After Maya left, the house grew quiet. Anika had gone to her room, still smiling and hugging the big teddy bear Maya had brought her. Mrs. Denovan stood by the window for a moment, watching Maya’s car disappear down the road. Her husband walked in from the kitchen, wiping his hands with a towel.“She’s really good with Anika,” he said, sitting down on the armrest of the couch.Mrs. Denovan nodded slowly. “Yes, she is. You saw how Anika was smiling? I haven’t seen her that happy in a long time.”“She must really like Maya,” he added.There was a small silence between them. Mrs. Denovan looked thoughtful. “It’s more than that. It’s not just that Anika likes her. It’s the way she acts around her. The way she talks, holds her hand, looks at her…”He glanced at his wife. “You think there’s more to it?”“I don’t know,” she said honestly. “But it’s something. I feel it in my chest.”Mr. Denovan nodded. “Well, she’s kind. And warm. That’s rare these days.”He stood up and stretched. “If Anika
Maya arrived at Verano just as the morning rush was settling. The elegant lobby, lined with tall glass windows and displays of luxury fabric samples, greeted her with its usual quiet hum. She walked past the front desk, nodding politely to the receptionist, then made her way toward her section of the studio.The day had started early for her. As soon as she stepped in, she was assigned to assist with a new client who had just joined their growing list of appointments. The client, a young woman with a refined sense of style, had come in hoping for something fresh—something only Verano could offer. Maya had spent the entire morning taking measurements, suggesting cuts and styles, and sketching a few quick designs. The client had been impressed, and by the end of the appointment, she smiled brightly and said, “You’re really talented. I’m so glad they assigned me to you.”That compliment had stayed with Maya for the rest of the day. Not because she needed praise, but because it reminded
The kettle let out a soft whistle as the water began to boil. Maya quickly turned off the stove and poured the hot water into two mugs. Her hands were still slightly shaky, but she did her best to hide it. She carried the mugs to the table, where Elias sat waiting, calm as ever.“Thanks,” he said gently, taking the mug from her.Maya nodded and sat down across from him. For a few moments, they sipped in silence. But the quiet wasn’t uncomfortable—it gave Maya the space to think. She needed to tell him. She couldn’t keep it all bottled up anymore.“I just got back from seeing someone,” she said at last, her voice low. “A little girl named Anika.”Elias looked up, his interest piqued. “The same one you told me about before? The client?”Maya nodded slowly. “Yes. But today was different. I spent time with her. Not for work. Her guardians called me and said Anika wanted to see me again. They offered to pay, but I said no.”Elias tilted his head slightly. “You must’ve made quite an impress
The drive home was quiet, but Maya couldn’t stop smiling.Every moment she had spent with Anika replayed in her head like a gentle dream...the little girl’s laughter, the way her tiny fingers held hers, the soft hug, and the way she’d said, “You make me feel happy.”Why was she feeling like this?It wasn’t just fondness. It was deeper—like her heart was reaching for something lost and finally found again.Could it be possible?As she parked her car near her apartment complex, the peaceful warmth inside her chest began to cool. A cold breeze seemed to brush past her heart.Her hand froze on the door handle.He was there.Daniel.Standing like a shadow near the steps, arms crossed, leaning against her building like he belonged there. Like he had any right to wait for her.Maya inhaled. She slowly stepped out, her face returning to the cold calm she had learned to wear like armor.She didn’t look at him. She didn’t speak. She just walked.Past him.But then...a grip. His fingers wrapped
It was a normal day at Verano Studio. Maya sat in her office, focused on her work. Her sketchpad was open on the table, filled with rough ideas and half-finished designs. The room was quiet except for the faint sound of other designers moving about in the hallway.Her thoughts were scattered. Every time she picked up her pencil, her mind wandered to the child client—Anika.There was something about her. Something Maya couldn’t explain.She started sketching a new idea when someone knocked on her door.“Excuse me, Miss Maya,” a staff member said, peeking in. “There’s a phone call for you. It sounds important.”Maya stood up at once. “Thank you,” she said, trying to hide the small wave of nervousness rising in her chest. Her heart beating a little faster. She didn’t know who would be calling her here, but something about the staff member’s tone made her curious.She followed the hallway to the front desk. A phone sat on the counter, waiting for her. The receptionist handed it to her wi
The sky was overcast that morning, casting a pale light over the city. Maya sat at the small table near her apartment window, sipping warm tea and staring outside. But her eyes weren’t focused on the streets or the people walking by. Her mind was somewhere else—back in the fitting room, with that child.It had been two days since the little girl returned to try on the designs Maya had created. Everything had gone smoothly at first. The girl had laughed, twirled in the mirror, and happily chatted with Maya while changing outfits. But there was something strange about that day—something that had shaken Maya to her core.She couldn’t forget the child’s presence. The moment the girl had stepped into the room, Maya had felt it—that same, inexplicable feeling she had experienced the first time they met. Like a tug deep in her chest. It wasn’t logical, and it wasn’t something she could explain with words. But it was real.Even now, the thought of it made Maya grip her teacup tighter.It wasn