The doorbell chimed. When Alex opened it, he found Emma Carter standing there, clutching a bottle of juice in one hand and a half-eaten bagel in the other, crumbs scattered around her mouth as she took another enormous bite.
Was this really the same elegant woman he'd met yesterday, whose every gesture and word had exuded sophistication? Alex stared in disbelief. Some things weren't quite living up to his imagination. Were all those empty snack bags in his living room her doing? Was she responsible for the battlefield that was his guest bed?
His idealized image of the heiress took a serious hit, though he tried to rationalize that she was just adjusting to a new city and would soon return to her usual refined self.
"I went out for dinner when you hadn't come back," Emma explained sheepishly, perhaps realizing how she must look.
"Sorry I was late," Alex replied, stepping aside to let her in. This had to be an illusion, he told himself desperately.
Emma smiled and entered, then froze upon seeing the snack debris on the table. Her face reddened with embarrassment.
"I'm so sorry—I forgot to clean up! I'll do it right now!" She grabbed a plastic bag and began stuffing the wrappers inside.
"There! All done!" she announced triumphantly, throwing herself backward onto the sofa with outstretched arms.
CRASH! Her gesture knocked over an antique lamp, sending it shattering to the floor.
"I'm so sorry!" Emma jumped up, bowing repeatedly. "I'll clean it up!"
"Ha... haha... I... I never liked that lamp anyway," Alex managed weakly. That had been Grace's only contribution to his apartment decor—she'd kill him if she found out.
Surely it was just an accident, Alex rationalized.
SMASH! A cacophony of breaking dishes from the kitchen had him rushing in to find Emma surrounded by broken china, looking utterly lost.
"I was just looking for a broom, I'm so sorry!" she kept bowing apologetically.
Who keeps a broom in the china cabinet?
"No worries... I was planning to replace those dishes anyway. Thanks for... helping," Alex offered weakly.
She must be unfamiliar with the layout, he told himself. That's all.
He retrieved the actual broom and dustpan, handing them over. More things to add to the casualty list.
"I'll clean the living room first!" Emma announced, darting off.
"Eek!"
THUD.
CRASH!
Dear god, was this some kind of cosmic joke?
Alex stumbled into the living room to find Emma clutching the entryway table, breathing heavily, surrounded by the shattered remains of his prized collection of art pieces—purchased with his first paycheck as a symbol of independence.
"I... helped break those too," Emma offered meekly.
Was she testing his patience? Was this some kind of trial for potential suitors—seeing if they valued her over material possessions? Yes, that had to be it.
"Ow!" A cry interrupted his theorizing. Emma knelt on the floor, tears welling up as she examined her bleeding finger, cut on a shard of glass.
"Are... are you okay?" Alex asked resignedly. "Wait here—I'll get the first aid kit." He returned with a Band-Aid, carefully wrapping her finger.
When she moved to continue cleaning, he quickly intervened.
"Stop! Just... go watch TV. I'll handle this," he insisted, taking the broom before she could demolish what remained of his newly renovated apartment.
"I'm really sorry for causing so much trouble," Emma apologized earnestly.
"It's fine!" Alex smiled, while mentally slapping himself. Stone, you hypocrite!
"Then... would it be okay if I took a bath?"
"Of course, go ahead!" Alex replied, turning back to the wreckage as she disappeared into the bathroom.
Once he'd cleaned up the multiple disaster zones, he stepped onto the balcony, closing the interior door behind him.
"ARGH!" His frustrated yell echoed across the courtyard, prompting lights to flick on in the facing building.
"Who's making that racket? Got a death wish?" angry voices called from below.
"Come up here and say that!" Alex grabbed a cup from the balcony table and hurled it down, desperately needing to vent.
"This is the new Manhattan—we're civilized now! No more of that behavior!" The threats suddenly transformed into reasonable discourse, perhaps cowed by Alex's intensity.
He might have continued his rampage if he hadn't spotted Emma Winter watching wide-eyed from her window across the way.
Alex held up his hand in a phone gesture, indicating he'd explain later.
Emma nodded, sensing prime ammunition for future teasing. Realizing she didn't have his number, she pointed to her phone questioningly.
Alex quickly mimed his number. Moments later, his phone rang.
"Hehehehehe..." An unsettling cackle came through the speaker as Emma's gleeful face appeared in the window.
"About what just happened, I can explain—"
"No need! I believe what I saw and heard. You hide it so well at work—who knew you'd show your true colors at home?"
"It's not what you think—"
"Don't tell me it's a full moon and you'll transform at midnight!"
Seeing Emma's triumphant expression, Alex hung his head in defeat.
"What, did I guess right?" Her voice dripped with satisfaction.
What was wrong with him? How had he lost control over such minor incidents? Grace had never triggered such chaos during her stay. Was it the stark contrast between his imagined perfect heiress and reality? The ruthless destruction of his fantasies? No, he couldn't judge her entire character based on a few accidents. At least their first meeting had shown her true elegant, gentle nature.
"Cat got your tongue? Weren't you just so chatty?"
"A spectacular life needs no explanation. Let the haters hate!" Alex glared back across the courtyard.
"How... how dare you use such language with a lady! You really are a wolf in sheep's clothing!" Emma jabbed her finger at him accusingly.
"I confess—I am indeed that wolf, and you are my prey, my little lamb..." Alex began to sing dramatically.
"You... you scoundrel!" Emma's face flamed at his theatrical serenade.
"Hey, you started it! Can't handle a little song?" Alex smirked. "Better watch out—while I've never considered you much of a lady, still... hehehe!" He let his gaze wander suggestively.
The call disconnected abruptly. Through the window, he saw her shaking her fist at him before yanking her curtains closed.
'Please, as if you're all that! Even if you begged... I'd have to think about it!' Alex returned to his living room, where his houseguest's cheerful humming still emanated from the bathroom.