Three days had passed since that night at the bar. Three days since the pair of eyes Alana couldn't forget Alaska's eyes.
And strangely, wherever she went, it felt like his presence never left her shadow.
"Alana, you're seriously still thinking about that guy?" Manda asked while sipping her iced coffee. "I mean yeah, he's hot, but his aura… scary."
"I'm not thinking about him," Alana replied quickly, though her fingers were nervously squeezing her straw. "It's just… he's weird. His eyes felt like…"
She paused, staring out the café window.
"…like he has power over me."
"Oh please, you're just overreacting!" Eca teased. "Rich, handsome, mysterious who wouldn't think about a guy like that?"
Vina chuckled softly. "Only you, Alana, could scold a guy that intimidating. I'd be six feet underground by now."
Alana rolled her eyes.
She hated to admit it, but they were right there was something about Alaska that made her heart refuse to calm down.
Before she could take a sip of her coffee, her phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
And a single message appeared
"Come outside. I'm in front."
Her heart almost stopped.Without thinking, she stood up and looked out the window.Sure enough, a black car with tinted windows was parked right outside the cafe. A man stepped out a black suit, a dangerous stare, the same as that night.
"Alaska…" she whispered.
In front of the café
"You're following me again?" Alana glared, arms crossed.
"Following?" Alaska gave a small smile. "I'm just keeping my promise. I told you, I won't stop until I get what I want."
"And you think I'm some order you can pick up?" Alana shot back sharply. "Sorry, I'm not part of your crazy Mafia CEO game."
"I'm not playing any games, Alana."
His voice was deep and calm, but his eyes were razor sharp.
"I've seen a lot of things, but nothing ever made me lose control the way you do."
"Control?" Alana laughed dryly. "Maybe you're just obsessed with something you can't have."
Alaska stepped closer.
His masculine scent and dominant presence made her breath hitch.
"Maybe. But I also know when something is meant to be mine."
"You're insane," Alana whispered, anger and fear mixing in her stare.
"Maybe," Alaska held her gaze, as if trying to read her soul.
"But I'd be even crazier if I let you go."
Kenan, standing by the car, clicked his tongue.
"Boss, you're gonna scare her away if you keep talking like that."
"I'm not scared," Alana cut in quickly.
"I just don't like being controlled."
"You think I want to control you?" Alaska looked deep into her eyes.
"No, Alana. I just want you to know that from now on, I won't let anyone hurt you… including yourself."
His words stole her voice.
Part of her wanted to slap him another part wanted to melt into his chest.
"Why me?" she finally whispered.
"You could have anyone. So why me?"
Alaska stepped even closer close enough that his breath warmed her skin.
"Because you're the only one who makes me forget how to think."
A few steps behind them…
Kenan let out a long sigh, muttering to himself.
"Great. Boss is actually in love this time."
And for the first time ever, Alaska Direndra the man feared by both the business world and the underworld
looked fragile in front of a nineteen year old girl.