Chapter 1

Chapter 1 – A Simple Life

The morning sun bathed the Reyes household in a golden glow, filtering through the sheer curtains of the modest yet cozy home. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries filled the air, a familiar and comforting fragrance that Evelyne Reyes had known all her life.

She stretched lazily in her bed, the soft sheets tangled around her legs, reluctant to get up just yet. Outside her window, she could hear the distant hum of the city awakening—the chatter of early morning commuters, the occasional honk of a passing car, and the rhythmic footsteps of her father heading downstairs.

Evelyne wasn’t in a rush. At nineteen, she had her whole life ahead of her.

She was a university student, studying business administration—not out of passion, but out of responsibility. Her parents owned Café Reyes, a humble yet beloved coffee shop that had been in the family for generations. One day, she would inherit it, and while it wasn’t the grand future some of her friends envisioned for themselves, Evelyne didn’t mind.

She loved the café. She loved the way her mother greeted customers with a warm smile, the way her father meticulously crafted each cup of coffee, as if it were art. She loved the sense of community, the way regulars came in each morning to talk about their day as if they were all part of an extended family.

Her life was simple, peaceful, predictable.

And she thought it would always stay that way.

---

Morning at Café Reyes

By the time Evelyne made her way downstairs, her parents were already busy.

Her mother, Elena Reyes, stood behind the counter, laughing with a group of elderly customers who had been visiting the café for years. Her father, Fernando Reyes, was behind the espresso machine, his sleeves rolled up as he poured a perfect latte.

“Look who finally decided to wake up,” her mother teased as Evelyne approached the counter.

“It’s my day off,” Evelyne defended with a smirk. “I deserve to sleep in.”

Her father chuckled, setting down the cup he had just made. “One day, this café will be yours, and you’ll be waking up before sunrise every morning.”

Evelyne rolled her eyes but smiled. She had heard that line a thousand times before.

As she slipped behind the counter to help, she felt a sense of contentment settle over her. This was home. The rhythmic sound of grinding coffee beans, the soft murmur of conversation, the occasional burst of laughter—it was all familiar, comforting.

She greeted the regulars as she moved around, taking orders, preparing drinks, and chatting with customers. This was her life, and she wouldn’t trade it for anything.

---

A Visit from Lina

The morning rush had finally started to slow when Evelyne heard the front door swing open with a loud thud.

“Evelyne!”

She turned just in time to see her best friend, Lina Morales, practically bouncing into the café. With her wild curls and ever-present energy, Lina was impossible to ignore.

“I need coffee,” Lina declared dramatically, flopping into a chair near the counter.

Evelyne laughed, already reaching for a cup. “Rough morning?”

“You have no idea,” Lina sighed, brushing her hair back. “I had to sit through an economics lecture where the professor droned on for two hours straight. I swear, I almost died.”

Evelyne smirked as she placed the coffee in front of her. “You say that every week.”

Lina took a deep sip, closing her eyes in exaggerated bliss. “Your parents make the best coffee in the city.”

Evelyne sat down across from her. “You only say that because it’s free.”

Lina grinned. “And because it’s true.”

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, sipping their drinks.

Then, out of nowhere, Lina leaned forward with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “So, have you heard?”

Evelyne raised an eyebrow. “Heard what?”

“The Carters are back in town.”

Evelyne blinked. The Carters?

The name was familiar, of course. William Carter was one of the city’s most influential businessmen, owning a chain of high-end restaurants and cafés. But more importantly, their families had once been close.

At least, that’s what her parents always said.

“Okay… and?” Evelyne asked, unimpressed.

Lina rolled her eyes. “And apparently, Adrian Carter is back, too.”

Evelyne frowned. “Who?”

Lina gasped, clutching her chest dramatically. “You don’t know Adrian Carter? You’ve seriously never heard of him?”

Evelyne shrugged. “I mean, I know of the Carter family, but I’ve never met him.”

Lina smirked. “Well, he’s kind of a big deal. Tall, handsome, rich, and completely out of reach for commoners like us.”

Evelyne scoffed. “Wow, Lina. Do you always drool over men you haven’t met?”

“I have standards,” Lina said defensively. “But Adrian Carter is different. He’s mysterious. Hardly ever makes public appearances. If he’s back, there’s gotta be a reason.”

Evelyne wasn’t sure why Lina was so excited about the Carter family, but it didn’t concern her. The Carters were just another rich family in the city, nothing more.

Besides, it wasn’t like their paths would ever cross.

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An Ordinary Evening

By the time the sun began to set, Evelyne found herself sitting outside the café, watching the streets come alive with nightlife.

Her father sat beside her, sipping his evening coffee in silence.

“Did you know the Carters are back in town?” she asked casually.

Fernando Reyes stiffened slightly, but it was so subtle that Evelyne almost missed it.

“I heard,” he said after a pause.

Evelyne studied his face. “Do you think they’ll visit?”

Fernando’s gaze darkened slightly, but he shook his head. “I doubt it.”

Evelyne didn’t push.

Her father had never spoken much about the Carter family, despite their supposed close ties. It was strange, really. Her mother often reminisced about their friendship with William Carter’s wife, Margaret, but her father always changed the subject whenever the Carters were mentioned.

Something about them made him uneasy.

But that wasn’t Evelyne’s concern.

She had her own life to focus on, and the Carter family wasn’t a part of it.

At least… not yet.