Rain

The carriage bumped over a small hole in the road jolting Rachel awake, she sat upright and covered her mouth to yawn. She moved the curtain from the side window and she looked out, it was pouring outside at the moment and she could feel the chill in the air from the previous night. I looked up at the sky and drew in a deep breath before sitting back and closing the curtain. Across from me sat my mother, for all intense purposes my father decided we are to travel to the market early in the morning to be there by tea time. We had a meeting to talk about our future, my father wished to open a bakery within the market but they would like us all to arrive at once to speak of such things. We arrived just outside the market where my father decided to stop the carriage, my father opened the side door and helped my mother out than myself. Stepping out onto the soft muddy ground I take a look at my surroundings, there were many people running around under different tents sitting beside a few brick buildings. One of which sat empty, this was the one my father was inquiring about. We walk up closer to the building and I notice that were was a tall fat looking man standing in front of the building who was starring directly at us. I scrunched up my face and looked up at my mother who looked like she had the confidence of one million women who were about to report some changes in their household. I looked over at my father, who was holding my hand to ensure I did not run away. his face was set in a manner that showed that he meant business and was determined to get wt he wanted no matter the cost. Once we reached the man standing by the building, my father let go of my hand. I carefully clasp my hands together feeling the fabric on the gloves leaving a small itching to my hands. I looked down at my dress now stained on the bottom with mud, my mother puts her hand on my shoulder. It was her way of telling me to pay attention, after a few minutes my mother leaned down and smiled at me. "This means we got rented the building." My mother stated as if to help me understand what will be happening next. SIX YEARS LATER "Rachel!" My father yelled from the building downstairs, I sat on the edge of my bed trying to clean off the mud from my boots from baking the night before. "Rachel!" He yelled again. I stood up and fixed the end of my dress before quickly walking downstairs, passing some of my father's employees who were working to start the morning fire in the bedrooms for the guests that had spent the night in those rooms. I quickly walked from room to room which will finally lead me to my father's study, which was right in front of the building on the right side. I tapped lightly on the door before entering the study, I found my father standing with his back facing me and staring out of the large window that faced out into the market. "Yes, father?" I asked shyly, hoping he would turn to me. Five years ago my father finally bought the building he was renting for a bakery and he turned it into a beautifully run inn, which can hold five quests a night with two families. And a small house in the back for our employees, which we have seven of. I hear my father shuffle from foot to foot before finally turning to me, he moved over and sat down at a small wooden table where he usually does all of his finances. He motioned for me to sit then folded his hands down on the table, I quickly make my way over and sit on the other side of the table. "Rachel, it's been four years since your mother has left us for heaven..." My father paused, this was true, four years ago when I was thirteen, she was extremely ill and at last, there was no way for us to help her anymore. "What I am getting at with this is your nineteen. The majority of young women your age have husbands and are with children now." I cut him off by putting my hand up. "Father, I understand but I am not ready for a husband," I stated before putting my hand down. "It is not about being ready, or if you love them or not, it is about society." I pressed my lips together and started feeling myself sweat as my father continued. "I have met a nice young man, whom I would like you to meet. If I believe you two will get along well, we will continue with the courting." My father started before he stood up and went over to the door. I stood up and made my way over to the door, before I walk out I look at my father. "Is there anything else you need from me today father?" I asked, while he thought I bit the inside of my lip, after a couple of seconds he gives me a smile and reaches into his pocket. "I would like you to go into town and bring the inn some fresh fruit and vegetables." I bobbed my head then walked out of the room, making my way to the kitchen where we had a cook prepping for the day's kitchen meals. I walked through the streets in the town carrying my basket filled with apples and some carrots and potatoes, noticing that it was getting dark quickly I paused to look up at the sky. I drew in a deep breath while looking at the grey clouds coming in when I started walking again. Before having a chance to look in front of me, I bumped into someone knocking my basket over and causing the food to go everywhere on the ground. "Sorry, I'm sorry!" I started as I leaned down to pick up the food that is now all over the ground. Rachel noticed that the person she walked into was also helping her to pick up the food, as she stood up she looked into the eyes of the most handsome man she had ever seen. "It's quite alright, Miss." The man said, he had a deep accent that she had never heard before. He had long blond hair that shined in the sun, it was pulled back with string. He had deep green eyes that shined in the sun as well. He took a step back and gave her a smile. "Please, return to what you were doing Miss, I wouldn't want to disturb you." He said as he reached his arm out, motioning that she could leave. "No disturbance at all Just wanted to ensure that you are okay. Sir..." I paused realizing we