To Color Your Life

Being in the company of one Evans is already stressful for the nervous system. Now imagine when there are three of them!

And everyone is looking at you!

Emily would have been glad to run out of the office in a second, but it was hardly a reasonable idea. Three bosses - personal, chief and senior - were not only bosses but also future relatives. If you agree with Kelly's words about Evans Jr.'s intentions.

"Grandpa, this is not how things are done now. People make appointments in advance," Justin began. "I already discussed this with Emily and we were going to visit next week."

There was a case, Hayes breathed to herself. They were planning to meet Justin's parents next week, and Emily had time to mentally prepare for it.

After all, this is her first meeting with his parents!

Peter's parents lived in another city. Not that far, a couple of hours drive. But in six years of relationship, Miller never introduced her to his mom. Work at the university, scientific conferences, research. He was busy with his professional growth. And Emily didn't want to intrude.

You live with your boyfriend first, not with his mom, right?

But Justin immediately warned that it would not be possible to postpone this meeting for a long time, since his mother had already buzzed all his ears when he would bring his girlfriend over to visit them.

Emily was pleased to know that they wanted to meet her. But at the same time, it was scary. How will the boss's relatives perceive her? What if they don't like her, or consider her insufficiently worthy of their outstanding son?

Jacob Evans, the boss's brother, and his wife, Melissa, seemed like nice people to Emily. But what will Justin's parents think?

Emily did not have the same professional merit as Mel. She had got her job at the moment only thanks to their son.

Hmm, Hayes... You are clearly trying to punch above your weight. Let's hope these people don't judge others by social status. At least Justin doesn't do that.

And that was enough for her.

He accepted her for who she was. Isn't that the most important thing?

"This is all your youthful nonsense," snorted Mr. Pitcher and looked triumphantly at his grandson, "Things must be done quickly and to the point. And keep your eye on her! I don't want you to lose her along the way while you're trying to bring her to us."

Oh, Emily was beginning to realize that it was definitely better not to argue with this old man. "Thank you for the invitation, sir. We will be happy to visit you tomorrow."

Justin dropped a worried look at her. He knew that Emily was worried about meeting his family, so he postponed this meeting. But the girl smiled back softly, making it clear that everything was fine.

"That's what I understand! The right decision!" Mr. Pitcher nodded approvingly, "Your grandmother was not timid either."

"Do you know my grandmother?" Emily wondered.

"Well, it's hard to forget about the lady who you gave the ride in your first car all night." The gray-haired dude stroked his beard with an enigmatic smile. Something flashed in his eyes, and he looked like a man who is thinking about a woman he is not indifferent to.

Emily exchanged glances with her boss. He didn't look surprised. What the…

Hey, Justin Evans, don't tell me you knew?!

Wait a minute...

The girl's brain began to frantically collect all the facts that were known to her at the moment.

The inspiration came to her faster than it usually happened.

"Mister Cadillac?!" she gasped, staring at Evans's grandfather with wide eyes. Come on?!

Is this the same Mister Cadillac (as her grandmother used to call him when Emily was still a child)? The one her grandma dated? The same Mr. Cadillac who was giving a ride to an aspiring actress around the city at night in one of the most stylish cars of the time?

"Oh, that's a great nickname," grinned Mr. Pitcher, "I guess it's not for nothing that I kept the car in the garage. Look, even Justin used it recently. Although he usually does not get out of his Maybach."

Stop, stop, stop!

He recently used that car?

Emily turned her gaze to Evans.

Oh, you sly fox! Look at you, making eyes at me innocently!

I took the oldest car in the garage of my grandfather, he said. Oh, your grandmother is a famous actress, he wondered. He knew everything from the very beginning!

And her grandma? As soon as she saw Justin, she shone as if he handed her an Oscar, and not a bouquet of flowers!

Emily was now sure that Mrs. Hayes had also guessed what kind of boyfriend her granddaughter had brought in to introduce to her. No wonder she kept asking questions about Pharaoh.

What the hell?! She was fooled again!

"I had the most sincere intentions," Evans immediately defended himself, as if he had read the girl's mind.

Yeah, we'll discuss your intentions, dear. Emily threw a warning glance at the man. Who knows, maybe some other innocent secrets will come up inadvertently?

A knock on the door distracted Emily from devising a revenge plan.

"Mr. Evans, Mr. Denver is coming up to talk to you," Mrs. Parkinson announced.

"Thanks, Fiona," the boss's father nodded and frowned as the secretary closed the door.

"What does he want?" Justin asked in a tone that made it obvious that Mr. Denver was not a welcome guest.

"Isn't it clear? He wants the meeting of the founders. His secretary called me in the morning." Mr. Pitcher placed both palms on the cane, his index finger was tapping on Asiris's golden head, which was depicted on the top of the cane.

"It's strange that he remembered this. He usually doesn't care about meetings like this."

There was an immediate businesslike atmosphere in the office, and Emily felt that she was not supposed to be there. Not because she was not aware of the situation, but because the three men became unusually serious.

"You shouldn't have hoped. This shark will not miss the moment to sink its teeth where there is not only money, but also personal gain," said Mr. Pitcher. "And in your case, it is exclusively the latter that rules."

Justin rubbed his forehead nervously, "Okay. We'll figure it out. There is still a week to resolve the issue," he turned to Emily and held out his hand to her, "I think you better get back to the office otherwise Catherine will lose you."

The girl realized that the man delicately asked her to leave them to discuss an important matter. "Yes of course. Goodbye." She nodded to the two older men, saying goodbye, and walked out of the office with her boss.

"Sorry, I can't see you off. An urgent matter needs to be discussed. Walk along the corridor and at the second turn, there will be a spare lift, which we used last time. It will take you straight to the department," Justin explained.

"Understood. Is everything all right?"

"Sure! Everything is fine," Evans nodded, but Emily was reluctant to believe him. He kissed the girl on the cheek and returned to his father's office.

The floor where the Pharaoh's top management offices were located was a real oasis of antiquity. Last time Emily only got a glimpse of the interior, as the boss took away her glasses, but now she saw everything perfectly.

Statues of ancient gods in niches, ornaments on the walls. Even the lighting was stylized to resemble ancient torches of fire.

She really liked the workplace in the magazine, but here she felt delighted. If there was a place in Pharaoh where she would definitely like to work, it was this floor.

God, Hayes, you've got a signed resignation letter in your desk! And who will take you here?

The girl shook her head, amazed at her own silliness.

Finding a spare lift was not difficult. Emily pressed the call button and waited for it. As far as she remembered from the last time, the elevator was old, so she had a couple of minutes or more in reserve.

An afternoon yawn came imperceptibly. The lighting in this part of the building was dim. Along with lunch and the fact that last night turned out to be sleepless (thanks to someone), Emily wanted to sleep.

"Damn, I need to get back to work soon." She rubbed her eyes and belatedly remembered that she was wearing lenses today, not glasses.

One of the eyelashes got tangled and got into the eye.

"Oh, damn it! It hurts!" The eyes were watering. Wet mascara and eyelash got inside.

Emily closed her eye to keep from crying even more. It was urgent to find a mirror. Oh, there was just one in the elevator!

The elevator doors clicked and Emily stepped forward confidently without looking ahead.

But instead of an elevator, she buried herself in a solid wall.

The collision was unexpected and caught both participants by surprise.

The girl's leg twisted, and she collapsed on top of the man who was about to get out of the elevator.

"What the hell!" he swore and tried to rectify the situation, but it was too late.

The elevator doors slammed shut and it headed downstairs.