Love's Wild Card

The sales staff at the Armani boutique on Fifth Avenue seemed to shrink under Alex's piercing gaze, their designer uniforms suddenly feeling like ill-fitting costumes.

"Fashion is supposed to be an expression of the soul," Alex's voice carried the perfect blend of disdain and authority. "Armani's vision was never just about blurring lines between casual and formal - it was about liberating the modern spirit. But look at you all," he gestured dismissively, "treating customers like royalty if they're rich, and less than dirt if they're not. For all your designer uniforms, you can't hide that nouveau riche attitude. Even street vendors show more genuine warmth than this."

The staff's misfortune stemmed from what should have been a minor incident, but Wang De's appearance had sparked something in Alex. And once provoked, Alex Stone was not one to hold back, regardless of the setting. The encounter had stirred memories of high school, and he couldn't help but wonder about Zhang Jingru's fate - the girl he'd once sworn to seduce.

"Alex! How do I look?" Emma's voice suddenly chimed from the fitting room, breaking his dark reverie. She twirled around with an adorable expression, seeking his approval.

"Hmm? Is something wrong?" She noticed his stormy expression and the unusual silence that had fallen over the store, with all eyes now fixed on her.

The white Armani dress was a masterpiece of simplicity, highlighting Emma's pure, elegant bearing. The soft, flowing pleats accentuated her perfect figure while maintaining an air of sophisticated grace. The subtle crystal embellishments caught the light, adding just the right amount of sparkle.

"Beautiful dress, prestigious store, abysmal service," Alex pronounced with calculated indifference. "Manhattan's full of options. If not Armani, there's always Chanel. Isn't that every woman's preferred poison anyway?"

"Oh..." Though unaware of what had transpired, Emma could read the tension in Alex's voice and demeanor. Despite her usually carefree nature, she wasn't oblivious. In that moment, she seamlessly slipped into the role of an elegant heiress, her bearing suddenly regal enough to make the sales staff look like commoners in comparison. After casting a dismissive glance around the store, she gracefully retreated to the fitting room, changed, and took her place beside Alex with perfect poise.

*Impressive*, Alex thought, observing her transformation. He'd expected whining or drama, but her intuitive grasp of the situation and ability to adapt showed there was more to Emma than met the eye.

"Life is more complex than you imagine, and you're not nearly as clever as you think," Alex addressed the staff. "There's no shame in knowing your place. As they say: 'Even a pebble doesn't try to be smooth - it's naturally kind.' Shopping is about service, and since you've managed to spoil our mood, I see no reason to leave our money here. Shall we?" He stood, and Emma followed with graceful dignity. Several other customers, taking their cue, also headed for the exit.

The staff's attempts to salvage the situation fell flat in the wake of their departure.

Some people, Alex mused, never learned without a harsh lesson. Sometimes you had to remind them who held the real power.

"Alex... I mean, Master," Emma sidled up to him at their lunch table after ordering, putting on her most innocent expression. Despite her usual playfulness, Alex couldn't forget how she'd transformed at the Armani store, reminiscent of their first meeting.

His heart sank at the word 'Master' - she'd been using it all morning whenever she wanted something, drawing curious and amused glances from passersby. "What is it now?"

"Could I... maybe... buy a few more outfits?" She looked at him hopefully.

"Aren't these enough?" Alex gestured at the six or seven shopping bags beside them. That old saying about women's closets always lacking one more piece seemed eerily accurate.

"Mm-hmm!" She nodded enthusiastically.

"I've already advanced you five years of housekeeper's salary for those. You can't possibly want more?"

"Well, if you've already advanced five years, what's another five?" She tilted her head with impeccable logic.

"Are you sure you'll even stay with me for ten years?" He eyed her suspiciously, wondering if this was some kind of elaborate scam.

"Of course! And if not, I'll pay you back every penny. I promise! Let's pinky swear!" She extended her little finger with absolute seriousness.

"Fine, I'll lend it to you," Alex sighed in resignation.

"No, we must pinky swear! Otherwise my conscience won't be clear!" She tugged at his sleeve insistently.

"Your conscience?" He looked at her incredulously. "That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard."

