"That was fantastic!" Alex patted his satisfied stomach as they exited the restaurant.
"Absolutely incredible," Grace agreed contentedly.
"It's getting late—how's everyone getting home?" Sarah asked.
"I can drive," Tom offered.
"No way—get home to that new wife of yours," Alex insisted.
"Alex is right—you've been married barely a year. Keep the romance alive!" Sarah smiled.
"Yes, hurry home, Tom!" Emma chimed in.
"Rachel, we're heading the same way. Want a ride?" Tom turned to her after acknowledging everyone's protests.
"Perfect! See you all tomorrow!" Rachel waved as they departed.
"Jackie, shall we share a cab? We're in the same complex," Sarah suggested.
"Thanks!"
Soon only Alex, Grace, and Emma remained.
"How are you getting home, Emma? Grace and I live fairly close by. Actually, didn't we take the same subway line this morning? Which complex are you in?" Alex asked.
"The Conservatory. You?"
"Alex, isn't that your building?" Grace's eyes widened.
"Yeah, I'm in Building C, sixth floor. You?"
"Building D, sixth floor," Emma laughed.
"Well, isn't this cozy—our buildings face each other across the courtyard. I should be able to see your windows from mine. Though I've never noticed you before. Sure you weren't smuggled in?" Alex teased.
"I just moved in two days ago!"
"Ah, that explains it!"
"Okay, okay, enough neighbor chat. I'm the only outsider here—let's get moving!" Grace interrupted impatiently.
They shared a cab, dropping Grace off first before continuing to their complex.
"Well? The meter's running," Alex prompted Emma as they arrived.
"You...!" Emma bit back a retort but paid the fare, hurrying to catch up with Alex's retreating form.
"Since we're so close, want to commute together tomorrow? Don't get the wrong idea—I just want to protect other innocent women from you," Emma suggested as they entered the complex.
"Sure, if you don't mind rushing. I tend to run late," Alex warned with a challenging look. Who was afraid of whom?
"Hmph, who's afraid?" Emma met his challenge.
Wait—wasn't that his line?
"Fine then. See you tomorrow for another cozy subway ride," Alex emphasized 'cozy' with deliberate provocation.
"Who... who's afraid?!" Emma could only repeat her defiant phrase, though her glare remained fierce as she headed toward her building.
The Conservatory's scattered windows glowed in the Manhattan twilight. At only eight PM, the night was still young—particularly in summer when the city truly came alive after dark. The streets would fill with people seeking evening entertainment, from shopping to scenic walks to cocktails by the river.
Lights flickered on in sixth-floor apartments across the courtyard as both residents arrived home.
Damn! Alex had been so caught up in dinner that he'd completely forgotten about his houseguest from yesterday. As he turned his key in the lock, Emma's name suddenly triggered a connection—Emma, Emma Carter. The names were so similar! Though his Emma seemed far superior—elegant, gentle... Alex's mind wandered to an imagined scene of her preparing a gourmet dinner, waiting eagerly for his return.
Energized by this fantasy, he hurried inside.
"Emma?" he called out hopefully.
Silence answered.
Had she left? That hundred dollars wouldn't get her far... He quickly flipped on the lights. The living room was quiet, though mysteriously littered with snack wrappers. The kitchen was spotless, showing no signs of use. He checked the guest room—empty, but the bed looked like a war zone, covers twisted chaotically.
"She's gone?" Alex wondered aloud. But what a mess she'd left! No, impossible—the elegant woman he'd met wouldn't trash his apartment. She'd be more likely to clean it. Maybe he'd been robbed? But burglars don't typically stop for snacks and naps...
What a wasted opportunity! He sighed deeply, wondering if he'd ever get another chance like that.
He headed for the shower, sweaty from the summer evening. Soon he was padding around in a bathrobe, toweling his wet hair. Refreshing! Though his mind kept drifting to Emma Carter, particularly her peaceful sleeping face that morning. Such distracting memories...
