The rain began as a gentle whisper against the windows of the psychology building, but by the time Lena's evening seminar ended, it had transformed into a torrential downpour that seemed to shake the very foundations of Columbia University. Students huddled under awnings and in doorways, their phones pressed to their ears as they called for rides or waited for the storm to pass.
Lena stood in the lobby, watching the sheets of water cascade down the glass doors. She had checked the weather that morning, but the forecast had called for only light showers. Now, as she pulled her thin cardigan tighter around her shoulders, she realized she was woefully unprepared for the deluge outside.
Her phone buzzed with a text from Sophie: "Stuck in the library until this stops. Don't wait up!"
Another buzz, this time from William: "How was your seminar, beautiful? I'm thinking of you."
Lena smiled despite her predicament. Even though they'd only been dating for a few weeks, William had this uncanny ability to message her at exactly the right moments. She quickly typed back: "Just finished. Trapped by the rain though. How was your day?"
The response came almost immediately: "My day is perfect now that I'm talking to you. Where are you?"
"Psychology building lobby. I'll wait it out."
"Absolutely not. I'm coming to get you."
Lena's heart fluttered. "You don't have to do that! It's pouring and you're probably warm and dry wherever you are."
"I'm already on my way. You're not walking through this storm alone."
Before Lena could protest further, her phone rang. William's voice was warm and slightly breathless when she answered.
"I'm about five minutes away," he said, and she could hear the sound of rain and wind in the background. "Are you inside?"
"Yes, but William, you shouldn't be out in this weather," Lena said, concerned. "It's dangerous."
"Nothing is dangerous when it comes to you," he replied, and she could hear the smile in his voice. "I'd walk through fire if it meant keeping you safe."
The romantic declaration made her stomach flutter, but she couldn't shake her worry. "Where are you now?"
"Just passing the library. I can see your building." There was a pause, and she heard him curse softly. "This storm is worse than I thought, but I'm almost there."
Through the rain-streaked windows, Lena caught sight of a figure moving through the downpour. Even through the distortion of the water, she could make out William's tall frame as he fought against the wind and rain. He was soaked to the skin, his usually perfect hair plastered to his forehead, but he pressed on with determination.
"I can see you," she said into the phone, her voice filled with affection and concern. "You're completely drenched."
"Worth it," he replied, and she watched as he jogged the last few steps to the building entrance.
When William burst through the doors, he was breathing heavily, water dripping from his clothes and forming small puddles on the floor. His white shirt clung to his chest, and his dark hair was disheveled in a way that made him look both vulnerable and incredibly handsome.
"You're insane," Lena said, but she was smiling as she rushed to him with tissues from her bag.
"Insane about you," he replied, accepting the tissues but making no move to dry himself. Instead, he cupped her face with his cold, wet hands. "Are you okay? You're not hurt or cold?"
"I'm fine," she assured him, touched by his concern. "But you're freezing. We need to get you dried off."
William shook his head. "I'm fine. I just needed to make sure you were safe." He paused, his eyes searching her face. "I couldn't bear the thought of you walking through this storm alone, or worse, getting sick because you got soaked."
"You could have just called me an Uber," Lena said softly, but she was moved by his gesture.
"And miss the chance to be your hero?" William's smile was tender and slightly teasing. "Besides, I wanted to see you. I've been thinking about you all day."
The building's lobby was nearly empty now, with most students having found ways to leave or settle in for the night. The fluorescent lights cast a harsh glow, but somehow, in William's presence, everything felt warm and intimate.
"You're shivering," Lena observed, reaching up to brush a strand of wet hair from his forehead.
"I'm fine," he insisted, but she could see the slight tremor in his hands.
"No, you're not. Come on, let's get you to my dorm. Sophie's stuck in the library anyway, and I have dry clothes that might fit you."
William's eyes lit up at the invitation. "Are you sure? I don't want to impose."
"After what you just did for me? You could never impose."
As they prepared to venture back into the storm, William insisted on giving Lena his jacket, despite her protests that he was already soaked.
"A gentleman always ensures his lady stays dry," he said, draping the wet jacket over her shoulders. It smelled like his cologne mixed with fresh rain.
"But you'll be even colder," Lena protested.
"I'll survive," he said with a grin. "Besides, seeing you in my jacket is worth any discomfort."
They made their way through the storm, William's arm wrapped protectively around her shoulders as he guided her around the worst of the puddles. True to his word, he made sure she stayed as dry as possible, even going so far as to step into deeper puddles so she wouldn't have to.
By the time they reached her dormitory, both were breathless and laughing despite the circumstances. William's protective presence had somehow made the treacherous journey feel like an adventure.
"That was like something out of a movie," Lena said as they stumbled into the warmth of her building.
"A romantic comedy or a disaster film?" William asked, wringing water from his shirt.
"Definitely romantic comedy," she replied, leading him toward the elevator.
In her room, Lena rummaged through her closet while William stood somewhat awkwardly by the door, still dripping.
"I think I have a t-shirt that might fit you," she said, pulling out a oversized Columbia sweatshirt. "It's not much, but it's dry."
