21. TAKE THE LEAD.

The umbrella shot out in front of him, creating a silhouette on the wet grounds, and Alli walked through the doors.

“Do you like him?” His mother said beneath her voice as Omar climbed back into the car. Aal was by his windows, one arm against it but his eyes weren’t on her. Asides the incident earlier, to everyone the introduction went swell. But these two, whose gaze seemed to intertwined half the time, it was a horrible idea.

A horrible idea that Aal be matched with someone who he may still have residual feelings for, and although he thought it was selfish, he also didn’t want to be a liar. So seeing the large grin on his cousin’s face as she bade him goodbye, he decided not to utter a word, that alongside the glare, this stayed between them.

“Get the things inside” Mohammed commanded, his frightening voice drifting him back to reality as Alli fluttered his lashes. “The rain came out of nowhere” His mom added, dragging the plants atop the veranda. “I wish you a safe trip” She turned back to Omar, whose tinted windows began to slowly draw close. And he hefted his hands, daring to wave at Alli.

Although he nodded, Aal was quick to notice the shift in his mood and she cleared her throat. His jeep pulled away, and all Alli could remember was the moment they shared in that same car. He closed the umbrella, pulling it back in the rain and Aal brushed past his shoulders as if she was angry at him.

“Hey” He called unto her.

“What?” She took off a part of her dress, leaning over the table to clear the plates. “What’s up—“

“Oh now you can talk” She quickly interrupted, and Alli stood by the door, dripping. “What does that even mean?” His voice broke and she clasped her hips. “You tell me” She replied.

“You tell me why you’ve been acting hostile to Omar and I all day, when clearly all he wanted was get to know you” She was referring to the snarky comments he made over the already awkward lunch and his dry responses. Alli only heaved a deep sigh.

“Dad, i’ll understand but you—“

“You” She pointed at him. “I was expecting much different. If you don’t like him, you can just say so” “Aal” His voice went low as he reached for her. “Why, Alli?” She asked.

“Well, do you?” He inched close to her and she mumbled, narrowing her eyes to the side. “Do i what?” She muttered and Alli rolled his eyes. “Like him—Do you like Omar?” He added.

“I mean” She shrugged her shoulders.

“He seems nice”

Alli licked his lips, nodding his head. He tried her best to remain expressionless. He scoffed. “I guess” He whispered and she threw a bag to him. “Now you speak” He caught it in his hands. “It’s not you, i’ve just not been in the mood since” He uttered.

“Olivia?” She rolled her eyes.

“Maybe” He lied.

“Try not to spread all the negativity” She said, and Alli walked close to her. “So what did you talk about—when you’re alone?”

“Nothing” Aal mumbled, and Alli pricked her skin. “Better start talking” She let out a shrill scream because of his tickle. And then above the ceiling, a thunder rumbled in the skies.

-

“Fuck the rain”

Damien muttered as he placed his feet into the moist holes on the roads, the water splattered next to him as they made their way from the stable. For a moment, Olivia had held his hands, crossing the roads to their building.

She was in a laughing fit, because something about him getting frustrated by the rain was hilarious. She held up her dress in one hand as she made her way up the stairs. His suit jacket was soaked so much that water dripped from it but it still smelled very much like him.

Immediately they walked into the building, Liv felt the warmth against her skin and a sigh escaped her lips. “Shit” She cussed and he ran his hands through his hair. “Can we still make it to the gala?” He asked, short of breath.

“Davis, could you call the limo?” He turned to his guard and then Toni walked out from the room. “Have you seen Amanda?” Their questions collided and he looked between the both of them. “She left a little while ago” He replied.

“How about the plan?” He asked.

And Damien halted on the stairs. “We saw a drone. Don’t know what that means but we’ll have to wait for the headlines” His voice went low and Liv trailed behind him. At the end of it, they separated towards their rooms.

And Liv ran to her closet, searching for a dress with her fingers. They were about an hour late and so she already let go of the gown she’d planned for the night. Slipping out of her dress, she realized Damien had the rest of her bags in his room. She squeezed her wet hair, kicking upon the door. She crossed over the corridors and her knuckles met his door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me” She whispered, with that voice of hers, and he was a bit hesitant but he replied. “It’s open.” Her hands met the cold handle and she pushed it open slightly. The first thing she saw was his shirtless bod, and if she hadn’t already seen it earlier, her jaw would have dropped twice as much as it did.

He’d gotten rid of his bandaid and now his hands were bare, and so was his chest. He was in a piece of briefs and Liv turned from his gaze, pointing to her left. “My clothes” She muttered. “I need to get my clothes” A bed divided them but he couldn’t care less that she’d seen more of his skin.

He took his shirt off his hanger and slipped his arms into it, all while she still searched for a dress. And then her eyes fell on the one Alii had gotten her—a blue, off shouldered gown with little straps behind. She hefted it up, looking into the mirror, from which she could see Damien. He wasn’t looking, but rather he was concentrated on not hurting his hands the more.

“Is it okay if i change here?” She whispered, throwing her head upon her shoulders and he hummed, not a word to be uttered. Slowly, she slipped out of her dress and unhooked her bra, the corner of her eyes were focused on the mirror, at him.

There was tension between them as he buttoned along his chiseled torso. He could scent her, her strawberry perfume and her aura was strong. Like a magnet, they were attracted to each other as though they were on the rock again, with their backs against each other. He had hot flashes of the dream that still haunted him each time he blinked, each time she close.

And she couldn’t take his eyes off him, counting with her eyes, each mole and scar he had on his back, until he was covered. Damien was mysterious, and she wondered how he got each and every one, including the tattoos. He, as well was tempted to steal a glance at her. And when he did, he saw her pale skin behind, exposed to his glare.

But he turned away, clearing his throat.

She put on the dress, and he hooked his cufflinks, wearing on his tuxedo next. Walking across to her, he picked up his keys but his eyes caught her undone zip. “Could you—“ She was tongue-tied, and he rolled his eyes. “Could you help me with this—“ She later completed and Damien found her way to her.

To his woman.

She filled her air with lungs, holding in her stomach. And his hands fastened the zip till it reached slightly above her back. “There” His breath met her exposed shoulders before he pulled away. “Meet me down in five” Her hands fell against the table in front of her as he closed the door.

She heaved in a deep breath, admitting to the tension she felt each time he was close. How many more signs, could she drop for him to make the move— he was oblivious, perhaps he chose to be. He sought to be chased by her, but it wasn’t Liv.

She would never chase a man, especially him. Not anymore.

To be continued...