Alora Silver walked down an ally. It was mid-afternoon and she was going home from the school library. She was tapping her phone and without warning, the phone switched off. She smiled.

At least she knew that the data had finished. She placed the phone securely in her trouser pocket and focused on going home. She heard squeals and screams of delight and she quickened in her steps.

At the end of the ally, a black limousine was surrounded by people, cameras and fans screaming, 'I love you.' Probably paparazzi. It was only one man that could make fans run crazy; Austin Cannon.

She stood there, transfixed and stared at the fans as camera lights flashed in her face and paranoid fans screamed and yelled.

The window of the limo went down and a black haired man with well defined features popped his head through the window and blew kisses, saying, "I love you too, Paparazzi." He threw bundles of hundred dollars notes at the camera men and women.

****

Smiling at the fact that he just created World War Three, Austin looked away from the desperate fans who were trying to and for a spilt second, Alora and Austin locked eyes. Just then, Alora saw his green eyes widened in fascination and the car sped off, with it, a thousand fans.

Alora was aware that he had seen her and she shivered. The least she wanted was to be seen by a mafia boss.

Somehow, she didn't know why people adored him so much. She ran all the way home, not wanting to be anywhere that man was.

****

Austin sat in the car, ignoring the noise that crazy fans made and cleared his thoughts. Who was that girl? He wasn't sure if she was one of his fans.

Her light cream coloured hair attracted him and her blue eyes were filled with something that he couldn't place. He had seen that emotion countless times before.

Normally when he was at work. It was fear. His heartbeat quickened. Was she scared of him? Many people were scared of him but he didn't want her to be afraid. He wanted to talk to her, get to know her.

'I don't need to know her.' Austin thought, pulling out his phone. 'Calum will do that for me.'

"Hello, Boss."

"Calum, get me files in strawberry and cream coloured hair and blue eyed girls. I want those files fast."

"Yes Sir."

He disconnected the call and leaned back into the soft cushions of the chair and waited for his driver to drive him home.

****

Alora ran home, sweat rolling down her face and body. She entered the house and closed the door behind her. She stood face to face with her lookalike.

"Mum." The girl flew into her mother's arms.

 "Lora, took you long enough."

"Just be happy. At least, I came home in one piece."

"You are sweating. What happened?"

"I saw Austin Cannon."

Colour drained from her mother's face.

"What? Did he..."

"No, Mum. I am fine. I just need to take my bath, eat lunch and hurry to the cafe."

"Alright dear. I am sure you can find your lunch in the kitchen. I have a few things to attend to." 

"Okay."

Alora dashed out of the house, her blue umbrella in one hand and her bag in the other. It was raining and she had to make it to the cafe.

She never missed a day without a reasonable explanation, even on rainy days. Austin started after her, he too was holding an umbrella, careful not to get close enough for her to know that she was being followed. She walked for a while before entering a big cafe through the front door.

He stood outside and watched her drop her bag, umbrella and coat. and wear an apron. She began taking orders and Austin followed the back and entered the manager's office.

"Mr Cannon, to who to I owe this visit?" The blonde man asked, fidgeting with a pen at his table. He was already slightly acquainted with Austin. It was better that way.

"That girl, the cream haired one."

Austin dragged the man to the kitchen and they watched Alora work without her seeing either of them.

"Her?" The man demanded.

"Yes." Austin said, impatient.

"Her name is Alora Silver. Very ambitious and hardworking. Never comes late. She is always here, except when she has emergencies. She has been nicknamed 'White Dancer.' "

Austin understood why. The way she prepared the coffee or latte and the manner in which she walked was almost like dancing She recited orders like they were songs.

She was the only person that captured his eyes. She looked graceful and happy. The patrons cheered her and she smiled. That smile was enough to tell Austin that he needed her. And fast.

****

AUstin watched Alora clean tables and wash the rest of the dishes. She removed the apron and wore her coat. Picking up her bag and umbrella, she locked the cafe and began walking home.

Austin trailed after her and was astounded by the way the wind whipped her hair. She abruptly stopped and turned around. She has seen me.

 "Good evening." She politely said.

 Austin smiled and said, "Good evening." She can't see my face. It's too dark. Austin thought. He had to create a conversation.

