Emily's apartment was filled with a constant and unpleasant sound of rain that battered against the windows for a long time. She had her hands clenched around a cup of tea that she had not yet drank on the couch, where she was curled up. All day long, her thoughts had been racing with the note Richard had given her, the friction between James and Roman, and the overwhelming feeling that her world was crumbling down around her.
A sudden knock on the door broke her train of thought. After setting the mug down, she hesitated to stand.
"Who is it?" she asked, her voice laced with tension.
"It's me, James."
Feeling a wave of relief, she unlocked the door. James walked inside, his hair drenched from the rain, his face somber. Quietly, he removed his jacket and ran his fingers through hi
