Craved by the Wrong Volkov-Chapter 280: Under the rain

Braelyn’s POV

Time went by, and I sat on my workstation desk in my room going through the end-of-year party budget. There was a lot to handle and prepare.

My mind kept on straying to earlier when I came in, the way Raphael reacted to the hickey. Something felt off.

I shrugged off the thought and tried to concentrate on work. The clouds grew heavy and the sky turned dark. Lightning flashed from the window jolting me up followed by thunder.

My gaze drew to the window that was soon covered by heavy raindrops. I continued working but an uneasy feeling settled in my stomach immediately. After a moment of hesitation, I left my desk and found my way out of my bedroom.

I strode across the corridor to the room opposite me which Raphael recently moved into. A faint knock echoed followed by my call. "Raphael.." There was no answer.

I drew in a deep breath before reaching for the doorknob, my finger wrapped around it before the door was pushed inside, creaking open to the empty room..

Raphael had lived here for a while; the place now had his cologne etched on it. "Raphael?" I called out, stepping inside the room

My eyes darted around the empty space. My gut twisted, I was right. Without thinking twice I rushed back into my room and grabbed two umbrellas.

My mind raced, he went out for a stroll and hadn’t returned for over an hour. I wondered if he fainted or something worse.

I just couldn’t stay still. Why wasn’t he back? I knew I shouldn’t bother if he rotted under the rain but I guess I still had a conscience.

The maids were surprised when they saw me run down the corridor to the side entrance. The rain was pouring heavily, as soon as I pushed the door open I was drenched..

Regardless of that I still rushed in the rain. I knew Raphael’s regular route he used to jog on. It was weird jogging at noon but I hadn’t stopped him then. It was none of my concern but what was he thinking staying under the rain during autumn?

The rain poured heavily on my umbrella, it felt like a storm. Despite carrying an umbrella I was almost completely drenched. The rain made it hard to see, blurring the path..

"Raphael.."

"Raphael. "

I called his name over and over again. My voice and calls were drowned by the roar of the rain. The path continued to a muddy area, and the cold started to bite into my skin..

I still continued clenching my umbrella in my grasp as I continued. "Raphael..." I called out again as I took a trail that led closer to the old trees that surrounded the villa..

The path was slippery here, so I walked carefully until my eyes spotted a blurry figure sitting under the rain leaning against a tree. My heart raced, my legs moved before I could think...

I ran towards him. My breath caught in my throat, honestly frightened that something was wrong. I might hate Raphael and things were messed up between us but that didn’t mean I wanted him dead..

My teeth ground together gritting so hard I could barely hold my anger and irritation at bay. "RAPHAEL.." I barked but there was no reaction

I had to walk up to him and cover him with my umbrella, his eyes were closed like he was asleep but who the hell sleeps under the rain? He was drenched completely, his hair stuck to his face with his eyes closed, water dripped from his thick lashes to his face and on a closer look, it seemed like he was crying.

I stared at him closely and noticed the earbud, anger immediately fuelled in me. Rage consumed my reasoning. He made me worry for nothing...

Unable to stop myself I raised my hand and it ran across his face. My wet palm struck his face so hard the earbuds fell out and his eyes shot open. They were bloodshot from crying for hours I think

His pitiful appearance even made me angrier. Raphael stared at me shocked at first but it softened to something tender. "Braelyn..." he blurted then quickly stood up. His hand was still holding his cheek.

"What are you doing here?" He asked and my brows twitched. His tall frame overshadowed me completely.

I glared at him. The bastard was acting up because he saw those hickeys. How pathetic of him! So he knew what it felt like now 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"I should be asking you the same question.." I spat back. My grip tightened on the umbrella. "What do you think you are doing?! You got me worried for nothing.." I hissed at him, fuming from my ears.

Something flickered through his eyes, disbelief. A slow smile crawled up his face which made him look like an alluring tragic hero.

"You were worried ." He said, his dull eyes lit up like he won the lottery. I was speechless staring at him. Raphael chuckled, his voice was hoarse. "I’m sorry I worried you but you should not have come out in the rain.."

Concern filled his voice. His eyes looked over me, and something similar to guilt crossed his gaze. "Now you are all wet."

The rain poured around us, the rain had soaked through my clothes which clung to me, the umbrella seemed useless. I drew in a deep breath.

"Whose fault is it?" I snapped back as the irritation bubbled in me. "If you have a death wish by staying under the rain please die somewhere far from me..."

"Stop acting so tragic. Aren’t you scared of fever?" I berated him pointing at his face. My body trembled uncontrollably. "I feel like slapping you right now to get your head on track. Did you forget that you are on medical leave?"

Raphael listened to my entire rant, his lips were slightly parted stunned. By the time I was done, my chest was rapidly rising and falling

"I am sorry. I really needed to clear my head. It felt like I would have collapsed from the pain.." he finally said, his smile remained on his face leaving him bashful ..

Raphael leaned, bending his head to my level. "I am glad you were worried," he added, sounding truly pitiful.

Then his next words left me dumbfounded. "Please hit me if that would relieve your anger..." My jaw fell..

He said what?