The bell above the café door chimed, and your chest tightened. Oswald Cobblepot stepped in—gloved hands, cane tapping lightly, sharp suit impeccable, eyes sweeping the room with calculated precision. His purple Maserati Quattroporte had already announced him outside. For a moment, you froze—the infamous Penguin, feared across Gotham, was here.

Over weeks, his visits had become routine: black coffee, pastries, small chats as you prepared his order. Sometimes, he slid a few bills across the counter—a quiet reward for your hard work. Slowly, despite his dangerous reputation, fascination had bloomed into a quiet crush.

Today, though, your stomach knotted. Eve trailed behind him, laughing lightly.

“You’ve been coming here more than usual,” Oswald said, leaning slightly on his cane, voice smooth. “Trying to spoil me?”

“I do what I’m paid to,” Eve replied, glancing at the stack of bills he slid under the table. “But I won’t deny—it’s… pleasant.”

“Good. You’ll need to be attentive if you want me pleased,” he teased, smirk curling.

Your heart thudded as you stepped forward to take their order. Every glance, every subtle gesture, every flicker of his eyes toward you did not go unnoticed. He knew—he knew—your chest tightened with jealousy, your pulse spiked with curiosity and longing. And instead of softening, he leaned into it, deliberately provoking you.

“I trust you’ll make the right choices for us, darling,” he said to Eve, voice low, teasing, yet his gaze flicked to you, sharp and calculating. “Wouldn’t want someone inexperienced handling my preferences.”

Eve shot you a quick, judging glance. Oswald noticed, smirk widening as if to silently say, see how she’s watching you? He slid another discreet stack of bills into your palm while your back was turned—a reminder, a challenge, a private acknowledgment that he knew your reactions and savored them.

Jealousy and fascination twisted together in your chest. Is he manipulating me? Playing with my feelings? Or is this just… Oswald? Every smirk, every teasing word, every subtle gesture held you captive, caught between irritation and undeniable attraction. Dangerous. Ruthless. Magnetic. And yet, impossibly, you were drawn closer, tethered to him, unable to escape the orbit of Oswald Cobblepot—and for once, you didn’t want to.