Part-248

  Joya ughed at her granddaughter's behavior, "Don't mind her. She's just not used to having guests."

  James smiled awkwardly. “I’ll make sure to finish it quickly,” he replied, turning to Toya. “And please, st at me like that. It’s really unnerving.”

  Toya huffed, but she didn’t say anything else.

  As the versation tinued, James felt a sense of ease in Joya Rahman’s prese was clear that she was a woman of wisdom and experience, and he genuinely enjoyed listening to her stories about the past. But then, the tone shifted. Joya leaned forward, a serious expression on her face.

  "Now, for the sed reason I asked you to e," she began, her eyes briefly darting toward Toya. “I have a favor to ask of you.”

  James leaned forward, curiosity piqued. “Of course. What I help you with?”

  Joya paused, choosing her words carefully. “I need you to pretend to be my granddaughter's boyfriend for a few months.”

  The room fell silent, and James could only blink, processing the words that didn't quite make sense. His mind raced as he tried to prehend the absurd request. He felt a wave of fusion and disbelief wash over him. It was as if he had been struck by a bolt of lightning, and his thoughts were scattered like leaves in the wind. “E-Excuse me?” he stammered, his voice barely audible, as he tried to find the right words to express his astonishment. The cup of tea that he had been holding trembled in his hand, and a few drops spilled onto his pants.

  Toya, standing beside him, looked as if she had been struck by lightning. Her eyes widened in shock, and her jaw dropped open. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. This was the most absurd and eous thing she had ever heard in her life. She had never heard her grandmother say anything so ridiculous and outndish. She eechless, and her mind was rag as she tried to make sense of what she had just heard. She was angry, embarrassed, and humiliated. She felt like she had beerayed by her own grandmother. She wao scream at her, to tell her how stupid and ridiculous this idea was. But she khat she couldn't do that. She had to stay calm and collected, even though she was feeling anything but calm and collected.

  And finally she spilled it out anyway, “Grandma, what are you talking about?!” she snapped, her voice rising in panic.

  “Now, now, hear me out,” Joya said calmly, turning her gaze baes. “Toya has a stalker who’s been causing us quite a bit of trouble. He’s very persistent, and we need a way to get him to back off. Having you pretend to be her boyfriend would be the simplest way to do that.”

  Toya ched her fists, her face turning red with a mix of anger and embarrassment. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, and her breath was ing in short, ragged gasps. She was furious with her grandmother for even suggesting such a thing. She couldn't believe that her grandmother would actually ask someoo pretend to be her boyfriend, especially someone who was not even a friend or acquainta was a plete viotion of her privad dignity.