Intrigued by the newfound information about Emma Braun, Alex felt he had to know more about her story. He learned that Emma, despite her impressive skills and character, was going through the city's challenges by moving between odd jobs to make a living.
One day, after finding out about Emma's current workplace through his private inestigator, Alex decided to pay her a visit. He wanted to meet the woman who had skillfully defended herself on that day, turning a potential threat into a showcase of self-defense .
The location was a regular coffee shop tucked away in a corner of the city. Alex walked in, scanning the cozy set-up. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, and sound of conversations provided a backdrop to the scene.
As he approached the counter, Alex looked around, searching for the familiar face. He spotted Emma, dressed in a barista's apron, expertly preparing a latte for a customer.
Her focus was intense, and she seemed so casual and harmless. Alex marveled at the different contrast between this everyday scene and the extraordinary display of combat skills he had witnessed.
Deciding not to approach her in a way that might compromise her privacy, Alex took a seat at a corner table, pretending to be focused in his laptop. He observed Emma as she efficiently went through her role, interacting with customers and managing the coffee shop's daily operations.
After some time, Emma headed towards Alex's table, a warm smile gracing her face. "Hey there, haven't seen you around here before. What can I get you?" she asked, with a friendly demeanor.
"Hi, Emma," Alex greeted, returning her smile. "I heard this place had the best coffee in town. Mind recommending something?"
Emma chuckled, "Well, you heard right. Let me surprise you with our special blend. I'll be right back."
When Emma returned with a carefully prepared cup, she leaned against the table, curiosity in her eyes. "So, what brings you here? Not just for the coffee, I presume."
Alex decided to keep the conversation light, not wanting to reveal the extent of his knowledge about her extraordinary abilities. "I'm not so new in this City but I heard about this place having the best coffee in the City. Thought I'd check it out. By the way, I'm Alex."
Emma extended a hand, "Nice to meet you, Alex. I'm Emma. If you ever need coffee recommendations or some local tips, I'm your go to barista."
Alex decided to wait for shift to be over so he can approach her and have a private discussion.
As Emma's shift at the coffee shop came to an end, Alex discreetly observed her closing tasks from his corner table. The cozy atmosphere of the coffee shop had started to mellow as evening settled in. When Emma finally took off her apron and headed towards the exit, Alex approached her with a friendly smile.
"Hey, Emma, would you mind if I gave you a ride? It's the least I can do for the coffee recommendation," he suggested, gesturing towards the door.
Emma hesitated for a moment, looking at the sleek sports car parked outside. "Oh, you really don't have to. I live just a few blocks away. I usually walk or take the bus."
Alex chuckled, trying to ease her concerns. "No worries at all. It's no trouble for me, and it's always nice to share a conversation on the way.
After a brief pause, Emma smiled, appreciating his consideration. "Alright, thanks, Alex. I guess a ride would be nice."
As they stepped outside, Alex unlocked his car, and Emma couldn't help but admire the luxury vehicle. "Wow, this is quite an expensive looking car you've got here," she said, with a bit of surprise in her voice.
Alex , opening the passenger door for her. "Thanks. I'm ftattered. Hop in, and I'll get you home in no time."
Emma settled into the comfortable seat, still admiring the car's interior. As they drove through the city streets, Alex kept the conversation light, coffee blends, the gossips of the city, and even sharing a few parts about his own experiences.
The journey flowed smoothly, and Emma found herself enjoying the unexpected company. Alex, in turn, appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the woman whose skills had left a lasting impression on him.
As Alex navigated through the city streets, the warmth of the car cushioning them, he decided to bring the topic that had initially brought him to Emma's attention.
"You know, Emma, that night at the convenience store? I was there," he mentioned casually, his eyes on the road but attentive to her reaction.
Emma's gaze shifted from the passing scenery to Alex, a bit of surprise in her eyes. "Really? Small world, huh?" she replied, attempting to keep her tone light.
"Yeah," Alex continued, "I was in the store when I saw you handling that situation with such skill. It was pretty impressive. I've never seen someone move like that."
A subtle tension settled in the air as Emma processed his words. She maintained a guarded demeanor, her instincts telling her to be cautious.
"I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable by bringing it up," Alex added, sensing her reserved response.
Emma gave a small nod, offering a half-smile. "It's just not something I talk about much. I've learned to take care of myself over the years."
"I can understand that," Alex replied, respecting her privacy. "It's just that, well, I was genuinely amazed by your quick thinking and self-defense skills. Not everyone can handle a situation like that so confidently."
Emma appreciated the acknowledgment but remained cautious. She redirected the conversation, "So, what made you bring it up now?"
