The slow realization hit her, after her conversation with the girls and for next few days she can't help but think about it all the time, if she should stay away or if she should encounter Alfonso directly.

Now, she had started paying attention to everything that was actually happening around her, which she had never payed attention to, in the past few months, so the things actually started to unfold

The days passed in a blur, one after another, yet, somehow, Alfonso was always there, like he is no different than the person he had showed himself.

Sometimes, she spotted him at his usual table, reading a newspaper with that unreadable expression.

Other times, his black SUV would be parked across the street when she closed the café.

He never said much, never demanded anything, when he got the hint that she is keeping a distance from him and is extremely careful around him.

And the strangest part was....

He didn't force himself into her life, not even once. But he was everywhere, if he wasn't, his men would be seen near the cafe or sometimes, everywhere she goes.

It all began with the supplier, One normal and usual day, Andrea was standing behind the counter, chewing her bottom lip in frustration.

The coffee bean supplier had refused to deliver her next order because of a delayed payment, which she forgot because of her mind being occupied by the recent conversation, an honest mistake.

But no matter how much she tried to explain, the man wouldn't budge. Without that delivery, she'd be short on stock for the next weekend.

That evening, Alfonso arrived as usual, calm, polished, an untouchable shadow in the corner of her world.

She hadn't meant to bring it up, but when he asked so calmly and softly,

" How was your day? "

" Fine."

She said with a low voice. He looked at her keenly, his voice calm and soft.

" What happened? You seem disturbed...!!! "

That was the last straw, the frustration slipped out.

" It's nothing serious but a supplier is being the headache."

She said, massaging her temple then brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

" Just a little issue, I'll figure it out."

Alfonso tilted his head slightly, his gaze settling on her.

" What kind of issue? "

She shrugged.

" A payment delay, my fault.

But now, he's refusing to deliver unless I pay upfront with extra charges.

I told my father, he'll be here within two days,"

He didn't ask more. He simply leaned back in his chair, that faint smirk playing on his lips.

" You work too hard to deal with incompetence, corazon."

Andrea laughed at that and for a moment, she forget about her thoughts about him.

She actually absentmindedly, indulged into a conversation with him like the old times.

Alfonso noticed, of course and a little relief wash over him seeing her relaxed.

The very next morning, the supplier called.

" I... I realized there was a misunderstanding, Miss, "

Andrea pulled the phone back looking at the number, setting it back on her ear, surprised by the voice and words of the man.

For a moment, she thought, it is a wrong number.

The supplier was always loud and rude and calling her little girl, not eligible of doing business, but now he was calling her 'Miss'

The man stammered, his tone oddly apologetic.

" Your order will be delivered, this afternoon.

And, uhh, we're including a discount for the inconvenience."

Andrea blinked.

" Huh...what...? What about extra charges...?

Yesterday, you..."

But the supplier didn't answer her question, not even letting her finish.

Instead, his voice dropped, tense.

" ...I just thought it wasn't necessary.... and it would be best to keep things smooth."

When she hung up, a chill ran down her spine, she looked back at the phone and thought

" What exactly happened, just now...? "

But she was relieved, at least everything was better now.

That evening, when Alfonso lingered by the café door, went pass the tables to sit on his corner table.

She couldn't help and she went to him straight, after greeting and little conversation, she asked him.

" Did you do something? "

He gave her that familiar, lazy smirk.

" What are you talking about? "

Andrea looked at him, then she told him about the supplier and the conversation with him.

Alfonso looked at her, then said, voice as low as always

" Isn't that what you wanted?"

" Yeah, I did but...

Uh-huh!!! Tell me, did you do anything?"

Alfonso raised his hands in surrender, leaning back in his seat, he spoke

" Your father might've done that."

Andrea looked at him, squinting her eyes, she said

" I asked, him first... but turns out he didn't, "

Alfonso chuckled, he said " Of course, you did."

Then, she continued,

" And the supplier, he is such a coconuthead, he won't change his mind on his own."

Alfonso was just watching her, how she was concluding everything with quite precision, not even letting him away from taking credit.

A little smile on her lips, a little, small but genuine, she knew, he won't take any credit and will not accept the fact that he had helped her, it would only be best, if she just thank him for helping her.

Andrea then, stood up from her seat and before getting back to counter she said,

" Thank you."

He just tilt his head as a way of accepting thankyou, with a small smile tugging at his lips.

A week later, when he came to cafe, he invited her to accompany him to a dinner, which she accepted, even she didn't know why she said yes but she agreed.

It wasn't like a date and he didn't force her. He just asked her to be ready at eight.

And somehow, she found herself saying yes.

The restaurant wasn't like anywhere she had been before, elegant, exclusive, the kind of place where you didn't get a table unless you have an earlier reservation.

But it wasn't the luxurious setting that unsettled her. It was the way everyone reacted to him.

The moment Alfonso walked in, the entire energy shifted.

The owner, not the host, not the manager, the owner himself rushed to greet him personally, bowing to him slightly.

" Welcome, Señor Rodríguez,"

He said, voice carefully measured.

" Your table is ready."

