Chapter 1: Devina's pov
I couldn’t remember the last time I stepped into a regular coffee shop—just for coffee.
From the driver's seat of my Ferrari, a charming signboard caught my eye across the street. Pretty place, I thought, and then the scent hit me. Rich, dark, and oddly comforting. It drifted through the air like a warm invitation.
Most people wouldn’t be able to smell coffee from this far, but I’ve always had a sensitive nose. It was nice—refreshing even—to actually enjoy something so simple. I only hoped it tasted as good as it smelled.
Stepping out of the car, I made my way inside. The place was quiet—empty, even. They were probably closing soon. A lone waitress moved between tables, wiping them down with tired but graceful movements.
A young woman was wiping the tables, her blonde hair bobbing with each motion. I could only see the top of her head at first, the way she moved in a quiet rhythm, focused and unaware. Then she looked up—and smiled. That was the moment I saw them. The most beautiful blue eyes I’d ever seen.
My eyes practically popped out of their sockets.
Everything moved in slow motion.
I nearly toppled over from staring as I sank into one of the tables.
She was wearing a simple white shirt, but there was nothing simple about her. Her chest—full and unapologetically bold—drew my attention instantly. And just when I thought I’d seen it all, she walked around the counter.
Those hips.
I swear I had never seen curves like that in my life—perfectly hugged by a pair of jeans that didn’t leave much to the imagination. And that shape… that butt.
I swallowed hard as she approached me.
“Good evening,” she said with a soft smile. “What can I get for you today? What type of coffee would you like to drink?”
Holy shit, she was even prettier up close.
My heart skipped a beat as she smiled at me.
I completely lost my train of thought just staring at her—like her face had been carved out of a dream. And then… did she just blush?
“Would you like anything?” she asked again, gently.
For the first time in my life, I stammered.
“Uh, uh, uh… gorgeous—um, I mean, uh, sorry, sorry—”
She giggled.
I quickly cleared my throat, just as my assistant burst into the coffee shop, panting.
“I’m so sorry I’m late!” she said. “I couldn’t catch up with you at the office. I didn’t expect you to be in a coffee shop.”
“Yes, well,” I replied coolly, trying to regain my composure, “I felt like trying something… new.”
My assistant gave me a confused look—understandable. She knew I practically had a coffee bean allergy.
“Okay… so, um, what flavor would you like?” she asked, still puzzled.
I turned back to the gorgeous blonde, desperate to sound normal.
“What do you guys have?”
This gorgeous being bit her bottom lip—God help me—and said, “Um… here,” handing me the menu.
I took it, barely glancing at the options. “Okay… I’ll just get an espresso.”
“An espresso?” she echoed with a little smirk. “Don’t you drink coffee?”
I shook my head. “Not really. I’m not a coffee person. I just… your coffee smelled amazing from outside, so I came in.”
She smiled—soft and genuine. “Thanks. That’s really nice to hear. Though… we’ll be going out of business soon.”
I paused. “Wait, really?”
She nodded. “Yeah. Not getting many customers these days, so… I’ll have to move out soon.”
My heart sank a little. “Oh… that sucks. I mean—um, sure.”
She smiled again, like she was trying not to make it a big deal. “Your espresso’s coming up.”
“Okay,” I replied, watching her walk away.
Fuck, I thought.
No way in hell was I going to let that gorgeous being slip away right before my eyes.
I turned to my PA. “How much is the rent for this place?”
She blinked, startled by the question, then quickly pulled out her phone and dialed someone. “Hi, I need the rental price for the coffee shop on the street… Yes… Okay. Got it.”
She hung up and turned to me. “It’s around $2,000 a month.”
$2,000 a month? That was pocket change.
I glanced back inside, watching her work on my espresso. She leaned forward over the counter, and I caught a glimpse of her cleavage.
“Jesus,” I muttered, sitting up straighter like a schoolboy caught daydreaming.
I shook my head. I’m not some hormone-fueled teenager. What the hell is wrong with me?
I turned back to Mia. “What’s the price of the entire property in this area?”
She arched an eyebrow. “Are you thinking of buying the shop?”
“No,” I replied, eyeing the blonde beauty again. “I’m thinking of buying the whole block.”
Mia made a face but didn’t argue. She knew better. A moment later, she glanced down at her phone. “Estimated around five million dollars.”
My little blonde worked behind the counter, completely unaware she’d just become the center of my universe.
I checked my watch—I was running late. There was no time to wait for the coffee.
I stood up quietly. Mia followed. “Madam, you don’t want the coffee anymore?”
“I’m allergic, Mia,” I drawled, slipping out the door.
Mia got the car door for me, then jumped into the driver’s seat and started the engine.
“So… what now?” she asked.
I stared out the window, still seeing that soft smile and those eyes.
“Buy the land,” I said coolly. “And give it to my blonde princess. It’s better to keep her close.”
