To Color Your Life

Before Emily had time to knock on the door, her grandmother had already flung it open.

"Oh, have you arrived already? Welcome." The woman greeted them as if she was expecting them later.

The girl wanted to roll her eyes. Granny, why such a surprised look if a minute earlier you were looking for us out the window?

"Good morning, Mrs. Hayes. My name is Justin Evans, thanks for the invitation." The boss wasted not a second, handed the woman a bouquet of lavender and smiled his trademark one hundred megawatt smile.

"God, what an unusual choice of flowers!" Grandmother gladly accepted the bouquet, "I haven't been given such gifts for a long time. And please just call me Marian." She grabbed Evans by the arm and pulled him inside.

Emily shook her head. It seems her role as a star for today was over when there is a superstar nearby. Granny was clearly preparing for this meeting.

Elegant hair, new dress that Emily saw for the first time. When did she buy it? Grandma even wore jewelry that her husband had given her for her wedding anniversary thirty years ago. It was taboo to touch them! So much Madame Hayes took care of them.

"Marian, I'm pleasantly shocked. Emily didn't say that her grandmother is a famous actress. It is an honor for me to meet you personally." The boss continued to charm the woman, which was no longer necessary.

Mrs. Hayes gasped in surprise. "I didn't think a guy your age watched films with me. I haven't been filming for a long time."

"I assure you I have seen all your films. I can even quote some of them."

Hey boss, take it easy! This is already a forbidden trick! Even I can't boast of that! Emily realized that she was finally nailed.

"Darling, did you hear that?" grandmother turned to her. "Why did you hide such an amazing young man from me?"

"She just didn't understand yet what happiness fell on her. That's why she is shy." The man answered instead of the girl.

But some here are not at all shy, Emily ignored his playful look.

"Now I understand who your granddaughter took such a beautiful look after, Marian. I really can't wait to try your special apple pie. Emily talked a lot about it."

"Of course, let's go to the gazebo. Everything is ready." Mrs. Hayes led Evans through the living room to the backyard, where a summer gazebo was among her favorite rose bushes.

Emily hadn't noticed the last time, but the garden did look amazing today. Red, pink, yellow, white roses. Big and small flowering buds filled the air with a pleasant aroma.

And the house itself seemed to the girl lighter and taller. As was often the case in childhood, when she loved to play in the garden and drink tea with her parents in this very gazebo.

Grandmother put the pieces of pie on the plates, added sandwiches with chicken and salad. All this was paired with small clay pots, in which julienne with mushrooms was hidden under a baked cheese crust.

Not breakfast, but solemn gluttony. For Emily, who was accustomed to coffee and a couple of crackers in the morning, that was a lot. But the boss was pleased.

"Marian, you can open a French restaurant! Such a breakfast is a real luxury," the man picked up the cutlery and began to eat.

Oh, Emily knew that grandmother's look. The woman was not just pleased, but damn delighted.

Evans scored exponentially.

"Ohoho, common," the woman laughed, "I happen to know one chef, he taught me a lot. It's a pity," she took a quick glance at her granddaughter, who was picking julienne with a spoon, "Emily doesn't share that. I'm worried about my future grandchildren and you, Justin."

What grandchildren is she talking about?! Julienne was stuck across the girl's throat.

"Don't worry, Marian. Emily is a wonderful cook." The boss pitched in.

An attempt to swallow a masterpiece of French cuisine has gone to waste. The girl choked and began to cough.

"Really?" Granny Hayes was surprised.

"It's absolutely true," the boss replied proudly and patted Emily on the back. "And if you try her pasta... Mhm, you will long for more! And also croissants with vanilla cream and turkey stew with lentils. Ready to eat it around the clock!" the man did not calm down.

And he also said, the more you lie, the easier it is to get caught! No need to come up with too much!

Hah, he has already said so much that she can sleep near the stove for the next six months!

Emily pinched Justin's leg. And a normal person would take the hint! But Justin, who was clearly not from normal people, just caught her hand, lifted it up and kissed it.

"I am incredibly happy that I have such a caring girlfriend."

"Hmm, I see your relationship with Justin has affected you for the better, my dear," the grandmother looked at her granddaughter with a reverent smile, but the devilry in the eyes of the woman would not deceive Emily.

"I didn't expect that the person whose biggest knowledge of cooking is how to heat pizza in the microwave will be so advanced in cooking in such a short time."

"Justin is exaggerating, granny. I'm not that good at this. Right, dear?" The girl focused on the last two words and looked at the man with a look a la just-try-to-dare-say-something-opposite.

The boss, as usual, pretended not to understand. "Don't be shy, Em. Have you heard the saying, 'The power of love works wonders?' This seems to be our case."

Our case is someone's tongue is too long!

"Indeed, love works wonders. Even Emily has been transformed," the grandmother nodded, "She's so pretty, and she's been dressing like a nun lately."

"I dress normally," the granddaughter objected.

"For me, she is beautiful in any outfit," the boss raised her hand again. "And even without clothes alltogether," he whispered so that only she could hear, and licked the girl's open palm.

What a bastard!

"Thank you dear." Emily smiled broadly in response that her jaw nearly clenched. She really just wanted to pull out her hand and kick the boss right to his face!

"Eat before breakfast is cold." She gently pulled her hand out of his tenacious grip and returned it to her knee, not forgetting to pinch the man well under the table before that.

Emily's hand trembled. You don't need any ideas, granny!

"Emy, how about showing us your new skill and giving Justin and me dinner tomorrow? Justin, are you free tomorrow night?"

"He's busy," the girl blurted out immediately.

"I'm completely free," the man replied.

"You have a business trip starting from tomorrow," a fire expressing the eagerness to murder someone flared up in her eyes, "For two months."

"Oh! Didn't I tell you? It was canceled." The man took a bite of the pie, "Mmm, this is awesome. Maybe you can make the same?"

Yes, he is pranking me! No, not him, both of them!

"I have a lot of work tomorrow."

"You have a day off tomorrow," the boss chuckled.

Emily shifted the fork from her right hand to her left. She wondered if it could be used as a weapon? She really wanted to check. Test this thing on the man sitting on the left.

"I have a day off to-day," she said, emphasizing the word today.

"And tomorrow too. Have you forgotten?" Justin raised his eyebrows in surprise, "You seem to be so inattentive. It's great that you have me. I remember everything."

She wondered if the court will take into account as an excuse that the victim was too self-confident?

"That's great!" exclaimed Grandma Hayes and lifted her cup of tea, "Cheers for tomorrow's dinner from Emily!"

The boss lifted his cup and clinked at Granny's, supporting a toast, "I can't wait."