The rain started suddenly, pouring heavily as if the skies had burst open. For fifteen relentless minutes, it drenched everything in its path before tapering off just as abruptly as it began.
Now, with the rain gone, a strong wind swept through the streets, cutting through Genevieve's soaked clothes and sending a sharp chill down her spine. She shivered, wrapping her arms around herself, but the cold only seemed to seep deeper into her bones.
Through it all, she remained rooted to one spot in front of the café, her T-shirt clinging to her body, outlining her curves and the dip of her upper body cleavage.
Earlier, she had considered seeking shelter under one of the roadside sheds but the dim lighting beneath them made her uneasy.
Therefore, she had decided to stand right here and not move. Not only was this place brightly lit and somewhat exposed to passers by so she would not be a target of drunk men or bad guys, but she also believed it would help Roberto find her easily.
Speaking of Roberto, why the hell had the old man not found her yet? It couldn't be…
She chuckled nervously, forcing her teeth apart for the words to escape her lips in a low murmur, ''He didn't give up on me, right? Annika and Aurora weren't successful in convincing him to let me go, right?''
Just as the unsettling thoughts began to take root, spiraling into worst-case scenarios about how difficult it would be to find another opportunity like this, the distant roar of approaching motorcycles snapped her back to reality.
Genevieve's head jerked up, eyes scanning the dimly lit roadside. Two bikes emerged from the distance, their riders clad in black while helmets obscuring their faces.
As the motorcycles slowed to a near stop in front of her, her pulse quickened. Her drenched body trembled, but not just from the cold... hope flickered in her chest, that this were the men Roberto had sent.
She didn't move from the spot where she stood as the men alighted their bikes in unison. One of them, the taller one, whose physique seemed oddly familiar, brushed water droplets off his leather jacket before taking off his helmet and striding toward her.
The second man, however, didn't remove his helmet or shake off the rain. Instead, he leaned against his bike and turned his face away from her, making Genevieve question whether the men were even here for her.
That doubt was soon dispelled as the man approaching her drew closer, and she recognized him.
The dark hair, expressionless face, cold eyes, and intimidating aura screaming Adrian Visconti.
Letting out a loud sigh of relief, Genevieve felt like a heavy load was lifted off her shoulders and before she could stop herself, she broke into a sprint and ran towards him, stopping short of colliding against him.
''You are here,'' she said breathlessly.
Adrian's brows arched in suspicions, ''You have been waiting for me?''
''Obviously! Can't you…'' she trailed off, realizing the trap she was getting herself into. After a quick run through her mind, she blurted out, ''I know how powerful your family is! Of course, I couldn't run away and get myself into more trouble. That's why I waited for you... or anyone your father could have sent.''
''Is that so?''
The reply to his question came in the form of Genevieve's teeth chattering, and he finally allowed himself to look at her. He'd spotted her physique in front of the cafe from afar off and had recognized her immediately, but was only just noticing what state she was in.
Wet. Soakingly wet.
Just not in the way he would have preferred.
'Damnit, Adrian. What are you thinking?' he berated himself inwardly for thinking such untoward thoughts about her.
Hadn't he just lectured himself on reasons ehy she was untouchable minutes before starting his journey here?
However, that didn't stop him from raking his eyes over and scrutinizing her diligently from head to toe. Wet red hair with half in a messy ponytail and the other half stuck to her face, wet t-shirt that clung tightly to her body, making it easy for him to make out… fuck it! She wasn't wearing a bra, and her...
He slid a palm down his face and turned away from her, cursing beneath his breath.
''Let's just... leave."
Genevieve didn't need to be told twice. She immediately muttered her thank you and bolted towards his bike, only to get there and realise she couldn't get on it by herself.
For the second time that night, words escaped her lips before she could stop it, ''Adrian, walk faster! I am freezing to death over here.''
Adrian stopped dead in his tracks, a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes. Did she just… call his name for the first time? He was sure it was the first time. Even if he didn't have a perfect memory, the feeling the sound of his name from her mouth ignited within him wasn't one he'd have forgotten easily.
And damn! It sounded like he was hearing his name for the first time. Another unexplainable happening since this girl, or rather, her picture, came into his life. This was getting too extreme though. Maybe it was his problem after all. He should probably go see his therapist.
But for some reason, he knew even going to see the best therapist on earth wouldn't reduce the effect Genevieve had on him. Bacause the problem wasn't him. It had to be her.
Her looks, her voice, her hair, her eyes… she was perfect. And since it'd been a while since he got laid, her perfection was probably calling out to him and causing the muddle in his brain.
All this conversation went through his head on the short walk back to the bike, a distance he would have covered in mere seconds if he had been walking normally.
''I might just freeze to death before you get here,'' Genevieve groaned as soon as he got to her. She didn't hesitate to pull him by the sleeves of his leather jacket. ''Help me up. Or am I riding with him?''
Adrian followed her pale fingers, pointing at Alejandro, and a strong 'No' escaped his mouth.
''Oh,'' she murmured as a cold gust of wind blew by, sending shivers through her whole body.
Alejandro noticed and took off his jacket, extending it to her over the bikes.
''Here, Missus.''
Genevieve didn't bother trying to refuse as she would have on any normal day. She was too cold to act as courtesy demanded right now.
''Oh my goodness, thank you so much!'' She leaned forward to take the jacket, but Adrian snatched it before she could.
''What are you—'' she started to ask, only to fall silent when he took off his own jacket, handed it over to her and then wore the one he collected from the other man.
She stared, jaw slacking in disbelief, as he zipped up the jacket. The exchange just now looked normal but also seemed off for some reason.
If he wanted to give her his jacket, he could have told the other man to keep his. And if he didn't want to, he could have kept his jacket and allowed her to wear the other man's own. But what was the confusing game he played just now?
However, it seemed she wasn't the only one who noticed the weird exchange, as the other man frowned and said, ''Boss…''
''What?'' Adrian looked up, blinking innocently; as if there was anything innocent about him.