Next day Adrien woke up thinking he would see the good morning note first in the morning but instead of greetings on it, it had a message.

Adrien groaned.

Is she mad and throwing a tantrum?

But the words didn't seem to be harsh.

Probably she is on her college trip.

But it doesn't sound convincing.

She could be at her parents to meet them

You live in same city, not out of it.

He groaned and shook his thoughts.

She is grown adult, she can definitely take care of herself.

With that thought he went with his own business.

Emerson was having a good time.

Henry was in LA and she texted Grandma about her trip before handed. She picked the convertible she rented from Clay, who gave her the best car with a good discount at 5:00 am sharp and hit the road at 6 after filling gas and buying some snacks for the trip.

She arrived at a beach town, rented a room I'm cozy bed and breakfast and started enjoying her trip.

She strolled through beaches, went to local markets, ate food from food trucks, went to fair at night and enjoyed it to fullest.

Generally people never did the things she did alone,

But who is there to share happiness and enjoy moments with me?

She swallowed the sadness away and continued with her day.

Her nights was peaceful after a long time with complete 4 hour of sleep to which she was more than happy for.

Next she went for hiking to a nearby forest, she was back by noon and then she spent rest of her day in an orphanage playing with kids and giving them gifts and then in amusement park, returning back to city late at night.

In the room she Adrien peacefully sleeping. She freshened up and sighing, she went to sleep on the windowpane.

Those two days went weirdly for Adrien. He would find himself wondering where his wife was.

He even got a call from Henry telling he too will be back on Sunday morning and decided a family dinner the same day .

I am sure by now that grandad loves 'her' more than me.

Adrien was back at his room sleeping . He was not a light sleeper but he woke up in the middle of night, and he realised she was back and adjusting herself to sleep meaning it wasn't long before she came back.

He checked the time to see it was nearly 2 in the morning.

Her sleeping schedule and courage to be out late at night is really shocking.

He sighed and went back to a dreamless slumber.

Weirdly next morning, Emerson was no doubt already up but what surprised Adrien was seeing her drinking something sitting on the barstool. Wearing track pants and hoodie with her hood on. Scrolling through her phone. She definitely looked relaxed than other times.

That's when he remembered they were now married for a complete week. He was 7 days in his marriage successfully survive.

He cleared his throat and told her balut the dinner tonight.

"Grandad is hosting family dinner tonight. Be ready by 7 , we are expected there." His tone was void of emotion but he got no response from her.

He repeated again but the same thing happened. She was leisurely sipping her drink and scrolling through her phone. He was about to snap at her but her ringtone blared suddenly. She swiped on her screen but didn't bring it near her ears.

" Good morning grandma. "

...

"Yes it was good. "

....

"Yeah I enjoyed it. "

....

" Yes I got a hippie style bracelet for you.

How could I forget gift for my favorite granny. "

....

*rolling eyes and laughing*

"Yes Grandma but take care . I'll be there tomorrow morning as usual and your gift would be on your nightstand."

....

"Bye. I love you."

Adrien then noticed she had wireless earplugs on when she pulled down her hood.

He also noticed she is generally 'acts' shy but with some people she is playful and a sweet talker. Those people being only his Grandad and her 'granny' about whom he doesn't know.

"Good morning" She greeted him with a polite smile snapping him out of him out of his reverie.

He just nodded but then remembered the dinner. He told her about it and then walked out without waiting for any reply.

Adrien worked whole day in his home office and Emerson was just reading, strolling through the garden or watching movie to pass her time.

Probably having work is better than being free when you are alone.

At 6:15 pm she decided to take shower and get ready. Adrien thought they would definitely be late.

How will she be ready in less than half hour after 15 min shower?

He just groaned internally.

But correct at 6:40 Emerson was out of out the bathroom in a flower print butterfly pattern top with matching 3/4 th skirt. Her hairs were braided and pinned from one side and open from other , glasses were on, not a single layer of makeup except saome lip balm , a small bag in one hand and flat sandals in other. She was more on casual look but it still looked beautiful.

Emerson saw Adrien in a light grey suit. He was looking more formal but handsome nonetheless.

His brown hair styled without any gel , jaw sharp and hazel eyes more on the green side today, his muscled body making him look like some Greek god.

She looks like a fairy from a tale.

He looks straight out of some model magazine.

They both thought at same time.

Emerson decided to break the silence.

"Good evening Mr. Stone. You look handsome."

Adrien being the jerk he was, only gave her a curt nod and went out without complimenting her.

Emerson knew he won't say anything, but she still hoped.

She took a paper bag from the closet , followed him out, slipped on her sandles when out of the door and sat inside the limo on his opposite seat.

The drive was silent.

They were 10 min early which was good.

Adrien saw there was shoe rack placed near the front door where Emerson put her flats and wore some slippers. It definitely didn't match her outfit but he didn't comment. That arrangement of asked by Henry specially for Emerson since his knew her thoughts on shoes.

They both were escorted directly to the dinning room where the other 3 Stones were already present.

Henry on head of the table, Mr. and Mrs Stone beside each other on left side of Henry, and Adrien and Emerson opposite to them beside each other.

Adrien greeted the elder men with hug and kissed his mom on the cheek.

Emerson on the other hand kissed Henry's knuckles and then gave him a hug, and politely smiled and waved that the elder Stone couple.

She then gave Henry a beautifully painted seashell kept in a glass box, which she got from the beach side, a pearl hairpin she could afford for Mrs Stone and a pen holder made of lac with beautiful carving on it for Mr. Stone.

Henry thanked her with a bright smile and a hug but she got only nods from the other couple.

"It's beautiful sweets. You can easily charm anyone with your accurate guesses. "

Emerson blushed and Adrien rolled his eyes. He didn't want to admit but he was a little jealous of how Em got more attention than him form his grandad.

The other couple didn't want to admit but though the gifts were not too expensive, they were really good. It was good impression of her.

" Let's start the dinner " Adrien stated dryly.

They took their seats and the food was served. There were many dishes but Em only chose to eat fried rice and cake 'cause every other thing had meat or chicken in it. She said grace in her mind and started eating.

All the three men started talking about business and though Emerson had interest in it she was silent because she highly disliked to talk about work while eating.

Suddenly Mrs Stone spoke to her.

"So Emerson. Tell me about yourself. " Her tone was like she was testing her.

Now everyone's attention was on her.

" Sure Ma'am. What would you like to know? " She politely asked with a smile though her hands were getting clammy.

"What are doing now? I mean studying, working or nothing? "

"I am a student pursuing Masters in law."

"So a lawyer as career, queit good but hard choice."

" No ma'am, not a lawyer, other doors are open too. "

"Oh, so in which college are you? Community or public don't have a good program for law "

"No, they don't. I am in NYU from the start. " It wasn't the first time someone tried to insult her so she knew how to act cool about it.

"So-" Mrs Stone was about ask more but Henry cut her off.

"How was your first week of married life? "

Probably insults were better than this question.

She hesitated before answering a 'good'.

Adrien didn't knew his wife was smart or intellectual. Or she was at NYU as a matter of fact.

Or her daddy paid her tuition, and not that she is really smart.

But the dad - daughter duo had a wierd tension in them.

His father asked another question,

"Why didn't we know the Leones have 2 daughters and that you are the elder one? "

Emerson froze for a moment but calmly answered, " I don't like being in lime light or any type of attention which my sister gets due to our last name. " She calmly replied.

Mr Stone nodded.

The dinner went by rather smoothly afterwards and soon they were off to their place.