My teary face that mixed with rain droplets turned right to look at the man, who was holding the umbrella. He looked as usual, like a man of pride and privilege, without any reaction to the rain and thunder, like how normal people would usually react.
"Stand up. There's water on the ground." He ordered.
I stood straight and tried to take the umbrella into my hands, as I'd be the one holding it to him considering our levels. It was already enough of him to drive me to the graveyard personally.
When I reached out to take the umbrella, he pulled me towards him and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, ignoring the fact that I was already drenched.
"Stand close and walk with me. Else you can't escape this rain."
Before I opened my mouth to say anything, he spoke, "And don't even think about taking this umbrella from me. Look at our heights. You can't hold it for both of us."
True! Being five two and him being six one, it was impossible for me to even hold that without getting us drenched.
Taking our slow steps carefully, step by step, shoulder to shoulder, we reached the car. As he drove, I leaned my head to the window, reminiscing about my happy moments with my parents. It became so difficult for me to keep all my loneliness and sadness to myself after visiting them and feeling the ache of separating from them again.
The drive was so silent, and I felt his gaze on me at times. Swallowing down my emotions. I looked at him and said, "I had always been alone when I visited their graves. Today, you came with me, for whatever reason."
His eyes fell on me briefly before again focusing on the windshield.
"Thank you, Mr. Wolfe! For holding out an umbrella for me. I didn't expect that…"
He cut me off. "You would've expected it when I was someone else, wouldn't you?"
Just because I violated the contract the one time by hugging Matthew, he developed such a fury for him. I wondered if that anger was because of the violation of contract or only because I violated the contract. The second one would only be possible if he had any kind of feelings towards me, and just that thought was beyond funny.
I didn't dare to reply and make him angry, because my answer would be yes.
Again, we both fell silent and reached the villa in an hour. Quietly, I walked to my bedroom, freshened up, and fell on the bed, not feeling like doing anything. And, whenever I shut my eyes, my once happy family flashed across my head. Suddenly, I remembered them more than ever. How sad it was to feel both blessed and cursed when thinking about our loved ones!
All day, I didn't leave my room. I only locked myself up inside the four walls, letting out my grief and sadness.
In the evening, Mr. Wolfe entered my room and said. "We are going out."
I didn't want to, but he was beyond convincing. After looking at his casual outfit, I realized we were not going to any formal parties, so I also got ready in a simple but elegant dress.
When I expected him to take me again to some new places, he halted the car at the hospital, which surprised me. I didn't want Mira to watch us together and pose questions about him and our relationship when she had already decided Matthew was to be her brother-in-law.
He opened the car door for me and took me to the garden area before I told him that I didn't want him to be with me.
"Mr. Wolfe…"
"Look there."
I followed his gaze and saw Mira in the garden, playing with the little kids. For a moment, I couldn't breathe. I was used to seeing her on the hospital bed with no strength even when her condition was better, but now here she was laughing, playing, and feeling alive. It soothed my aching heart.
"Did you come to the villa again to bring me here?"
"I couldn't leave after watching the things I own drown in sadness."
I raised my eyebrows. I always knew he considered me as one of his "things" and not as a person, but it was new for me to know that he cared about my sadness.
I thought he left for his office after dropping me off. He was a busy businessman, after all. He couldn't possibly have canceled his meetings or plans only because I was sad and stayed in the villa, not even letting out a single comforting word.
But actions meant more.
A grateful smile appeared on my lips, and I said, "Thank you."
He leaned against the car with his hands in his pockets. He stared at me for a moment and then said, "Elira! Not everything you love is gone for you to feel lonely. Some things… some people… stay. Even after the storms."
Then he pointed towards my sister, saying, "This is hope. Don't let me see the hopeless expression on your face again."
I swallowed hard, blinking away the sudden sting in my eyes. If his words were not the light to my darkness in the heart, then I didn't know what was.
"The world hasn't taken everything from you." He then sat inside the car after saying, "Go and play with her. Take your time. I'll wait for you."
Suddenly, all the negative thoughts that once conquered my head were gone, and a bright smile appeared on my face. I nodded and ran to her happily.
In the night when we were driving back from the hospital, I couldn't help but steal glances at him. I was sure that I hated him, but some part of me felt something else, which I couldn't name. Gratitude, attachment, or anything, I couldn't understand. It made me wonder how I could have contradictory feelings about the same person.
After he dropped me, he left. When I was about to go to bed, I received the good news that I had been waiting for.
Matthew:The opening is this Friday. Come to the location I've shared. I'll be waiting for you.