EMILY

It was definitely not just a simple dinner. Nor was it like 'an adventure'. It was a damn temptation for me, and it took only the thought of what I'd be walking out of this place with for me not to snap and give Alex's family a piece of my mind.

“Emily doesn't seem offended,” a very obnoxious voice said. When I say very, I mean very. She talked like she was using her nose to talk, and whenever she did have something to say, it was nonsense.

*some minutes ago*

“Don't say more than you are asked,” Alex stated firmly as I got out of his car and stood beside him.

“Excuse me? I'm not a yapper or something.”

He turned to me without saying a word. We might not have spent a lot of time together, but I could already tell the way he subtly raises his brows whenever he's about to diss someone or make a rude observation.

“Fine. It's not like I'm planning to anyway.” I muttered before he could make any rude remarks, and I looked away from him.

Thankfully, being in all those beautiful hotels has cultured my 'gawking at beautiful buildings habit', so my mouth was not slacking in admiration as we walked the grassy path leading to the front door.

Even though I had managed to mask my emotions, I indulged myself in silently admiring the flower path and the huge building as we made our way further.

It was not until we stepped in, the door shut behind us, that the reality of what I was in came rushing in.

A cold chill rushed up my body, and I could literally feel the hair rise on my arms.

What if his grandmother wouldn't like me? Of course, she wouldn't. Alex had already made it clear.

Following Alex's lead, I found myself in a spacious living room. White spotless luxury couches. A large, shiny flat screen. A golden chandelier hung right in the center of the room. Glass center table.

That was as far as my poor self could identify.

A woman who looked to be in her thirties emerged from somewhere. She stopped in front of us and bowed to Ethan.

“Your grandmother is waiting in the dining room.”

Alex gave the woman a shot nod and started to walk away without giving me a glance. I quickly gave the woman the most polite bow I could muster and hurried after him, trying my utmost best not to trip over.

I flinched slightly when Alex's hands came to hold mine. I slowly looked up at him, noticing the way his jaw ticked slightly as he led me further.

I looked back at our joined hands; his hand was as cold as his attitude and the look in his eyes.

From the way he held me, I could tell he was tense, but his blank expression was doing well to hide how he was actually feeling.

All of a sudden, Alex stopped walking, and I almost did not hear him say, “What the hell?”

I looked up immediately, and my eyes widened as they settled on the occupants in the dining room.

'What is this family gathering?'

I thought I'd only be seeing Alex's grandmother, but I was wrong.

At the head of the eight-chair dining table, a woman who I immediately figured was Alex's grandmother was seated. On her right side, an older man who looked like he was in his mid-fifties sat. He had a slight resemblance to Alex. Taking my eyes further to his grandmother's left side, they landed on an older woman. She was pretty, and her lips curved into a frown as she was saying something to the teenager sitting beside her.

Was that Alex's mother?

The younger girl she was talking to lifted her head, and as soon as her eyes landed on Alex and me standing by the entrance, her lips curled into a smile.

“Oh, Alex and his girlfriend have arrived.”

Alex guided me inside. I took a deep breath, then planted a big smile on my face.

They all had their eyes on me as Alex took out a chair for me. “Thank you,” I muttered to him and sat, aware of the watchful eyes on me. He took the seat beside me.

“So, you were not lying. You really do have a girlfriend." The older woman, whom I guessed to be Alex's mother, said. She had a smile on her face. For someone who was used to faking smiles, I could tell hers was genuine, unlike the smile the younger girl beside her sported. Though it was not fake, it was a type of mocking smile.

Alex had laid so much emphasis on impressing his grandmother that I didn't think the entire family would be here.

“Yes ma,”

“Grandma, Dad, Aunt, Luna, this is my girlfriend Emily,” Alex started.

Oh, so the woman was his aunt? Then, where was his mother? 'None of your business Emily. Focus on why you are here'

“Emily..“ He turned to me, and I smiled warmly, hoping the look in my eyes matched that of happiness.

“This is my family,” he added.

I smiled and turned to glance at everyone. “It is my pleasure to finally meet you. Alex has said a lot of nice things about you all.”

Suddenly, the girl, Luna, laughed. I turned to her, raising a brow.

She stopped laughing and wiped under her eyes. "Alex saying nice things about this family? That's new.”

