For days, she ignored his calls. She called in sick to work. She stayed locked in her apartment, every noise outside making her jump.

Sleep didn’t come easy, not with the image of his gaze burned into her mind.

When she finally stepped outside again, it was only to reach airport. She couldn’t stay here.

Not when she now knew the truth.

But the moment she reached the airport, dread settled in her stomach.

The airline staff at the check-in counter took her passport, typed something into the system, then frowned at the screen before shaking her head she said

" I’m sorry, miss. There’s an issue with your booking."

Andrea frowned. " What issue? "

She hesitated.

" Your ticket has been canceled."

Her cold fingers wrapped around her bag.

She hadn’t cancelled anything.

She stepped back, pulse racing, flight cancelled.

How? When?

Every attempt to leave, every door she tried to open, slammed shut before she even reached the threshold.

The ones that lead her away from him were slammed shut at her face.

She then asked the lady,

" Is there any other flight available? The time doesn't matter."

The lady offered an apologetic smile and said,

"I'm sorry, miss, but this was the last flight to Milan. Next flight is two days later."

She decided to went back to her apartment, when she returned to her apartment just to find the main door unlocked.

Her heart pounded as the main door of the apartment was open. She ran inside, just to see someone sitting on the couch in front of the LED screen.

Sitting in her spot. A glass of wine in his hand.

Waiting for her.

Yes! Him. Alfonso.

He was sitting as if he is the owner of the place and she is the one who is visiting.

Andrea froze in the middle of lounge, her heart pounding like crazy.

She thought of going outside only to find two of his men, already standing on door like a wall, he knew she would try to run.

She recognized, the one on right, Rafael, the one who came to her cafe, interrogating her.

But today he was standing with a plain expression, no emotion at all, like he had never met her before.

Andrea stared at him for a while, recognizing him before turning back to face Alfonso who has a smirk on his lips now.

Alfonso swirled the wine slowly, watching her trying to find a way out.

" Are you done running away, princesa? "

His voice was calm, measured. Andrea’s throat tightened.

That was the only thing that came out of her mouth, she had a lot of things to say to him but when she tried to give her thoughts any words, none other words came out except these.

" Who are you, really? "

He set the glass down, leaning forward slightly.

" You already know the answer to that."

Her hands shook as she stepped back a little, looking at the door behind her one more time like it would save her.

But no as soon as she entered her apartment both of his bodyguards came in and stood at the entrance, blocking the passage preventing any escape.

" You..." She swallowed.

".... I know you were the one who killed the guard."

She whispered.

"...did you cancel my flight? "

He didn’t deny it. There was a pause. Then, smoothly he said,

" Yes "

Alfonso’s eyes settled on her, with no emotions at all.

" You cannot run away from me."

A shiver ran down her spine, out of fear, out of horror.

But she said nothing further, but he could see she was practically trembling, trying to compose herself.

" But I won't kill you..."

He came stepping closer to her, one hand in his pocket and other with a wine glass, just looking at her straight in her eyes and said

"... unless you want me to."

He noticed how she flinch at his statement and her eyes widened filled with fear.

But he continued further.

"...but how can I? It's you."

He had no real intention of leaving her place but seeing her like that scared and trembling made him hesitate.

He didn’t want her to be afraid of him.

Not her.

Something within him softened at the sight of her so vulnerable.

With one last glance at her, he set the glass back on the table and walked out of her apartment.

They didn't meet for next few days but one of his men was still keeping an eye on her.

This was weekend and Andrea was going back to her apartment from cafe.

The city was quiet at this hour, the usual hum of life was distant sound of cars and the occasional footsteps echoing through the empty streets.

Andrea pulled her coat tighter around herself, hurrying towards her apartment.

She hated walking home this late but her home was a minute away from cafe.

She hated it even more because of him.

The man who had been following her for days, sometimes even drunk, standing in the shadows, always a few steps behind.

Yesterday was the worst.

He had finally gotten close enough to grab her wrist, his fingers cold and grip tightening around her wrist.

She had barely yanked herself free when one of Alfonso’s men, Marco appeared out of thin air, his presence immediate yet suffocating.

He warned the man, told him to go his way.

But he hadn’t listened, he was drunk, he went away stumbling and cursing him, when Marco stood still in his way.

Then, Marco himself, drop Andrea at her apartment making sure she is safe then he went back.

And now, tonight...

Andrea slowed down, her breath hitching as a low sound reached her ears.

A muffled groan.

A choked gasp.

Her heart pounded.

The sound came from the alleyway just ahead.

She hesitated. Every instinct told her to keep walking, to pretend she hadn’t heard anything.

But against her better judgment, she turned her head, moved towards the alleyway.

And what she saw made her blood run cold,

The exact place where the man had cornered her before, what she didn't know that man was trying to harass her again, waiting for her at the same place.

But Alfonso's guard had reported to Alfonso, he had asked them to keep him there, until he reached.

And now, Alfonso stood there, his figure illuminated by the dim glow of the streetlight.

His expression was emotionless but calm, too calm, as he stared down at the man kneeling in front of him.

Andrea’s breath caught.

The man who had been following her.

Now beaten up, barely able to hold himself up, his lip split and blood dripping onto the cold pavement.

Alfonso crouched down, grabbing the man's jaw roughly, forcing him to look up.

His voice was quiet, but it carried enough weight to freeze Andrea in place.

" I told you to walk away,"

Alfonso murmured.

" I even let you leave once. That was a mistake."

The man coughed, shaking, but he still tried to speak.

" I...I didn’t know, she is yours...I didn't m...."

Alfonso didn’t let him finish.

Her body went rigid when she saw the silver gleam of the weapon in Alfonso’s hand.

The man was begging now, his voice shaking but Alfonso didn’t listened.

And then

Bang

The sharp sound of a gun cocking made Andrea’s stomach drop.

Andrea slapped a hand over her mouth, she flinch real bad, a strangled gasp escaping her lips.

Alfonso’s head snapped right up at the voice.

His cold, dark eyes met hers.

Her eyes had started to tear up now.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Andrea could feel her heart hammering against her ribs, her breath shallow, her entire body frozen in place.

She wasn't able to move, she was trying to but all in vain.

He had seen her.

She had seen everything.

And now… there was no turning back.