Her Fake Lover

Chapter 24

Several days had passed. Emmeline, sitting in her chair in the dining room with Lea, and her parents. They were having breakfast. They talked about some light things in the middle of their chat. Lea talked about the things that had happened at the hospital, while Mr. Guillaume talked about his work, recounting some of the strange actions of the students, and anything that had caught his attention about the last few things. Not much different from Mrs. Jeanne who also had the same profession as her husband, as a lecturer.

They were indeed a colorful family, and their daily life was always full of intimacy no matter how busy they were out there.

Lea, without hesitation once or twice brought the topic of Darren among them, and Emmeline, couldn't help but restrain herself, trying not to act stiff whenever talk of Darren led her parents to ask questions about Corbin.

"You amaze us, you two can build a long distance relationship when we see you two really support each other, and we consider your relationship to be intimate," said Mr Guillaume. "If it's your mom who goes away from me, I don't know what I can do."

"Honey, come on," Mrs Jeanne said. She blushed a little, but seemed pleased with her husband's sweet words. Of course. Emmeline and Lea smiled happily and amazed to see it.

"Mom and dad are married. And you already have us. It's natural for you to feel inseparable. I'm sure Emmy will be like that when she and Corbin are married," said Lea.

Emmeline choked on her own drink at Lea's words.

"Honey, are you all right?" Mrs. Jeanne asked.

"Ah, y-yes, Mom. I'm fine." Emmeline wiped the wet side of her mouth. She grumbled anxiously in her heart, while Lea, smiled mischievously at her.

Emmeline, left for the office feeling a little weak after having breakfast with her family. It wasn't the first morning for her, where her breakfast mood went like that. Since the dinner with Corbin, questions about him had been raised several times, which had disturbed Emmeline's peace in the end.

The girl was starting to think about whether it was necessary for her to talk about this again with Corbin. But the thought didn't last long because Emmy always tried to push it away.

"Good morning, Miss Karfis," said Chloe.

"Good morning, Chloe."

"I brought Annaliese to the fitting yesterday," Chloe furrowed her brows for a moment, seeing Emmeline's face look a little uninspired, but she chose to continue with her report, considering that Emmy wouldn't even bother if she asked that second. "You know what? Mrs. Valerie's response was quite good to Anna. I think she was curious at first and guessed why you asked to include Anna in the list of models. And I think that's true, because her eyes looked full of inquiry when she first saw Anna."

Emmeline, glanced at Chloe for a moment. A faint smile tugged. That seemed to distract her enough from the restlessness she didn't really like, and it made her ask further questions. "Then what happen?"

"What happened? Mrs. Valerie then started talking to Annaliese, and she seemed happy. I mean, there's nothing to worry about. She just asked Annaliese a few things."

Emmeline, found the information troubling her. Her smile faded. "Ask about what? What did she ask?"

"Who is Annaliese, and what does she have to do with you."

Emmeline straightened her back on reflex.

"No need to worry. I've briefed her. You think I'd just let a girl like her go without giving her a lot of warning?"

"Tell me what you told her."

Chloe Levine cleared her throat. She took a deep breath, before then said, "I told her to say that she is an admirer of Karfis & Vin—as she confessed to us. Then at the exhibition in Paris yesterday, she met you. You guys got to know each other, and you, offered her this opportunity. I didn't ask her to tell Mrs. Valerie about the missing ring, because I didn't want her nagging mouth to spill over into other unimportant matters."

Emmeline nodded her head. But she quickly glanced at Chloe's strange gesture, who seemed to be clenching one of her hands anxiously.

"What's wrong? Why are you worried?" Emmeline asked.

Chloe glanced at Emmeline swiftly. "I apparently got an extra job yesterday," she admitted. "It's because of Hazel—" Chloe paused because Emmy looked up with an incomprehensible expression, "ah, the model Anna bumped into at the show in Paris. She also came yesterday." Emmeline was back to normal. She knew what Chloe meant. "Hazel still doesn't seem to accept the carelessness that Anna did to her. She looked like she almost exploded the first second she met Anna."

Emmeline, momentarily showed an expression of displeasure.

"But luckily I came at the right time, so the fuss was avoided. Hazel is a girl who isn't good at controlling her anger. Too bad. I told her I asked her to be quiet, or else she wouldn't accept any more job offers from Karfis & Vin."

