69 A kiss , reunion and rain …
L
I wouldn’t say I liked it when it rains though it had been raining more often than usual and the weather forecast hadn’t mentioned anything about rain and I’d left my umbre at home .
I stood at the entrance of mypany’s building , debating whether to wait it out or make a run for it to the bus stop two blocks away .
I pulled my coat tighter around me , feeling the mist from the rain kiss my cheeks .
The streetlights reflected off the wet pavements .
I sighed as I stared at the sky , it wasn’t showing any signs of stopping soon .
The street was growing emptier and soon there would be no bus to my ce .
Thest time I had missed thest bus , I had to sleep in my office and all I wanted to do more than anything after a long day at work was to go home to my warm apartment , with a cup of tea and bury myself inyers of nkets .
As I stood there contemting , the ss doors behind me swooshed open .
I turned and to my surprise , it was Paul , one of the marketing managers .
His short brown hair was a little messy , as though he had run his hand through it one too many times during the day .
He smiled awkwardly , his dark – rimmed sses slightly fogging from the temperature difference inside and outside the building .
He was holding out a raincoat to me .
“ Hey L ,” he greeted , looking at his feet .
“ Hey Paul , ” I replied returning his smile .
He was always so polite to me , and so considerate .
Over the past few months , I’d caught him stealing nces at me duringpany meetings and I couldn’t deny the warm flutter in my chest whenever our paths crossed in the break room .
He seemed harmless … but Xander had been that do .
So , I had to caution myself – these days , I stay away from humans especially .
I’ve had three years.
and six months of my life without any drama and I intend to keep it that way .
“ Here , ” he said in a shy voice pointing at the raincoat .
“ You can use this .
I saw you standing out here and thought you might need it .
You’ll get soaked otherwise .
”
I blinked in surprise .
“ Oh , no , I couldn’t … ”
* Please ! ” He insisted , already pushing it inside my hand .
“ I’m stayingte anyway and I have thepany car and driver .
” He pushed his sses up his nose .
“ So , I insist .
”
“ Oh , Paul , that’s so thoughtful of you , ” I said , my smile deepening .
Thank you so much .
He nodded .
Pushing his sses up his nose , a nervous gesture I’de to find endearing .
“ Actually , I … um … ”
I waited patiently , as he gathered courage , a faint blush crept across his cheeks , and I felt my own face warning in response too .
“ The thing is tomorrow is my birthday ,” he finally managed , looking somewhere between my
GO A kiss , rounion and rain .
eyes and the floor .
“ And I’m new to the city , I don’t really know many people outside of work yet .
And I was wondering , he paused , scratching his head nervously .
“ I’m having a small gathering tomorrow for my birthday .
I didn’t really n much … I mean , I’ve asked some people and I was wondering … ” He took a deep breath , his gaze meeting mine for a
moment .
“ If you’re not busy … would you like toe ? There’ll be some people from marketing too .
I know it’s a bother and you might probably want to spend your weekend resting but I’d really like it if you came .
”
My heart fluttered at the sincerity in his voice .
Here was this sessful , kind man , asking me out with all the nervousness of a teenager at his first school dance .
Though we’ve only met up a couple of times within thepany , there has always been a warmth in his presence that I appreciated .
He was not like the other managers who carried their titles on their heads .
Paul was humbler and I knew he liked me .
He was always looking at me and now , this invitation and the sweet way he asked .
How could I refuse him ?
Also , he could be Xander – in another form .
My suspicion was the only defence mechanism I had .
To me , every man was a Xander and Mr Dupree until proven otherwise .
“ I’d love to , ” I said softly .
His eyes lit up and he grinned , looking more relieved than anything .
“ Really ? That’s that’s great .
” Then he nced at this watch and his eyes widened .
“ Oh shoot , I have a meeting with the board in two minutes and I’ve got to run .
But may I text you the details of you know , where we’re meeting and all ? ” he was already backing toward the door , nearly tripping over his own feet in his haste .
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“ Sure , ” Iughed .
“ Go before you’rete ! ”
“ Right , yes .
