It was only now, in this very second, with Great Grandmother Wright pinning Emmaline with her razor sharp stare, that Emmaline began to understand how this woman singlehandedly brought the Wrights to such heights.
The old woman was over eighty years old, practically ninety!
And yet, Emmaline didn't even feel this scared when she was taking her exams!
Thank God she was acting.
I am a man in love, she told herself. Love conquers all.
At least, that's what Emmett Spelt thinks.
"No," Emmaline met the elder's hard gaze squarely but without aggression. Instead, she projected sincerity, making her expression earnest, "I just wanted to give those as a token of my gratitude."
She squeezed Ashton's hand a little more slowly than she needed to, making sure that everyone saw it.
"I don't need to be a part of your inheritance, you've all worked hard for it and I know I'm a outsider," Emmaline swallowed and continued, "All I want is to be with Ashton."
Ashton was staring at her as if she was the only person in the room.
There was something in his gaze that was equal parts affection and adoration.
Emmaline felt a little wistful. If only there was someone to look at me like this for real, she sighed to herself.
But, sadly, only rich people have time to flirt, poor people only have time to hustle.
Great Grandmother Wright's face never changed, but she leaned forward slightly.
Despite her advanced age, her posture was still perfect and her movements were graceful.
Emmaline briefly wished she could be like that when she was older.
"Alright, then why Ashton?" Great Grandmother Wright questioned, raising one perfect eyebrow, "Because he's good looking?"
Emmaline had learned very early on, the best acting always had a touch of truth to it.
She thought about how hot Ashton was, remembering the feel of his body pressed against hers, she blushed.
Now, she was the very picture of a smitten lover.
"He is, I can't deny that," She admitted, "But he's also hardworking, kind, considerate and innovative."
While she had been talking, Great Grandmother Wright had casually reached into the paper bag and pulled out an apple caramel muffin.
Her eyes never left Emmaline as she peeled the paper back and took a dainty bite.
When Emmaline finished, Great Grandmother Wright nodded and took a larger, less dainty bite.
"These are delicious, thank you for bringing them," Great Grandmother Wright said and Emmaline knew that she very likely had won at least one person at the table.
"I can pass you the recipe if you like?" Emmaline offered hesitantly.
There was a pause as Great Grandmother Wright studied her, Emmaline held her breath.
Ashton stepped in front of Emmaline, as if shielding her, "Enough questions, I brought him to have a meal not to get interrogated."
Somehow, that seemed to break the dam completely.
Great Grandmother Wright looked over Ashton's shoulder at Emmaline and smiled, "I would love the recipe for these."
Yes! One down, two to go.
Although no bell was pulled or any evident message sent, food began to be served. Emmaline had no idea how the servants knew that the family was ready to eat.
But when she took a whiff of the broth in front of her, she didn't care how they knew.
She just wanted to vacuum the food up!
Unfortunately, she had a job to do.
Carefully, she blew on a spoonful of the hot broth and when it was cooler, brought it to Ashton's lips.
"See if it's still too hot," She stage whispered, making sure everyone was watching.
Ashton's grin was blinding with how bright it was.
Without testing it at all, he ate the mouthful that was being offered to him and made an appreciative sound.
"Don't worry, I trust you," He patted Emmaline on the head.
***
Ashton was astounded by how well Em was doing.
How did the guy manage to blush on cue like that? Did they teach that in acting school?
And the muffins… They were an excellent touch. He hadn't even considered having Em bring something but homemade muffins were perfect.
Em really seemed like the serious boyfriend that Ashton was prepared to marry.
His family had been shocked, there was no doubt about it.
To anyone else, they would have looked extremely calm. But Ashton knew his family and he could see the tension in their faces and bodies.
Everything was going according to plan.
All they had to do was act sickeningly in love and his family would give up and call off the marriage before it even happened.
He had never really had a serious relationship before.
All the women he had 'dated' never lasted more than a month or so.
Usually, things ended because she wanted more and he didn't want anything serious, or she started asking him to buy her extravagant things and angling to marry him for his inheritance.
So at the start, he wasn't sure if he would be able to pull this off successfully, which is why he needed a good actor to help him.
Surprisingly, things came really naturally with Em. Maybe it was because Em was a guy and it was just like hanging out with a friend.
Whatever it was, it didn't feel weird to brush some of Em's fringe out of his eyes or to use his thumb to wipe a bit of sauce from the corner of Em's soft lips.
Seriously, who allowed this boy to be so pretty?
All throughout dinner, Ashton and Em were a flawless team.
Ashton could feel his family's eyes on them and their surprise when he spoke gently to Em.
He couldn't blame them. In the office, he was no nonsense and business focused. Outside the office, he was charming and flirtatious.
But never like this.
Never squeezing someone's hand on the table or feeding them with his own spoon or being so genuine.
When they had finished dessert, Sienna opened her mouth and then closed it, as if at a loss for words.
Ashton felt smug beyond words.
His mother was clearly struggling to accept her son's preferences and looking for a way to reject Em.
"Ash," Sienna started, "I know it's not easy…"
Ashton nodded calmly, not betraying a single emotion.
"But I'm so proud of you for finding real love!" Sienna exclaimed.
Wait, what?