Adrian had stepped out of the café, the same phone ringing again.
Maya watched his back as he walked away—
and for the first time, she saw fear in Adrian's eyes.
A fear he had never shown to anyone.
Alex glanced toward Maya.
"Don't stress. Adrian… he's just handling something."
But Maya didn't believe that.
Every reaction of Adrian's was telling her—
this wasn't just "something."
---
— Outside the Café
Adrian picked up the call.
His face turned serious—almost pale.
"I told you not to call me… especially now."
A sharp, angry voice came from the other side.
Adrian clenched his jaw.
"Fine. I'll come tonight. But don't contact me again."
He ended the call.
His fingers trembled slightly.Back Inside
He walked back into the café,
but this time his eyes searched only for Maya.
The moment Maya saw him,
she knew—
something was terribly wrong.
Emila and Alex continued chatting,
but Adrian sat directly next to Maya.
A small silence fell between them—
as if neither knew where to begin.
Adrian spoke softly,
"Maya… I'm sorry. Leaving you like that… I didn't mean to—"
Maya stopped him,
looking straight into his eyes for the first time—
"You're hiding something from me. Aren't you?"
Adrian froze.
He had no words.
Maya's heart was beating hard, but she didn't stop—
"Last night… today… the same number calling you again and again.
What's going on, Adrian?"
Adrian looked at her—
his eyes quietly confessing things he couldn't say.
A truth that scared him.
"Maya… I don't want to hurt you."
Maya shook her head lightly.
"Then tell me the truth."
Adrian breathed deeply.
For the first time, he looked truly vulnerable.These calls… they're from my past.
Something I never expected to return."
Maya's eyes widened.
"Is it… a problem?"
Adrian said quietly,
"It's someone I can't avoid anymore."
He lowered his gaze.
---
Alex Interrupts — Tension Rises
Suddenly Alex joked,
"Guys, what's with this secret meeting?"
But Maya and Adrian looked so serious
that even Alex's smile slowly faded.
Emila glanced at Maya.
"Everything okay?"
Maya gave a small fake smile.
"Yeah, just… thinking."
But inside her mind, one question echoed again and again—
Who was Adrian running from?
And why did he think Maya might get hurt?
---
The Evening --
The café was closing.
Maya started walking out…
but Adrian gently held her hand.Softly—almost like a whisper—
"Maya… if tomorrow… I'm not able to meet you…
please don't be angry with me."
Maya stopped.
A cold feeling ran through her.
"What's happening tomorrow, Adrian?"
Adrian looked at her—
his eyes deep, intense, full of worry.
"Tomorrow… I have to face someone."
He paused.
"And I don't know… what it will cost me."
In Adrian's eyes, Maya saw fear… guilt… and hope—all at once.