Chapter 10 Alright, Dear
- It was 4.00PM when they arrived at Myrefall.
- Before exiting the car, Darius reminded Charlotte, "Remember to watch how you refer to me later."
- "Sorry, what?" Charlotte didn't quite catch him for a moment.
- "Don't call me President."
- Charlotte gave it a thought and said brazenly, "Alright, dear."
- She reacted so quickly and called him 'dear' so familiarly that Darius even took a side-eyed glance at her. She probably calls her boyfriend this. Girls nowadays sure are open. For some reason, the thought made him uncomfortable.
- Charlotte, on the other hand, was well aware that she had to make it look genuine since he had given her so much money. She was always astute and devoted to her work, and she wasn't the kind of employee who would only reluctantly work after her boss had driven her to.
- After arriving at the home of Darius' grandfather, she became serious, for she knew she was consoling a critically ill elderly. She feared that she'd upset him with the slightest unintentional move.
- Thus, she warned herself to stay fully alert.
- Darius' grandfather, Sebastian, used to be a professor at the Law Faculty of the University of Myrefall, and he was well renowned in the jurisprudential circle. He had even acted as a permanent guest for a TV program, elaborating on some legal disputes in marriage.
- It was no wonder Darius said his grandfather could tell if he produced a fake marriage certificate. How could someone as highly intellectual as Sebastian be unable to identify the genuineness of it?
- Darius' grandmother, Elizabeth, passed away last year, and Sebastian was diagnosed with lung cancer this year. Darius had a close relationship with his grandparents since they had raised him since he was a child. In fact, Sebastian thought he could only leave in peace if he saw his grandson living a happily married life.
- At that moment, Sebastian was sizing Charlotte up with his benevolent gaze. "How old are you, Charlotte?"
- "She's twenty-three," Darius answered for her, leaving her slightly taken aback. How does he know my age?!
- Then again, he did take a glance at her ID when they registered their marriage, and it was this glance that allowed him to answer Sebastian tactfully and naturally. He was the kind of guy who would think ten steps ahead.
- "She's a lot younger than you," Sebastian commented. "Eight years younger, am I right?"
- "Yes." Darius smiled, answering with a warm tone that Charlotte had barely ever heard.
- "You better treat her right since she's so much younger than you." Sebastian smiled even more benevolently now.
- "Naturally." Darius held Charlotte's hand. They were sitting next to each other on the couch, and he kissed her hand with the corner of his lips naturally.
- At that very moment, Charlotte felt a jolt of electricity coursing through her body as it tingled her. She wanted to reclaim her hand but feared that their cover would be blown. Thus, she just allowed Darius to hold it as he pleased. However, her hand had turned clammy.
- "Charlotte's an intern. She doesn't want the company to know she's married, lest they start gossiping. Except…" Darius' tone suddenly turned amorous, and he even deliberately turned his head to glance at Charlotte. His eyes seemed to be able to talk, and that glance at her carried hints of ridicule and mischief. "Except, we went ahead and registered our marriage since the timing felt right, so I've brought her over to meet you today."
- Needless to say, Darius' words meant that they had f*cked.
- "Unfortunately, you guys have come at a bad time. You didn't let me know before coming, and the housekeeper accepted another client's booking. Hence, there's no one around to prepare a meal. Let's eat out instead." A thought then popped into Sebastian's mind, and he added, "If only Elizabeth was still around, she could make you guys homemade pasta. You loved it growing up."
- Sebastian's eyes were already red-rimmed with oncoming tears as he spoke.
- He was an intellectual, and it was just him and Elizabeth in this house before she passed. They never hired a housekeeper, and ever since she passed, Darius had always wanted to hire a live-in housekeeper and a few caretakers for his grandfather. However, Sebastian said, "I already have one foot in the grave. Don't bother."
- Thus, Sebastian had been living alone here since, and a part-time housekeeper cum cook would come over to make his meals.
- "I know how to make homemade pasta. If you don't mind, Grandpa, I can make some." Charlotte stood up, speaking naturally and tactfully. "I cook for Darius all the time, isn't that right, dear?"
- She had volunteered because she was touched by Sebastian and Elizabeth's story and the money involved. She vividly remembered the contract stating that she'd earn twenty thousand for every delicious meal she made.
- Moreover, with how 'genuinely affectionate' she and Darius were, Sebastian should be delighted and would really be able to leave in peace.
- Darius, on the other hand, sat with one hand propping his chin and his legs crossed on the couch, surprised that Charlotte was so proactive. He couldn't help wondering whether she was using this opportunity to turn this fake relationship into a genuine one or if she was really just acting. Anyhow, her performance was so believable that the Oscars owed her a trophy.
- "She does, Grandpa. Let her do it," he encouraged with a smile.
- With that, he glanced knowingly at Charlotte as he led her to the kitchen, looking like he had seen right through her.