Chapter 52
The rain was lashing down hard. He could barely make out Elizabeth slumped over her steering wheel. Her car hadn't moved for a while. Elizabeth lay there, hands over her ears, trying to block out the thunder. It was as if the thunder knew she was scared, roaring even louder to torment her.
When she finally lifted her head, her face was ghostly pale. She grabbed a blanket from the back seat and wrapped herself up. The windshield wipers kept going, and Elizabeth curled up, trying to feel safe. It was early morning, and the streets were empty because of the rain. The bar's lights dimmed, and Elizabeth huddled in her car, waiting for the storm to pass.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Joseph: [I think I see your car]. Elizabeth glanced at her phone lighting up on the passenger seat. Just as she reached for it, a clap of thunder startled her, and she pulled her hand back. She closed her eyes and pinched her thigh. Anxiety made her whole body tremble, and sweat beaded on her forehead as her heart raced.
It was just thunder; what was there to be afraid of? It was just a psychological shadow; she could overcome it! Elizabeth bit her lower lip and focused intently as she reached for the phone again. Suddenly, there was a knock on her car window. A dark figure outside made Elizabeth nearly jump out of her skin, and she screamed, “Ah-!” Elizabeth covered her face with the blanket, trying to protect herself with it.
“Elizabeth?” The driver's side window was knocked on again, this time by a man's voice. The rain was loud, and the voice sounded urgent in the rainy night. Elizabeth pulled down the blanket and saw the face of the person outside through the rain-streaked window.
Elizabeth, as if abandoning her last hope, ignored the pouring rain and opened the car door to get out. She looked at Joseph, somewhat at a loss, and grabbed the corner of his coat. Joseph was stunned, and the umbrella he was holding slowly tilted toward Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s lips moved, heart racing. She forced herself to stay calm, voice shaky, “I don’t feel well. Can you take me home?”
Joseph was a bit surprised by her request. “Sure,” he said, motioning for her to get in. “Thanks!” The car pulled away. Not far off, a black car's headlights flicked on, illuminating the bar's entrance. Alexander watched Elizabeth’s car drive off, his face cold. His grip on the wheel tightened, his eyes darkening. He couldn’t shake the image of Elizabeth clinging to…
He’d rushed over after dropping Eame off, thinking of Elizabeth’s fear of thunder, only to see this. He’d forgotten she was never short of admirers. It was past one in the morning, and she just hopped into some guy’s car. Did she even know Joseph well? A thirty-year-old bachelor… Elizabeth, with her love-struck mind, might actually be falling for him!
The thought made Alexander even more irritated. He floored the gas and followed the purple Pagani. Elizabeth leaned back in the passenger seat. Joseph’s sudden appearance had calmed her down a lot; she wasn’t as scared anymore.
Chapter 52
“Why are you out so late?” Joseph broke the silence.
Elizabeth glanced up, cool as ever. “Meeting a friend. You?”
Joseph pressed his lips together. “Working. Just wrapped up.”
Elizabeth just hummed, not saying more. Thunder boomed outside, making Elizabeth flinch. Joseph noticed and was about to ask if she was scared when a car behind them caught his eye. Wait, was that Alexander’s car?