Chapter 10 HAVE BEEN SOAKED IN THE RAIN

The wind is blowing hard outside, a sign that heavy rain will be pouring. When Mary saw that her boss already left, she also decided to go home.

She made sure that she saved all her work before turning off the computer then she fixed herself.

She took her bag and left the office.

As soon as she reached the front door of the building, Mary Ann suddenly felt nervous.

She could feel the cold breeze brought by the strong wind as it touched her skin. She looked up and the sky was already dark. It's undeniable that heavy rain is approaching.

Mary Ann took all the courage to leave her work despite the inclement weather.

She was walking towards the bus station when she noticed that a car was following her.

She turned around and looked at the car. Her heart is beating fast. Who could be the driver of the car? Why does it seem that he is following her?

She stepped aside thinking she was interfering with the passing car but to her surprise, the car stopped in front of her, and then the car's window opened.

The driver is making a way to glance out. Then, suddenly the rain starts to bucket down.

She saw the man sitting in the driver's seat peeking out, and it was starting to rain.

"Mary Ann!" The man shouted at her." Open the door and hop in." The man offered her but she is a bit hesitant to ride the car. Well, not because she doesn't trust the man but because she is a bit shy.

"Come on, it's already tipping down." The man shouted urging her to ride. "Don't just stand there or else you will get wet."

Mary Ann was embarrassed but she didn't have any choice but to ride in the car.

"Come on, the rain is starting," said the man inside of the car. Even though she was ashamed she just got in the car. She doesn't want him to think that she is too arrogant and refuse his offer. Also, she doesn't have any choice. She didn't bring an umbrella and since the rain already started pouring, the best decision that she could make is to get in the car.

Just swallow her pride, that's better than getting wet in the rain then she might catch a cold as well.

As soon as Mary Ann got inside the car, John stepped on the accelerator and drove away from the building.

After a couple of minutes, John glanced at Mary Ann. "Eherm..." He coughs to get her attention." Where do you live?" He said and then put his eyes back on the road again.

"I---m sorry." She replied shyly. She doesn't know what to say to him so she chose to stay quiet. "I live in San Isidro." This is the second time that she saw the guy so she's a bit uncomfortable. "You can just drop me off at the bus station. I am sorry to bother you this much, Sir."

John nodded but he didn't say a word. When they were near the bus stop, Mary Ann spoke and tried to stop him." Sir, you can just drop me at the bus stop that is in front of us." She said and smiled at him for the first time since she rode in the car.

"I am sorry Mary Ann but I prefer to take you to your house," John replied and didn't bother to stop the car as she requested. He just passed by the bus stop and continued to drive.

"But sir, the rain is getting heavier as you could see." Mary Ann turned to the man next to her, "If you will drop me at our house when you come back later, it might be hard for you."

She continued with concern in her voice for the man.

John shrugged his shoulders and spoke, "Hey, don't worry about me. By the time that we will be at your house, the rain has probably already stopped. So, don't worry, okay?" He said and smiled at her." Besides, it is more difficult for you to commute and walk in your situation. The rain is pouring heavily and it's dark. It's not safe.

"Are you sure?" She asked in return. He has a point. The way from the bus stop isn't safe because it's already dark and the rain is pouring. The wind also blows so hard that she might be hit by flying objects." I am just thinking about you."

"Don't worry about me. I should be fine." John glanced at her and smiled.

Everyone rushed to go home due to the heavy rain. Mary and John are stuck in the traffic.

Usually, Mary Ann travels about an hour when she is riding a bus and now, they are almost 2 hours before they get to her house.

Unfortunately, John's prediction of the weather calming down once they reached her place wasn't correct. The rain continues falling heavily.

With this, Mary Ann invited John to come inside their house and wait until the weather calmed down. He couldn't let the man travel back with the weather. It's not safe even if he is in a car.

"Sir, please come inside first. It's still raining cats and dogs. It's not safe for you to go back." She said to the man.

John scratched his head. He couldn't look Mary Ann straight into the eyes.

"I am sorry. I thought the rain would stop once we got here. Now, I am bothering you." He said in a very low voice.

"Sir, what are you saying? I should be thanking you for bringing me safely home. I would have been soaking in the rain if you had not offered me a ride." Mary Ann said and smiled sweetly at the man.

John smiled sheepishly.

"Let's go inside and I will make you a coffee." She said to the man.

They finally got out of the car and entered Mary Ann's house.

They found her grandmother watching the television in the living room.

Mary Ann approached her grandmother and kissed her on the cheek.

Her grandmother's eyes were at John though. Then, the old woman looks at her as if asking who's with her.

"Grandma, this is Sir John. He is my friend's boss. Fortunately, he was at the building when the rain started pouring and he offered to drop me off here at the house." She explained to her grandmother.

Her grandmother's vision is a bit blurry.

"Good evening, grandma." John greeted her grandmother with a smile. He is standing next to her. " How are you?"

"Good evening, young man. Why are you standing there?" The old woman said," Please come here and sit down. Just, feel at home, Okay." her grandmother said and smiled at John even if she could not see him clearly. " Thank you for dropping off my granddaughter."

John walked and sat down as the old woman said. Mary Ann also sat down next to her grandmother.

"It's my pleasure to drop her." John smiled and looked at Mary Ann.

"Thank you, grandson, for dropping her off here. I was worried that she would get wet and might catch a cold because I am sure that she didn't bring her umbrella with her."

John smiles at what Mary Ann's grandmother said. Mary Ann's face turned red because of embarrassment at what her grandmother said. She turned to John who was sitting on the single sofa. The man smiled looking at her and winked.

She could feel her face heat up because of it.

Thankfully, Auntie Carla walked into the living room. It looks like she is calling them because dinner is ready. They just arrived on time then.

"Mary Ann, take your grandmother and your guest to the kitchen so we eat our dinner."

"Grandson, please eat your dinner here. I am sure that you haven't eaten yet." The old woman said.

John smiled," I hope I am not bothering you so much."

"Not at all. We are thankful to you for bringing my granddaughter safely in this bad weather."

"Sir John, grandma, I need to change my clothes first and then I will go to the kitchen to eat with you." She said. She has her reason now to change her clothes. " I am sorry."

"That's alright, Mary Ann."

"Mary Ann, please be quick. We will wait for you so we can all eat together and your guests won't be shy." her grandmother said to her.

"Okay, grandmother. I will be quick." Mary Ann looked at John to check if she was okay to go."

John nodded, "Go ahead!" he said." Don't worry about me. I am with your grandmother."

"Alright, I will wait for the three of you then at the dining table." Auntie Carla said and left.

Mary Ann also walked her way out of the living room to change her clothes.