Our Forbidden Love

XXI : Rain in Avenue

Fallon's POV

The rain continues to fall outside as I change into fresh clothes and fill the bathtub with warm water for my guest.

Jilliane is standing now, walking across a drying mat. She seems to understand exactly what I'm thinking, even though I told her it's fine to sit on my couch, even if it gets wet.

"You can take a bath now. I'll prepare something for us to eat," I tell her.

She heads to the restroom, taking the towel and clothes from me. She seems shy, and honestly, I feel the same way, especially considering how messy my apartment is.

I fill a pot halfway with water and pull out some beef from the fridge. I start preparing the ingredients for the garlic beef ramen, the only dish I can make with the ingredients I have on hand. I hope she's not one of those people who dislikes garlic.

The scent of the dish fills the apartment, and Jilliane emerges from the bathroom, wearing my favorite middle school baseball tee. It fits her small frame perfectly, and I can't help but notice how beautifully sculpted she is—it's almost breathtaking.

"You can stop drooling now, Miss Parker," she teases. 

I panic for a moment, but then I remember she left the bathroom faucet running. "You should probably turn off the water too." I add.

She looks genuinely embarrassed, but I laugh it off and tell her to wait in my room.

...

As I finish preparing the ramen, I glance over at the clock. It's nearly 10 PM, and the silence in my apartment feels oddly peaceful, despite the storm raging outside. I find myself growing nervous again, though I can't place why. Maybe it's the way Jilliane looked at me earlier, or maybe it's just the tension of her being in my space after all this time.

I grab two bowls and pour the ramen into them, placing them carefully on a tray. The scent of garlic and beef wafts through the air, making my stomach growl louder than I anticipated. I pick up the tray, walking toward my room where Jilliane is waiting.

When I open the door, I find her sitting on the edge of my bed, her back turned to me as she glances out the window. The soft glow of the streetlights outside filters through the curtains, casting a warm light over her silhouette.

"Dinner's ready," I say, my voice softer than I expected. She turns around, her expression softening when she sees the tray.

"Thank you," she replies, her eyes flickering with a hint of gratitude. She stands up to take the tray from me, her hand brushing against mine, and for a moment, neither of us moves.

I clear my throat awkwardly, pulling my hand away first. "Here. Hope you're not picky about garlic."

She smiles faintly, her golden eyes meeting mine. "I don't mind garlic. It smells amazing."

I nod, unsure of what to say next. We both sit on the bed, eating in silence, occasionally exchanging a few words about the weather or random things. I can't help but notice how comfortable the silence feels between us, even though we don't know each other all that well.

As we finish the last of our ramen, I glance at her again. There's a small smile playing on her lips as she sets her empty bowl aside. "You're a good cook, Miss Parker."

I laugh, trying to play it cool, but inside, I'm feeling a little giddy. "Well, I do what I can with what I've got." I pause, then add, "I'm glad you liked it."

There's a moment of hesitation before Jilliane speaks again. "You know... I wasn't expecting to end up here tonight. I thought I was just going to go home, but I'm glad I came."

I feel my heart rate pick up slightly, but I try to hide it behind a playful grin. "You should've asked for directions sooner, then, huh?"

She chuckles, her eyes softening. "I guess I should've."

The air between us shifts then, not in any dramatic way, but enough for me to notice the weight of it. It feels like there's more being said without words, and my mind races for something to say, anything to break the silence.

Before I can find my voice, she looks down at her hands, a small frown appearing on her face. "I'm sorry for the mess I've caused tonight. I didn't mean to be a bother."

I quickly shake my head. "You're not a bother, Jilliane. I'm happy to help."

She meets my gaze again, her golden eyes filled with something I can't quite place. "Thanks for that. For not judging me... for not running away."

I don't know what to say to that, but the sincerity in her words strikes something deep inside me. I open my mouth to respond, but before I can, Jilliane leans back against the pillows, her eyes growing heavier.

"Maybe I should let you sleep now. I don't want to overstay my welcome." She smiles, though it's a little tired.

"Stay as long as you need," I say without thinking. She glances over at me, surprised, but then her expression softens into something that looks almost relieved.

"Thanks," she murmurs, her voice softer now. "I think I'll take you up on that."

As she settles in, I turn off the light, leaving the room in the dim glow of the moonlight, the soft rhythm of the rain against the window providing the only sound. Despite the storm outside, there's a strange warmth in the room now, and for the first time in a while, I feel like maybe—just maybe—I'm not alone.