Chapter 3
To show off my "win" to everyone, I decided to bring Emily back to my college dorm and let my crew witness it firsthand.
Especially Mike, who suffered the most at Emily's hands.
One time, Mike threw his arm around my shoulder and sang, "Brothers stick together for life," and Em held a grudge against him for it. The next day, all of Mike's game accounts got hacked, and the password hint said: "Who's your bro?"
Mike cried for a whole week because of it.
I led Emily into the dorm, and she was carrying an elegant lunchbox.
"Babe, I made lunch for you and your friends. You guys are gonna love it," she said, looking up at me with a sweet smile.
I was really touched.
Man, she's so considerate. She even knows how to win people over.
As soon as we walked in, Mike was sitting there in his boxers, totally absorbed in his game.
When he saw Emily behind me, he freaked out, dropped his mouse, and almost fell off his chair.
"Holy crap. Alex! Why did you bring the boss lady here?" Mike blurted out.
"Don't call her that. Just call her Em," I said, waving it off with a smug grin as I put my arm around Emily. "Let me introduce you guys. This is my girlfriend, Emily Carter."
Emily lowered her head shyly and said softly, "Hi, I'm Alex's fiancée."
Mike and the other two roommates were so shocked that their jaws almost hit the floor.
They glanced at me, then at Emily, their eyes wide with terror, like they were thinking, 'Did someone swap your soul or something?'
"Don't be so surprised," I said, clearing my throat and showing off. "Em had a little accident recently, and now she's totally sweet. She listens to everything I say."
As I spoke, I even pinched Emily's cheek. She just smiled shyly, without any of that old vibe where she'd threaten to chop my hand off if I tried anything.
Mike and the others exchanged glances, not sure whether to believe what they were seeing.
"Alright, Em, pop open the lunchbox and let the bros taste your cooking," I said with a flourish.
Emily obediently opened the lunchbox.
Inside were perfectly arranged mini sandwiches and treats, with a tiny carrot bunny in the middle: so cute it could melt your heart.
"Damn, Em, you're a total boss!" Mike's mouth was practically watering as he reached for the octopus-shaped treat.
But just as his hand was about to grab it, Emily suddenly made a move.
She slid her fork in, gently but unmistakably blocking Mike's hand.
Mike's hand hung in mid-air, his face full of confusion.
Emily looked up, still wearing that innocent, harmless smile, her eyes curving like crescent moons.
She tilted her head and said in a naive, puzzled tone:
"Big bro, this is for my hubby," she said. "Do you guys... want some as well?"
Her voice was gentle and sweet.
But the expression on Mike's face went from greedy to downright terrified.
Tiny beads of sweat started forming on his forehead, and his outstretched hand began to shake.
The dorm was dead silent. You could practically hear a pin drop.
I was a little confused myself, so I whispered to her, "Em, remember, you promised to bring some for them too."
"Oh, right," Emily nodded, suddenly realizing, and withdrew her fork.
She flashed Mike a sweet smile and said, "Sorry, buddy, I totally forgot. Go ahead, help yourself."
Mike managed a stiff smile, looking from the sandwich to Em's "innocent" eyes.
In the end, his hand shaking, he pulled it back.
"N-no, Em, I... I'm suddenly not hungry. Gotta watch my figure," Mike stammered.
The other two roommates shook their heads frantically. "Yeah, yeah, we're all watching our weight too," they chimed in.