An Unknown Stranger at the Coffee Shop
The next morning, Ria sat alone in a quiet coffee shop beneath her office building. A cup of hot coffee rested in her hands, yet her eyes were fixed on the window outside. Her father's threat and the events of last night weighed heavily on her mind.
Just then, someone pulled out the chair across from her and sat down.
Startled, Ria looked up—and froze.
A stylish, handsome young man sat before her, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. His gaze wasn't cold and commanding like the CEO's; instead, it was playful, confident, almost teasing.
Man:
"Same coffee. Same seat by the window. Will your habits never change, Ria?"
The cup trembled in Ria's hand.
Ria (softly):
"Adis? You… when did you return from Korea?"
Adis took a casual sip of his coffee.
Adis:
"Just a few hours ago. Your father called me. He said you've ruined your life by falling in love with some 'ordinary office boss.' So I thought, as an old friend, I should come and see you."
Adis was Ria's childhood friend—and Mr. Chowdhury's favorite candidate for her future. Ria knew it instantly: Adis had been sent either to change her mind… or to play a dangerous game against the CEO.
Ria:
"My father sent you, didn't he? Listen, Adis. You may be my friend, but you have no right to interfere in my personal life."
Adis leaned closer, his voice lowering.
Adis:
"Rights are built over time, Ria. Does your boss know who you really are? Or is he only impressed by your talent? If I remove him from your life… will you come back to me?"
At that exact moment, the CEO walked into the coffee shop, searching for Ria.
The sight of Adis sitting so close to her made his jaw tighten. He walked over, his expression dark and controlled. In his mind, Adis was either an ex-lover… or one of her father's men.
CEO (coldly):
"Ria. Who is he? And what's going on here?"
Before Ria could speak, Adis stood up. There was no hostility in his eyes—only fascination. He slowly scanned the CEO from head to toe: the sharp gaze, the solid build, the perfectly tailored black suit.
Adis smiled wider.
Stepping closer, he spoke—directly to the CEO.
Adis (awed):
"Wow! Ria, your father said your boss was 'ordinary.' But this man looks like a Greek god! Hi, I'm Adis."
He extended his hand.
The CEO was stunned.
He had prepared himself for a confrontation—not… this.
CEO (frowning, not shaking hands):
"Excuse me? Are you insane?"
Adis:
"You drove me insane! Ria, I'm sorry—I came here to change your heart. But now I think I've lost mine instead. Your boss is just… fire."
Ria sat frozen, gripping her coffee cup. She had known Adis all her life—chaotic, unpredictable—but never imagined he'd flirt with her enemy… or her boss.
Ria:
"Adis! What are you saying? He's my boss, and we're in serious trouble here!"
Adis:
"Trouble can wait. First—tell me, sir, are you single? That angry look of yours is deadly attractive."
The CEO grabbed Ria's hand and tried to pull her away. His ears were red with embarrassment.
Behind them, Adis waved cheerfully.
Adis:
"Hey, Mr. CEO! You look even cuter when you're angry. See you again!"
When the CEO stepped aside, Ria rushed back, grabbing Adis by the sleeve and whispering furiously.
Ria:
"Have you lost your mind?! You're a guy! Did you forget why my father sent you? Why are you pretending to fall in love with him?!"
Adis raised an eyebrow, glanced once more at the CEO, and sighed.
Adis (whispering):
"Beautiful things deserve appreciation—man or woman. Your father called him a devil, but he's more like a black dragon. Totally my type. And if the enemy is that handsome, isn't love better than war?"
Ria slapped her forehead in frustration.
She realized Adis was about to ruin every plan her father had made.
The CEO, adjusting his tie, looked shaken.
CEO:
"Miss Ria… is your friend always this… strange?"
Ria:
"Sir, please ignore him. Living abroad has made him too 'open-minded.' He's completely insane."
Adis stepped closer, attempting to place a hand on the CEO's shoulder.
Adis:
"I'm crazy because of those sharp eyes, sir. By the way—are you free tonight? Dinner? Ria can come too. She'll just sit there like a kebab stick."
The CEO jumped back.
CEO:
"Ria, come with me—now! This man is more dangerous than your father's hired thugs!"
Suddenly, Ria pulled her hand free.
Ria:
"Sir, please go. I'll be right back. I need to deal with this lunatic."
Reluctantly, the CEO left the coffee shop, still unsure if leaving Ria alone with Adis was the right choice.
As soon as he was gone, Ria grabbed Adis by the collar.
Ria:
"What is wrong with you?! Are you playing with my life? My father will kill you!"
Adis laughed, gently freeing himself.
Adis:
"Relax. I just missed you."
Ria:
"What did you say?"
Adis pulled her closer, smiling.
Adis:
"I was acting. I knew your father sent me to destroy your boss. And I knew how deeply you care about him. So I created a little love drama—to make your boss cling to you even tighter."
Ria stared at him, stunned.
Adis:
"I told your father that emotional torture works better than threats. And I convinced him that your boss is unsuitable—because he's 'falling for me.'"
Ria didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Then Adis turned serious.
Adis:
"I wanted to see if he'd abandon you under pressure. He didn't. That's your answer."
From outside the glass wall, the CEO watched everything. Ria's bag hung from his hand—forgotten.
Seeing them so close pierced his heart.
He left the bag by the door and walked into the rain, believing he had lost—not just as a boss, but as a man in love.
Ria ran after him.
The rain poured down.
A truck sped toward her.
The CEO screamed.
Brakes screeched.
She fell.
He lifted her into his arms.
CEO:
"Are you crazy?! What if something happened to you?!"
Ria (crying):
"Please don't leave. Adis is just my friend. Everything was an act—to protect us."
The CEO held her tighter.
CEO:
"I'm not going anywhere. Losing you would be worse than dying."
At the hospital, he stayed by her side all night.
At dawn, Ria woke to find him asleep, his head resting on her hand.
She smiled.
At that moment, the door knocked.
Adis stood there—with a bouquet of red roses.
Adis:
"Well, Ria—romance in a hospital? Mr. CEO, I'm officially jealous of your luck."