The club was buzzing with songs and everyone was talking, yelling, dancing or making out. I peered at Rain, wondering what he thought of it all. He seemed use to it, his face did not change its expression.

“So,” he turned to me, “would you like a drink?” I thought for a moment. I hadn’t eaten so the alcohol would hit me harder than it normally did.

“Sure,” I swept aside my hesitation as we walked over to the bar.

“Hey what can I get you two?” The bar tender asked.

“Just a beer for me please and a Midori for the lady here,” Rain gestured to me. I didn’t show my worry. Midori’s tended to be strong.

“Would you like it on the rocks?” The bartender asked me. I looked up at him, and then nodded.

“Yes thanks,” he went off and started grabbing our drinks. Rain pulled out a chair and gestured for me to sit down. I sat down, closing my legs tight so I didn’t flash. He peered around and then turned back at me. I felt uneasy as he smiled at me.

“What?” I asked looking down at my lap.

“Sam looks very pretty tonight,” he said. I looked up at him. He looked so young; it was the beauty of his boy-like face.

“Ah umm….. Thank you?” I managed to say fumbling with my purse for money for the change.

“Here you are,” the bartender placed our drinks on the bar and Rain gave him a twenty dollar note. I stared at the money and then at him.

“JiHoon,” I said letting his name slip, “you really shouldn’t have.”

“I have plenty,” he said taking a sip and then wiping his chin, “you want something to eat?” I peered around for signs of anyone eating. I turned to the bar tender.

“Can I please have a menu?” I asked, he bent down behind the bar and popped up holding a small laminated list.

“This is what we have.” I scanned the list, leaning back as I read the prices, their steaks were really expensive.
“Can I please just get some nachos with everything but the sour cream please?” I asked. The bar tender nodded and walked off to grab it. Rain leaned in.

“How much?” I showed him. Nodding he went through his wallet again and placed another twenty on the bar. I repeated the behavior I did beforehand.

“Rain… I can pay for it,” I began but he held up a hand.

“No, I pay you enjoy.” I didn’t know whether or not I liked his generosity but it was too late to argue. The bartender came back.

“They will bring them to you in about half an hour,” he said taking the money. He counted the notes before handing Rain back a dollar. Rain turned to me and finished the beer. He didn’t seem the slightest bit drunk, I’d only had two sips of my Midori and was feeling slightly light headed.

“You want to dance?” He asked pointing at the floor full of people. I thought for a moment.

“Ok,” we pushed our chairs in and went to the floor, finding a spot. We had to be close to each other due to the lack of space but I didn’t mind.

***

The music had a good beat, I was having a good time and I was surprised at how well Rain could dance freestyle.

It was almost too perfect. Then I saw someone walk in. I paused for a moment. Patrick Curtis sat at a table near the dance floor. I froze, his eyes locked onto mine. He motioned to his guards who started to walk towards us. I automatically started to hurrying towards where I’d placed my purse.

“Sam?” Rain called seeing I’d left the dance floor; Iooked at him desperately; wishing I didn’t have to leave.

“I’m sorry.” I began to run to the exit door.

“Sam!” He called; I didn’t turn but just pushed past the people and through the door.

I came to the curb of the street, people were staring at me. I caught my breath and put my fingers in my mouth to whistle.

“Sam why you run,” I turned to see Rain come to a stop from a jog. I whistled and a taxi drove up to the curb where we were. I went around and opened a door, I stopped as the other passenger door opened. I stared at Rain.

“Don’t forget,” he said as we both got in, “that I am spending time with you and not alone.” I managed to smile as Rain leaned forward and spoke to the driver.

“Can you please take us to Morgan Park?” He asked. I looked at Rain surprised. The driver nodded and we were off.

***

We stopped at the park and Rain paid the driver as we got out. I walked along the grass, the moon was hidden by a cloud but you could still tell it was out. I heard jogging and Rain came beside me. We walked along the grass silently until we got to a bench. We both sat down, watching our shadows. I heard him exhale and I shifted my head towards him.

“Why did you run?” He asked me again. I breathed out and held my hands together.

“I… I was afraid I guess,” I laughed nervously while I exhaled at the same time.

“Afraid of what?”

“Not what.” I began seeing his shadow move closer to mine, “but whom.”

“Who scared you?”

“A man,” I stopped turning to him at last, “you might know him… Curtis Patrick.” Rain raised his eyebrows.

“I think so.”

“Yeah well I guess I should tell you about my mum,” I took a deep breath, a lump in my throat.

“The reason she died… Is because she was in a hit and run accident.” I said out loud. Rain leaned in.

“I’m sorry to hear,” he said placing a hand on my shoulder. I didn’t have the rudeness in me to move it off.

“Curtis Patrick is the man who hit my mum,” I said, the words feeling like poison. Rain thought for a moment, the hand moved.

“Maybe…” He paused, “maybe you should forgive him?” I looked at him in horror.

“Forgive him?! He walked away clean not even caring that he killed my mum!” I exclaimed.

“It would help you;” he added leaning back in his seat, “by forgiving him you will be stronger.” I bit back bitter tears. I was not hearing this!

“Are you stronger because of your mum dying?!” I snapped. I saw the empathy change to hurt. I could see I had done damage but I didn’t care.

“Well? Are you?!” He had the hurt puppy dog eyes that I’d seen other people do before. My dad had it when he was upset at something I had done. I swallowed hard, downcast at my lap again.

“Rain…. I.” He stood up, fumbled through his wallet without a word and then put a fifty dollar note in my face.

“Get a taxi home,” he said, in a not unfriendly tone but it was one that showed he was hurt. I took the money dumbfounded as he walked off, holding his head lower than usual.

I am so sorry.  I apologized to him in my mind, knowing I may have blown it with him.