CHAPTER 8: THE RAINSTORM

He watches from the dark. I tried to run, but his obsession is a cage I can't escape from.

Catherine furrowed her brows; she looked dazed. Too many questions flooding into her mind all at the same time but the most frequent was. What could be the relationship between Sullivan and Batista Manuel, her godfather and her father's most trusted friend?

Everyone close to her family held Sullivan responsible for what befell her father. So, why would Batista be friends with his late best friend's enemy?

She exhaled slowly, "Something is certainly not right. I will keep a close eye on Batista. I must get to the root of this," she muttered. 

She comported herself and headed back to the ballroom.

While about to sit down, Sullivan sensed her mood even though she had masked it. "Is anything the matter, my queen?"

Catherine faked a smile, "Not at all."

He pursed his lips, still observing her, but nodded.

Catherine was still feeling restless concerning what she had just seen, and the only thing on her mind was to head home. She needed space away from Sullivan. 

Quickly, she swiped her left wrist, staring at her watch, "Let's call it a day, Sullivan. Remember, I'm resuming work tomorrow."

Sullivan smiled, "Smart move. You had to swing the work card on me."

Catherine laughed dryly. As they both stood up.

The magnificent chandelier still glistened behind them, casting diamonds of light through the transparent door of the ballroom. Instrumental sounds had faded into the distance, replaced by the silence of the midnight air.

Sullivan wrapped his arm around Catherine's waist. He glanced at her, a smirk curving his lips as he leaned closer. "You're my personal love letter from the universe," he murmured softly.

Catherine was about to open her mouth and respond when suddenly, a single drop splashed on her face. Then another. In a split second, the heavens released its showers.

"Catherine, this way. My car is over there," he said, holding her hand as they ran towards his car, which was closer. The driver quickly opened the car door the moment he sighted Sullivan.

Catherine squealed, "That rain was so unexpected." Her eyes widened, and the rain had drenched her hair slightly.

On purpose, she stayed very close to the car door, trying to avoid Sullivan's touch. But then, she trembled, and her teeth chattered slightly.

Sullivan looked her in the eyes and grazed his finger across her cheek as he brushed a wet strand of hair from her face. In a whisper, he said, "You're shivering."

She blinked up at him, her heart suddenly still in her chest. "No, I-I'm fine."

"I doubt that," he huskily replied. He moved closer to her and tilted his head.

Catherine's breath hitched. Quickly, she was about to open the car door and run. But, Sullivan. Fast like a flash, he caught her wrist. "Wait," he whispered. "This could be the universe granting us an opportunity."

His breath steamed against her soft skin. "Sullivan, please let me go," she pleaded.

He didn't answer. Instead, he pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her as thunder rumbled above. He crashed his lips against hers. His mouth was warm as he kissed her. Slowly, he was savoring her taste. His tongue thrusting deeper into her mouth. A kiss neither of them knew how to walk away from.

Their breath mixed together, releasing its warmth into the air. 

Catherine abruptly broke the kiss as she gasped for more air, and immediately she flung out of Sullivan's car breathless and shaken heading towards her car.

Sullivan didn't chase after her, he simply watched her with a cock smile on his face.

Catherine entered her car and drove off without passing a glance back at Sullivan's car.

But, all this while, a shadow loomed in the dark under the rain, carefully watching them with disdain.