Love's Wild Card

Alex dragged his exhausted body home, yesterday's fatigue compounded by today's shopping marathon. He'd discovered there was a world of difference between passively observing beautiful women and actively participating in their shopping expeditions—one was leisurely fishing, the other intensive hunting.

Entering his apartment and changing his shoes, he didn't find Emma in the living room but heard giggles coming from his "office." There she sat at his computer, thoroughly engrossed in an online card game.

"You're back!" Emma glanced up with a bright smile before returning her attention to the screen.

"Have you eaten dinner?" Alex asked, noting she hadn't moved from the computer.

"Not yet." Her eyes remained glued to the monitor.

"Please tell me you haven't been playing all day," Alex sighed, already suspecting the answer.

"Of course not! I only started after lunch. Do you play?" Emma asked eagerly.

"Enough gaming for now. Time to eat!" Alex gently pulled her chair back while reaching for the mouse.

"Wait, just one more round!" Emma grabbed his sleeve while keeping her eyes fixed on the screen. "Hey! Why did you close it? That's so mean!" She pouted as the game window disappeared.

"Games aren't food, and the internet isn't for killing time. Especially for someone as easily distracted as you—you need to be careful about online scams," Alex lectured. "Anyway, since you skipped dinner, I bought pizza. Hungry?"

"Starving!" Emma responded without hesitation, her stomach rumbling loudly in confirmation. She gave an embarrassed smile before dashing to the living room.

After changing into comfortable clothes, Alex returned to find Emma devouring the pizza with completely unladylike enthusiasm. While sipping his water, he watched her and said, "From now on, computer time is limited to four hours per day, with a maximum of two hours for games. Got it?"

"What? Only four hours? But I'll be so bored at home!" Emma protested between bites, pizza sauce dotting the corner of her mouth.

"How about three hours then?" Alex suggested patiently after quenching his thirst.

"No way! I want four hours!" Emma grabbed his arm pleadingly, a slice of pizza still dangling from her mouth.

"Fine, fine, just finish your food!" Alex sighed in resignation. Having her here was like keeping an expensive, high-maintenance pet.

"Are you free later?" Emma finally set down her pizza to look at him with an air of anticipation.

"Why?" Alex asked while watching TV, wondering what new scheme she had in mind.

"Just answer—are you free or not?" Emma snatched the remote control, mimicking his mannerisms.

"Yes, but I'm not going shopping again. I'm exhausted," Alex warned, eyeing her suspiciously.

"Just wait here! You bought me so many clothes yesterday, but I haven't properly modeled them for you yet. I wanted to last night, but you went straight to bed. It's still early, and you're free now—no more escaping!" Emma playfully tapped his head.

"Fine, no rush. Finish eating first," Alex resigned himself to the impromptu fashion show. They'd already seen everything during yesterday's shopping, but if she wanted to play dress-up, he might as well humor her.

"Mm-hmm!" Emma nodded enthusiastically before returning to her pizza. She finished the entire twelve-inch pie herself and still looked hungry.

"Time for the fashion show!" Emma jumped up excitedly, wiping her hands before bouncing off to her bedroom.

As Alex watched her go, he wondered: She tried on so many outfits yesterday, what could possibly be new? Even last night she was wearing new clothes...

"Look! How is it? Does it fit well?" Emma emerged in her new La Perla lingerie.

Alex nearly choked on his water. "Let's skip the lingerie—as long as it's comfortable, that's what matters. How about we look at the outerwear?" he suggested awkwardly.

"Oh! Okay!" Emma nodded, turning to adjust the back. "It's a bit tight though, I might need to adjust the last hook."

"Really, you can check if you don't believe me..." Emma teased with a mischievous look.

"Alright, alright, go change!" Alex waved her off desperately, trying to maintain his composure.

"I'm not lying!" Emma affected an innocent expression.

"I believe you, I believe you, just go!" Alex turned back to the TV, fighting to keep his voice steady.

"Fine, wait here!" Emma laughed as she returned to her room.

'Is she deliberately trying to tempt me?' Alex wondered. 'Or has she actually fallen for me? I mean, I know I'm incredibly handsome and perfect, but this seems a bit much...'

"Look, this is my favorite! Isn't it cute?" Emma emerged in a flowing summer dress, twirling gracefully before him. The skirt floated up slightly with her movement, offering a fleeting glimpse of her long legs.

"Well? How does it look?" Emma smiled, delicately holding the dress's edges.

"It looks lovely," Alex nodded sincerely. The dress suited her perfectly—another reminder that you truly get what you pay for in designer clothing.

"It's a princess dress! Should we get a tiara to go with it?"

"Why not get seven dwarfs while you're at it? Then you'll really be Snow White."

"You're right! I do love apples!" Emma giggled, executing a perfect princess curtsy before returning to her room.

"How about this? Casual style? I bought it to match what you were wearing yesterday—simple couple's clothing."

"Couple's clothing? This is what you call couple's clothing?" Alex stared at her new outfit in disbelief.

"We're not a couple! But we can call it that for now. Ta-da! Look what I have!" Emma produced an identical t-shirt from behind her back.

"Why did you buy two?" Alex asked, knowing even a simple t-shirt from that boutique couldn't have been cheap.

"This one's for you! To thank you for letting me stay here and giving me a job," Emma explained proudly. "It's a large size—perfect, right?"

"A gift? Using my money?" Alex raised an eyebrow.

"Quick, try it on!" Emma held up the shirt eagerly.

"This? You're joking. I'm not wearing that!" Alex hesitated, eyeing the large red heart printed on the t-shirt. He had no intention of becoming part of a "couple's outfit."

"No way! I already bought it—it's the thought that counts! If you don't wear it, I'll be really upset!" Emma pouted, turning on the charm.

Looking at her pleading expression, Alex sighed in resignation. "Fine, you win!" He removed his jacket and put on the t-shirt. Despite the conspicuous red heart, he had to admit the fabric felt remarkably comfortable against his skin.

"How is it?" Alex asked, surprised to find that despite its simple design, the t-shirt fit perfectly.

"Haha, it looks great! See how cozy it feels?" Emma pulled Alex close, beaming with joy.

Alex smiled wryly: "It's... acceptable." Standing next to Emma in matching outfits felt oddly intimate, whether he wanted to admit it or not.

"It's perfect! We can wear these at home from now on—it'll make the place feel more homey!" Emma looked Alex up and down from both sides, clearly delighted with the whole situation.

'Is this heiress really thinking we're a couple living together?' Alex wondered, bewildered by the turn of events. Though he had to admit, the shirt was comfortable... but this whole "couple's outfit" thing—he definitely wasn't ready for that.