Three at the Table
1043 Words
The servant led Maya through the quiet hallway of the penthouse. Soft lights glowed along the walls, and the dark night of London shimmered beyond the tall glass windows.
Even though she had only arrived a short while ago, the place already felt strangely calm to her.
She couldn't explain it.
It was as if some part of her mind already knew this place.
The servant stopped in front of the dining area.
"Dinner is ready, madam," she said politely.
Maya nodded and stepped inside.
The dining space overlooked the entire skyline. The table was long, elegant, and set perfectly with silver cutlery and crystal glasses.
At the far end of the table sat Lucas.
He was focused on a tablet in front of him, occasionally tapping the screen, clearly working even during dinner. Papers and financial charts were visible beside him.
Maya stood there quietly for a moment.
When Lucas looked up and noticed her, his serious expression softened slightly.
"You're here," he said calmly.
Maya nodded.
"Yes."
Lucas placed the tablet aside.
"Sit," he said gently.
She pulled out the chair opposite him and sat down.
Almost immediately, a servant brought Layrus in and placed him in a small baby chair beside the table.
The little boy kicked his legs happily when he saw Maya.
"My jelly man," Maya murmured with a small smile.
She reached over and touched his tiny hand.
Lucas watched the interaction quietly.
There was a softness in his eyes that he tried to hide.
"Serve dinner," Lucas instructed the staff.
Several servants stepped forward and began placing dishes on the table.
The smell of the food filled the room.
But before Maya could begin eating, a voice interrupted them.
"Well... this looks cozy."
Both Maya and Lucas turned their heads.
Sophie walked into the dining room confidently.
She was dressed elegantly, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor.
Without asking permission, she pulled out a chair beside Lucas and sat down.
Maya's expression immediately hardened.
"What are you doing here?" she asked coldly.
Sophie smiled sweetly.
"Having dinner," she replied casually.
Lucas's jaw tightened slightly.
"Sophie," he said firmly.
"This is not your place tonight."
"Oh relax," Sophie said lightly.
"I was invited earlier, remember?"
Lucas said nothing.
But the tension between them was obvious.
Sophie turned toward Maya.
"Welcome to the penthouse," she said with a charming smile.
"I hope you're comfortable."
Maya didn't respond.
Instead she picked up her fork and began eating slowly.
Sophie leaned back in her chair.
"You know," she continued casually, "Lucas has always been generous with the people he cares about."
Lucas placed his fork down.
"That's enough," he said coldly.
Sophie raised her eyebrows.
"I'm just talking."
Lucas looked directly at her.
"You're stirring trouble."
Sophie laughed softly.
"You always assume the worst about me."
Maya watched the exchange quietly.
The tension between them was unmistakable.
And it only made her more confused.
If Sophie really was Lucas's wife...
Why did they behave like enemies?
Suddenly Layrus began whining in his chair.
The little boy stretched his hands toward Maya.
Maya stood up immediately.
"Hey, hey," she said softly, lifting him into her arms.
"What's wrong, jelly man?"
Layrus rested his head on her shoulder.
Lucas also stood up instinctively.
"Maybe he's tired," he said.
His hand reached out to steady the baby.
For a brief second, his fingers brushed Maya's hand.
Both of them paused.
Their eyes met.
Something unspoken passed between them.
Maya quickly looked away, her heart beating faster.
She didn't understand why such a small moment made her feel nervous.
Sophie watched the scene carefully.
Her smile faded slightly.
She picked up her glass of wine and took a slow sip.
"Lucas always had trouble letting go," she said suddenly.
Maya looked at her.
"What do you mean?"
Sophie shrugged.
"Oh nothing important."
Lucas's voice dropped dangerously low.
"Sophie."
She looked at him innocently.
"Yes?"
"Stop."
The warning in his voice was clear.
Sophie leaned back in her chair again, pretending to surrender.
"Fine," she said with a small laugh.
Lucas sat down again and focused on his food.
After a moment, he looked at Maya.
"What does Layrus usually eat for dinner?" he asked calmly.
Maya blinked slightly at the sudden change of topic.
"Soft vegetables mostly," she replied.
"Sometimes mashed potatoes."
Lucas nodded thoughtfully.
"And does he wake up during the night?"
"Sometimes."
Maya frowned slightly.
"You seem to know a lot about babies."
Lucas gave a small shrug.
"I've spent time with him."
Maya studied his face.
There was something about the way he spoke about Layrus.
It sounded... natural.
Almost like a father.
The thought made her uncomfortable.
She quickly pushed it away.
After a few minutes of quiet eating, Maya finally asked the question that had been bothering her.
"Lucas," she said.
He looked up.
"Yes?"
"How long have you known me?"
Lucas didn't answer immediately.
His gaze held hers for a few seconds.
Then he replied quietly.
"Long enough."
The answer only confused her more.
Across the table, Sophie watched everything carefully.
Inside, anger burned in her chest.
She could see it clearly.
Lucas still cared about Maya.
And Maya was slowly becoming comfortable around him again.
That was dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Because if Maya ever remembered the truth...
Everything would fall apart.
Dinner ended shortly after.
Maya carried Layrus back to the bedroom p, which wasrepared for them.
The penthouse was quiet.
The city lights outside flickered endlessly.
She placed Layrus gently in his crib.
The little boy quickly fell asleep.
Maya changed into comfortable clothes and lay down on the bed.
Her mind replayed the entire evening.
Lucas.
Sophie.
The strange tension between them.
And Alicia's words earlier.
"The man you've already slept with."
Her cheeks warmed slightly at the memory.
Just then-
A sharp pain suddenly hit her head.
"Ah-"
Maya sat up quickly.
Images flashed through her mind.
A cliff.
A gun.
Someone shis outing her name.
"MAYA!"
Her breathing quickened.
She held her head tightly.
The images vanished just as quickly as they came.
Maya stared into the darkness of the room.
Her heart powas unding.
One thought echoed inside her mind.
Why does it feel like Lucas was there that night...?
- Writer
