Chapter Five

 "Is this how you want it?" Maya asked, tilting her head to the other side, a dark glint appearing in her eyes.

"What are you gonna do about it? You're just a woman who... Ugh!" The man suddenly groaned in pain. His knees buckled, and a sickening crack filled the air.

Rome observed the scene with a wince. That had to hurt. The man was now kneeling on the ground, his knees making a small crack as Maya held down his shoulders, forcing him to kneel.

"Sir, this is a café, not your house. You can't come here and do whatever you please. So please leave and next time, make sure you watch where you're going, and don't let me catch you around here again," Maya said in a cold tone, paying no mind to the curious but also fearful glances from the other customers.

"You... How dare you treat me this way! I..." Maya sighed and walked behind the man's back, since he didn't want to leave quietly even after her warning, then she had no other choice than to kick him out herself. No one had any idea what she intended to do, but they all watched in anticipation.

Thensuddenly, she slapped her hands on his shoulder, lifted him up like a sack of potatoes, and headed for the café's exit. Once outside, she dropped him to the ground, wiped her hands on her apron, and strolled back leisurely into the café.

The man sat on the ground, astounded by Maya's feat. Where did she find the strength to carry a fully grown man like him?"

I apologize for the disruption, and I assure you this won't happen again. Please enjoy your drinks, and if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask," Maya reassured the remaining customers.

Even after her words, it took quite a while for all of them to regain their senses, after all, a small woman… Well, compared to others in the café, she is much taller, but compared to the big guy, she was even smaller.

So, they were astounded that she could carry a huge man like that, without thinking of the consequences and drive him outside, just like that?!

Slowly but gradually, they all returned back to their seats, they began to gossip and talk about what had just happened and how Maya was so strong.

"Maya, are you okay? Your hands aren't hurt, are they?" Anya rushed to Maya's side once the customers had settled down. Maya shook her head, "I'm fine. This is nothing. But, Anya, if something like this happens again, don't try to handle it on your own. Just come to me, alright?"

"O... Okay," Anya stammered, blushing when Maya ruffled her hair. Maya was about to leave when she heard the familiar tune of a song she had learnt when she was little, someone was tapping it on a table. She turned to see who it was, and her eyes widened with surprise and caution.

The man was also a werewolf! Apart from Maya, she hadn't seen any other werewolves in this city, thinking they either didn't exist or kept their wolf scent hidden. But this man was openly revealing his nature and even indirectly told her that he is like her!

While Maya was lost in thought, Rome stood up from his chair and approached her. Anya gulped audibly and moved aside, feeling a mix of self-awareness and admiration for this man.

"I see that the café's hero has saved the day. That was quite a show," Rome declared, loud enough for others to hear. He flashed her a charming yet mischievous smile while maintaining a respectable distance.

Thescent of pinewood overwhelmed Maya's senses, and she stepped back with a glare.

"Is that so?" Maya retorted, her voice cool and guarded. "It's common sense to maintain peace. I don't appreciate strangers waltzing in and causing scenes.

"Her words carried a dual meaning, referring to the man she had removed from the café and implying that this one here might also be a troublemaker.

Undeterred, Rome maintained his boundaries, despite his playful demeanor. "Fair enough," he replied, leaning against the counter. "I suppose I'll have to work hard to prove I'm not just another troublemaker."

"... Suit yourself," Maya muttered. She couldn't leave, as she had to maintain proper customer service.

Romeleaned in slightly, maintaining a respectable distance. "Well, mysterious café defender, mind telling me your name?"

"That..."

"That's personal information!" Anya interjected, her face red. She inserted herself between them, causing Rome to step back. Maya noticed a flicker of disdain in his eyes but said nothing.

"Personal information," Rome repeated, then smiled and sat in his chair. "Well, if you say so. I'd like to order a coffee, preferably a caramel-flavored cappuccino, thank you."

"It'll be ready in five minutes," Maya replied, finally able to leave. Rome watched her as she and Anya departed, seemingly unaware of his identity or their previous encounter.

Though it was a brief meeting, if you could call it that, Rome sensed something in Maya, a mere spark of interest, nothing more.

Five minutes later, Maya returned with the coffee, but Rome had already left, leaving a note and change on the table.

Curious, she picked up the note and read it. Her eyes twitched, and her hands trembled.

"Maya, where is he?"

"He's gone, but he left money for the coffee and said you could enjoy it," Maya explained as she handed the coffee to Anya. Seeing the note in Maya's hands, Anya became curious too.

"He left a note? What's it about?"

Maya shook her head and crumpled the paper. "It's nothing. He was just... talking about something unnecessary. Come on, it's almost time for me to go home." Maya patted Anya's shoulder.

"Oh... Okay." As they left, Maya mumbled under her breath, "What a casanova."

**************

"Boss, are you done?" Rome's assistant asked, he held a black suitcase in his palm and he almost stood at Rome's height, just a little bit shorter.

"Hmm… Help me find out information about someone. Her name is Maya, check if there is any werewolf by that name. She has brown hair, brown eyes with golden flecks and… She also has a mole. If you find anyone like that, report to me immediately."