"Of course I am real, my cute little Jennie here really did a good one in keeping us a secret," he grabbed onto my hand as he gave a light hearted laughter.
Little Jennie? No one's fucking called me that since high school.
"Oh well, you missed starters, but you came just in time for the main course mr-?"
"Rob, Dimitri Rob" his voice resonated.
Everyone got settled in. It felt so real, the dinner, Rob by my side, I never believed I could pull this off.
"So how did you two meet?" Grandpa started.
"Can't we have a quiet dinner without you interrogating, grandpa?"
"Common sweetie, I'm sure he is just curious about us," Rob said.
"We actually met in a club" he shifted his gaze to me.
"Little missy here was a bit tipsy and as we'd have it, I ended up being her knight in shining armor," he winked at me.
I found myself blushing at that little action. It was a lie, well we did meet in a club, but still.
"I actually saw her walk in and I knew from there I had to get her for myself,"
Okay now that was very cliché. I tried to hold back a giggle.
"I'm guessing she had loads of-"
"Tequila!" Both chorused as they turned to each other in amusement.
I think he's warming up to Rob.
Grandpa's voice dropped to a low tone as he leaned forward " where do you work, Rob?"
"Uhm, I actually work as a manager at RD companies,"
I paused as I almost choked on the vegetable I just put in my mouth.
I started feeling nervous and didn't notice when my legs started to shake.
Huge hands started to rub my legs. My eyes dilated. I turned to look at Rob as he nodded his head signaling me to calm down.
What does he mean he works at RD companies?
Like the RD companies we've been trying to partner with for a long time? As much as I was shocked, I was also amazed.
I could have sworn I'd met the manager of RD companies and he doesn't look anything like the person eating dinner with my family.
Or maybe he got fired and then replaced with Rob? I shrugged. Well I've got more issues to worry about now other than that.
Grandpa's face gleamed with delight.
"My, my isn't that amazing? And why am I coming to know of this now?" His gaze narrowed to my direction.
"Uhm-uhm," I stuttered.
Rob stretched his hand to mine and gave it a light squeeze. "I'm sure Jennie didn't want to mix business with pleasure hence why she kept it a secret. Isn't that right honey?"
"Uh yeah, right". I confirmed, giving a slight nod.
"Well that makes us very much acquainted then. We've been planning to partner with your company for a while now, and seeing you're going to be in our family soon makes it much easier".
"That's for sure sir".
"Quit the formalities, I'm not that old, you can call me O'Neil" grandpa spoke in his crackling old voice.
If it wasn't for the grey hair and beards, grandpa would definitely pass as being 40.
I shot him an eye.
He gave off a light hearted laugh "Give your old man a break, girl."
" So...." He paused to sip into his wine. " I want to assume you're both planning a wedding soon," grandpa shot a look at both of us.
What is this old man up to again? He asked to see my boyfriend, now he wants us married? This couldn't have gotten any worse.
"Not yet grandpa," I blurted.
His gaze shifted to Rob, staring with a questioning look.
"Rob?"
"What she's trying to say is, with the job I have currently, getting married isn't really a priority right now". He continued. " I really wouldn't want to put your lovely granddaughter in a life of discomfort."
"Ohh, I see,"
Yess, way to go Rob. I didn't even notice when I blew out a sigh of relief.
"Well then, we'd go ahead with the wedding preparations". Grandpa said with a sinister smile.
"What?" We both called out at the same time.
"I don't think you heard Rob right grandpa, his job isn't enough to think of starting a family right now. I think you should give us more time to think this through." At this point I could feel my heart thud so loudly.
Our expressions suddenly filled with confusion. This shouldn't be happening.
I suddenly felt bad for dragging poor Rob into this. The plan was to come here and play pretend boyfriend for a couple hours and everyone goes their way, live their fucking goddamn life not getting married.
I could see Rob starting to become visibly uncomfortable.
"Grandpa, I think you're just filled with too much excitement," Rob chimed in. "Jenna and I need more time to think this through, you see."
"Nonsense," grandpa said as he paused to sip into his wine. "Son! Money isn't our problem here. Take it as me being generous to my soon to be son-in-law."
I got cut off, just when I was about to speak.
"That's final."
"So it's settled then, you both are getting married next week" he continued. "A toast, to our soon to be weds," he raises he glass up in the air.
Glasses clicked together, the only thing I can think of is how woefully my plan failed.
My gaze turned to Rob. His expression was flat, straight, anything you'd want to call something that lacked emotion.
Just when I thought I was the player, rather I got played.