I rolled my sleeves down and noticed Sofia becoming frightened or shocked. Normally, I didn't like doing my work in front of women, but this time, I had no other choice. 

The jerk slammed onto the table, shielding his face with his arms, and screamed, "No, please!" 

Mary rushed from behind the counter, screaming, and asked me in fear, "Should I call the police?"

 Sofia turned to Mary, shaking her head hysterically, "No, absolutely not!"

I grabbed James by the collar of his shirt and pulled him toward me. 

His eyes widened in fear, and in a dangerous tone, I said, "Why don't you pick fights with someone of your own caliber?"

 I scoffed and grabbed his neck, squeezing it slowly. 

"Ah yes, that's right; now I'm playing dirty too because you're not on my level," I said menacingly. 

His eyes widened like a fish, and his face turned red; he kicked against the table hysterically, and I pressed harder, he scratched against my hand helplessly, while I pressed harder. I hated it, despised men who raised their hands against women. 

Suddenly, Sofia placed her delicate hand on my bicep and said anxiously, "That's enough."

 I looked between the jerk and Sofia, then released his neck. He fell backward onto the table, gasping for air. 

I stepped back and glared down at him. "You have five seconds to get out of here, or I'll deal with you differently," I said.

He stared at me wide-eyed, then quickly got up and ran away. Sofia took a step back to let him pass, and he ran like a hare fleeing from a fox, almost getting hit by a car as he crossed the intersection on red. I turned to Sofia. Her hair was down today, the wavy strands cascading over her back. She was wearing her work clothes again, but her face was flushed, and she leaned against the counter, holding her forehead with one hand. She had her back to me, her legs wobbly. I quickly reached out, grabbing her shoulders just before she collapsed. I lifted her up, and as she lost consciousness, I pulled out my phone from my jacket pocket and dialed 911.

A woman answered, "911, what's your emergency?"

 I looked at her and spoke into the phone, "Café at the intersection of Westend 100. A woman has fainted."

 The woman on the line said, "An ambulance will be with you in four minutes," and hung up. 

I put my phone away and looked at Sofia worriedly. Had she fainted because of that jerk? Mary rushed back from the counter with a wet cloth in her hand, fear etched on her face. She knelt beside Sofia, placing the cloth on her forehead.

I brushed a strand of hair from her face. She looked helpless, and I thought about taking advantage of that, but then I snapped back to reality. What was wrong with me? The ambulance arrived, and two workers got out with a stretcher. They hurried over to us, and I held Sofia in my arms as they lifted her onto the stretcher. One worker administered a water spray on her hand, while the other undid a few buttons on her shirt, attaching some cables. The machine beeped, indicating her pulse was normal. They wheeled the stretcher outside to the ambulance, and I followed.

They lifted her into the ambulance, and one of the guys asked, "Are you her boyfriend?" 

I shook my head, "No, but something like that."

 He nodded, grinning, and asked, "Do you want to come with us?" I nodded and climbed in.

 He closed the door, and now I was alone with her in the back. I analyzed her. Her features softened one's heart, and her dimples were cute. I'd dealt with many women before, for business or at the casino, women who rubbed their asses against my cock. They were just for temporary pleasure, selling their bodies. But I'd never encountered a real woman in my life whom I could like. 

 I continued to gaze at her and thought, "Things are getting interesting, Sofia."

The ambulance stopped, and one of the workers opened the back door, moving the stretcher out. I followed them outside. 

I told one of the workers as we walked, "The Hospital costs are on me and book her a private room  ." 

He looked at me with wide eyes and nodded. We walked into the hospital. Yes, this was the best hospital around here. We went to the elevator and got in. The worker pressed floor 4. We arrived and got out, and he transported her to room 404. I went in with them. It was a huge room with good furnishings. He wanted to carry her, but I pushed him away and carried her myself to the hospital bed. 

The worker raised his hands innocently, "Sorry."

 I ignored him and just covered her with the blanket. The worker said, "The doctor will be here shortly." I nodded and heard him leave the room. I went to the large window and looked out at the city. Suddenly, my phone rang.

It was Elena calling. 

I answered with annoyance, "What?"

 She chuckled on the other end, "Did you forget that today is the board meeting at the company?" 

I massaged my forehead, realizing she was right. 

I replied on the phone, "You'll manage just fine on your own, Elena."

 She sounded shocked, "But—"

 I ended the call with a grin and put my phone away. Turning to Sofia, I scratched my head. It wasn't good that I was starting to like her. When I started to like something, I couldn't leave it alone, and I wanted it all to myself.

The doctor walked in. He was an older man with a white coat and glasses. He approached us, took a syringe, and drew her blood, securing it for analysis. He opened her eyelids and shone a light inside. Stepping back, he checked the monitor. 

Scratching his chin, he said to me, "She's just exhausted. From what I can see, her symptoms are more likely due to lack of sleep and malnutrition."

 I looked surprised. I had thought it was because of that guy, but apparently not. I said "thanks doc", and he nodded before heading out the door.

I watched as she slowly opened her eyes, glancing around until she saw me. She blinked twice and then abruptly sat up, asking in alarm, "What happened?"

 I tilted my head slightly to the side. "You passed out, and I called an ambulance," I explained. 

She sighed and attempted to get out of bed.

 I grabbed her arm and gently pushed her back against the bed, saying firmly, "You're not leaving until we get your blood test results."

 Leaning closer, her face started to flush, and she murmured softly, "But..."

 I shook my head"No 'buts'." 

She furrowed her eyebrows and tried to free her wrist by twisting it. Somehow, her struggle turned me on – her desperate attempt to resist but failing. I grinned at her, and her eyes widened in surprise. Her sky-blue eyes looked at me like the sky itself. I applied a bit more pressure to her wrist, enough to restrain her but not to cause pain, leaning in even closer so she could feel my warm breath. She pressed against the wall, but I continued to stare intensely at her. Perhaps I was a damned sadist when it came to instilling fear in others, but her gaze told me she would be a challenge. Maybe I could start something with her that my parents couldn't. 

I chuckled and lowered my head. She looked at me, perplexed.

Am I going completely crazy now? Imagining a future with a woman I just met yesterday, or rather mildly stalked at the café before that. I looked at her again, but this time with a different gaze, one that should be warning for her. She noticed it and swallowed hard. If I want, she could be mine. I released my grip and took a few steps back, pulling out my business card and tossing it onto the bed in front of her. She picked it up and read through it. 

I turned around and walked to the door, telling her, "If you need anything, call me with the phone number listed there."

 I opened the door and walked out.

I walked down the hallway, pulled out my phone, and called my right-hand man in the cartel, also known as Claus. He picked up after a few seconds, saying, "Yes, Boss?"

 I cradled the phone between my shoulder and ear so I could use both hands to search for my pack of cigarettes. Once found, I lit one up. The nurse passing by shot me a dirty look as a warning and I hurried to the balcony door. 

I replied, "You need to find me a certain guy." 

Claus asked with interest, "Who?"

 Taking a drag and exhaling, I said, "I'll send you some video footage later." 

I was really starting to take an interest in her, how amusing.