The rain had stopped, but the city was still shrouded in a damp, grey mist as I made my way to the office. My thoughts were consumed by the woman from the café. Her serene presence had stirred something in me, a feeling I couldn't quite place but couldn't ignore either. I needed answers, and I needed them now.
As I entered the building, my team was already in motion. Alexei, my uncle, was in a meeting room down the hall, dealing with some pressing business.
I appreciated his help, but this particular task required a different approach.I needed Dimitri, my right hand, my most trusted man in the whole team.
"Dimitri," I said as I walked into my office. He was already there, waiting like he always does. That's why I tolerate him. He doesn't keep me waiting and takes his job seriously.
Just how I like it
"Boss," he acknowledged, standing up.
"I need you to find someone for me," I said, handing him a video tape of the woman from the café. "Her name, her background, everything. But keep it quiet. No one else needs to know."
Dimitri's expression didn't change. He simply nodded and took the paper. "Consider it done."
With that, I turned my attention to the day's tasks. There were meetings to attend, deals to negotiate, and potential threats to address. But even as I immersed myself in work, my mind kept drifting back to her. What was it about her that had captivated me so completely?
•••
A few days later, Dimitri returned with the information I had requested. He handed me a folder, his expression serious.
"Her name is Alejandra Rodriguez," he began. "Spanish, 24 years old. Recently moved to the city. There are no obvious ties to any criminal organizations. She's working at a local non-profit."
I took the folder and skimmed through the contents. There were photos, documents, and a detailed background check. Alejandra Rodriguez. Her last name felt familiar, yet distant. As I read through her history, one detail stood out.
Her father was Santiago Rodriguez, a man I had crossed a lot of paths with years ago. He was a powerful figure in Spain, known for his business dealings and connections.
I never knew that Santiago had a daughter. This only deepened my curiosity. What was she doing here, so far from home? And why had she moved here?
"Interesting," I muttered, more to myself than to Dimitri. " Try to find more information about her. I want to know her more."
Dimitri nodded. "Understood, Boss."
•••
Back in my office, I studied the file. Alejandra's life seemed unremarkable, but I knew better than to take things at face value. There had to be something more. People didn't just catch my attention without reason.
The following days were a blur of business and investigations. Dimitri's updates came regularly, each one adding a new layer to the puzzle.
Alejandra's life was meticulously detailed, but it was the little inconsistencies that caught my eye—the unexplained gaps in her history, the sudden move to the city, the discreet yet regular visits to certain locations.
•••
Over the next few days, I made it a point to observe Alejandra whenever possible. I followed her discreetly, blending into the background, careful not to reveal my presence. She moved through the city with a sense of purpose, visiting her workplace, a few select shops, and a quaint apartment building.
Each time I saw her, the same questions gnawed at me. Who was she really? What was she hiding? The answers seemed just out of reach, tantalizingly close but always slipping through my fingers.
One evening, as I trailed her through a busy market, I noticed something odd. Despite the bustling crowd, she moved with a certain awareness, as if she knew she was being watched.
She never looked directly at me, but there were moments - a slight pause, a quick glance over her shoulder-that made me wonder if she was aware of my presence. The thought was unsettling, but I brushed it aside. I was too careful for her to notice me.
It had to be a coincidence.
As I continued to follow her, I found myself drawn to the details of her life. Her dark brown hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders, catching the light in a way that made it seem almost luminescent.
Her eyes, a captivating mix of brown and green, held a depth that spoke of untold stories and hidden emotions. She had a petite figure
but oh lord, help me.
I watched her interact with others, her demeanour always polite and composed. She had a way of making people feel at ease, her smile warm and genuine.
My curiosity only grew with each passing day. I needed to know more about her, to uncover the secrets she kept hidden. I began to dive deeper into her life, learning her routines, her habits, her likes and dislikes. I discovered that she loves books, often spending hours in a quaint little bookstore on the outskirts of the city.
That girl may look innocent, but she's reading straight porn on paper around people.
Not that I'm complaining
She loved coffee, always ordering the same blend at the café we had first met. She had a talent for painting, her small apartment filled with canvases of vibrant, expressive artwork.
•••
One night, Dimitri brought me new, surprising information. "Boss, I've found out something interesting. Santiago Rodriguez is looking for a bodyguard for his daughter."
I looked up, intrigued. "A bodyguard?"
"Yes," Dimitri confirmed. "It seems she's been receiving threats. Santiago is taking it seriously and wants someone trustworthy and capable of protecting her."
A plan began to form in my mind. This was an opportunity. An opportunity to get closer to her, to make her mine.
"Set it up," I instructed. "Make sure I'm the one who gets the job."
Dimitri nodded.
"Consider it done, Boss." He said as he left the room.
"This was a dangerous game, one that could cost me everything." I thought to myself
But I had never backed down from a challenge, and I wasn't about to do it now.
The days ahead will be hard. I needed to stay sharp, to be ready for anything. Trust was a rare commodity, and betrayal lurked in every shadow. But one thing was clear: I will make Alejandra mine, no matter the cost.
The storm was far from over. In fact, it was only just beginning.