Episode 3

I didn't know what to feel. I completely ignored Leonardo's gaze on me and stood firm. Determined, I asked what his order would be. He gave an incredulous smile, as if he knew exactly that I wanted to avoid the subject. His brown eyes analyzed me for a moment before finally saying:

"Sit down, Mariana."

I crossed my arms and shook my head.

"I can't, I'm working."

But he didn't accept my answer. Leonardo simply got up and pulled a chair out for me, as if it were a natural gesture. His firm gaze made it clear that he wouldn't accept a no for an answer.

"Just a few minutes, please!" He asked, looking at me.

I sighed, realizing that I wouldn't be able to avoid it. There was something in his posture that made me uncomfortable, a firmness that left no room for questions. Maybe it was the polite way he behaved, or the fact that, for the first time, someone really seemed to want to talk to me without expecting anything in return.

I sat down, feeling my legs weaken.

He gave a discreet signal to one of the employees, who soon approached to serve us. Leonardo didn't need to say anything, he just looked at her, and the woman nodded quickly, understanding the request without him needing to speak.

I couldn't tell if it was charm or just the natural effect he had on people.

A short time later, the waitress returned, bringing two fresh coffees and a small tray with butter cookies. She carefully placed everything on the table, giving me a curious look before walking away.

I should pick up my cup and drink, but my body was too tense. If I picked up the cup, he would soon realize how nervous I was.

"Now we can talk," Leonardo said, resting his arms on the table and keeping that intense gaze on me.

I held the apron tightly, feeling a strange discomfort growing inside me.

"About what?"

"About you."

My breath faltered slightly, but I quickly regained control.

"There's nothing to know about me."

Leonardo laughed, an almost amused laugh.

"How long have you been working here?"

The discomfort increased.

"Why do you want to know?"

"Just curious."

I bit my lower lip and let out a discreet sigh.

"Two years."

He arched his eyebrows.

"Two years?"

I didn't like the surprised tone in his voice. Something about him told me he was connecting the dots.

"And Eduardo, does he know?"

The knot in my throat tightened.

"He never asked."

Leonardo narrowed his eyes, as if analyzing every detail of my answer.

"Interesting."

He picked up his cup and took a sip of coffee, still watching me.

I looked away, bothered by that conversation.

"So, besides coffee and cookies, is there any other order?"

I tried to bring the focus back to the real reason he was there, or at least what I thought was the real reason.

Leonardo rested his elbow on the table again, leaning a little closer to me.

"I haven't decided yet whether to place an order or just discover some answers."

My body tensed.

"What answers?"

He turned the cup between his fingers, seeming to choose his words carefully.

"Something tells me there are many things you haven't told me yet."

"I have nothing to tell."

"No?"

He raised an eyebrow, clearly not believing it.

I got annoyed.

"Why this insistence on knowing about me, Leonardo?"

He smiled slightly, but it was a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Because I'm interested in what's around me, Mariana. Especially when something doesn't seem right. You're married to my son, which makes you my daughter-in-law, part of my family. I care."

My breath caught in my throat, he's suspicious.

I picked up my cup, took a sip of coffee and stood up.

"I really need to get back to work."

Leonardo just watched.

"How long are you going to run?"

"How long are you going to insist on a subject that only concerns me and your son?"

He tilted his head slightly to the side, analyzing my expression.

"Until I can clear my doubts. But don't worry, we'll have plenty of time."

My jaw clenched.

I grabbed my notepad and held it tight.

"Have a good day, Mr. Vasconcellos."

I turned around quickly, going to the counter. My heart was beating too fast, my mind racing.

Leonardo was starting to realize that something didn't make sense. And I needed to find out what he knew before he found out everything on his own.

Noon, my shift finally ended. I felt my body tired, but my mind was still stuck on the conversation I had with Leonardo earlier. Something about the way he was made me uneasy.

I went into the locker room, took off my apron and changed clothes quickly. I locked my locker and, instead of taking the bus as usual, I decided to call a taxi. I didn't want to think too much, but a part of me was still reflecting on what he said.

"We'll have plenty of time."

What did he mean by that?

If he knew I took a bus to work every day, he would die of shock.

When the taxi stopped in front of the house, I paid the driver and got out. I preferred to walk the rest of the way, crossing the sidewalk and going up the few meters to the entrance.

I opened the door and went straight to my room. The house was silent, and I imagined that Eduardo was still at the company, as always.

In the room, I undressed and went to the bathroom. The hot water relaxed my tense shoulders, and I tried, for a few minutes, to push away all the questions that insisted on arising in my mind.

Leonardo was watching me too much.

Leonardo was asking too many questions.

What exactly was he trying to find out?

After the shower, I dried my hair with a towel and sat on the edge of the bed, massaging my tired feet. The day at the coffee shop had been hectic, but physical exhaustion was the least of my problems.

My biggest problem was that, for the first time in a long time, someone was paying attention to me.

And that scared me.

As soon as I finished, I put on light clothes and went downstairs to have lunch. I was already feeling hungry and hoped that the house was empty enough so that I could eat in peace. But, to my surprise, Leonardo was sitting at the lunch table.

My breath caught for a moment.

He was there, relaxed, being served by the employees, as if it were something natural. But it wasn't.

It never was.

Since when did he have lunch here?

I hesitated for a moment before entering the room. He saw me immediately and gave me a sly smile, raising his glass slightly with some wine.

"Good that you arrived, Mariana. Come have lunch."

My throat dried.

I blinked a few times, trying to organize my thoughts.

What was he doing here? Why did he seem so at ease?

I took a deep breath and approached the table, sitting across from him. One of the employees promptly served me, and Leonardo continued to watch me.

"How was work?" He asked, cutting the meat on his plate.

I picked up the fork, trying to focus on the food.

"Normal, as always."

"Hm." He chewed slowly, still looking at me. "Which means your routine has been the same for two years now."

I stopped chewing for a second.

Was he going back to that subject?

I lowered my eyes to the plate and shrugged.

"Every job has a routine."

"That's true. But have you never thought about changing?"

I swallowed hard.

"Why would I change?"

Leonardo took a sip of the wine and smiled, but his look said something more.

"Maybe because you deserve something better."

My heart sped up slightly.

That conversation was starting to bother me.

I dropped the cutlery.

"You didn't just come here to have lunch, did you?"

Leonardo tilted his head slightly, resting his arms on the table.

"Actually, I came to see my son. But since he's never home, I'm taking advantage of the food. And deciding if I stay here for a long time."

The casual way he spoke made me suspicious. I knew Leonardo didn't do anything without a reason. But he seemed comfortable, relaxed, as if he was really there just out of habit.

Something told me he wasn't going to stop watching me anytime soon. And I didn't know if that was good or bad.

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***