Before I can reply, there’s a knock on the door, and one of our waitresses peeks in, hesitation clear on her face.
“Sorry to interrupt,” she says, glancing between Mili and me. “But there’s a table asking specifically for you, Ma’am. They don’t want anyone else to take their order.”
I give her a nod as she slips back out and shuts the door. I feel my brows knit together in mild irritation. The last thing I need right now is a demanding customer. But at the same, I’m thankful for something to do to get away from this conversation with Mili.
Mili sighs, already pushing her chair back. “Want me to check it out?”
I shake my head. “No, I’ve got this.” I glance at the paperwork in front of her. “You need to balance the accounts, and I could use a distraction anyway.”
She gives me a knowing look, then nods. “Alright. But if it’s trouble, don’t entertain it longer than necessary.”
“Noted,” I mutter as I head toward the café floor, pushing aside my conversation with Mili and forcing a smile onto my face. It’s second nature by now—masking my emotions, pretending everything is fine.
But the moment my eyes land on the table, my smile vanishes. I stop mid-step, the floor beneath me suddenly threatening to give way.
Aditya.
And what’s more—he’s not alone.
Seated across from him is a woman who looks like she’s stepped straight out of a magazine. She’s effortlessly stunning—flawless skin, perfectly styled hair, and an air of quiet sophistication that makes heads turn.
Yes, she’s perfect for him. And now I understand just how right I was to break things off with Aditya. Seeing them together now, maybe this is the closure I needed to finally accept the truth—to understand that this was always meant to be. This is exactly what Aditya deserves—a woman like her, someone who fits effortlessly into his life. Not someone like me. Simple. Ordinary. A mess of emotions, just trying to keep it all together.
But still, why does it sting so much to see him with her?To see him find his perfect match? Why can’t I just be happy for him? This is what I told him to do—move on. Then why does it feel like I’m the one being left behind?
I swallow hard, steadying myself. I can handle this. I refuse to let it shake me. Steeling myself, I straighten my shoulders, take a slow breath, and force myself to take a step towards them.
“Welcome to Brewing Bliss,” I say, tapping the screen on my tablet, keeping my voice steady even as something inside me quietly breaks.
Aditya leans back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips. “Hey, Sana. What’s with the formality? I know how much you like to keep things professional, but come on… we’re friends. You can drop the act. You know damn well how much it grates on me when you treat me like a stranger.”
The double meaning in his words makes me tighten my grip on the tablet. Before I can respond, the woman beside him frowns, her manicured fingers tracing Aditya’s hand across the table. “You know her?” she asks, her tone edged with disbelief as if the idea itself is offensive.
Aditya straightens and turns to her, grinning. “Oh, yes. She’s very dear to me…” He shoots me a wink before turning back to her. “A friend, really. It’s all thanks to her that I even agreed to this date in the first place.” His voice is causal, but every syllable cuts deep. He then turns to me with a smile. “Sana, this is Samantha. And Samantha, this is Sana.”
I feel my stomach twist, but I refuse to let it show. I won’t give him the satisfaction of letting him see that this silly game he’s playing has an effect on me. Instead, I lift my chin and meet Samantha’s gaze with a polite smile, even as she looks at me like I am a speck of dust in her shoes.
“Nice to meet you, Samantha,” I say.
She gives me a once-over, her expression downright disapproving. “Likewise,” she replies coolly, though it’s clear she doesn’t mean it.
Aditya leans back again in his chair, stretching leisurely as if he has all the time in the world. “I have to say, this place is a perfect choice for my date.” His voice is smooth, deliberate—aimed at me more than Samantha.
My jaw tightens as I glare at him. I know exactly what he’s doing—pushing, testing, trying to chip away at my resolve. But I won’t let him break me. Not today. Not ever. I’m strong enough to handle whatever he throws at me. I’m just not letting him win this, no matter how hard he tries.
I fake-smile at him, keeping my voice steady. “Glad you think so.”
Samantha, however, doesn’t seem as impressed. She crosses her arms, glancing around the café with a sceptical look. “Hmm… it’s just okay, I suppose. I’ve been to far better places.”
I force a polite smile, ignoring the sting. “Maybe you should try our coffee first; you might just change your mind.”
Aditya chuckles, his eyes never leaving mine. “That’s what I’ve always admired about you, Sana. So determined. So eager to prove yourself right and others wrong.” He tilts his head slightly, his voice smooth but laced with bite. “But tell me, do you really think a cup of coffee can change my date’s mind? You see, I want to make this date special for Samantha.”
I meet his gaze head-on, refusing to waver. “If it’s frommycafé, then yes.”
Aditya’s piercing gaze stays on me. “Well then, let’s see if your café lives up to its reputation. You’ve already let me down once. I hope it doesn’t happen again.”
I refuse to let his words get to me. Instead, my fingers press harder against the tablet, but I don’t let my mask slip. “I don’t make the same mistake twice. And like I said, my café is known for its best coffee.”
