Love's Wild Card

Later that afternoon, Grace Chen paced into the office and, seeing Alex still comfortably seated at his desk, immediately went into crisis mode.

"Alex, darling Alex, why aren't you heading to the Financial District yet? You promised to handle that meeting! You can't back out now!" She placed her hands on his shoulders, giving him an urgent shake.

"Stop that—I already called the CEO. Meeting's at three, and we have over an hour," Alex brushed her hands away with mild irritation.

"Really? Oh, you're the best! I knew I could count on you," Grace's urgent shaking transformed into an appreciative shoulder massage. "Always looking out for me!"

"Less fawning, more focusing on that dinner you owe me," Alex remarked, then added with a slight smile, "Though a bit to the left wouldn't hurt."

"Now you're just taking advantage," Grace gave him one final emphatic push before returning to her desk.

"If Alex helps me with my accounts, I'll give him shoulder massages every day!" Jackie Liu, who had just returned from her morning meetings, called out with a grin.

"Right? We talked ourselves hoarse this morning trying to close that deal," Rachel Lee chimed in from her desk.

"Well, what can I say? Alex and I go way back," Grace smiled. Their friendship dated to their university days when Alex, despite his low-key demeanor, had consistently demonstrated both academic excellence and loyalty to his friends. Landing at the same company had proved fortunate—without his guidance, Grace might still be struggling in one of the lower-performing divisions. She often thought what a catch he'd be if he weren't so... modest in his lifestyle. Little did she know about his actual background.

"Rachel, Jackie, you're both so ungrateful! Have you already forgotten who helped close that Morrison account last week?" Alex turned to the two younger women with mock indignation.

"How could we forget? We're eternally in your debt, oh wise one!" Rachel played along with an exaggerated bow.

"You two hit the jackpot getting assigned to our team with Sarah and me," Alex glanced at their veteran colleague. "We do the heavy lifting, you get the commission. Quite the deal, right Sarah?"

Sarah Palmer, their thirty-something senior teammate who remained enviably single, smiled knowingly. Her extensive experience and connections had proved invaluable when the younger members were finding their footing. Everyone respected her guidance.

"He's right—Alex and I have agreed to cut you off. Time to fend for yourselves," Sarah attempted a stern expression but couldn't quite maintain it.

"Sarah, dearest Sarah," Rachel bounced over to her desk with an adorable pout. Despite being twenty-four, she had a youthful energy that made her seem barely out of her teens. With her large expressive eyes, porcelain complexion, and petite frame, she had perfected the art of the charming plea.

"Enough! Don't you have reports to deliver?" Sarah gave her cheek a gentle tap, unable to resist Rachel's practiced charm. With a giggle, Rachel gathered her files and headed out.

Throughout this familiar banter, Emma sat silently at her desk, feeling distinctly out of place.

"Emma, where did you work before joining us?" Sarah, ever attentive to group dynamics, turned to their quiet new colleague.

"I... I just graduated," Emma replied eagerly, grateful to be included. In truth, she'd graduated a year ago but had spent the time either at home or helping with her father's business ventures.

"Don't worry—you're in good hands. Mr. Han assigned you to Alex for a reason. He's our top performer, and he'll show you the ropes. Right, Alex?" Sarah's diplomatic intervention was obvious but welcome.

"Please, Sarah, you'll give me a big head. I'm hardly a genius—I just happened to read one more strategy book than Sun Tzu," Alex shot Emma a pointed look, his tone deliberately casual. "I'm actually quite easy to get along with... if you make the effort."

Emma's glare could have melted steel. The implication that she was difficult was hardly subtle.

"Well, I read one more romance than Jane Austen," Grace quipped, trying to lighten the mood.

"Please—you can barely get through a magazine. Who are you trying to fool?" Alex called out his old friend without mercy.

"I have too read them! You just don't know everything about me," Grace protested.

"Oh really? Name the six main characters then."

"There's... well... there are six of them!" Grace fumbled, drawing laughs from the office.

"Wait, wasn't there an Austen excerpt in our high school literature class?" Tom interjected helpfully.

"Yes! That's right—the Pride and Prejudice passage. See? I told you I'd read it!" Grace seized the lifeline triumphantly.

"Alex, speaking of classics, I've always wondered about those famous literary heroines..." Jackie began curiously.

"Well, well, look who's interested in literature now! Unlike some people who won't admit what they don't know," Alex affected his best professor's tone, earning another round of swats from Grace.

The discussion might have continued, but Grace suddenly noticed the time. "Alex! It's past two already—the Financial District meeting!"

"Already?" Alex checked his watch and quickly began gathering his materials. "Alright, everyone stay put—we'll do dinner when I get back."

"What's this about dinner?" Jackie asked as Alex headed for the door.

"Our dear Grace got a bit loose with her promises earlier," Sarah explained with a smile.

