When the night fell, light was dim in Alfonso Rodríguez’s office.

As he sat back in his rolling chair in his office, his fingers wrapped around a cigarette, which he hasn't lit yet.

He didn't like waiting about anything but something about Andrea made him willing to break his own rules.

He remembered the way, she was wiping down the tables, fixing the chairs, and greeting the customers with her shy and signature dimpled smile and occasionally talking to her friend, laughing at the remarks and comments she would pass, completely oblivious to the storm slowly closing in around her.

She never noticed the black car parked across the street or the pair of dark eyes continuously watching her every move.

" Why does this one feels so difficult? " He thought to himself.

He could take her by force like all the women in the past but deep down he wanted her to come to him willingly.

After few days, the report arrived on his desk. That was when he found out.

Andrea was the only child.

Her mother died few years ago so now her father was her only family, and he had opened the cafe for her at her wish.

No ties to his enemies.

No hidden connections to his rivals.

She was just a girl who had unknowingly captured his attention.

It should have been simple after that.

Women were never complicated for Alfonso, they were ready to be with him, even if he doesn't want to, they would literally throw themselves at him.

Otherwise, there was one rule, that his men follow

He saw

He wanted

He took

But something about her made him hesitate. Now he wanted her to approach him by herself.

But how long could his patience last.

No one knew.

So instead of having his men bring her to him, as he had done with countless others, this time, he decided to go to her.

A blue file was still placed neatly at the center of table, delivered to him moments ago. His fingers drummed against the surface before he flipped it open again.

Andrea Martínez. Age: 22 Business student Graduated last year

Café owner, managing it herself. Olivia her friend, works with her, mostly to accompany her.

No criminal record. No ties to law enforcement. No links with rival groups. No contact with any of the known organizations.

His eyes lingered on the last line before he shut the file.

Leaning back in his chair, he exhaled slowly, gaze dark with thought.

No connections.

No threats.

No hidden affiliations.

" Is that all? " His voice was smooth but firm.

His bodyguard nodded.

" Yes, Boss."

Alfonso’s lips twitched slightly as he was focusing then he mumbled with a smirk

" Too perfect to be real."

Alfonso wasn’t a man easily distracted, and yet, this girl, a young café owner with no ties to his world, had occupied his thoughts for days.

She didn't try to command attention.

Yet here she simply existed, and he seemed to follow every step. The reports were clean.

Andrea was no trap, not even a placed pawn in someone’s scheme to reach him.

She was simply, the only daughter of a businessman who run a successful business in the country.

And the cafe, who he had opened for her, a business she had taken over after her graduation, were out of any filthy plans surrounding his world.

She was in the purest sense, unaware by the things that men like him deal with.

And perhaps, that was what made her so dangerously attractive.

For powerful men, there is wek point in their whole personality.

But for Alfonso, pure innocent, naive and shy girls, like her had always been a weakness.

The one who can't claim anything from him regarding his power and hold over his empire, the one who can never question their authority, the one he can control, however he want.

And now all the reports had proven her innocence, but still something about her intrigued him, when he found out she is not a trap from rivals, he sent one of his men first.



Day 01.

The very next day, Andrea was wiping down the café counter when the door chimed.

She glanced up, offering her usual bright smile.

A tall man in his early thirties stepped in. Dark suit, clean-cut. He looked like any other businessman in the city.

" Welcome to Café de Luna. What can I get you? "

She asked in her usual cheerful voice.

" Espresso."

He said, she nodded, and start entering his order.

He took a moment, scanning the cozy interior.

" This place has a very good reputation.

You run it yourself? "

Andrea nodded.

" Mostly, yes.

My father opened it for me, and I manage the daily work."

The man smiled.

" Must be tough. Not many young people stick with businesses these days."

She shrugged.

" It has its moments, but I love it."

The man, who she didn’t know was Alfonso’s right-hand, Rafael, who was now observing her keenly.

There were no hesitation in her words, no signs of being nervous.

She was just a girl who loved her café.

After ordering coffee, he lingered a bit, watching how she interacted with customers.

Then there was fiesty customer who was continuously outsmarting the other which was now leading to rudeness.

She handled that rude one with quite patience, making the environment back to normal again.

Rafael witnessed the scene with curiosity but he didn't stay any longer. He then left.

Day 02.

The next day, Rafael returned again but this time sitting near the counter.

He waited until Andrea wasn’t too busy, to make a light conversation.

" You always this patient with rude customers? "

He asked, recalling yesterday’s incident.

Andrea chuckled.

