The smile

Monday arrived.

L continued to work hard to earn the righteous title in the company. "Larissa, you have a guest" While she was immersed in the work, the manager's voice pulled her out. Her head lifted; only to meet Warren smiling down at her. Stunning the woman entirely. "Fuck, not him again"

Lowering head, L cursed under her breath. All the eyes were fixed on her and the man. "What do you want this time, Sir?" L furrowed her brows. "Shall we have a coffee? This place doesn't seem comfortable to chat" Warren beamed. "I am still in the work hour, Sir. I can't leave"

L turned the offer down. "Oh, come on. I rushed here to meet you and that's how you welcome me? Really, Risa?" Warren scoffed as the woman's jaw clenched. "Please don't call me by that name, Sir. I will give you ten minutes to talk, be it sufficient for you or not" L asserted.

"I like your attitude, Miss Larissa" Warren's lips formed into a smile. At the moment, Luke stepped near them. Freezing at the spot to witness Warren Vincent. "Oh, shit. This is bad" Luke ran to his friend as the two left the company. "Adelio! Adelio! Risa! Risa is in danger!"

The shout conquered.

Annoying the man at his table. "What are you yelling for?" Adelio frowned. "Risa, she is" Luke panted; gasping for breath. "What's with her?" The man's eyes glowed. "Warren just took her out. I don't know where they went but I don't think we should let them meet"

Luke stated. "He is here to meet her? Without notifying me?" Adelio stood up from the chair. "We are tailing them" In hurry, they rushed out to catch up with the two. "I did not know this café existed" Warren explored the place, situated a few streets far from the company.

"What did you want to talk about?" Instead of beating around the bushes, L queried. Making him let out a laughter. "Does your attitude change around me only? Or were you pretending to be a defenseless girl when with Adelio?" The man's right brow raised. "Pretend?"

A smile spread across. L shook her head. "You are mistaken, Sir. I treat everyone equally. Now, will you please tell me why you rushed here to meet me?" She tossed the question. "I heard the news. You are going with him to welcome party, aren't you?" Warren eyes wavered.

Ounce of excitement gleamed.

"Why does it concern you, Sir? Even if you wished to know, you should have asked your brother" L grinned. "Oh, please. You know well he is pulling strings" Warren chuckled. "Pardon?" L frowned. "Crowd. He hates it. Or shall I say he is scared of it? But now, he's facing one?"

He tilted his head. "Don't you find it strange, Miss Larissa? He is going to get rid of you soon because you found his deep and dark secret" The warning rang as the woman's lips formed into a smile. "Are you concerned, Sir?" L returned a query. Hushing down the man. "Oh,"

"So, you knew it all along?" Warren cackled in amusement. Luke entered the café at the same time, under disguise with cap and mask. He sat behind their table with his phone on call still so that Adelio could hear everything from the other side. "I don't know what you're saying"

L shrugged. "Goodness! I did not know Adelio had such an interesting woman in his company!" The man let out a laughter. "Miss Larissa, join hands with me. Let's expose his secret and let me take over the company. I will promote you well" A promising vow took place.

It shocked Adelio and Luke.

But L remained calm. She had a smile upon. "Continuing to be an employee at the same company sounds boring. Don't you think so, Sir?" L tilted her head. It was when Warren grinned. "Be the CEO's wife. Does the offer sound fascinating now, Miss Larissa?" L giggled.

"You surprise me, Sir" She stood up. Drawing the man's attention. "Even though he supported an unemployed brother like you for years, you still wish to drag him down. How embarrassing, Mister Warren Vincent. I thought you would be better than this" L pouted.

"Maybe I always judge people by the covers. Sorry, Sir. I refuse to cooperate. Adelio Vincent will be my Boss forever. I love hardworking Boss like him unlike weak man like you who has to ask for help from a woman. Now, if you excuse me" Beneath an innocent grin, L left.

