Chapter Two
The next day goes like it always does.From Lilian doing her work at the garden and Austin going to work early in the morning.The only difference was that Austin had waved to her before he drove away.Is he trying to be close to her? Lilian wondered.
Lilian received an unexpected call.It was Austin,he had collected her number the night before saying it's important he has it.
She reluctantly picked it.
"Hello"Lilian said quietly.
"Meet me outside the gate now,I'm waiting"He said without awaiting her answer.
Lilian becomes confused.What changed?Why was he being this way towards her?
She prefers the way he had acted like she never existed.
She looked down at the pitch tank top she had on.She knows she couldn't possibly wear this to see him.She changed into jeans and a chiffon top.She doesn't want to dress up nor does she want to look homeless to him.
After she was done,she looked herself up in the mirror.
Austin had free time.Normally,his afternoons are mostly scheduled for work but he escaped it today.He thought he could take Lilian out for a drive to see the world he was talking about.Though he doesn't know why she insisted on not going to college but he is sure he's going to make her change her mind.
He heard a knock on the car window.He unlocks the door as he sees Lilian.She got in to the passengers seat beside Austin.
"Hi,just wanna take you out for a ride"Austin said
"That's not necessary sir but thank you,I really appreciate your nice gesture"Lilian said.
"Hmm it's necessary"He said and laid over to buckle Lilian's side of seat belt.She was alarmed and her face redden with excitement.Why was she excited?
He started the car without informing her on where he was taking her.
She sat rigid.She was thinking of asking him where they were going but she decides not to.
After some minutes of driving,the car came to an halt at a very crowded place.
Realization shun in Lilian's face.
"Come out"Austin said.
"Why"Lilian gave a quick reply.She is becoming upset with his behavior.
"To buy a cup of coffee"Austin said and step out of the car.
Lilian furrowed her brows.'Is he here to show her the fun of living in the outside world' she thought.
He headed to a small coffee shop nearby the college.Lilian trails behind him,she was staring around the place.She could sight a lot of people her age.Some walk in group while some kept their headphones on probably to avoid someone.
After they entered the coffee shop,he went to order and motions Lilian to find an empty seat.Lilian stares outside.Austin saw how disinterested she was and he found himself disappointed.He thought it was wrong of him to try to dictate how she wants to live her life.
He places a cup of coffee to Lilian's table side and took a seat opposite hers.
"I'm sorry"He said out of the blue and Lilian looks at him confused.
"For what"She said
"Bringing you here isn't what i should have done…I..Hmm..trying to change your mind I guess"He gave an apologetic look.
"It's okay…"She said and takes a sip out of the coffee.
They said nothing for a while.Both of them just stay seated sipping their coffee.Austin had been looking outside too.The crowd had reduced from when they had first come.
"If being my gardener is what you want then let's do it,I will officially employ you,we would sign a contract and do all the necessary paper work"Austin said.
"Okay"Lilian replied.
"We should go"He said.
They left and he went to drop her back home.Lilian thought he was going to stay at home too but he left after he had dropped her off.
Lilian goes back to her little home.The evening sun was rising already.She took a peak at her wall clock and sees it was almost 5pm in the evening.
She kept on thinking of why he created time for her when he was always busy.
Why is he making her feel like there was something else.
Soon,the sky begins to darken.She figured it was the rain.She checks the time and it was 10 minutes to 6pm.She wonders if he had come back home.Since she works with the plants,she watches weather forecasts.
She thought she should have warned him of the rain.
She kept pacing around her room reminiscing on whether or not to call him.She takes up her phone in a swift and dialed his number before thinking otherwise.
"Hello"She heard from the other end of the call.She was very nervous to talk to him.
"Are you back home"She finally asked.Lilian felt like he was confused because it took a minute for him to reply.
"Yes I am,do you have anything to say to me"Austin said.
"No..I…I just called cause of the weather,I saw the forecast yesterday and it is going to rain a lot"She said.She kept fiddling with her cloth out of nervousness.
"Okay..Thank you for checking up on me"He replied.
She was about to end the call when she heard him say "Come for dinner,I insist…and with an umbrella"He didn't wait for her to say anything before he ended the call.
"I don't have one…."she trails off.
She would be damned to call him back so she chose to go out in the rain.
Austin stood by the window of his room,the heavy breeze and heavy drops of rain woke up a feeling in him.He had a white tee shirt and ashes joggers on.He kept his hands in his pocket and his eyes outside while his mind is far away from present.He keeps recalling her face.He knew it was wrong of him to think of those things he could do with her,that is if only they had no brotherly sisterly relationship.He heard a knock on his door.It was Mrs Raver announcing time for dinner.He got downstairs hoping he would meet Lilian there.She wasn't,yet.
He contemplated on whether or not to call her but he doesn't want to seem desperate so he dismissed the thought.
"Is something the matter Mr Byers"He heard Mrs Raver ask.
"I invited Lilian for dinner but she's running late"He said.
"She might not own an umbrella and it's running crazy out there,she might want to be safe indoors"Mrs Raver said and excused herself.It then occurred to Austin that he never bothered to ask if she owns an umbrella.He was about to dial her number when he heard a knock.
He swiftly walk over to the door and opened it to come face to face with Lilian fully drenched.
"My God"Austin whispered.
Her whole body was dripping of water.She was shaking from the cold and her cheeks were flushed.
She knew she was stupid for what she did'but why would she take such risk just to come for dinner'she asked herself.
"Why would you risk coming here,you should have called to tell me you couldn't come rather than jumping into the rain like a kid"Austin yelled.He was angry.He went in quickly to fetch a towel.
Lilian is dumbfounded.Why would he be angry when it was because of him she came running through the heavy rain drops.
He came down with a towel and covers her with it.
"You should change into something else"He said.
He walks her up the stairs to a unoccupied room.
"I could use a warm bath"Lilian said.
Austin wasn't aware of how little the space between them was until when she spoke.
Her clothes were pressed on her body.He could visibly see the color of her bra.He looked down instantly and cleared his throat.
"I will get you a new pair of clothes then"He said had exit the room.
Lilian slowly walks into the bathroom.Her eyes scanning every little thing she laid them on.She begins to undress.After she was done,she set the temperature of the water and then step under the shower.
After searching for suitable clothes for her,he came across a trouser he had abandoned.If only he had considered Louis's words of keeping a woman's clothing at his place then he would easily get Lilian one.He had no other choice than to take the trouser as the only thing that would size her because he wore it when he was younger.He chose a white long sleeve shirt cause he needed her not to feel cold and added a pair of black socks.He walks over to the room he had left her.He saw the door was slightly open but he wouldn't butt in to a room where a woman is in,especially Lily.He knocks for a while but heard no answer.He done opens the door slowly and enters the room.He heard the shower still on,he laid the clothes on the bed when he heard a sound from the bathroom.
He ran over to the sound but when he got there,he stood still.
Lilian was getting up from the floor.He couldn't look away from the shock of seeing her naked when it is what his inner self wanted all along.