The suite felt smaller now.
Four people in one room… but Adrian's hand on Maya's waist made the whole world feel like only two.
Emily wandered toward the minibar, humming like she owned the place.
Alex folded his arms, casually leaning against the wall — except his eyes never left Adrian, as if silently teasing him.
Adrian ignored them both.
His focus was on Maya. Only Maya.
"You look tired," he said softly.
Emily snorted. "She's tired because she works hard — unlike some CEOs who only get jealous all day."
Adrian shot her a warning look.
Maya quickly stepped in before Emily started World War III.
"Emily, Alex… why are you both here suddenly?"
Emily smiled innocently.
"We were close by. Thought we'd visit. Also…"
She leaned in, stage-whispering,
"I wanted to see if Romeo here finally confessed."
Maya nearly choked.
Adrian's jaw tightened.
"We were having a conversation," he said curtly.
"It's personal."
Alex raised a brow.
"Then maybe we should give you privacy."
Emily elbowed him.
"Noooo, I want to watch—"
Maya covered her mouth.
"Stop!" she hissed.
"You two will stay out for five minutes."
Emily pouted but agreed, dragging Alex out of the suite.
The moment the door closed, silence dropped again.Dangerous silence.
Tender silence.
Adrian walked toward her slowly.
"Maya," he said, voice low and shaky — a rare sound for him,
"I meant what I said earlier."
Her heart thudded.
She looked up.
His eyes were soft… deeper than she had ever seen.
"You break all my rules," he whispered.
"You make me angry, confused… jealous…"
His fingers brushed her cheek gently.
"And for the first time, I don't hate it."
Maya's breath caught.
"Adrian…"
He swallowed.
His hand dropped from her face to her wrist, holding it softly, carefully — like she was something precious.
"I've lived a long time keeping distance from people. Feelings complicate everything."
He took a breath.
"Then you walked into my life… and suddenly, distance became impossible."
Her heart fluttered violently.
It felt like the whole room melted around them.
"Adrian…" she whispered again.
This time she took a tiny step closer.
He stepped closer too.
Now they were inches apart.
Their breaths mixing.
Her pulse racing.
His eyes locked on hers.
"I don't know what this feeling is," he admitted quietly.
"But I'm certain of one thing—"
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
Maya jumped.
Adrian closed his eyes, furious at the interruption.
Emily's voice yelled through the door:
"Your five minutes are over! Did he confess yet?!"
Maya turned beet red.
Adrian's forehead touched hers gently as he whispered,"This woman is going to be banned from my hotel."
Maya laughed softly despite the moment.
Then he lifted her chin with his fingers — slow, hesitant, almost shy.
"We'll finish this later," he whispered, "without interruptions."
Her heart stopped.
He didn't kiss her.
But he almost did.
He wanted to.
She could feel it in the way his hand lingered on her cheek before he stepped back.
The door opened and Emily burst in dramatically."So? Did he say it? Did you two ki—"
Adrian glared.
Emily froze.
"No?" she whispered."Ugh. You two are the slowest couple in the world!"Maya hid her face.Adrian hid his frustration.
But something had changed tonight.
The distance between them had disappeared.
Now…
only the confession was left.