Manhattan nights were undeniably beautiful. As the last traces of sunset faded, the city transformed into a brilliant tapestry of lights.
Fifth Avenue sparkled with an endless stream of headlights, Times Square blazed with dazzling billboards, the Empire State Building's reflection danced in the Hudson's rippling waters, and the lights of Wall Street towered above the bustling streets. The night was just beginning.
After withdrawing a few thousand from the ATM, treating himself to a satisfying dinner, and strolling down Fifth Avenue—where he bought a new wallet and treated his hungry eyes to the sights—it was already eleven.
"Years wasted in this mortal coil, not one beauty to call my own..." Alex wandered the streets, humming to himself. The sidewalks were now mostly occupied by heavily made-up women—all the respectable folks had gone home. These women held no interest for Alex; he didn't even bother to look.
"Hey, handsome!" A woman in a micro-mini skirt and tank top blocked his path. Though barely six feet away, her thick makeup made it impossible to discern her actual features.
"Evening, ma'am. Can I help you?" Alex asked.
"Ma'am? Who are you calling—"
"Ma'am, are you with the opera? Why the stage makeup on the street?" Alex gave her a stern look. Perhaps it was his t-shirt with its intimidating skull design, but after taking in his appearance, she lost her nerve and shuffled away, muttering curses.
These days, you couldn't hit the streets without some kind of edgy graphic on your clothes—snakes, lions, skulls, whatever. Of course, if you didn't mind the pain, tattoos worked even better. Just don't try those temporary transfers—they run in the summer heat.
'It's just a One Piece anime shirt, for crying out loud,' Alex thought with amusement as he continued his midnight wandering.
"Miss, how much—"
"Get away from me!"
"Oh, too good for my money?"
"Leave me alone! I'm not that kind of person! I'll scream!"
"Whatever, princess. Why else would you be sitting here in the middle of the night?" The man stalked off, cursing.
Wait—this scene caught Alex's attention. After the man left, the woman sat huddled in her chair, arms wrapped tightly around her knees.
She was beautiful, which initially drew his attention, but more importantly—the heiress? Indeed, it was Emma Carter from the restaurant, daughter of his company's Shanghai CEO!
What was she doing here? Admiring the view?
He had to admit, her beautiful features, elegant demeanor, and warm smile had left quite an impression.
'I was just daydreaming about her on my way home, and here she is. Would be a shame not to seize this opportunity. After years of restraint, she seems worth pursuing—time to make a move!' Alex thought, observing her melancholic expression with interest. She had a different kind of charm now; he unconsciously touched his lips.
Alex approached from behind, taking a deep breath. Mm, lily perfume, nice. He gently tapped her shoulder.
"I told you, I'm not—oh! It's you?"
"Hello there!" Alex smiled.
"Thank goodness! Thank goodness!" Emma suddenly jumped up, grabbing his hand excitedly, startling Alex into stunned silence.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you! I'm just... just happy, really happy!" Emma noticed his shocked expression and realized her outburst was unusual, releasing his hand embarrassedly.
"No, no, it's fine!" Alex assured her. She seemed even happier to see him than he was to see her. Had his lunchtime heroics really made such an impression? Had his natural charm overwhelmed her? Impossible—he wasn't exactly radiating irresistible charisma.
"You... remember me?" she asked.
"Of course, Emma. Manhattan's a big place—running into you here must be fate," Alex smiled. Might as well lay on the charm.
"Yes, yes, it must be fate," Emma eagerly agreed.
"What are you doing here alone? It's late, and this area... people might get the wrong idea," Alex gestured to the surrounding clubs and bars.
"I... I didn't want to be here, but... my luggage was stolen from the hotel. They got everything except my ID!" Emma said dejectedly.
"Stolen? Why not call your family?" Alex asked. She seemed smart—how could she be so careless?
"I... I ran away from home. If I call them now, wouldn't that mean admitting defeat?" Emma slumped back in her chair, clearly troubled by painful memories.
Alex sat beside her, having guessed the likely cause of her distress—her father's plans to marry a twenty-four-year-old gold digger. Emma was twenty-five; her father's new wife would be twenty-four. Talk about awkward family dynamics.
