After a click sound of the door unlocking, the front door was pushed open.


    "Wow! What''s with the men in ck outside? I had to show my ID as a proof that I live here so that I cane up!", a young man eximed with a big smile on his face when he entered the apartment. Another young man, very simr to the first one followed two steps behind.


    "Hi Emma!", they called in unison.


    Emma stood up and hugged her brothers. "Hi Ryan! Hi Sean!"


    Ryan and Sean are the youngest ones in the Ronin family. They are neen-year-old twins and they look alike so much that many people mix them up.


    While Charlie shook hands with Ryan and Sean, Mrs. Ronin was ncing down through the window because of what Ryan said. She saw more than ten people in ck suits and three ck luxury cars parked in front of their apartment building.


    Mrs. Ronin scrutinized Charlie. "Yours?"


    Charlie confirmed.


    Mrs. Ronin frowned at Charlie. "Are you in a mafia or something?"


    Emma stifled augh. "Mom, you are watching too many movies. Charlie''s business is legit."


    "Men in ck are not criminals, they are alien police.", Sean said and winked at Emma.


    Ryanughed and high-fived his brother for the movie reference.


    Mike joined them and gave two boxes which Charlie brought for Ryan and Sean. They all thanked Charlie for the gifts and grinned while looking at their shiny Rolex watches.


    Ronin family is doing OK financially. They don''t have a lot, but they can pay the bills and have a modest life.


    Mike is working in construction. It''s a tough job, but the pay is decent. As a bonus, his body is ripped, and he does not need a gym membership.


    Emma is sending money home and Mrs. Ronin is working various jobs part time.


    Ryan and Sean are finishing high school. They do jobs on the weekend like walking dogs or maintainingwn for neighbors, but it''s nothing permanent.


    Siblings were catching up, and Mrs. Ronin served coffee and snacks. She was watching them from the side.


    Emma was telling them how she is now a big-shot in LA Medical Center, and she will lead rehabilitation center, which is due to open soon, thanks to JoAnna Hill. Emma''s family knows JoAnna, so they were able to rte to Emma''s stories. Emma skipped the part that the rehabilitation center is hers, because then she would need to exin from where the money came. If they think that she is managing it, that is enough.


    "Wait!", Sean eximed suddenly and stared at Charlie. "You are Charlie Smith, from Smithsonite corp.? You look familiar and it took me some time to connect face with the name!"


    "Sean is into business. He is always reading business news online.", Emma told Charlie.


    "Weren''t you in a wheelchair?", Sean asked while eyeing Charlie''s legs.


    Charlie nced at Emma. "Your amazing sister helped me get back on my feet."


    "Get into a good school, work hard and I can promise you an internship in Smithsonite corp.", Charlie told Sean.


    Sean''s eyes lit up for a second before he became gloomy. Emma understood her brother. "Sister will help you with finances. OK?"


    Sean smiled bitterly. "I can''t take money from you. That is too much."


    Emma flicked her brother''s forehead. "Who is giving you for free? I''m doing good, but not that good. It''s a loan. When you get a job, you pay me back."


    Sean showed a big smile. "OK."


    Emma knows that Ryan does not talk about college, even though his grades are better than Sean''s. She ensured him that money will not be a problem. "As long as you take it seriously, I will help you out."


    "While on the topic of future, when is the wedding?", Mike asked Emma and Charlie.


    Emma responded that they don''t have any wedding ns yet. "We just got engaged and are not in rush. Once we have something, we will let you know."


    It was gettingte. Charlie and Emma got up to leave.


    "We hope that you cane to Los Angeles for a visit.", Charlie offered.


    Mike, Ryan and Sean promised to find few days which work for everyone, and they wille.


    Ronin family watched in awe as Charlie helped Emma into the luxury ck car, and the tree cars drove down the street under the watchful gazes from the neighbors.


    Mrs. Ronin was silent, but Emma''s brothers were ecstatic. They all like Charlie.


    …


    In the car…


    "Your family is great.", Charlie said while caressing Emma''s hair.


    Charlie saw three brothers who looked at Emma with genuine admiration. And they were all happy when Emma spoke that she has a good life, good friends and that Charlie takes good care of her.


    He wishes that he has such a good family, instead of backstabbers. Seeing siblings who are full of positive energy without any malice was refreshing. That is one of the reasons he invited them toe for a visit.


    "Yeah. My brothers are always lively… Sorry about my mom."


    "Don''t worry about it. She is worried and that shows that she cares about you."


    Emma agreed with Charlie.


    Emma knows that her mother didn''t approve of Emma leaving Seattle mostly because Emma had a stable job at Franciscan Medical Center and going to start anew in Los Angeles is a risk. Emma''s mom thought that it''s an unnecessary risk.


    Emma remembered how her mother panicked when Emma mentioned that she knows how her father is alive. Is it possible that he is some dangerous character? Is that why her mom assumed that Charlie is part of some mafia? Emma would love to know more about this. She looked at the man whose arms are around her. "Charlie? Can you help me find information on my father?"


    Charlie was happy that Emma asked for his help. "Sure. Do you have something from where I can start?"


    Emma thought for some time. "He is alive. My mom said that all four of us have the same father. I was six when Ryan and Sean were born, so I should have some memories of him, but I have none. Based on my mother''s behavior and fear of abandonment… I would say that there was a time when the two of them were close. So, we can assume that they lived together, but by the time my siblings were born, he was in and out of my mother''s life. Sorry, it''s not much. I don''t even have a photo."


    "Don''t worry about it. We will start from your mom''s marriage certificate and any history in bills. Some of those maybe have his name…"


    Charlie must admit that he is curious about Emma''s father. But he would not look into him if Emma didn''t ask for it. Or maybe he would… a little bit. OK. He would. But only to make sure that the man is not a threat to Emma and their life together. God knows that besides his cousins in the Smith family, they don''t need more people looking to take them down.


    ---


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