Alex glanced at her briefly before focusing back on the road. "I guess I was curious. I wanted to express my admiration for how you handled yourself. It was a memorable moment, and I couldn't help but wonder about the person behind those impressive moves."
Emma's guard softened slightly, realizing that Alex's intentions seemed genuine. "Well, I appreciate the compliment. But let's just say, I've had my fair share of experiences that taught me to be cautious."
"I completely understand," Alex assured her. "I didn't mean to pry. Just thought you should know that I respect your ability to handle yourself."
"Emma," Alex started, breaking the quiet mood, "I have an offer for you."
Emma turned her attention to him, curious about what he had in mind. "Oh? What's on your mind?"
"Well," Alex continued, "I've been thinking about your situation. You clearly have a set of skills that could be valuable. How about working for me? I could use someone with your capabilities."
Emma raised an eyebrow, "Work for you? Doing what, exactly?"
Alex smiled, revealing a bit of his plan. "How about being my personal assistant? But with a twist. You'd be more like a private bodyguard to me. We keep it discreet. To the world, you're my personal assistant, but between us, you'd be my guard."
Emma's eyes widened as she processed the proposal. "You want me to be your bodyguard?"
Alex nodded, "Exactly. You have the skills, and I think it could be mutually beneficial. You keep me safe, and in return, I'll pay you well. Plus, it gives you a legitimate job, something you can put on paper easily."
Emma thought about the offer, realizing the potential advantages. A stable job and good pay, all while using her defense set of skills. "Interesting proposal, Alex. But why the secrecy?"
Well it's better that way to keep the ones who plan on harming thoughtful
Pulling up in front of Emma's place, Alex turned to her, "So, Emma, what do you think? Are you interested?"
Emma took a moment, her eyes showing a bit of contemplation. "It's a unique offer, Alex. Let me sleep on it and weigh the pros and cons. I'll give you an answer soon."
"Fair enough," Alex agreed, respecting her need for thoughtful consideration. "Take your time. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out."
Emma nodded, appreciating the understanding. "Thanks, Alex. I'll get back to you soon."
As she exited the car, Alex handed her his business card. "Here's my contact information. Whenever you're ready, give me a call. No rush."
"Got it," Emma replied, tucking the card into her pocket. "Good night, Alex."
"Good night, Emma," Alex responded, watching her disappear into the entrance of her building. With a thoughtful expression, he drove away.
The following day, Alex headed to the office to attend to various matters. Just as he settled into his workspace, his phone rang, indicating an incoming call from Emma. Answering promptly, Alex was met with Emma's voice on the other end.
"Hey, Alex. I've had some time to think about your offer, and I'm in. Let's do this," Emma said sounding interested.
A genuine smile formed on Alex's face. "That's great to hear, Emma! Welcome aboard. Let's meet on Monday to discuss the details. I'll fill you in on what the job entails and make sure you're comfortable with everything."
"Sounds good, Alex. I'll see you on Monday," Emma confirmed.
As they ended the call, Alex's mind buzzed with plans for the upcoming collaboration. Knowing that Emma was now a crucial part of his professional life, he decided to make her transition into the role more comfortable.
Later that day, after wrapping up at the office, Alex began searching for an apartment for Emma. He looked for a place in close proximity to his own condo, making it convenient for both of them. After touring a few options, he settled on a comfortable apartment with modern amenities, ensuring that Emma would have a pleasant and secure living space.
Apologizing for the oversight that night, Alex decided to make amends for the missed meet-up with Maria. He quickly retrieved his phone and dialed her number. After a couple of rings, Maria answered, her voice carrying a mix of understanding and warmth.
"Hey, Alex! No worries at all. I heard about the incident you were involved in. I hope everything's okay now," Maria reassured him.
Alex appreciated Maria's understanding. "Thank you, Maria. It was quite unexpected, but I'm doing fine now. I'm sorry about missing our meet-up. Can we reschedule for another day? I'd really like to catch up with you."
Maria agreed, "Of course, Alex. Let's reschedule. Just let me know when you're free, and we'll make it work. Take care of yourself."
With the situation with Maria sorted out, Alex realized he had also missed seeing Matilda. He contemplated whether to call or message her, opting for a call to explain the situation personally. Dialing Matilda's number, he patiently waited for her to answer.
"Hello?" Matilda's voice came through the phone.
"Hey, Matilda. It's Alex. I'm really sorry about missing our meet-up. Something unexpected came up, and I couldn't make it," Alex explained sincerely.
Matilda sounded understanding, "Oh, don't worry about it, Alex. Life happens. Is everything okay on your end now?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for understanding. Let's catch up soon, okay?" Alex suggested.
"Absolutely, Alex. Just let me know when you're free, and we'll plan something. Take care," Matilda replied.