The first thing Maya noticed was the silence.
No thunder, no rain — just the soft hum of morning. The storm had passed, but inside her heart, the echoes still lingered.
She sat up slowly, wrapped in her blanket, her eyes tracing the faint light sneaking through the curtains.
Last night felt like a dream — his voice, his touch, the warmth that refused to fade.
Adrian had stayed until the rain stopped.
They hadn't said much after that moment. He'd just sat beside her, his hand loosely holding hers, the air heavy with words neither dared to speak.
Now, as she looked at the couch where he'd fallen asleep, she froze.
Empty.
For a second, panic flashed through her.
Had he left without a word — again?
But then she saw it.
A folded napkin on the table, his handwriting neat and sharp, just like him.
> "Had to leave early. Don't skip breakfast.
– Adrian"
She smiled — small, real, unguarded.
It wasn't much, but from him, it meant everything.
---
At the King Enterprises office, Adrian was already at his desk, his usual calm face hiding the unrest underneath.
Alex entered with his usual grin. "So… how was the storm last night?"Adrian gave him a flat look. "It rained."
"Sure," Alex said, dropping the file. "And I'm guessing it rained only on her street, right?"
Adrian's silence was answer enough.
He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temple. "She's too stubborn for her own good."
"Funny," Alex replied, "because I was going to say the same thing about you."
Adrian looked out the window, the morning sun reflecting against the glass. "She's different, Alex. I don't know what to do with that."
"Try not ruining it this time," Alex said softly. "Because if she walks away, you'll feel that emptiness again. Only worse."
Adrian didn't respond. But his fingers tightened around the pen, and his heart — for once — didn't listen to logic.
---
Meanwhile, at the restaurant, Maya was back in her chef's whites, sleeves rolled, hair tied.
Everyone noticed the soft glow in her eyes, though she tried to hide it.
"Chef, you look… different today," one of the assistants teased.
"Do I?" she asked, pretending to focus on the sauce.
"Yeah," the girl grinned. "Like someone had a really good night."
Maya's spoon froze midair, heat rushing to her cheeks. "Mind your work," she said quickly, trying to stay calm.But deep down, even she couldn't deny it.
Something had changed.
---
That afternoon, a black car stopped outside the restaurant.
The door opened — Adrian stepped out, calm as ever, his presence turning every head.
Maya looked up from the counter, her pulse skipping a beat.
He shouldn't be here. Not during work hours. Not looking that good.
Their eyes met — just for a second.
But that second was enough.
He walked toward her slowly, ignoring the whispers around.
"Maya," he said, his voice low, controlled. "We need to talk."
She hesitated. "Here?"
"Somewhere quieter," he replied. "Unless you want the whole kitchen to know your secrets."
Her heartbeat quickened.
She wiped her hands on her apron, then followed him outside.
The alley behind the restaurant was quiet, sunlight spilling over wet cobblestones.
She crossed her arms. "You left without saying goodbye."I left you a note," he said.
"A note isn't the same."
He stepped closer, his gaze locking on hers. "If I'd stayed any longer, I wouldn't have been able to leave at all."
Maya swallowed hard. "And now you're here again. Why?"
"Because," he said, his voice dipping lower, "I can't stop thinking about you."
The words hit her harder than she expected.
She took a step back, trying to steady her breath. "You can't keep doing this, Adrian. You don't get to appear, make me fall again, and walk away when it's convenient."
He looked at her — really looked at her.
His voice softened. "Then don't let me walk away."
Her lips parted in surprise.
He smiled faintly. "You always talk about strength, Maya. Maybe it's time you show me yours — and stop running from what you feel."
Before she could answer, he turned and walked away, leaving her staring after him — heart racing, mind spinning.