But for you,  He makes an exception

Adrian POV

The next morning started wrong. I knew it the moment my phone rang at six. My boss never called that early.

I rubbed my eyes and answered “Hello?”

An angry voice said through the phone  “Adrian!  You don’t need to come to the cafe anymore.”

His voice sounded strange. My boss never gets angry with us. He was strict with our work but he never talked like that. Why did he call me and say this?

I sat up slowly and cautiously said “What do you mean?”

After a long pause, he sighed and said  “It’s an order from above. We are cutting staff.”

My stomach tightened but I said “But you said last week the cafe was doing well.”

After another pause, he said “I’m sorry, Adrian.”

The line went dead and I stared at my phone. For a long moment, I didn’t move, then  let out a slow breath and murmured: “Well, that was fast.”

I already knew who was behind it. The small apartment felt too quiet.

I stood up and walked to the window. Morning light filled the small apartment. People walked on the street below as if nothing had happened.

I ran a hand through my hair and murmured “Alright, if this was a test, then fine.

I wouldn’t quit that easily”.

Losing my job should have hurt more than it did. Instead, I just felt tired.

For a moment, I thought about calling Isabella, then I stopped. No. That would make things worse. I already knew who was behind this. Her father, Victor Falcone. The most dangerous man in the city. And apparently, the man who had decided to test how stubborn I really was.

I sighed and muttered to myself  “Fine, if that’s how he wants to play.”

Two days later, I stood in front of a tall glass building downtown. The name Falcone Group was written across the entrance in silver letters. And I stared at it for a few seconds then pushed the door open. The lobby was quiet and bright. Everything looked like expensive marble floors, glass walls, and people in suits walking quickly past each other.

A woman behind the reception desk looked up, she gave me a polite smile and asked with questioning eyes, “Yes?”

I gave her a polite smile too and said “I’m here to see Mr. Falcone.”

She raised an eyebrow slightly and asked “Name?”

I answered “Adrian Vale.”

She picked up the phone and spoke quietly for a moment, then she looked back at me and said with that polite smile “Top floor. Elevator on your right.”

I nodded and said “Thank you.”

The elevator ride felt longer than it should have. When the doors opened, a man in a dark suit was waiting. He was tall with a calm demeanor  and he had sharp eyes.

He said with his rough voice “You’re Adrian.” 

It’s not a question. It looks like he already knows about me. I was not surprised at all. If his boss loves to mess with my life, then my future father-in-law’s subordinates should also know about me. 

I said “Yes.”

He looked at me from head to toe. What’s wrong with these people? Why did they always look at me like that? First My future father-in-law and now his subordinate! 

He said with a stern face,  “I’m Luca.”

Before I said anything, he turned and started walking and said “Follow me.”

So, I did. The hallway was silent except for our footsteps and we stopped in front of a large office door.

Luca opened it and stepped aside then turned to me and said: “He’s waiting.”

I walked in and saw Victor Falcone standing near the window with his back to me. One hand rested in his pocket while the other held a glass of something dark. The city stretched out behind him.

For a moment, he didn’t move, then he spoke without seeing me “You came.”

His voice was calm and I crossed my arms and accused him with an angry tone  “You took my job.”

He turned slowly and a smirk appeared on his face and he said, “Yes.”

No excuse. No apology.  He said it without blinking his eyes. This guy is truly heartless. 

I walked a little closer and asked “Why?”

He set the glass down on the desk and said with a cold voice “I told you to leave my daughter.”

But I refused “And I told you no.”

A faint smile touched his lips and he said “Yes. I remember.”

We stood there looking at each other. His eyes were sharp and quiet, like he was studying a puzzle.

Finally, he walked around the desk and ordered,  “Sit.”

Hell no, after taking my job, this guy thinks he can boss me around, and I’ll obey him, then this guy is delusional.

I stayed standing and said firmly “I’m fine.”

His eyebrow lifted slightly and said, “You don’t follow orders very well.”

A smirk appeared on my face and I said “Not everyone’s order I follow.”

For a moment, I thought he might get angry.

Instead, he laughed softly and said “You’re interesting.”

I didn’t respond.

