Claimed By The Alpha Queen

Chapter 4: The Woman Who Came Back

CHAPTER FOUR

THE WOMAN WHO CAME BACK

DOMINIC

I didn't expect to see her again.

That was the first thought that crossed my mind when the bell above the café door rang and I looked up.

Talia. For a second, I just stared at her.

She stood by the entrance with the same bag she'd carried the day before, looking around as if she was trying to decide whether coming back had been a mistake.

I almost smiled. Instead, I said, "You're back."

She immediately looked at me. "Don't sound so surprised." I raised an eyebrow. "I am surprised."

"Why?" She asked. "Because yesterday you looked like you couldn't wait to get away from me."

She folded her arms. "I came for food."

"Of course." I teased.

Her eyes narrowed. "What does that mean?"

"Nothing." I said quickly. She gave me the exact same suspicious look she'd given me yesterday. I had to stop myself from laughing, although, there was something about her but I couldn't explain it.

Most people who came into my café were easy to read. They came in, ordered what they wanted, ate, paid, and left but Talia, she was different. She questioned everything. She argued about everything.

And somehow, she didn't seem to realize how entertaining she was.

I picked up a menu. "Same thing?"

She looked surprised. "You remember what I ordered?"

"You only came here yesterday." I looked up.

"So?" She asked.

"So I remember." I said flatly.

She looked away. "I'll have the same thing."

"All right." I turned toward the kitchen. "Sit wherever you want." I added.

She walked toward the table near the window. The same table she'd used yesterday.

I glanced at her. "Same table?".She turned around. "Is that a problem?"

"No." I said quickly. "Good,” She sat down.

I shook my head and went to prepare her order. I wasn't sure why I remembered what she'd ordered. Maybe because she had been impossible to forget.

There was something guarded about her.

Yesterday, she'd argued with me over waiting a few minutes for a menu. Most people would've simply sat down and waited.

But not her. She had looked at me like she expected me to explain myself.

And somehow, I had enjoyed it.

I brought her food to the table. "Here."

"Thank you." She said politely.

I nodded and turned to leave. "Talia?"

She looked up. "Yes?" I almost asked why she'd come back. Instead, I said, "Nothing."

She frowned, "Why do you keep doing that?"

"Doing what?" I tried to sound surprised.

"Starting to say something and then stopping." She raised an eyebrow.

I shrugged, "Maybe I change my mind."

She stared at me for a second. Then she picked up her fork.

I walked away. A few minutes later, I looked toward her table.

She was eating quietly, she seemed different today. Yesterday, she'd been tense, today, she looked tired.

Not ordinary tired. The kind of tired that made someone look like they hadn't had a proper rest in a long time.

I wondered what she was running from. I caught myself staring and quickly looked away.

I had no business wondering about her. She was just a customer and that was it.

At least, that was what I told myself. I went back to work.

The café became busier as the afternoon went on. I moved between tables, took orders, prepared drinks, and answered questions.

Every now and then, I glanced toward Talia. She was still there.

She hadn't touched her phone once, she wasn't talking to anyone. She just sat by the window and watched people outside.

When the café finally became quiet again, I walked over to her table and asked, "You planning to stay there all day?"

She looked up. "Is that a problem?"

"No." I said it too fast. "Then yes." She blinked.

I laughed. She smiled slightly. It was the first time I'd seen her smile without trying to hide it.

I pulled out the chair opposite her. "You're strange."

She raised an eyebrow. "You've said that before."

"Because it's still true." I shrugged.

She shook her head. "You really like annoying people."

"Only certain people." I met her eyes. "And what makes someone qualify?" She leaned in.

I thought for a moment. "Arguing with me within five minutes of meeting me."

She laughed softly. "I didn't argue with you."

"You absolutely did." I blinked.

"You were rude." She crossed her arms.

"You were impatient." I shot back.

"I was hungry." She muttered.

"Exactly." I said.

She smiled again and I realized I was smiling too. For a moment, neither of us said anything.

Then I asked, "So, are you staying in town?" Her expression changed. "Yes."

"Where?" I tried to sound casual.

"I haven't decided." She looked down at her hands.

I frowned. "You still don't have somewhere to stay?"

"I'll figure it out." She said it too fast . "You keep saying that." I raised an eyebrow.

"Because I will." She replied firmly.

I leaned back. "You're very confident."

"I have to be." She looked away.

Something about the way she said it made me pause. I wanted to ask what she meant, but I didn't. Instead, I nodded. "Fair enough."

She looked at me for a moment. Then she asked, "What about you?"

"What about me?" I blinked.

"Why did you open this café?" She tilted her head.

I glanced around. "I wanted something of my own."

She nodded slowly. "Do you like it?"

"Most days." I replied. "Most days?" She asked.

I smiled. "Some days are terrible."

She laughed. "At least you're honest."

"I try." I replied casually.

The café was quiet around us. For some reason, talking to her felt easier than it should have. I didn't know her, she didn't know me. Maybe that was why.

There were no expectations, no history, just two strangers sitting across from each other.

Eventually, she stood. "I should go."

I nodded. "All right."

She picked up her bag. I watched her walk toward the door.

Then, before I could stop myself, I said, "See you tomorrow?"

She stopped. She looked over her shoulder.

"Maybe." She smirked.

I smiled. "I'll take that as a yes."

She shook her head. "You really like deciding things for people."

"Only sometimes." I said. She smiled and opened the door. "Goodbye, Dominic."

"Goodbye, Talia." I waved.

The bell rang as she stepped outside. I watched her through the window.

She stopped a few steps from the café. For a moment, she looked back and our eyes met.

Then she turned and walked away. I stood there longer than I should have.

I didn't know who she was, I didn't know why she'd come to town, and I definitely didn't know why I was already wondering whether she'd actually come back tomorrow.

But as I returned to the counter, one thought wouldn't leave my mind.

There was something about Talia she wasn't telling me.