Alfonso visited the café, making sure she noticed him and she did.

Alfonso coming to the café became a regular routine but now his guards didn't came in. He came alone.

Andrea didn't approach him. He didn't call for her. But he sat in the same spot, taking his time with his coffee.

The customers still gave him space, and Andrea noticed how his mere presence commanded silence.

She tried to ignore him, but her curiosity grew.

Who was he?

What does he do?

Where he is from?

Every now and then, she'd feel his gaze, not invading, not demanding, just watching.

By the time he left, she realized something strange. He never ordered himself like others.

Olivia had to take his order at his table.

It had became a pattern.

Every few days, he appeared. Never speaking to her. Never causing trouble.

But he was always there.

Andrea would glance his way, expecting to find him watching, but sometimes he wasn't.

He'd simply sit back, reading a newspaper or a magazine that was on the table, running his fingers along the rim of his cup.

Yet somehow, she felt like he saw everything.

Customers respected him. Even the rowdy ones quieted when he was near.

Her curiosity burned.

Who is he?

Alfonso had made up his mind to take her like he had done to others before, easily, without hesitation.

He was used to getting what he wanted, as patience was never part of his nature regarding this part.

And then, today, something happened.

A dispute at the counter, a customer, voice rising, frustration spilling over about an order mix up.

Andrea stepped in before it could proceed any further.

She didn't flinch, didn't snap but stood confident enough to shift the energy in the room. First she apologised on the waiter behalf, then she came back.

" Señor, Try this one.

If it's not perfect, the next is on me."

The tension cracked, then dissolved.

Smart.

She diffused it without force.

Alfonso leaned back, putting the coffee cup on the table.

A faint smile tugged at Alfonso's lips unintentionally, almost immediately as he watched her relax, the small crease between her brows disappearing once everything settled.

The sight stirred something unfamiliar in him, something he didn't like.

The moment he realized he was smiling, his expression hardened, wiping away the trace of warmth.

His brows furrowed, surprised at himself.

He never smiled without reason.

Yet here he was, losing control, even if it was only for a second. Let alone because of a girl who didn't even know he was watching.

A moment later, he rose, leaving his barely touched espresso behind. He stepped outside, slipping into the backseat of his waiting black SUV.

His men had been continuously seeing him coming to the café for more than a week but he had given them no further orders.

Marco, one of his personal bodyguard, standing at the open door, hesitated before speaking,

" Boss... do you want her at your place tonight? "

Alfonso's gaze flickered toward the café's glowing sign before shifting to his guard.

" Not yet "

Alfonso was no stranger to women who had power, but Andrea's innocence had pulled a chord within him.

She wasn't like the others. She didn't beg for attention or fall into line. And that made him want her more.

" I'll have a word with her myself first."

Alfonso replied with his usual calm, his voice steady, like he had already decided where this will lead. Marco glanced at him, momentarily surprised.

This man was used to taking whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted it without any patience but now...

Marco nodded, though he clearly didn't understand. He exchanged a glance with Rafael, who was standing nearby, but neither questioned their boss any further.

How can they...?

He then nodded, closing the car door before taking his place in the front seat.

The SUV pulled away, disappearing into the city. But Alfonso wasn't done with Café de Luna.

" Even if you don't know it yet, ya eres mía, mi señorita."

He whispered in a low voice with a smirk on his lips lost in his thoughts.

..............

The next day he entered the café, Andrea felt the shift in the atmosphere before she even saw him.

Conversations grew hushed. Customers instinctively stepped aside.

And then she saw him, the tall, imposing figure dressed in a perfect black suit came forward at the counter.

She quickly straightened, composing herself. He approached the counter, his eyes constantly on her.

But she smiled and asked with her usual polite voice

" What would you like today? "

" Cappuccino,"

He said, his voice smooth, commanding.

She nodded, her hands steady as she turned to make his drink.

But she could feel his gaze on her. But he wasn't the first one looking at her and it wasn't the first time, a lot of people does this but she ignored everyone and that helped she thought if she ignored him, this would this time too.

But little did she know.

When she placed the cup in front of him, he didn't move to take it.

The café was quieter than usual when he finally spoke to her.

" What's your name? "

She hesitated for a second before answering.

"Andrea."

His lips curved slightly, not quite a smile, but something close.

" Andrea,"

He repeated, as if testing how it felt on his tongue.

She swallowed, unsure why her heart was beating faster than usual, but she gave him a dimpled smile and asked in her polite low voice

"Do you... need anything else? "

For the first time in his life, Alfonso found himself saying something he had never said to a woman before.

"Not yet."

And for the first time in her life, Andrea felt like she had stepped into something she wasn't sure she was ready for.

When she finally approached his table, he was expecting her to try and make a conversation with him.

But instead, she simply smiled, her hazel eyes holding nothing but polite curiosity.

" Would you like a refill? "

She asked, her voice soft and polite.

He studied her, noting the way she avoided direct eye contact, the slight nervousness in the way she held the coffee pot.

Not out of fear, but because she was naturally shy. There was no pretending in her, just genuine innocence.

"Yes,"

He said finally, watching as she poured. Her hands were steady, though she had felt the weight of his gaze on her.

Andrea was about to go back, when she heard it, his voice first time in an actual conversation.

" You run this place well."

She looked at him. He was watching her now, his dark eyes steady but were a little soft when he was actually speaking to her.

His voice was deep, controlled, expecting to be heard.

Andrea hesitated but nervously smiled and said . "Ahh...Thank you."

He gestured to the empty chair across from him.

" Join me, if you're free."

Her fingers curled around the pot she was holding.

She should refuse, right?

But there was no pressure in his tone.

No demand.

Just... an invitation.

The way way he had asked her to join him was smooth and no rush.. nothing, just an invitation. She found no reason to say no.

She exhaled and just sat across him nervously but after a little conversation with him.

She thought he isn't that bad, he was just reserved but her perception about him started to change.

She found him actually nice.

He had an aura, even she wasn't able to deny the fact.