When Rain Falls

Chapter 8 | The Invitation (Part 1)

Cosmo brought over a small orange ball in his mouth while I was busy inspecting my old bedroom's floorboards. I stopped to look at him. He was wagging his tail nonstop and dropped the ball in front of me. I sat down next to him and gave his head a gentle pat.

"You want to play ball with me?" I asked. He barked back and picked the ball up. "Okay, I guess we can play ball. Anything for you, Cosmo," I got up and walked to the door. He followed with his tail wagging in excitement. "But remember, we can only play for a little bit. I still have to finish my house chores. I don't want your dad thinking I'm slacking around here."

I was about to exit the door when a white envelope on top of the wooden console table caught my eye. It was addressed to me. Before opening it, I raised it up to the light to see what was inside. It was some kind of card. I opened it up, and to my surprise, it was a credit card with Rain Sterling's name on it. My heart raced. Inside was also a small note.

Please feel free to use this card if you need anything. – Rain

Anything? I guess that word meant for groceries only, and certainly not for personal shopping use. He's probably just testing me out. I snickered at the thought. Of course I wouldn't take advantage of his kindness. That would be absurd. I stuffed the envelope inside my hoodie's pocket and slipped out of the house.

We played ball for thirty minutes before my cell phone buzzed. It was Rain. I wonder why he was calling me? My finger hovered above the phone screen. I sighed. Why couldn't he just text me? It was easier that way. I blamed the feeling on my phone anxiety. The call ended as soon as I wanted to answer him. I suddenly felt bad for missing his phone call. I immediately called him back. After a ring, he picked up.

"Hi, Sir. Sorry, the call ended when I—"

"I got worried there for a second." He said, cutting me off.

Wow. I just failed to answer his phone call once and he got worried? What a caring boss. "Sorry about that, Sir. I was just..." I looked down at Cosmo. He was looking up at me with the orange ball in his mouth. "I was just playing with Cosmo. We're outside right now playing ball."

"That's great," he said. He didn't sound mad or anything. "By the way, I called because I wanted to ask if you wanted to go with me to a gala tonight?"

"A gala?" I squeaked, then quickly covered my mouth because I sounded like a mouse.

"Yes, a gala," he repeated. "I'm assuming you know what's a gala, right?"

Of course, I know what a gala is. My dad went to so many functions since I was a kid. The problem here is one, I don't have a dress, and two, attending this gala meant that I have to face a lot of people that knew my dad, and I am not ready to attend an event filled with pretentious, filthy rich people.

"Ms. Hart, are you still there?"

"Uh, yes, Sir, I'm still here," I started looking around the garden, thinking of a way to decline his offer. "Hmm, a gala, okay."

"Okay, it's settled then," he said happily. My jaw dropped. Wait, I never said yes! Believe me, I wanted to say no, but I got tongue tied. I guess I didn't want to embarrass him over the phone. He had been nice to me since I started working for him and saying no seemed a bit cruel. "The event will start at seven in the evening, so we need to leave around four-thirty. Don't worry about the dress. I'll take care of it."

The sprinklers started after ending the call and I simply stood there drenched in water, unable to move. I was too busy thinking about that stupid gala and why I was so stupid for not saying no to him. Maybe I should fake a sickness or something. That should easily solve my problem.

*

Deidra arrived around noon time with a bunch of boxes in hand. The house helpers went to assist her. "Don't fret, my darling, your fairy godmother is here to save the day."

"Save the day?" I followed her to the living room where the boxes were placed. "You should be saving me by not letting me go to that event."

"I'm sorry, Rainy, but I don't get to call the shots around here. I'm simply following my boss's orders," she opened a light peach colored box and brought out a sleeveless sequined, long black dress. It was beautiful. She placed it against my body. "Gorgeous. We might have a winner already."

I pushed it away. "Deeds, please. I don't want to go. Is there any way you can go instead? Ask Mr. Sterling if you can go in my place. After all, you're his secretary and I'm just his... maid."

Deidra smiled and placed her hand on my cheek. "You poor soul. You look terrified. Are you that scared of Mr. Sterling?"

"It's not him, really," I groaned. "It's just that... I'm not ready to face those people my dad had worked with. They're all going to be there. Especially people that I really don't want to face. It's like that invitation just unlocked a new level of insanity within me."

"Look, Rain," she placed her hands on top of my shoulders. "I did ask him earlier if he was willing to go with someone else, because I know you'd probably turn him down. But he said he wasn't going with anyone else but you."

I looked at her like she just punched me in the gut. No, it was more like the world was crumbling around me. There was no way in hell that this was happening. I rolled my eyes at the ceiling. Was this a punishment for me for sneaking in Rain Sterling's mansion? The sound of thunder cracked followed by a loud boom. I went to the window and saw the sky's dark clouds.

I guess that was a yes?

"Buckle up, buttercup. You're in for a ride." Deidra smiled and opened up another box.

I don't know what this chapter would entail. I guess I have to open my own coffin and crawl in myself, because at this point, I'm already dead.