"Really? Perfect timing—I need to call home!" Jackie reached for her phone.

"Emma, why don't you go with Alex? It would be good experience," Sarah suggested, noticing their new colleague still sitting quietly.

"I wouldn't want to get in his way..." Emma hesitated.

"Just consider yourself his assistant for the afternoon. Go on!" Sarah encouraged.

"Well... if you think it's alright. Thank you, Sarah!" Emma's genuine smile appeared as she hurried after Alex.

Outside, Alex had already hailed a taxi—the client's office was in a tricky location better left to professional navigation. He had just settled into the back seat when the door was yanked open.

"What now? I caught this cab fair and square, and I'm in a hurry," he frowned at Emma's appearance.

"What's the rush, subway deviant? Why not take public transit again?" she shot back.

"You know, this morning a dog bit me, but you don't see me trying to bite it back," Alex replied coolly before turning to the driver. "Let's go."

"Wait, who are you calling a—ow!" Emma yanked the door open and shoved her way in, managing to crack her head on the door frame in the process.

Alex's laughter rivaled any sitcom laugh track. "Karma! That's what you get for false accusations!"

"Look, couples fight all the time, but let's not take it out on my livelihood—you're cutting into my driving time," the driver interjected.

"Who's a couple?" Alex and Emma snapped in perfect unison.

The driver gave them a knowing look in the rearview mirror that seemed to say, 'With that timing? Please.'

"Financial District," Alex directed, ignoring both Emma and the driver's amused expression.

"Miss? Same destination?" the driver checked.

"Whatever he said," Emma muttered, still rubbing her head.

"That's more like it. Nothing a little compromise can't fix," the driver nodded sagely.

"We're not together!" they chorused again, then caught each other's eye with mutual annoyance before turning pointedly away.

"I know, I know," the driver chuckled, clearly not believing a word.

"I'm... I'm bleeding." Emma's voice had lost its edge as she held out her hand, showing spots of red.

Alex turned back, his irritation fading at the sight of tears gathering in her eyes. He pulled out a packet of tissues and handed them over.

"Took you long enough to notice. Most people feel pain immediately," he commented, though his tone had softened considerably.

"I... it hurt at first, then went numb. I thought it was fine until I saw the blood," Emma's earlier haughtiness had vanished, replaced by something far more vulnerable.

"Well, don't just stare at it—clean it up!" Alex prompted when she just sat there.

"I can't see where it's coming from..." her voice wavered slightly.

If he hadn't witnessed her confident entrance that morning, Alex would have sworn she was some sheltered socialite who'd never faced adversity. Though considering her actual background, perhaps that wasn't far off.

"Here, let me. Lower your head," he sighed, taking the tissues back.

"Okay." The compliance in her voice was startling. Having never faced serious injury or illness in her privileged life, the sight of her own blood was more distressing than the actual pain. Tears spilled over as she tilted her head, looking for all the world like a wronged heroine in a period drama.

The gentle way he parted her hair to examine the wound sent an unexpected warmth through her chest.

'He can be kind when he wants to be... No! I can't let my guard down!'

Alex carefully dabbed at the blood, revealing a nasty gash partially obscured by her hair. Not being a medical professional, he was hesitant to do more than basic first aid.

"How bad is it?" Emma asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

"There's hair in the wound, and I'm not a veterinarian, so I'd better not mess with it," he replied matter-of-factly.

"What did you just—never mind. What should we do?" She swallowed her indignation, recognizing this wasn't the time.

"We should have a doctor look at it. Clean it properly, maybe some stitches."

"Is it really that serious? We have to go to the hospital?" Her voice was small now.

"Unless you want a scar or a bald patch," Alex shrugged.

"Hospital. Definitely hospital," Emma agreed quickly. Even the most committed career woman has her vanity.

"Alright, you can sit up," Alex tucked the bloodied tissues into a small bag, then addressed their driver. "Could you take us to the nearest emergency room?"

"No problem!" The driver smiled into his mirror. "Made up already?"

"For the last time, there's nothing between us!" they shouted in unison, both gripping the center console as they leaned forward.

Yet another perfectly synchronized response.

Alex slumped back against his seat, staring determinedly out the window.

"Sure, sure, whatever you say," the driver's knowing smile remained firmly in place.

At the hospital, Alex asked the driver to wait. "I'll just get her checked in and be right back."

Once he'd found a doctor for Emma, Alex checked his watch—2:50 PM. Damn, the client meeting!

"I have to go—my appointment's in ten minutes. Will you be okay here?" he asked.

"Don't forget to come back for me!" she called after him.

Alex rolled his eyes—she was hardly helpless. Still...

"I'll be back as soon as I can," he promised, then hurried out to the waiting taxi. The Financial District awaited, and he was cutting it close.