Man Under the Rain

Chapter One

Man Under the Rain

"Do I really have to go with that?" I asked them as I watched them busy packing their belongings.

I sat on the side of Rafa's bed and continued watching her. "Why do we need a trip like this? Can't we just work?" I added.

Rafa looked sharp when she turned to me. "It's a free trip, Rae. What are you doing there? Pack up," she replied irritably to me.

"One more thing, don't you want to take a break? You're the one who said you needed a break because we submitted stories one after another in the past. It's free," Yerim added.

I just sighed and then stood up in my seat. I started to put away my belongings while quietly listening to these two who were super excited for tomorrow.

It's a one week trip to Siargao. I don’t know what trip we head into giving this kind of vacation trip. I just can't remember if Yerim mentioned it to me before I applied to that company. There is a staff house, the salary is high and every anniversary of the company they provide free vacation for the long-time employees of the company and we are included.

I didn't expect to be among the candidates because it's only been two years since I started writing for this company. Maybe it’s because I got the top writer of the month last year so I was included on the list. I still plan to just go home to rest there, but in fact it's not bad either because it's free.

"Is that all your things?" Yerim asked me in astonishment and then searched the contents of my suitcase.

"Eh? Why?"

"My god, Rae! How old are you and your clothes are still pure and old? Don't you have any other clothes besides these?" she said with a mixture of disgust in her tone as she scanned my clothes one by one.

"What do you expect, she doesn't have fashion sense," Rafa added then shook her head as her gaze hovered over my clothes.

"That's okay. You said we'll just rest-"

"Didn't we mention it to you that we're going to a private resort? Oh god!" she shrugged then turned to look at me.

She just shook her head and then took her bag and phone. She immediately grab my hand and went outside. I couldn't do anything anymore because we went straight to the taxi.

It was past six o'clock when we returned to the staff house with the clothes and food we had bought. Yerim is the kind of woman who won't stop until she gets what she wants, so when she herself chose a few clothes and swim suits for me, I didn't do anything. She has always complained about my clothes, which I still do not understand. There is nothing wrong with wearing a skirt above the knee and a long sleeve blouse. I am comfortable here so all kinds of clothes I wear are consistent.

"Next time, I'll tell Arturo to teach you how to wear classy clothes. That one of you knows better, eh," she growled at me referring to my younger brother.

I laugh, "If he was here you'd be pulled out because you called him by that name."

Art is just 15 years old. If Dad were still alive, I'm sure my younger brother wouldn't have liked the path he had chosen. Fortunately, Mom supports everything she wants so she can do everything freely. It's only been a few years and she'll be finishing high school. When Dad died in an accident, I decided to work right away to support her education. Fortunately, Yerim introduced me to the company where we are now and was immediately accepted.

I ended up packing new clothes that I would take without eating. The two went to bed earlier because they were so excited so I decided to go out first to get some air. With my earphones on, I went outside and bring my notes on me. At this time, I get an idea that I can use in the next book that our team will pass on.

I headed to the cafe just opposite the staff house building. When I entered, the barista immediately smiled at me and then nodded.

"The usual?" he asked me so I smiled.

"The usual," I sparingly replied before I sat down in this cafe's favorite spot.

I'm here often so he already knows what I always order. This is my favorite place in this city because I feel like everything is calm. It is undeniable because just the smell of coffee calms my mood.

"Are you alone?" he greeted me and then served my order. "One americano," he added then laughed.

"Rafa is asleep, don't expect it," I teased him.

I saw him scratch his head then sat in the chair in front of me.

"Isn't it early?" he said while looking at the staff house building. "Why are you here, then?" he added so I laughed.

"Seb, this is my usual place. Am I not allowed here anymore? Just because Rafa isn't with me, you're like that," I teased him. I could see his frown.

He likes Rafa, but Rafa doesn't seem to like him. They have a lot of disagreements. Although, Sebastian is a good man, the opposite of what Rafa wanted because she was too stiff. She doesn't like a good boy.

"We have a walk tomorrow so they went to bed early," I whispered before he finally got angry.

"Where are you going? Let me guess, your company's free vacation trip?" he kept saying so I just nodded.

I avoided looking at him and started to think of a scenario in my brain but because of the loudness of this one it immediately disappeared in my brain. I turned to look at him again and looked at him from under my mirror.

Before I could speak the chimes of the shop rang because of the customer entering. He got up quickly and headed to the counter.

I heave a sigh. I hope Rafa will give in to him because this man looks so fond at her.

The shop is quiet. I started to write a scene where a setting is here in this coffee shop, while looking outside, nowhere.

I noticed that the glass wall of the coffee shop was slowly getting wet and the next thing I saw was the man outside, in front of me. He is like talking to someone on his cellphone. He tilted his head to my direction so I could see his visuals well.

Wow. His visual is not a joke. He's looking on the other direction and I can only see his side profile, but I can already guess that he has the looks. His nose is pointed, his lips are moderate in thickness, his Adams apple is swollen. His jaw clenched so I sighed.

I saw him frown and then slightly run his wet hair with his hand. I think the rain caught up with him and here he took shelter.

He still continued his speech as if he's arguing with someone on the phone because of his expression. I didn't know where to look first — at his face or at his body wrapped in a white sleeve polo. It was already wet, so the hard muscles of his body were slightly soaked.

Later, my eyes widened as he turned to me. I quickly averted my eyes and sipped my coffee. I suddenly cursed in my heart because it was still hot.

"F-fuck..." I whispered.

I just closed my eyes to my stupidity and simply looked to see if that man was still there. I'm so thankful he's gone. He finally leave maybe.

Only now have I seen such a man in my twenty-five years I have lived on this earth. Who is that? Is he from here?

I don't think he lives here because I've only just seen him here. He seems so furious. His eyes — I can see pain in his eyes when our eyes met earlier. What could be his problem? Who is he talking to? Even though I was inside the cafe and he was outside while being soaked by the rain, I felt the weight he was carrying in his heart. There's chaos in his eyes. As if for a moment he was able to release all the resentment he hid in his heart while talking to the person on the phone. I should know. I'm a writer and I know people's expressions. Especially when I feel the same way. I know that look very well.

As if he wanted to ask for help, but he couldn't.

It was late at night before I decided to go home. My mind is still full of the man earlier. Did he go home? From what I saw of his appearance earlier, he looks rich. Why are most of the rich still unhappy? What else do they lack besides money?

Love? Ha. Fuck love.