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    561 Came For You


    56 I Came For You


    ‘Oh my goodness! Why on earth was Axel Knight sitting in my café?‘ 1


    Evelyn froze in the doorway, staring at Axel Knight, casually seated at one of the tables facing the beach, sunlight streaming over hist


    sharp features.


    A steaming espresso sat in front of him, untouched. His suit was draped neatly over the chair, the sleeves of his ck shirt rolled up just enough to expose the hard lines of his forearms.


    Beside him sat Dn, equallyposed, though his eyes were glued to his phone, not the scenery. Typical Dn, loyal,petent, and happily pretending his boss wasn’t currently giving her a heart attack.


    Her heart raced against her ribs. She was puzzled. Should she walk over there? Or, pretend she didn’t see him?


    Axel hadn’t noticed her yet. He was casually sipping his espresso as if he owned not just this café but the whole stretch of ocean outside.


    Evelyn clenched her fists. She scanned the café to make sure none of the customers recognized him. To her relief, only Axel and Dn


    were there.


    Before Axel’s gaze couldnd on her, she rushed toward the counter where her two baristas were frozen stiff, sneaking nces at him like giddy teenagers spotting a movie star.


    ‘Oh, fantastic… Thest thing she needed was her staff taking a picture of Axel and posting it on social media.


    She strode over and lowered her voice. “Did either of you recognize the man in the ck shirt?”


    Both of them nodded furiously, still trying to peek around her shoulder.


    “Stop looking at him!” Evelyn hissed, pping her hands together like a kindergarten teacher trying to keep order.


    “Sorry, ma’am,” they chorused with guilty smiles.


    “Good. Now… lock the door. We’re closing.”


    “Already done, ma’am. Mr. Knight asked us to do it when we were on our way here.” One of them answered.


    She gasped in surprise.


    Of course, he had. Of course, Axel would waltz in and order her staff around like he owned the ce. ssic Knight behavior. And with his charming and endearingmanding tone, every single café’s staff member would just listen to him with no question asked.


    Evelyn shook her head while bitterly smiling<b>. </b>


    “Fine. But listen carefully. No pictures, no posts, no texting your friends to brag. If anything leaks about him being here, it’ll be a


    nightmare”


    Both girls nodded again.


    “Don’t worry. He already warned us. Said hiswyer would handle anyone who leaked.


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    561 Came For You


    “Yes, ma’am. We’ve already made that promise to him.”


    Evelyn blinked, then pinched the bridge of her nose. Of course he did. Threatening people withwyers was practically his lovenguage.


    A reluctant smile tugged at her lips. He always knew how to handle a situation before she even had a chance <i>to </i>think.


    But when she dared another nce in his direction, her stomach twisted. He was staring right at her.


    And oh, he wasn’t just looking. He was pinning her in ce, his sharp eyes locked with hers. Her skin prickled like she’d been shoved


    under a spotlight.


    “Are you going to keep me waiting?” His voice carried efficiently across the quiet café, calm but edged with amusement.


    Heat rushed to her cheeks.


    She shed a warm smile and approached them.


    “Hi Axel,” she greeted, light and casual. Then she nodded at Dn, who lifted his chin politely before Axel gestured for him to leave them.


    Dn slid out without a word, and suddenly it was just the two of them, the espresso still steaming, the ocean sprawling endlessly


    outside, and Axel Knight, watching her.


    “I called you many times,” he said, voice low. “You didn’t answer. My people told me you were here, so I came to pick you up.” 1


    She forced a casual shrug. “Ah… sorry. I’ve been too busy to check my phone.” The lie nearly stuck in her throat.


    The truth was uglier: she’d turned her phone off. She’d been too afraid she’d spend all day scrolling headlines about him, torturing


    herself with spection. Turning her cell phone off was supposed to give her peace. Instead, it left her unprepared for… this.


    He leaned back, unbothered, swirling the espresso.


    “Busy?” he repeated, one brow arched, as if the word amused him.


    Evelyn bit her lip. Her mind tried toe up with a dozen sarcastic words, but they all sounded desperate.


    <i>“</i>Yes, busy. Some of us actually work for a living, you know,” she teased lightly, while sitting on another empty chair.


    For a fraction of a second, his lips curved. “And yet, you’re here now.”


    Her inner voice was screaming. ‘Yes, of course I’m here. This is my café. Did you forget I’m working? Should I thank you for locking my


    doors, or should I send you an invoice?‘


    Outwardly, she just exhaled. “I am. This is my business…and it seems someone booked this ce the entire day? Thank you, Axel, for


    helping our sales today…”


    Rather than saying anything to answer her, he sipped his espresso and set the cup down on the table.


    The silence lingers.


    Evelyn tried to distract herself, looking anywhere but at him; at the waves glittering outside, at her staff pretending to polish cutlery. But


    inevitably, her gaze returned to him.


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    561 Came For You


    “Axel,” she said finally, steadying her voice. “What exactly are you doing here? Don’t tell me you came just for the coffee”


    “No coffee. No business. I came here just for you.”


    Instantly, Evelyn’s throat went dry. Her heart raced, and she had to remind herself not to flutter at his words. She exhaled silently,


    forcing her voice to stay calm. “Axel, did you forget your promise?”


    He tilted his head, feigning innocence.


    “What promise?”


    Her brows shot up. Of course, he’d pretend not to know.


    “Appearing in public ces with me,” Evelyn said.


    She blew out a long sigh and cast her gaze toward the café windows, as though the whole beach might suddenly produce paparazzi with


    shing cameras.


    “What if someone snaps a photo of us and uploads it to social media? My peaceful little life here will end in mes-” Her words stalled


    when a thought struck her. Her hands clench into small fists on herp.


    “Oh no…” she whispered, then snapped her sharp gaze back at him.


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    Sara Lili


    <strong>Sara Lili</strong> is a daring romance writer who turns icyndscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of d’s breathtaking cold.