Just like his routine, the next day, he entered the café, this time alone.

No bodyguards behind him.

Andrea glanced up from behind the counter, her bright smile back on her face as she recognized him.

" Cappuccino again? "

She asked softly.

He was about to say Espresso. But he nodded and his lips curved slightly.

She had remembered.

"Sí."

Her fingers moved precisely, preparing his order without another word.

But this time, as she set the cup down, their eyes locked for a second too long with a small smile on her face

A spark of recognition was there in her eyes.

Small but noticeable.

And Alfonso felt it.

Andrea quickly looked away, tucking a strand of her silky black hair behind her ear with a dusty pink shade tinted her cheeks.

Shy and sweet.

Unaware that she had just given him exactly what he needed.

An opening.

He started with light conversation, his deep voice breaking the silence.

" You work really hard."

She glanced at him, as he spoke

" I just try to,"

She replied, her voice polite.

"No one helps you?"

Alfonso continued.

" My friend Olivia... sometimes. But mostly, it's just me."

Alfonso's dark eyes narrowed slightly.

" Well... that's impressive. You do well, you know."

Andrea blinked, caught off guard by an unexpected compliment.

Men rarely noticed the effort behind her work, let alone someone like him.

"Thank you,"

She murmured, her cheeks warming at sudden compliment but the spark of happiness was there too, in her bright hazel eyes.

He moved back, holding his coffee cup, satisfied with the faint blush on her face throughout the conversation because of him and he walked out of the cafe.

He never lingered any longer after conversation.

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

One usual evening, Alfonso was having his coffee at his usual spot.

A drunk man stumbled into the café, his words muffled as he spoke, he tried to grab Andrea’s wrist, when she was serving coffee at the table near the door.

He said,

" Bella... why don't you pour me something stronger, huh? "

Andrea flinched, trying to pull away.

" .....Let..go of....."

She barely had time to finish her sentence, before one of Alfonso's bodyguard, Matteo came forward and grabbed that person from the back of his neck.

The drunk man struggled, cursing but Matteo's grip was like steel.

The drunk man was dragged outside so fast it felt unreal, everyone was stunned and quiet like they have witness a ghost.

Andrea stood frozen, staring after them. She turned back, her eyes look towards Alfonso.

He was leaned back in his seat with quite an ease, still reading the magazine which was offered to him by one of the waitress.

Andrea shifted her eyes back to the man who was now out of the cafe, but still in Alfonso's bodyguard's grip, trying to get out of grasp but the bodyguard didn't budge.

Alfonso looked at Andrea's still frozen figure in the middle of the cafe, who was now looking out of the glass wall, towards them.

He looked out, following her gaze, at the man who now was out of his bodyguard's grip and moving away more like running away from them.

She hadn’t asked for his help.

She hadn’t even expected it but yet there he was.

But for some reason. She wasn’t afraid. She felt well protected in his presence.

Alfonso knew this as he saw her sighed in relief and she seemed relax a little.

Later, when Alfonso was about to leave, she was standing behind the counter, drinking her coffee.

Alfonso stood in front of her, about to say something but before he could speak.

Andrea glanced at him, putting her coffee aside, she said with a nervous smile,

" Uhm...Thank you... for earlier."

His eyes still on her, he tilted his head a little, he asked her

" For what? "

She swallowed.

" I mean... your guard helped me... He was your guard so... I should thank you... that you were here and so your guard, he helped...

Arghh .... I don't know just accept my Thanks."

A nervous smile flickered across her lips as she pushed a small box across the counter.

Alfonso's gaze lingered on her hands, then slowly returned to her face. He listened, absorbing every word as if it mattered more than anything else in that moment.

He loved it, it was his first time listening her speaking to him, this much, with this passion.

" It's a Thank you croissant for you.

And don't worry, it taste really good.

It's my favourite, you'll like it too."

But when he finally spoke, his voice was barely a whisper.

" Of course, I'll love it."

The breath she didn't realize she'd been holding escaped in a soft sigh. After that, he took the box from her offering a little nod of his head and he left.

Two weeks passed, but Alfonso never came back to the café.

Andrea told herself it didn't matter, customers came and went all the time.

But strangely, she found herself looking for him.

Every single day.

Her eyes always flick toward his usual seat, searching for the familiar figure.

It was silly, she told herself. He was just another customer. But somehow, the absence of his presence made the café feel quieter.

She didn’t know why.

Maybe it was because he had never forced himself into her life.

Maybe because, despite his intimidating presence, he had never made her feel unsafe.

Or maybe it was something she couldn't say out loud.

Like maybe attraction.

A dangerous, unspoken pull, the one she refused to name.

He wasn’t just another customer. He was a little something more.

A shadow making its place in the corner of her mind.

And the worst part... Andrea didn’t know when it started happening.

Maybe it was the way he always seemed to be there, not every day, but just enough to leave an impression.

Maybe it was the way the café felt different in his presence, quieter, safer.

At least, to her, it seemed that way.

He made her curious.

He never asked too many questions. Never pushed too hard. But he always listened.

There were things she wanted to ask him, about his life, about the silent authority he carried without saying a word.

