To Color Your Life

Teresa Evans, Justin's mom, turned out to be an amazing woman. Some people say that such women are the heart and soul of the house. The woman greeted Emily with a sincere smile and could not resist hugging her.

She didn't look like a lady from high society. If you meet such a person on the street, you will pass by. Simple dress, light makeup (most likely done for Emily's arrival), shoulder-length blonde hair.

She was not at all like Emily's own mother, who loved sophisticated outfits and complex hairstyles. But at the same time, Emily felt the same warmth from this woman as from her mother.

"God, what a beauty! And it smells so yummy! Did you cook this, dear?" Teresa Evans exclaimed delightedly when Emily handed her an apple pie, which she took with her as a sweet present.

"No, actually, my grandmother baked it. To be honest, I am not so good a cook," the girl admitted. She didn't want to earn extra points by making herself look better than she was. Let them know who their son is dating.

Being yourself is much easier than wearing a mask for the convenience of other people. Emily knew about it now, having received her bitter experience.

"In my opinion, Em, you are very good at reheating pizza in the microwave," Justin could not resist a playful remark.

"That's great! Then you will cook the rest!" The mom patted her son on the shoulder and handed him a pie, "In the meantime, go and practice your delivery skills. Go, take it to the table and place it in the center." She waved her hand in the direction of the living room, pointing Evans where he should go.

"Hey, I'm actually a guest too!" the boss began to protest, but immediately fell silent under the stern gaze of Teresa.

Oh, it seems clear who's in charge, Emily chuckled to herself. The good-natured look of Teresa Evans hid the strong grip of the mistress of the house.

The woman grabbed Emily by the elbow and pulled her into the living room. "Boys, drop your business deals. To the table, quickly! Jacob, your stock futures won't collapse if you sit down to dinner," the woman said to her second son, who was sitting in a chair nearby and was looking intently at the phone. Roger Evans, her husband, immediately put the newspaper aside.

Emily was amused to see how her main boss complied with his wife's request and looked very pleased. However, his wife looked contented too. The girl even thought that they winked at each other. Were they flirting or something?

She wouldn't be surprised, given Justin's habit of publicly showing his intentions about her. Everybody in the Pharaon knew who he was dating.

Emily recalled that she had already heard this benevolently commanding tone when she called her boss one day. Now it was clear to her who was scolding him in the background, for having distracted on the phone calls.

"Emily, remember, these work-crazy people can forget about breakfast and lunch and dinner. Don't let Justin skip a meal. There are no telephones, TVs or the Internet at the table. Do you agree?"

"Of course, Mrs. Evans," Emily nodded. Did she have a choice to disagree? She will not tell that she herself drinks coffee for breakfast, and remembers about lunch only in the evening. If not for the boss, she would have thought about lunch only before going to bed.

As if reading her mind, Justin chuckled, "Don't worry Mom. Emily is very good at food management. Aren't you, my dear?"

"Well, one does one's best," the girl confirmed her boyfriend's version. Still, she hastened with the refusal of scoring additional points in her favor.

Well, fake it till you make it, Hayes.

"Please call me Teresa. I was always sure that I would be lucky with my daughters-in-law," the woman said proudly, already adding Emily to the list of relatives. "I hope my son-in-law will be a decent guy too. Although with the Zoya's character, this is still a task."

What is it in her character, really? Emily was intrigued. Was the boss's sister worse than her Kelly? Oh, she doesn't mind looking at such an unusual person.

Justin, like a true gentleman, pulled out a chair for Emily and helped her to sit at the table. It was the first time she had dined at such a large table in the presence of so many people. And all these people were members of the same family.

Strange feeling for someone who is used to eating alone or with one she-friend to the most. Ok, maybe with a boyfriend, which has been a more common case lately.

"Where is dad? Jacob, call your grandfather, please," Teresa said to her son.

"You don't need to call anyone. I'm already here," Mr. Pitcher appeared in the living room, arm in arm with Melissa. "Melonie is asleep, so we can dine like adults and discuss a few important issues while the whole family is gathered together."

Emily rose from her seat and greeted the boss's grandfather. The man nodded in response, satisfied with the girl's politeness.

He glanced at the dishes on the table and concentrated all his attention on the apple pie in the center.

"Where did this come from?" asked Mr. Pitcher.

"Are you talking about the pie? Emily brought it in. Very appetizing, right? And just your favorite." Looks like the boss's mom decided to turn the pie into the star of this feast.

Wow, does the founding boss love apple pies? Emily mentally sent beams of gratitude to her grandmother, who brought her two huge cakes in the morning, as soon as she heard about her trip to Justin's parents.

She shouldn't have left the second one at home. Judging by the reaction of Mr. Pitcher, this would be a complete knockdown in Emily's favor.

"Thank you. It's a very nice gift," the man replied in a strange tone. He sat down at the table and did not take his eyes off the dessert for a few more seconds.

Teresa cheerfully, like a professional chef, laid out the main course on the plates of everyone present and wished everyone a bon appetite.

Emily thanked the woman and began to eat the meat stew, which, judging by the tenderness of the ready meat, languished in the oven for more than one hour.

Hmm, maybe it's worth learning how to cook after all? The girl thought while enjoying a hot dish. She saw with what an appetite Justin was eating his mother's cookery, and she wanted to do something that he would eat with the same pleasure.

She will just have to consult with her grandmother. Although Mrs. Hayes was more of a bakery specialist.

"How long have you been dating Justin, Emily?" asked the boss's grandfather. His plate was virtually untouched. 

"Almost a month. Although I think it doesn't matter in our case," Justin answered for her. Emily at this time was trying to swallow a piece of beef, which she almost choked on when she heard her name.

"Maybe it doesn't, maybe it does," said Mr. Pitcher thoughtfully. The atmosphere at the table suddenly became tense.

"Grandpa, let's not bring up topics that may be unpleasant now, okay?"

"Why not? Let Miss Hayes know ahead of time what is awaiting her." The man put his fork aside and stared at Emily.

His look was not repulsive, but it brought no pleasant sensations to the girl.

A stream of thoughts and assumptions rushed through her head. Maybe he is not happy with the choice of his grandson? Is she not the right candidate for the future Mrs. Evans?

"Miss Hayes, you are a young girl and you probably expect a lot from life." Emily didn't like Pitcher's cautionary tone.

"Grandpa!"

"Shut up, Justin," the man said dryly, not wanting to hear any objection. "Emily, my grandson treasures you, so he probably has not informed you. Therefore, I will do it myself."

She did not yet know what she would hear, but she already assumed she wouldn't like it.

"Miss Hayes, if you marry my grandson, he will cease his work at Pharaoh and I will cut him off with a shilling. Will this option suit you?"