Hotel Lounge — Truths That Refuse to Stay Buried
Shiya watched Adrian closely.
The silence between them was sharp, uncomfortable.
"You didn't answer my question," she said calmly.
"Have you changed?"
Adrian finally looked at her—really looked at her.
"Yes," he said.
"I have."
The answer was firm. Final.
Something flickered in Shiya's eyes—anger, disbelief, and something dangerously close to desperation.
"Changed because of her?" she asked softly.
Adrian didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
That single word hit harder than any argument.
Shiya let out a small laugh, but there was no humor in it."So that's it," she murmured.
"The great Adrian Bennett… undone by a girl who knows nothing about you."
Adrian's fists clenched.
"Don't talk about her."
"Oh, but I will," Shiya replied, stepping closer.
"Because she's the reason you ran away from me."
Adrian stepped back, his voice rising for the first time.
"I didn't run. I walked away because what we had was breaking me."
Shiya's eyes darkened.
"And she's not breaking you?"
"No," he said sharply.
"She's the first person who makes me want to stay."
The words hung heavy in the air.
---
Shiya's Warning
Shiya turned away, placing her glass down with a sharp clink.
"You always choose too late, Adrian," she said quietly.
"And you forget something important."
She faced him again.
"I know your past.
I know your weaknesses.
And I know exactly how to hurt you."
Adrian's jaw tightened.
"You will not go near her."
Shiya smiled slowly."That depends," she said.
"On whether you remember who still holds the power."
She leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Stay away from Maya…
or you'll lose more than just her."
Adrian grabbed her wrist—hard enough to stop her, gentle enough not to hurt her.
"Listen to me carefully," he said coldly.
"If anything happens to her—
I will destroy everything you think you control."
For the first time, Shiya looked shaken.
Adrian released her hand and turned away.
"This ends here."
---
Night — Two Hearts, One Fear
Adrian stepped out of the hotel.
The city lights blurred as exhaustion hit him all at once.
He pulled out his phone.
Missed calls.
From Maya.
His chest tightened painfully.
"I'm sorry," he whispered to the empty street.
"I'm trying to protect you."
He typed a message—
Are you okay?
Then erased it.
I'll explain everything soon.
Deleted.
Instead, he locked his phone.
Because if he heard her voice right now—
he wasn't sure he'd be strong enough to stay away.Maya — Sleepless and Afraid
Back in her room, Maya sat on her bed, knees pulled to her chest.
The phone lay silent in her hand.
Tears slipped down her cheeks quietly.
She didn't know about Shiya.
She didn't know about threats.
She didn't know about past wounds.
All she knew was this—
Adrian was drifting away…
and she didn't know how to stop it.
---