He picked up a file from his desk and said “Your university grades are good.”

A frown appeared on my face and I asked “You checked my records?”

A slight curve appeared on his lips and he replied: “Of course.”

Why did I bother to ask this person? Of course, he already checked all of my records. After all, he was the mafia king of this city. Well, at first I didn’t know that my girlfriend’s father was a mafia king but after our last meeting I checked on him and if I said I was not shocked to know his identity then it’ll be the biggest lie. I was very scared but I will not step back. I love Isabella. I’ll not leave her  and I’ll make sure this mafia king will accept me. 

He closed the file again and said “I’m offering you a job.”

For a long time, I looked at him. Is this person mentally unstable? He sent his goons to threaten me and not to mention, when that was not working, he even fired me from my previous job and now he gives me an offer to work for him?

I blinked and said “You just got me fired.”

He looked at me lazily and said “Yes, And?.”

I can’t believe this guy. I couldn't help but laugh. I am too angry to curse him. Looking at me, He didn’t say anything, just narrowed his eyes. 

After some time, I controlled my emotions and asked “And now you want to hire me?”

He said casualy “Yes.”

I stared at him and blurted, “You enjoy confusing people, don’t you?”

Another small smile appeared on his face and he said “Sometimes.”

I sighed and pulled out the chair across from his desk and sat.  I was so tired of arguing with this psycho mafia.

I asked  “Fine. What kind of job?”

He said with a serious voice “Financial analysis.”

I leaned back slightly and asked  “You’re serious?”

He nodded and said “You’re studying finance.”

I murmured, “That doesn’t mean I want to work for you.”

He tilted his head and asked “Don’t you?”

I didn’t answer immediately. Working here would solve my money problem. But it also meant stepping directly into his world. He was the mafia king. Everyone is afraid of him. And his world felt dangerous.

He watched my hesitation and said “You can refuse.”

Something in his tone sounded like a challenge. Well, now I am jobless, so I don’t have any option. I need money. My rent is pending and I still have to buy Kate’s medicine. But still, he was my girlfriend’s father, who hated me. If I accept his offer, does that mean I have to leave Isabella too?

I met his eyes and said “No.”

His eyebrow lifted again and he asked with a mocking tone “No?”

I continued, “I mean, I am not refusing.”

For the first time, his smile reached his eyes and he said with a small smile “Good.”

I stood up again and said “But this doesn’t change anything.”

Hearing my words, he raised one of his eyebrows in confusion and asked “Meaning?”

I said with determination, “I’m still dating your daughter.”

His expression was slightly cold, and he said “Yes.”

I continued, “And I’m not leaving her.”

Silence filled the room.

Then he nodded slowly and said without any emotion, “We’ll see.”

I turned and walked toward the door.

When my hand touched the handle, I heard his voice “Adrian.”

I looked back and replied “Yes?

His voice was quite and he said: “Don’t disappoint me.”

I looked at him for some time but didn’t say anything. Then I opened the door and stepped out without answering.

Luca was waiting outside.

When he saw me, he looked at me with a strange expression and asked with curiosity, “So?”

I said with hesitation “I guess I'll work here from now on.”

He nodded slowly and said with a thoughtful expression, “You’re the first person the boss has ever hired personally.”

Hearing it, I frowned and asked with confusion “What do you mean?”

He said with a casual tone, “He usually lets other people handle the hiring.”

Luca studied my face for a moment and said “But for you,  he makes an exception.”

I didn’t know what to say to him. Instead, I walked toward the elevator.

But something about his words stayed in my mind.

And I thought “Why me?”

Third Person POV

Inside the office, Victor Falcone stood near the window again.

Luca returned a moment later.

Looking at his boss, he asked curiously, “Well?”

Victor’s eyes were still on the elevator doors down the hall.

Without looking at Luca, Victor said, “He didn’t break.”

Luca smiled slightly and said with a teasing tone, “You sound pleased.”

Victor was silent for a moment. Then he picked up Adrian’s file.

Looking at the file, he said: “No, I’m just a little curious.”

He looked down at the photo clipped to the front page and said: “Let’s see how long that courage lasts, little kitten.”