The city of Paris shimmered under soft rain, the streets glowing gold beneath streetlamps.
Inside the grand hall of Le Cordon Bleu, the celebration of the Chef Competition was still going strong — laughter, cameras, the clinking of glasses.
But Maya stood quietly near the exit, trophy in hand, her heart strangely heavy.
She had won second place — her dream almost within reach. Yet, it felt incomplete.
Because the person she wanted to share it with… wasn't here.
She sighed softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear — when suddenly, a familiar voice behind her said,
> "You always leave the party early, don't you, Chef?"
Maya froze.
Her eyes widened as she turned —
Adrian Knight, standing there, in his black coat, rain still glistening on his shoulders.
Her heart skipped. "You— you're here?"
He smiled, tired but warm. "You really thought I'd miss your big night?"
Maya blinked back tears. "You said you couldn't leave London."
"I couldn't," he said softly, stepping closer. "But I left anyway."
She laughed breathlessly, a tear sliding down her cheek. "You idiot."He smiled, reaching out to wipe her tear. "Your idiot."
---
A few minutes later, they found themselves walking along the quiet riverbank.
The Eiffel Tower twinkled in the distance, their reflections shimmering in the water below.
Adrian slipped his hand into hers, his thumb tracing small circles against her skin.
"I saw you on stage," he said quietly. "You were incredible, Maya. I've never been prouder."
She smiled. "Even with all the chaos and flour in my hair?"
He chuckled. "Especially with the flour. You looked… real."
Her laughter faded as she noticed the shadow in his eyes. "What's wrong?"
He hesitated. "Veronica was there today."
Maya stopped walking. "Yes. She congratulated me."
He frowned slightly. "Is that what she called it?"
Her silence said enough.
"Maya…" His voice softened. "You know she doesn't matter to me, right?"
"I know," Maya said quietly. "But sometimes, it feels like she wants to remind me that she used to."
He exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair. "I should have warned you she might show up. I just didn't want her shadow touchingShe looked at him, eyes shining. "It's okay. I can handle her. I just need to know you'll be honest with me."
"I will. Always."
And in that moment — simple, raw, and unguarded — something between them healed.
---
Later that night, they stopped by the same café where they'd shared their first argument — and their first real conversation.
The owner recognized them, smiling warmly as he brought over two cups of hot chocolate.
"Déjà vu," Maya said, laughing softly.
Adrian grinned. "Except this time, I'm not angry. I'm completely in love."
Her cheeks flushed. "That's new."
He leaned forward. "Not really. I've been in love for a while."
She blinked, her heart stumbling. "Since when?"
"The moment you told me you'd rather fail cooking for your dreams than succeed living someone else's."
Silence.
Then she smiled, tears glimmering. "Adrian…"
He held her gaze. "Say it back."
Her lips parted — then, softly:
> "I love you, Adrian Knight."The world went quiet. The café, the rain, the city — everything faded into that one heartbeat.
He reached across the table, cupping her face, and kissed her.
It wasn't desperate or rushed — it was gentle, slow, full of the thousand words they'd never said.
When they finally pulled apart, Maya smiled against his lips. "You taste like chocolate."
He laughed quietly. "And you taste like home."
---
That night, as they walked back under one umbrella, their laughter echoed down the rain-soaked street.
Love wasn't perfect — but it was real.
And for now, that was enough.