Internal struggle

The hum of office chatter surrounded Maya as she sat at her desk, her fingers poised over the keyboard. Despite her best efforts, she couldn't concentrate. Elena's knowing gaze, her carefully chosen words—it all swirled in her mind like an inescapable storm.

Elena knows something. Or at least, she suspects.

Maya exhaled slowly, forcing herself to focus on her work. She had come too far to let paranoia undo her progress. But the weight of secrecy pressed harder than before.

Across the building, Aiden sat in his office, reviewing reports. He tried to focus, but his mind wandered back to the previous evening at the café. The way Lily had spoken about Miss Mia—about Maya—lingered. It wasn't just admiration. It was trust. Comfort. Something Aiden himself had barely noticed taking root.

His sister's words rang in his ears. I saw the way you looked at her.

Aiden shook his head. It's not like that.

But then, why did he notice when Maya hesitated before answering Elena? Why did her presence seem to settle something in Lily that no one else could?

A soft knock interrupted his thoughts. Elena stepped in, a knowing glint in her eyes.

"Busy?"

Aiden leaned back. "What is it?"

She walked over, casually placing a file on his desk before tilting her head. "Have you ever considered looking beyond your grief, Aiden?"

His jaw tightened. "This again?"

"I'm just saying, maybe it's time to stop shutting yourself off."

He exhaled through his nose. "If this is about Maya—"

Elena smirked. "I never said it was." Then, after a beat, she added, "But since you mentioned her… she's interesting, isn't she?"

Aiden frowned. "She's good to Lily. That's all that matters."

Elena studied him for a moment before shrugging. "If you say so." She turned to leave, but just before exiting, she added, "You should pay more attention, Aiden. Sometimes, things change before you even realize it."

---

At the cafe

Maya had hoped the day would pass without further complications, but as she entered the café that evening, she spotted a familiar figure seated at the corner table—Elena.

Her stomach twisted, but she steadied herself and approached. "Good evening, Miss Carter."

Elena looked up, offering a small smile. "Maya. Or should I say Miss Mia?"

Maya's fingers clenched around the edge of her tray. "Whichever you prefer."

Elena chuckled, taking a sip of her coffee. "You're careful. That's smart. But I don't mean any harm. I just wanted to see you again."

Maya nodded slowly. "And did you find what you were looking for?"

Elena studied her, then smiled. "Not everything. Not yet."

Before Maya could respond, the door swung open, and Aiden stepped inside. His gaze automatically sought out Lily's usual spot before settling on Elena. His brow furrowed slightly when he saw Maya standing there.

He hadn't expected to find them together.

Elena turned in her seat, raising a brow at her brother. "Aiden. Fancy seeing you here."

He walked over, his eyes flickering between the two women. "Didn't know you were stopping by."

Elena shrugged. "I had a feeling it'd be an interesting evening."

Aiden glanced at Maya, who remained composed, but he noticed the slight tension in her shoulders. He wasn't sure why, but a part of him felt protective.

"Maya, could I get my usual?" he asked, offering her a way out of the conversation if she needed it.

She nodded, grateful. "Of course."

As she moved toward the counter, Elena smirked. "See? You do pay attention to her."

Aiden sighed, taking a seat. "Elena. Drop it."

But as he watched Maya working behind the counter, he couldn't ignore the truth pressing at the edges of his mind.

Maybe Elena was right.

Maybe he was paying attention to her—more than he should.

Maya busied herself behind the counter, her mind working in overdrive. Elena was not someone to underestimate. If she had suspicions now, they would only grow stronger over time. Maya needed to be more careful, more guarded.

As she handed Aiden his coffee, he lingered for a moment. "Are you alright?"

Maya forced a smile. "Of course. Just a long day."

He studied her as if searching for something beneath the surface but nodded. "If you ever need anything…" He hesitated, then added, "Lily would be happy to see you more often."

A soft warmth bloomed in Maya's chest. "She's a wonderful girl."

Elena watched the exchange with quiet amusement. "Well, this has been enlightening," she mused, standing up. "See you around, Maya."

As Elena walked out, Aiden sighed. "She's persistent."

Maya chuckled. "I've noticed."

Aiden smirked before taking a sip of his coffee. "Thanks for the coffee. And for being there for Lily."

Maya nodded, her smile genuine. "Always."

As Aiden left, Maya exhaled. The walls she had built around herself were starting to crumble. And she wasn't sure she had the strength to rebuild them.

----------------------------------

That night, Maya lay in bed, her mind racing. The walls of her secrecy felt like they were closing in, tightening with every passing moment. What if Elena's suspicions grew? What if Aiden somehow found out about her past? The thought sent a shiver down her spine.

Each breath was heavy with uncertainty. The café, once a comforting haven, now felt charged with a palpable danger that threatened everything she had worked so hard to build.

She rolled over, staring at the ceiling, replaying every interaction of the day in vivid detail. Aiden's protective demeanor, Elena's probing questions—it all seemed to point towards a conclusion she feared to confront.

Maya closed her eyes, but sleep eluded her. The shadows in the room morphed into a tapestry of fears and doubts, each worry intertwining like an intricate web that threatened to ensnare her. All she ever wanted was to be seen, to matter without the burden of her past dictating her present.

But here she was, caught between two worlds, and the future felt more precarious than ever. She knew she had to keep her distance, to maintain that critical shield. Yet, part of her yearned for connection.

The sweetness of bonds she saw building with Aiden and Lily felt intoxicating, but it also seemed dangerously close to unraveling the very fabric of her carefully constructed life.