The late afternoon sun cast golden streaks over the city streets. Maya Sharma carried a small basket of pastries from Sweet Bloom Café, walking briskly toward the local park to deliver an order. Her mind kept replaying the encounters with Adrian Knight—his smirk, the brush of his hands, the teasing words that lingered longer than they should.
"You really think he's interesting, don't you?" a familiar voice teased.
Maya jumped slightly, turning to see Emilia leaning against a lamppost, arms crossed. "What are you talking about?" Maya asked, trying to sound casual, though her cheeks warmed.
"Don't deny it," Emilia said, smirking knowingly. "Ever since the café, you've been distracted. That CEO guy—he's got you thinking more than your recipes."
Maya huffed, adjusting the basket. "He's… annoying. That's all."
Emilia raised an eyebrow, unconvinced, and let it drop.
A sudden honk made Maya spin around—and there was Adrian, standing next to his sleek car, hands in pockets, expression neutral but his dark eyes watching her like a hawk.You didn't run this time," he said, voice low, teasing.
"I wasn't running," Maya replied quickly, heart racing. "I just… needed to deliver these pastries."
Adrian's lips curved into a faint smirk. "You're always busy. I wonder… what would happen if we weren't in public?"
Maya's stomach flipped. She wanted to argue, to tell him he was overstepping—but the words stuck in her throat.
Instead, she focused on the basket. "Here, these are for the Smith residence. I need to get going before they complain."
He took a step closer, closing the distance slightly. Maya's breath caught. "And you…?" she asked, though she knew the answer.
"I'm here," Adrian said simply. His gaze softened, just enough for her to notice, before hardening into the usual composure.
Maya felt an electric tension between them as she turned to leave. But a loose strap on the basket slipped, threatening to spill the pastries. Without thinking, Adrian reached out, steadying it—and her. Their hands brushed again, lingering a fraction longer than necessary.
Maya's heart raced. "See?" she said softly, almost to herself. "Nothing happens."
Adrian's dark eyes flickered with amusement. "Nothing?" he repeated, almost teasingly. "You're not so sure about that, are you?"For a heartbeat, the city, the park, and the passing strangers seemed to fade away. There was only the heat of proximity, the tension of near touches, and the unspoken acknowledgment that something had shifted.
Maya quickly stepped back, adjusting the basket with trembling hands. "I should go."
Adrian didn't move immediately. Instead, he watched her walk, a faint, unreadable smile on his lips. "Yes," he murmured to himself. "Go… for now."
Emilia, who had been watching from a distance, shook her head. "She's in trouble," she muttered, knowing full well that this 'trouble' was just the beginning of something neither Maya nor Adrian could control.