Chapter 1

...Chapter One — Elias...

The hum of the bar was low, smooth, like a song meant to hide secrets. Glasses clinked. Neon lights threw jagged colors across polished wood. I wiped down the counter for the third time that hour, trying not to think too much.

“Elias,” Eva called from the back. Her voice was sharp, impatient, but friendly in that way only someone who’d seen you grow up could be. “We’ve got a special guest tonight. You—serve him.”

I froze for a second. Serving VIPs wasn’t new, but something about the way she said it felt… loaded.

“His name’s Kevin,” she added, sliding a small, folded note across the counter. “Don’t screw it up.”

I nodded, throat dry. I glanced toward the entrance just as he walked in.

Kevin.

He moved like he owned the shadows of the room, but softly. Not loud. Not demanding. Just… there. Tall, with a presence that made everything else seem dim. Dark hair fell perfectly against his forehead, eyes sharp but calm, like he could see more than he should.

And then he smiled.

God. That smile—easy, just enough warmth to make the coldest night feel… like maybe something could survive in it. My chest clenched without warning.

I love her smile, I thought, and immediately cursed myself.

I shoved the feeling down, grabbed the order pad, and forced a professional nod. “Right this way, sir.”

As I led him to a table, the edges of the room seemed to blur. My hands shook just slightly, and I realized I was already watching him too closely. Too carefully.

Tonight wasn’t going to be ordinary.

I led Kevin to a corner table, careful not to let my nerves show. His gaze followed me, calm, almost predatory—but in a way that didn’t scare me. More like… noticing everything.

“Thank you,” he said, voice smooth, low. “I hear Eva’s bar is… memorable.”

I forced a small, polite smile. “We try.” My hands fidgeted with the napkins. Why did my pulse feel like it was about to betray me?

Kevin leaned back slightly, tilting his head as if studying me. “You’ve got sharp eyes. Most servers just… exist. You?” He let the question hang, and I felt it in my chest. Sharp, curious, teasing.

I blinked. “I… pay attention. It’s part of the job.”

He smiled again. That smile. God, I could memorize it. “Good,” he said softly. “I like people who notice.”

I felt my throat tighten and cursed the warmth creeping up my neck. He wasn’t being flirtatious—not exactly—but something about the way he said it made the air between us feel charged.

I cleared my throat. “Anything to drink? I can recommend something.”

He smirked faintly. “Surprise me.”

And just like that, my hands were shaking slightly as I poured the drink. My mind kept repeating it, almost against my will:

I love her smile.

Even though I wasn’t supposed to feel that way. Even though he was just a customer.

Yessss, let’s do this—Kevin teasing Elias. Subtle, playful, flirty tension.

I set the drink in front of him, hands still a little unsteady. Kevin’s eyes flicked up, catching mine, and that smirk… it hit me like a spark.

“You’re nervous,” he said casually, leaning forward on his elbows. “Not many servers get this… fidgety around me.”

I blinked, heat rushing to my ears. “I’m… just making sure everything’s right,” I muttered, trying to sound professional.

Kevin chuckled, soft, teasing. “Right. Sure. That’s what they all say.” He leaned a fraction closer, just enough that I noticed the faint scent of something… warm, intoxicating. “But I think you like noticing me.”

My stomach twisted. Did I? I tried to force a neutral expression. “I… notice everyone.” A lie that didn’t even convince me.

His smirk widened, and I hated how it made my chest tight. “Oh? Then maybe you’ll notice when I leave… and hope I come back.”

I gulped, heart thudding. He wasn’t even looking at me seriously, but the tension lingered like a shadow. A small, impossible spark that made the room feel smaller.

“Of course,” I managed, voice tight. “You’ll have a good experience here.”

Kevin’s smile softened, just a touch. “I think I already am.”

And that… that smile. I could feel it in my chest, lingering. Like a warning I didn’t want to heed.

Kevin finished his drink, smirking lightly as he stood.

“Thanks,” he said, voice low, playful. “You were… attentive.”

I nodded, words failing me. He didn’t wait for a response. Just gave a small, teasing glance and walked out the door, the bell chiming softly behind him.

I watched him leave, stomach tight, pulse stubbornly fast. The air felt emptier somehow, quieter.

And I couldn’t stop thinking…

I love her smile.

Even though he was gone.

I wiped the counter again, a little harder this time, trying to pretend my heart wasn’t still chasing the echo of him.

Perfect! Let’s show Elias’ inner feelings after Kevin leaves—his emotions, confusion, and the flutter of the first attraction.

I leaned against the counter, shoulders stiff, staring at the empty doorway. The bell had stopped jingling, but my chest still felt like it was ringing.

Why did his smile… hit me like that? So small, so effortless, and yet… it lingered in my chest. I couldn’t focus on the glasses in front of me, or the faint hum of the neon lights, or even the soft chatter of the remaining customers.

My hands trembled slightly—not from tiredness, but from something I didn’t have words for. Something sharp, exciting, and a little dangerous.

I swallowed hard. This is ridiculous. I barely knew him. He’s just… a customer. And yet, my thoughts kept running back to that curve of his lips, the calm in his eyes, the way he made me feel noticed in a way no one ever had.

It was thrilling. It was terrifying. And it was… intoxicating.

I shook my head and let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. Get a grip, Elias. It’s just a drink. Nothing more.

But even as I told myself that, I knew the truth: I wanted more.

I wanted to see that smile again.

And somehow, I knew I wouldn’t be able to forget it.

.

.

𝐇𝐞𝐲 ✨

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭!🕯️

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