Marked as His ?

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.