TThe ice cream shop was small. Warm. Ordinary. It was the kind of place Enzo never stepped into.
But this afternoon, he did. The bell chimed as they walked in. Enzo and Isla first, then Cassie.
There was a teenage boy behind the counter, his blonde hair was completely messed up. He didn't even bother to look up.
"Yeah?"
Isla stepped forward immediately, placin her hand on the counter. " Strawberry, vanilla and chocolate please. I want lots of sprinkles and caramel drizzle!"
The boy sighed, moving lazily to grab a bowl. The scoops were careless and Enzo noticed immediately.
His gaze hardened as he stared at the way the boy poured the sprinkles on the ice cream with the worse attitude possible.
When it was time for him to hand it over, he shoved it causing the cup to tip and the ice cream to splatter onto the floor.
"Oh....," Isla whispered sadly.
"Are you serious?" Cassie asked, her expression hardening immediately.
"Not my fault," the boy shrugged, pulling out his phone, oblivious to the glare he was recieving from Enzo.
"Redo her order," Enzo's voice cut in, low, dangerous and full of authority.
"Then you're going to pay twice the amount." The boy said without a care.
Cassie stared at Enzo. She had heard that tone several times but not like this. Not over something so small.
"It's ok. I don't want the ice cream anymore," Isla said tugging on Enzo's sleeve. Her voice was soft.
Enzo looked at her and saw the disappointment written all over her face.
That was enough.
"Call your manager," Enzo said.
" Enzo..." Cassie turned to him sharply.
"Over spilled ice cream?" The boy said mockingly.
Enzo hand instinctively moved to his gun and the teenage boy's eyes widened in fear.
"Chill dude," he said his hands in surrender. " I'll get her."
Two minutes later, a woman who looked like she was in her fifties walked out with the teenager. Immediately her eyes landed on Enzo she let out a deep sigh.
"What did Jacob do this time?" she asked under her breath.
Enzo ignored her.
"I'll take it," he said calmly.
"Take what?" the woman asked, confusion written all over her face.
"The shop."
Everyone turned to look at Enzo as if he had spoken in a foreign language.
"You cannot be serious," Cassie let out a short disbelieving laugh.
Enzo didn't even look at her.
"Enzo," she said again, placing her hand on his shoulder but a quick glance at her made her withdraw her hand immediately.
The woman swallowed. " Sir, this isn't....."
"Name your price," Enzo cut her off.
"It's not worth that much..."
" I didn't ask what it's worth."
"$20,000." The teenage boy blurted out.
"Done." Enzo didn't even blink.
The teenage boy's nouth dropped as id he wasn't expecting his own number to be taken seriously. The woman turned to him sharply, shock written all over her face.
"Wait.... no. That's.....I...."
"I'll make it thirty," Enzo said, already pulling out his phone.
"Sir....."
"Fifty."
"Sir..."
"If you can't sell it, let me talk to the owner."
"She's the owner as well," The teenage boy said before the woman could even speak.
The woman swallowed hard, clearly overwhelmed by the situation.
"Sir, I don't even know what to say...."
"Just say yes. You wouldn't miss the chance to make this money, would you?"
Silence.
Then....
"Yes."
"Great. My brother will come by tomorrow to finalize everything. But first, replace her ice cream."
The teenage boy nodded eagerly, his attitude disappearing into thin air as he made the ice cream.
As they walked out of the ice cream shop, Cassie let out a quiet, disbelieving breath.
"You bought an ice cream shop because her ice cream fell?"
Enzo didn't respond. He didn't even look at her, he just opened the car door for Isla as if he hadn't heard a word.
"Get in."
Isla nodded, carefully slipping into the front passenger seat with her ice cream held like something fragile. Enzo helped her put her seatbelt on before closing the door and walking around the car, leaving Cassie standing there.
Her jaw tightened as she watched him get into the driver's seat. He started the engine as if she never existed and she knew if she didn't get in, he'll leave her behind.
Cassie slowly got into the backseat, her movements controlled but her thoughts were out of control. She had seen him angry, cold, detached,but this?
Prioritizing someone else?
It was new and she hated it.
" It didn't fall this time," Isla broke the silence, smiling at Enzo.
He glanced at her briefly and nodded.
"Good."
His tone was soft, softer than anything Cassie had ever heard from him. Her finger curled against her lap, nails digging in her palm.
Cassie's eyes stayed on Enzo throughout the ride. She watched the way his focus shifted, subtly and unconsciously toward Isla.
She noticed the way he'd slowed down when she leaned in slightly.
Cassie felt her chest tighten, something sharp settling in her chest.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cassie watched as the car turned to her street. Isla, who had finished her ice cream was now dozing off and Enzo was supporting her head with one hand. Cassie, on the other hand, felt every second of it.
The car came to a smooth stop in front of her house.
"We're here," Enzo said, not sparing her a glance.
Cassie didn't move. She took in a deep breath, her hand tightening slightly arouns her bag before she spoke.
"My car is still at your house."
"I'll have it brought to you,"Enzo simply said, moving to adjust Isla's seat backwards and unbuckle her seatbelt so that she'll be more comfortable.
Cassie swallowed.
"You can just....."
"I said I'll have it brought to you,"he tone wasn't harsh but it lacked that softness it had when he was talking to Isla.
A small silence followed.
"And next time," he said, his eyes meeting hers for the first time. " call before you come over."
That landed, hard.
" Since when do I need permission?" her chest tightened as she spoke but she tried to keep her tone light.
"Since now."
Their eyes met through the rear view mirror and Cassie hold his gaze for a moment longer, searching for something.
Anything.
But she got nothing so she looked away.
"Right," she said quietly, reaching for the door handle.
The evening air hit her as soon as she stepped out but it didn't clear the heaviness in her chest. She closed the door gently and just stood there for a second.
"Bye!" A small voice from inside the car broke through her thoughts.
Cassie turned and saw Isla leaning slightly towards the window, she was smilimg brightly even though she still looked sleepy.
Everything about her was completely genuine, completely unaware.
Cassie stared at her for a second before forcing a smile.
"Bye Isla."
"Bye!" Isla waved again, even more happily this time.
The car didn't linger immediately Cassie step back. It pulled away almost immediately and Cassie stood there, watching the taillights disappear down the street.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isla had fallen asleep almost immediately so the ride back was in complete silence. Enzo didn't rush because he didn't want to wake her. The gate slid open and the car came to a stop inside the massive compound. Enzo didn't get down immediately. He just sat there, hands resting on the steering wheel with the engine still running.
He looked at her.
She looked different when she slept, quieter, softer but that innocence that caught him off guard was still there.
Enzo leaned forward, placing his head on the steering wheel as he stared at her.
His jaw tightened slightly. She didn't know him She didn't know the kind of man he was and yet...yet she clung to him like he was safe.
Like he wouldn't her because he 'pinky promised'
That sat heavy in his chest, because he knew better.
He wasn't gentle. He wasn't patient. He was not all those things she saw him as.
But still, she stayed closed, held onto him and smiled as if nothing could go wrong.
Enzo exhaled slowly, lifting his head.
Carefully, he opened the door, stepped out and walked to her side.
He opened it slowly, careful not to wake her.
Then very gently, he slid one arm behind her knees, the other around her back and lifted her effortlessly.
Isla stirred slightly, her head falling against his chest as her fingers instinctively curled into his shirt.
Enzo stilled for a second, making sure she was still sleeping before adjusting his hold, securing her closer.
He carried her inside, staff stepped aside but stayed. No one dared to speak but their faces told it all.
Their boss, carrying a woman so carefully like she might break was not something they were used to.