Chapter 3
1132 Words
I blinked and there he was.
For a moment, everything else faded.
He looked unreal… like something sculpted by the gods themselves. Broad shoulders, strong enough to carry the weight of the world, a body perfectly fitted in a tailored black suit that looked like it was made just for him.
His dark brown hair caught what little light there was, shimmering faintly, and his piercing blue eyes
God.
They stole the air right out of my lungs.
“Are you okay?”
His voice was calm, deep… authoritative.
I swallowed hard. “Y-yes… yes, sir.”
The grip on me loosened instantly.
Before I could even react, he grabbed Mr. Santos’ arm and twisted it behind his back.
The man groaned in pain.
“You thought it was okay to lay your hands on her?” he said coldly.
The entire room had gone silent.
Everyone was watching.
Watching him.
Fear flickered across their faces and that’s when I realized…
He wasn’t just another customer.
“Do you know her, Mr. Cavalli?” Santos winced. “Or is she one of your…”
The slap echoed through the room before he could finish.
Gasps followed immediately.
My hand stung, but I didn’t care.
“Don’t you ever speak to me like that again,” I said, my voice steady despite the fire burning in my chest. “Just because I work here doesn’t give you the right to disrespect me—or any woman.”
For a second…
Silence.
Then I caught it.
A flicker of amusement in *his* eyes.
Mrs. V rushed in, clearly panicked.
“M-Mr. Cavalli… I didn’t know you were coming tonight,” she stuttered.
He didn’t even look at her.
“Is this how you run your establishment?” he asked calmly.
No shouting.
No anger.
But somehow… it was worse.
“I….no, of course not..”
He released Santos like he was nothing more than trash.
Then he turned to leave.
“Wait.”
I stepped forward, my heart racing as I stood in front of him.
Up close… he was even taller than I thought.
“Thank you,” I said softly.
He didn’t reply.
Didn’t even pause.
He just walked away.
“I’m not paying you the full amount.”
I turned sharply.
“What?”
Mrs. V handed me cash.
I counted quickly.
**$1,500.**
“Hey—you can’t do this!” I snapped. “That wasn’t my fault!”
“I told you to behave,” she said coldly. “Instead, you caused a scene.”
“A scene?” My voice rose. “You told me to serve drinks—not to sell myself!”
Her expression hardened.
“Leave before I have you dragged out.”
That was it.
No argument.
No explanation.
Just… dismissal.
Tears burned my eyes as I walked out.
“It’s better than nothing…” I muttered bitterly.
But it didn’t feel that way.
It felt like betrayal.
“It’s not enough,” the cashier said flatly. “You need at least $50,000 to continue treatment.”
My heart dropped.
“What am I going to do…” I whispered.
Lost in my thoughts, I walked straight into someone.
“I’m so…”
I froze.
Him.
“You.”
He just stared at me.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
No response.
“Is there something on my face?” I snapped.
He scoffed and walked past me.
“Hey! Wait!”
He stopped.
I walked up to him, forcing a smile.
“Thank you… for yesterday. You didn’t respond.”
“I heard,” he said, glancing at his watch.
“And?” I crossed my arms. “That’s it? That’s rude.”
His brows furrowed slightly.
“Rude?”
“Yes. When someone says thank you, you say *you’re welcome.* It’s basic manners.”
For a second…
He looked almost… amused.
“I don’t have time for this.”
And just like that he left.
I stared after him, annoyed.
“Asshole,” I muttered.
“Even if he’s rude… he’s cute, right?” Lily teased.
“As if,” I scoffed.
“Come on, Rosa. Maybe he was just busy. Rich people don’t exactly have time for small talk.”
“I hope I never see him again,” I said, grabbing the last cookie. “Next time, I might actually punch him.”
Lily burst out laughing.
“He’s twice your size!”
“I have a black belt, remember?”
“That poor guy,” she grinned. “He has no idea.”
We both laughed.
“Rosa?”
I turned to see my manager.
“Mr. Noah?”
“Here,” he said, handing me an envelope. “Your salary.”
I opened it
And froze.
More money than usual.
“Sir…?”
“You deserve it,” he smiled. “You’ve been working hard.”
Tears filled my eyes.
“Thank you…”
Before I could say anything else
A voice cut through the moment.
“Is that enough to pay your mother’s bills?”
My body stiffened.
I turned slowly.
Him.
Standing at the door.
Hands in his pockets.
Looking like he owned the world.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, wiping my tears quickly.
Mr. Noah walked up to him immediately.
“Sir”
“I need a moment with her,” he said calmly.
Mr. Noah nodded and left.
And then it was just…
Me.
And him.
He stepped closer.
Too close.
His scent wrapped around me dangerous, intoxicating.
“Is it enough?” he asked again.
“How do you even know about my mom?” I demanded.
A small grin touched his lips.
“The hospital belongs to me.”
My heart skipped.
“I know every patient. And after you left… I asked about you.”
I froze.
“You… what?”
“I know how much you owe,” he continued calmly.
Silence stretched between us.
Then—
“I’ll give you the money.”
Hope sparked in my chest
But died just as quickly.
“But in exchange…”
He stepped closer.
“You have to marry me.”
“What?!”
I laughed in disbelief, gripping the counter.
“You’re joking, right?”
His face didn’t change.
“Look, mister…” I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “I may be desperate, but I will never sell myself.”
I turned to leave..
But his hand caught my wrist.
Strong.
Firm.
He pulled me back against him.
“Don’t be so sure… mi casa.”
My breath hitched.
He slipped a card into my hand.
“Call me when you’re ready.”
And just like that…
He walked away.
Leaving me completely… speechless.
- Writer
