Rumors and Rain
1445 Words
The board meeting ended successfully.
For the first time since joining Hale Group, Soraya felt like she had truly accomplished something.
Mr. James gathered everyone before they left for the day.
"Good work, everyone."
A round of applause filled the office.
"The president was satisfied with today's preparation."
Several employees smiled in relief.
Mr. James rarely praised anyone, so hearing those words felt like a reward.
As soon as he returned to his office, Mia leaned back in her chair.
"I survived!"
Soraya laughed.
"You make it sound like we went to war."
"We practically did."
Mia rubbed her shoulders dramatically.
"My brain is officially on vacation."
The two friends packed their desks before leaving the office together.
As they stepped into the elevator, Mia suddenly spoke.
"Soraya."
"Hmm?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"You've already asked about ten questions today."
"This one is important."
Soraya smiled.
"Go ahead."
Mia looked around to make sure no one else was listening.
"Have you ever dated anyone?"
Soraya blinked.
"No."
"Seriously?"
She nodded.
"I've always been focused on helping my parents and finding a job."
"What about you?"
Mia shrugged.
"I dated once."
"It lasted two months."
"What happened?"
"He said I talked too much."
Soraya couldn't stop herself from laughing.
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay."
Mia laughed too.
"He wasn't wrong."
The elevator doors opened.
The two girls continued laughing as they walked into the lobby.
Just then, they noticed several female employees standing near the reception desk.
Their voices were low, but excited.
"I heard the president rejected another marriage proposal."
"They say daughters from wealthy families keep trying."
"I wonder what kind of woman he'll marry."
"I can't imagine President Hale falling in love."
Mia quietly pulled Soraya away before they could overhear more.
"Gossip."
She rolled her eyes.
"It never ends."
Soraya glanced back for a second.
Without realizing it...
She found herself wondering about Adrian.
Had he really rejected so many marriage proposals?
Then...
Why had he agreed to marry her so easily?
The question stayed in her mind all the way home.
...
The next few days passed peacefully.
Work became less stressful now that the board meeting was over.
Soraya and Mia settled into a comfortable routine.
Every morning they shared coffee.
Every afternoon they ate lunch together.
Sometimes they walked around the small garden behind the company before returning to work.
Little by little...
Hale Group was beginning to feel like home.
One afternoon, while they were returning from lunch, dark clouds suddenly covered the sky.
"It looks like it's going to rain," Mia said.
"I forgot my umbrella."
"So did I."
A few seconds later...
Heavy raindrops began falling from the sky.
Employees rushed toward the entrance, laughing as they tried not to get wet.
By the time work ended, the rain had become even heavier.
Soraya stood beneath the entrance canopy.
"This doesn't look like it'll stop anytime soon."
Mia checked her phone.
"My brother's coming to pick me up."
"Do you want a ride?"
Soraya smiled.
"No, thanks."
"I'll wait a little longer."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"Alright."
"See you tomorrow."
"See you."
Mia waved before running toward her brother's car.
Soon, only a handful of employees remained at the entrance.
Soraya hugged her bag against her chest as she watched the rain pour onto the road.
She let out a small sigh.
"I should've checked the weather."
At that moment, a black luxury sedan slowly stopped in front of the company entrance.
The driver quickly stepped out with an umbrella and opened the rear door.
Adrian walked out of the building a few seconds later, accompanied by his assistant.
As he approached the car, he noticed someone standing alone beneath the canopy.
It was Soraya.
She looked outside, clearly waiting for the rain to stop.
Adrian paused for a brief moment.
His assistant noticed.
"President Hale?"
Adrian looked back at the rain.
Then at Soraya again.
For a second, he seemed to be thinking about something.
Soraya also noticed him.
Their eyes met across the entrance.
Neither of them spoke.
The sound of the rain filled the silence between them.
The rain continued to pour heavily, beating against the glass doors of Hale Group.
Soraya looked away first.
She hugged her bag a little tighter and quietly watched the road.
There wasn't a single taxi in sight.
The buses that passed by were already full.
She sighed softly.
"It doesn't look like I'll be getting home anytime soon."