He was a mystery she couldn’t help but want to solve.

But the most dangerous thing of all?

It was the way, how she had started to look for him.

Something she couldn't control.

Olivia had started teasing her about missing him when she absentmindedly mention him but she always laugh it off.

" Don't you think, he is capturing lot of your attention? "

Olivia said with a little naughty grin on her face.

" Hey! He is a regular customer here. I'm just saying what if something bad happened to him or maybe... you know..."

Olivia was still smiling like she is going crazy, she said dramatically slapping her mouth while wiping off a fake tear.

" Awww... My girl is growing up."

Andrea hit her head with the pen she was holding but Olivia said

" Don't worry, as long as I remember he doesn't look weak to die this early."

At this both of them burst out laughing. But the conversation continued.

But at the end, Olivia gave her a look, her usual teasing and mischievous grin, like she had found an everlasting top secret.

None of them, noticed the bodyguard who was watching from afar reporting their every action.

Two days later.

Alfonso was already seated when she walked into the cafe.

Andrea paused, gripping the strap of her bag, but a little happiness bloom in her chest.

She wokeup late so she came to the cafe very fast, she hadn’t even started yet, but he was here like always.

As if he had known she would come this time.

She swallowed and walked to the counter, trying not to glance in his direction.

But she felt his presence like a weight, an unspoken acknowledgment between them.

He didn't call her name at least not out loud.

Never demand anything.

He just waited.

And the worst part? She wanted to go to him.

She felt a connection with him like she was unintentionally attracted to him and anyone would, with how an outstanding charm, he had.

He was still here.

Like always.

It happened before she could stop herself.

Andrea found herself lingering near his table, she sat across him, after a casual exchange of greetings and light conversation.

She said,

" You didn't came for almost two weeks?

Was everything fine? "

His dark eyes lifted, and eye brow raised, with a little playful smirk tugging at his lips.

" Were you waiting? "

She scoffed softly but a dimpled smile had appeared on her face.

" Oh, I was just curious. That's why! "

He said still smirking.

" Is that so? "

Andrea smile wipe off. He had turned the conversation on her so easily.

She shook her head, but this time her cheeks flushed with embarrassment .

" It’s just... Oh my God! I should definitely stay quiet."

He leaned back, watching her like he was reading between the lines of everything she wasn’t saying.

But he chuckled shaking her head then said

" Just some important business came up."

She frowned slightly.

" What kind of business? "

His gaze still soft on her, and voice as calm as ever he said then he bopped her nose with the tip of his finger,

" The one you shouldn't be worry about."

Unintentionally, caught off guard, she giggled a little at his action.

The way he said it, was not a lie, but not an answer either.

But Andrea hesitated to ask further, but waiting for more.

But he didn’t offer it.

He just let the silence settle between them, watching, waiting.

He knew she didn't ask to know about him but she just got curious so easily that doesn't let her stay quiet.

And he was letting her curiosity grow.

Later that evening, Andrea was waiting for Olivia at cafe, they had planned to go out.

The night was colder than usual, and the dim streetlights outside flickered weakly.

As she stood by the door of the cafe, she glanced around the empty street, something she always did without realizing.

Alfonso wasn’t there and she found herself thinking about him.

With a small sigh, she brushed her thoughts away and turned to look for Olivia but her footsteps faltered.

A man, the same drunk one from few days back, had been leaning against the wall across the street.

He flicked a cigarette, eyes lingering on her a second too long.

Andrea’s heart gave a small, uneasy thud.

She quickly walked away, moving inside the cafe, clutching her purse tight, trying not to think about it, but then she looked outside the glass wall of cafe, if that man was still there or not.

He was not there, nowhere to be seen, she even turned to look around but no.

But she sighed in relief afterwards.

The next morning, the same man passed by, Andrea was sitting across Alfonso talking and drinking her coffee by the café’s window.

But this time he never looked in her direction not even in direction of cafe, and his arm was broken, bandaged near elbow and a few bruises on his face.

Andrea didn't know what happened.

No one knew.

Not a single soul.

But the fact, Alfonso’s men had quietly made sure that no one looks at the woman.

Who belongs to their boss now.

Andrea had no idea what was actually happening, she was being well-protected by Alfonso, even one his guards was always seen around her cafe, which she never paid attention to.

But rest of the people around them did.

One afternoon, Alfonso came to the cafe and brought a book Andrea had mentioned, the book was out of reach but the next day it was in front of her.

He put the wrapped book in front of her and said

" Here, open it."

Looking at the book, her eyes sparkled like they have never been before, Alfonso was just observing her.

" OMG. where did you get this? "

Alfonso just shrugged

" Found it somewhere, thought you'd like it."

" Like it..? I love it. Thank you Really! Thank you so much."

Hee eyes were shining with happiness as she was showing her gratitude towards him.

She got too much excited that she had offered him a thankyou coffee in return which he find out really amusing so he agreed when she said with her eyes sparkling as wanting him to agree.

Andrea carried two cups of coffee at Alfonso's table with a bright smile on her face, one for him and one for her, the cups were clinking softly on the tray.

