The Mafia King's Fated Obsession

The Girl Everyone Overlooked The florist's shop had not yet opened, but Annie Rossi was already arranging fresh white lilies beneath the soft glow of the display lights. She handled every flower as though it were fragile enough to break beneath careless hands. "Perfect..." she whispered, turning one stem slightly. "Now you look happy." Mrs. Carter, the elderly owner of the flower shop, watched from behind the counter and smiled. "You talk to flowers more than you talk to people." Annie laughed softly. They don't interrupt." "And they don't argue either." "They're wonderful listeners." Mrs. Carter shook her head affectionately. "One day, Annie, someone is going to appreciate that heart of yours." Annie only smiled. She had stopped expecting people to appreciate her a long time ago. By seven-thirty, she had finished her morning shift at the flower shop and hurried across the street to Bean & Brew Café, where she worked until evening. Two jobs. Sixteen-hour days. Seven days a week. Even then... Money was never enough. As she tied on her apron, her manager, Mr. Dawson, frowned the moment he saw her. "You're two minutes late." "I'm sorry, sir. Mrs. Carter needed help carrying some flower boxes." "I don't pay you to help old women." "No, sir." "Then stop making excuses and get to work." "Yes, sir." She bowed her head and hurried away. Another apology. Another day. The breakfast rush soon filled the café. Orders flew in from every direction. "Two cappuccinos!" "Three espressos!" "Table six is waiting!" Annie moved quickly between the crowded tables, balancing trays with practiced ease. Despite the chaos, she never forgot to smile. An exhausted young mother struggled to calm her crying toddler. Without saying a word, Annie disappeared into the kitchen and returned with a warm chocolate muffin. "It's on the house," she whispered. The woman's eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you..." "It's nothing." It wasn't nothing. For that tired mother, it meant everything. Not everyone was as kind. As Annie carried a tray toward table nine, a sharply dressed businessman suddenly stepped into her path. The tray tipped. Coffee splashed across his expensive suit. The café fell silent. The man's expression darkened. "Do you have any idea how much this suit costs?" "I'm so sorry." "You should be." He snatched a napkin from her hands and threw it onto the floor. "People like you never watch where you're going." Several customers looked away awkwardly. Mr. Dawson rushed over. "What happened?" "This waitress ruined my suit." Mr. Dawson didn't even ask Annie what had happened. He turned to her with obvious irritation. "Apologize." "I... I'm sorry." "Louder." "I'm... very sorry." The businessman scoffed. "Pathetic." He walked away. Mr. Dawson leaned closer. "If you keep causing trouble, don't bother coming back tomorrow." Annie lowered her eyes. "I understand." Near the window, an elderly woman who had watched everything quietly murmured to herself, "The kindest hearts always seem to carry the heaviest burdens." Annie forced another smile and continued serving customers as though nothing had happened. Minutes later, the café door opened again. A man in an elegant charcoal suit stepped inside. He looked calm. Confident. His smile was warm enough to put anyone at ease. "One black coffee, please." "Of course." As Annie handed him the cup, their fingers brushed. Pain exploded through her head. Her vision blurred. A flash. A terrified jewelry clerk screamed. Glass shattered. A gun fired. The same man stood in the middle of the chaos, stuffing diamonds into a black bag. His friendly smile was gone. Only cold, empty eyes remained. The vision vanished. The coffee slipped from Annie's trembling hands. It shattered across the floor. Silence swept through the café. The man stared at her in surprise. "Miss... are you alright?" Annie could barely breathe. She looked into his eyes. For just a second... She saw the robber instead of the customer standing before her. "I..." Before she could answer— A deafening explosion echoed from outside. The café windows shook violently. Every customer turned toward the street. Then came the sound that froze the blood in everyone's veins. Gunshots. One after another. Bang! Bang! Bang! Someone outside screamed, "Run!" The front door burst open. A bloodied man in a black suit staggered inside. His white shirt was soaked crimson. His breathing was ragged. He took one unsteady step toward the counter. His icy blue eyes met Annie's. Then... He collapsed at her feet.