Chapter 2 The Offer

As Marcel walked toward the table where he was supposed to meet his blind date-he had called his friends to help confirm her- his stomach was still knotted from the bizarre encounter with Anna earlier.

What the hell had he gotten himself into? First, the strange mix-up with her, and now, he was about to sit down with another stranger who, according to his friends, was supposed to be the one.

The chair creaked as he sat while he adjusted the collar of his shirt and wished he'd just stayed at work.

This was supposed to be his shot at something more... normal but when he laid eyes on Isabella, the uneasy tug of doubt crawled back up his spine.

She was stunning, no doubt. Dark sleek hair, sharp cheekbones, and a look in her eyes that screamed confidence. But she looked like the kind of woman who didn't need a man in her life.

She barely glanced up from her phone to acknowledge him as he sat.

He tried to get her attention. "Isabella?"

She looked up then while her fingers flicked across her screen with a bored expression. Finally, she muttered, "You're late."

Thrown off by her bluntness, Marcel blinked. "Sorry, I had to make a quick stop at the-"

"No one cares," she interrupted, rolling her eyes and slamming her phone down on the table as she spoke. Her tone dripped with disdain. "It's a simple date, and you can't even manage to be on time."

He stiffened even as he tried to maintain his calm. "It won't happen again. I apologize."

Isabella rolled her eyes. "I'm sure you have got a thousand excuses, but let's get this over with. I don't have all day."

There was no mistaking the icy condescension in her voice. Marcel could feel his patience fraying, but he took a deep breath and focused on the task at hand. "So, what do you do?"

Her eyes flicked over him briefly as if she was trying to figure out if he was worth her time. "I don't know. Why don't you tell me? What exactly do you do again?"

His eyebrows shot up as he answered, "I'm an obstetrics nurse.

Isabella leaned back in her chair as her eyes gleamed with malicious amusement. "A soldier turned nurse? You really have no ambition, do you? Can't even make it as a doctor." She paused as she let the insult hang in the air. "How quaint."

The words stung but Marcel fought for calm. "I find it fulfilling."

"Oh, I'm sure you do," she retorted with an exaggerated sigh. "But seriously... what kind of man chooses a career like that? It's like you're just... a caretaker. Pathetic."

Before Marcel could respond, she suddenly grabbed her glass of water and without warning, splashed it across his shirt. He froze in shock as the cold water soaked through his clothes.

Isabella didn't even flinch at what she just did. "Maybe that will help wake you up."

She sneered and stood up. "I don't waste my time with men who have no respect for themselves. A nurse? How ridiculous. I'm leaving."

She didn't even give him a chance to speak. With a huff, she grabbed her purse and stormed off, leaving Marcel soaked and speechless.

Still processing what had just happened, Marcel sat there for a moment. Was that it? Was that what blind dates were all about?

He cursed his friends for the second time that evening.

Marcel wiped the water off his shirt and looked around. The cafe seemed so much quieter now-as if others were trying not to laugh too loudly.

He sighed, gathered his things, and made his way toward the door, but as he stepped outside, he was struck by something unusual.

It was the sound of low, harsh voices coming from the alley next to the cafe. Marcel glanced toward the entrance of the alleyway as his instincts kicked in. Something told him he had to check it out.

As he approached, he saw her-Anna Blackwood-standing near her car, her shoulders tight with fear.

A group of men had surrounded her. The situation didn't look good. The thugs were crowding her and leering at her, and one of them was getting too close for comfort.

Marcel's blood began to heat as anger rose in his chest.

"Hey!" he called out as he walked straight toward the group of men.

Surprised to see him, they turned. The thugs sized him up, and one of them grinned maliciously. "You got a problem, man?"

"I suggest you back off," Marcel said, his tone colder now as the military training in him rose to the surface. "Leave her alone."

They chuckled. "And what are you gonna do about it?" one of them asked, stepping forward. "You're outnumbered."

Marcel didn't hesitate. Without another word, he moved faster than they expected, grabbing the closest guy by the collar before tossing him aside with one fluid motion. The others lunged at him, but he was faster-he pushed one away with a powerful shove and knocked another to the ground with a swift kick to the chest.

The last thug hesitated as he realized that Marcel wasn't someone to mess with. But it was too late for him. Marcel rushed forward, grabbed him by the arm, and twisted it behind his back with enough force to make him yelp in pain.

"You want to keep going?" Marcel asked, his voice sounding deadly quiet. "Or are you done?"

The thug winced and nodded rapidly. "We're done! Just don't kill us, man."

Marcel let him go, watching as the group of men scrambled away and disappeared into the streets as quickly as they had come.

He turned back to Anna, who stood still, her face pale, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Are you okay?" Marcel asked as he took a step toward her.

She nodded slowly. "I... I'm fine. Thank you."

Marcel watched her for a moment, noticing the tension still in her shoulders. She was trying to put on a brave face, but he could see through it. He wasn't sure why he felt so compelled to protect her, but he knew one thing-no one should be put in a situation like that... especially someone like her.

She cleared her throat and turned to him eyes holding a mix of gratitude and something he couldn't quite place. "I... owe you one."

Marcel waved it off. "It's no problem."

She hesitated and then said, "Well, I can offer you something in return. I can introduce you to a position at one of the top companies in town. You wouldn't have to keep working as a nurse anymore. Something more... fitting for someone like you."

Surprised by her offer, Marcel raised an eyebrow. "I appreciate it, but I'm happy with my job. I find it rewarding."

Anna blinked and then offered an almost imperceptible smile. "I see. Well, if you ever change your mind, I'll be happy to help."

She paused again and pulled out a thick envelope from her bag. "Take this then," she said, holding it out to him. "Consider it a token of my gratitude."

Marcel shook his head and held up a hand to decline. "I don't need money," he said firmly. "I did it because it was the right thing to do. Nothing more."

Anna studied him for a long moment as something in her eyes shifted. "You're an interesting man, Marcel."

She glanced at her car and then back at him. "I'll make sure my assistant looks into you," she added, almost as an afterthought. "I'm certain we can work something out."

Before Marcel could respond, she slipped into her car and the engine started with a low purr. As she pulled away, he watched her go while he was still uncertain about what had just transpired.

There was something about today that felt different. Something was changing even though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

But as Marcel turned to head back home, he had no idea that the last thing he expected was already waiting for him-Isabella.