Forth chapter

I made it to the Tetra mansion once again by morning. I didn't go to work anymore, trying to seduce Mr David became my only job, and it seemed it wasn't going to be a difficult one.

The night before, he whispered to me about having a beautiful body. It made sense as to why he didn't look away when my towel dropped to the floor. I didn't know if I was to feel relieved or scared, but a part of me was also happy. All my life I have never experienced what it felt like to be rich, to be spoiled, even when my parents were alive, we were a middle-class family who could only afford the basics. Now suddenly, I was in the midst of wealth.

I was feeling confident today so I put on shorts and a T-shirt. I was just about to ring the doorbell when the door flung open, startling me a little.

“I'm sorry," Rain's voice and smile quickly calmed me.

He had on shirts and a T-shirt as well, although my shorts were shorter. With a smile on his face, he stepped out, closing the door behind him.

He was standing inches away from me while I stood frozen in the same spot. “I was just heading out," he muttered, running his fingers through his perfect hair. "My mom's not here, would you want to come with me?”

My brain didn't let me think it through before prompting my head to move. It was the way he looked at me, I couldn't explain it but it made me act without thinking.

“Great," he grinned. “Let's go."

Clutching the strap of my bag, I walked behind him. He headed to the back of the house where various cars were parked. My jaw almost hung all the while he was walking towards a black truck. I knew nothing about cars, but even I could tell that all the cars in the lot were exquisite and expensive.

When he walked to the driver's side of the truck, I knew that was the car we were taking. I then made my way to the passenger side. My first obstacle was the absurd height of the truck. Placing both legs on the step pad, I awkwardly climbed in like a little girl. When I finally sat in, I noticed he had been watching me with amused eyes.

I couldn't bring myself to look at him. I knew I climbed in the wrong way and I was completely embarrassed. “That was…” he began, trailing off to burst into a deep laughter.

"Adorable to watch." he blurted in between laughs.

Hearing his laughter gave me the courage to look at him. His blue eyes beamed, his dentition displayed proudly all while he laughed heartily. I couldn't help but join in, chuckling under my breath as the embarrassment I felt slowly disappeared.

“I… I didn't know how to…”

"It's okay Raya,” he cut me off softly. "I struggled on my first try too.”

I didn't believe him. Growing up surrounded by wealth, he most definitely knew how to climb into a truck without being told, but saying he struggled just so I could feel better showed how much of a gentleman he was.

We stared at each other for a little too long. I started to feel flushed at the way his eyes searched mine, not sure what they were looking for. When I started to feel my cheeks warm up, I forced myself to look away, clearing my throat quietly.

He also snapped out of his trance, clearing his throat while starting the ignition. As soon as he pulled the car out of the lot, I began to feel a little anxious. I had never sat in a car driven by a young person, what if he didn't even know how to drive? What if he was the reckless type of driver? What if he was the texting while driving type of people, or the ones who ran red lights? The more I thought, the more anxious I got. My heart started to pound while I exhaled sharply.

“Raya?"

It wasn't until I heard his voice that I remembered he was still beside me. I also realized we were on the road which didn't make my anxiety any better.

“Raya?"

I heard his voice again, this time softer than the first. I turned to him, now aware that he was trying to shuffle between concentrating on the road and on me.

I instantly felt worse, sick to my stomach, unable to breathe. “Please watch the road." I blurted.

He started to laugh again, just as hearty as the first one, only this time I had no intention of joining in. I was completely flushed. I was embarrassing myself, giving him a reason to make fun of me. I turned my teary eyes to the road, hoping that a hole would open up under my car seat and I would drop onto the road.

Almost instantly, he stopped laughing. I didn't look to know why, I was too pained to. “I'm sorry Raya," I heard him say in the calmest tone I had ever heard him use.

"I shouldn't have laughed at you,” he continued. "Your parents died in a car accident and you got really nervous about riding with me.”

He paused to let out a quiet sigh. “It was very insensitive of me and I'm really sorry.”

What followed was awkward silence. He drowned in self guilt while I struggled with my emotions. Projecting my opinions or emotions on people was something I never did. I didn't want people to think I was too much or overbearing. Swallowing my pain just so I didn't make a fuss was a habit I picked up since I started to live on my own.

Hearing Rain tender me an apology when I didn't even have to say a word made me feel… noticed. I hurriedly wiped the tears that threatened to roll down my face, quietly sniffing so he wouldn't hear me.

“Are you crying?" He asked in an anxious tone.

“No!" I blurted. “Something got in my eye." I murmured to myself.

He let out a light chuckle. “Do you want me to stop the car and blow on it?" I immediately shot him a puzzled look. “Because I will." He added with a smirk.

“No, please don't." I tried to stifle a laugh but I was unsuccessful.

He joined me and we both shared a brief moment of quiet laughter.

****

Rain and I returned from what turned out to be a trip to the mall. He went to get some art supplies and a few extras his mother asked to pick up since he was there. Also, it turned out I was scared for no reason. Rain was an excellent driver. He followed all the road rules, didn't miss any red lights and drove according to speed limits. He was also incredibly sexy behind the wheel. Whenever he started the one-hand steering, I could feel my cheeks burning.

When we drove in, he parked just outside the front door. The old maid, Tess, and two other younger ones came out to take the groceries out from the back of the truck. I had just unbuckled my seat belt when I noticed my door opened. Like a handsome angel in the light, Rain stood before me, giving me his hand with a smile on his face.

“Coming down is a lot harder." he uttered with a smirk, suggesting that I take his hand.

His smile was all the convincing I needed. I took his hand, placed my left feet on the pad, before climbing down with the other. In a moment, I was standing with both legs on the ground and my hand in his. We were having a bit of a moment when a deep voice interrupted us.

“There you both are," it was Rain's father.

He seemed excited to see us, but he had his eyes on me. I kept my eyes glued to the floor, planning to be that way until he walked away.

"Hey dad,” Rain greeted as he let go of my hand.

"Is mom in?” he asked as he walked into the house.

Mr David followed behind him. "Yes,” when I heard him walk away, I looked up. “We have some news in fact."

I clutched the strap of my bag very tightly, as if hanging on for dear life. A wave of anxiety washed over me as I tiptoed behind Mr David, hoping that he would not just turn around.

“News?" I heard Rain ask.

Just then his mother walked out of the kitchen. “Oh good, you're here," she muttered when she saw him. “And she's here too."

She mumbled with a tiny hint of disdain in her tone. Unsure of what to say, I remained quiet, standing at a safe distance from the family.

The old maid came out of the kitchen holding a tray with four glasses of fruit juice. “Thank you, Tess.” Rain whispered when he took a glass. She went around distributing the glasses to the rest of the family before coming to me. “Thank you." I whispered inaudibly.

“So what's this news dad was talking about?" Rain asked after taking a sip from his glass.

“Yes, about that," Chyna replied, pausing to also take a sip from her glass.”The man who was your father's best man is getting married.”

“He organized a couples trip for him and his married friends,” the flatness in her tone was evident. She didn't want to go.

“Our flight leaves tonight," Mr David took over from her. “And we'll be away for a week."

He didn't sound like he was excited about it either. They both obviously didn't want to go, but for some reason, they were. Uncomfortable silence hung above the air for the next few minutes. My heart was pounding so loudly, I was almost sure they could hear it.

“You both have fun then," Rain took it upon himself to break the silence.

He stared at both of them with what seemed like a genuine smile. He must really enjoy the house without them.

Just then, he locked eyes with me. “And while you're away, Raya and I can keep each other company."