Chapter 2

Isis had been trained to speak perfectly, to act like a proper nobleman. He knew what to say, how to move, how to socialize. He had mastered the art of communication.

But now… when the woman’s eyes met his, he froze. His mind went blank. He was speechless. His tongue felt tied. His heart raced. His palms sweated.

What the hell is happening to me?

Seconds passed, and his brain still refused to work. Was he in shock?

He just stared at her, unable to speak.

“Aiofe,” the woman in front of him said, looking at another woman behind the counter. “Feed the kids, please.”

“Yes, boss,” the girl said, taking the children away.

So she was the owner of this café?

Isis blinked. The woman’s eyes returned to him, and she took a step closer, observing him.

She was so near, and his mind scrambled.

“You look better,” she said, smiling gently. “I’m glad.”

His eyes widened. It’s really her… it’s her voice.

“You really remember me? I mean, you were unconscious.”

“I heard you and remembered your voice,” he said.

She nodded and gestured to an empty table. “Sit. You must have just come from the hospital. You might be dizzy.”

He paused, surprised by her concern. Why was she worried?

“So… how are you?” she asked as they sat down. Her voice was calm and warm. “Are you feeling okay?”

He nodded, thankful he could at least do that. “Y-yeah.”

“I’m glad,” she smiled. His chest tightened at the sight. “I was really worried. Seeing you unconscious on the street scared me. Luckily, we have a first-aid kit here at the café, so I could help immediately.”

Isis stared. She looked genuinely concerned. But why? He was a stranger.

“Thanks… for saving me,” he said quietly.

“You’re welcome,” she said. Then she leaned closer, hand reaching for his temple. “You have a cut here too. I didn’t see it before. Are you really okay?”

He swallowed hard. “Can you move back a little?” he whispered. “I need to think straight.”

She immediately leaned back. “Sorry.”

He exhaled. “Anyway… if you saved me, how did those two old men get involved? They said they were the ones who helped me.”

“They were the taxi drivers I flagged to get you to the hospital,” she explained. “It was lucky they passed by. They helped carry you in. I had an emergency and couldn’t go myself.”

Isis frowned. “If you knew which hospital I was at, why didn’t you visit?”

He immediately regretted asking. It wasn’t her obligation.

“That sounded wrong. I apologize,” he said quickly.

She smiled lightly. “It’s okay. I didn’t want to go. You wouldn’t recognize me anyway. What would I do there?”

He nodded, speechless. Now came the question he dreaded: Who did this to me?

Seconds passed… she didn’t ask.

“You’re not going to ask why it happened?” he finally asked.

She shook her head. “It’s none of my business. And you’d feel uncomfortable if I asked.”

Her honesty annoyed him. Why did he care? He didn’t know.

“You saved me… and you don’t care why this happened?” His voice darkened. “Aren’t people usually curious?”

She looked down but smiled softly. “I don’t want to bring it up and make you relive that day. I’m curious, yes… but it’s really none of my business.”

He understood, yet he was still irritated. Why did her disinterest bother him? She was just a stranger.

What he needed to do was repay her kindness. “I want to pay you back. I’ve already paid the two men. You’re the only one left.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Pay me? For helping you?”

“Yes.”

“Oh… okay. But why pay me?”

“I hate owing people,” he said. “Tell me what you want, I’ll do it. Or tell me a price, I’ll pay.”

Her eyes studied him. “Anything I want?”

He nodded.

“Promise?” she asked.

He nodded again, feeling a bit disappointed. He thought she was different… well, might as well get it over with.

“Say it first. Promise,” she said, exhaling.

“I promise,” he said.

“Okay. What I want is for you to rest. Can you do that?”

He froze, confused. “What—?”

“You promised,” she reminded him, standing and leaving the table. He thought she was gone for good, but she returned with two slices of cake and placed them in front of him.

“Here. Eat, go home, and rest. Please?”

Isis stared at her. Why was she being so kind? What did she want? Everyone always had an agenda.

“Go home,” she said gently. “I saw your wounds. They won’t heal overnight. Please, rest. I don’t want anything from you but that.”

“Why are you being nice?” he asked, bewildered. “You don’t even know me.”

She shrugged and smiled. “I don’t need to know you to help. You needed help, so I helped. I’d do the same for anyone. That’s it. You don’t owe me anything.”

Isis just stared, frozen.

“Do you want water or coffee with your cake?” she asked casually.

“Beer would be nice,” he whispered.

She gave him a sharp look, making him pause. “You just came from the hospital, right? That means medication. What would happen if you drank alcohol?”

He hesitated. “Why do you sound angry?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Because you say ‘save me,’ but you don’t care about your own body.”

His eyebrows shot up. “I said that out loud?”

“You lost a lot of blood and were delirious, asking someone to save you,” she said, calm as ever.

Isis’ mind raced. Holy hell… he thought he’d only thought it. His insides screamed while his face burned. Outwardly, he stayed calm.

“That’s all I said while you helped me?” he asked, incredulous.

Instead of answering, she smiled mysteriously. “You don’t want to know.”

“Wait—what?”

“Just eat and rest,” she said and walked away.

“Wait!” he called after her. “Can I at least know your name?”

“Xanthe,” she said.

“Xanthe…” he whispered her name softly. “I’m Isis Lancaster. Nice to meet you.”

“Same here. Take care. Bye,” she said before disappearing.

He watched her go.

He looked down at the cake she gave him. two slices of Chocolate. His favorite.

A small smile crept over his face. A woman who wanted nothing but his rest. A woman who didn’t care about him. And yet, meeting someone like her… he felt lucky.

But he couldn’t let his guard down. Maybe she wanted something else. People always had a motive.