Leading Us

10. Crossroads

Chapter Ten: Crossroads

Maya spent the next few days wrapped in a fog of uncertainty, juggling the demands of her career with the persistent thoughts of Adrian. Every time her phone buzzed, her heart skipped a beat, half expecting to see his name on the screen. And more often than not, it was.

His messages were short and sweet—simple check-ins or thoughts about their time together. They were thoughtful, a reminder of the connection that had been forged between them in such a short time. But with each message, Maya felt the pull of two opposing forces: her desire for Adrian and her fear of what that desire might cost her.

By midweek, Maya had reached her breaking point. She knew she couldn’t continue in this limbo, couldn’t keep distracting herself with work while her heart and mind waged war. She needed clarity, and she needed it now.

That afternoon, after finishing up a meeting at the gallery, Maya made a decision. She texted Adrian, asking if they could meet. His response was almost immediate, suggesting a quiet café downtown, far from the prying eyes of the art world.

When Maya arrived, she spotted him immediately. He was seated at a corner table, a cup of coffee in front of him, his gaze focused on the entrance as if he had been waiting for her. As she approached, he stood, a small, relieved smile crossing his face.

“Maya,” he greeted her, his voice warm.

“Adrian,” she replied, her own smile tentative. “Thanks for meeting me.”

“Of course,” he said, motioning for her to sit. “You’ve been on my mind a lot.”

Maya’s heart tightened at his words. She took a deep breath, steadying herself. “You’ve been on mine too. That’s why I needed to see you.”

Adrian’s expression grew serious, and he leaned forward, his focus entirely on her. “What’s going on, Maya?”

Maya bit her lip, her eyes dropping to her hands as she tried to find the right words. “I’m confused, Adrian. About us. About what I want. My life… it’s so complicated right now, and I don’t know if I can handle something this intense on top of everything else.”

Adrian was silent for a moment, his eyes searching hers. “I understand,” he said finally, his voice measured. “I won’t lie to you, Maya—I want this. I want to be with you. But I don’t want to add more pressure to your life. I’m willing to go at whatever pace you need, as long as you’re honest with me.”

Maya’s throat tightened at his words, the sincerity in his voice touching something deep within her. “That’s the thing, Adrian. I don’t know if I can do this halfway. I feel… so much when I’m with you, and it scares me. I’m afraid I’ll lose myself, that I’ll lose everything I’ve worked so hard for.”

Adrian reached across the table, his hand covering hers. “You won’t lose yourself, Maya. And you won’t lose what you’ve built. I see how much your work means to you, and I would never want to take that away. But I also can’t pretend that what we have isn’t real, that it doesn’t mean something. If you need time, space, whatever it is—just tell me.”

Maya looked up at him, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. “You’re making this so hard, Adrian.”

He gave her a sad smile, his thumb gently stroking her hand. “I know. But maybe it’s supposed to be hard. Maybe it’s worth it.”

Maya felt a tear slip down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away, embarrassed by her emotions. “I don’t want to hurt you,” she whispered. “Or myself.”

“You won’t,” Adrian assured her, his voice steady. “We’ll figure this out together.”

Maya swallowed hard, her mind spinning with everything he was saying. It all sounded so simple, so reasonable, but the reality of her life wasn’t simple at all. She had obligations, expectations, and the looming presence of Victor, who had always been there, guiding her, protecting her.

Victor.

The thought of him brought a fresh wave of confusion crashing over her. How could she explain this to him? How could she make him understand that this wasn’t just a distraction, that it was something more? Would he see it as a betrayal of all the time and effort he had invested in her?

Maya shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. “I need to think, Adrian. I need time to figure out what I want, what I’m willing to risk.”

Adrian nodded, though she could see the disappointment in his eyes. “Take all the time you need. I’ll be here, whenever you’re ready.”

Maya managed a small smile, her heart aching. “Thank you. For being so understanding.”

He squeezed her hand one last time before letting go. “I care about you, Maya. That’s not going to change, no matter what you decide.”

They sat in silence for a moment, the air between them heavy with unspoken words. Finally, Maya stood, knowing that if she stayed any longer, she might not have the strength to walk away.

“I’ll call you,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Adrian nodded, his expression tender. “I’ll be waiting.”

Maya turned and left the café, her heart feeling heavier with each step. She had wanted clarity, but all she had found were more questions, more doubts. As she walked through the bustling streets, the noise of the city filling her ears, she realized that the choice she faced wasn’t just about Adrian or her career—it was about her future, about who she wanted to be.

And in that moment, she knew that no matter what she chose, nothing would ever be the same.