A mafia's obsession

CHAPTER 19: AN UNEXPECTED EVENING

The city lights shimmered across Noctis as Mackenzie and Kelvin stood outside the restaurant.

Neither of them seemed eager to leave.

The cool evening breeze carried the scent of fresh rain.

Kelvin slipped the envelope containing the fake photographs into his coat pocket.

"They won't try that again," he said calmly.

Mackenzie looked at him.

"You sound very sure."

"I am."

"And why is that?"

"Because they know it didn't work."

A small smile played on her lips.

"I suppose they underestimated me."

"They underestimated us."

The words lingered between them.

For the first time, Mackenzie didn't feel the need to correct him.

---

A comfortable silence settled over them.

Finally, Kelvin spoke.

"Have you had dinner?"

She blinked.

"I've been too busy chasing fake photographs."

A rare smile crossed his face.

"Then allow me to make up for it."

She folded her arms playfully.

"Mr. Lawson, are you asking me to dinner?"

"I am."

"This time," he added with a hint of amusement, "you know exactly who's inviting you."

Mackenzie laughed.

"I suppose I can't refuse twice."

---

Instead of taking her to one of the city's most luxurious restaurants, Kelvin surprised her by driving to a quiet family-owned Italian café overlooking the river.

She looked at the simple building in surprise.

"I expected somewhere much more... expensive."

Kelvin parked the car.

"I prefer places where the food matters more than the reputation."

She smiled.

"You keep surprising me."

---

Inside, the elderly owner looked up from the counter.

"Kelvin!"

The old man walked over and embraced him warmly.

"It has been too long."

"It's good to see you, Marco."

Mackenzie raised an eyebrow.

"You know the owner?"

Marco laughed.

"I knew this young man before he became one of the richest men in Valestia."

Kelvin looked almost embarrassed.

"He exaggerates."

"I never exaggerate," Marco replied dramatically.

"He used to wash dishes here during university."

Mackenzie's eyes widened.

"You?"

Kelvin nodded.

"My father insisted I earn my own spending money."

She couldn't help smiling.

"I never imagined that."

"There are many things you don't know about me."

"I'd like to."

The words escaped before she realized it.

Their eyes met.

Neither looked away.

---

They chose a quiet table near the window.

The atmosphere was peaceful.

No reporters.

No business executives.

No bodyguards in sight.

For the first time, they were simply Kelvin and Mackenzie.

"So," she began, "what did you study?"

"Business and economics."

"You?"

"Event management."

He smiled.

"I guessed that."

She laughed.

"How?"

"You organize everything."

"Even your coffee."

She looked down at her perfectly arranged cup and laughed harder.

"Am I that obvious?"

"Only to someone who pays attention."

Her cheeks warmed.

---

Halfway through dinner, Marco returned carrying a chocolate cake.

"We didn't order dessert," Mackenzie said.

Marco winked.

"It's on the house."

He looked at Kelvin with a knowing smile.

"For old times' sake."

After Marco walked away, Mackenzie looked at Kelvin suspiciously.

"Did you plan this?"

"I honestly didn't."

She studied him for a moment.

"I believe you."

---

Across the street...

A black sedan remained parked in the shadows.

A man lowered a pair of binoculars.

"They're smiling."

Ricardo listened quietly over the phone.

"They've been inside for almost ninety minutes."

Ricardo closed his eyes briefly.

"So even simplicity makes her happy."

The spy hesitated.

"What should we do?"

Ricardo replied in a cold voice.

"Nothing."

"Not tonight."

The call ended.

The spy frowned in confusion.

---

As dinner came to an end, Kelvin and Mackenzie stepped outside.

The streets were nearly empty.

"It was a wonderful evening," Mackenzie said.

"I'm glad."

She looked at him thoughtfully.

"You know..."

"For someone everyone fears..."

"You're surprisingly easy to talk to."

Kelvin smiled faintly.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"It is."

A light rain began to fall.

Without thinking, Kelvin removed his coat and gently draped it over her shoulders.

"What about you?" she asked.

"I'll survive."

She laughed softly.

"You're impossible."

"And yet..."

he replied,

"...you keep agreeing to spend time with me."

She couldn't argue with that.

---

As Kelvin drove her home, neither noticed a motorcycle following them from a distance.

The rider never came close.

He simply watched.

And when Mackenzie safely entered her apartment building, he turned away.

Minutes later...

Ricardo received the report.

"They're getting closer."

He stood and walked toward the window.

"Good."

Vincent looked at him, puzzled.

"Good?"

Ricardo smiled darkly.

"The closer two hearts become..."

"...the more devastating it is when one of them is broken."

He turned back toward the room.

"It's time to stop targeting Mackenzie."

Vincent frowned.

"Then who's next?"

Ricardo's smile disappeared.

"Kelvin."