Across the courtyard, Emma dumped her bag on the couch and made a beeline for the bath. She sank into the warm water with a contented sigh.
Her first day at work hadn't been bad, aside from that insufferable Alex Stone. What a pervert, what a scoundrel! Her hand unconsciously rose to her chest, recalling that morning's incident—her first experience of... She flushed with renewed anger.
"Don't think a nice dinner makes up for everything! Just wait—I'll make you pay!" she declared to her empty bathroom, splashing the water indignantly.
She wondered how her sister was doing and which city she'd chosen. Though they'd been rivals since childhood—if one had something, the other had to have it too; if one went west, the other determinedly went east. More enemies than sisters, really. Yet they'd found perfect unity in opposing their father's gold-digger fiancée. Though true to form, even their identical protest took opposite paths.
Rising from the bath, she wrapped herself in a robe and headed to the living room while drying her hair. Remembering Alex lived directly across the courtyard, she found herself glancing toward his windows.
By coincidence, he too was toweling his hair. Their eyes met across the space—two figures in white robes, mirror images in their evening routines.
"Hm?" They glared at each other simultaneously, matching movements and matching hostile expressions.
'Perfect opportunity to get some payback for this morning!' Alex thought vindictively.
They both opened their windows.
"Had a nice bath?" Alex called out. She did look remarkably fresh-faced and natural, quite different from her sharp-tongued personality.
"Very refreshing! You?" Emma shouted back. Might as well pass the time.
"Not bad," Alex replied, deciding to be friendly before striking. Her apartment looked surprisingly neat through the windows. "Did you buy or rent?"
"Renting. You?"
"Bought it. Great location, good investment potential. Could turn a nice profit when I decide to move," Alex explained.
"On a mortgage?" Emma asked, assuming that was the only way a young professional could afford Manhattan real estate.
"Paid cash—got a better deal that way," Alex said casually.
"Nothing illegal, I hope?" Emma eyed him suspiciously.
"Please—if I were into that, I'd be in a penthouse by now!" Alex scoffed. The nerve of this woman!
"Well, well! They say home ownership is life's biggest hurdle, and here you've cleared it already," Emma drawled sarcastically.
"In Manhattan, house-hunting is basically an extreme sport. I'd rather get settled than deal with skyrocketing interest rates and endless mortgage payments," Alex explained. In truth, his family had bought the place—he wasn't even sure how much it cost.
"Yes, stability must be important in your line of work. Good to have a hideout!" Emma's tone dripped with insinuation.
"Exactly what I thought!" Alex gritted out.
"By the way, this is my first time living alone. Got any tips? Do you cook for yourself?" Emma asked more seriously. She'd been surviving on instant noodles, and while their conversation had been mostly snark, she might as well get some practical advice from her more experienced neighbor.
"Haven't used my stove in a year. Grace is the same—we grab dinner together when she's free, otherwise I hit the food carts or get takeout," Alex admitted.
"You eat instant noodles too? That's all I've had since moving in, except for tonight's dinner! What brand do you prefer?" Emma perked up at finding common ground.
"I go for the cup noodles—even more instant than instant," Alex replied, remembering he needed to restock after his houseguest had apparently depleted his supply.
"Oh, I'll have to try those!" Emma made a mental note of this survival tip.
"Want to join our dinner rotation? Three-way split on meals could work well," Alex suggested. Despite their antagonism, they were neighbors and colleagues—might as well make the best of it.
"Really? That would be perfect!" Emma brightened, thrilled at the prospect of escaping her noodle diet.
"Great! When Grace is busy, we can still manage decent meals. Better than drowning in instant noodles forever," Alex sighed.
"Agreed!" Emma was so excited about the end of her noodle-based existence that she temporarily forgot their earlier conflicts. "Finally! No more instant noodles!"
"Keep it down up there! Take your lovers' spat somewhere else—some of us have kids who need sleep!" A sharp voice cut through the night air. Alex and Emma exchanged startled looks before hastily closing their windows in perfect synchronization.