The morning sunlight spilled across the tiny Paris apartment, painting lazy gold across the walls. The aroma of fresh coffee and baked croissants filled the air.
Adrian blinked awake to the sound of quiet humming — a soft tune, sweet and familiar. He turned toward the kitchen doorway.
Maya stood there, hair in a messy bun, wearing one of his shirts, flipping crepes in a small pan.
He leaned back on the pillow, smiling. "So the great Chef Maya Sharma has finally invaded my kitchen?"
She turned, eyes twinkling. "Correction — our kitchen. You said you wanted me to cook breakfast, didn't you?"
Adrian chuckled, walking up behind her. "I said breakfast, not a Parisian feast."
"Same thing," she said, pretending to glare.I don't think," he said softly. "I know."
She blushed, looking away. "You're getting better at this whole romance thing."
"Learning from the best," he teased.
---
That evening, they sat on the balcony, sharing a bottle of wine and the last piece of lemon tart. Paris glowed below, the Eiffel Tower lighting the skyline like a dream.
Maya leaned her head against his shoulder. "It feels strange," she whispered. "For once, nothing's going wrong."
Adrian smiled, brushing his thumb over her hand. "That's because we finally stopped running."
"From what?"
"From each other."
She looked at him — really looked — and saw a man softer than before, the CEO armor slowly fading away. He looked… human. Hers.
"Adrian," she murmured. "Thank you."
"For what?"For coming back."
He smiled faintly. "You're welcome, Chef."
---
Hours later, long after the city had gone quiet, Maya stood by the window, watching the lights. She didn't know what the future held — Paris, her career, his company — but for the first time, she wasn't afraid.
Adrian came up behind her, slipping an arm around her waist.
"Thinking again?" he murmured against her hair.
She nodded. "Just wondering how long we get to keep this peace."
He kissed her temple gently. "As long as we fight for it."
She turned and smiled. "Then we fight together."
He nodded. "Always."
---
The camera of life zoomed out — two people standing on a Paris balcony, laughter soft, hearts steady.
Love had finally found its rhythm.