To Color Your Life

Emily's palms became cold.

What is this man talking about? If Justin marries her, will he be left without a job and inheritance? Ok, one may agree with the inheritance part, but what does his job have to do with it?

After all, this is not a love TV drama to set such conditions!

"Sorry sir, I don't understand how your grandson's job relates to his relationship with me?"

Emily tried to be polite, but the confusion at Mr. Pitcher's question gradually turned into annoyance.

"It's very simple, Miss. According to the rules of our family, he must give up all privileges and bonuses and start his life from scratch. Therefore, if you were counting on a well-to-do life, then you will have to reconsider your plans."

"Grandpa, you're crossing the line," the boss's disgruntled voice rang out next to Emily.

"Justin, you know the rules. I do what I think is necessary," the man looked reproachfully at his grandson.

"That's why I didn't want to bring Emily here! Was it really impossible to discuss everything in a normal way?!"

Pitcher's unexpected attack threw the girl off balance. She tried to understand what this gray-haired man wanted from her, but she could not. He talked about a wealthy life, about the fact that Justin will lose his job. But what does she have to do with it?!

"Wait...," Emily frowned, clinging to a random thought. She looked at Mr. Pitcher with even greater bewilderment, "Did you just hint that I am dating your grandson because of money?!"

"Why do you mean, hinted? I asked you directly," the man chuckled.

What the... Is he out of his mind or something?! How else to explain this absurd idea that appeared in his head?!

Oh, granny, it seems that I will soon send your instructions on table etiquette to hell. Emily gripped the fork and knife that were in her hands. If this old man wasn't the boss's grandfather, she would definitely have thought about how to stick those into him.

But alas, one does not chose one's relatives.

Although... in her case, she can choose. She was not going to marry his grandfather, right?

Emily looked around the table. Teresa and Melissa sat tense, while their husbands continued to eat in quite a relaxed manner. They didn't seem to care about the current topic of conversation. Mr. Evans senior even asked for a refill.

What the hell? Does he care that his son will be deprived of his job because of someone's sick self-esteem? But what about Pharaoh magazine? Wasn't Justin the one who made the department a success now? And Jacob? You won't even stand up for your brother, knowing how much effort he put into developing the business?!

What the hell is going on in this family?!

Emily put the cutlery aside and looked at Mr. Pitcher coldly. "With all due respect, sir, but I'll tell you something what you might not like."

"I am all ears," the boss's grandfather nodded for the girl to continue.

"I don't know what rules exist in your family. My family also has its own rules. And the most important of them is that the family comes first.

I don't know why you decided that I have an interest in your grandson because of money or a wealthy life. This is not true. Since the age of twenty-one, I have been earning my own living, and as you can see, I have not died of hunger."

"Well, you haven't had much success either," Mr. Pitcher chuckled. Emily's argument didn't impress him. "Your current job is the result of your boyfriend's patronage."

Hayes, you did the right thing when you decided to write a letter of resignation. The price of a relationship with your boss is the doubt of others about your own worth. The comment of this grumpy old man confirms this.

"You can be calm about this. I do not intend to use personal connections to advance my career. Moreover, next week I will leave Pharaoh, Justin has already signed my letter of resignation. In this situation, I am surprised by something else," Emily leaned against the back of the chair.

She no longer felt the worry or doubt about what she wanted. To some extent, she was even grateful to this gray-haired snob for such a shake-up.

"Mr. Pitcher, you have been able to build such a huge book empire. Your publishing house has always fascinated me. And now it's strange for me to hear that you are ready to get rid of such a talented leader as Justin. Can you check the sales data for the last couple of months? I highly doubt that you are one of those people who cannot separate the personal and the professional."

Emily knew what she was talking about. Once in the boss' office, she saw a financial statement on his computer. She had experience drafting similar documents in a previous job, when Miller wanted to take the position of Dean of the Faculty, and she had to study all accounting to help him prepare a presentation for his superiors.

Evans' report on Pharaoh was so competent and detailed that it was not difficult for her to understand the whole ins and outs of the company and admire how clearly all the processes were built. If she were the head of her company, she would organize everything the same way.

"I believe that kicking Justin out of the Pharaoh would be an unwise decision. If you are so worried about the financial side of the issue, then there are lawyers for this. You can instruct yours to draw up such a marriage contract, according to which I will not claim anything related to my husband's professional life."

Wow, Hayes, husband?! Emily hesitated to look at Justin at that moment. Her mouth spoke the words faster than she judged them. Apparently, the brain decided to act with it directly, bypassing her critical thinking. She did not expect such straightforwardness from herself.

And the strangest thing is, she loved it!

The inner dragon spread its wings and shook them contentedly. There was very little left, and he could really take off.

"I don't need his money, but that doesn't mean that I will not support him and rejoice in his successful career. I will do my best to keep Justin successful. And he will be successful - with or without Pharaoh. I'm sure. So leave your assumptions about my selfish intentions to yourself, please. I love him. And I don't intend to give up on this person because of somebody's opinion, Mr. Pitcher. I hope you will accept my point of view, because it will remain unchanged hereafter."

Emily straightened her back, picked up a fork and knife, and put another piece of meat in her mouth. "Teresa, the meat stew is amazing! Will you teach me how to cook it?"

"What did you just say?" Justin asked her.

"Ha? That your mom's stew is delicious." Emily stared at her boss. What? She just said that, didn't she? Why is he looking at her so strangely?

The girl looked around. Why is everyone looking at her so strange? Did she say something wrong?

Her gaze fell on the gaze of the oldest Evans.

Oops.

Realization of what had happened began to reach her after everything had happened. Hayes, are you serious? You just scolded an experienced grown up man, the founder of a huge publishing house, for his short-sighted behavior and gave him an ultimatum? Being a guest in his own home?! And after all that was said, you continued to eat calmly as if nothing had happened?!

"I will support you no matter what happens." She seems to be choking now. Emily hurried to swallow the remnants of the food in her mouth. She really wanted to drink, but the life-saving glass of water now seemed unattainable, although it was standing next to her plate.

"No, no, after that," Evans turned his body to her. The smile on his face grew wider and wider with each passing second.

Smiles also appeared on the faces of Melissa and Mrs. Evans. Even Mr. Evans was smiling. Jacob was on the verge of bursting into laughter.

"Well?" Justin continued his advance, almost bending over the girl.

"I said…," Emily felt a fever rise. She looked up at the boss, "I said I love you."

Oh…

Wow! Oh... OH!…. OUCH!!!!

Attention attention! Call firefighters urgently! We've got a person here will now burn out with embarrassment!

Emily just now realized that this was the first time she had spoken those words out loud. And even in front of a crowd of witnesses!

"Ahaha," Mr. Pitcher's loud and cheerful laugh instantly defused the atmosphere, "You see, Justin! And you were scared. I told you why drag out a week, when everything is clear anyway! She is not a girl, but a real dragon! I had no doubts, considering who her grandmother is. Teresa!"

"Yes, dad?" Mrs. Evans breathed a sigh of relief. "I hope you've finished your silly checking and we can finally have lunch? Everything is already cold on your plate."

Mr. Pitcher chuckled contentedly and set the plate of meat stew aside, "You better cut me that apple pie over there. Yes, I want a big slice. I haven't eaten it in fifty years," he winked at Emily and with undisguised pleasure began to eat the pie.

Granny was right.. Emily should have brought both of them.