Marked as His ?

A few days later, after the party. Alfonso came back to cafe, she was sitting across him, casually sipping her coffee, when she said out of nowhere

" Hey! I'm going to art museum.
Olivia is not free.

Would you like to join me?
Like a return thankyou for that party.

But only, if you accept."

He looked at her with quiet an amused smile then he nodded

" I'd love to. Just tell me, whenever you want."

Andrea adjusted the strap of her shoulder purse, standing up she said

" Let's go now. "

She paused for a moment and glanced back at him before she said her voice containing little teasing.

" You really didn’t have to say yes if you didn’t want to.

You know!

No blaming me afterwards."

He chuckled, hands in air, in surrender

" No comments yet."

As they stepped into the museum’s grand entrance, Andrea glanced back at him but she pouted, when she saw a serious expression on his face.

" Did I drag you here against your will? "

Alfonso's gaze swept over the wide hall, hands in his pockets, shoulders relaxed but still carrying that unmistakable air of control.

" You invited me."

Andrea’s lips twitched.

" I’m getting that vibe, you're bored here.

Look, I needed company. "

Her voice dropping at the last part.

His eyes flicked toward her, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth, one eyebrow raised.

" What should I do instead? "

She couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped her.

" Well, you're already stuck with me here.

C'mon, lighten up a little."

She stepped in front of him, flashing a dimpled smile, her eyes bright with excitement.

She was clearly trying to make him do the same.

He chuckled in amusement, a voice unfamiliar even to him, he didn't remember when was the last time he had enjoyed someone's presence.

Yet, here he was, breaking his own customs.

" That's it. Just like that."

Andrea smiled nodding approvingly.

" Keep smiling, or people will think I'm forcing you to stay."

She hushed her voice at the last part as if sharing a secret, but a few seconds later, her giggles bubbled up.

From a distance, Alfonso’s men exchanged glances, subtle smiles appearing as they watched their boss in this unexpected moment.

No one ever dared to talk to him so casually, yet here she was, speaking as if he was her only friend, utterly unaware by who he can be or the reputation he carries.

Emotions like these were rare in his world, often coming at a cost.

But here, they were effortless.