The following week, the city was alive with color again.
Maya's restaurant Crème Blossom had been invited to host a cooking workshop for young chefs —
a big step for her dream.
But even as she smiled for cameras and students, something felt missing.
Every laugh, every recipe, every success — it all felt a little hollow without him there to see it.
---
That evening, the workshop ended with applause.
One of the sponsors — a charming, well-dressed investor named Ryan — approached her.
"You're amazing, Chef Maya," he said warmly. "The way you lead your team… you have real talent."
Maya smiled politely. "Thank you. It means a lot."
Ryan chuckled. "Maybe we could talk over dinner sometime? I'd love to discuss collaboration."
Maya hesitated. "Dinner?"
"Purely professional," he added quickly, with a grin that said otherwise.
She laughed nervously. "Sure, we can talk. I'll check my schedule."
But what neither of them noticed — was the tall figure standing near the exit, watching.Adrian.
He had come to the event uninvited.
Alex had told him Maya would be there, and against his better judgment, he'd shown up.
And now, watching Ryan lean in too close, hearing Maya laugh at something he said — it felt like fire burning in his chest.
He clenched his jaw, fists tightening in his pockets.
Alex appeared beside him, smirking.
"Jealousy doesn't suit you, boss."
Adrian glared. "I'm not jealous."
"Sure," Alex said. "And I'm not breathing."
---
Later that night, Maya was leaving the hall when Adrian's voice stopped her.
> "You're really going out with him?"
She turned, startled. "Adrian? What are you doing here?"
"Answer me," he said sharply.
Her brows furrowed. "He's just a business contact. Why do you even care?"
He stepped closer, his tone low and tight.
"Because I don't trust his intentions."
She laughed softly, shaking her head.
"Or you just don't like seeing me smile at someone else."He went quiet.
"Adrian," she said gently, "you can't decide when I'm allowed to matter and when I'm not."
---
For a moment, silence.
Then he whispered, almost broken,
> "You've always mattered."
Maya's eyes widened — the pain in his voice cut deeper than his anger.
But before she could respond, he took a deep breath, stepped back, and muttered,
> "Forget it. Good night, Maya."
He turned and walked away — again.
---
At the same time, Lila and Max were in the university garden, their story quietly blooming.
Lila had brought him a cup of tea after his class.
"You look like you've been thinking too much again," she teased.
He smiled faintly. "And you look like trouble in a red scarf."
She laughed, lightly nudging him.
"Maybe trouble is exactly what you need."Their laughter faded into a comfortable silence —
and somewhere above them, the first stars appeared through the clouds.
---
That night, Adrian couldn't sleep.
Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Maya smiling at Ryan.
And for the first time in years, he realized…
> He wasn't in control anymore.