The smell of freshly baked cinnamon bread and mint tea filled the air of the small cafe. Savannah stood behind the brown Mabel counter, kneaded dough gently while she chatted to Elena, her best friend, about how excited she was to move back to her late parents' house. Running their cafe with Elena and her son Liam. It was a good, fresh start.
"Girl, I am so happy to be back. The house and my parents' cafe hold a lot of memories, and I am excited to make more with Liam." She said as she smiled widely.
"Bestie! I am so glad we are back. This way we can be much closer to home!" Elena responded in a high-pitched voice.
Liam sat in the corner, as he sang a nursery rhyme to himself, he drew cartoon characters in his notebook. His brown curls fell over his face, and his tiny brows crinkled in concentration.
"Mom, so do you think I have blue eyes like Daddy?" he asked, as he placed his hands under his jaw.
She was too stunned to speak, her heartbeat picked up speed, which made her tighten her hold around the dough she kneaded. She shared a panicked look towards Elena, who stopped wiping the table and returned Savannah's look with an equally shocked one. She never expected that question, he had never asked about his father before. But she expected it sooner or later. After all, he was five years old. Of course, he would be curious about his father.
Savannah rushed towards, looked at her son, and portrayed a calm look she did not feel. "Yes, you do, sweetheart," she replied softly.
The truth was, she didn't even get to know Liam's father's name, to her it was just an impulsive decision made at the moment at a nightclub. In the morning, after their passionate night, he was gone. No matter what happened, she never regretted the birth of Liam. He gave her a sense of purpose. And she was so proud to see how much he had grown in the past five years.
"Liam, baby, why don't you go play with your tablet?" Elena suggested.
"Okay, Aunty El," he agreed, and went to the back room.
"Thank you," Savannah said sadly. She wished Liam had a relationship with her father. She wished she knew where he was.
"He'll be fine," Elena dismissed the situation and continued wiping the tables.
The doorbell dinged, which signified a customer. Savannah, excited to receive her first customer for the day, quickly rushed to the register, ready to take an order. She looked up, her eyes wide as she looked at the person before her.
It can't be. Of all coincidences…
A tall striking man, with piercing blue eyes steps inside, his straight broad shoulders tense under his charcoal black suit. The way he looks at her sends a shiver down her spine to her toes.
He ran his hands through his perfect jet-black hair, frustration evident in his expression.
It's him.
The stranger from that reckless night.
The same sharp jawline, the same commanding presence, she was drawn to. As he stopped at the register, his eyes— those eyes that had burned into hers held nothing.
Cold.
No recognition.
No memory of her.
Savannah stood still in shock. Her eyes looked for Elena as she begged her to take the order. Unfortunately, Elena is still busy with the tables. He doesn't notice her distressed state, seemingly taken by the cafe's interior design.
His gaze found Savannah again, he stood behind the register. Their eyes met, her heart raced as she braced herself, and waited in hope for him to talk about what happened that night, she waited to hear how he would react. Nothing came.
"Can I get an espresso with zero sugar? He asked. An indication of frustration in his deep voice.
No single ounce of familiarity.
Savannah gulped as her mind thought about Liam. Thank goodness he was in the back room right now.
Savannah's hands quivered as she prepared the drink. "He doesn't remember," she muttered under her breath.
"I need it now," he said as he stared at Savannah coldly.
"Your child?" she muttered under her breath. The glass fell the moment she realized he must have heard what she said.
"Well, that glass didn't like me," he said, sarcasm evident in his tone. "I will wait while you prepare another one." He walked away and took a seat at the far corner of the cafe.
Savannah faked a smile to him, her heart and mind raced. He doesn't remember what happened that night. Or was this just an act to get a reaction out of her?
Once again, the doorbell chimed, and the door slammed open.
She was getting another customer. No. Two customers. Elena decided to attend to them both.
"Who is in charge?" one of the men asked.
"What can I get you?" she replied and gave them a bright smile.
"You're trespassing," one of the men said and pushed past Elena and headed towards Savannah. "This cafe belongs to us," he said and slammed the documents on the counter.
Savannah blinked, "What did you just say?"
She opened the files— the legal ownership document with names, stamped and signed.
Unbelievable.
It can't be.
Savannah blinked, "What did you just say?"
"What? No, that's impossible. This is my parents' cafe! This is a mistake! It can't be!"
The taller, meaner-looking man smirked. "Not our problem, lady. Pack your things or we'll do it ourselves, and we won't be gentle."
Savannah was too stunned to speak or move her feet. She was scared. The men were serious. They didn't plan to leave.
The two men began to thrash her tables and seats. Before she could protest, the taller-looking man grabbed her wrist. "You must leave. Now"
Savannah stumbled, she desperately struggled. She could not get away; the man's grip was too strong. This can't happen.
Her parents' cafe, their time, and their efforts to build this cafe into what it is today. Their legacy would be stolen. No, she would not let that happen.
With every ounce of strength in her, she kicked him where the sun doesn't shine. He groaned and was about to put his hands on her again.
A hand pulled him back.
Savannah is shocked, her heart raced, her head spinned, and she stumbled back as she tried to gain composure.
The stranger— her stranger stepped in between them.
His look is cold, an unreadable expression on his face, but his voice is stern. "Let her be."
And in that moment, as if the universe was playing a cruel joke against her, her son's voice broke the already risen tension.
"Mom", Liam called, "what's happening?" Before anyone could react to Liam's sudden presence, Elena rushed to him and took him back inside. By the time the stranger's gaze flickers to Liam's direction, he's gone.
Savannah is scared and relieved. Scared because of what would happen to her cafe and relieved that the stranger did not see Liam.
The men hesitated. Before now, they were completely unaware of the man's presence in the cafe while they were causing mayhem.
"Who is this guy?" one of the men growled.
"I'll buy this place from you, triple the price," he put his hands in his suit pocket and reached for his wallet and pulled out a black card, his gaze fixed on the two men. "Just let her be."
Savannah's eyes widened. "That is not necessary, you don't have to—" she started, but he cut her off with a glare.
The men looked at each other, then over the strange man's shoulder. One of them smirked. "Alright. You've got yourself a deal."
He then turned to face Savannah, "You got lucky this time."
They leave, taking their paper with them.
Savannah released a desperate sigh in relief. Her eyes teared up. "The cafe is saved" she mumbled in sweet, sweet relief.
She exhaled, and turned to him. " I am so grateful—"
He doesn't let her finish. He ran his hands through his hair, adjusted his suit cufflinks, and turned towards her. "This isn't for free. You owe me. You have to pay back," he said coldly and then handed her a contact card. "Come to this address first thing on Monday morning. Don't be late," he said before he left.
"Mom, who is that hero?"
Liam's question barely registers. All she can think about is what the hell just happened.