284: Unwanted Propositions

Emma stood, arms crossed, at the threshold of her room, facing Fleming, a late-night visitor whose intentions were as clear as they were unwelcome. The quiet of the night was pierced by the awkwardness of the situation, a standoff between Emma’s total disbelief and Fleming’s misplaced confidence. "Why are you here at this hour, Fleming? This isn't the time or the place for... whatever you think this is," Emma started, her voice a mixture of curiosity and caution. Fleming, mistaking Emma’s patience for interest, launched into his carefully rehearsed pitch. "Emma, I’ve admired you from afar. Your strength, your independence—I think you and I could be good for each other," he said, his voice betraying a hint of nervousness beneath the rehearsed confidence. Emma tried very hard to stifle that laughter bubbling from inside her, but just couldn’t help but laugh. This was a response more out of disbelief than amusement. "Fleming, you do realize how absurd this sounds, right? Comin