Tomorrow then! ” he disappeared back into the building , leaving me staying there with his raincoat and a grin I couldn’t suppress if I tried .
I looked down at his raincoat , suspiciously … Xander had been using spells on me ording to Nanny at some point , and that was what exined all of my erratic behaviours .
I brought out a small vial from my purse … I didn’t know what it was but Nanny always sent it to me .
She said whenever I was unsure about anything , I should sprinkle it .
After sprinkling the dark liquid on it , I slipped the coat on , inhaling the scent of his cologne .
The raincoat was slightly too big for me , but it made it even more endearing and it was warm andfortable .
Just like a hug , I thought and immediately felt silly for such a romantic notion .
I
Taking a deep breath , I stepped out into the rain .
The rain however intensified and despite the coat , the wind whipped at my face , sending cold droplets into my eyes .
I raised my hand to shield my eyes , thinking maybe I should’ve waited for the storm to pass
after
all .
Suddenly , it stopped raining , or rather , the rain stopped falling on me .
I blinked in confusion and
69 A kiss reunion and rain …
looked up .
An umbre had appeared above my head ,rge enough to shield mepletely from
the downpour .
Relieved , I looked up to thank whoever it was for their kindness but the words froze in my throat and the world stopped spinning .
My bag slipped from my fingersnding with a wet ssh on the sidewalk but I barely noticed .
I was too busy staring into a pair of eyes I never thought I’d see again .
Standing beside me , holding the umbre was Nathan .
My breath caught in my chest , my heart stopped beating .
The world seemed to blur around me as I locked eyes with his .
It couldn’t be him .
Not here .
Not now .
The Nathan I knew couldn’t have known I work here now .
He didn’t know where I lived , I already moved out from the old address I gave him four years ago .
So , this couldn’t possibly be him .
Maybe it was my grief deceiving me with his face .
“ Thank you ! ” I said , “ You didn’t have to , I’ll take it from here , I told the man .
The man bent down and picked up my bag , when he straightened , his eyes bored into mine gently .
He looked exactly like Nathan andpletely different at the same time .
“ L ! ” he said gently .
“ It’s me … Nathan .
”
“ Nathan ! ” I whispered , shaking my head .
“ That’s that’s not possible .
The Nathan .
I know he’s … this is a mistake ”
I tried to move away from the Umbre but he reached for my wrist , tugging me gently towards
him .
“ It’s really me , Nathan Tanner ! ” he sighed softly .
“ It’s been years .
You look beautiful as always .
I’m sorry , I didn’t reach out … ”
“ It’s truly you ! ” I said with disbelief in my voice as I turned to him .
“ What are you doing here ? ” I managed to ask proud that my voice remained steady despite the chaos inside me .
His
gaze travelled over my face .
“ I needed to see you ,” he said simply .
“ It’s been a while .
”
“ It’s been four years ! ” I retorted .
“ You can’t just … you can’t just show up like this , Nathan .
”
“ I know ” His free hand twitched at his side as if he wanted to reach for me but thought better of it .
“ But things have changed .
There’s something you need to know .
”
A crack of thunder made me jump and Nathan stepped closer instinctively , adjusting the umbre to shield me better from the pouring rain .
“ Whatever it is ,” I said taking a deliberate step back .
“ I don’t want to hear it .
I’m just d you’re alive .
” I dragged out my bag from his grasp , hiding the trembling of my hands and forcing myself to meet his gaze .
“ I have a life now , Nathan .
A good one .
You can’t just walk back into it and expect … ”
“ I missed you , L … ” he said suddenly , making the words in my mouth dry .
A tear rolled down his cheek as he drew closer to me again , running a finger on my cheeks .
“ Every day , I prayed to
60 A kiss reunion and rain …
the Moon Goddess to allow me to see you again … even if it was for thest time … ” His voice shook as he let his hands drop at his side .
.
Without warning , he gently cupped my cheek , tilting my face towards his .
I saw it in his eyes before he leaned forward but I barely had time to protest what he was about to do before his lips came crashing on mine , 040