A few days later, after the party. Alfonso came back to cafe, she was sitting across him, casually sipping her coffee, when she said out of nowhere

" Hey! I'm going to art museum. Olivia is not free.

Would you like to join me? Like a return thankyou for that party.

But only, if you accept."

He looked at her with quiet an amused smile then he nodded

" I'd love to. Just tell me, whenever you want."

Andrea adjusted the strap of her shoulder purse, standing up she said

" Let's go now. "

She paused for a moment and glanced back at him before she said her voice containing little teasing.

" You really didn’t have to say yes if you didn’t want to.

You know!

No blaming me afterwards."

He chuckled, hands in air, in surrender

" No comments yet."

As they stepped into the museum’s grand entrance, Andrea glanced back at him but she pouted, when she saw a serious expression on his face.

" Did I drag you here against your will? "

Alfonso's gaze swept over the wide hall, hands in his pockets, shoulders relaxed but still carrying that unmistakable air of control.

" You invited me."

Andrea’s lips twitched.

" I’m getting that vibe, you're bored here.

Look, I needed company. "

Her voice dropping at the last part.

His eyes flicked toward her, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth, one eyebrow raised.

" What should I do instead? "

She couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped her.

" Well, you're already stuck with me here.

C'mon, lighten up a little."

She stepped in front of him, flashing a dimpled smile, her eyes bright with excitement.

She was clearly trying to make him do the same.

He chuckled in amusement, a voice unfamiliar even to him, he didn't remember when was the last time he had enjoyed someone's presence.

Yet, here he was, breaking his own customs.

" That's it. Just like that."

Andrea smiled nodding approvingly.

" Keep smiling, or people will think I'm forcing you to stay."

She hushed her voice at the last part as if sharing a secret, but a few seconds later, her giggles bubbled up.

From a distance, Alfonso’s men exchanged glances, subtle smiles appearing as they watched their boss in this unexpected moment.

No one ever dared to talk to him so casually, yet here she was, speaking as if he was her only friend, utterly unaware by who he can be or the reputation he carries.

Emotions like these were rare in his world, often coming at a cost.

But here, they were effortless.

Pure.

And he didn’t mind, experiencing them.

They walked side by side through the exhibits, Andrea easily falling into her element, explaining brush strokes, color palettes, and the stories behind certain pieces.

Alfonso listened in silence, his attention entirely on her rather than the art.

Every now and then, she would glance at him, expecting him to look bored, but instead, she caught him watching her with that same quiet intensity.

" You don’t actually like this, do you? "

She asked, stopping mid-sentence, raising an eyebrow.

He tilted his head slightly.

" Not particularly."

Andrea blinked, then let out a dramatic gasp.

" Wait. Then why are you still bearing this? "

She pointed an accusatory finger at him.

" Oh no, I'm torturing you? You could’ve just told me! "

His eyes met hers, steady, unreadable but their was hint of amusement in them.

" I thought you like it, so I should listen."

Andrea’s heart skipped, just once.

She quickly turned away, pretending to study the next painting.

" Right well, moving on."

But the warmth in her cheeks were impossible to ignore and Alfonso saw that and a little curve appeared on his lips.

Andrea, shy but quietly confident, took the lead without realizing it.

No one had ever dared to lead him before.

Yet here she was doing it without any hesitation.

She walked ahead, pointing out different paintings, glancing back every so often to make sure he was following.

Alfonso walked two steps behind.

Watching

Listening

When she turned to him, wide-eyed, asking his opinion on an impressionist piece, he simply folded his hands behind his back.

" I prefer something darker.'

She scrunched her nose, huffing a soft laugh.

" Of course you do."

A rare smirk tugged at his lips.

She was the first person who had ever dared to tease him.

The moment she asked him to accompany her to the art museum, Alfonso's bodyguards, Rafael and Marco, they exchanged confused glances, they knew Alfonso doesn't like like these places.

Then, Rafael said.

" Boss...!!! The museum? "

Alfonso barely spared him a glance as he adjusted his cufflinks, about to get in car while Andrea had already inside sitting bouncing and humming a sweet melody in her happiness.

" She asked."

Rafael exchanged looks with the Marco again, silent glances that spoke volumes.

They all knew.

Alfonso agreeing to something Only meant one thing.

He will soon make a final move.

Near the end of their tour, they stopped at a small modern exhibit tucked into one of the quieter corner.

Andrea noticed how the museum attendants had been glancing in their direction all afternoon, whispering among themselves.

But when the museum's director himself approached, an older man with silver hair and nervous eyes, Andrea stiffened in confusion.

" Señor Rodriguez...

What an honor!!! "

Alfonso’s expression barely shifted, but there was a flicker of something, acknowledgment, maybe, before he gave a slight nod.