Emmeline, didn't show any disapproval. Even though she knew it would be more appropriate for the company leader to say such words rather than an assistant.

"I hope she really listens to my warning, so that tomorrow she won't cause any trouble. Never mind. Don't worry about it. Now tell me, why doesn't your face look fresh, this morning?"

Emmeline glanced quickly at Chloe, but only to say later, "I'm fine. You calm down. I just hope everything today ends well, and I don't mess it up."

Chloe raised her eyebrows in surprise, hearing that sad statement. Chloe, however, didn't find herself having the chance to ask further, because instead of giving her a chance to talk, Emmeline had immediately showered her with lots of work, which Chloe couldn't refuse. The girl quickly left Emmeline's room, to return to her desk to do her chores.

Emmy and Chloe went through the same busy schedule until the day was over. Until it was time for them to say goodbye to each other again, when their working hours were over.

"I don't know exactly what ruined your mood all day, Emmy, but I have a strong hunch that your problem isn't that far from your fake relationship problem. Even though it's not a big deal, I know it's annoying. I can't imagine, you standing alone in the midst of your family, hiding the facts about something they ask almost every day. Emmy, I understand your condition," Chloe said to Emmy, after they left the office.

Emmy glanced disinterestedly. "Are you starting to catch Anna? You talk so much. Besides, it's not something important to talk about. No. I mean, never mind. Go home." Emmy said. It looked pathetic in Chloe's eyes. Chloe squeezed her best friend's shoulder as she was about to turn away from her to her car.

"I have a great recipe, inherited from my mother. If everything suddenly feels tiring or you are suddenly stressed because of the pressures in life. Take a break. Forget all the burdens for a moment, and take time for a vacation. I'm still pretty sane enough to face all the demands in my life so far from sticking to that tip."

Emmy, furrowed her brows for a moment. "Do I need it too?"

"Em—probably necessary," said Chloe.

"Okay," Emmy let go of Chloe's grip on her shoulder, "thank you. After the fashion show with Avant-Garde Valestylez is over, I might consider it."

Emmy left.

"Be careful, honey," Chloe shouted with a smile.

She also left to return home, preparing for a moment to unwind at home.

Chloe met Annaliese who was casually waiting for her at home. No need to wait long, until it was time for them to rest.

It was almost midnight when Chloe, opened the slightly ajar door to Anna's room, and found the girl still engrossed in her cell phone while sitting on the chair.

"You're awake?" Chloe asked, moving closer to the girl. Anna looked surprised.

"Oh, Miss Chloe. Em—I haven't slept. I just texted Corbin."

"Oh," Chloe answered with a sigh. The thought of Emmeline suddenly flashed through her head, and it made her ask, "What are you guys talking about?" Chloe, stood leaning against the table near the chair Anna was sitting on.

"I'm talking about the fashion show. I told him, yesterday I met with Mrs. Valerie, who will be working with Miss Emmy for the event. The event is in sight."

"What did he say?"

Anna smiled, with her usual cheerful expression. "He supports me. As I said yesterday. I'm happy. He didn't even protest when I told him just now, that I learned a little bit about jewelry design yesterday from Mr Piers and Miss Emmeline. You already knew before, didn't you, that my brother wasn't a person interested in the field—"

"Ah, yes. I know," Chloe cut in. Anna's words would be long if they weren't cut short. "Then what else did he say?"

"Em, not much. He just said in his last message, moments before you came in. He said I shouldn't trouble Miss Emmeline."

"Oh?" Chloe gasped slightly, finding the words pleasing to her ears.

"But sadly he still won't tell me what he did yesterday to solve the problem I made. What deal he made with Miss Emmeline. Miss Chloe, do you know anything?"

"Ah, good night, Anna. It's time for you to sleep," Chloe retorted, "Miss Emmeline will be angry if she finds out you haven't slept at this time. Tomorrow you have to go to dress rehearsal, and you can't come with a sleepy face. And don't forget that a model shouldn't neglect her sleep." Chloe walked away, unwilling to answer Annaliese's question. From a few paces away, Chloe could still hear Annaliese muttering.

"But I won't be modeling forever even though I'm excited about this opportunity. I want to be a jewelry designer. Ah, but—ah, right, modeling I think is fun too. Geez, Miss Emmeline has made me—"

"Anna, go to sleep!" Chloe half shouted.

"Ah—okay, Miss!"

***