Meera
The rain came down harder, a silver curtain between me, Adrian, and Mrs. Walker. Her gray hair was damp and plastered to her cheeks. "Mrs. Walker, what are you doing out here?" I shouted over the rain. She fanned herself dramatically, even though we were both drenched. "Trying to catch a ride before I drown!"
Adrian's jaw tightened, but he quickly smiled, slipping into his polite mode. "Of course, ma'am. You can ride with us."
"Oh, thank you, dear," she said, beaming as she scrambled into the backseat like she owned the car. She didn't even think of what I would say.
I sighed, glancing at Adrian. "You're something else". I whispered so she wouldn't hear.
He chuckled, running a hand through his wet hair and sat inside the car. The drive was quiet, except for Mrs. Walker's occasional humming in the backseat. Every time I sneaked a look at Adrian, I caught him doing the same. His profile in the dim streetlights looked unfairly good. Strong jaw, the line of his nose, his damp shirt clinging to his chest. I hated that part of me still noticed. I quickly looked away because of our mother at the back.
When we reached Mrs. Walker's house, she leaned forward, whispering loudly enough for both of us to hear, "You two make a lovely couple. Even in the rain.". She laughed as she opened the door.
"Mrs. Walker!" I said, mortified.
She winked. "Goodnight, dears!" Then she was gone, leaving behind a trail of perfume and meddling energy. As soon as she shut the door, silence filled the car. Adrian turned slightly toward me. "You could've said no back there."
"I tried," I muttered. "She doesn't understand the word no.". I pulled off my seatbelt and stared stared at my house.
He smiled faintly, then leaned back, his voice softening. "I wasn't talking about her."
My heart skipped. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"You keep saying no to me," he said quietly. "But you never mean it."
I swallowed hard. "You think you know me that well?"
"I know you enough to tell when you're scared of wanting something." His tone wasn't teasing anymore, it was raw and honest. "Or someone."
The air thickened between us again. My pulse quickened, and before I could come up with a reply, thunder cracked above, shaking me out of whatever that was. "Take me home, Adrian," I said softly. He didn't argue this time. He started the car and moved forward a little.
The next morning felt unreal. The sky was pale gray, matching the mood of the estate. Moving trucks lined the street. Neighbors carried boxes, waved their last goodbyes, or pretended not to care. I wasn't pretending. My chest ached with every glance at my packed boxes. My home looked like a hollow version of itself. Mrs. Walker, already dressed in her usual floral chaos, knocked once before barging in. "You're not crying, are you?"
"No" I lied and covered my head with a Face-cap. I was so done with everything. I have no idea where to go.
"Good. Because crying won't make him change his mind," she said, referring to Tobias, obviously.
"l know." I wiped my tears and looked at her. She was also sad, even if it didn't show. Before I could roll my eyes, a familiar black SUV pulled up outside. My stomach didn't drop this time, I got used to him showing up unannounced and nonchalantly. Tobias stepped out, dressed in an open-collared white shirt and dark slacks. No tie, no pretense. Just confidence and quiet dominance. Every one recognized him.
Mrs. Walker's grin widened. "And there's the man of the hour."
I glared at her. "Mrs. Walker please." I begged her not to act crazy.
"Oh, I'm absolutely daring." She slipped out before I could stop her, practically skipping to meet him. I heard her greet him like they were old friends. Seconds later, Tobias appeared at my doorway, holding an umbrella and a faint smile. "Leaving already?" he asked.
I folded my arms. "That's what eviction looks like."
He stepped inside, brushing a few raindrops off his shoulder. "You know, you could at least let me help."
"With what? Throwing my boxes into the truck faster?"
He chuckled. "No. With staying."
That caught me off guard. "Staying?"
"I made some calls," he said calmly. "There's a new apartment opening downtown. Bigger. Safer. Fully furnished. I can arrange everything." He's so composed.
I blinked at him, unsure if I heard right. "Why would you do that?"
He shrugged. "Maybe I like having you around."
"Tobias…" I started, but my phone buzzed. Again.
Unknown Number. Adrian. "I found you a place. You'll love it. Come see it before you decide anything." My breath caught. Tobias noticed my change in expression. "Bad news?"
I shook my head quickly. "No. Just… complicated."
He studied me for a long second, then said, "You don't strike me as someone who runs from complications."