" Enjoying the exhibit? "

The director asked, voice overly polite, glanced between the two, curiosity stirring.

" Yes, it’s lovely." Andrea said in her excited voice.

He looked at Alfonso confused, rare sight of him with a lady in public but he decided to say nothing.

However, Alfonso's quiet voice cut through the tension

" She’s the one who asked me to come."

The director's face suddenly open in understanding, then, bowing his head before replied her.

" Oh! I see...

Would you to see that too young lady... If you haven't? "

His voice, all soft down and respectful like she is some kind of queen.

He was leading her himself, when he moved forward guiding her.

Andrea watched him go, her curiosity and confusion piqued.

She was walking next to Alfonso then she spoke.

" Okay... Seriously...what was that? "

Alfonso simply tucked his hands back into his pockets, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips.

" Nothing important."

It was subtle, the way his presence had a different effect on people.

After the museum tour ended, director invited them again, which of course only Andrea agreed to.

When they were moving out of the museum, sitting in car, Andrea groaned, dramatically clutching her stomach.

" I’m starving."

Alfonso gave her a side glance, quiet entertained by her dramtics.

They decided to grab a bite, but Andrea insisted on going to the hi-tea café which she had originally planned to visit with Olivia.

" It’s just a few steps away, "

She assured him, pulling up a picture on her phone.

A small café sat tucked away on a quiet street, its floral wallpaper, delicate china, and glass display of pastries making it look like something dreamy.

Andrea pushed the door open, glancing over her shoulder with a grin.

" I still can’t believe you agreed to come here with me."

Alfonso followed her in, his presence causing a ripple of silence.

" And why is that? "

She smirked before answering him.

" You don’t exactly scream… afternoon tea."

He glanced at her, raising an eyebrow, now leaning forward across from the table.

" And what do I scream? "

Andrea rested a finger against her chin, pretending to think.

" Uhmm... Something like Whiskey and expensive cigars."

To her surprise, Alfonso let out a quiet chuckle, deep, low.

They were seated at a corner table, away from the other customers, who were now sneaking glances at them.

Within minutes, the café owner, a woman with dyed hair, appeared, wringing her hands nervously.

" Señor Rodriguez… I didn’t know you would be visiting us today."

Andrea froze, her eyes flicking toward him.

The woman herself, carefully set down the best china before practically tripping over herself in her rush, back to the kitchen.

Andrea arched a brow.

" Everyone knows you!!! "

Alfonso leaned back with ease.

" Or I know everyone."

Andrea leaned forward, eyes narrowing slightly.

" Okay… what exactly are you? "

Alfonso lifted his teacup, taking a sip, his expression now showed interest in her questions.

She tapped her fingers on the table, studying him.

" Because from what I’ve gathered so far, you don’t talk much, people look terrified when you walk into a room, and

oh! no one ever questions you."

His lips curved faintly, but he said nothing.

Andrea exhaled dramatically.

" It’s so obvious now."

She leaned in, voice dropping as if she’d uncovered a great secret.

" You’re a vampire."

Alfonso’s brow lifted slightly, amusement flickering in his eyes.

She pointed at him.

" See? No denial. Classic vampire move."

He let out a low chuckle, shaking his head.

" Wow...That’s quite a research."

Andrea tilted her head, pretending to analyze him.

" You always wear dark colors.

You have that whole serious thing going on.

And the way people act around you? "

She gave an exaggerated shiver. " Like they’re afraid to breathe wrong."

Alfonso leaned back slightly, his fingers tapping lightly against his teacup.

" And what else? "

She squinted at him. " I bet you hate garlic."

He exhaled a quiet laugh. " I tolerate it."

Andrea gasped. " So you do hate it."

She sat back, arms crossed. " That confirms it."

His smirk deepened, now he decided to play along.

" I didn’t say that."

" No, no, no, " She insisted, pointing at him.

" I saw how the café owner reacted. She was seconds away from passing out and the director of museum, OMG don't remind me his condition.”

Alfonso glanced at her now answering her

" They were simply being polite,"

His voice smooth.

Andrea narrowed her eyes.

" Or maybe you haunted them to be polite."

Alfonso chuckled again, shaking his head.

" You have quite the imagination."

She chuckled.

" I’m just saying. "

Andrea stirred her tea slowly, still watching him.

Andrea hummed, tapping her chin in thought.

" Suspicious.

Do you only come out at night? Prefer red wine a little too much?

Sleep in a very expensive, coffin-shaped bed? "

His smirk deepened as he was very much enjoying her silly little accusations, but he said nothing.

Andrea gasped, pointing at him with mock horror.

" Oh my God, "

She took a bite of a pastry, then held one out to him.

" Fine, Prove it.

Mr. Totally-Not-a-Vampire. Eat something."

