A Ride in the Rain

The storm had come out of nowhere. The first drops were sharp, icy pinpricks against Adeline's skin. Then came the downpour—relentless and cold. She pulled her coat tighter and quickened her pace, but the rain soaked through, chilling her to the bone.

She had just stepped off the curb when a sleek black car pulled up beside her. The tinted window rolled down, revealing Elias behind the wheel. His eyes, sharp as ever, locked onto her through the curtain of rain. She blinked in surprise, thrown for a moment by the unexpected sight of him.

Elias (steady voice, with a trace of concern):"It's coming down pretty hard. Need a ride?"

Adeline hesitated. Elias was the last person she expected to see, especially on a night like this. Since their time in Singapore, their paths had barely crossed beyond a few stiff interactions at work. Still, standing in the freezing rain with no cab in sight, his presence was oddly welcome.

Adeline (nodding, trying to smile through the rain):"I appreciate it, but—"

Elias (cutting her off gently):"Don't stand out here. Get in."

She paused again, torn. But the cold was already sinking into her skin, and his tone—firm yet sincere—left little room for argument. Elias wasn't one to offer help lightly. When he did, he meant it.

Adeline opened the door and slid into the passenger seat, careful not to drip too much on the pristine leather interior.

Adeline:"Thanks. I didn't expect to see you tonight."

Elias didn't look at her, his gaze focused on the road ahead as he started the car. Rain lashed against the windshield in steady waves.

Elias (his voice distant, almost mechanical):"I was wrapping up some work. Didn't expect to run into you either."

Silence fell between them, broken only by the rhythmic patter of rain on the roof. Adeline glanced at him, noticing the way his hands gripped the steering wheel—tight, almost rigid, as if bracing himself against something unseen.

Adeline:"You don't like germs, do you?"

His jaw tensed. He flicked his eyes toward her briefly before returning them to the road.

Elias:"I like to keep things clean."

She gave a soft laugh, unsure whether to press further. The tension in the car was subtle but unmistakable. He seemed determined to maintain his usual distance—emotionally, if not physically.

Clearing her throat, she decided to break the heaviness with something lighter.

Adeline:"You know, you could've stayed home tonight. It's late for someone as... particular as you."

Elias (cracking a faint smile):"There's always something to do. Besides, I didn't expect the weather to turn like this. You'd be completely drenched if I hadn't stopped."

She looked out the window, watching the streetlights cast golden halos through the rain. The city blurred behind the glass, glowing in a way that made it seem almost beautiful—lonely, but beautiful.

Adeline:"I don't suppose you'd ever be caught walking in this?"

Elias (after a brief pause, voice measured):"Not unless absolutely necessary."

She raised an eyebrow at his answer. There was something in the way he said it—too careful, as if the words carried more weight than he let on. But she let it go, turning her attention to her soaked sleeves instead.

They drove on, the hum of the engine and the rain the only sounds between them. Elias's silence felt heavier now, like he was wrestling with something unspoken.

Eventually, they reached her apartment complex. The rain hadn't eased, but at least she was dry.

Adeline (giving a small, grateful nod):"This is me. Thanks again—for the ride."

Elias finally looked at her. His eyes lingered for a second longer than necessary, unreadable.

Elias:"Stay dry, Adeline."

She smiled—small, but genuine—and reached for the door. Then paused.

Adeline:"You know, you really could try relaxing. Just once."

He didn't answer right away. His expression remained still, but something flickered behind his eyes.

Elias (quietly, almost to himself):"Maybe."

She stepped out and closed the door softly behind her. The rain greeted her once more, but she hardly noticed. She stood for a moment, watching the red glow of his taillights fade into the distance.

Something about the night stayed with her. The unexpected intersection of their paths, the strange calm inside the car, the almost-human crack in Elias's perfectly composed mask. Their lives, it seemed, were intertwining in ways neither of them intended.