Under the Same Rain

Adeline’s POV

I had to beg Steven to help me pick Maya in school due to fact that I was working overtime today. 

“Mummy” a tiny voice called and I smiled when I saw little Maya waiting with another kid in front of the restaurant.

“Baby” I walked and carried her off the ground, hugging her afterward. 

“Mom, I missed you throughout school today” she said.

“I missed you throughout work too baby” I replied, kissing her curly hair.

“I got 10 on 10 in today’s test “ she said and I missed her beautiful green eyes.

“I trust you” I smiled, kissing her forehead afterward.

“Good evening Mrs. Orlov” the girl standing beside us greeted.

“How are you doing Iris?” Where did Steven go? I replied and Steven came out his car, a cute guy who already look apologetic.

He's Iris brother, and since Iris is Maya’s friend, he's also close to me a lot.

“I'm so sorry for keeping you waiting, I was on a call” he said to me. 

“Its alright” I smiled at him.

“Thank you for helping me pick Maya. I really appreciate it.” I added.

“It’s fine miss Adeline” he replied.

“I already told you to stop using miss, just call me Adeline.” I said.

“I will try to” he said awkwardly.

“See you tomorrow, Steve” I said and made to stop a taxi.

“I’ll drop you off. Please let me “ he said quickly.

“Again? You are not my driver you know?” I replied.

“I don't mind” he smiled, and I returned the smile as he opened the car door for me. Iris and Maya sat at the backseat and he drive immediately.

“Do you mind if you and Maya join I and Iris at the cinema tonight?” he asked when we reach our destination.

“I'll be busy, I'm sorry Steve” I replied.

“It's okay, see you tomorrow” he said trying to hide the disappointment in his voice.

Maya waved at Iris as I took her in, and Steve drove off.

I sighed as I got to the door and touched the doorknob, obviously scared to go in.

“Mommy, are you scared?” Little Maya’s voice came through.

“No, baby” I smiled.

I figured out I can't continue hating men forever, and also I need a supporter, but the marriage has been hell. But Ethan is a complete psycho. 

I looked at the door of the second apartment, and inhaled when I saw it's still locked. Julia is not back yet. She is my neighbor.

I finally opened the door, and as expected, Ethan was already in the living room, smoking heavily while watching the news on TV. 

“Why are you just coming?” he asked without looking away from the TV. 

He dropped his cigar, stopping the smokes. “I’m sorry, I never knew I was gonna take long at the restaurant.” I replied and he stood. 

“Bitch! I stayed hungry for hours waiting for you to come! Do you have plans to kill me?” he said as he walking fast to me.

I quickly shifted back, but I still didn't escape the slap he gave me. “Ethan!” I gasped.

“Dad…stop hurting mom” Maya started crying and he smiled before taking her away from me.

“She deserves it for starving your dad, cutie. Calm down ok?” he said wiping her tears.

“Now you, go back out there and don't come back till after an hour” Ethan ordered facing me.

“But it's going to rain according to the weather forecast.” I gasped.

“Out” he yelled and Maya started crying in his arms. 

I rushed out of the house before his hand could reach me and I looked up at the sky when the cold air hkt my skin.

I began shaking immediately since I'm not tolerant to cold. 

My phone buzzed in my pocket and I checked only to see a message from Julia. 

    “The interview is tomorrow and trust me you'd get it this time, I’m very surre.”

I smiled with small hope before walking away from the house. I decided to take a stroll till an hour would be over since there's no balcony to stay in.

The wind got heavier and heavier as I walked down the street. I kept walking till the raindrop started  falling on my arms and I finally stopped.

I stayed on that spot for several minutes and squatted there, in the rain, and a cute name came out of my mouth. 

“Oliver”

I smiled sadkh as the rain drenched me. “Oliver, I miss you” I muttered as tears brimmed at the corner of my eyes. 

Wherever  he is now, he'd surely be living good as a nine years old dude.

“Will we really meet again”

I was still squatting in the middle of the road when a car driving toward me from the other end.

The full light were brightly on, and the car stopped in front of me. 

I didn't look up, and the full lights remained on as the person came down with an umbrella, walking to me with his right hand tucked in his pants pocket. 

He got to me and unwrapped the umbrella, covering me with it. 

I could smell his expensive cologne as I began looking up slowlyamd I blinked when I saw the smiley face.

“Steve” I muttered, and he squatted beside me.

“What are you doing in this rain? Miss Adeline” he asked touching my wet hair.

“I was taking a stroll…and I got frustrated when it started raining, that's why I squatted here when I realized I had no umbrella” I said.

“You forgot Maya’s pen box in the car earlier. It just have slipped out of her backpack” he said, bringing the pink box out his pocket.

“Thanks Steve” I replied and he smiled slightly.

“Wanna go grab some coffee?” you need caffeine right now. You are shivering” he asked.

“I will be fine, Steve” I smiled slightly. “Can you just take me home? I asked and he nodded.

“You have a job interview tomorrow right? he asked. 

“How do you know that?” I asked.

“I heard you talking about it at the restaurant” he said and reached into the back seat and picked up a folded jacket.

“Take this,” he said handing out to me.

“You are shivering, just take it” he said with a puppy eyes and I smiled.

“Thank you Steve, you are a Godsent to me” I said and got down of the car.

“Bye” he said as he drove off.

I stood there for a long moment, clutching the jacket to my chest. The rain had slowedto a thin drizzle now, drilling softly from the rooftop.

I slowly pushed the door open. The living room was dark and only the faint glow of the television remained, casting soft light across the space.

Ethan was sleeping on the couch with one of his arms hanging loosely off the edge, the other resting on his stomach. The cigarette he had been smoking earlier had burned out in the ashtray beside him.

I stood still, watching him. I don't know whether to feel relieved… or afraid of what tomorrow will bring instead.

I carefully stepped inside and closed the door behind me. I exhaled slowly, trying to calm my racing heart, and walked quietly into the room.

Even if Ethan was asleep, I still didn't feel safe. I checked the bedroon to see Maya sleeping peacefully.

I lay beside her bed, staring into the dark…hoping tomorrow would be better.