Her Fake Lover

Chapter 45

Emmeline really went out with Corbin. When they were only a few steps out of the door, Emmy asked, "Was this a sudden idea, to take me out at night?"

"Yes. My friend called me to tell me he wanted to meet. They are husband and wife, but both are my friends."

Emmeline stopped and swiftly grabbed Corbin's hand. "Wait! If they're Karfis & Vin fans, does they follow news about my private life? Do they know about me and ..." Emmeline's hand reflexively pointed at Corbin.

"Yeah. That's why they really wanted to see me. I thought since you were here, you might as well come along. I'm lazy if I have to keep my brain busy making up narrations. Not my habit."

"Oh?" Emmeline covered her gaping mouth. "No matter in Elderville-Bryxton or Brilfaxa, are we always prepared to pretend."

Corbin just sighed and smiled, then immediately asked Emmeline to get in the car. They drove away from the house.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to spend part of the evening meeting up with Corbin's friends. Corbin and Emmy carried themselves as if their relationship was real, and for a moment Emmeline thought, turning to look at Corbin, as they were talking to Corbin's friends, 'wouldn't this be sweet if only this was a real relationship? He brought and introduced his girlfriend to his friends.' Corbin looked calm as Emmeline watched him.

Corbin turned to her after that. They stared at each other in silence for a few seconds. They smiled.

The meeting ended after a while, when they felt that they had had enough of their time together.

Emmeline, was in the car with Corbin. Corbin stopped the car at a point, where they could freely enjoy the night.

"I didn't get to ask this before," Corbin said. "I see, you and Aunt Aude were having a serious conversation when I entered the living room. If I may ask, what are you two talking about?"

"Oh," said Emmy, "your aunt was talking about your family. Especially about your first brother. She said she missed him."

Corbin was silent. He then looked away, from Emmeline to the direction in front of him. He took a deep breath, but still didn't say anything. Emmeline felt she might have upset Corbin's feelings. Emmeline wanted to fix that.

"Never mind. Em ... I think you're tired, Corbin. Me too. Shall we go home?"

Corbin nodded his head and smiled. He then drove the car, and returned home.

It was only a few minutes before they set foot in Corbin's house again. It was quiet at that time. Everyone had fallen asleep. At least that's what they know.

"Get some rest. Good night," Corbin said in front of Emmeline's room.

"Thank you. It's been a great day."

Corbin fell silent with a faint smile on his face. He nodded his head, then left Emmeline's room.

Emmeline looked at the direction he was leaving with a smile. Then whispered softly, "Good night," even though of course he didn't hear it anymore.

A quiet night enveloped Brilfaxa, shade the tired bodies to rest.

The ticking of the clock passed, and continued to lead everyone to enter the end of their sleep time. Time quickly returned to the morning.

Again, at Corbin's house. They had finished breakfast together a while ago. Now everyone was immersed in their busyness. Corbin went out on an errand, while Anna, it was unclear what exactly she was doing, but she had been in her room for a while. Emmeline didn't want to bother Anna, which was why she was looking for other activities. She looked for Aunt Aude in several rooms of the house, hoping to find her, who had been missing since breakfast.

Emmeline wanted to meet her for a chat, considering their conversation had been cut off last night. Or else Emmeline thought maybe she could accompany her in whatever she was doing.

But Aunt Aude was completely invisible in the house. Emmeline thought, 'where is she?'

Emmeline tried to find her outside the house. But didn't see her either. Emmy's gaze, accidentally returned to Corbin's brother's workshop. Emmeline took a deep breath. Her interest in the small building was not over. Emmeline didn't know why. She thought it might be because Corbin had told her, his brother had made the little house a place to be creative and experiment with making watches. Emmeline herself was the owner of a jewelry and watch company. Her instincts as a designer had made her interested in all things close to what she did on a daily basis.

Emmeline walked slowly, approaching the small building. The steps were slow but sure. Little by little brought her closer to the small building. Her footsteps stopped suddenly as she got closer. Emmeline furrowed her brows. She saw signs of someone in the workshop. 'Who's he?' thought Emmeline. Emmeline then remembered Corbin's words that her aunt used to come in and clean the room.

"Could it be Aunt Aude?" whispered Emmy quietly to herself.

To answer her curiosity, Emmy continued her steps and got closer. Emmy then reached the door. The door that had been opened.

Emmy, simply guided by her own desire to enter, and then found various watchmaking equipment and tools there. Things are neatly arranged here and there.

Someone was there, standing in the corner of the room.

"Aunt Aude," Emmeline called slowly.

"Oh," Aude was surprised for a moment. She turned and wiped her eyes. "Oh, Emmy. You're here?"

"Em, sorry. I was presumptuous to have just walked in."

"Oh, it's all right, honey. Calm down. You can come in." Aude put on her usual smile, covering her entire face. She turned back for a moment. From behind, Emmy could see the woman again wiping her eyes.

Emmy was sure the woman was crying or something. Aude turned back to Emmeline, and smiled again.

Emmeline swallowed heavily. Standing transfixed looking at Aude. She walked slowly towards her, squeezing the old woman's shoulders with a sympathetic look as if to show that she understood what Aude was feeling. Emmeline hugged her, without saying anything. Aude was still silent, accepting the hug with a tight embrace.

"Ah, never mind. Sorry. Don't ruin your own mood in the morning," Aude said smiling as she let go of her hug. "Ah, you want to look around this room?"

"Em, mhm," Emmeline smiled approvingly. Then she looked around the corner of the room. She approached some of the watches that weren't fully assembled there. Emmeline touched many things, with her own hands, with a familiar feeling.

"You must also be familiar with the world of watchmaking like this. None of this is foreign to you."

Emmeline smiled. "You are right."

Emmeline was approaching and looking at some of the small parts of the watch, when Aude approached her. "This place is so historic to me. Reminds me of my eldest nephew, Anna's brother. No. To my younger brother and sister-in-law too—Anna's parents. They're all gone. I remember them all every time I come in here. This place holds a million meanings to me." Her hand stroked the back of Emmeline's shoulder.

Emmeline embraced the old woman with one arm.

"Oh yes, I brought their pictures to clean in my room, but I forgot to bring them back here," said Aude. "Wait a minute, I'll get them."

Aude passed. But just as she was about to reach the door, someone called her at the door.

"Mrs. Aude, are you busy?"

"Oh, you? W-what's wrong?"

"I'd like to take you out to visit our neighbors at the hospital. Didn't we agree we'd be leaving today?"

"Oh my gosh. I forgot. Thanks for reminding me. Ah, but—" Aude turned to Emmeline. Emmeline smiled.

"Go. We can talk again when you get back."

"Oh, okay." Aude smiled then walked over to Emmeline and kissed her both cheeks. "I'm leaving for a bit. I'm not locking this room. You can lock it yourself when you're done looking around." Aude then pointed out where she had put the key, before leaving Emmeline behind. Emmeline was left alone there, smiling, gazing in the direction Aude had gone.

***