Resisting The Alpha

Chapter 3

After that episode with my father, I barely stepped out of the house except for work and I made sure my phone wasn't on silent or ran out of battery ever again.

My father had some serious anger management issues. When I was a kid he would trash an entire house if things don't go his way or just because he got angry for mere trivial things.

Of course, it was a problem not only for me but for those who are around him. He plays poker for fun and often beats up his opponent or get beaten up by them.

And that landed him in jail a few times. Maybe that's why growing up I never had many friends in school. I mean, why would anyone be friends with a criminal's daughter.

But he never ever laid his hands on me. He never hit me even once because he often says I am his source of income. His treasure, he said.

Well, maybe that's because I am the only one who is working in my family which consists of me and only my father. But, I hope that stays that way because the last thing I wanted was my father go ape s**t on me.

I shake off those thoughts, clearing up my mind, and focused on the glass I was wiping.

I was wiping the 12th glass when the bells chimed indicating someone is entering the shop. I quickly put on the warmest smile and lifted my eyes from the glass to meet a set of beautiful gray orbs, making me freeze on the spot for a few seconds in surprise.

Enzo grinned at me while holding Noah in his arms as he walked towards me, moving with confidence. I quickly gathered myself and tried not to check him out. Noah recognized me after a few seconds and waved his little hands at me to hold him.

Carefully setting down the glass I was wiping, I washed my hands before taking Noah from Enzo. Enzo's finger brushed against my mine ever so lightly when he passed Noah to me.

"Sorry" He muttered under his breath and he yanked his hand away from me, "No problem," I said, secretly impressed that he is indeed a gentleman.

I looked down at Leila's son, "Hey Noah" I cooed in a baby voice as I pinched his chubby cheeks lightly, "What do you want baby?" I asked him when his eyes wandered around the shop as if he is looking for something or someone.

Noah gave me a toothy grin, "Ma-Ma" He clapped, "Ma-Ma" He repeated again, once again looking around as if he is trying to spot his mom.

"Leila is not here yet, sweet thing," I told him gently and he pouted seeming a little upset but still looking so adorable.

Enzo cleared his throat and I lifted my eyes to him, raising my eyes in question," She asked me to watch over him for a while" He informed me and I once again looked at Noah, who was biting a toy as if it was the most delicious thing on earth.

"And you took him here because?" I glanced at him from the corner of my eyes and caught him staring intently at me.

"Well, he wants to meet his mom so I thought Leila will be here" He answered me as if it was the most obvious thing ever.

"Ah I see" I nodded my head in understatement, hiding a pang of disappointment.

What did I expect? For him to come all the way here to meet me?

The small bell chimes brought me back to reality from the train of my thoughts. I lightly kissed Noah's cheeks before looking up at Enzo who was already staring at me.

"Sorry, I have to attend to a customer" I stupidly smiled at Enzo, not knowing why did I even apologize for. He just smiled at my behavior, his eyes amused.

I was making a fool out of myself in front of him and I hated myself for it. I am sure my cheeks are beet red now.

I resumed working silently. I took the orders and made the drinks diligently while trying, unsuccessfully, to look everywhere but at Enzo.

Enzo on the other hand was playing happily with Noah. He seemed to have his way with Noah. It's funny that he is just casually playing with Noah but it looked like a movie scene to me. I mentally cursed him for looking like he just came back from a Vogue photoshoot. I did catch him staring at me twice but he smoothly averted his gaze.

Eventually, Noah got tired and got cranky before falling asleep on one of the couch. Enzo made sure Noah was comfortable as he placed plenty of pillows around Noah.

Then he turned around to look at me. With a full-blown grin, he sauntered towards me obviously wanting to have a little chat with me or that's what I hoped. Lucky for him or I could say the same for me, there are no customers for me to attend now.

And it made me feel excited knowing that I can talk with him now. I tried to hide my excitement by simply rearranging the glasses as he took a seat in front of me across the bar.

"You know, you look very young. Why you didn't go to college?" Enzo asked me, his eyes friendly but I could see a hint of curiosity in them.

If Enzo is trying to make a conversation with me then he sure picked up a wrong subject to talk about.

"Hmm, none of your business?" I smiled at him and kept my face void of any emotion. I really didn't like or wanted to talk about my life to anyone. Especially, to him.

"Is it because of your father?" He pressed, being nosy.

If I thought he was attractive before this, he is slowly becoming unattractive now.

I gritted my teeth and scowled at the glass that I was wiping. I really hoped he will get the silent message that I want him to drop this conversation.

"It is, isn't it?" He asked again after a few moments of silence.

Okay, that's it.

"Look, I get it we talked a few minutes about my life the other night but it doesn't mean that you're not a stranger to me" I ranted in one breath, "I can't spill everything about my life to a stranger or anyone for the matter" I added softly as I noticed his dejected demeanor.

"Okay" Enzo sighed sadly and looked down at his feet, "So can we be friends?" He asked after a few seconds.

