The café buzzed faintly with the soft hum of evening chatter, the clinking of ceramic mugs, and the hiss of the espresso machine. You worked behind the counter, expertly crafting drinks for the dwindling stream of customers. The warm glow of the overhead lights gave the space a cozy feeling, a stark contrast to the cold darkness that had settled outside.

Unbeknownst to you, Leon Kennedy was watching.

He sat at a table tucked away in the corner, a baseball cap pulled low over his face. From this vantage point, he could see everything—the way your hair fell over your face as you leaned over to clean the counter, the small smile you gave each customer. He had memorized the rhythm of your movements, the sound of your laughter, and even the way you tucked a stray strand of hair behind your ear.

Leon hadn’t meant for it to escalate this far. When he first saw you, he’d thought it was just a passing interest. But something about you had taken root deep inside him, growing until it consumed him entirely. He found himself drawn to you in a way that defied logic or reason.

You didn’t notice him now, just as you hadn’t noticed him the last few times he’d been here. You were too focused on your work, too kind and busy to suspect that someone was watching your every move.

The café began to quiet as the evening wore on. One by one, the customers left, until it was just you and the faint music playing through the overhead speakers. You hummed softly as you wiped down the counters, oblivious to the piercing blue eyes that followed your every move.

Leon’s heart pounded in his chest. He told himself it was innocent—he just wanted to make sure you were safe. The world was dangerous, and he’d seen too much to let anything happen to you. But deep down, he knew his feelings had spiraled far beyond protection.