Searching Soul - a Mikhaiah au

Chapter 1: Girl in the Rain

Margaux Gibrael Cornell sighed heavily as she double-checked everything inside her laundromat before stepping out to lock the door, signaling its closing. It was a couple of minutes past 9:00 PM, another day blending into the routine.

She stepped out and successfully locked the door, pausing to stare at the lock for a moment before finally deciding to leave. Unexplainable emotions flickered in her eyes. Every day had become a constant struggle between hope and despair, and the pouring rain only added to her frustration.

She turns around, opens her umbrella, and faces the street, noticing a tall girl drenched in the rain. Being the good girl that she is and seeing that the stranger looks innocuous, she decides to approach her.

She studies the stranger from head to toe. Her black trench coat was dripping, and it was clear she had been standing in the rain far too long to be this soaked.

"Excuse me miss, are you okay?" Gibrael, who has not been fond of conversations for the past three years, found herself starting up one.

The taller girl turned to face her. Her face was blank. She was shaking, probably from the cold.

Gibrael looked at her with eyes full of concern and finally offered her umbrella.

"Why are you standing in the rain for so long?"

The taller girl merely stared at her with unreadable eyes, still quivering.

"Don't you have somewhere to go?" Gibrael asked again.

"I-I'm not from around here," the taller girl replied with an inaudible stutter.

Gibrael softened at the statement. It had been three years since she'd helped a stranger. This was a first in a while.

"Well then, would you like to stay at my house tonight? You seem harmless. You're not some criminal, right?" Gibrael inquired with a seemingly endless set of questions.

For the first time that night, the stranger managed a small smile and shook her head slightly, saying, "Don't worry, I'm not a criminal. I'm just lost and not from around here. You're the only person who's approached me tonight, so thank you. And yes, if you don't mind, I really need a place to stay for the night. Tomorrow, I'll figure out where to go next. As they say, I'll cross that bridge when I get there."

The stranger's straightforward response brought a light smile to Gibrael's face. It was the first time the stranger had spoken, and her voice was soothing to listen to. Gibrael found herself lost in the moment.

"Well then," Gibrael paused for a moment. "I'm Gibrael. And you are?" she continued, extending her right hand.

"I'm Soul," the stranger replied, shaking Gibrael's hand with her cold, trembling palm.

"Hi, Soul. My apartment is just a few blocks this way," Gibrael said as she led the way to her place.

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Gibrael fumbled with her keys as they reached a door on the highest floor of the building. When the door finally clicked open, she swung it wide.

"Uh," Gibrael hesitated before speaking. "Make yourself at home, Soul. This is my apartment," she said shyly. "I'm sorry, the place is a bit messy."

"Wow, this is a penthouse, Gibrael!" Soul exclaimed, still slightly shaking from the cold.

Gibrael chuckled lightly and offered Soul a clean towel. "Tag along now, the bath is that way. My bedroom's next to it. I'll just prepare you some fresh clothes and put them outside the bathroom door." She instructed Soul as she pointed the bathroom door and headed to her bedroom.

Soul did as instructed and was amazed at the sight of the bathroom. The place was minimalist and luxurious. She didn't expect Gibrael to live in a place like this, the girl was too modest.

Soul finished bathing after a few minutes and went to Gibrael's bedroom. She knocked lightly three times. "Gibrael?"

"Come on in," came the response. Soul turned the knob and found Gibrael near the windowpane, talking on her phone.

"I know it's been three years, but she was dripping wet. I had to help her. I had to," Soul overheard Gibrael saying on the phone. Gibrael turned and smiled at her, which Soul kindly reciprocated.

Soul realized Gibrael was probably talking about her, so she decided to sit on the edge of the bed and wait.

"I know. I know. You're starting to sound like my mom again," Gibrael said matter-of-factly.

"Yeah, bye, Sol," Gibrael concluded with finality, then set her phone on the bedside table.

"I'm sorry. That was my best friend Solea. She was just worried about me bringing a stranger to my apartment. It's been a couple of years since I helped someone," Gibrael explained, not sure why she felt the need to justify herself—perhaps because she found Soul a bit intimidating. Soul responded with a light smile and a meaningful look, as if to reassure her that she had nothing to worry about.

Soul followed Gibrael's gaze and noticed a picture frame on the bedside table. It was a photo of Gibrael with a guy, looking affectionate.

"That's cute. Is that your boyfriend?" Soul asked curiously, her eyes still fixed on the frame.

Gibrael noticed the question and looked at the frame. She quickly shoved it aside. With a heavy sigh, she replied, "That's my ex-boyfriend," bitterness evident on her face.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked," Soul said with concern.

"No, you don't need to apologize," Gibrael responded.

Soul noticed the sadness in Gibrael's eyes and decided to let the topic go. She was a stranger and had no right to push for personal details.

"I'm really sorry. That sounds heavy. Cliché as it may be, I'm here for you. If you want to talk about it, I'm all ears. But if you don't, I won't press," Soul assured her.

"Thank you. It's been a long time since someone has offered such reassurance. We may be strangers, but I appreciate it," Gibrael said, her voice tinged with sadness.

Soul looked at Gibrael and smiled, noticing her teary eyes. She patted the space beside her, signaling Gibrael to sit down.

"Thank you for letting me stay the night. If not for you, I'd still be soaking in the rain," Soul said sincerely.

Gibrael chuckled. "Don't worry about it. Don't force yourself too much. If you still don't have a place to stay, you're very welcome here."

"Really?" Soul asked, her eyes sparkling. Instinctively, she hugged Gibrael, who was taken aback. It was the first time in a while that someone had hugged her so tightly.

"I'm sorry. I got carried away," Soul said as she recovered.

Gibrael smiled genuinely. "It's okay. Surprisingly, I needed that hug," she added shyly.

Soul smiled widely. "Come here." She opened her arms, and Gibrael quickly understood. She moved closer, and Soul wrapped her arms around her. The embrace felt comfortable.

Gibrael closed her eyes and savored the hug. It felt unexpectedly comforting, as though it had been shared many times before. Though she had lived in the penthouse for three years, this was the first time it felt like home.