6.

It was evening when we finished checking out all the places. Gigi told me that she'd finalized the ballroom of the Aquamarine Palace. She told me she wanted a vintage Hollywood theme for her masquerade ball.

We returned to the Aquamarine Palace to book the venue. There, Leo was waiting for us. I was surprised. How did he know we were here? Maybe, Gigi must've called him.

"I'm shocked. How did you know we are here?" Gigi exclaimed.

Well, that makes the two of us. I fail to understand how this guy has the ability to be at the right place at the right time.

"You underestimate me Gabriella. I'm your brother, I know you well." He said smugly.

Of course he wouldn't answer anything directly. He had to keep up his mysterious and brooding guy image. Damn Leo! Now, my mind is going to keep thinking about ways he managed to find out about us.

He asked, turning to me. "So, did you get the quotation for the ballroom?"

"Yes I did." I flashed him a piece of paper that I tucked between the pages of my planner.

"I'll sit over there." Gigi said gesturing at the sofa facing me, at the other side of the coffee table. "Meg, why don't you explain everything to Leo?"

Gigi got up and sat on the other side. Leo came and sat besides me.

"The capacity of the venue is...." I circled a number with red pen.

Leo scooted next to me to get a better look.

"Hmm." He whispered. "I see."

I felt shivers when I heard his low voice and felt the warmth of his breath. I could barely think with him so close to me.

"They have a fire restriction so no crackers."

Gigi had told me that she wanted a big firework show. But, that wasn't going to happen in the pre-engagement party. Maybe, we could work it out at some other event.

"Oh and this is the price they've quoted."

I pointed the back on my pen on a number written at the very end. He leaned closer to get a better look. I realised that my hair blocked his view. Awkwardly, I tucked a strand of stray hair behind my ear.

I turned to face him. "I think they'd reduce it to– "

My breath was caught in my throat when my eyes met. His face was mere inches away from me. His cold eyes scanned every inch of my face making me feel like he could read every single thought in my mind. It made me feel exposed and embarrassed. There was a persistent voice in my head compelling me to reach out and trace my fingertips over his face. But, I resisted that voice. This wasn't right.

"Listen." Gigi's voice seemed to snap us out of our daze.

Leo jerked away and I too shifted uncomfortably. I looked away trying to hide the blush that had risen on my cheeks.

"Andrew has just landed in Trinity. Isn't that great? " Gigi blurted.

The excitement in her voice was very obvious.

"You should pick him up." Leo said. "Take my car."

"But..." Gigi glanced at my direction. "What about the venue?"

"Oh that's okay." I assured her.

Gigi bade us bye and rushed out of Aquamarine Palace's lounge. Leo and I were alone. My heart raced at the though of being alone with him.

"Do we have anymore work?" Leo asked.

The gentleness in his voice surprised me.

I skimmed through my papers, trying to see if we had anything pending.

"No, We're done for the day."

A rumbling sound caught me off guard. I looked outside the spotlessly clean glass doors of the Aquamarine Palace and saw a heavy downpour gushing across the busy street.

Great. It had to rain on exact that day when I forgot to carry an umbrella and didn't have my car.

"How are you going to go home?" Leo asked.

"I was about to take a cab. But I guess I need to wait until the rain stops."

Leo awkwardly scratched the back of his neck.

"And I don't even have my car." He sighed.

For a moment, Leo and I stared at the street. The rain was like a semi-opaque curtain over the street.

The rainfall seemed to have gotten heavier since the last time.

He walked towards the door and I followed him. I glanced at the almost deserted street. The palm tree at the entrance of Aquamarine Palace was trembling in the windy rain.

"We should wait untill the rain stops." Leo said.

Another gust of wind blew and snapped a leaf off the tree.

"Not that we have any other option."

Spoken too soon.

Suddenly, the light flickered off. A pitch-black darkness engulfed us. The darkness and the sound of heavy rain made me flinch.

"Le– Leo."

"I'm here." He said.

I frantically groped in the air trying to find him. Leo's hands gripped mine. His warm touch reassured me.

I felt his hand squeeze mine. A soothing sense of warmth came over me.

"It's okay, I'm here." He said.

I took a deep breath and composed myself. Slowly, my vision adjusted to the darkness. I could see faint outlines across the room.

"We can't stay here. The more we wait, the worse this gets." He said.

He had a point. We couldn't possibly stay here for long. We had to make it safely back home.

With a flash the lights came back. I looked at Leo and noticed him stashing away something shiny and metallic in the inner pocket of his black coat.

"Aquamarine has a backup generator... I almost forgot about it." I mumbled absentmindedly.

"We can stay now that the lights are back." He said.

"No, we must leave." I said.

Rains and darkness terrified me. The sooner I reached home, the better it was. Unexpected rains like these were the worst. It affected electricity and transport all through Trinity. I'd heard horrific stories about people getting trapped for days and I would hate to get trapped.

"But... before that." He said and I felt something warm touch my shoulder.

To my surprise, Leo had draped my shoulder with his coat.

"Pull the collar up, it'd save you from rain and keep you warm." He said.

I inhaled the familiar perfume – the calming scent of lavender and zingy clove. His coat smelled divine like his kerchief.

"What about you?"

I smiled at him gratefully. I was actually warm and happy in this sweet smelling coat. But, I was concerned about him.

"It's only a matter of time until we find a cab. I'll be fine." He said.

He looked at me with a serious face.

"Now at the count of three we run and cross the road." He said.

He held the door open and I pulled up the collar and walked out. The droplets of rain hit my face. I took a deep breath and braced myself for a run to the other side of the road.

"One.. two and three." Leo said.

I squeezed his palm and ran to the other side of the road. A few cars passed by but there wasn't a cab in sight.

I glanced at Leo who was totally drenched in rain. He squinted his eyes to scout for a cab.

"You take the cab first." I said.

"No, I'm leaving you home." He said.

"But, it's fine I'll go on my own."

"Please Meg..." He said.

I was about to protest but we both noticed a cab approaching our way. I waved my arm and hailed the cab.

Leo held the door open for me first. Both of us settled in the cab. I told the driver our destination.

I found myself sinking in the plush seat of the cab. The strong smell of leather and humidity filled the air. I felt a chill and crossed my arms. I was really thankful to Leo for his coat because I'd hate to sit this cold air-conditioned cab after soaking in rain.

I looked at Leo. He clenched his jaw and looked outside pensively. He was trying his best to not look like he was shivering.

Typical tough guy. I rolled my eye.

Suddenly, he turned to look at me. His cold dark eyes softened.

I let out a small chuckle recalling our escapade.

"We make a heck of a team." I said.

He ran his slender fingers through his wet hair. The droplets of water trailed down on his face and over his extremely sharp jawline.

"We certainly do." He smiled.

This story is set up in a fictional city of Trinity. I'll be updating more details about the city in next chapters.

Speaking of next chapter... what do you think would happen next? Leo is going to drop Meg home and it is a dark stormy night... (think, think) ;)

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