It had started to rain heavily as Lily gazed out of the car.
It had ready been 20 minutes since Jinhai had left. Lily sat there biting her nails. What of someone recognized him? What if this might become a scandal online.
Now Lily was panicking. It was time she took some action. She grabbed another mask from Jinhai's never ending collection of masks.
She pulled on the hoodie. Grabbed the tiny umbrella in his car and stepped out into the rain.
Heavy rain pelted down on thr gravel part as she scurried towards the store, the umbrella hardly doing anything to shield her from the rain.
It had been 20 minutes since Jinhai had left. The pain had gotten bareable now.
She rushed to take shelter under the store entrance. Peeking into the store her breath caught in her throat.
What in the world was that crowd. When did the store get this crowded.
The sound of a million voices blasted into her ears as she set foot into the store. Lights flashed. Somehow the paparazzi had gotten here. Multiple people were pushing each other and lining up.
Lily dared to take a step closer.
In the middle stood Jinhai. His mask long gone as he took a picture with a group of college going girls.
"Oppa, I'm a huge fan. I knew you before Astrix. Fighting!"
Jinhai bowed low and thanked her.
Oh gods. What had she gotten into.
She knew Jinhai was famous. But this famous? She hadn't even thought of that in her dreams.
She couldn't digest anything but all she knew was that she had to get him out of this mess. Right now.
Lily took a deep breath. She couldn't just barge in there and yank him out with her. No, that would cause a scandal online. No no no no
She needed another idea. THINK LILY THINK. USE THAT SHRIVELED UP BRAIN OF YOURS.
Wait.... just then an idea popped into her mind.
Yes! That's it!
She rushed to the store checkout counter. It was currently abandoned. Somebody was getting fired today for sure.
She picked up a bundle of papers and pulled out her mobile.
1. 2. 3. ACTION
She dived into the crowd.
"Mr. Jinhai, your running late for your shoot!" She yelped chanelling a very urgent voice.
"Director Yan said he needs you on set asap!"
As soon as Jinhai heard Lily's voice his head swiveled in her direction. His eyes grew wide and a lopsided grin graced his face.
She elbowed and elderly man (probably the assistant cashier) and finally reached Jinhai.
Jinhai opened his mouth like he was about to say something but before he could utter a word, Lily grabbed him by the arm and yanked him through the crowd.
Gasps erupted. People screamed.
"Please Mr. Jinhai! Just one picture!"
"Oppa don't leave please!"
The paparazzi was not helping either. Flashes blinded Lily as they yelled.
"What is your relation to this woman sir."
"Is it true that you are being cast in the new drama directed by top director Han?"
Lily shot them a glare as she finally squeezed through the people.
She didn't even wait a second.
She fell into a sprint out into the rain, her hand still grasping Jinhai.
He quietly followed her as rain pelted them both.
People were shouting in the distance.
Turn after turn Lily sprinted through the rain till she reached the parking lot.
Not a word from Jinhai.
Lily panicked. She turned around and say him looking at her.... really looking at her.
"You came for me"
"Yes, I literally saved your ass u dumbshit."
He let out a breathy laugh. Looked at her for a second and then broke into a smile.
Drops of rain made their way down his jaw, his neck and then....
Lily realised that her staring at his chest like that would get her in deep trouble.
She swallowed and averted her gaze before he caught her line of sight.
They were still very much holding hands. And now Lily was very much aware of the fact. His hand was completely wrapped around hers, radiating warmth that she very much needed on the freezing rain.
While hyperaware Lily was contemplating on whether to withdraw her hand from his firm grip, Jinhai was busy gazing up at the blue sky as raindrops pelted his face. He seemed to be immensely enjoying it.
"It has been so long-" He began with a brief pause, inhaling a fresh breath of air "-since I felt the rain on my skin."
He looked peaceful as he said it. Lily gazed up at him. He looked majestic as he gazed up at the open sky, his wet eyelashes stuck to his cheek.
Thats when it struck her.... the umbrella.
She had forgotten to pick up the umbrella on their way out.
"Oh my god! Jinhai I'm so sorry, I totally forgot about the umbrella that I borrowed from your car. I'll get it back right now."
Lily secretly took this as an opportunity to let go of his hand. She instinctively broke into a sprint but a firm hold on her right wrist pulled her right back... into something very hard and warm... like Jinhai's chest.
Lily let out a surprised gasp and immediately jumped away from Jinhai's chest like her very life depended on it.
Jinhai let out a laugh. Maybe I look like a scared rabbit right now, Lily thought. Maybe I look that funny right now.
"You don't have to do all that. My assistant will take care of that stuff. You just recovered from some crippling cramps. The medicine can hardly keep up."
"I can do this stuff. I forgot it. I'll get it myself."
He tugged at her wrist once again, as she tried to escape.
"You stay right here. Everyone in that store saw you. Its not safe in there."
Lily shot Jinhai a stink eye.
"So now what?"
"Let's get to the studio asap. They will have some extra pads over there. These ones are soaked through and through."
Lily looked at the soaked pack in his hand. He had gotten the one with wings.... perfect.
Lily smiled at almost nothing as they got into the car soaking wet.
Jinhai opened the door for her. Later he got in as well.
Meanwhile...
Several photographers had already sent their images over to various broadcasting companies. The show had just begun.