Chapter 52: Dancing with Fire

Maria's POV 

I didn’t go straight home.

Something pulled me into a small local coffee shop by the corner. It wasn’t fancy or shiny, just warm and quiet. The kind of place you would miss if you didn't look well.

As soon as I stepped in, the smell hit me. Coffee, donuts and something sweet I couldn’t place. I stopped for a second, just breathing it in.

God, I missed this.

It reminded me of Red Coffee. Back when Sophia and I worked late shifts and used to hide leftover bagels in our bags. We’d take them home, make cheap coffee, sit on the floor, and laugh about our day.

Most times, we joked about the customers. Those customers with strange accents, people who talked too much, or ordered like they were royalty. We used to laugh till our cheeks hurt.

I smiled a little just thinking about it.

“Hi,” the girl behind the counter said. “What can I get you?”

“Just a donut. And coffee, black.”

She nodded and got to work. I moved to the side and leaned against the counter. My eyes moved across the place.

The brown tiles, the chipped wooden chairs, even the chalkboard menu… it all looked like Red Coffee.

Then someone raised their voice.

A man at a corner table was yelling at one of the servers. Loud and rude. The kind of man who probably shouted at waiters for fun.

He was done in seconds, but the girl he yelled at just kept her head low and walked away. Her face looked tight. Like she was really trying to control herself from losing it.

I hated that feeling. I knew it too well.

Getting shouted at in front of people, like you were less than human. It didn’t happen all the time at Red Coffee, but when it did, it stuck with me for days.

Although some customers tried to be nice, others just couldn’t hide how little they thought of you.

And yet… I stayed. I worked hard. I smiled when I had to. I told myself it was temporary, that I deserved more.

And now… now I have more.

At least, that’s what it looks like. I live in an expensive home, could get myself expensive clothes and I had a man who has so much power and influence.

But that man also deals with guns. And drugs. And probably worse.

Just a few months with him and I’ve already handled a gun. Risked my life. Lied without shaking. And now, I’m about to open a business that could be used to clean his money.

And what scares me most?

I’m not even afraid to do it.

The girl brought my order. I paid and gave her a folded bill. Her eyes went wide.

“Thank you,” she whispered, like she didn’t want anyone else to hear.

I nodded and smiled. I got it. Tips were gold back when I was her.

Whenever I got one, Sophia would always ask for a share. But when she got a tip, she’d pretend like nothing happened. She was everyone’s favorite. People gave her tips just for smiling.

I stepped outside and held my coffee close. The wind was soft, and for the first time today, I felt calm.

I stood there a bit longer, then reached for my phone.

I didn’t let myself think too much. I just dialed.

Luca picked up right away.

“Is everything okay,Maria?” His voice was firm. Always sharp when I called without warning.

I laughed lightly. “Do I only call when something’s wrong?”

“No,” he said. “But it’s how you sound.”

I paused. “I’ve been thinking about the business idea. I want to start a bar. But I want it to be something different. I don’t want just any bar.”

He went quiet for a few seconds.

Then, “Okay. When do you want to start?”

That was it.

No questions. No ‘are you sure?’ Just okay.

I told him I still needed to do some thinking but that's what the line of business I've thought of for myself.

He listened. I could hear his breathing.

Then he said, “Good. I’ll have someone look into locations. You’ll pick the one you like.”

I smiled, though he couldn’t see me.

“Thanks,” I said.

“For what?” he asked.

“For letting me have this. For not trying to change it.”

He didn’t speak for a while. Then, soft and calm, he said, “I don’t want to change you, Maria. I just want to make you happy. But do not forget who you’re building this with.”

The line went quiet again, but the words stayed.

I looked down at the warm cup in my hand. My fingers tightened around it.

This bar might be for me… but I knew who was behind it and what it could be used for.

Still, I was ready.

Even if I had to smile while dancing with fire.