The night air was heavy when Maya closed the café. Her hands trembled slightly as she locked the door, the threat note still hidden in her pocket.
Every creak and sound outside made her heart jump.
She took a deep breath and started walking home — the quiet street stretching endlessly ahead. But halfway down, headlights flashed behind her.
"Maya!" a familiar voice called.
She turned, relief flooding her chest. Adrian's car stopped beside her.
"You shouldn't walk alone this late," he said, stepping out, his expression tight.
"I'm fine," she tried to smile.
"You're not," he said firmly. "You look scared. What happened?"
Maya hesitated. For a moment, she thought about lying — but the warmth in his eyes broke her walls. She pulled the folded note from her pocket and handed it to him silently.
Adrian read it. His jaw clenched, the paper crumpling slightly in his hand.
"Who gave this to you?""I don't know," she whispered. "It was under the counter."
Adrian's eyes darkened. "You should've told me earlier."
"I didn't want to cause trouble—"
"You are trouble to someone," he interrupted sharply. Then, softer, "and that's exactly why I can't ignore it."
He looked at her for a long moment — and then, quietly, he said, "Get in the car."
Maya blinked. "What?"
"I'm not letting you walk alone again," he said simply.
Something in his tone — protective, steady — made her chest ache. She nodded, and he opened the door for her.Inside the Car
Rain began again, gentle this time. The hum of the engine filled the silence between them.
Adrian glanced at her. "You believe me now, don't you? That being around me isn't simple."
Maya looked out the window, the city lights blurring like stars. "I never wanted simple," she said softly. "But I didn't think love could come with danger."
Adrian's hands tightened on the steering wheel. "It's not love," he said quickly — then froze.
Maya turned to him, her eyes shimmering. "Then what is it?"
He looked at her — really looked — and the words died on his tongue.
"I don't know anymore," he admitted, voice rough.They stopped at a red light. For a few seconds, they just stared at each other, unspoken feelings flickering in their eyes.
The light turned green — but neither moved.
---
Meanwhile – Veronica's Penthouse
Veronica stood near her window, a glass of wine in her hand. Across the room, her assistant placed down a file.
"Everything you asked for, ma'am. Background on Maya Sharma — her family, her debts, her past employers."
Veronica smirked. "Perfect. Let's see what makes the little chef so irresistible to Adrian."
She flipped through the file, her eyes narrowing. "Hmm… her family's bakery went bankrupt three years ago. She's living alone now, working double shifts."
She leaned back, a cruel smile curving her lips. "People like her always have a price."The Next Morning – Sweet Bloom Café
Maya arrived early, hoping to distract herself with work. But to her surprise, Adrian was already there, sleeves rolled up, trying to make coffee.
"Uh, that's not how you steam milk," she said, smiling faintly.
He looked at her, his eyes softer today. "Then show me."
Their hands brushed as she reached for the handle. The moment stretched — light, slow, and filled with warmth.
Maya giggled as the milk overflowed slightly. "You're hopeless."
"And you're smiling again," Adrian said quietly.
She looked up at him, her laughter fading into something gentler. "Because you're here."Adrian's heart skipped. For the first time in a long while, the world felt… peaceful.
But that peace shattered when his phone buzzed again — a message from Veronica.
> You can't protect her forever.
He stared at the screen, his face turning pale. Maya noticed immediately.
"Adrian? What is it?"
He forced a smile, slipping the phone away. "Nothing. Just business."
But inside, he knew — the storm was coming again.