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

kiss, rounion and

many people outside of work yet. And

much… I mean, I’ve asked some people and I

moment.

it’s a bother and you might probably want to spend your weekend resting but I’d really

the nervousness of a teenager at his first school dance. Though we’ve only met up a couple of times within the company, there

their heads. Paul was humbler and I knew he liked me. He was always looking at me and now, this invitation

mechanism I had. To me, every man was a Xander and Mr

to,” I said

lit up and he grinned, looking more relieved than anything.

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

“Go before you’re

me staying there with his raincoat and a grin I couldn’t suppress if I

explained all of my

the coat on, inhaling the scent of his cologne. The raincoat was slightly too big for me, but it made

a hug, I thought and immediately felt

I

I stepped out into the rain. The rain however intensified and despite the coat, the wind whipped at my face, sending

hand to shield my eyes, thinking maybe I should’ve waited for the storm

after

all.

stopped raining, or rather, the rain stopped

reunion and

my head, large enough to shield me completely

the downpour.

looked up to thank whoever it was for their kindness but

wet splash on the sidewalk but I barely noticed. I was too busy staring

the

to blur around me as I locked eyes with his. It couldn’t be him. Not here.

lived, I already moved out

grief deceiving me