Marked as His ?

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.