Take care

I stared deep into those blue eyes, they reminded me of the blue sea during the winters. A faint rumbling of clouds over our heads pulled me back into the real world.

Clearing my throat I took a step back immediately, "What are you doing here?"

He arched his right eyebrow, "I can ask you the same question."

"I live here."

Another rumbling of cloud made me startle, it was louder than the last one. I slowly looked at the sky that was getting darker with every passing minute.

"The weather is getting worse. It is about to start raining."

I looked at the man standing in front of me, watching me with a look I failed to recognize on his face, "Thanks for the weather update, I should leave now."

"Let me walk you home."

The unhappy face of my mother immediately appeared in front of my eyes, "I think I can manage to find my home without the help of a stranger," I smiled at him.

He gazed into my dark eyes, making my heart pound like a hammer inside my ribs. I

I clutched my phone tightly in my hand about to bolt before the rain started, there was nothing worse than getting soaked in the cold water of rain especially when you are about five minutes away from home.

He gave a curt nod, "I will see you soon, take care."

I gave him a small smile and started taking two steps at once. Something inside of me wanted to turn around and look at the man standing in the midnight blue suit. While the reasonable voice was telling me to keep walking as far away as I could from him. 

Pressing my lips together and ignoring the voice I turned around slowly only to find myself alone in the empty street. 

My heart sank slightly but before I could think of anything else I felt a drop of water on my nose.

"Oh shit," Turning around I ran as fast I could, holding my bag over my head hoping it would stop some of the harsh rain but it was all in vain. By the time I reached home, I was soaking wet.

"Oh dear," grandma gasped.

I removed my shoes quickly and ran to my room. 

As soon as I changed into fuzzy baby pink pajamas there was a knock on my door and then it opened slowly.

"Have some hot chocolate, you will feel better."

 Before I could take the mug I sneezed loudly.

"Bless you, dear."

Mumbling a thank you, I took the mug of brewing hot chocolate sniffling a little bit. It was the other reason I hated the rain.

Closing my eyes, I inhaled the steam coming out of the mug before taking a sip. A warmth of joy instantly spread inside my body.

I opened my eyes and looked at grandma, standing in front of me, "Is everything alright, grandma?"

She gave a small smile shaking her head slowly, "Your parents wanted you to join them tonight for a dinner they are hosting for a special guest."

"A special guest?" I tucked my feet under the covers feeling slightly cold.

"It does not matter, you should get some rest."

There weren't many occasions on which my parents had asked me to accompany them for a party or even a formal dinner, they knew I did not like such things and even if I went there I would just keep my distance. Maybe it was another reason why Faith was their favorite.

Grandma was about to leave when I called her.

"Do you need something, El?"

"Who is the guest?" 

Some lines appeared on her forehead as she furrowed her eyebrows, "Damien. You know how important first impressions are for your family, you should stay at home tonight."

My hold on the mug tightened as I heard his name. 

Grandma closed the door gently. I started sipping my hot chocolate enjoying the soft music of wind chimes filling my room with the faint spattering of rain on my window. 

I was curious about my parents hosting a dinner for Damien but it was nothing out of the ordinary, they knew how to maintain their image in front of the whole town and it was probably one of those acts.

One thing was clear to me, I was not skipping that dinner under any circumstances. 

After resting for about an hour I was feeling much better or maybe it was the curiosity. 

I picked a v-neck black bodycon dress with full sleeves that reached just above my knees. I was straightening the last strand of my hair when someone knocked on my door. 

My mother was standing at the door wearing a red dress reaching her knees, her straight auburn hair resting neatly over her shoulder. 

I turned to look at her directly, "I will be ready in five minutes."

She eyed me from head to toe with her sharp brown eyes and a faint approving smile appeared on her lips. 

"This guest is important for us, Eleanor, make sure you do not make any mistakes tonight," she emphasized on make sure.

"Yes, mother," I answered in a strong yet soft voice, "I thought he was dad's business competitor, then why are we inviting him for dinner?"

She walked towards me making a clattering sound as her heels touched the floor and picked up the straightener, "Because we want everyone to see how we welcome everyone in this town regardless of who they are," she answered straightening the last strand of my hair by herself.

I stood in front of her without saying anything else.

"Be downstairs in 10 minutes," she put the hair straightener back at its position and walked out of the room.

I curled my eyelashes and applied a coat of mascara carefully on them. Maybe I would get some information about him today, I thought as I applied a nude shade of lipstick. 

Looking at myself one last time in the mirror I put on a small smile.