CHAPTER TEN
THE RAINSTORM
The next morning, Mia woke up determined to have a peaceful day.
No arguments.
No teasing.
No Nathan getting on her nerves.
Just one peaceful day.
She got dressed and walked out of the bedroom.
Nathan was already ready.
He looked at her.
"Good morning."
Mia nodded.
"Good morning."
Nathan stared at her suspiciously.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"You didn't complain."
Mia frowned.
"About what?"
"Anything."
She rolled her eyes.
"I just woke up."
Nathan smiled.
"Give it five minutes."
Mia ignored him and picked up her handbag.
"So, what are we doing today?"
"I thought we could explore the town."
"Fine."
Nathan looked surprised.
"That's it?"
"Yes."
"No argument?"
"No."
He smiled.
"You're getting mature."
Mia stopped walking.
"What did you just say?"
Nathan immediately started laughing.
"Nothing."
"You called me immature!"
"I didn't."
"You did!"
"And we're back."
Mia glared at him.
"You really enjoy annoying me."
"It's one of my greatest talents."
---
They left the hotel after breakfast and began walking through the beautiful streets of the town.
There were little shops everywhere, restaurants, gardens, and people moving around.
Mia stopped when she saw a beautiful clothing store.
"I'm going in there."
Nathan looked at the store.
"Why?"
"Because I want to."
"We came here to explore."
"And shopping is exploring."
"No, it isn't."
"Yes, it is."
Nathan sighed.
"Mia."
"Nathan."
They stared at each other.
Finally, Nathan gave up.
"Fine. Ten minutes."
"Twenty."
"Ten."
"Twenty."
"Fifteen."
"Deal."
Nathan shook his head.
"You've always been good at negotiating."
Mia smiled.
"I learned from you."
"Really?"
"Yes. Remember when we were children and you convinced me to give you half of my sweets?"
Nathan laughed.
"You agreed."
"Because you promised to give me yours the next day."
"I did."
"You ate mine and disappeared."
"I forgot."
"You forgot?"
"I was twelve!"
"You were a thief."
Nathan laughed.
"And you still remember."
"I remember everything."
---
After shopping, they continued walking.
Mia noticed an old garden ahead.
"Let's go there."
Nathan looked at it.
"Fine."
They walked inside.
The garden was peaceful, with tall trees and a small lake in the distance.
Mia stopped.
"This reminds me of our secret place."
Nathan looked at her.
"It does."
"You remember the first time you took me there?"
"You mean when you followed me?"
"You invited me."
"I didn't."
"You did."
"I said you could come once."
"Exactly."
Nathan laughed.
"You were always following me around."
Mia gasped.
"I was not!"
"You were."
"You followed me too!"
"Because you couldn't stay out of trouble."
"I could."
"You once climbed a wall because you wanted to steal mangoes."
"You came with me!"
"I was making sure you didn't fall."
Mia laughed.
"You fell first."
Nathan pointed at her.
"Don't remind me."
She laughed even harder.
"Your face!"
"Stop."
"You were crying."
"I was not crying."
"You were."
"I had dirt in my eyes."
"Both eyes?"
Nathan sighed.
"You really haven't changed."
"Neither have you."
---
They continued walking until dark clouds suddenly appeared overhead.
Nathan looked up.
"We should head back."
Mia looked at the sky.
"It won't rain."
A drop landed on her forehead.
She looked up.
Another drop landed on her nose.
Nathan smiled.
"I told you."
Then the rain came.
Hard.
Mia screamed.
"Run!"
They both ran.
Mia lifted her dress slightly so she wouldn't trip.
Nathan grabbed her hand.
"Come on!"
"Don't pull me!"
"I'm trying to get you out of the rain!"
"I can run by myself!"
"You'll fall!"
"I won't!"
"You almost fell yesterday!"
"That was different!"
They finally reached a small shelter.
Both were breathing heavily.
Mia's hair was soaked.
Nathan's clothes were wet too.
Mia looked at him.
"This is your fault."
Nathan stared at her.
"How is this my fault?"
"You brought me here."
"You told me to come here!"
"No, I didn't."
"You literally said, 'Let's go there.'"
Mia folded her arms.
"That's not the point."
Nathan laughed.
"You're unbelievable."
"So are you."
---
The shelter was tiny.
There was barely enough space for both of them.
Mia stood on one side.
Nathan stood on the other.
But whenever the wind blew, the rain came through the side, forcing them closer together.
Mia moved away.
Nathan moved too.
She moved again.
He followed.
Finally, Mia snapped.
"Stop moving closer!"
"I'm not."
"You are!"
"There's nowhere else to stand."
"Then stand outside."
Nathan stared at her.
"In the rain?"
"Yes."
"You really want me to get sick?"
Mia looked away.
"No."
"Exactly."
Nathan removed his jacket and held it out to her.
"Here."
Mia looked at it.
"I don't need it."
"You're shivering."
"I'm fine."
"Mia."
"I'm fine."
Nathan sighed.
"You're still stubborn."
"And you're still bossy."
He held the jacket out again.
"Take it."
Mia reluctantly took it.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
For a few moments, they stood quietly.
The rain continued pouring around them.
Mia looked outside.
"Do you ever miss being children?"
Nathan thought about it.
"Sometimes."
"Me too."
She smiled faintly.
"We didn't have all these responsibilities."
"No marriage."
"No royal duties."
"No people watching everything we do."
Nathan laughed.
"And no arguments about honeymoon plans."
Mia smiled.
"Exactly."
Nathan looked at her.
"Would you believe me if I told you I never imagined we'd end up married?"
Mia turned toward him.
"Neither did I."
She paused.
"Actually, I still can't believe it."
Nathan laughed.
"You're going to say that every day, aren't you?"
"Probably."
She looked at him.
"And you're the one who agreed to marry me."
Nathan's smile disappeared.
"Wait. You agreed too."
"Only because everyone kept forcing me."
"You still said yes."
"Because you convinced me!"
"I didn't force you."
"You definitely did."
Nathan shook his head.
"And here we go again."
Mia smiled.
"You're lucky we're stuck here."
"Why?"
"Because if we weren't, I'd leave."
Nathan laughed.
"Same old Mia."
"Same old Nathan."
---
By the time the rain stopped, both of them were tired.
They returned to the hotel, still arguing about who was responsible for getting caught in the rain.
But when they reached their room, they discovered another problem.
Mia tried the door.
It wouldn't open.
She tried again.
Nothing.
Nathan walked over.
"What's wrong?"
"The key isn't working."
He took it from her and tried.
Nothing.
Mia stared at him.
"Now what?"
Nathan looked at the locked door.
Then at Mia.
"Looks like our honeymoon disaster isn't over."
Mia sighed.
"I knew it."
Nathan smiled.
"Come on."
"Where?"
"Let's find the receptionist."
Mia followed him.
"This is your fault."
Nathan looked back at her.
"How is this my fault?"
"Everything is your fault."
Nathan laughed.
"And you're still the same stubborn girl I knew."
"And you're still the most annoying boy I've ever met."
They walked down the hallway together, still arguing.
Neither of them noticed how naturally they had fallen back into the rhythm they had shared as children.
For now, they were simply Mia and Nathan.
Two former best friends.
Two newlyweds.
And two people who had absolutely no idea what their marriage would eventually become.