Page 16 of Marrying My Orc Boss

I shield my face as I make my way towards her, feeling the wetness seep through my clothes. The rain cascades down, an unyielding torrent that drowns out all other sounds. Each step brings me closer to her, and the sight of her hunched figure becomes clearer through the mist.

My heart beats louder in my chest as I approach her, my footsteps echoing in the empty street. I can see the weariness etched on her face, the weight of the world crushing her spirit. It's as if her burdens and mine share a common language, connecting us in this fleeting moment.

Without a word, I extend the umbrella above her, creating a small sanctuary against the storm. She looks up, her eyes wide with surprise and gratitude.

Without a word, she accepts. The raindrops bounce off the umbrella, merging with the symphony of the storm around us.

“Come on,” I say gently. “Let’s go somewhere dry.”

Her throat works and she nods, gratitude shining in her eyes.

We find refuge in a nearby café, the warmth of the interior a stark contrast to the chill of the storm outside. Across from me, she looks so small. She’s curled in on herself like the weight of the world is pressing in on her. It makes me want to do something. Hold her or say something that will make her unfurl. The urgency of the feelings catches me off guard. I force myself not to come off as too much.

I lean forward, my gaze one of genuine concern. My voice, softer than my appearance would suggest, cuts through the background noise.

"What's happened?" I ask, my eyes, black and piercing, searching for answers in her warm brown ones.

A friendly waitress approaches, her smile warm and inviting. "Good evening! What can I get for you today?"

I glance at the woman – Sally, she’s reminded me – a silent question passing between us. She hesitates for a moment before speaking. "I'll have a hot chocolate, please."

The waitress jots down Sally's order and turns to me. "And for you, sir?"

I smile. "I'll have a cup of masala chai, please."

As the waitress leaves to prepare our drinks, Sally looks at me with curiosity and sits up a bit. "Masala chai? That's one of my favorite drinks, too, but it's not something you find everywhere."

I raise an eyebrow, pleasantly surprised. "Really? It's one of my favorites as well. I grew up with it. It reminds me of my childhood."

A spark of recognition lights up in Sally's eyes. "Me too! My grandmother used to make it for me whenever I visited her. The aroma, the warmth. It's like a comforting embrace."

She’s fully sitting up now and has a genuine smile on her face. I find myself smiling warmly at her as well. We gaze into each other’s eyes and I can almost feel something tangible between us.

Then the waitress is back with our drinks and the spell is momentarily broken.

I wrap my hands around the warm ceramic, savoring the fragrant spices that mingle with the rich tea. Sally takes a tentative sip of her hot chocolate, her face lighting up with a familiar delight.

"It's just as I remember," she says, a hint of nostalgia in her voice. "The perfect blend of sweetness and warmth."

I nod in agreement, taking a sip of my chai. The familiar flavors dance on my tongue, evoking memories of rainy afternoons spent sipping tea with my family. "Indeed, it's a taste that lingers in your heart. It's amazing how certain things can transport us back to cherished moments."

As Sally and I continue to sip our drinks, engrossed in conversation, something shifts in the atmosphere. The tension that had weighed heavily on Sally's shoulders begins to melt away, replaced by a gradual relaxation. Her face, once etched with worry, now bears a hint of tranquility.

I observe her transformation with a gentle smile, appreciating the subtle change in her demeanor. A comfortable silence settles between us, the sound of raindrops against the windowpane providing a soothing backdrop. At this moment, words seem unnecessary, as if our unspoken understanding speaks volumes.

CHAPTER 9

Sally

Drakar’s simple question of what’s wrong breaks the dam and lets the flooding begin.

"Honestly, my life is a bit of a mess right now. My father is in the hospital waiting for surgery that my family can't pay for. I'm already working as a teacher, but it's not enough. I lost my job at the golf club because of that insufferable Aurelius, and now I'm drowning in bills and responsibilities."

The pressure builds within me, a cocktail of fear, anger, and desperation simmering just beneath the surface. I run my hand through my wet hair in exasperation, the need to provide for my family a relentless drumbeat in my mind.

Drakar frowns. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get you in trouble at work with that man. I just didn’t like how he was treating you.”

“No.” I shake my head. “You didn’t do anything wrong, and it isn’t your fault. It’s the fault of people like my manager, who let men act like that with no repercussions. You’re the only one who did the right thing, but the world doesn’t care about what’s right, I’m beginning to realize.”

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