A Baccano Love Story

Emilia

Luck kissed Charlie goodnight as they stood in the open doorway of her apartment. He placed on hand on the side of her face as he looked at her.

Charlie placed her hand over his. She was still concerned.

"Don't worry. We'll get rid of her."

"I just don't want to lose you."

"You won't."

Luck kissed her again.

"Goodnight, Charlie."

"Goodnight, Luck."

They parted, and Charlie watched Luck walk away before closing her door and locking it.

Charlie got ready for bed, putting on a warm, pretty flannel nightgown. She was just climbing into the bed she shared with Lia (who was already asleep) when their doorbell rang.

"Get that Charlie?"

Lia rolled over as she said it, still half-asleep.

Charlie pulled on a robe and went to answer the door. She wondered who it could be at this time of night. Had Luck come back for some reason? She doubted it. He should be on his way back to help his brothers with closing.

Charlie reached the door and looked out through the peephole in case it was someone dangerous waiting on the other side. To her surprise it was Emilia. Charlie was debating whether to open the door or not, when Emilia suddenly began banging on the door as loudly as she could and yelling. She was making a noise that could wake the dead, so Charlie quickly opened the door to stop her.

Emilia stopped her banging, but it was too late for some of her neighbors, who had woken up grumpy and were peering out of their doorways with suspicious and angry expressions.

"S-sorry about that..."

Charlie apologized to them sheepishly.

"Well, step aside," Emilia said.

Charlie stared at her.

"Are you going to let me in, or do I have to start banging again?"

"How did you know where I live?"

"I paid an information broker. Are you going to let me in?"

Charlie reluctantly stepped aside to let her in.

Emilia made herself right at home, taking a seat on their small couch. Charlie closed and locked the door then went to sit down opposite her in a chair. She was wondering what Emilia was doing there, when Emilia said:

"Aren't you going to offer me tea or coffee?"

"Do you have any idea what time it is?"

"And your point is?"

Charlie sighed and got up to make some tea and cut a couple of slices off the lemon poundcake she had made earlier in the day.

Emilia followed her into the kitchen, watching her. "Flannel, huh? Hmph. You have no sex appeal."

Charlie ignored her and continued to wait for the water to boil in the teapot. She wished it would hurry up.

"You're a decent piano player and your singing is passable, but other than that, I don't know what Luck sees in you. Although, he does like looking after people. Is that what this is? Pity?"

Charlie was seriously tempted to punch her in the throat.

"What's the matter? Aren't you going to answer me?"