Writers 
Daniel would not stop messaging me. At first, I tried to ignore him. Every time his name appeared on my phone, I would simply lock the screen and continue whatever I was doing. But Daniel was persistent.
“Amara, there is something you need to know.”
Another message would come.
“Please, just give me a chance to explain.”
Then another.
“It is important. You deserve to know the truth.”
I didn't understand why he suddenly wanted to tell me something after all this time. Whatever it was, I knew I didn't want to reopen the past. But Daniel kept insisting that there was something I needed to know.
Eventually, Adrian began noticing how frequently my phone was buzzing.
“Who keeps disturbing your phone?” he asked one evening.
I looked at him and forced a casual smile.
“It’s the communication provider,” I replied. Adrian stared at me for a moment, but I quickly changed the subject. I hated lying to him, but his reaction makes it more harder to tell him about Daniel.
Daniel's messages continued for days. The more I ignored him, the more determined he became.
Eventually, I realized that avoiding him would not make the messages stop. If anything, it was only making the situation worse.
So I made a decision. I would meet Daniel.
Not because I wanted him back.
Not because I still had feelings for him.
I simply wanted to hear what he had to say about this mysterious thing he kept insisting I needed to know.
And after that, I would make it clear that whatever existed between us in the past was completely over.
Daniel suggested we meet somewhere private. The moment I saw the location, I became uncomfortable. I almost changed my mind. There was something about meeting him in a private place that didn't sit well with me, especially knowing that I had already moved on with my life. Still, I eventually agreed.
I told myself I would listen to him, say what I needed to say, and leave.
That was all. At least, that was what I thought would happen.
On the day of the meeting, Daniel unexpectedly changed the location. Instead of the private place he had originally suggested, he asked me to meet him at a restaurant lounge.
Strangely, I felt relieved. A public place was much better. When I arrived, I looked around the lounge until I saw him. Daniel was sitting on a long chair that was large enough for two people. The chair was positioned against the wall, while the table in front of him faced the centre of the lounge. He saw me and immediately stood up. I walked over and sat beside him.
For a moment, neither of us said anything. I expected him to immediately explain the reason for all those messages.
But he didn't. Instead, Daniel started talking about us. He talked about our past. He talked about how much he missed me. He talked about how he regretted losing me.
I listened quietly.
Ten minutes passed.
Still, he had not said anything about the important information that supposedly required me to meet him.
“Daniel,” I finally said, “you said there was something I needed to know.”
He looked at me.
“I know, but…”
He paused.
Then he started talking about wanting another chance.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I had come there because he said there was something important I needed to know. Instead, he was trying to convince me to return to him.
I remained silent. The more he spoke, the more certain I became that meeting him had been a mistake.
I had nothing else to say. I picked up my bag and stood.
“I think I'm leaving.”
Daniel immediately looked worried.
“Amara, wait.”
I shook my head.
“No. You asked me to come here because you said there was something important I needed to know. You haven't told me anything.”
“I was going to.”
“When?”
He didn't answer.
I turned to leave. At that moment, I had already made up my mind.
Whatever Daniel wanted to tell me could remain untold. I didn't want to go back to the past. I didn't want another relationship with him. And I certainly didn't want to betray Adrian by allowing an old relationship to interfere with the life I had built.
I took one step away from the table.
Then Daniel suddenly reached for me. Before I could understand what he was doing, he pulled me closer and kissed me.
For a second, I froze. I couldn't believe what had just happened. Then reality hit me. I pushed him away immediately.
“Daniel!”
My voice echoed across the lounge.
“What are you doing?”
Daniel looked at me, but I didn't give him the opportunity to say anything.
“You had no right to do that!”
I was angry, shocked, and completely humiliated. Then, suddenly, I noticed something behind him.
Someone was standing across the lounge. My heart stopped.
Adrian.
He was staring directly at us. I couldn't read everything on his face, but I could see the disappointment.
And the anger. My mouth opened.
“Adrian…”
Before I could explain, he started walking toward us. Then he rushed forward. Adrian grabbed Daniel and began beating him.
“Adrian, stop!”
Daniel tried to defend himself, but Adrian was furious.
People around us began turning to watch. The situation quickly became chaotic. I stood there frozen, desperately trying to make sense of what was happening.
“Adrian, please!”
But he wouldn't listen. His anger had completely taken over. Daniel pushed him back, and Adrian immediately moved toward him again.
The fight became worse. Within seconds, the restaurant security guards rushed over and pulled them apart.
“Sir, please calm down!”
Adrian struggled against them. Daniel was breathing heavily, his clothes disheveled from the fight.
I looked at Adrian. He looked at me.
There was so much anger in his eyes, but underneath it, I could see something else.
Hurt.
He had seen Daniel kiss me.
He hadn't seen me push Daniel away.
He hadn't heard me shout at him.
He had only seen the moment.
And I knew that whatever explanation I gave him might not be enough.
“Adrian, I can explain.”
He didn't answer. Instead, he walked toward me.
He took my hand firmly.
“Come.”
I didn't argue. I followed him out of the restaurant. My heart was pounding. I knew the moment we entered that car, everything between us was going to change.
Adrian opened the passenger door.
I got inside. He walked around to the driver's side, entered the car, and started the engine. Neither of us said a word. The silence inside the car felt heavier than any argument we had ever had.
I turned toward him.
“Adrian…”
He kept his eyes on the road.
“Please, let me explain.”
Adrian's hands tightened around the steering wheel. Adrian remained silent. Tears gathered in my eyes.
I wished he had seen everything.
I wished he had heard the words Daniel and I exchanged. I wished he had arrived a few seconds earlier.
But he hadn't. All he had seen was Daniel's lips on mine.
And now, as Adrian drove us away from the restaurant, I realized that the kiss I never wanted might have just changed everything between us.
