The sunlight slipped gently through the curtains, painting soft gold on Maya's face. She stirred under the blanket, eyes blinking open to the faint sound of birds outside. For a moment, she forgot everything — the fight, the tears, the long night. All she felt was warmth.
Adrian sat by the window, shirt unbuttoned at the collar, a cup of coffee in his hand. His hair was a little messy, his expression thoughtful. When he saw her awake, a rare softness crossed his face.
"Morning, Chef," he said quietly, voice low and teasing.
Maya smiled, cheeks flushing pink. "You're awake early."
"I had to make sure last night wasn't a dream," he replied.
Her heart did a small flip. They both laughed — nervous, happy, lost in a fragile peace neither wanted to end. She moved to the window, their shoulders brushing. The world outside looked ordinary, but between them, everything had changed.Adrian turned slightly, his hand brushing against hers. "Maya," he said, his tone suddenly serious, "I don't know what this is yet, but… I don't want to let it go."
Before she could answer, his phone buzzed — a notification, then another. His expression froze.
"What's wrong?" Maya asked softly.
He didn't answer at first. Then, as he opened the phone, her own device vibrated with messages.
> "IS This you with Adrain knight ?"
"Chef or Ceo ? guess who ' s trending today?"
Her stomach dropped. She opened one of the links — a photo from last night, blurry but unmistakable. Her and Adrian — walking hand in hand near the car, his jacket on her shoulders.
"Who took this?" she whispered, voice trembling.
Adrian's jaw tightened. "Veronica."
The name felt like poison in the air.
"She's been waiting for a chance to ruin you," Maya said, tears welling. "And now everyone will think—"
"That you're using me," Adrian finished, tone rough with anger. "And that I let it happenHe stood up, pacing, his voice rising despite himself. "This could destroy your reputation, Maya. The media— my investors—"
"So what?" she snapped. "You think I care about your investors more than what we—"
"Maya, please," he said, softer now, pained. "Just… give me time to fix this."
She stared at him — the man who had kissed her like she meant the world, now standing a few feet away as if she was the problem.
"Fix this?" she repeated, voice breaking. "Or hide me?"
Silence. The kind that hurts more than words.
Finally, she grabbed her bag, blinking back tears. "You don't have to protect me, Adrian. You just have to trust me."
And with that, she left the apartment — her heart pounding, her eyes burning, her dream of love slipping through her fingers like morning light.
Adrian watched her go, his chest tight. His phone rang again — a message from Veronica:
> "Told you, CEO. Some dreams aren't meant to mix with reality."
He clenched his fists, staring out the window as the city woke below.
He had spent years controlling everything in his world — except this.
The woman who had changed everything had just walked out of it.