Love, Lies & Lattes

In the days following their heated confrontation, Kiara threw herself into work, barely pausing to breathe. The incident lingered stubbornly in her mind, sharpening her frustration and making every setback feel deeply personal. Customers slowly returned, yet the air felt heavy, each moment shadowed by the echoes of harsh words she'd exchanged with Rohan.

Meera approached her carefully one quiet afternoon, cautiously placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Kiara, maybe you should take a break?"

Kiara shook her head stubbornly, wiping the counter with unnecessary force. "I can't. Not now."

Meera sighed softly, stepping closer. "You know, maybe Rohan wasn't lying. Maybe he didn’t influence the critic's review."

Kiara froze momentarily, staring blankly at the counter. "So you’re taking his side now?"

"No," Meera clarified gently, "I'm on your side—always. But what if you're so caught up in fighting that you're seeing battles where none exist?"

Kiara’s jaw tightened, her voice brittle. "He came in here to provoke me, Meera."

"Did he?" Meera pressed carefully. "Or was he genuinely trying to explain?"

Kiara didn't respond, the question sinking deep, unsettling something within her. Reluctantly, she acknowledged that Meera might have a point—but admitting that felt like betraying herself.

Later that night, as Kiara settled onto her sofa, her phone buzzed again. She saw Ro’s message, and a wave of complicated emotion swept over her.

Ro: "Still surviving the ruthless world of coffee?"

She stared at the screen, fingers hovering uncertainly.

Kiara: "Barely."

Ro: "Want to talk about it?"

Kiara hesitated for a long moment before finally typing.

Kiara: "Have you ever accused someone without evidence?"

A longer pause followed, then finally his response appeared.

Ro: "Maybe once or twice. Anger clouds judgment. Did you?"

She bit her lip, tension pooling in her stomach.

Kiara: "Possibly."

Ro: "Then maybe it’s time to reconsider. Sometimes pride isn't worth losing peace."

Kiara stared thoughtfully at his words, conflicted yet unable to deny their truth. Her pride had driven her confrontation with Rohan—but what if Meera was right, and she'd overstepped?

Sighing deeply, Kiara put her phone aside, feeling uncertain and vulnerable for the first time in weeks. The rivalry with Rohan had changed something within her. She wasn't sure she liked who she was becoming—but she wasn’t ready to forgive, either.