"Leaving you like this alone? No."
It was still raining that night. Ray stopped a taxi and drove Leanne all the way home. Confused about what to do, Leanne took Ray to Tamara's house.
"Sir, wait a minute," Ray said to the driver.
Leanne got out of the taxi after arriving at Tamara's house. Ray came downstairs and escorted Leanne to the front door of the house. Press the bell button.
"After this, take a warm bath," Ray said softly. He adjusted the jacket that wrapped Leanne's wet body attentively. He also picked up the strands of hair on Leanne's face and brought them behind her ear. "Don't get sick."
Leanne nodded slowly. "Thank you..."
Soon, the door opened. Tamara called out asking who was visiting. She was surprised when she saw Leanne's body was soaking wet. And more surprisingly, Ray was there. Standing next to Leanne.
"Oh, my goodness! Leanne, what happened to you? Why are you soaking wet? And how did you get to be with Leanne?" Tamara looked at Ray with a confused face.
"It's a long story, Tara..." Leanne complained. She was already so cold and wanted to go into the warm house.
"Okay, fine. You have to come in and warm yourself up. Come on…" Tamara hugged Leanne and led the girl into the house.
"Ray, thank you," Leanne said before actually entering the house.
"Hmm..." Ray muttered. "Take care of her, Tara," Ray said then.
The door of the house is closed. Tamara fell silent and looked at Leanne. "What did he call me?" Her head tilted to the side with a confused and strange face.
"Tara..." Leanne scolded.
Tamara immediately fell silent. Bring Leanne upstairs and prepare hot drinks and food. While waiting for all that, Leanne went to take a warm bath.
Her body is now wearing proper clothes and wrapped in a thick blanket. Sitting on the bed while enjoying a warm drink made by Tamara.
"What happened?" asked Tamara.
"I almost got hit. And Ray helped me." Reply to Elena.
"And then?" asked Tamara probing. "Come on, there must be something else." She urged then.
Elena snorted. Annoyed at always losing to Tamara when it comes to urging someone. "You know that today I have an appointment with my model friends. And when I got home, I accidentally met Ray in front of the cafe. At that time it suddenly rained heavily. We chatted and…" Alena was silent. Staring at Tamara, hesitating.
"And what? Do not make me curious."
"Since the beginning. Ray never liked me. I don't know why Ray doesn't like me. But, earlier, while we were chatting he said something that hurt me. And I just ran out into the street without paying attention to my surroundings. As a result, I would have almost been hit by a car if Ray hadn't been there and saved me." Obviously Elena.
"What words?" Tamara looked at Alena suspiciously.
"I never want to talk about that again, Tara. Not then or now."
"Do those words remind you of that past of yours?" Guess Tamara. They have been good friends for a long time. Many things that Alena had told her about the little girl's past. Including the reason why Alena chose to be a nerdy girl at her current school.
"Oh, my poor Alena..." Tamara hugged Alena's body. "Don't worry, I will always be by your side forever. We are friends who will never part."
"Thank you, Tara. You're a really good friend."
"Always, sweet..."
After eating, Tamara brought the tray of dirty dishes and glasses back to the kitchen. Alena stood on the balcony of the room while calling Keane to let her brother know if she was staying at Tamara's house tonight.
"Did something happen?" Keane asked. The boy's tone of voice was like that of someone investigating.
"Nothing, Keane. I was out with Tara for a while, and decided to sleep over at her house." Alena replied lying.
"Is that true?"
"Don't worry. I'm fine."
"Good, if you're okay."
"All right then, I'll sleep first, Keane."
"Hmm... good night."
The phone line is dead. Elena smiled faintly as she stared at her phone screen. "You possessive little brother," she muttered. She returned to the room and lay down on the bed. Remembering the time she was in Ray's arms, her face turned bright red. Especially when Ray's attitude is so gentle and sweet to her.
Suddenly her phone rang again. Unknown number. Alena thought. Hesitantly, she picked up the phone and put the phone to his ear.
"Hello?"
"It's me."
"R-ray?" Elena asked in disbelief. One hand covered her mouth so as not to scream in surprise because the person calling him was Ray Dixon.
"Hmm.. yes,"
"W-where did you get my number?"
"Agency."
"Of course."
"How are you? You feel better?"
Elena was silent. Ray is willing to ask for her number from the agency and contact her to ask how she is. Oh, God! Alena never imagined this would happen to her. Or rather on Leanne.
"Hey, you hear me?"
"Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Tara takes very good care of me."
"Good. Then see you later."
"W-wait!" Suddenly Alena shouted when Ray ended their conversation. She quickly sat up and pulled the pillow to her chest. "D-don't turn it off just yet."
"Okay."
"Eh, Uhm... Thanks for asking how I'm doing." Alena said playing with the end of her pillow.
"No problem."
Elena is silent. Called herself stupid for not knowing what to say or what material to chat with Ray.
"Oh, your jacket… When can I return it to you?"
"Jacket? You can keep it for yourself."
"Okay. I won't give it back when you ask me again, okay?" Alena said teasingly. She heard a chuckle from the other end of the phone. Ray laughed.
"Yeah. You can keep it forever."
"Thank you. I really like."
"Uhm... Go to sleep, it's getting late."
Alena couldn't believe Ray had just contacted her and asked how she was. Was that really Ray being rude to Leanne?