Then, his eyes wandered towards Andrea, who was standing right next to Alfonso, looking at him with a surprised expression.

He looked back at Alfonso then back at Andrea, he realized and said immediately.

" Welcome to you too, Madame Rodriguez."

He bowed at little to her

" Nice to meet you."

Andrea raised a brow at him, before she could correct him, Alfonso signalled his hand forward, saying

" After you."

Andrea hesitated, she moved ahead, him following her, a step behind.

Most customers were waiting for their reservation, even the wealthy ones.

But for Alfonso, the rules were different.

As they were led to a private booth, she caught glimpses of other tables, high-profile businessmen, powerful-looking people.

Yet, even they lowered voices, and hushed their conversations when Alfonso passed, casting quick glances his way.

It wasn't just respect. It was something heavier, a respect but out of fear.

He pulled out a chair for her, gesturing her to sit.

His simple act was gentlemanly, almost sweet, but it did nothing to ease the questions swirling in her mind.

The night had felt normal, they had a great time together. They talked a lot.

Well, Andrea did, Alfonso mostly listened and passing comments now and then.

After a light-hearted dinner, before, she went back to her apartment.

They were having a walk, eating ice-cream which Andrea had decided at the last moment.

The streets were quieter than usual, the warm glow of streetlights flickering against the pavement. Andrea walked beside Alfonso, enjoying the rare moment of peace.

She took a small bite of her ice cream, humming in approval.

" This is the best one yet,"

She said, glancing at him.

Alfonso smirked, watching her with an amused expression.

" You say that every time."

She shot him a playful glare.

" Because its true everytime."

For once, there was no tension, no heavy atmosphere of danger lurking around them. Just this. A moment of ease, something she had almost forgotten she could have.

But then, the feeling shifted.

Alfonso's eyes flicked to the side, his body tensing ever so slightly.

Andrea frowned, her spoon pausing mid-air. " What? "

" Nothing."

His voice was too casual. But she knew better.

He kept walking, but his movements were different now.

More aware.

More calculated.

Andrea tried to shake the uneasy feeling creeping up her spine, but when they turned the corner, a flicker of movement caught her eye.

Someone was there.

Walking a few steps behind them.

Too close.

Her grip tightened around her ice cream cup.

" Alfonso..."

He didn't look at her, but his voice was steady.

" Keep walking."

Her stomach twisted, but she did as he said.

The presence behind them didn't disappear.

Whoever it was, they weren't just passing by.

By the time, they reached her apartment complex, Andrea's heart was racing. Alfonso stopped at the entrance, his hand lightly pressing against her back.

" Go inside."

He instructed, his voice leaving no room for argument.

She hesitated, glancing up at him. " But..."

" Andrea!! "

His tone softened just a little.

She swallowed hard and nodded, stepping through the doors.

As soon as she was inside, she turned to the window, watching as Alfonso stood there, his gaze locked on the street.

The moment she disappeared from sight, his expression turned cold.

With a slight tilt of his head, he signaled to his guard, who had been keeping a quiet distance.

" Find out, who the hell that was."

The guard nodded, vanishing into the shadows without a word.

Alfonso's jaw clenched, looking at his other guard he said

" And you stay here, keep watching over her.

Make sure, no one reach her. "

The assigned guard nodded and took his position.

Whoever had been following them had just made a mistake, especially ruining his special time with her.

And Alfonso wasn't the kind of man to let mistakes go unanswered.

After whatever she had witnessed tonight, she was terrified to go outside.

But unintentionally, Andrea noticed more to the way his guards moved at his simple order, to the way his phone never stopped buzzing, which he always ignored but sometimes he didn't.

The next evening, she walked to his table, with his black coffee in hand, she found him standing near the window, speaking fluently in Russian.

But his tone was colder, harsher, than she had ever heard then he continued in Spanish.

" I don't care how much he begs,"

He said, voice like steel.

" Make sure he understands, there are no second warnings."

Her breath caught in her throat. When he noticed her standing still, the coldness vanished in an instant.

He asked her like nothing ever happened.

" How was your day, princesa?"

His voice was soft again, warm like he hadn't just ordered someone's fate.

She forced a smile. " Fine." But nothing felt fine anymore, then she said

" Who was the man, following us yesterday? "

Alfonso looked at her before saying

" Don't know! "

She knew, he was hiding but she decided not say anything further.

They were sitting across each other on the table, she couldn't hold it in any longer.

" Alfonso "

She started, her voice quieter than she intended.

" What do you really do? "

He didn't look surprised. If anything, he seemed amused, like he had expected same type of conversation.

" I handle business,"

He said simply.

" What kind of business?" She pushed.

He leaned closer,looking straight in her eyes that made her heartbeat stutter.

" The kind you shouldn't worry about, corazon. I told you "

" Then, why everyone fears you." She asked.

He just shrugged.

" I don't know, maybe, I don't allow anyone crossing the line."

And just like that, the door leading to more conversation closed.

But in her mind, it was wide open.

She wanted to ask more but the way he had said that felt like he isn't fond of being questioned.

For now, she decided to stay quiet.