Ferran Torres

The bell above the front door of the quiet, low-lit Italian bistro gave a soft chime as the afternoon rush finally tapered off. Situated down a quiet side street in Barcelona, the restaurant was a rare haven—one of the few spots in the city where high-profile figures could slip into a corner booth without a swarm of cameras or screaming crowds invading their personal space.

You were behind the wooden counter, wiping down the polished surface, when the tall man in all black stepped inside.

He wore a black graphic hoodie pulled up over his dark hair, dark trousers, and clean black sneakers, keeping his head angled downward just enough to avoid eye contact with the few remaining patrons. Ferran Torres had been a regular here long before you started working, but over the last three weeks, his visits had become strangely consistent. Every time you were on the shift, he showed up.

He slid smoothly into his usual secluded booth near the back window, unzipping his hoodie just enough to breathe.

Unlike the occasional fan who lost their mind or acted strange the moment they recognized a FC Barcelona star, you had treated him like a normal human being from day one. You brought his order, kept things simple, and never pushed. To a guy whose entire life was constantly under a microscope, that silence was addicting.

You walked over to his booth, setting down a fresh cup of dark coffee along with a warm blueberry muffin on a small ceramic plate.

"Thanks," Ferran said, looking up from his phone as his mouth curved into a subtle, genuine smile. His raspy voice was low, spoken only for you to hear over the quiet acoustic music playing through the restaurant speakers.

He reached into his pocket, pulling out his leather wallet and sliding an oversized tip across the table next to the three-dollar coffee—way more than necessary, just like every other time.

"Always hit the spot," Ferran added softly, leaning back against the leather booth seat and watching you with dark, observant eyes. "Honestly... you're about the only good part of my day lately."