"Friends?" I asked, trying that word on my tongue and Enzo nodded his head at me, "Yeah, sure I guess" I shrugged, "Although I have no idea how friendship works at all" I added quickly.

That seemed to get him off guard, "You don't have friends?" He asked, taken aback.

"No," I said, keeping my face vacant of any emotions, "Is that awful?" I asked, genuinely worried about what he might think about me at the moment.

Enzo smirked and shook his head, "No, it means that you just don't like to deal with people and their craps" He shrugged, making me let out a relieved laugh.

"Exactly" I nodded my head at him before going back to doing my work. I could feel his burning gaze on me but I didn't pay any mind to that and kept my eyes on the work that I am currently doing.

"Hazel?" He called me after a few seconds.

I snapped my head up to look at him, locking gaze with his beautiful orbs, "Yeah?" I asked, a little breathless when I noticed our proximity.

Enzo's eyes never left mine when he spoke the next words, "I am really glad to know that I am your first ever friend" He flashed me a genuine smile, dazzling me effortlessly, "It makes me feel special" He added making my cheeks heat up.

I ducked my head down to avoid his eyes, "Sure it does" I muttered sarcastically under my breath at the same time, the bells chimed, indicating that someone is entering the cafe.

"Hey, Enzo, what's up?" I heard Leila ask from afar and I looked up at my boss to offer her my polite smile.

Leila nodded her head at me, offering a smile of her own before looking at Enzo, "Leila, I was just babysitting Noah here" Enzo answered her, flashing his perfect set of teeth at her.

Leila looked suspicious of his answer and started to walk towards us, throwing a concerned glance at Noah before fixating her eyes on Enzo again, "Really? The last time I checked you said this place has 'too many books'?" She asked, looking pointedly at him.

Enzo eyes flickered towards me and I quickly ducked my head again, "Ah, I feel different about this place now" I heard him say making my cheeks heat up again.

"Whatever you say, young man" I heard Leila say but I kept my face down, looking at the glass that I was wiping now.

My phone dinged, indicating a new text message and I paused wiping the glass to check on it. It was a text from my father and he is demanding me to come home as quickly as I can. I furrowed my eyebrows at that.

I sighed and bit my lip, looking up at Leila timidly, "Boss, do you mind if I clock out early today?" I asked her in a small voice, "It's an emergency" I added, hoping she would let me go without asking me so many questions.

Leila actually looked in concern at me. She nodded her head, "Sure, no problem honey" She said making me smile gratefully at her.

"Thanks," I said, quickly undoing the apron.

"Is everything alright?" Enzo asked, "Do you need a ride home?" He probed.

I lifted my eyes to look into his eyes again, "No, I will walk" I shook my head at him, "Bye" I waved before rushing out from the cafe, heading straight to my house.

Something in me told me that it won't be going to be a pretty scene at my house. I reached the house in a record of time, well just in time to watch the police drag my father into their car in the backseat. I stood there silently, watching the police car until it vanished from my sight.

Not again.

He had texted me in hopes that I will save him again.

Without stepping into my house, I started to walk away from my neighborhood to the place that I usually go when my heart feels heavy with unbearable sadness.

The beach.

I don't know for how long I sat on the sand and watched the waves crashing against the shore, wondering how long I would be living my life this way. I wondered when my father will start to act responsibly for once. I wondered when I would be finally happy.

It seemed like my fate is playing games with me and it felt like this won't stop for a lifetime now.

"I knew you will be here" A new voice joined startling me.

I looked up and found Enzo smirking down at me, "What in the world- could you make some noise next time before startling people?" I gasped in surprise, my hands flying to my chest in reflex, "Or that's just impossible for you?" I asked glaring up at Enzo who was smiling down at me.

"I'll try," He said, plopping next to me on the sand.

"Good cause if I smash your nose into your face out of reflex, that's on you," I said, looking back at the waves now, "Not my mistake" I added, glancing at him slyly. Enzo was watching the waves as well, with a small smile playing on his lips.

"Here," He said, holding out a paper bag towards me without looking at me.

"What's that?" I asked him suspiciously without taking the bag.

"Cinnamon rolls," He said, tilting his head a little to look at me.

I took the bag in my hands with a smile, "How did you know that I love cinnamon rolls?" I asked him suspiciously, peering into the bag, and smelling the delicious aroma.

Enzo shook his head at me, "I got them for me but gave it to you instead since you looked angry just now" He said making my cheeks heat up again for the millionth time today, "And I heard if a girl is angry, you can always lift her mood with food" He said, scooting closer to me.

"Ah, I see, thanks" I  smiled, taking out a bun and tearing it into a small piece before stuffing it in my mouth, "Moods lifted," I said after swallowing that piece making Enzo erupt into a wave of waves of laughter. Together we had the buns while watching the waves, talking about random stuffs.

And that's the start of the love that had started to blossom between the both of us.