Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)
Chapter 48

Halfway there, Warren got a call from home saying that Fiona had her arthritis acting up again. Rainy days like these made her arthritis flare up, leaving her tossing and turning all night in pain. After her husband passed away, Fiona had almost made it a daily ritual to visit the church, praying for solace, which consequently took a toll on her knees.

Sylvia stretched out and gestured towards an upcoming intersection, "Warren, you can drop me off there. I can take the subway back to college. I just need to borrow your jacket though." "Sylvia..." Warren sounded apologetic.

"Warren, I'm in my twenties, I'll be fine. Your mom now must be in pain. You should hurry back to her."

"Alright."

He pulled over, adjusted the jacket on her, and reminded her to be careful. With a nod, Sylvia stepped out of the car.

She watched as the car drove off, and then made her way to the subway station. The station was a bit of a trek from her college, so she braced against the wind and rain with her umbrella.

She hadn't reached the college gates when suddenly, headlights flared in front of her. She raised her hand to shield her eyes, thinking she had taken a wrong turn.

Just as she was about to step aside, a blurred figure stepped in front of her.

Recognizing the familiar men's leather shoes, Sylvia frowned, trying to bypass him when her umbrella was suddenly snatched away. She tugged at it, and a gust of wind blew it out of her hands. "My umbrella! What exactly do you want?"

"Seems like we haven't done talking."

Rupert's voice was expressly deep, even the rampant storm unable to suppress his imposing aura, which would make people quiver.

Sylvia shivered unwittingly as the rain lashed against her exposed skin, pulling the men's jacket tighter around her.

Under the black umbrella, those eyes revealed coldness; in the next second, the jacket draped over Sylvia's shoulder was stripped off fiercely, and then tossed away by Rupert. Sylvia was stunned, and then glared up at him, "Are you out of your mind? That's Warren's jacket!"

As she tried to retrieve it, Rupert grabbed her wrist and pulled her close.

"Get in the car."

"Let go of me! I'm not going anywhere with you. We said all we had to say during that meeting! I need to get back to the campus now."

Ignoring Rupert's dark expression, Sylvia wriggled free and ran back into the storm. She searched for Warren's jacket but it'd already been blown away by the wind.

The rain plastered her clothes to her body, outlining her figure and even the edges of her undergarments. Some passing by under their umbrellas whistled and laughed. Hugging herself, Sylvia headed towards the college. Suddenly, she was lifted off the ground and carried over Rupert's shoulder.

""Put me down!"

"We're close to your campus. I wouldn't bet on your classmates not seeing you like this."

He carried an umbrella with one hand, the other securing Sylvia, without even breaking a sweat.

"You..."

Feeling utterly humiliated, Sylvia got into the car and turned her head away from Rupert. Then, a piece of clothing was thrown over her head. "Wear this," Rupert commanded.

Sylvia didn't move, clearly unwilling.

Rupert's expression turned icy, "What? You can wear Warren's clothes but not mine?"

Biting her lip, Sylvia remained stubbornly still.

"I'll help you put it on then." Rupert raised his hand.

Startled, Sylvia quickly wrapped herself with the jacket, instantly enveloped by Rupert's scent.

She clenched her fists, trying to calm her racing thoughts.

It could have been her imagination, but the left side of the jacket felt slightly damp. Could she have gotten the jacket wet?