Previously:

"Good. Sweep her off her feet and make her our sister-in-law already."

"Easy for you to say. I told you, we're taking things slow."

"You saying you don't want to marry her?"

"That's not what I said. Look, we're both immortal. There is no 'til death do you part'. If we get married, we really have to mean it. I just think it's important that we make sure we'll really be good for each other before taking that step."

"Wow, you've really thought this out, haven't you?"

"… Good decision," Keith said.

Chapter 7: An Unwelcome Surprise

When Charlie went to perform for the Gandors the next day, she was a little surprised by the change that had come over their subordinates. Their greetings when they saw her were less familiar and more formal. Those who had begun calling her 'Charlie' now called her 'Miss Charlie.' Compared to their usual relaxed selves, they seemed to almost be at attention when she passed them or talked to them.

"What's that about?" she asked the three brothers.

"Did that unnerve you? Sorry about that," Luck said.

"It's because you're Luck's girl now," Berga said. "They don't want to be disrespectful."

"Oh, is that all?"

"Do you want it stop?" Luck asked.

"I guess I don't mind either way. But they don't have to be so tense."

"Hey, guys! Charlie says to relax!"

Berga called out loud enough for everyone in the building to hear.

"But not too much," Luck said.

"But not too much!" Berga added.

Charlie smiled wryly.

"Shall I get started?"

Keith nodded.

Charlie went over to the piano and prepared to start playing. She was warming up when the door opened and in walked a young woman who was dressed for a night out. Her dress looked expensive and waisted none of her curves, which could be seen when she opened her fluffy fur coat. Her long strawberry-blonde hair was elegantly arranged in waves that fell past her shoulders, and her dark brown eyes were striking. This woman oozed glamour and sex appeal.

Luck's eyes widened when he saw the woman. He hadn't laid eyes on her in four years, and there she was: a ghost from his past.

"Uh-oh. Here comes trouble..." Berga said.

One of the men who was newer to the organization approached her and said:

"I'm sorry, but we haven't opened yet."

Charlie continued to warm up, not paying much attention to what was happening. That changed when, out the corner of her eye, she saw the woman hurl herself at Luck.

Before Luck could react, the woman had thrown her arms around him and pressed her lips against his in a kiss.

Charlie stopped playing and stared, stunned.

She wasn't the only one who was shocked. Some of the men were staring, too.

Luck finally reacted and held the woman away from him, ending the kiss.

"You—"

"Luck! I know it's been years, but don't you recognize me?"

"I know exactly who you are, Emilia."

Luck continued to hold her away from himself. His eyes flitted to Charlie, and he saw that she was definitely watching them. The expression on her face was hard to read.

"You can't just go around kissing people like that."

"What's wrong with a kiss from one lover to another?"

Charlie stood up when she heard that. She started making her way over to them.

"That was a long time ago."

"Why are you being so cold? You used to love me so much..."

Luck really wished she would stop talking like that in front of Charlie. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her down to the reception room.

"Come with me."

They were gone just before Charlie could reach them. She wanted to go after Luck and the woman called Emilia, but something held her back. Part of her really wanted to trust Luck like he had trusted her with Joe, and another part was scared of what she'd find if she opened the reception room door.

"Who was that?"

She looked to Keith and Berga for answers.

"Emilia Cartwright. Luck hasn't seen her for four years. She has a lot of nerve coming back after breaking his heart the way she did."

Charlie clenched her fists at her side. She didn't know the circumstances, but that part about her hurting Luck made her dislike Emilia even more than the kiss had.

"Don't worry. I'm pretty sure he's gotten her out of his system. Probably."

Charlie didn't find that very reassuring.

"…..."

Keith placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Charlie smiled a little.

"You're right. I should trust Luck more."

After all, that kiss had been more of a surprise attack than anything, and he had pushed Emilia away pretty quickly.

Inside the reception room, luck was leaning against the desk with his arms crossed, while Emilia stood close by with her arms crossed, too.

Luck sighed heavily. He needed to finish this quickly and clear things up with Charlie.

"What is it you want, Emilia?"

"What's with that unfriendly attitude? Didn't we have some good times together?"

"And then you suddenly decided to move to Chicago. Like I said, what do you want?"

"I came back for you. Doesn't that make you happy?"

"What?"

"What's with you? You're acting strange."

"You're the strange one. You break someone's heart and expect a happy reunion?"

Luck used to find it hard to talk about that, but he found it didn't upset him much anymore. He was more worried about how Charlie would react to that surprise attack Emilia had laid on him.

"If I really hurt you, then why are you so calm? I mean you always act calm, but it seems you really aren't upset."

"You want me to be upset over something that happened four years ago?"

"Don't tell me you've moved on."

"You show up out of nowhere and come crashing back into my life—expecting me to be happy about it—and when I don't react the way you thought I would, you want me to still be heartbroken even after four years? You're still as selfish as ever. Although you seem to have gone up in the world."

She couldn't afford clothing of such high quality the last time he saw her.

"So maybe I'm a rich widow now. Does that surprise you?"