are strangers. He smiled again before nodding, "William, Acquaintances know me, James. I nodded and gave him a small courtesy "Well then, William. It was nice to meet your acquaintance." She then started to walk away before William stepped in front of her again. "May I know your name, Miss?" He said Miss slowly as to put more emphasis. I stopped and looked at him before letting a smile spread on my face. "Rachel, my name is Rachel," I stated before starting to once again walk away. "May I see you again, Miss Rachel?" He called after me, I simply turned, nodded, then kept walking away. William's POV I walked through the pathway in the middle of Central Park, I swung my cane forward and backward, while nodding at the people walking by. I check my pocket watch one last time before agreeing with myself that it will no longer work, I let out a soft sigh and turn to look into the pond in the middle of the park and I gave the nearby people a small smile. I find it a comfort that they don't know who I am, a passerby, a stranger who could take away all of their dignity at once, someone who could give them anything their hearts desire in an instant... But they will never know this. I give them a nod before turning and making my way out of the park and into a nearby coffee shop, I walk over to the counter and order my usual double double, as I am waiting for the drink I walk over to a table and pull out my phone to scroll through my social media. "Ding" The door opens, leaving the bell to make the noise of the usual customers walking in and out. "Can I get a large French Vanilla?" a soft voice rang out, it sounded familiar yet new to me. From centuries ago, filled with authority yet sounds so filled with caution as if she was unsure of herself. I looked up from my phone and nearly choked off the air that I breathed, "Rachel?" I asked quietly to myself. It couldn't be her, she had been deceased for centuries. I watch the woman stand against the counter one hand resting with her hand on her chin, her elbow on the counter. Her other hand tapping lightly on the counter as she spoke to the barista, I quickly bring my phone up and take a picture of the woman. Quietly hoping to myself that I would meet the woman again in the future, "Double Double!" the Barista shouted I got up and made my way over to the counter to grab my drink. After taking it I look at the woman, who had her eyes on me as well. I smiled and nodded slightly before turning and walking away out of the coffee shop making my way back to my apartment. 1705 "May I see you again, Miss Rachel?" I called after her, she simply turned, nodded, then kept walking away. I smiled and looked over at my partner, who was staring at me with a stern frown on her face, my lovely little sister now only a young seven years old. "Brother, who was that lady?" I shook my head, took her hand, and started walking. "But bro.." I shushed her and kept walking, I had to bring her back to our parent's house. That night I laid in bed and dreamt of what would soon be my future. Rachel's POV I quickly made my way back to the Inn, Dodging people as I walked by. "Daughter, your home." Father stood in the entryway speaking to a couple of the Inn workers. I nodded and turned to take the food to the pantry where the cooks will be starting to prepare supper for our guests tonight. "When you are finished daughter, I would like to see you in my office." My father said calling after me, "Yes father..." I said in reply as I walked away. Rachel walked down to the dining hall filled with customers settling down for their supper for the night, my father was seated on the right side of the room with a small group of people. A man, tall, dark-haired. He was dressed in a loose-fitting shirt and trousers, he was with a woman a bit shorter than him, dressed in a dark misty brown dress. her hair tied up in a tight bun in the back of her head. and another man, almost equally as tall. Dressed the same, with pepper grey hair. I walked over and attempted to put on the best smile I could muster up and laced my fingers together, as I approached closer I noticed the younger man rub his hands together and give a small smile before all four of them stand up and face me. Once I reached the table my father clears his throat, "Liam, this is my daughter Rachel." I looked from my father to Liam and nodded my head. "Pleased to meet you Rachel" Liam stated before reaching out his hand, I took it and watched it as he brought my hand up to his mouth kissing it gently. "Pleased I'm sure." I replied before taking my hand back I turned to the woman and the older man shaking their hands "Lucy, Edmond, this is my daughter Rachel." Father said. I smiled and bobbed my head slightly then watched as Lucy slightly stuck her nose up at me before they both sat down, not even saying two words to me. That evening was spent with Liam talking between my father and his family, while I sat and watched them. We had boiled chicken stock soup, with bread, carrots, and potatoes. And a small bowl of mixed fruit which I had brought from the town earlier this morning. While I am sitting at the table listening to them chat among themselves, I think of the man that I met this morning, what was his name...William... I remember his blond hair tied back with strands falling in certain places showing his sharp jawline. His deep green eyes looked so unlike anything I have ever seen before. He looked soft, from head to two...I could imagine him touching me, his hands gently caressing my cheeks, fingers touching my shoulders slowly moving down my arms, while he slowly leans down his hands going back to my cheeks as he leans into me for a kiss. "Rachel?" My father asks, snapping me back to my own reality. "Yes, father?" I ask as I put on a small smile. "Liam had asked you something." I look from him to Liam who was staring at me a bit nervously. "Yes, Liam?" I asked as I gently fold my hands on my lap. "I asked if you would allow me to court you, with your father’s approval of