Alfonso held her gaze for a long moment before finally reaching for the pastry.

He took a bite, chewing thoughtfully.

Andrea watched him closely, then nodded and gestured with two fingers from her eyes to his then she spoke.

" Okay, you’re in the clear… for now.

But I'll keep an eye on you."

Alfonso chuckled and shrugged before going back to sip his coffee.

It was odd, the way people reacted to him, as if his mere presence was enough to unsettle them.

Yet there was also something undeniably magnetic about it.

Halfway through their conversation and eating pastries, she leaned forward, mischief dancing in her eyes.

" Admit it… you love being here."

Alfonso’s dark gaze locked on hers when he said

" Well, yes… if you’re here with me."

Andrea’s heart fluttered. She quickly masked it with a playful grin.

" Of course, I'm fun to be around."

His smile was barely there, but it was there.

By the time they left the café, the owner personally handed Andrea a beautifully wrapped box of pastries, on the house.

Andrea glanced at the package, then up at Alfonso.

" Seriously… what exactly do you do to make people behave all nice!!!

It's so fun. It feels like I'm a princess or something."

He simply shrugged and chuckled.

He then opened the door for her, motioning for her to step out, first.

A few days later

Andrea called him midway, when he was almost near his car. She said, with that same soft and polite smile.

" Listen, Would you... like to join me again? Just for company?

I'm going to cafe again, just cafe... not museum.”

If anyone else had dared to suggest such a thing, they would have been met with silence or a single cold glance.

But it was Andrea?

Saying no had never been something to think.

Until it was her

She had no idea how deep she was already in.

Alfonso turned now completely facing her, he replied with nothing more than a low, simple.

" Alright."

His men were stunned at the scene they were witnessing at that moment.

Their boss, hi tea?

Really? Was it happening for real?

She had literally stopped him mid-step… and he had actually listened...

They exchanged glances, the disbelief unspoken but clear.

'Unbelievable.' Another muttered.

They had seen Alfonso getting entertained, with the time being but nothing serious.

But this wasn’t a distraction.

Or at least didn't seem to be one.

This was something else.

The moment they stepped into the café, the owner bowed deeply, a gesture Andrea completely missed as she scanned the menu.

Alfonso’s men followed from a distance, but even they knew better than to step too close.

Andrea chose the table by the window, of course she did, somewhere bright and open. Alfonso sat across from her, effortlessly composed.

His fingers tapped lightly against the porcelain cup, his dark eyes fixed on her the entire time as she was talking about her classmates being stupid out of nowhere.

She chattered softly, filling the silence without realizing how carefully he was cataloging every word.

By now he knew a lot about her like about her favorite books, how she loved painting in the early mornings before the café opened.

Her guilty pleasure for pastries and her never-ending love for hot chocolate.

Who she likes, who she doesn't She was like an open book now, very easy to understand.

But one thing was confusing Alfonso why he isn't able to make a move if she is the easiest one yet felt like the most difficult one at the same time.

It was the first time anyone had ever heard him speak so much in public.

Then, she asked

" Why you always wear black? " He leaned back in his seat and said

" It suits me."

Andrea’s lips twitched.

" I think you’d look good in navy."

He arched a brow.

" Noted."

By the time they left, Andrea felt warm and light...

Alfonso felt something heavier settle in his chest.

She was guiding him without even trying, leading him in her world more than he had intended to.

His men only watched in silence, just following commands, simply exchanging small glances behind dark sunglasses.

It was only a matter of time now.

Andrea was still unaware, what she had set into motion

She was just... being herself.

Inviting him to art museums, small cafés, and quiet places that seemed the furthest thing from his liking but he always agreed.

What seemed like simple gestures, smiles, light conversations, inviting him out for company, were like drops of water carving cracks into stone.

She didn’t realize that by offering him a seat across from her, she was unknowingly handing the monster, a guide on how to open up to her.

To her, it was simple, just company. Someone to talk to when Olivia was busy.

But to Alfonso...

She had fed the monster exactly what he'd been craving without her even knowing.

A guide.

A way in.

Every small smile, every time she leaned closer without fear, she was opening a door no one else had ever dared to touch.

The strings she was pulling, how every smile, every soft laugh, was feeding the monster he had buried deep inside for years.

Alfonso knew it.

His men knew it even more.

But, by the time, she realized what she had done, how deep she had let him in, she wouldn’t be running.

Because he wouldn’t let her.

The softness in her voice... or the fact that she didn't even know, she had him wrapped around her finger.

And Alfonso...!!!

He wanted her to be with him, exactly like that, happy and bright. He loved her presence more than anything.

He had experience this feeling within him after decades and for the very first time he was ready to admit it.

That was the main reason he had no intention of harming her, he loved it when she talked to him and he had started craving her presence even more.