The doorman raised his eyebrows as he saw him approach. “Mr. Stone? Is everything all right?”
William forced a small smile. “Just a bad day, James. Can you let me in?”
The man nodded, still looking puzzled, but didn’t ask questions. As soon as William stepped into his luxurious penthouse, he sank onto the couch and closed his eyes for a moment. Everything felt distant now—his routine, his work, the superficial world he lived in. But what bothered him most was that he couldn’t stop thinking about that girl.
The next day, Julia left home for another day of work. The small house she shared with her mother was in a simple but cozy neighborhood. Since her father had passed away, she had done everything she could to help with expenses, balancing her time between school and her job at the diner. She walked through the busy streets to the bus stop, just as she did every day. When she arrived, she leaned against the post and waited patiently, enjoying those few minutes of silence before another long day.
Meanwhile, across the city, William woke up with one thought in mind: finding that girl. It was an impulsive idea, but something inside him pushed him to do it. Maybe it was curiosity, or maybe something deeper, but he knew he had to see her again.
“James,” he called as he passed through the lobby.
The doorman, still surprised by how William had arrived the night before, looked at him with respect. “Yes, sir?”
“I need you to find something for me. I want to know where there’s a diner near that bus line that passes through downtown.”
James blinked in surprise. “Any specific one?”
William hesitated for a moment. He didn’t know her name, but he remembered the uniform. “It must be one where the employees wear blue uniforms.”
The doorman nodded. “I’ll find that information for you, sir.”
William thanked him and left, feeling like he was making a decision that might not make sense. But for some reason, he couldn’t ignore it.
A few hours later, the small bell of the diner rang as William stepped inside. The place was simple but inviting, with the scent of fresh coffee and baked bread filling the air. A few tables were occupied by regular customers, and employees moved quickly, serving orders. He walked up to the counter, glancing discreetly around. And then he saw her.
Julia was behind the counter, arranging a tray with coffee cups. Her hair was tied in a ponytail, and her eyes held a focused glow as she worked. William found himself smiling without realizing it. He stepped closer, waiting for her to notice him.
Julia was so focused that it took her a moment to look up. When she did, she blinked in surprise. “You,” she murmured.
He tilted his head slightly, amused by her reaction. “Me.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to settle my debt.”
Julia frowned, confused. “What debt?”
William rested his arms on the counter. “You paid for my bus fare yesterday. I think it’s only fair to return the favor.”
She let out a small laugh, shaking her head. “It was nothing. You don’t have to do that.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Then at least let me buy you a coffee.”
Julia hesitated but eventually shrugged. “If that’s how you want to settle your debt, all right.” She poured the coffee and set the cup in front of him.
William calmly held the handle, watching her as he took the first sip. “Have you been working here long?”
“Two years.”
“And besides work, what do you do?”
Julia looked at him suspiciously. “Why do you want to know?”
William gave a slight smile. “Because I’m curious.”
She considered for a moment before answering. “I study business administration at night. I want to open my own bakery someday.”
William raised an eyebrow, impressed. “That’s amazing.”
She shrugged. “It’s just a dream for now, but I’m going to make it happen.”
He smiled, admiring her determination. “I believe in you.”
Julia chuckled softly. “How can you believe that? You just met me yesterday.”
He took another sip of coffee before answering. “Some people you just recognize right away.”
She frowned, unsure how to interpret that. But before she could respond, a coworker called her name, and she had to step away to assist another customer. William sat there, watching her from a distance. He couldn’t quite explain why, but he liked being there. He liked the way she spoke, the way she handled everything so naturally. It was something new for him—something that, for the first time in a long while, felt real.
The doorbell chimed again as William walked into the diner for the second time that week. The atmosphere was the same as his last visit: freshly brewed coffee, warm bread straight from the oven, and the constant hum of customers coming and going. But to him, something felt different this time. Maybe it was Julia.
He settled into one of the counter stools, watching her work. Unlike the first time, she seemed more aware of his presence.
“You came back to pay off another debt?” Julia asked, pouring him a cup of coffee without him even having to ask.
William smiled. “Maybe, but this time I’ll pay for it myself.”
She raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. “That’s good. I was starting to worry I’d have to help you out again.”
He chuckled softly. “I don’t doubt it, but just so you know, today I came prepared.”
Julia shook her head and went back to work. The place was busy, and William took the time to observe her from a distance. There was something captivating about the way she moved behind the counter—quick, focused, always greeting customers with a subtle smile. When the rush finally slowed, she leaned on the counter and looked at him curiously.
“So, what do you do for a living?”
He hesitated for a moment. The real answer could completely change the way she saw him. Instead of lying, he chose the simplest version of the truth. “I work in the hotel business.”
Julia nodded, thoughtful. “So that’s why you were so observant about the coffee last time.”
William smiled. “Maybe.”
She studied him for a moment, as if trying to figure something out. “And why did you choose that field?”
He took a deep breath, running his finger along the edge of his cup before answering. “Because it was the easiest path.”
Julia frowned. “Easy? Running hotels doesn’t sound simple.”
“Don’t get me wrong,” he said, giving a small smile. “But when you’re born into a family that already has an empire, some decisions are made for you before you even get the chance to choose.”