course." "Of course you have its Liam." My father replied to him before I could respond. I smiled and nodded slightly. "Of course, Liam," I said in agreement. William's POV 2019 Winter I stood in front of the gravesite and stared down at the tombstone which read Here lies Rachel Mast And her birth and death dates. I stared at her death date, 1707, I draw in a deep breath and sit on the ground next to where her body should be laying. "I still miss you, my love," I whispered. I sat like this for a few more minutes before leaving the usual bouquet of roses and bowing "I will meet you again this time next year." I stated before turning to leave which I noticed a small white bunny hopping around by my feet, I smile and start walking away. I walk out of my bedroom and almost knock into Mae, "Brother, why aren't you at work yet? Are we feeling a bit ill today?" She asked, I tried to ignore her annoying little pun by moving past her. "Have you made any coffee yet? I am dying for some before I make my way into the office for the remainder of the day." I grinned at her, hoping she would enjoy the replies in puns. "It's on the counter, you know I usually don't make it until after the show though, Riley is coming over tonight by the way!" She shouted before heading into the oversized living room and laying down on the couch to which she went back to her phone. "Thanks for the warning!" I shouted before making my coffee and heading out of the house and to work. Usually, I don't work so late, but with everything going on, I couldn't miss a chance to stay up and search for that woman that I saw at the coffee shop, She just loosed so much like Rachel that I feel I need to find her, I need to know who she is. I swerve in and out of the crowd in front of me, until I feel something. Something pulling at me to follow it, like a cord connecting from me to something else. instinctively I follow it back to the coffee shop, I walked in and nearly started gasping for air. There she was, behind the counter talking to other customers. We locked eyes, and it felt as though nothing else mattered for me other than this woman. William's POV The bell on the door rang indicating that it has shut behind me, I started at the woman for a few moments before finally deciding to get ahold of myself, and I to turn to walk back out of the coffee shop. "Don't want any coffee?" He heard a soft voice say as his hand was almost to the door. "N-No thank you," I said before looking back at the woman at the counter, She grinned and raised her eyebrows. "Maybe later then?" She asked. I looked down at her name tag then back up at her face before returning a soft smile. "Perhaps, Chloe," I replied before walking completely out of the coffee shop. I made my way through the streets in New York City until I found myself in front of Cale's Marketing. In my father's office building, walking in I am greeted by a couple of my fellow employees. "Mr. Cale's, I was hoping I would be able to have a moment with you when you came in this morning, You see I had the paperwork ready to be put on your desk and I..." I put my hand up cutting him off and I turned to him. "Mr. Baxter," I stated as I looked over at him, his face was red with worry and I could tell he was feeling a bit nervous. "This is the eighth time that my paperwork will be late, what is the reason this time?" I asked. Usually, I would be angry, however. Today seemed a bit better than usual. "Well, you see Mr. Cale. I had to drop my daughter off at school, and I forgot it on the kitchen table at home." I cut him off again with my hand, "Please just next time let us know you will be late and go get the paperwork. I want it on my desk within the next hour so we can start preparing for the Friday meetings." I stated before walking into the elevator to head up to my office. Once I step off the elevator I start walking towards my desk, then I see my assistant out of the corner of my eye, she was filling out paperwork and putting them aside for her to put them on my desk this afternoon. Around noon my father finally popped into my office, "I have some great news son." He stated as he clapped his hands together. "I have proposed a trip for you and Mae." He dropped a piece of paper off on my desk, I picked it up, read it then looked up at him. "Paris, you want me to go to Paris?" My father sat down in the chair in front of me. "Move there, actually. I want you two to run a new company there." He stated before turning to my assistant. "Order us a round of drinks...What will it be William? Let's celebrate." My father turned back to me awaiting a response. "Coffee," I responded after a moment of being in a bit too much shock. "Coffee, You want coffee?" My father turned and asked my assistant to order us coffee. She smiled and nodded slowly before picking up the phone. "What is this about father?" I asked as I stood up from my desk. "Is this about mother?" I asked letting my voice drop low. "Do not speak to me of her!" My father replied as he slammed his fist down on the desk. "It has been centuries, and I cannot take the sound or think of her." My father growled, "She was only human." "She was a nuisance!" my father shot back before regaining his composure, "And besides, a simple human has no place in our lives." "You have made that quite clear, but that is not my perspective." I sat down in my chair and flipped through my paperwork. The next couple of hours flew by with my father at my assistances desk chatting away with her while I work on my paperwork for upcoming events. 