Rain whispered against the glass as the restaurant closed for the night.
Only two people remained in the kitchen—Maya and Adrian.
The lights were dim, golden reflections dancing on the steel counters.
Maya leaned over the marble table, finishing a strawberry glaze.
Her hair slipped loose, and a tiny streak of cream brushed her cheek.
Without thinking, Adrian stepped closer.
"You missed a spot," he said quietly.
Before she could react, his fingers brushed her skin—slow, careful, almost trembling.
Her breath caught. The world outside the glass walls blurred into silence.
"It's gone," he murmured.
She turned to look at him.
Too close.
His scent, his warmth, his eyes—everything felt like déjà vu.
For a second, it felt as if time had rewound to when they used to cook side by side, sharing burnt desserts and laughter.
Then Maya stepped back, breaking the spell.
"I can handle the kitchen alone, Mr. Adrian," she said softly, her voice polite but shaking.
He smiled faintly. "Maybe. But who'll handle the silence after you leave?"
She froze, not knowing what to say.The next day, Max arrived in Paris for the upcoming Global Culinary Gala.
The moment he entered the restaurant, the staff whispered—the famous culinary professor had returned.
Maya was surprised when she saw him.
"Professor Max? You're here?"
He chuckled. "Adrian dragged me back. Said Paris needs better coffee and better company."
She laughed, and for the first time in weeks, her eyes sparkled.
Max noticed—the kind of noticing that was gentle, not possessive.
Adrian walked in just then.
He froze when he saw them laughing together.
For a heartbeat, something inside him tightened.
Max extended his hand. "Good to see you, old friend."
Adrian shook it, smiling politely. "You're early."
"Couldn't miss the chef everyone's talking about," Max said, glancing toward Maya.That single sentence was harmless—but to Adrian, it felt like lightning.
He looked at Maya, then back at Max.
"Right," Adrian said with a stiff smile. "Everyone."
Lila, watching from the corner, grinned.
"Uh-oh," she whispered to herself. "Big brother's jealous."
---
That night, Adrian stood alone on the balcony, the rain returning like an old song.
He remembered her laugh with Max, the way her eyes shone.
For years he'd thought he'd buried his feelings under work and success—but one smile from her, and every wall crumbled.
He whispered to the empty sky,
"If loving her is a mistake, why does it still feel right?"
Downstairs, Maya couldn't sleep either.
The memory of his touch on her cheek burned like sugar caramelizing too long—sweet and dangerousBoth hearts awake, both afraid to move closer, yet unable to let go.