Leaving the man in pool of anger. "Fucking bitch. Does she think she's all that just because I asked for help?" He clicked his tongue. Jumping up from the seat as he furiously walked out of the café. "Did you hear it?" With agape mouth, Luke queried his friend through the call.

No response returned.

Adelio stood there in front of the company in dead silence. Who would have expected his brother to plot to stab the back while the non-blood related employee defended him? The life sure was hilarious. The man let out a chuckle. Causing Luke to flinch on the other side.

It's rare for Adelio to find something amusing. And it's never a good thing. "Um, you good? Shall I tail Warren to know what his plan is?" Luke scowled. "No, come back. Who cares what his scheme is?" Adelio's lips curved up into a smirk. The sight captured L's eyes from afar.

He stood out the most even if people were walking past him. "Just as I thought, he sent Luke to eavesdrop" L scoffed. Obviously, she knew everything. She was aware of the appearance of Luke in the café. Her sense never went wrong. It must be a success for her.

Look at that smile she had never seen before. Adelio probably heard her defense upon him. "Boss?" L approached the man beneath a frown to express the perplexity. "What are you doing here?" She asked while Adelio ended the phone call. "I am waiting for Luke"

The man responded.

"Oh, but it's cold out here, Boss. You should wait inside" L beamed. "It's fine. Where did you come from?" Adelio tilted his head. "Was getting some fresh air. I need to clear my mind to work harder than before" L shrugged with a grin. "I guess I know the results already"

Adelio claimed. Causing the woman to chuckle. "We will see, Boss. Please excuse me" Wearing a proud smile, L headed inside. Everything was playing out according to her plan. "Adelio Vincent, you will be head over heels for me" A murmur crawled up between her lips.

That night, Adelio made an unexpected move. "Welcome, Sir. One espresso as usual?" Cherry asked the man who had appeared. "Yes, please" Adelio nodded. His eyes glanced to the side. No sight of her. Was today her duty day? Did he note it wrong? Adelio pondered.

But the doorbell rang; catching the man's attention. His head lifted. He did not turn; instead, he waited patiently for her to walk past him. "Risa, you are late!" Cherry voiced as she stole a glance at stiff man across her. "I am sorry! There won't be next time!" L apologized.

Her friend,

Cherry had been signaling the appearance of the man with a teasing gaze. "That will be twelve dollars, Sir" Cherry looked up at the man. "Here" Calm and collected as he was always, Adelio handed the card. "Good evening, Sir" Howbeit, his eyes widened slightly after.

His heart pounded suddenly when the woman came up to greet him. Her voice was soft, a bright smile displayed across. Adelio's gaze turned. No replies came up from him. He just stared. Making Cherry grin from ear to ear on the other side. "You seem surprised, Sir"

L tilted her head. The attack started there. Tilt your head with a smile, that would melt any man's heart right away. You just have to play the right card if you want a man to fall in love with you. It's not that hard to conquer a man's heart. In fact, it's simple to get a man in grip.

Adelio inhaled deeply and looked away. His hand pressed upon chest to calm the chaotic heart within. How could she smile like that? Had he gone insane perhaps? Why was her smile different from the others? Panicking on the inside, Adelio tried to calm down.

"Risa, it's time to work"

Cherry reminded with a grin when she noticed how flustered the man had become. "Alright, alright" Chuckling, L ran into the kitchen. "Sir, please wait at the table" Cherry's voice pulled the man back. He grabbed his black card. Walking to the table without responding.

"Table 4! Risa!" Like a wingman, Cherry asked her friend to take the espresso to the man. "I swear, you are the best" A mutter escaped between L's lips to see someone paving the path for her to walk on. "Sir, your espresso is ready" L placed the cup across with a smile upon.

"Can I ask a few things?" Adelio lifted his gaze. "Um, it's still work time, Sir. I am sorry" L frowned as the man nodded. "It's fine. We can talk tomorrow anyway. Go on. I won't disturb you" Adelio let the woman go; having no choice. They worked in same company after all.

He could talk to her later.