Peony took a deep breath as she disembarked the plane, clearing immigration and retrieving her pink luggage from the carousel. Standing at the corner of the rows of seats, she watched a throng of passengers hurry into the airport, their chatter mingling with the distant rumble of thunder.
Her gaze drifted to the open expanse of the city, and she observed it with a mix of curiosity and unease, running a hand through her hair as she exhaled slowly to calm her nerves. It was clear she didn't want to be here.
Hastily, she double-checked her handbag, muttering under her breath before strolling toward the exit.
Just then, her phone buzzed. She gingerly answered, holding it to her ear as a warm voice rang out, "Sorry for the delay. Can you find your way to the parking lot?"
"Yeah, sure... I'll be there," she replied, hanging up the call. Taking a deep breath, fear pricked at her heart as she glanced up at the gathering clouds and began walking between the rows of cars toward the parking lot.
She surveyed the paths, quickening her pace as the clouds began to gather in the sky. Until now, the weather had been postcard-perfect, but it was changing. The beautiful cocktail-blue shade was darkening into a gravel-gray, large pillows of clouds blotting out the golden colors of the sun.
She felt the first splatter of rain when she was halfway across the airport. Pulling her coat over her head for shelter, she hoped to reach the parking lot before the downpour began.
People ran for cover outside, umbrellas blooming like flowers as the clouds unleashed their beads of water, shattering her hopes of staying dry.
Puddles began to form, plinking as the rain fell harder. The roofs of cars danced with spray, and she could hear the murmuring of the rain through the pathways. "A welcoming rainfall to this place," she muttered bitterly, clutching her bag as she ambled toward the parking lot, shivering in the cold.
Her eyes were fixed on the ground, grateful for the little shield her coat provided against the biting chill.
After what felt like an eternity navigating the rain-soaked pathways, she finally came to a halt. Her gaze landed on a sleek black car. She had less than half an hour before her audition, and frustration bubbled within her as she realized she was drenched.
She knew how much this audition meant to her parents and friends, especially Orlando. She desperately wanted to be chosen, to see the proud smiles on their faces. But right now, fear gripped her as the car came to a stop alongside the white and black lines. She straightened her posture, but her trembling hands betrayed her anxiety.
Erick, the man behind the wheel, was determined to help Peony Acosta reach her audition. He loved his daughter, and he had promised her he would bring Peony to this important moment. He had anticipated the rain but had given in to his daughter's insistence. However, he hadn't expected the downpour to arrive so soon. He had checked the weather forecast, which predicted the rain would come an hour later, after he had dropped Peony off. Now, he felt a knot of apprehension in his stomach.
He clenched his jaw, contemptuously watching the crowd of people scrambling for cover. Glancing at his watch, he snorted in frustration. "How am I going to find Miss Acosta among this beehive of people?"
Through the thick curtain of rain, Peony finally found her way to the parking lot, but she was flustered. She hadn't asked for his license plate number or the color of his car. Tiny wrinkles of agitation formed on her forehead as she picked up her phone to call him.
"I'm at the parking lot, sir. Where are you?" Nervousness laced her voice, and her heart thudded loudly in her chest.
Another clap of thunder echoed, sending shivers down her spine. Anxiety washed over her as she turned around, clutching her heart. She was alone in a strange place, unprotected from the elements. A cold chill penetrated her as the realization sank in.
Erick made up his mind to find her, rain or shine. It was his fault, and he was determined to fix it. He pushed open the driver's door and stepped into the downpour, the rain soaking him instantly.
Peony's wavering eyes caught sight of the longest legs she had ever seen a few feet away. Her eyes widened in awe as she spotted the sleek black car. This was the first time she had seen a vehicle so beautiful. Instantly, her gaze darted to the shiny black shoes peeking from the door, brighter than the floor of their cottage. She was certain those shoes must have cost a fortune.
Her attention shifted to the open door of the car. She watched curiously as a man climbed out, his back to her. He was tall—taller than her—and she sensed he was handsome.
His golden-black hair swirled slightly in the wind and rain. She observed him intently as he slammed the door shut and sighed, trying to calm himself.
He ran a hand through his hair, muttering into his phone, "Where are you, Miss Acosta? I can't find you."
With her heart racing, Peony called out softly, "Behind you."
She gestured with her hands and shouted at the top of her lungs, "Behind you! I'm right behind you, Mr. Dragons! Just turn around!"
He turned casually, drawn by the strangely familiar voice. Clutching an umbrella, he froze.
"..."
Erick halted in his tracks, petrified, his gaze falling on the fragile yet beautiful figure standing before him. His eyes widened as he took in her marble-hazel-gold eyes, messy long black hair, and the shock that spread across his face.
"Araya?!" he gasped.
"M-Mr. Dragons…" she stammered, her voice shaky. A sudden coldness gripped her core as she raised a hand to lightly clasp her throat, lifting her face to meet his gaze.