Her Fake Lover

Chapter 8

"Never mind. Don't tell us you're going to waste this opportunity." Chloe interrupted the conversation without permission. "Miss Karfis has given you an easier choice, compared to you having to pay no small amount of compensation."

Corbin still looked quite calm, and he was still staring at Emmeline, leaning back in his chair. His hands clasped together. "But your reputation could be ruined if anyone else found out about this."

"You don't have to worry about my reputation. It's just a family dinner," Emmeline replied. To her surprise, she was able to act calmer than she could have expected, in their further conversation.

"How can you be sure the effects of this ridiculous act won't last?" Corbin asked calmly.

Emmeline fell silent at the question. But Corbin didn't wait until the boss of Karfis & Vin answered.

"Okay." Corbin rose from his seat. "Basically, I like something easy. I agree. I've left my number with your assistant. Call me if it's necessary."

Corbin got up from his spot, and left the room quietly. Then Chloe, immediately took over Corbin's seat after the man had completely closed the door to the Emmy's room.

"I think behind his nonchalant attitude on this matter, he's honestly a considerate person," Chloe commented.

"Anna said Corbin didn't like the jewelry and watch business. When you think about his nonchalant attitude, I don't think that's far from it."

"Ah, yes. I've heard that from you before. Weird thing," said Chloe. "But even though it's weird, I don't care. What amazes me even more is your sudden recklessness! Oh," Chloe shook her head. "I can hardly believe this, Emmy! You really are a surprise."

Emmy sighed in annoyance. "Darren tried to call me earlier. He then texted me, after I didn't pick up the call. He tried to remind me of the dinner Mom and Dad had planned."

"Oh," Chloe sighed in understanding at Emmy's words. So apparently that's what made her boss's face look gloomy and confused when she got the call.

"Now I understand why you got so desperate," said Chloe. "But still. How can you just point at Corbin?"

Emmeline, was silent for a moment, before then saying that the idea just flowed. "Our circumstances allow us to make the deal possible. Chloe, never mind. Help me with this. You have to prepare Corbin. Tell him what he might need to know. I hope Mom and Dad or anyone else doesn't get us into trouble. Use the rest of the day well for this task. I want all the preparations to go well, and my show tonight is not messed up."

"Oh, all right," Chloe dutifully agreed to the order. While blinking mischievously, she also added in her words, although the decision was very surprising for her but she didn't think Corbin was a bad choice for this game.

Not much happened the rest of the day, for Emmeline's other problem was not being able to grab a bigger portion of her attention than how she paid attention to dinner. The result of Darren's crazy proposal.

Emmeline wasn't sure if it was the right decision, but she didn't feel like she could have made a better choice.

Time seemed to pass so fast according to Emmeline. Hours passed and replaced each other, until she found that Elderville-Bryxton had entered the early evening.

Emmeline styled her clothes in a casual style. She's in her room right now. She stared at her own reflection in the makeup mirror, and a sharp look at herself didn't seem enough to command her brain to stop thinking so complexly that she was overwhelmed with anxiety.

There was a knock on the door. She heard Lea's voice.

"Yes, honey. Come in," Emmeline said in response to Lea's request for permission—a notice to be more precise—to enter. Emmeline forced herself to smile but she didn't dare look away from the mirror yet—because she felt the need to make sure there was nothing suspicious about her expression.

"He's coming, isn't he, Emmy?" Lea asked referring to someone Emmeline called a boyfriend.

"Um—yes. He's coming."

Emmeline began to look away from the mirror, and looked at Lea.

"Ah, you're so beautiful," said Lea.

"Thank you."

Lea furrowed her brows. "But I see you look a little nervous too," Lea held Emmeline's cheek and caressed it for a moment while looking into her eyes. Emmeline gasped.

"Really? Ah, no. I—I was just ... um—probably tired." Emmeline looked back at the mirror, quickly turning her face away from Lea.

"Ah," Lea smiled. She then wrapped her arms around Emmeline's neck, pressed her face against her sister's, and both of them stared at the mirror. Lea smiled while Emmeline looked more nervous.

"You're probably just nervous because it's the first time you're going to bring your boyfriend in front of us all. I didn't think you'd be this cute, Emmy. It's more like adorable shyness."

Emmeline widened her eyes. She was shocked and seemed to want to scream in protest with all her might, but it was impossible. The denial was only hidden in her heart. "You're exaggerating, Lea. I think I'm just fine."

"There is nothing superfluous in love. When you want your whole family to accept your partner as well as they love you, that's a sign of love. He will be a part of your life and you will be a part of his life, you realize that and you want it." Lea kissed Emmeline on the cheek, and Emmeline, silently staring in the mirror at those words. Her heart shuddered.

Lea had left. "I'll wait for you. Don't stay in the room for long." The girl smiled, then left Emmeline.

A sigh escaped Emmeline's mouth. She felt even more awkward because she realized that her entire family thought what she was doing was real. When in fact, everything was just fake.

Emmeline left. She had been in the room for quite some time. She didn't even notice any change in the makeup and clothes she was wearing, even though she had persisted in front of the mirror all this time.

Her parents' laughter rang out loud in the living room as Emmeline walked up to them. Lea had also just rejoined them after—she said—had just called Darren. "Darren has arrived apparently," she said.

"Ah, Emmy, come here, dear," said Mrs. Jeanne. "Ah, you look so beautiful," she whispered as she kissed her daughter's cheek.

"Mom, Dad, I'll open the door for Darren." Lea moved.

Mr. Guillaume, gently stroked the hair of one of his daughters remaining in the room, who was silent. Emmeline was indeed having a hard time getting rid of the awkward feeling in her mind, and the smiles of those around her who looked happy and clueless made Emmeline feel even worse about herself.

Darren, came in with Lea, with Lea's hand cradling his arm. Darren stopped just as he got in front of everyone. His eyes, however, were not far from a look of admiration for Emmeline. He greeted the twins' parents well, and after all, of course he had his eye on Emmeline again.

"Hey, Emmy."

"Oh, honey. You get on well with everyone," Lea interrupted.

"Of course," said Darren. His eyes returned to Emmeline. "Are ... all the seats going to be filled, tonight?"

Emmeline glared at Darren at the question. She knew where Darren's question was headed. Of all people, it was the man Emmeline thought should be treated with the most caution. With denial deeply rooted in Darren's mind, he could have easily cracked Emmeline's charade, if she wasn't careful.

"Sure, Darren. You've come yourself. Meanwhile Emmeline has also confirmed that her boyfriend will come. You wait," said Mr. Guillaume, "Emmy's boyfriend will be here soon. Ah, honey, what's your boyfriend's name?"

"Yeah, I also don't know his name, Emmy. You haven't told me yet," added the mother.

"She hasn't confessed to me yet, Dad, Mom, let alone you two," Lea commented.

Darren chuckled. His expression was implicitly disdainful. Emmeline knew it was because he had doubted her confession from the start that she had a boyfriend.

Emmeline blinked her eyes lazily. A moment later she realized that everyone in front of her was silent, waiting for her to answer their questions.

"Aaa—his name is ... " the words floated. Emmeline raised her eyebrows in a slight movement to find someone emerging from the door, then stood right behind everyone—everyone was facing Emmeline at the time. Emmeline smiled. She looked at the newcomer with green eyes similar to hers. "Corbin," Emmeline said later.

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