The rain had returned — the same kind of soft drizzle that had brought them together the first time.
But this time, it felt colder.
Maya stood inside the restaurant kitchen, the smell of caramel and vanilla filling the air. Her mentor, Chef Aanya, walked in, holding a crisp white envelope.
"Maya," she said with a proud smile. "You've been shortlisted for the Paris Culinary Exchange Program. Only three chefs from the country got in."
Maya froze. "Paris?"
Aanya nodded. "Six months of training under Michelin chefs. It's the chance every dreamer waits for."
Maya held the letter carefully. For a moment, joy sparked inside her — then faded into confusion.
Because all she could think of was Adrian.That same afternoon, Adrian stood in front of the same restaurant — drenched in rain, heart racing. He hadn't been here since the scandal. The headlines had died down, Veronica was gone, but guilt still clung to him like shadow.
He stepped inside.
Maya looked up from the counter, her body stiffening. Their eyes met — the world seemed to fall silent.
"Adrian," she whispered, her voice barely holding steady.
He smiled faintly. "Hi, Chef."
The word hit her heart like a memory.
For a few seconds, neither spoke. Then Adrian said softly, "I found out who leaked the photo. It was Veronica. She's gone now — from the company, from everything."
Maya exhaled slowly, eyes glistening. "That doesn't erase what happened."
"I know," he said, stepping closer. "I didn't come to explain. I came to apologize."She blinked, surprised.
"I should've trusted you," he continued. "I was afraid — of the media, the board, everything. But losing you was worse than all of it."
Her lips parted, words trembling on her tongue, but nothing came.
Adrian took another step. "Give me a chance to fix it. To start again."
Maya looked down, clutching the envelope in her hands. "Adrian… I got an offer. Paris. Six months."
He froze. "Paris?"
She nodded. "It's everything I dreamed of."
Silence again — thick and fragile.
Finally, Adrian smiled, a little broken but sincere. "Then go. Don't stop for me."
Her voice cracked. "And if I don't want to leave you?"
"Then I'll still tell you to go," he said softly. "Because love shouldn't hold you back."
A tear escaped down her cheek. "You always make it so hard to hate you."
He reached out, gently brushing her tear with his thumb. "Then don't."
Their eyes met — full of love, pain, and unspoken promises. The world outside thundered as if echoing the chaos in their hearts.When Maya finally looked up, she smiled faintly. "If I go… will you wait?"
Adrian smiled too — that quiet, heartbreaking smile that held everything unsaid. "I waited my whole life to meet you, Maya. I can wait a little longer."As she walked him to the door, the rain softened again. He paused, looking back once more before leaving.
She watched him disappear into the misty street —
her heart whispering goodbye,
but her soul whispering not forever.