As she reached his table, her eyes flicked downward, just for a second.

And there it was.

Tucked beneath his jacket, black metal against dark fabric.

A weapon hidden in plain sight.

Her breath caught.

The cups wobbled on the tray, just a little, but enough.

One tilted dangerously.

He moved before she could. Fingers brushing the cup, steadying it with the same ease as if he'd done this a thousand times before.

His eyes glanced up, calm.

Unshaken.

" Careful." He said,

His voice was low, smooth, like he hadn't just caught her staring at something she was never supposed to see.

Andrea's heart pounded in her chest, but she quickly masked her reaction, forcing a small smile.

" Thank you..."

She whispered, setting the cups down carefully.

Alfonso leaned back, his gaze steady, never breaking eye contact.

It was as if he was waiting, giving her the choice, pretend she saw nothing or ask what she already knew deep down.

Andrea's fingers fidgeted against the tray, her mind racing.

He was something else, more than just a businessman, who carries a gun to a cafe.

She knew that now.

But for some reason, she didn't feel fear.

Not from him.

Not even for a second but she was a little scared at the same time.

Alfonso noticed the way she was struggling to act normal. He tilted his head slightly, his lips curving into that small, knowing smirk, the one that always made her heart beat a little faster.

" Something wrong, Andrea? "

Her name rolled off his tongue, smooth.

Andrea swallowed hard, glancing at the cups before forcing her voice to sound steady.

" No... Nothing's wrong."

His dark eyes flicked to her hands, the faint tremble she couldn't quite hide, and then back to her face.

He knew she was lying.

But instead of pressing, he leaned forward just slightly, voice softer this time.

" Good... Because you have nothing to be afraid of."

Andrea's hazel eyes met his, wide and uncertain.

For a second, the world outside the café blurred. It was just the two of them, two souls caught in something neither of them had asked for but couldn't seem to resist.

Her heart whispered a dangerous truth.

She should walk away.

She should ask no questions.

But the pull between them was already there.

And it was too late to stop it.

" You..."

Her voice barely above a whisper,

"You've a gun...!"

Alfonso didn't blink.

" You're not supposed to carry that... here."

Her words trembled, but she regretted saying them the second they left her mouth.

Finally, his gaze lifted fully, slow, heavy, the intensity that pinned her in place.

" No... I mean..."

She was trying to find words due to the nervousness and intensity of his gaze.

He should have denied it.

He should have reassured her.

Instead, the corner of his mouth curved, just barely.

" No one's supposed to see it."

His fingers adjusted his jacket, casual, controlled, hiding the weapon from view.

"But..."

His voice dropped lower, like a secret meant only for her,

" You saw it anyway."

Andrea's heart skipped.

Her mouth opened, then closed.

" No...I... I didn't."

It was pathetic, and they both knew it.

Alfonso's smirk flickered. He didn't argue.

He just let her lie. Like he was giving her permission to pretend.

He turned his gaze, back to his magazine, flipping a page as if she wasn't standing there, still caught in the trance of something, she didn't understand.

The silence stretched between them.

Andrea should have walked away. But she didn't.

And neither of them said a word about it again.

He went back to his magazine like nothing had happened, flipping a page with quite ease.

Andrea lingered, uncertain of what would happen

He didn’t explain.

He didn’t apologize.

He didn’t deny.

A long silence was there.

Then his voice cut through it, low and smooth.

" You're not serving me my coffee today? "

Andrea blinked, startled.

Her fingers fumbled as she set the cup down.

"Oh... yeah... here."

He leaned back slightly, eyes still locked on her.

"You should stay."

Her heart skipped.

"I... I have work."

Alfonso's gaze flicked to the empty café, to the clock ticking on the wall.

"No rush."

Her breath caught.

" I ordered only one."

He tapped the second cup with a single finger.

" The second one is yours... I guess."

Andrea's stomach twisted. She should walk away.

Every instinct screamed at her to leave, to put as much distance as possible between herself and the man who carried guns under his jacket without blinking.

But she didn't.

Instead, she slid into the chair trying to get comfortable across from him.

Her hands curled around the warm cup, something to steady herself.

Alfonso's eyes stayed on her, dark, heavy.

Waiting.

Then she said,

" Why do you have a gun? "

He chuckled expecting the same question, he simply said

" For protection."

She raised an eyebrow, curiousity back in her eyes

" Protection from who? "

Alfonso took a slow sip of his coffee, eyes still locked on hers.

" Your coffee's getting cold."

She was sitting across him but she was trying to look calm but was a little scared, she didn't question further.

' You're imagining things, he is just a person who cares about his safety.

But you should stay at a distance. Men like him, men with guns aren't the kind you got curious about.'

She keep on thinking

Her eyes flicked toward him, just a glance, quick enough that she thought he wouldn't notice.

He was already looking. Her stomach dropped.

No smirk.

No warning.

Just watching.

Calm yet unreadable.

Like he could wait all night for her to figure him out or forget what she saw.

Andrea's heart knocked hard against her ribs and her mind was racing fast.

She should stay away.

She wanted to stay away.

But the more she told herself not to look, the harder it becomes to stop.