The Distance Between us

CHAPTER SIX

Maya barely slept that night.

Every time she closed her eyes, the same moment replayed in her mind—the warmth of Adrian's lips against hers, the way neither of them had moved for those few breathless seconds, and the expression on his face afterward.

Shock. Regret.

Something else she couldn't quite identify.

She turned restlessly beneath the sheets and pulled the blanket over her head, as though hiding from her own thoughts could make them disappear.

It had been an accident.

That was all.

An innocent accident caused by a moment of carelessness.

She repeated those words over and over, but her heart refused to believe them.

Because accidents weren't supposed to make her heart race like that.

They weren't supposed to leave her lying awake until almost dawn, wondering what would have happened if Adrian hadn't pulled away.

Maya groaned and turned onto her back.

“What is wrong with me?”

She immediately felt guilty for even asking.

Daniel.

She loved Daniel.

She had spent seven years waiting for him. Seven years believing that one day they would stand together at an altar, just as he had promised.

And now she was lying in bed thinking about kissing his best friend.

Her husband.

The situation was becoming more complicated by the day.

A soft knock came at her door. Maya quickly sat up.

“Who is it?”

“It's me.”

Adrian.

Her heart gave an irritating little jump. She cleared her throat. “Come in.”

The door opened slowly.

Adrian stepped inside, already dressed for work. He wore a dark suit, his hair neatly styled, and his usual expression of controlled calm was back on his face.

If he was uncomfortable about what had happened the previous night, he wasn't showing it.

Maya hated that.

She would have preferred him to look just as confused as she felt.

“I brought you breakfast,” he said, placing a tray on the small table near the window.

Maya stared at him.

“You brought me breakfast?”

“You barely ate dinner.”

“I wasn't hungry."

Adrian studied her for a moment before sighing.

“Maya, about last night—”

“Don't.”

The word came out too quickly, Adrian stopped. Maya swallowed.

“We don't have to talk about it.”

His jaw tightened slightly.

“We probably should.”

“It was an accident.”

“I know.”

“Then there's nothing to discuss.”

Adrian remained silent. Maya finally looked at him. His eyes were fixed on her, and something about the intensity in them made her uncomfortable.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Then why are you looking at me like that?”

“Because I'm trying to understand something.”

“What?”

“Why you're afraid to talk about it.”

Maya's lips parted, her heart skipped a beat.

“I am not afraid.”

“Then look at me and tell me it meant nothing.”

Her heart stopped. She opened her mouth, but no words came. Adrian waited. Maya forced herself to meet his eyes.

“It meant nothing.”

The words sounded convincing enough. But Adrian's expression told her he didn't believe them.

“Fine,” he said quietly.

He turned toward the door.

“Adrian.”

He stopped.

“Thank you for breakfast.”

He nodded without looking back.

“You're welcome.”

Then he walked out. Maya stared at the closed door. For some reason, she felt like she had just lost something she had never even possessed.

Daniel had promised to take Maya out that afternoon. They had planned to have lunch together and spend the rest of the day catching up.

Maya dressed carefully, telling herself she was doing it because she wanted to look good for Daniel. But when she stood in front of the mirror, she found herself wondering whether Adrian would notice.

She immediately frowned at her reflection.

“Stop it.”

She grabbed her handbag and went downstairs. Daniel called just as she reached the living room. She smiled when she saw his name.

“Hello.”

“Maya, I'm so sorry.”

Her smile disappeared.

“What happened?”

“I've been called into an urgent meeting.”

Maya closed her eyes.

“Again?”

“I know. I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you.”

"When exactly.” she almost shouted.

“I mean it this time.”

She looked toward the dining room where Adrian was sitting with his laptop open.

He glanced up.

Their eyes met.

Maya quickly looked away.

“It's fine, Daniel.”

“I'll call you later.”

“When?”

There was a pause.

“As soon as I'm done.”

The call ended. Maya lowered her phone slowly. She didn't realize Adrian had been watching her.

“Plans cancelled?” he asked.

She forced a smile.

“Yes.”

“Do you want me to take you somewhere?”

“No.”

“Okay.”

He returned his attention to his laptop. For some reason, that annoyed her.

“You don't have to sound so relieved.”

Adrian looked up.

“I didn't.”

“You did.”

“I said okay.”

“Exactly.”

He stared at her for a few seconds.

“You're angry with Daniel, not me.”

Maya's expression softened.

“I know.”

“Then don't take it out on me.”

“I wasn't.”

A small smile appeared on his lips.

“You were.”

Maya rolled her eyes.

“You're impossible.”

“And you're hungry.”

She blinked.

“How do you know?”

“Because you're cranky.”

She almost laughed.

Almost.

Adrian closed his laptop.

“Come on.”

“Where?”

“Lunch.”

“I thought you had work.”

“I do.”

“Then why are you not going?”

“Because I can work after I feed my wife.”

The word wife made something twist inside Maya. Their marriage had always been a business arrangement.

Yet the way Adrian had said it sounded almost natural. She followed him. Neither of them noticed how easily they had started moving together.

Over the next few days, Maya tried to return to normal. She spent time with Daniel whenever his schedule allowed it.

But Daniel's schedule rarely allowed much. There was always another meeting. Another client. Another business trip. Another phone call.

Meanwhile, Adrian seemed to appear whenever Maya needed someone. When she complained about a headache, he brought her medicine.

When she forgot her umbrella, he came to pick her up during the rain. When she stayed late working on a project, he waited downstairs until she finished.

He never asked for anything in return..That was what confused her most. One evening, Maya came home exhausted.

She dropped her handbag onto the sofa and kicked off her shoes. Adrian looked up from the book he was reading.

“Bad day?”

“The worst.”

“What happened?”

“Everything.”

He smiled faintly.

“That sounds serious.”

“I don't want to talk about it.”

“Okay.”

Maya expected him to leave it there..Instead, he stood.

“Have you eaten?”

“No.”

“Come.”

“I'm not hungry.” almost immediately my stomach growled.

“your stomach says otherwise.”he said amused.

“I really don't feel like eating.”

Adrian walked toward the kitchen.

“Then I'll sit there while you pretend not to be hungry.”

Maya laughed despite herself.

“You're annoying.”

“I've heard that before.”

She followed him. As they sat across from each other at the dining table, Maya found herself studying him. There was something peaceful about being around Adrian.

She didn't have to pretend. She didn't have to explain every silence. He simply understood. And that frightened her.

Because Daniel had been her dream for seven years. Adrian was becoming her reality. And Maya wasn't sure which one her heart wanted anymore.

Her phone suddenly rang.

Daniel.

She immediately picked it up.

“Daniel?”

“Hey, beautiful. I'm sorry I've been so busy.”

Maya smiled.

“It's okay.”

“I'll make it up to you. I promise.”

She looked across the table.

Adrian had already lowered his gaze.

“I know.”

“I'll see you tomorrow.”

“I'll be waiting.”

The call ended. Maya slowly placed her phone on the table. Adrian stood his frame stiff.

“I'll leave you alone.”

“Why?”

"I have a presentation to finish.”

Maya stared at him.

“Adrian…”

He smiled faintly.

“Don't worry. I remember the rules.”

He walked away. Maya watched him disappear down the hallway. Her chest tightened.

The rules.

That was what they had always called it. But somehow, she was beginning to wish there were no rules at all.

And that frightened her more than anything.