Episode 7 – Almost Too Close
The café was quieter than usual in the late afternoon, the soft hum of a few customers blending with the faint aroma of fresh pastries. Maya Sharma wiped down the counter, trying to focus, though her mind kept wandering back to the last encounter with Adrian Knight.
She had barely survived the lunch rush, and now the thought of him strolling back through the café door made her heart beat faster than any oven could.
Sure enough, the bell chimed.
Adrian entered, looking as composed as ever, his black suit immaculate. But today, there was a faint flicker of amusement in his eyes, a spark Maya didn't want to notice but couldn't ignore.
"Back again?" she asked, adjusting her apron, trying to sound casual.
"Apparently," Adrian replied, his tone smooth. "I realized there's a dessert here I might need to test."
Maya's lips twitched. "You're going to critique my baking now?"
"Only if it's worth my time," he said, moving closer to the counter. As he leaned slightly, their arms brushed. Maya felt a shiver run up her spine and quickly stepped back, knocking a spoon onto the floor.
Adrian bent to pick it up, his fingers grazing hers once more. This time, the contact lingered just a second too long, enough for Maya to feel the heat rise to her cheeks.
"You're lucky this isn't a boardroom," he said lightly, though the dark edge in his eyes hinted at something more.
"And you're lucky I didn't spill something on you," Maya shot back, her voice teasing despite the flutter in her chest.
Adrian smirked, a small, almost imperceptible curve of his lips. "Lucky indeed."
From across the café, Emilia watched, her teacup halfway to her lips. She noticed the subtle tension, the way Maya's fingers trembled slightly after each touch, the way Adrian's gaze lingered longer than necessary. Emilia shook her head, silently smiling. This was going to be… interesting.
Maya returned to her counter, pretending to arrange pastries, but she couldn't stop glancing at him. Adrian did the same—leaning against the counter, studying her movements with a mixture of intrigue and amusement.Do you always stare at people who annoy you?" Maya asked suddenly, her voice sharper than intended.
Adrian's dark eyes met hers, and for a moment, the world shrank to just the two of them. "Sometimes," he said quietly. "But only when they're interesting."
Maya's heart skipped. Interesting. Not annoying. Not insignificant. Interesting.
A sudden sneeze from a nearby customer made her jump slightly, and Adrian reached out instinctively to steady her. Their faces were now closer than ever. Maya felt the heat in her cheeks, her breath catching.
She cleared her throat, stepping back abruptly. "See? Nothing happened."
Adrian's lips twitched into a faint, knowing smile. "Nothing?" he asked, his voice low. "Are you sure about that?"
Maya busied herself with wiping down the counter, her hands shaking slightly. Adrian's presence had become a distraction she couldn't ignore. And he, too, seemed affected—though neither would admit it aloud.
The bell above the café chimed again, signaling another customer. Adrian straightened, his gaze still fixed on her for a moment before he turned to leave.
As the door closed behind him, Maya exhaled shakily. Her heart raced, her mind spinning, and one thought kept repeating in her head: This is only the beginning…Outside, Veronica Hale watched from across the street, notebook in hand, her lips curling into a thin smile. "So, the little chef is already making him lose his composure," she whispered.
Inside the café, Maya returned to her tasks, unaware that every brush of hands, every lingering look, and every teasing word was tying her fate to Adrian Knight's in ways neither of them could yet understand.