Seeing her smile, and crow's feet nearly catching flies, I fantasized about dunking her head in a toilet.
Zach gave me the eye to bring out the gift I'd prepped.
Right, the "gift."
I handed over the fancy gift box, mentally preparing for the drama to unfold.
My would-be mother-in-law took the gift but didn't open it right away, which irked me.
"Auntie, go on, open it up," I urged.
"Oh, dear, it's bad form to open presents right away."
Her smile was so wide it nearly split her face.
Then it hit me—I'd mistakenly called her mother-in-law. Well, it wasn't official yet.
"My bad, Mrs. Joshua. Back home, it's common to call elders 'auntie,' just slipped out."
Her smile quickly vanished.
Despite her reluctance, she finally opened the gift in front of me.
"Wow, this is that hot new luxury face cream, right? Thanks, Olivia!"
Wait, what?
I was sure I'd packed a dead rat!
How did it turn into the same high-end face cream as last time?
I caught Zach's eye, and we locked gazes—I knew immediately.
He'd switched it out.
He'd go to great lengths to lock this down.
"Olivia, what's your mom's job?"
"She farms."
Her face fell.
Zach leaned in and murmured, "Local government worker."