"Nothing you do surprises me anymore."

"I caught you off-guard with that kiss before."

"I think you've done enough damage already, so if you're done stating your case, I'd like you to leave."

Emilia narrowed her eyes with suspicion.

"There's someone else, isn't there?"

"I don't have to answer you. What I do and who I do it with is none of your business."

"Is it that girl who was playing piano? I saw you look in her direction after I kissed you, and she seemed hurt. It's her, isn't it."

"Like I said, it's none of your business."

Even if Emilia flirted with other guys, she had always been jealous if Luck even looked at another girl.

Luck didn't know what Emilia would do if she knew he was in love with Charlie, but he wanted to spare her Emilia's poisonous intentions if he could.

"I see. If that's how you want to play it..."

Emilia walked out of the reception room, but Luck could tell she hadn't given up yet. He followed her out.

Charlie saw Emilia emerge from the reception room, followed by Luck. Emilia went straight to the nearest table and sat down.

"What are you doing?" Luck asked.

"I'm going to stay and watch the show."

Luck stopped himself from glancing at Charlie and kept his eyes fixed on Emilia. He needed to get rid of her so he could talk to Charlie. If he just brought Charlie into the reception room to explain what happened, Emilia would be suspicious and target her.

"We're not open yet."

"I don't mind waiting."

"Please wait outside."

Charlie was surprised. It was unlike Luck to kick a woman out into the cold, and there was something a little scary behind his polite words.

Emilia didn't like to lose, but she could tell she was starting to make Luck angry. She glanced briefly at Charlie.

"Fine."

She stood up and left to step out into the cold night without a backward glance.

Luck went over and locked the door to keep her from coming back in until they were ready.

"Charlie, please come with me."

Luck held his hand out to her.

Charlie took it, and he led her into the reception room. Luck continued to hold her hand as he spoke to her.

"Did Berga tell you who she was?"

"He did."

"I'm not making excuses, but she caught me by surprise with that kiss. I want you to know that I don't feel anything for her now."

"Are you sure? You loved her so much that she broke your heart."

"I'm sure. Charlie, I need you to remember that no matter what she may say, you're the one I love. You're the one I want. Not her. Okay?"

"Okay."

Charlie felt a little unsure, but the warmth of his hand holding hers and the affection in his eyes made her feel safe, so she agreed.

Luck smiled at her and put his other arm around her and held her close. Charlie rested her head against him, and they stood like that for a few minutes. Then luck kissed the top of her head and pulled away from her a little bit.

"We'll be late for opening if we don't get a move on."

He caressed her cheek gently with his hand.

Charlie gave him a small smile and let him lead her back out of the reception room so she could take her place in front of the piano.

She heard some whispering as she made her way to the piano. The men were talking about what had just happened and speculating over what it meant.

Charlie wished Luck would set the record straight with them, too, but she made herself ignore their murmuring and get back to playing. She started playing Confessin' just as the doors were unlocked and the first customers came in. Emilia was among them, and she took a seat at a table closer to the stage this time. She watched Charlie like a hawk, sizing her up.

Charlie was used to being watched, but she could feel Emilia's eyes in particular and she didn't like it. But she didn't show it, keeping a smile on her face as she looked around at the crowd. When she ended the first song, a few requests were called out to her from the crowd. One of the requests was for Exactly Like You so she started playing it and singing the lyrics.

Luck kept his eyes on both girls, watching for signs of trouble. If Emilia started heckling Charlie, she would be out of there faster than she could blink.

Fortunately, the show continued on without incident. Except for one man, who had tried to climb up on stage with Charlie, there was no trouble until closing.

While the rest of the crowd cleared out, Emilia tried to stay behind.

"We're closed," Luck told her.

Emilia refused to budge.

"It's time for you to go."

"Make me."

"With pleasure."

Berga spoke as he stepped forward to do the job.

Emilia looked displeased. She got up on her own rather than have Berga carry her out. But she wasn't finished yet.

"Luck, let's go on a date."

"No, thanks. I'll be busy that day."

"But I didn't even say what day it would be yet."

"I'm aware."

Emilia looked angry as she turned on her heel and marched toward the door. She paused in the doorway and looked back at Luck.

"This isn't over."

"It is for tonight."

Emilia huffed and left, slamming the door shut behind her.

Charlie came off the stage and over to stand with Luck. He put his arm around her.

"What are you going to do about her?" Berga asked.

"I'll guess I'll just have to keep showing her how little she means to me until she gives up."

Luck didn't want to be violent toward a woman.

"For some women, that would make them like you more," Charlie said.

"Really? Well, what kind of chance does that give him?" Berga asked.

"Not Emilia."

Luck sounded very certain.

"She needs admirers to feel good about herself. She won't stick around if I refuse to play along."

"I hope you're right."

"If not, we can always gently run her out of town," Berga suggested.

"If we start with that, it'll just make her more determined to stick around. She'll take it as a sign that I still care enough to do something about her. No, I'll just have to keep showing her that I don't care and I'm not taking her back."