Lila sat across from Ethan, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she reached across the table, her hands playfully poised. "You know I can't help it," he said, laughter bubbling beneath his words. Lila chuckled softly, her fingers brushing against his lips, silencing him mid-chuckle. "Your jokes are too terrible not to," she teased, her voice full of affection.

Ethan grinned beneath her touch, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "One day, you won't be able to resist my charm," he declared, his voice slightly muffled. Lila raised an eyebrow, her hands still lingering over his mouth. "We'll see about that," she replied, letting her hands drop as his laughter finally escaped.

Maya, an old friend with a warm smile and vibrant energy, approached their table, her presence as unexpected as the sudden change in weather. "Mind if I join you two?" she asked, her voice blending seamlessly with the café's background noise. Lila and Ethan exchanged a glance, a silent conversation passing between them. "Of course, Maya," Lila replied warmly, gesturing to the empty chair beside her.

Maya's laughter filled the space, a melody both familiar and comforting. "It's been too long," she mused, her gaze lingering on Ethan with a hint of nostalgia. Ethan nodded, his expression thoughtful as he navigated the undercurrents of their shared history. "It has," he agreed, his voice carrying a note of something unspoken.

Lila sensed the change, her playful demeanor softening into curiosity. "So, Maya, what brings you here today?" she asked, her tone light yet probing. Maya hesitated, her eyes flickering between Lila and Ethan. "Just felt like revisiting some old haunts," she replied, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.

Lila blinked in surprise, sensing an underlying tension but shrugged it off, intrigued. "Sure, why not?" she replied, unaware of the trap ahead.

Maya suddenly grabbed Lila, covering her mouth with one hand and swiftly tying her up with duct tape. "Sorry, Lila, but I can't let you leave just yet," she said, her voice laced with a malicious glee. Lila struggled against the tape, her eyes wide with shock and confusion. "Maya! What are you doing?" she managed to mumble, fear creeping in.