A few steps away, Adrian stood beside his car.
His driver held the umbrella over him while his assistant waited patiently.
Adrian glanced toward the entrance once more.
Soraya was still standing there.
Completely unaware that he was looking at her.
His assistant followed his gaze.
"President Hale?"
Adrian was silent for a moment before speaking.
"Does the company still keep spare umbrellas for employees?"
His assistant nodded.
"Yes."
"There should be a few at the reception desk."
Adrian simply said,
"Go and get one."
The assistant looked slightly confused but didn't ask any questions.
"Right away."
A minute later, he returned carrying a brand-new black umbrella.
Adrian took it from him.
Without another word, he walked back toward the entrance.
Soraya was so focused on watching the rain that she didn't notice him until a shadow stopped beside her.
She turned.
"President Hale?"
Adrian held out the umbrella.
"You'll catch a cold if you wait much longer."
Soraya blinked in surprise.
"This..."
"It's for you."
She looked at the umbrella, then back at him.
"I couldn't possibly take it."
"You can."
"It's company property."
"Return it to the reception desk tomorrow."
Soraya hesitated.
"But what about you?"
"My car is already here."
She glanced toward the waiting sedan.
He was right.
He only had to walk a few steps.
After a brief pause, she accepted the umbrella with both hands.
"Thank you."
Adrian gave a small nod.
"Get home safely."
"You too... President Hale."
With that, Adrian turned around and walked back to his car.
The driver immediately opened the door for him.
Within moments, the black sedan disappeared into the rain.
Soraya stood there holding the umbrella.
A small smile slowly appeared on her face.
"So..."
"Maybe he isn't as cold as everyone thinks."
She opened the umbrella and stepped into the rain.
The next morning...
Soraya arrived at work carrying the neatly folded umbrella.
The moment Mia saw it, she smiled.
"New umbrella?"
Soraya nodded.
"I borrowed it yesterday."
"From who?"
"The company."
Mia didn't think much of it.
"Oh."
"I was wondering when they started giving employees umbrellas."
Soraya smiled awkwardly.
"So was I."
The two girls headed upstairs together.
After placing her bag on her desk, Soraya remembered the umbrella.
"I'll return this before work starts."
"I'll come with you," Mia said.
The two friends took the elevator to the reception area.
Soraya placed the umbrella gently on the counter.
"I came to return this."
The receptionist looked at it before smiling.
"Thank you, Miss Carter."
Just then, Adrian walked through the lobby with his assistant.
He happened to notice Soraya returning the umbrella.
Their eyes met.
Soraya smiled politely.
"Thank you... for yesterday."
Adrian stopped for only a second.
"You're welcome."
Then he continued toward the elevators as if nothing had happened.
Mia watched the whole exchange.
Once Adrian was out of sight, she slowly turned to Soraya.
"...Okay."
Soraya looked at her innocently.
"What?"
Mia folded her arms.
"Now I'm absolutely sure."
"Sure about what?"
"You know him."
Soraya laughed nervously.
"We've met a few times."
"A few times?"
Mia raised an eyebrow.
"The president personally lent you an umbrella."
Soraya didn't know what to say.
She couldn't exactly explain that Adrian was also her fiancé.
Not yet.
Seeing her hesitate, Mia smiled.
"You don't have to tell me."
"When you're ready..."
"I'll listen."
Soraya looked at her friend gratefully.
"Thank you."
Mia bumped her shoulder gently.
"That's what friends are for."
The two girls laughed as they walked back toward the elevator.
From across the lobby, Adrian happened to glance in their direction once more.
Seeing Soraya laughing with Mia, he quietly looked away.
For some reason...
He found himself hoping...
That she would always have a smile like that.
He didn't understand why.
And he wasn't about to spend time figuring it out.
There was simply too much work waiting for him.
So, pushing the thought aside, President Adrian Hale stepped into the executive elevator...
While Soraya and Mia stepped into the employees' elevator.
The doors closed at the same time.
Two different elevators.
Two different lives.
Yet somehow...
Each day, fate continued to bring them a little closer.
- Writer
