Emily bore a striking resemblance to her mother in appearance, with her delicate features and warm eyes. However, her personality was entirely different. Unlike her mother's composed and graceful demeanor, Emily was bold, rebellious, and willful.
After Alex and Emily finished cleaning the ceiling under her direction, they carefully placed the potted flowers Alex had brought into their proper spots. The room had undergone a transformation, now vibrant and full of life, the sweet scent of the flowers adding a touch of spring to the atmosphere. Alex couldn't help but admire how beautiful and fresh everything looked.
"Okay, soldier, you've earned yourself a break," Emily said, grinning mischievously. She gave him a playful shove onto the sofa before grabbing the remote and turning on the TV. "Watch some TV, and I'll give you your next mission soon."
Alex settled into the sofa, smiling at Emily's playful demeanor. The TV was already tuned to an acrobatic show, with performers in dazzling outfits twisting and flipping in midair. Emily sat down beside him, and without a word, she leaned in, resting against him like a little bird nestling into a tree branch. Alex stiffened slightly at the closeness, feeling a bit awkward, but he didn't want to upset her. It was clear that she was comfortable, and perhaps this was how she behaved with her father. Still, her warmth and the feel of her breath against his arm made him uneasy.
The acrobats on the screen were performing an intricate routine, both the male and female performers wearing form-fitting tights that left little to the imagination. The camera zoomed in frequently, highlighting the male performer's physique in ways that Alex found a bit too… detailed. He shifted uncomfortably, trying to focus on the performance rather than Emily, who had now snuggled even closer.
As the routine continued, Emily's breathing seemed to change—slower, deeper. Alex glanced down at her and noticed a slight sheen of sweat on her nose. She hugged him tighter, and a strange tension filled the air. Unsure of what to do, Alex, in a moment of reflex, placed his hand between her legs and asked, "What's wrong, Emily?"
Emily looked up at him, her expression a mixture of amusement and embarrassment, but her smile was playful. "Uncle, you're so bad," she teased, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
Realizing the inappropriateness of his gesture, Alex quickly pulled his hand back, his face flushed with embarrassment. He stammered, "I… I didn't mean—" but before he could finish, Emily interrupted him, laughing softly.
"Relax, Uncle," she said, still smiling. "Why does a man's strength and masculinity always make a woman's heart race?"
Alex blinked, taAlex aback by her directness. The question was unexpected, and Alex, unsure of how to respond, cleared his throat awkwardly.
"That's… that's a tricky question," he began, feeling his embarrassment deepen. "Have you ever asked your mother that?"
"How could I? My mom would kill me if I asked her something like that! Besides, she'd give me a long, boring explanation about propriety and decorum."
"Well," he said, "every girl has crushes, and it's a perfectly normal part of growing up. There's a lot more to it, psychologically and biologically, but—"
"Ugh, spare me the textbook answers," Emily interrupted, "I'm not interested in a biology lesson, Uncle. You're such a nerd sometimes." She stuck her tongue out teasingly.
Alex laughed, "Alright, alright. I'll stop. So, what's the next mission, General?"
Emily's eyes lit up, and she stood up excitedly. "Oh, I know! Can you cook, Uncle Alex?"
"I can manage… though I'm not exactly a master chef."
"That's good enough! Your mission is to cook dinner tonight and surprise my mom. Think you can pull that off?" she asked.
"I guarantee success, General."
Emily clapped her hands in excitement. "Great! Let's do it!" She bounced off toward the bathroom, after a while went to her bedroom, leaving Alex alone to figure out his next steps.
He sat there for a moment, wondering where to even begin. He knew very little about what ingredients were available, and he wasn't sure what kind of food the director liked. After a few minutes, he called out, "Emily, what should I cook?"
Her voice echoed from the bedroom. "Just check the fridge! There's always something in there. You're resourceful, you'll figure it out!"
Alex sighed, shaking his head with a smile. He made his way to the kitchen as Emily run to bathroom carrying few things.