"Dinner with your parents?" Esme blurted out, taken aback by the unexpected invitation.
Silas winced and hissed in response. "Lower your voice. You'll make me deaf."
Esme immediately shut her mouth, mindful of Emma's advice not to speak loudly. She took a deep breath and composed herself, trying to process the unexpected request.
"Why are you so surprised?" Silas queried. "You signed the agreement, didn't you? You're my girlfriend, and my parents wish to meet you. We need to maintain the facade of a serious relationship."
Esme knew she couldn't avoid it, even though she was nervous. She just had to act and pretend to be Silas's girlfriend. It was just an act. There should be no problem. She took a deep breath and nodded, trying to push aside her anxiety.
'It's all right,' she told herself, trying to convince herself that everything would be fine. 'I can do this.'
