unspoken understanding

Sophia tightened the strings of her apron and let out a small sigh. It was early evening at Café Mélodie, the cozy little café she worked at part-time to make ends meet while managing her art gallery. The soft hum of chatter, the clinking of ceramic cups, and the comforting scent of fresh pastries filled the air.

She had spent the morning at Sinclair Enterprises, discussing the engagement arrangement with Elijah, and now she was here, back to reality, wiping down tables and serving coffee. It was a stark contrast, and yet, she found a strange sense of relief in it. Here, she wasn't the fiancée of a billionaire. She was just Sophia, the girl who made an excellent cappuccino and knew her regulars by name.

"Busy day?" Ava, her coworker and closest friend, nudged her lightly.

"You have no idea." Sophia exhaled, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I spent the morning at Sinclair Enterprises."

Ava's eyes widened. "Wait—what? As in Elijah Sinclair?"

Sophia hesitated, remembering their agreement to keep things quiet for now. "It's… work-related." Technically not a lie.

Ava leaned against the counter, narrowing her eyes. "I don't buy that, but I'll let it slide. For now."

Before Sophia could respond, the bell above the door chimed. She turned, her body stiffening slightly as her gaze landed on none other than Elijah himself, stepping into the café.

He looked… out of place. The sharp-cut navy suit, the commanding aura—this was a man who belonged in glass-walled boardrooms, not in a warm, bustling café. And yet, here he was, scanning the room until his eyes found hers.

Sophia straightened, quickly wiping her hands on her apron before walking toward the counter. "Mr. Sinclair." The name felt strange on her tongue, too formal, too distant, yet safer than anything else.

Elijah raised a brow. "Ms. Jones." There was a hint of amusement in his voice as he leaned slightly against the counter. "I was in the area."

"Right." Sophia folded her arms, studying him. "And you just happened to step into this specific café?"

"I was curious," he admitted. "You mentioned you work here."

She blinked. She had mentioned it, but she hadn't expected him to remember. Let alone show up.

Ava, clearly sensing something interesting, stepped up beside Sophia, grinning. "Welcome to Café Mélodie. What can I get for you, Mr. Sinclair?"

Elijah glanced at the menu board, then back at Sophia. "What do you recommend?"

Sophia resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "You seem like a black coffee kind of person."

"Am I that predictable?"

"Painfully."

Elijah smirked. "Then I'll take a cappuccino."

Ava let out a quiet snort of laughter before heading to the espresso machine.

Sophia pursed her lips. "You're just trying to prove me wrong, aren't you?"

He gave a small shrug. "Perhaps."

She shook her head, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "It'll be out in a moment."

As she moved to prepare his drink, she was acutely aware of his presence. He was watching her—not in an invasive way, but with quiet interest. It was unnerving. And yet, she found herself oddly… at ease.

She slid the cup in front of him. "Your cappuccino, Mr. Sinclair."

He took a careful sip, his expression unreadable. Then, after a moment, he nodded. "Not bad."

Sophia smirked. "High praise coming from you."

Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, the air between them shifted—something unspoken, something neither of them was ready to name.

Then, just as quickly, Elijah set his cup down and straightened. "I'll see you soon, Ms. Jones."

He turned and left, leaving Sophia standing behind the counter, her heart unexpectedly unsettled.

Ava whistled low. "Okay, what was that?"

Sophia shook her head, grabbing a cloth and wiping down the counter to distract herself. "Nothing. Absolutely nothing."

But even as she said it, she couldn't shake the feeling that, somehow, something had changed.