1705 Rachel's POV I walked through the Inn while listening to the rain, she drew in a deep breath and went to the back of the building. I leaned against the wall and wrapped my shawl around me, I had my first courting this afternoon and am waiting for the chaperone to arrive. I drew in a deep breath and turned to head back up to my room on the second floor, where I shall soon get ready. Shortly after the chaperone showed up, my aunt smiled down at me as she helped me fix my dress for the courting. Not long after suppertime did Liam arrive, he was carrying a couple of flowers, which I handed to one of the maids. We went to a park field, where he pushed me on a swing for a little while. Then we walked the fields. He spoke of the weather, of flowers, and food. While we were walking I noticed out of the corner of my eye someone familiar I turned my head and looked at him for a moment, he was enticing. After a moment I whispered William, with the recognition of his features I didn't understand how I couldn't recognize him at first glance. He was staring back at me. He gave a small smile and nod before turning away from me, I wanted to reach out and touch his arm. To tell him it's not like this, to reassure him, but then I felt silly since we did not really know each other. However, I want to know him. once the courting was over Liam brought my hand up to his mouth and kissed it. "Until next time, my dear." He whispered before turning and leaving. That night was spent with me laying in bed wondering how to meet with William once more. Rachel's POV The next night I dreamt that I was walking through the field, it had so many flowers in it. I held up the bottom of my dress, it was a beautiful color of blue, it reminded me of my mother's eyes. I kept walking, trying not to step on any flowers. Until I reached the middle of the field, I knew I had to wait, for what I was unsure exactly. So I waited for what felt like forever until he showed up, William. I could recognize him in my sleep, he walked up to me and wrapped his arms around me holding me there for a moment before leaning down and whispering in my ear in his beautiful accent. "My darling, I love you." I closed my eyes breathing him in for a moment, before opening them and realizing he is no longer gone and I am alone outside in the dark. I opened my mouth to call for him, but I can't speak nothing comes out, not my voice, not his name I cannot even feel air coming out. I woke up the next morning covered in sweat, I got out of the bed and went over to the window, I heard a knock on the door and turned around to find the maid walking in with a fire starter. "Hello, Miss," I said before quietly going over and grabbing one of my dresses for the day. I noticed that she bobbed a curtsy before leaning down and starting the fire then walking out again quietly shutting the door behind her. not long after did I get dressed and make my way down the corridor and to the dining hall in her father's building, she sat down in the far corner away from anyone that may be eating and deep in conversation with heir fellow travelers. I slowly took my white gloves off and set them down on the side of the table and folded my hands down on the table, after a few moments one of my father's maids came over and gave me a small smile. "May I offer you anything, ma'am?" I stared ahead and replied with "some brad and eggs please." Then watched as the woman quickly walked away just as fast as she had appeared. I looked down at the table and counted "My daughter, are you alright?" I looked up to find my father standing next to me with Liam next to him who moved to lean down next to me. "Darling, are you feeling alright?" He hesitated then reached out his hand to feel my forehead. "Yes, I am alright, I am just...Famished." I said as I hesitated from Liam's touch. He let out a sigh then sat across from me. "I would like to announce some news, Liam has asked me for my permission. And I gave it. You are to be married, next month to be exact." My father put his hand on Liam's shoulder and I could see he was grinning from ear to ear, as well as Liam. I looked between both of them then I got out and quickly walked out of the building. William's POV I walked out of the office building that afternoon and opened my phone to find a message from Mae "Have you talked to dad today, he's gone completely mental." I replied with "We will speak later, but for now, meet me at Café Arose. We will discuss fathers planes later." I agreed then hung up, I found myself still standing outside of my family's office building and I looked up at the very top. Ten floors and my father has to go to the very top, I let out a sigh and motioned for a close taxi to come over my way. "Café Arose, please," I told the driver, who nodded and started driving. We made it to Café Arose in no time, Mae was standing outside already waiting for me. She had her speakers in her ears and she was leaning against the side of the building, her leg leaning up against the wall. I got out of the taxi and she looked up giving me a small smile and a nod to indicate that she was saying "Hello." I put my hands in my pockets and walked over to her, "Couldn't wait that long for me to come over you got bored already?" "Well, you know...With dad asking us to move and all." She said quietly under her breath as she moved away from the wall. We walked into the café together, and I looked directly across from me to not find the woman that I was expecting to see but a different barista now. I attempt to hide my dismay but Mae caught on right away. "You look let down" She mentions as she walked up to the counter and orders a caramel latte, she then moves to find herself a table near the far corner of the building. I order my usual coffee and follow along behind her, once I sat down Mae pulled her phone out and flipped through it until she put it down on the table she pushed it towards me. I looked at it "Dad; Mae, I hate to have to tell you this but something came up and I decided to open up another business that I will be requiring you and your brother to go run together. This is a sudden change, but never the less a required one." I picked up the phone and re-read it four times. "This tells us …Nothing," I stated before holding the phone back out to her, she took it and sipped at her coffee. "What I don't understand is why, why now?" I asked as I diverted my eyes and leaned back in the chair. Then, it hit me like a ton of bricks as to why.