" Yeah, comes with the job.

People have bad days, and sometimes they're irritated by even little things.

So i guess... None of it is on purpose."

" Ever had a customer that was more than just rude? "

She tilted her head at his question, thinking.

" Not really. A few weird ones, but nothing serious."

She was no trouble to anyone but was calm, quiet and peace loving.

He filed that right away and after finishing coffee and left the café.

Day 03.

Rafael made his third visit, but this time he had brought his own newspaper with him.

He glanced at Andrea who was now bringing him, his coffee.

" Here's your coffee. Have a good time. "

Andrea said with her usual warm and soft dimpled smile. He smiled and nodded, then before she could return, he spoke looking at his newspaper like he was asking about something he found out.

" You know, the city is full of troublemakers. Did you ever had any problems? "

Andrea shook her head.

" Not really.

My father’s well-respected in the city. People don't bother to disturb...."

Then, she asked him back when she spoke about her father.

"....you might know.... Angelo Martinez."

" Ohh you're his daughter? "

Rafael pretended to be surprised at the information and nodded in understanding. Then he said

" Of course I know him, everyone does, he is a good man.

A man of principles, if I've to define him to be exact."

Andrea smiled widely this time her dimples appeared more prominently at the name of her father.

" Good to have that kind of support."

He sipped his drink but he noted how her eyes sparkled, her father's name popped up and he noted that.

Then, after a pause, he casually added,

" You ever heard of Alfonso Rodríguez? "

Andrea blinked, thinking for a moment.

" Who? Oh... should I? "

" No reason. Just a name that came up."

Her reaction absolute was natural but then she said

" Might be a businessman.... I guess like my father."

But her expression was more like she is not sure, he chuckled then nodded

" Yes he is..... like your father."

He noted she had no nervousness after quoting her words, no recognition of who he was talking about.

She truly had no idea who Alfonso was.

When she left back behind the counter at her spot, he sipped his coffee and mumble

" You'll know soon." He chuckled to himself, afterwards

Day 04.

Rafael returned again that afternoon. This time, Olivia had already found her way to his table, her playful smile in full force as she build up a conversation with him.

Andrea moved through the café at her usual steady pace, barely sparing them a glance as she worked.

Rafael listened with polite amusement.

He had let Olivia to flirt with him, using that distraction to inquire about the girl behind the counter not being obvious at all.

When Andrea returned to his table with his order, she found Olivia already sitting across him. Without missing a beat, Olivia flashed a playful smile and waved Andrea.

Andrea’s brows knitted. She didn’t want Olivia turning every customer into a flirtation target. But Olivia being Olivia, always found her way.

With a small shake of her head, Andrea stopped her or tried to.

Eventually, Rafael asked Andrea directly, like it's a normal thing to ask.

" A girl like you must have a long line of admirers."

Andrea blinked in surprise at sudden question but laughed it off but a faint dusty pink blush appeared on her cheeks.

" Not really. Not much time for dating when you’re this busy."

Rafael raised his eyesbrows at her response.

Of course he knew, he already knew but he played along.

" No serious relationships? "

" Not really," Her smiled didn't fade away.

Her voice was calm, no trace of defensiveness or curiosity about why he was asking.

Just a simple answer, shutting down any chance of stretching the conversation further.

She turned back to the counter without a second thought, but Olivia was waiting for her already.

" Andrea! "

She whispered clutching her arm dramatically.

" You know what he asked me? "

Andrea raised her eyesbrow in question.

" That why i wasn't here for last two days.....

....you know what it means? "

Andrea looked at her in utter disbelief then she chuckled and said

" And what exactly does that mean? "

Olivia hit her head lightly then said

" That he is here to see me, you pea brain."

She flipped her hair back with a wink, flashing a smile.

Andrea burst into laughter, shaking her head at her friend’s endless imagination.

" What? I'm absolutely lovable."

Andrea nodded while giggling.

" Of course, you're, mi amiga."

Olivia tossed her hair back, smirking.

" Damn right, I am."

Rafael sipped his coffee, watching the quiet exchange unfold. Just two girls lost in their own little world.

Rafael studied her one last time before finishing his coffee then he left.

She was exactly what she seemed, an innocent, young, hardworking girl.

When he returned to Alfonso that night, his report was brief.

" She’s clean. Exactly what she seems. No persona."

Alfonso leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping rhythmically against the desk.

A small smirk played at his lips, the kind that hinted at knowing far more than he let on.

Interesting. He thought to himself.

His eyes darkened, but the smirk deepened.

It was now time for the next step.