The café smelled of warm pastries and freshly ground coffee, the soft hum of conversation filling the room.
Amelia was wiping down a table near the window when the door chimed.
A man stepped inside.
Sharp suit. Polished shoes. Expensive watch.
He looked completely out of place in Dakota's Café.
His eyes moved across the room before settling on Amelia. He gave her a brief nod, then walked toward a table in the corner.
Amelia picked up a menu and approached him.
"Good morning. Can I get you anything?"
"Black coffee. And a croissant, if it's fresh."
She nodded.
"Coming right up."
As she walked back toward the counter, she glanced over her shoulder.
There was something about him that made her curious. He carried himself differently from the usual customers, like someone who was accustomed to being listened to.
She pushed the thought aside.
It wasn't her business.
A few minutes later, she returned with his coffee and croissant.
"Here you go."
The man looked at the tray before looking at her.
"Thank you."
Amelia gave him a polite smile and turned away.
His phone rang.
She hadn't meant to listen, but his voice carried across the quiet corner.
"Yes. The Steel project."
Amelia slowed for half a second.
"Everything needs to be ready before the meeting. I want the updated figures by noon."
Steel.
The name immediately caught her attention.
She remembered the magazine article she'd seen a few days ago.
Xavier Steel.
The CEO of Steel Corporation.
Amelia quickly returned her attention to the counter.
There was no reason to assume this man had anything to do with Xavier.
Plenty of people worked for Steel Corporation.
Still, curiosity got the better of her.
When she passed his table again, he had ended the call.
"Everything okay?" she asked before she could stop herself.
He looked up.
"Work."
"Sounds stressful."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"It usually is."
Amelia nodded.
"Then I hope the coffee helps."
He glanced at his cup.
"It already does."
She smiled and turned away.
A few minutes later, he called her back.
"Excuse me."
Amelia approached.
"Yes?"
"You've been working here long?"
She shook her head.
"Not very long. I just started."
"I wouldn't have guessed."
She frowned slightly.
"Why?"
"You handle yourself well."
Amelia blinked.
That was not the answer she'd expected.
"Thank you."
He nodded toward the counter.
"You noticed when I asked for the fresh croissant. Most people would have just brought whatever was available."
Amelia shrugged.
"It's my job."
"Still."
He took another sip of his coffee.
"Attention to detail is useful."
There was something almost approving in his tone.
Amelia smiled politely.
"I'll remember that."
He checked his watch and stood.
He left the exact amount on the table before picking up his phone.
"Have a good day, Amelia."
She paused.
"You know my name?"
He gave her a small smile.
"Your coworker called you earlier."
"Oh."
That made sense.
"Have a good day too."
He walked toward the door, then stopped briefly.
"Keep doing what you're doing."
Then he left.
Amelia watched him disappear through the glass doors.
It was a strange interaction.
Nothing dramatic had happened.
He hadn't offered her a job or made some grand promise.
But for some reason, his words stayed with her.
Maybe because she'd spent so long hearing what she lacked.
Not enough experience.
Not enough connections.
Not the right opportunity.
And today, a complete stranger had noticed something she was actually good at.
Amelia glanced down at her hands and smiled faintly.
Maybe she wasn't as lost as she thought.
****************************************************************
Across town, Beth was already sending her pictures from her first day at the law firm.
In one, she stood proudly in her perfectly tailored suit, smiling beside her desk.
Amelia smiled when she saw it.
Beth was thriving.
And she was genuinely happy for her.
But a small part of Amelia couldn't help comparing their lives.
Beth had walked straight into the career she'd dreamed about.
Amelia was serving coffee and wiping tables.
Still, for the first time, the thought didn't sting quite as much.
She was working.
She was learning.
And maybe that was enough for now.
Her phone buzzed again.
Another message from Beth.
How's café life? Don't tell me you've fallen in love with the coffee machine
Amelia laughed under her breath.
She typed a quick reply before slipping the phone back into her pocket.
Then her eyes drifted toward the door.
Steel Corporation.
Xavier Steel.
She still remembered the first time she'd seen him at The Elites.
The second encounter hadn't helped much either.
There was something about Xavier that she couldn't quite figure out. He was confident, irritatingly composed, and far too comfortable saying things that left her wondering what he actually meant.
She didn't even know him.
Yet she was curious.
And Amelia had a feeling their paths hadn't crossed for the last time.
She shook the thought away and grabbed the next table to clean.
She had work to do.
For now, that was enough.