After storming in and out of my cubicle for about thirty times, the workday at Bexley's came to a tiring end. Amanda's cheap PR trick on my reputation had taken a toll on me. Josh offered to drive me home, but I politely rejected. He lived downtown, and I lived on the far side of the city. It would cost him a lot to pay for the gas. There were always other ways to stay together. Preferably, less expensive.
I quickly texted Romilda.
Want to chill up at Brian's tonight? Just the two of us?
I was dying for an all-girls night out with her.
You have one new message from Roms.
Roms: See you at 9 pm.
Me: 9@Brian's is dangerous.
Are you sure about that?
Romilda: What's the fun in playing safe? JK. All will be fine. You know Brian will be there.
Me: I will head out straight for Brian's then.
Romilda: See you there, honey!
I couldn't wait to head out and get drunk with Roms. Nothing like bitching about a bitch with your best pal. I hit send on the last email to Sparks, and ta-da! I was happy to shut down the screen and worked my way into the elevator. Josh left early with Amer and a few others, and I promised to call him on my way back but decided against it. Josh can wait for a night, and I needed a 'me time' when I was not horny over a guy.
***
What's wrong with Monday evenings and cabs? It had been half an hour, and I couldn't get one. The online cab services that I usually relied on had a system crash, and they were not leasing any cabs. I waited for the bus at the bus stand, hoping the city bus would arrive any minute. For fuck's sake, why can't anything be the way it is supposed to!
I could see vehicles zooming in and out of sight. The rain started as a drizzle and transited into a full-fledged downpour. The grey pavements of the street were drenched wet. The streetlights and the wet roads added with the rain made it a perfect opening scene for a K-drama. Ugh! So much for being a romance editor. Why can't I have an easy life with Netflix-worthy romance? Just why? In real life everything sucked. The downpour got heavier with the moment. I was sure to get drenched in her horrible office clothes. There were no happy endings for me.
"Are we waiting for the bus?" I turned to find a guy dressed in a pitch black jumpsuit. He had his hair spiked to the very tip and a black eye.
"Yeah. I suppose!" I said in an almost whisper, not meaning to be rude.
"You know there aren't going to be any?" He said with a smirk.
"You mean?" I asked nervously.
This guy came off as a creepy bastard. Should I kick him in the nuts and run for my life? Mud and water are no harm compared to being tied and tortured.
"No buses for you, princess."He said with a chuckle.
"Are you fucking with me? You know I am a blue belt in Taekwondo!" I said.
I loved screaming the unnecessary credentials in scary places. It gave me an ego boost and a sense of relief that I am not a delicate coward.
"Whoa. I love my balls, no messing with Taekwondo lady there! But the state bus services are canceled for a week due to the cyclone." The young guy said, looking horrified.
"Are you kidding me? A cyclone! When the hell did this happen? We are in the middle of a full fledged summer!"
I practically cried in front of a total stranger. Why the hell did I stop watching the news! Was it because Josh complained that the News reports were fake and there was too much propaganda? I could have checked the weather forecast. I cursed myself in self-loathing pity.
"You aren't as smart as you look! Aren't you?" The kid mocked.
"But I do assure you that I am strong." I moved two steps forward to see the young tramp curling up in a corner.
"You aren't much of a macho either, kid!" I laughed, and he retorted into absolute silence.
My phone beeped.
You have one new notification from Romilda.
Romilda: Where are you? Are you alright?
Me: I am stuck in the rain.
I can't get a cab T_T
Romilda: Oh God! Do you want me to come to get you? Where are you?
Power off. Shutting down.
With the last notification from Romilda, my phone turned off. What do I do? How the hell will I tell Romilda that I was stuck here?
The clouds seemed to get darker. The rain was not going to stop anytime soon. The vehicles passing down the street had reduced alarmingly. I saw a solitary Bentley driving towards the bus stand. The streetlights shine faintly on the metallic silver exterior. Now what? Am I getting kidnapped too?
I took a closer look at the owner. The car door flew open, and I found myself a familiar face. Grey eyes, a tuxedo, and... an umbrella?
"What are you doing here?" I asked frantically, but I was relieved he was here.
"Roms called. She feared that the apocalypse might have swallowed you in!" Will joked.
What's with humor and guys?
"Very funny. How'd you find me? Are you a low-key stalker?" I mocked.
"Your punch-out time was 35 minutes ago, and based on what you have fed into the system database, you do not own a vehicle...And no cab services or bus services are working today!" Will said statistically.
Wow. Wasn't he supposed to be with Sherlock Holmes? Did he work as a secret agent spy somewhere? I would place my bet on that one.
"Very calculative," I said.
"As much as I enjoy seeing you all drenched, I think you would love to get in! I am going to drive back to office." He said, and I noticed the guy staring at us.
"Wait. You aren't here to drive me off to my place?" I asked in hysterics.
"Hell no. Who am I? Your private chauffeur? Get in, I have work to complete. Or you may as well stay here and give the young man company." He said moodily.
"No. Wait. I am getting in." I said and got in as fast as I could. I condemned this jerk, but I couldn't turn down the offer. I would choose Bexley's over a bus stand on a rainy night any day.
~
Five minutes down the road and we were standing in front of Trivia. The splendor of architecture got washed against the shower as we walked into the building.
"Should I just cut off money from your paycheck for ruining my leather?" Will scoffed as the elevator escalated.
"Send me the bill. I will pay whatever it is."I said apologetically.
"Anyways. You were wet." He added.
"Yeah. I couldn't help that I was wet. But, I will pay for whatever I ruined." I said, more to myself than to him, and he smirked.
"Are you sure there was nothing I could do because you were wet?" His eyes turned dark.
"Are you fucking with me right now? I have a blue belt in Taekwondo, Mr. Turner." I said, squirming into the corner. This time it felt different.
Tyranny's cologne was exhilarating in all my senses. A sweet, musk smell shattered my confidence, and he inched closer. His blonde locks were wet from the rain. Will's shirt unbuttoned at the collar as his tie hung loosely.
"You don't have the wisest choice of words, Eva. Fucking hilarious. You can't keep throwing martial arts credentials in the face of male species!" He broke into laughter. His demeanor changed drastically.
"It takes more than that to make a man tremble!" He added, amusing himself with his inside joke.
"It isn't funny, Will!" I added.
"Going on a first name basis again. Aren't we now?" He said and exited the elevator, still laughing.
"Please, watch the news. It saves lives!" He added as he turned towards me.
His lips broke into the most infectious smile. Am I allowed to think this way about another man? I almost felt guilty. But it was what it was. Was Will Turner my guilty pleasure? Was he meant to be? Or maybe I am just hormonal!