I forced a smile. "Maybe I'm learning to." I hurriedly shoved the phone in my pocket back. He stepped closer, voice dropping low enough to make my skin prickle. "Don't make the wrong choice, Meera. Some offers don't come twice."
And just like that, he turned and walked out into the light rain. I stared at the door long after he left, my heart a confused mess. Two men. Two offers. What's it called? Adrian, the man I once liked but couldn't trust. Tobias, the man I couldn't figure out but couldn't ignore.
Mrs. Walker reappeared, holding my coat and looking far too pleased with herself. "So," she said, "Whose offer are you taking, dear?". Was she listening the whole time?
My thoughts raised through my head. I sat down quietly for a while. Mrs. Walker moved to the kitchen to make coffee. Who knows if the place Tobias is offering is also his? I don't want him monitoring me. I don't like being watched. It leaves a space of fear in me.
And as for Adrian, I don't trust him. But I know he likes me and would do no harm. I looked around once again, sitting on the last chair in the living room. What I had in mind was to just stay in an hotel for few weeks till I inform Mr. Cody, my house agent, to get me a new place.
Mrs. Walker gave me a cup of the coffee and it was good. Just the way I like it. No honey, just milk.
I looked out the window. Tobias's SUV disappeared down the street just as Adrian's black car pulled up from the opposite side. My heart sank. "Mrs. Walker," I whispered, "I think I'm in trouble."
Adrian's black car slowed to a stop, the headlights cutting through the drizzle. Behind him, Bright Haven Services truck rumbled into the driveway, men in blue uniforms stepping out with clipboards and moving straps. What for? To help with the loads? The sound of the rain hitting the metal roof mixed with the clatter of boxes being lifted. I stood there on the porch, umbrella forgotten, watching chaos unfold in my own driveway. Tobias's SUV had just disappeared down the street. And now Adrian, of all moments, had chosen to appear.Mrs. Walker peeked through my curtain like she was watching a soap opera live. "Well, looks who's here?" she murmured, clutching her shawl tighter. "That's what I mean when I say he's good for you"
"Mrs. Walker, please" I scoffed but she was grinning from ear to ear. Adrian stepped out of the car, rain sliding down his collar as he adjusted his jacket. He looked infuriatingly calm for a man walking into a storm, literal and otherwise. "You weren't answering my texts," he said, voice low.
"I was packing," I shot back.
"Not anymore," he said simply. "You're coming with me."
"I'm what?"
He moved closer, close enough for the scent of rain and whiskey to cloud my thoughts. "I told you I'd help you, Meera. You don't need to live out of boxes when I have a place for you. I can't allow that."
"That's not your decision to make," I said, but my voice didn't sound as steady as I wanted. Mrs. Walker cleared her throat and excused herself.
He looked at me then really looked. The kind of stare that peels away every pretense. "Maybe not. But you need someone who won't let you fall."
Before I could answer, the movers interrupted. "Ma'am? Where do you want the last of these boxes?" I hesitated. For a second, everything felt like it was spinning, the boxes, the rain, the two offers sitting heavy in my chest. What the hell is happening?
Mrs. Walker suddenly spoke up from behind me. "Put them on hold, boys. She's deciding which man she's leaving with."
I turned, mortified. "Mrs. Walker!". But Adrian's lips curved slightly, that sudden confidence returning. "She's not wrong, Tobias right?."
My phone buzzed again. Tobias: "Think about my offer carefully, Meera." The message flashed on the screen, each word heavy. I looked from my phone to Adrian, then back to the rain-soaked driveway filled with my whole life packed into cardboard. "I'm not saying yes to anyone," I made it clear.
Adrian's jaw clenched. "Then why are you still standing here?"
The movers shifted awkwardly, the rain growing heavier. And just when I opened my mouth to speak, lightning cracked across the sky, white and blinding. Adrian reached for my arm, instinctively pulling me under his umbrella. It wasn't romantic. It was desperate. And I hated that it still made my heart race. When the thunder rolled and the light faded, we were inches apart. His voice was low, steady. "You can stay here and keep running, Meera… or you can get in the car with me." I swallowed hard. The movers watched. Mrs. Walker held her breath. And I,still clutching my phone with Tobias's message glowing on the screen, had no idea whose storm I was about to step into.