Is this destiny?

Later that afternoon…

Mike is in the flower shop, buying flowers for Tiffany on his way back from work. He likes to surprise her once in a while with these gestures which put a smile on her face. And her smile is the brightest when she does not suspect it. After this, he will stop at a nearby grocery store and buy a bottle of wine. Wine, flowers… it will be perfect.

Tiffany told Mike that she will be late today because there is some creep stalking Emma and Charlie is figuring it out with Jeff\'s help. Mike wanted to know more, and Tiffany shared some details, how it\'s some Italian man named Bruno. She assured him that Charlie and Jeff are on top of it and that he should not worry about it but just in case: Tiffany will stay with Emma until the thing is settled.

Mike called Emma to hear what is going on, and Emma told him that Charlie has it under control.

"Even if they can\'t catch him, I\'m not going anywhere without my bodyguards. He can\'t touch me…", Emma did her best to sound carefree. There is no need for Mike to worry about this.

Mike reluctantly ended the call, but he has to agree that with Charlie\'s vast resources (and Jeff\'s), Mike alone is not a match. And Charlie will not allow Emma to be in danger.

Back to present…

Mike picked his flowers and stood in line behind a man to pay, and he overheard the exchange…

"Beautiful bouquet, Mister…", the woman who works in the flower shop praised the customer\'s choice. "Do you want to add a card? We have a variety of choices, for all kinds of occasions. Is this for an apology, or for a love interest?"

"Love interest.", a deep voice with a thick Italian accent answered.

Mike listened, unaware that he is standing behind Bruno. But soon he will figure it out…

"Ahh…", the woman swooned. "I love you accent. Is that Italian?"

"Si…", Bruno responded and looked at the available cards. "This one…"

"Very romantic. She is a lucky lady. What should I put on the card?"

Bruno cleared his throat and paused for a second before saying: "Emma, the only thing more beautiful than these flowers is your smile. I hope that you will continue brightening up my days. Love, Bruno…"

Bruno got this figured out: Emma called him for a coffee, so that means how his charms worked better than he expected. After all, so far he didn\'t find a woman who can resist him. That is why he is getting flowers and upping his game. And in an off case that Emma thinks how his message is too bold, he will say how that is normal in Italy. It\'s just a difference in cultures and she should not overthink it. That will be a good point from where he can bring up the fact how Italians kiss each other on the cheek as a greeting. He gave himself a thumbs up for figuring out perfect responses.

Mike\'s eyes darted around few times before his gaze focused at the back of Bruno\'s head. Did the man just say that flowers are for Emma, and his name is Bruno and his accent is Italian? Didn\'t Tiffany say that there is a creep stalking Emma who exactly matches that description? What are the chances…?

Mike robotically walked out after Bruno. While passing next to the cash register, he put a $50 bill on the counter.

"Mister, that is $50 for flowers worth $18…", the woman cried after Mike.

"Keep the change.", Mike mumbled while his eyes didn\'t leave Bruno. Mike was on a mission to confirm if the man in front of him is Emma\'s stalker, and if he is... it will not end well.

…

"Are you on your way to a date?", Mike asked Bruno while waiting on the traffic light to change to green so that they can cross the street safely.

"Yes.", Bruno glanced at Mike and observed the flowers in Mike\'s hand. "You too?"

"Mhm…", Mike confirmed. "I\'m on my way to see my girlfriend. We are dating for some time and she loves when I surprise her with flowers. Is your girlfriend the same?"

"I\'m not sure. But she is not my girlfriend yet…", Bruno said and started walking. The traffic light changed color.

"Not a girlfriend?", Mike persisted while walking by Bruno\'s side. "Will she become one tonight?"

"Maybe. Who knows? To be honest, she didn\'t look interested in me this morning, but then suddenly she changed her mind. I don\'t understand American women, but it does not matter. She called me and that means she fell for my charms. At this rate, she will be my woman by tomorrow…"

Bruno\'s words stopped abruptly when Mike pushed him into a side alley.

"What are you doing?", Bruno frowned.

Mike is not sure what he is doing. But he has a suspicion that this is the creep who is after Emma and he saw the side alley and that there are no people near them, and he made his move. Now he needs to confirm if he has the right man. "Who is the woman you are going to see?"

"How is that any of your business?", Bruno sneered. He wondered, are all Americans are this violent? Or is he just having a bad day?

"Some things don\'t add up… When you talk about your future girlfriend, it sounds like you are talking about mine. Is she this tall?", Mike gestured with his hand, showing Tiffany\'s height. "Blonde hair?"

"No, no… My friend.", Bruno waved his arms defensively. "She is this high…", Bruno raised his hand to how tall Emma is. "Brown hair with red shine. Her name is Emma Ronin. Definitely not your girl."

Mike\'s eyes flashed in confirmation: that is the creep who is after his sister!

…

Few minutes ago…

Jeff, Charlie and JoAnna are across the street from the café where Emma is waiting for Bruno.

Jeff\'s and Charlie\'s people are in place and everything is set.

"He is late.", Charlie grumbled. "How dares he make Emma wait?"

Jeff was about to say something, but he was interrupted by a call from Michael.

"Is Mike in this plan?", Michael asked Jeff.

Jeff was confused for a second. "No. Why?"

"Ron and Zula are keeping an eye on Bruno and there is a drone following him. Bruno was about to enter your zone when Mike met with him and now this happened… I\'m sending you the feed…"

Jeff ended the call and accepted to view the file Michael sent and Charlie and JoAnna came closer to see as well.

"Is that Mike beating up Bruno?", JoAnna asked in disbelief.

At JoAnna\'s question, Tiffany squeezed between them to see the screen.

"That is my Mike!", Tiffany exclaimed.

JoAnna pushed Jeff\'s arm, making the latter drop his phone on the table.

"Why are you frozen? Get your men to stop Mike!", JoAnna raged. "We need to question Bruno! Mike is out of control! At this rate there will be nothing left for us to question! Ah, our plans are down the drain! …"

It took Jeff a second to respond: "Call Michael. Ron and Zula are closer..."

Tiffany took Jeff\'s phone and watched the scene without breathing. She never saw Mike so… violent. Very powerful… sexy.

Charlie had a mix of emotions. Part of him was disappointed that he is not the one beating up Bruno, and the other part was relieved because now Emma does not need to meet with Bruno and be polite for half an hour while Charlie watches from the side.

Charlie left Jeff and JoAnna to their business of stopping Mike and walked across the street to meet Emma.

"Why are you here?", Emma asked Charlie while nervously glancing toward the café entrance. "Bruno will be here any minute."

"No, he will not. Mike bumped into him few blocks away. Do you want to have coffee with me, or was this only for Bruno?"

Emma was still processing the news that Mike bumped into Bruno. What does that mean? She realized that Charlie is offering to have coffee with her. In a coffee shop. It seems like forever since the two of them did that. She likes it. It\'s like a date.

Emma flashed a smile. "Sure, handsome. I will let you buy me a coffee. And while at it, you can explain what is going on..."

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