"No relatives in Manhattan? Or... you could stay at the company," Alex suggested.
"They'd find me there," Emma pouted. Alex was surprised to see this cute side of the elegant heiress, though perhaps she was being a bit stubborn? Then again, he wasn't one to talk, having moved out on his own despite his family's repeated attempts to bring him home.
Kindred spirits, in a way.
"Every cloud has a silver lining. Say... you could stay at my place tonight? No funny business, I promise—just being... chivalrous, yeah, chivalrous!" Alex said, hoping she wouldn't get the wrong idea.
"Won't I be imposing? Your family..."
"I live alone!" Alex explained. Even with a wall between them, sharing a space would be nice.
"Really? Thank you, that would be wonderful!" To Alex's surprise, she agreed immediately upon learning he lived alone. She seemed genuinely happy and willing.
Jackpot!
"No trouble at all, shall we go?" Alex maintained a calm exterior while internally rejoicing. A woman who combined elegance, cuteness, and beauty was rare these days, and with such lovely skin... She seemed perfect wife material. Alex couldn't help imagining coming home from work to find her waiting with a home-cooked feast.
"Welcome home, darling!"
"Honey, I made your favorite dinner!"
"You must be tired after working all day. I've drawn you a hot bath—let's take one together. I'll wash your back!"
Having such a gentle, capable, beautiful heiress as his wife, taking care of him—what greater happiness could there be?
Lost in these thoughts, Alex quickly hailed a taxi and hurried home before she could change her mind.
"Come in! Sorry if it's a bit messy—bachelor life, you know?" Alex switched on the lights and showed her in, wondering if an heiress used to mansions would look down on his place, though he'd grown quite comfortable here.
"It's lovely!" Emma walked in, finding it much nicer and larger than expected. "What do you do? This is a beautiful apartment, nicely decorated too—must have been expensive," she asked from the couch, having apparently pegged him as a somewhat noble... delinquent.
"I work at a sales company—legitimate white-collar professional!" Alex explained, carefully avoiding mentioning that his company was her family's Beijing branch. If she thought he was a corporate spy reporting back to her family, she might disappear, and that would be tragic.
"Oh?" Hearing this, Emma looked visibly surprised, studying him up and down. Understandable—his flip-flops, jeans, and skull t-shirt, combined with his deliberately cultivated grunge look to attract women, didn't exactly scream "office worker."
"Haha, it's the weekend—I dress down. Please don't think I'm some kind of thug!" Alex waved his hands defensively.
"I trust you, or I wouldn't have come. By the way... do you have any food? I haven't eaten all day!" Emma asked sheepishly.
"Food? One moment!" Alex headed to the kitchen, returning with the last of his milk and bread, plus several packages of instant ramen from a cabinet.
"Sorry, this is all I have. I never cook, so... make do? But hey, there's a kitchen you're welcome to use whenever!" Alex scratched his head apologetically. This last comment served two purposes: First, "whenever" suggested she could stay long-term. Second, mentioning the kitchen implied she might cook—and surely she'd share with the man who took her in, heiress or not?
"Mm-hmm!" Emma nodded, already devouring the bread.
'Yes! Home-cooked dinner tomorrow!' Alex celebrated his subtle victory internally.
"The guest room's next door, fresh linens on the bed. You can stay there tonight," Alex said, awaiting her warm, grateful response.
"Okay!" Emma nodded, opening a pack of instant ramen, her brief reply and neutral tone suggesting the noodles held more appeal than he did. Can't blame her—even an heiress needs to eat after a day without food.
"Not much on TV this late..." Alex continued, hoping to spark conversation, but was answered only by the sound of crunching noodles.
"Whew, I'm exhausted. Got work tomorrow, so I'd better turn in!" Alex announced, pretending to head for his bedroom, hoping she'd ask him to stay.
"Thanks!" The heiress continued munching her noodles.
Alex slouched into his bedroom and closed the door, collapsing face-first onto his bed.
Ugh... I hate instant ramen!