna said when she passed Corbin and Emmeline when the two of them had just arrived, "It's really fun traveling together. I know, any problem won't be too hard if it's faced together, right? Together," Annaliese said the last words by interlacing the two index fingers of her hands. She left Corbin and Emmy by walking backwards and repeating her last word two to three times with the same hand gesture.

Emmeline and Corbin stared at Anna in silence, with an expression of understanding at Anna's mischief.

"Let's go in," Corbin said to Emmeline calmly.

But they stopped again. Aunt Aude had just walked out the door and she immediately looked enthusiastic when she saw that Emmy and Corbin were back.

"You just got home?" she said cheerfully. "Ah, where have you been all day?"

Emmy and Corbin exchanged glances for a moment.

"Um—we went a few places," Corbin answered.

"Oh, it looks like you guys really enjoyed the walk." Aude glanced at Corbin for a while, she seemed to furrow her brows for a moment, but then sighed, "ah!" slowly, with an expression as if she was brushing off a certain thought in her head, which Emmy and Corbin didn't know exactly. It seemed that Aunt Aude had no interest in continuing whatever thoughts were running through her head, as she immediately returned her full focus to Emmeline. "Take a shower. We can relax for a while and talk later."

Emmeline nodded obediently with a smile and then walked into the house. Now only Corbin and Aude were left.

Corbin watched his aunt. "You seem very fond of Emmeline," Corbin said.

"Oh," Aude's gaze fell on Corbin swiftly. She seemed to roll her eyes for a moment, before then said, "Em—yes, son. I like her. Yes. Like that."

Corbin was still frowning.

"Ah, never mind. You too come in and clean yourself up, son. I'll prepare dinner for all of us."

"Ah, fine. I'll help you," Corbin said.

Seconds and hours passed. All the family members had even finished dinner. Now Emmeline, at Aude's invitation, was sitting in the living room, watching television. Aude cast smiling glances at Emmeline so many times that Emmeline even felt awkward. Aude said, "I'm glad you enjoyed your time here. I heard from Annaliese that you were so kind to her in Elderville-Bryxton. I'm touched to hear that."

Emmeline smiled. "Annaliese is a lovely girl. I enjoyed spending time with her too."

"Oh, you're so sweet, honey," Aude chimed in. "Em, Annaliese is the youngest in this house. Sorry if you find her being spoiled or annoying at times. I'm sure you admit it in your heart," Aude laughed, while Emmeline suppressed a smile. "That's because we spoil her a lot. Both me and Corbin. Corbin, although he can be very strict at times, but he loves his sister very much. Annaliese has lost her parents since she was a baby. We try our best, so that Anna doesn't feel lack of affection. And yes, I don't know if Anna ever told you or not, she also has one more brother, who used to love her very much. But he ... died a few years ago." Aude's expression became sad for a moment.

Emmeline also felt sympathy. Yes. She knew all that. But to be precise, it was Corbin who told everything in detail. But Emmeline couldn't possibly bring that up. What Aude knew, Emmeline was closer to Anna than Corbin, and that Emmy knew Corbin only because Corbin was Anna's older brother. Aude didn't know that Emmeline, Corbin, and Anna, had connected to each other more closely than they could have imagined at first. Emmeline squeezed Aude's hands together with affirming eyes. Aude smiled as she looked at her.

"Sometimes I miss him," Aude said. "Even now I miss him." Aude, looked at Emmeline with a deep gaze. Slowly, Aude took out her hand that was in Emmeline's grip, only to grip the girl's hand back. "Do you know—"

"Emmy," Corbin entered the common room and called for Emmeline. Aude and Emmy's attention was instantly diverted to him. Meanwhile, Corbin, was surprised to find Aude and Emmy holding each other's hands, and looked very serious. "Oh, sorry. Am I interrupting?"

"Ah, no. No, son," said Aude. She quickly let go of her hand, then smiled broadly. "There's no way you're interfering. Em—but, what's wrong? Why did you call for Emmeline?"

"Oh, I ... " Corbin looked at Emmeline, "I meant to take Emmy out for a bit. I thought she was just idle at home, so maybe going out would relieve the boredom."

Emmeline smiled.

"Where are you taking me?" asked Emmy.

"Only if you want. I'm going to meet a friend of mine who is very fond of Karfis & Vin jewelry. There will be a lot of things you can talk about when you meet."

"Oh, that would be interesting!" said Emmy.

Aude Altieri, stared at Emmy's enthusiasm for a moment. She then smiled. "Then you go. Enjoy your time, and do what you want, Dear."

Emmeline gasped. She immediately remembered that she and Aude had been having a conversation. She felt how ridiculous she was. But just as she was about to say that she didn't want to go, Aude had preceded her by saying, "Ah, I also want to rest." She covered her yawning mouth, "I'm sleepy."

"Are you serious?" asked Emmy.

"Ah, yes, dear. Old people are sleepy very easily. Well, you go." Aude rose from her seat, then smiled at Emmy and Corbin. "Enjoy your time!" Aude passed.

"Em—good night," said Emmeline when Aude was a few steps away from her.

"Good night, honey," Aude replied a little loudly because they were far apart.

Emmeline, then looked at Corbin. Corbin smiled. "Shall we go now?"

"Mhm!" Emmy smiled excitedly, then immediately said she would get warm clothes first in her room. Corbin looked at her steps with a smile.

***