CONFUSION

CHAPTER FIVE

The days that followed should have been easy for Maya. At least, that was what she kept telling herself. Adrian had promised to divorce her once his grandfather handed the company over to him, and Daniel was finally back in the country after seven long years. The man she had waited for was finally within reach, so everything should have been falling into place. Yet somehow, nothing felt as simple as she had imagined.

Daniel's return came with responsibilities Maya hadn't anticipated. After spending seven years overseas, he had businesses to inspect, meetings to attend, people to see, and countless matters waiting for him.

At first, Maya tried to understand. When he told her he had an important meeting, she smiled and told him not to worry. When he cancelled dinner because a client had arrived unexpectedly, she pretended it didn't bother her. When he promised to call and didn't, she convinced herself that he was simply tired. But as the days passed, the disappointment began to hurt.

That afternoon, Maya sat alone in a quiet restaurant, staring at the untouched cup of coffee in front of her. She glanced at her phone for what felt like the hundredth time before finally calling Daniel. He answered after several rings.

“Maya?”

“Where are you?” she asked, trying to keep the disappointment out of her voice.

There was noise in the background. “I'm sorry, baby. I'm still at the office.”

“You said you'd be here before six.”

“I know. Something came up.”

Maya closed her eyes and took a slow breath. “Again?”

There was a brief silence on the other end. “I'll make it up to you.”

“When?”

“Tonight. I promise.”

“You said that yesterday.”

“Maya…”

She sighed, not wanting another argument. “Forget it.”

“I'm really sorry.”

“It's fine.”

She ended the call before he could say anything else and stared at the screen. It wasn't fine. She missed him. She had spent seven years dreaming about the day he would finally return, yet now that he was home, she barely had him. She picked up her handbag and left the restaurant, trying to convince herself that she wasn't hurt.

By the time she arrived home, a dull ache had settled in her stomach. She ignored it at first, assuming it was because she hadn't eaten properly. She walked upstairs, dropped her handbag on the bed, and headed toward the bathroom. Then she stopped when she realized her period had started.

“Of course, great timing,” she muttered.

The cramps became worse within minutes. Maya changed into something comfortable and climbed into bed, curling beneath the blanket. She reached for her phone, hoping perhaps Daniel had sent a message, but there was nothing. She stared at the blank screen for a few seconds before placing it beside her.

She didn't want to cry, not over this, not after everything she had already been through.

A soft knock sounded at the door.

“Maya, are you okay? You didn't look good when you came back?”

She immediately recognized Adrian's voice.

She closed her eyes. “I'm fine.”

The door opened slightly.

“You don't sound fine.”

“I just want to sleep.”

Adrian stepped inside and looked at her carefully. Maya was curled on her side, one hand pressed against her stomach, her face pale.

“You're sick?”

“No.”

“Then what's wrong?”

“Nothing.”

Adrian moved closer, his eyes falling to the hand pressed against her stomach. “Are you in pain?”

She hesitated before finally admitting, “My period started.”

“Oh.”

His expression changed slightly, and Maya immediately pulled the blanket higher.

“You can leave now.”

Adrian nodded and walked out without another word.

Maya closed her eyes, expecting him to leave her alone. But a few minutes later, she heard footsteps approaching again. When the door opened, Adrian walked back into the room carrying a heating pad, a bottle of water, pain medication, and a small plate of food.

Maya stared at him in surprise. “What's all that?”

“I thought you might need it.”

“I didn't ask you to bring anything.”

“I know.”

He placed everything on the bedside table before plugging in the heating pad. “My sister used to get terrible cramps. I know what helps.”

Maya looked at him. “You remembered?”

Adrian shrugged. “It's not difficult.”

He handed her the heating pad. “Put this against your stomach.”

She took it reluctantly. “Thank you.”

“You should eat something before taking the medicine.”

“I don't feel like eating.”

“Just a little.”

Maya sighed. “You're bossy.”

“So I've been told.”

A small smile escaped her despite herself.

Adrian noticed it but said nothing. He simply pushed the plate closer to her. “Eat.”

