Not wanting to think about him, Rory closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Maybe because Mia was inebriated, she didn't notice the forlorn expression that flashed on Rory's face for a moment. She continued to urge Rory to talk about her baby daddy.
"You named your baby after gold. Was he a blond? Aww, I wished Lia would be a redhead like you. Or could it be…"
Rory pulled a smile on her face. Her circumstances as a twenty-three-year-old single mother are not very bright, but she finds reasons to smile. In this instance, she found her reason in Mia's pure smile. She decided to humor her.
"What can I say about him?" Rory said placing the glass on the table. She was no longer interested in drinking the wine. It didn't taste as good as before.
Mia's curious eyes fixed on Rory like laser pointers.
"Everything about him," Mia said rubbing her hands together.
"Mmm…" Rory pressed her lips. Her eyes ended up at the window. The raindrops were still streaming down the window. It is funny the same view can give different impressions depending on the mood of the viewer.
The rainy window that was not beautiful some time ago turned into a film and reminded her of a day in the past.
It was a sudden shower. She was waiting for him inside the car with the window down. The raindrops were streaming through the windshield.
She turned to her side to the sound of his boots on the gravel. She knew his gait. It was him. He was holding the coffee she asked him to buy. He always got her orders right.
With his finger hooked to the leather jacket hanging on his shoulder, he was walking leisurely to the car not minding the rain. He's someone who loved the rain as much as she does.
His white shirt was sticking to his defined chest. Under that orange street light, he looked like a walking marble statue of Apollo. She licked her lips that went dry at his lips that were glistening pink. She wanted to drink the water drops sticking on them. A short, warm breath left her mouth.
Running his fingers through his wavy golden-blond hair, he smirked meeting her eyes. She buried her face into the book as if doing that would erase his memory of her ogling at him just then.
He unlocked the door and sat in the passenger seat. A layer of chillness spread on her arm as his sleeve grazed her. She wiped it with her hand with a forced grumble. His bony fingers raised the window the first thing after he entered, before placing the coffee in the cup holder.
Throwing his wet jacket in the backseat, he leaned toward her. Controlling her pounding heart, she glared at him.
'I'm studying!'
'Seriously? Now?'
That's all he said. And that made her heart pound more. He's a demon with the voice and appearance of an angel. He knows he is handsome and he could and would use it to his benefit.
How can he not? He looks like Prince Charming and was named after Mr. Darcy. That prick!
She understood it and still, she couldn't resist him. It was not always like that though! He used to be just a friend.
The white gold ring on his left ring finger shined as he held her hand. The thick book she was holding fell on the floorboard with a thud. His wet, cold lips pressed on hers, and what followed was…
*Ehem*
Rory cleared her throat. She turned her attention towards the curious Mia.
"He… He is so tall!"
"Oh, tall, huh," Mia leaned forward wiggling her brows. "That's nice! Tall guys are nice…"
"And handsome as hell…" Rory added with a naughty smile.
"Wow! Handsome! That's important. And?"
"He's so bad…"
"Mm-hmm" Mia furrowed her brows as she sensed that something is wrong somewhere. She might be a bit tipsy but she figured that Rory is reciting the lyrics of a very familiar song.
"But he does it so well," Rory stood up knowing Mia figured it out.
"Oh, come on, Rory!" Mia tried to grab Rory's hand to stop her from leaving.
"What?" Rory avoided her hand and picked up the carrycot.
"Rory, why you gotta be so mean?" Mia whined, but let Rory pass knowing she won't disclose any more of her secret today.
"I'll rest first. Lock up the door," Rory smiled and walked out of the staff exit.
As she closed the door, she thought she saw a shadow move on the tiled floor. She stopped and looked at the door to the right that opened to the alleyway. The little gap between the door and the floor was bright. Someone was standing in front of the door.
She was weirded out a little since no visitor uses this door to enter. Everyone uses the café door. Only they use this door other than the staff.
She waited to see if there is a knock on the door, but there was no sound. She checked the door and it was locked. Twirling her hair, she waited for some time. The person was not moving and they didn't knock on the door either.
Thinking that the person must be standing there to shield themselves from the rain, she turned left in the hallway that led to the stairs to the apartment above.