The Alpha's Fated Outcast: Rise Of The Moonsinger by Ejiofor Dorcas

69 A kiss, reunion and rain…

Lyla

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 umbrella at home.

I stood at the entrance of my company’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 place. The last time I had missed the last 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 in layers of blankets.

As I stood there contemplating, the glass 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 glasses slightly fogging from the temperature difference inside and outside the building. He was holding out a raincoat to me.

“Hey Lyla,” 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 glances at me during company 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 staying late anyway and I have the company car and driver.” He pushed his glasses 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 glasses up his nose, a nervous gesture I’d come 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

A kiss, rounion

many people outside of

small gathering tomorrow for my birthday. I didn’t really plan much… I mean, I’ve asked some people and I was wondering…” He

moment.

busy… would you like to come? 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.”

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 the company, there has always been a warmth in his presence

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?

be Xander – in another form. My suspicion was the only defence mechanism I had. To me, every man was a Xander and Mr Dupree

I said softly.

grinned, looking more relieved

Then he glanced 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

I laughed. “Go before you’re late!”

yes. Tomorrow then!” he disappeared back into the building, leaving me staying there with his raincoat and a grin I couldn’t suppress if

of

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 and

hug, I thought and immediately felt silly

I

rain. The rain however intensified and despite the coat, the wind whipped at my face, sending cold droplets

thinking maybe I should’ve waited for the storm

after

all.

rain stopped falling on me. I blinked in

reunion and

umbrella had appeared above my head,

the downpour.

up to thank whoever it was for their kindness but the words

my fingers landing with a wet splash on the sidewalk but I barely noticed. I was too busy staring into a pair of eyes I never thought I’d

the umbrella was

blur around me as I locked eyes with his.

lived, I already moved out from the

deceiving me