"You're an angel," William said, accepting the clothing gratefully.
While he changed in the bathroom, Lena put on the kettle and laid out towels. When he emerged, the expensive, put-together William she knew was replaced by someone softer, more vulnerable. The sweatshirt was slightly too small, and his hair was still damp and tousled. He looked younger, more approachable.
"Much better," she said, handing him a cup of hot tea.
"Thank you," he said, settling beside her on the small sofa. "For everything. The clothes, the tea, letting me come up here."
"Thank you for coming to get me," Lena replied. "You didn't have to do that."
"Yes, I did," William said seriously, setting down his tea and turning to face her fully. "Lena, I need you to understand something."
The intensity in his voice made her heart race. "What?"
"I would do anything for you," he said, his green eyes locked on hers. "Anything at all. When I saw that storm and thought about you trying to get through it alone, I couldn't think about anything else. I had to make sure you were safe."
"William..." she began, but he continued.
"I know we haven't been dating long, but I feel something with you that I've never felt before. You're not just my girlfriend, Lena. You're... you're everything."
The words hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning. Lena felt her breath catch in her throat.
"I feel the same way," she whispered.
"Do you?" William asked, and for the first time since she'd known him, she heard uncertainty in his voice. "Because sometimes I look at you and I can't believe you're real. I can't believe someone like you could care about someone like me."
"Someone like you?" Lena asked, confused. "William, you're incredible. You're talented, intelligent, kind..."
"I'm not as perfect as you think I am," he said quietly. "I have... issues. Things in my past that I'm not proud of. Sometimes I worry that when you find out who I really am, you'll run away."
The vulnerability in his voice broke her heart. Without thinking, she reached out and took his hands in hers.
"Whatever it is, it doesn't matter," she said firmly. "We all have pasts. What matters is who you are now, and the person you are now is wonderful."
"You don't understand," William said, his grip on her hands tightening slightly. "I've been hurt before, Lena. Badly. And it's made me... protective. Maybe too protective. I don't want to lose you."
"You won't lose me," she assured him. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Promise me," he said urgently. "Promise me you won't leave me, no matter what."
The intensity of his request should have been concerning, but in the intimate atmosphere of her small room, with the rain pattering against the windows and William looking so vulnerable, it felt romantic instead of alarming.
"I promise," she said without hesitation.
Relief flooded William's features, and he pulled her into his arms. "I love you, Lena," he whispered against her hair. "I love you so much it scares me."
"I love you too," she replied, and meant it with every fiber of her being.
They stayed like that for a long moment, holding each other as the storm raged outside. When they finally pulled apart, William's eyes were bright with unshed tears.
"I want to protect you from everything," he said, stroking her cheek. "From storms, from people who might hurt you, from the whole world if I have to."
"You already do," Lena said softly. "You make me feel so safe."
"Good," William said, and something in his voice made her look at him more closely. There was a fierce satisfaction in his eyes that she'd never seen before. "That's how it should be. You shouldn't have to worry about anything when you're with me."
As the night wore on, they talked about everything and nothing. William shared stories from his childhood, carefully edited tales of boarding schools and European vacations. Lena told him about her father's death and her complicated relationship with her mother. With each shared secret, she felt them growing closer.
"I'm glad Sebastian questioned you tonight," William said as they lay curled together on her narrow bed, the storm finally beginning to subside.
"Why?" Lena asked, surprised.
"Because it made me realize how much I need you to trust me," he replied. "Your stepbrother doesn't know me, so of course he's suspicious. But you do know me, and you chose to defend me. That means everything."
"He's not my stepbrother yet," Lena corrected gently. "Mom and Richard aren't married yet."
"But he will be," William said. "And I get the feeling he's going to be a problem."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean he's going to try to turn you against me," William said, his voice becoming slightly harder. "Men like Sebastian think they know what's best for everyone. They can't stand seeing someone else make a woman happy."
"I don't think that's fair," Lena said, though she wasn't entirely sure why she was defending Sebastian.
"Maybe not," William conceded, but his tone suggested he didn't really believe it. "Just... promise me you'll be careful around him. And if he says anything else about me, you'll tell me?"
"Why?"
"Because I need to know if someone is trying to poison you against me," William said seriously. "I can't fight lies and manipulation if I don't know they're happening."
The word "manipulation" struck Lena as odd, but William's logic seemed sound. If someone was trying to cause problems in their relationship, he should know about it.
"Okay," she agreed. "I'll tell you."
"Thank you," William said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I know I probably sound paranoid, but I've seen what jealous people can do to relationships. I won't let anyone destroy what we have."
As they drifted off to sleep, with William's arms wrapped protectively around her, Lena felt safer and more loved than she ever had in her life. The storm had passed, and she was exactly where she belonged.
What she didn't see was the satisfied smile that crossed William's face as he felt her breathing slow and deepen. Phase one was complete. She trusted him completely, and she'd already chosen him over the doubts planted by others.
Soon, she would choose him over everything else.