Lina
By the time Lina and Daniel finally finish working, the office is almost empty.
The quiet feels different now softer, heavier with the exhaustion of a long day.
Daniel closes his laptop with a satisfied nod.
"That's it," he says.
"We survived."
Lina stretches her arms above her head, feeling the stiffness in her shoulders.
"Barely."
She glances toward the window beside the conference room.
And freezes.
Rain.
Not the gentle kind.
The heavy, determined kind that turns the city into a blur of silver streaks and reflections.
Daniel notices her expression and follows her gaze.
"Oh."
"That's not good," Lina says.
He walks closer to the window.
Sheets of rain crash against the glass, turning the streetlights outside into glowing halos.
"Well," Daniel says calmly, "looks like the universe wants dramatic exits tonight."
Lina grabs her bag.
"Or pneumonia."
They walk toward the elevator together, the quiet building echoing softly around them.
By the time they reach the lobby, the rain hasn't slowed at all.
It pours against the sidewalk like someone tipped the sky over.
Daniel stops beside the door.
"Do you live far?"
"About fifteen minutes."
"In this?" he gestures toward the storm.
"I've survived worse."
"Not happening."
Before she can protest, Daniel reaches into his bag and pulls out an umbrella.
He opens it with a quick snap.
Lina raises an eyebrow.
"You carry umbrellas now?"
"I'm a man of preparation."
"Impressive."
Daniel steps outside first, holding the umbrella above them.
"Come on."
Lina steps beside him.
Immediately the sound of rain surrounds them — loud, steady, almost hypnotic.
The umbrella is large.
But not large enough to leave much space between them.
Their shoulders brush as they start walking.
The street glows with reflections from passing cars and neon signs.
Water rushes along the curb like tiny rivers.
For a while neither of them speaks.
The moment feels strangely peaceful.
Then Lina laughs softly.
"What?"
"This is very… movie-like."
Daniel smiles.
"You mean two coworkers sharing an umbrella dramatically in the rain?"
"Yes."
"Very suspicious."
They walk a little farther.
The sidewalk is slick, the city lights shimmering across wet pavement.
Lina steps around a puddle—
And her foot slips slightly.
Before she can react, Daniel's hand closes gently around her waist, steadying her.
The contact is quick.
Instinctive.
But suddenly they're standing very close.
Too close.
Lina looks up.
Daniel is already looking at her.
For a moment neither of them moves.
Rain taps steadily against the umbrella above them.
Daniel's hand still rests lightly at her waist.
His voice is quieter now.
"You okay?"
Lina nods.
"Yes."
But she doesn't move away immediately.
And neither does he.
The closeness suddenly feels noticeable in a way it hadn't before.
The warmth of his hand.
The steady rhythm of his breathing.
The faint scent of rain and soap.
Daniel slowly releases her waist.
"Careful," he says.
Lina clears her throat.
"Thanks."
They start walking again.
This time the silence feels different.
Charged.
Daniel glances down at her.
"You almost fell."
"I blame the shoes."
"Blame gravity."
"That too."
He laughs softly.
"You know something?"
"What?"
"You're different outside the office."
"How?"
"Less guarded."
Lina thinks about that for a moment.
"Maybe the rain makes people honest."
"Maybe."
They continue walking.
The streets are quieter now.
Most people have taken shelter from the storm.
After a few minutes Daniel slows slightly.
"Almost there?"
"Yeah."
Her apartment building appears at the end of the block, warm light glowing through the lobby windows.
Daniel stops at the steps.
"Well," he says.
"We survived the storm."
"Barely."
She folds her arms slightly, suddenly aware the moment is ending.
Daniel studies her for a second.
Then he smiles.
"I had fun tonight."
"You had fun working?"
"With you."
The simplicity of the answer catches her slightly off guard.
"Me too," she admits.
Rain continues to fall around them.
For a brief moment neither of them moves.
Then Daniel steps back slightly.
"Get inside before you catch that pneumonia you mentioned."
Lina laughs softly.
"Yes, doctor."
She turns toward the door.
Then pauses.
"Daniel?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks… for walking me home."
He shrugs lightly.
"Anytime."
Lina enters the building and turns once more before the door closes.
Daniel is still standing under the umbrella, rain falling around him.
He lifts a hand in a small wave.
Then he turns and disappears into the storm.
Upstairs, Lina leans lightly against her apartment door after stepping inside.
Her heart is beating a little faster than usual.
And she realizes something quietly unsettling.
Daniel Carter is becoming harder to ignore.