"Luna,” Alex's aunt cautioned.

I forced a smile and took my eyes off her, staring

down at my hands, while trying my best to ignore the glare Alex just passed to me.

Well, he had warned me not to say more than I was asked.

“What's your name again?“ His grandmother suddenly asked, speaking for the first time since we'd walked in.

Though she had not said anything, I saw the way she looked at me, like I did not deserve to be with her son. Don't worry ma'am, I do not want to be with him either.

“It's -” Alex had started before I could reply.

“I'm asking the young lady, or does she not know her name?“ His grandmother cut him off.

I forced a smile. “It's Emily, ma'am.”

“You do not have a last name?“ She raised a brow, a distasteful look on her face.

Well, she definitely does not like me.

“Emily Ra-”

I paused. “ Raya”

There's no way I'm telling my real last name.

Her slightly wrinkled forehead crinkled further.

“It does not ring a bell. What do your parents do?“

I definitely did not think of that. I should tell her I don't know. I didn't even know if my father was alive, and I didn't give two spoons what my mother did for a living.

"Actually, my parents are late, and before they died, they were just factory workers.”

Smooth.

She nodded as though she were digesting the new piece of information. "Ah, factory workers, I see.”

Her tone reminded me of Alex's earlier when he asked me about Charlie's house.

I was holding back to ask if she had a problem with it, but I knew better not to, as Alex had already said she was the one we needed to impress. I guess I'd be kissing this woman's ass against my will.

“So how long have you been struggling on your own?“

I tried to keep a smile on my face.

“I would not put it as struggling-”

“Of course I wonder how much Alex has given you. You look like one to milk off their partner's money.“ She cut me off curtly.

I narrowed my eyes and cast a glance at Alex, who just sat there like a robot, not even saying a word to defend me.

What the actual fuck?! That was judgmental as hell.

Maybe this was why Alex could never get an actual girlfriend. Who wants to be stuck with a family like this?

“What do you do for a living again?“ She added, as though she had not just insulted me.

“Mom, can we eat first? We should not scare the girl with these questions,” Alex's aunt interrupted, and I looked at her.

“Right? Desmond?“ She added, turning to smile at Alex's dad. He nodded. “That's right”

His dad turned to me and smiled. “It's nice to meet you, Emily Raya,” he said for the very first time.

I gave a polite bow despite the anger that had started to grow in me. “Thank you, sir.”

His grandmother gave orders, and soon the table was filled with all kinds of luxurious dishes.

I hadn't properly gotten to savor the meal on my plate when Alex's grandmother spoke up again.

“When did you both meet? And how long have you been together?”

Alex's hands came to rest on mine in a silent way to tell me to shut my mouth.

“We met on my trip to Canada last year, and we started talking since then, but we only made it official this month.”

He turned to me and gave me a warm smile, which I returned. If I didn't know better, I'd believe he was actually in love with me. I hope his family was buying this despite not liking me.

“So was that before or after I told you about the ultimatum to take over the company?“

“That night”

“So is it safe to say you made it official for the benefit?“

“Don't say it like that,” Alex gritted out, his grip on my hand tightening. He was no longer just holding me; it was like he was trying to pass his anger to my hand.

I struggled to not groan out in pain.

“Right? Their story just keeps getting ridiculous,” Luna suddenly interrupted.

“I do not believe one bit that they are in love; besides, it's quite obvious Emily is not the kind of woman Alex goes for.”

I finally freed myself from Alex's grip, and he cast me a slight glance. His eyes narrowed in confusion.

This was a mistake. I should have never accepted his proposal.

"Really, I'm disappointed, Alex. There are so many girls out there who can do a better job at pretending to be your girlfriend than her. She's totally not your style,” Luna continued.

"Luna,” Alex gritted out.

"Luna, quit being rude in front of our guest,” His aunt warned while glaring at her.

Luna rolled her eyes as they settled on me squarely, daring me to deny her words.

“What? It's not like I'm lying.”

“By the way, Emily doesn't seem offended,” she said, raising a brow.

“I don't?“

Alex held my hand, muttering something between the words 'don't think of it' but I hissed quietly and snatched my hands from his grip.

I dropped the fake smile that I had sported since I stepped foot into their house and raised my brows, the corner of my lips turned down. I held gazes with Luna.

“How about now?“