She did, although she barely managed a few bites. Adrian waited until she took the medicine before adjusting the blanket around her.

“Try to sleep.”

Maya looked at him for a moment. “Why are you being so nice to me?”

Adrian paused at the door.

“Because you're my wife.”

Maya's eyes lowered. “On paper.”

His gaze returned to hers.

“Yes,” he said quietly. “On paper, but you're also my best friend, fiancée.”

Then he walked out.

Maya stared at the closed door long after he was gone. She didn't understand why his kindness affected her so much. Daniel was the man she loved. He was the man she had waited seven years for. Yet Daniel had been too busy to notice that she was struggling, while Adrian had noticed without her saying a word.

She immediately felt guilty for comparing them. Daniel loves me. She repeated the thought silently. Adrian is only being kind. But somehow, that explanation didn't feel as convincing as it should have.

That evening, Daniel finally called. Maya answered immediately.

“I'm sorry about today,” he said.

“It's okay.”

“Are you angry?”

“No.”

“Good. I'll come tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Yes. I promise.”

Maya forced a smile even though he couldn't see it. “Okay.”

They spoke for a few minutes before Daniel told her he had another meeting. Once again, their conversation ended sooner than she wanted.

When the call ended, Maya placed her phone beside her, stared at it for a while, willing it to ring again, but it didn't. She stood up and went to the window.

Another meeting.Another promise.Another night without him.

She didn't realize Adrian was standing quietly near the doorway until he spoke.

“You should go to bed.”

Maya looked up. “I will.”

He turned to leave.

“Adrian?”

He stopped and looked back at her. “Hmm?”

“Why are you always here?”

His brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“Whenever I need something, you're here.”

Adrian was silent for a moment. Then he answered simply, “Because someone should be.”

The words struck something inside her.

Maya looked away, unsure what to say.

Adrian started walking toward the door again.

“I love Daniel,” she suddenly said.

He stopped.

“I know.”

“And you're going to divorce me.”

“Exactly, once I get control of the company.”

Maya swallowed. “Then why does this feel so complicated?”

Adrian turned around.

Neither of them spoke.

Maya didn't know why she had asked the question. Perhaps she was tired. Perhaps she was confused. Perhaps she simply needed someone to tell her why everything felt different now.

Adrian slowly walked toward her.

“Maya…”

“I know this means nothing,” she whispered.

His eyes searched hers. “I didn't say that.”

“But it does.”

“Does it?”

Maya's heart skipped.

Adrian stopped in front of her. They were closer than either of them intended. Maya could feel the warmth of his body, and suddenly she became painfully aware of how quiet the room was.

She should have stepped away.

She didn't.

Adrian looked into her eyes, and for one brief moment, neither of them remembered the agreement they had made.

His hand lifted instinctively, gently brushing a loose strand of hair away from her face.

“Maya…”

She looked up at him, then she stumbled.

Adrian caught her around the waist.

Everything happened too quickly.

Maya's hands landed against his chest, his arms tightened around her to keep her from falling, and their faces collided.

Their lips touched.

It was only a second, a completely accidental kiss, but neither of them moved for one suspended moment; Maya forgot how to breathe.

Then they pulled apart. Adrian immediately released her and stepped backward.

“I'm sorry.”

Maya touched her lips.

“It was an accident.”

“I know.”

Neither of them looked away.

The silence between them suddenly felt different. Maya's heart was racing. She had kissed Adrian.

Her fake husband.The man who was supposed to be nothing more than a temporary part of her life.

Yet she couldn't understand why her heart was beating so violently. She thought about Daniel. She thought about the years they had spent together. She thought about how desperately she had wanted him to come home.

Then she remembered Adrian sitting beside her when she was in pain, bringing her medicine, making sure she ate, and staying until he knew she was comfortable.

Her chest tightened. She hated the confusion spreading through her. She loved Daniel. She knew she did, or so she thought.

So why couldn't she stop thinking about the kiss?

Why did Adrian's touch still linger on her skin?

And why, when she closed her eyes that night, was it Adrian's face, not Daniel's, that she saw?