Love's Wild Card

"Since you won't talk..." Unable to get anywhere with her sister, Emma Winter delivered a sharp kick to Alex's side.

"Huh? What?" Alex, jolted from his half-doze, eyed her warily.

"It's time to come clean. What's the point of hiding anything now?" Emma Winter fixed him with an interrogator's stare.

"Come clean about what? I haven't done anything!" Alex protested.

"Then explain how you two met."

"Met? I was eating, tried to play hero, met her, acted tough. That's it."

"Pfft!" Emma Carter couldn't suppress her laugh at his succinct summary.

"Let me tell it," she offered, still giggling at Alex's discomfort. "Came to Manhattan, got robbed, got harassed, he helped."

"Are you two messing with me?" Emma Winter looked between them in exasperation. Why was getting a straight answer from these two like pulling teeth?

"But that's really what happened!" Emma Carter insisted.

"Details. Now." Emma Winter's patience was clearly wearing thin.

"Fine. I came to Manhattan, and one of Father's former business associates—actually a complete scoundrel—was causing trouble. He tried to take advantage of me, but Alex stepped in to help. When I got back to my hotel, all my luggage had been stolen. I was wandering the streets that night when I ran into Alex again, and he took me in."

"And what about the hundred and thirty thousand?" Emma Winter glanced at Alex, somewhat impressed despite herself by his apparent chivalry.

"I had nothing left except my ID. Later, Alex bought me clothes, spending over a hundred thousand. But we agreed that I'd be his housekeeper for a thousand a month, and the money would be considered thirteen years' salary in advance. That's all there is to it. Understand now?" Emma Carter explained.

"Oh, so that's what happened," Emma Winter nodded thoughtfully.

"What did you think was going on? That I kidnapped her or something? Use your head instead of jumping to conclusions," Alex finally found his voice, now that the situation seemed clearer.

"Yes, little sister has always been so silly!" Emma Carter cheerfully agreed.

"You're one to talk—you couldn't even keep track of your luggage! Well, now that everything's clear... As much as I hate to say this... Sister, come stay with me instead," Emma Winter stood, facing her sister.

"Why?" Emma Carter asked, genuinely puzzled.

"Don't ask such stupid questions. You know why. An unmarried woman living with a strange man—what would people say? What about the family's reputation?" Emma Winter demanded.

"But Alex isn't a stranger. We know each other well, don't we, Alex?" Emma Carter sat next to him, looking up expectantly.

"..." Alex remained silent, knowing better than to wade into this particular sister act.

"See? He agrees! And I've already met all the building's residents. They all know I live here!" Emma Carter added triumphantly.

"What? You've met them? What... what exactly did you tell them?" Alex suddenly looked alarmed. Those neighborhood gossips could spread news faster than Twitter.

"I told them I'm your girlfriend! They said I had good taste—apparently you're quite popular in the building!" Emma Carter hugged his arm happily.

Alex dropped his head in resignation. Of course they'd praise him—he'd helped drive out the local troublemakers and replaced the building's incompetent management company last year. They'd say nice things about him regardless.

"Please. You're really playing up this girlfriend act? Stop performing for my sake," Emma Winter felt oddly irritated seeing her sister so close to Alex.

"Who's acting? Alex and I are really close, aren't we?" Emma Carter pressed herself even closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder in a display that would make actual couples blush.

"Alex, are you even a man? Say something!" Emma Winter snapped at him.

"What does being a man have to do with speaking up? Besides, as I said before, my manhood is none of your business," Alex finally raised his head to meet her glare.

"Alex is definitely a man—I've seen everything..." Emma Carter began.

"Don't... don't say another word!" Alex clapped his hand over Emma Carter's mouth, suddenly remembering that first morning when she'd walked in on him sleeping naked.

"Nothing happened!" he quickly assured Emma Winter.

"Really, absolutely nothing happened!"

"I'm telling you, nothing at all happened!" Alex repeated, though his protests were starting to sound suspiciously like 'the lady doth protest too much.'

"And you expect me to believe you?" Emma Winter subjected him to a thorough visual inspection that left him squirming uncomfortably.

"I believe you will believe me. Though we haven't known each other long, I can tell you're an upright person—noble, above base desires. I've secretly come to regard you as a role model. Please don't disappoint your admirer, can you do that?" Alex attempted his most sincere expression.

"No," Emma Winter replied with equal sincerity.

"I misjudged you. I never expected you'd lie with such a straight face. You... you've disappointed me deeply!" Alex hung his head in theatrical despair.

"Don't be sad, Alex. You still have me. I know you're a good person, and that's what matters," Emma Carter patted his head consolingly.

"Emma, you're so much more honest than your sister. Not to mention more beautiful, elegant, fashionable, capable..."

"Really? I'm not that wonderful!" Emma Carter beamed at his praise with her signature adorable expression. "But you're right—I am better than my sister!"

"Alex, do you have a death wish?" Emma Winter ground out through clenched teeth. Partly because of their mutual performance making her look foolish, and partly because she'd always seen her sister as a rival—hearing someone else praise her sister as superior was infuriating.

"Sister, how can you talk to Alex like that? By the way... do you two know each other?" Emma Carter suddenly asked, looking between them curiously. She had finally caught up to the situation, though her delayed reaction suggested her mental processing speed might need some optimization.