Chapter 21 Evening brought a sudden downpour . Maya was brewing coffee in the kitchen when thunder roared outside and raindrops hammered against the windows . She had just closed the windows when urgent knocking came from the front door . " Who is it ? " She opened the door to find Daniel standing outside , completely soaked , clutching something in his arms . " Come in quickly ! " She stepped aside to let him enter . Daniel hurried inside and carefully opened his jacket , revealing a tiny white kitten curled up in his arms . It was trembling . " Found it at the end of the alley . It almost got swept away by the water . " His voice was low , tinged with concern . Maya immediately grabbed a towel and gently wrapped the kitten . " Let's dry it off first . I'll get the hair dryer . " As she turned to leave , Daniel caught her wrist . " Your hair's wet too . " He frowned , reaching up to brush rainwater from her shoulder . They were standing close . Maya could smell the faint scent of rain on him , mixed with a hint of clean pine . Her heart skipped a beat , and she instinctively stepped back . Daniel dropped his hand and cleared his throat softly . " Let's take care of the cat first . " " Right . " She looked down , her ears growing warm . Maya sat on the living room carpet , gently stroking the kitten's head . It had fallen asleep , its tiny body rising and falling with each breath . Daniel approached with two cups of warm milk , handing her one . " Not going to bed yet ? " " I'll stay with it a little longer . " She accepted the milk , the cup warm against her fingertips . Daniel sat beside her . After a moment of silence , he suddenly spoke . " Maya . " " What is it ? " " If someday … " He paused , his voice very soft . " If you wanted to start a new relationship , what kind of person would you consider ? " Maya froze and turned to look at him . Moonlight streamed through the window , casting silver light across Daniel's profile . He still wore that gentle smile , but his eyes held undisguised , intense emotion . Her heartbeat suddenly quickened . A faint blush colored her cheeks as she hurriedly looked away . " I … I haven't thought about it . " Daniel smiled and didn't press further . They sat quietly together , only the kitten's soft purring echoing in the room . Maya crouched in the corner of the courtyard , holding a small piece of fish as she carefully fed the white kitten . The kitten ate eagerly , occasionally nuzzling her fingers with its head and purring contentedly . She couldn't help but laugh softly , gently tapping its nose with her fingertip . " Daniel , do you think it's gotten a bit fatter ? " she asked without turning around , assuming Daniel had come over . There was no response from behind , only the rustling of wind through leaves . Maya frowned slightly and was about to turn when someone suddenly embraced her from behind . A familiar scent instantly enveloped her - crisp cedar mixed with a faint trace of tobacco . It was Jason's scent . Her body went rigid . " I finally found you … " Jason whispered in her ear , his voice low and hoarse , with barely concealed trembling . His arms circled tightly around her waist , as if afraid she would vanish the next second . Maya's breath caught , then she regained her composure . " Let go , " she spat . But not only did Jason not release her , he held her tighter , as if trying to merge her into himself . " Maya , do you know how long I've been searching for you ? I turned Southcrest upside down , sent people abroad . How could you just disappear like that ? " " Jason Reid , " she called him by his full name , her tone completely flat . " Let me go . " " I won't ! " His voice suddenly rose , tinged with barely controlled fury . " What right did you have to leave ? To just disappear without a word ? Do you know that 1- * Before he could finish , a figure rushed at him from the side , landing a fierce punch to Jason's face .