 "Are you Miss Silver?"

"Indeed I am. How do you know?"

"I have heard a lot about The White Dancer." She laughed. Her voice sounded so good. He wanted to replay the sound of her laughter again and again.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Austin held out his hand and she took it. Her hand was so soft.

 "You are..." , Austin hesitated. If he told her his name, she would fear him.

"Call me Ace."

"Nice to meet you, Ace."

"Mind if I walk you home, Alora?"

"I... Not at all."

"Great."

Alora began walking and Austin followed her, side by side. They talked a lot. More like she talked and he listened. She babbled about her younger sister, brother and her work. She occasionally glanced at him and he would encourage her by saying, "Go on. I am listening."

She would then, smile and continue talking. They walked and when she reached a small house, she stopped. Is this where she lives? Austin asked himself. It's so small. She turned to look at him and said in a low voice, "This is where I live. My siblings are light sleepers and the tiniest of sounds wake them up."

 "That's fine." He replied and pulled out a twig from her hair.

'He almost looks like Austin Cannon.' Alora thought but quickly condemned that thought. After all, that cold blooded murder can't act as sweet as Ace.

"I believe I have said so much tonight." Alora said, heat flooding her face.

 "No, you haven't."

"Will I see you again?"

 "I would come to your cafe tomorrow."

They just stood there, without saying a word. "I have to go." Alora hurriedly darted to the front door. She turned around and Austin waved at her. She did the same and ran into the house.

 Austin walked away and after making sure that he was far from her house, he called Calum to pick him up. He wanted to celebrate his victory.

"So, this girl is the cause of your euphoria?"

"Yes, in fact she is." Austin was smiling madly at Calum. He is crazy.

"You are saying that girl is the person that is making you happy?"

 "Yes. Cancel all plans today. Forget about all the unfinished business we have to take care of. I want to spend the rest of the night drinking wine and gazing at numerous pictures of her."

 "You are mad. This girl has manipulated you." Calum struggled to keep his eyes on the road.

"I am not. I am just in love. Those blue eyes." He said, dreamily.

 Calum rolled his eyes. "Headlines, Mafia boss, Austin Cannon Falls in Love with poor waitress." Calum said jokingly.

"She isn't poor." Austin said, the joy in his eyes disappeared. "She won't, not until I marry her."

Calum held his tongue, fearing that Austin would kill him just like he did to his other assistants for being so careless with their words. Calum bought some wine, and he drove to Austin's huge mansion which he 'managed' to call home. (It wasn't classy enough).

The gates were gray and it was surrounded with guards. But who was crazy enough to steal from him? Calum drove in and quickly parked because Austin looked too excited to wait.

The exterior was painted in gold and white. Austin grabbed the bottle of wine and once again, Calum was forced to wonder why he had to buy wine. There was already enough in that house. It was too huge to be even called a mansion. A skyscraper.

And this was just one of his 'houses'. Heaven knows what the others looked like. Austin closed the car door and ran to the house, like a child who just received an exciting gift.

Calum walked to the door and Austin kicked the door down and skipped in. The inside of the mansion looked like it had been pulled out of a dreamland. It was the best of architects, painters and constructors that build it.

Chairs, expensive. Lampshades, expensive. Even the rugs were handmade. A couple of servants and maids gathered in front of Austin, with their heads hung and chorused, "Good evening, Master Cannon."

Austin waved his hands and said in an enthusiastic tone, "Evening. Go back to your jobs and I won't be hanging anyone in the house again. I won't be eating and since I am in a good mood, you can all go to bed early. Except for Sam. As soon as I retire, you can go on to whatever the hell you were doing."

"Yes, Master."

"What of the prisoner. He is still in the death chamber, right?"

"Yes Master."

"Good, good. Sam, bring for me Suzie. I would like to play with her tonight. That will be all. Tchuss."

The servants disappeared, before their master changed his mind.

"Master Cannon only uses German when he is happy." Sally said to Mae as they walked to their rooms.

"Heavens bless the person who made him happy."

"I feel sorry for Sam."

"Ahh. Master could hear you. Let's hurry to our rooms."

****

Calum took the wine and a glass upstairs. He didn't like this.