TOTS: The One That Stays

Kabanata 6: Dinner and Distraction

Maya Montel POV

The day dragged like a slow movie. Freelance work, client emails, Zoom meetings… I kept my focus on the screen, but my mind kept drifting back to yesterday—the café, Adrian, that look in his eyes. I tried to push it aside. Marco’s dinner plan was supposed to be a distraction. A safe, comfortable, easy distraction.

“Are you seriously staring at your laptop again?” Trina’s voice cut through the apartment as she tossed her backpack on the sofa. My younger sister had the uncanny ability to sense when I was overthinking—even when I was pretending to be busy.

“Yeah, just finishing up a few things,” I muttered, trying not to reveal that my brain was replaying Adrian’s gaze on loop.

Trina smirked knowingly, plopping herself next to me. “Uh-huh. Sure. You always work this late. And yet your phone is buzzing more than your laptop.”

I groaned, knowing she’d noticed my subtle glances at my phone. “Trina, not now. I’m busy.”

“Busy thinking about Mr. Past or Mr. Safe?” she teased. “Because if it’s Mr. Past… uh-oh, Maya. I can see the drama coming already.”

I buried my face in my hands. “I hate you.”

She laughed. “Yeah, yeah. But you know I’m right.”

From the kitchen, Mom’s voice called out “Maya, dinner’s almost ready! And don’t forget—your presentation tomorrow, okay? I know how you overwork yourself.”

I nodded, grateful for the distraction. The aroma of garlic and ginger filled the apartment, making my stomach rumble. Family always grounded me, even when my heart was bouncing between Adrian and Marco.

Dinner was a quiet, cozy affair. Trina chattered about school, her part-time job, and the latest campus gossip. Mom smiled softly, adding gentle corrections whenever Trina exaggerated. I listened, trying to laugh naturally, but my mind kept drifting to Adrian and the text I had ignored all day.

Thanks for not walking away yesterday. Can we talk again?

I shoved my thoughts away, focusing on Marco.

Later that evening, I changed into something casual and headed to the restaurant. Marco was already there, waiting outside, leaning against the wall like he owned the place—which, somehow, made me smile despite the tension in my chest.

“Hey,” he greeted, eyes lighting up at the sight of me. “You made it. How’s work?”

“Long,” I admitted, trying to sound normal. “But I’m here now. That’s what matters.”

He grinned, holding the door open for me. “Glad to hear it. Let’s eat before I make you work on another project while I stare.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Don’t tempt me.”

Inside, the restaurant was warm and cozy, soft lighting casting a golden glow over everything. The atmosphere was easy, comfortable. Marco was easy. He made everything feel simple. And maybe that’s why my chest ached a little—because Adrian was anything but simple.

We ordered, and the conversation flowed effortlessly. He told me about his latest project, his new favorite cafés, and his ridiculous obsession with a certain TV show I pretended to hate. I laughed genuinely, feeling my shoulders relax for the first time in hours.

And yet… somewhere in the back of my mind, Adrian’s words lingered. The softness in his tone when he said he wanted a chance. The intensity in his eyes when he studied me. That pull I hadn’t felt in years.

After dinner, Marco insisted on walking me home, and I didn’t mind. The cool night air helped clear my head, though it did nothing to stop the lingering thoughts of Adrian.

“So…” he said, nudging my shoulder lightly. “You’ve been awfully quiet. Something on your mind?”

I forced a smile. “Just… tired, I guess. Long day.”

He raised an eyebrow knowingly. “Uh-huh. Long day. That’s what everyone says when something’s bothering them.”

I sighed, deciding to keep it vague. “Just… thinking about work. And life.”

Marco chuckled softly. “Alright, I’ll let you have your mysterious moments. But hey… you smiled a lot tonight. That’s a good sign, right?”

I smiled back, even though a tiny part of me winced at the honesty in his words.

Back at home, I kicked off my shoes and collapsed onto the sofa, Trina already sprawled with her phone in hand. Mom came in with a tray of tea, setting it down beside me.

“Here, dear. You look exhausted,” she said softly.

“Thanks, Mom,” I murmured, sipping the warm tea. It was grounding, comforting—like a little shield against the chaos of my heart.

Trina smirked. “So… Mr. Safe or Mr. Chaos? Which one’s winning tonight?”

I groaned dramatically. “Trina! Stop it. You don’t understand!”

“Oh, I understand perfectly,” she said with a grin. “You like him. And you still… like him.”

I buried my face in my hands again. “Shut up, Trina. You’re not supposed to be right about this.”

Mom chuckled softly from the kitchen. “Girls, let her think. Sometimes, it’s better to let the heart figure things out on its own.”

I peeked at my phone. Another message from Marco, just a smiley face. Safe. Comforting. Easy.

But in the corner of my mind, Adrian’s words whispered: Thanks for not walking away yesterday. Can we talk again?

Later that night, after Trina went to bed and Mom tidied the kitchen, I finally sat at my desk, laptop open but untouched. My fingers hovered over my phone.

I knew I couldn’t avoid him forever. Not if he was serious. Not if my heart refused to cooperate.

I stared at the blank screen, heart pounding. Part of me wanted to text him immediately. Another part of me wanted to wait, to think, to figure out how to keep my heart intact.

And then I realized… no matter what I decided, my life was about to get complicated.

Marco, sweet and easy, waiting for my attention. Adrian, chaotic and intense, demanding it. My past and my present colliding in ways I wasn’t ready for.

I exhaled slowly, feeling the weight settle in my chest.

Tomorrow would bring its own challenges. Choices I had to make. Feelings I had to face. And maybe… the hardest part of all was accepting that my heart had its own agenda.