"It's important! With a pinky swear, I'll know the money comes from my hard work, my rightful earnings - not charity!" Her eyes sparkled with conviction.

*What kind of logic is that?* Alex wondered. *A pinky swear makes it earned income? If only making money was that easy!*

"Come on, I'm hungry!" She shook his arm playfully, acting for all the world like a cherished wife cajoling her husband.

"Alright, alright! Pinky swear!" Alex gave in, hoping to finally get to their meal.

"Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye... There! Now we can eat!" She happily attacked her food with gusto.

*A hundred years? I couldn't survive that long*, Alex thought wearily.

In twenty-five years of living in Manhattan, Alex had never experienced Fifth Avenue quite like this. Emma dragged him from store to store all afternoon - clothing boutiques, jewelry shops, furniture showrooms, even street food vendors. She wanted to explore everything, chattering and laughing constantly, acting more like a seasoned guide than a visitor. Alex couldn't fathom why she was so perpetually cheerful. Surely there had to be limits to happiness?

"Finally home!" Alex collapsed onto his sofa, dreading tomorrow's continuation. The trials of being an exceptional man were endless.

"What a wonderful day!" Emma bounced into her room, somehow still energetic.

"Bring me some water!" Alex called out, figuring he might as well get his money's worth after advancing thirteen years of salary. They'd spent over a hundred thousand dollars in one day - an almost unbelievable sum for just clothes and cosmetics.

"Coming!" Emma emerged from her room and headed to the kitchen, returning with water and fruit.

"How was your day?" Alex asked between sips.

"Amazing! The best day of my life! Can we go again tomorrow?" She looked at him hopefully.

"Absolutely not! You've spent over a hundred grand in one day - that's marriage money you're burning through. Are you trying to leave me penniless?"

"If you're so poor, why were you so generous? Buying everything I wanted?" She sat beside him, genuinely puzzled.

"First of all, you can't stay here forever. Your father - my boss - will find you eventually, or maybe he already knows where you are. When you go back home, you'll have to repay every cent. Who knows? Maybe he'll even give me a bonus for taking such good care of you," Alex smirked.

"Is that... the only reason you bought things for me?" Her lips formed a disappointed pout.

"Not bought - advanced! If you don't plan to repay it, or if your father's too stingy, you'll have to work as my housekeeper for thirteen years!"

"Do... do you really mean that?" Her voice trembled, her bangs hiding her expression.

"Absolutely." Alex nodded, amused to finally see her rattled.

"Yay! That's wonderful!" She suddenly jumped up and threw her arms around his, absolutely delighted.

"Then I won't leave! I'll stay here forever! There's food, drinks, and you'll take me shopping - it's much better than home. I hereby declare this my new home, and I'm happy to be your housekeeper!"

*Wait... what?* Alex broke into a cold sweat. This was the opposite of what he'd intended! "Free food, drinks, and shopping companion? What do you think this is - a luxury hotel? What am I - your personal entertainment director?"

"Ha! You seem to misunderstand. What I meant was... your father's wealthy, he'll definitely repay me, so just wait to go home..." Alex tried to salvage the situation. A few days of this was barely manageable - thirteen years would be torture!

"Even if he offers money, I won't take it! Who needs his dirty money? I'll tell him I'm independent now, buying clothes with my own earnings! Let him and that vixen regret their choices!" She declared proudly.

"You should also tell him that one day's shopping equals thirteen years of salary," Alex muttered, realizing his money was probably gone for good.

"That's fine! I'm only twenty-five, so with the thirteen years advanced salary, I can work here until I'm thirty-eight. Let's see... I should live to at least seventy, so seventy minus thirty-eight... that leaves thirty-two more years of salary to earn! Alex? Where are you going? Wait, I want to show you my new clothes! Hey, open the door!" She followed him as he fled to his room.

"Why don't I just adopt you?" His voice roared through the door.

"If you're offering, I wouldn't mind!"

"God! Will you ever let me live in peace?"

"No cursing in front of me!" Emma scolded, a mischievous smile playing on her lips that Alex thankfully couldn't see.

"..."