As predicted, Seth found more pictures of him and Pandora kissing online. He didn't know what to do about the paparazzi. They were ruining every chance he had to kiss Pandora. But maybe he was being a bit too careless meeting her in a public place every day.
By 14:55, Seth needed to see how Pandora felt about being dragged into the limelight the way she was. It must be awful for her not being used to it. Seth, after all, had learned how to block it out. He stepped out of the building into gentle rain consumed with these thoughts, but despite this, he smiled the closer he got to Pandora. The park was much quieter than normal, but she was always there. In her favourite spot.
'Did you see the pictures?' Seth asked as he hugged her.
'Yeah.'
'I'm sorry Pandora.'
'Don't be, it's not your fault. It's not like you're famous or anything. Oh wait a second…'
'The sarcasm never stops with you!'
'You love it!' she said, finally breaking their embrace.
'Seriously Pandora, what do you want me to do about the paparazzi?'
'Uh, look to the sky Macfarlane.' She said pointing up. Seth did as he was told but was confused. He looked back down and just shrugged his shoulders. 'The thunder clouds! People with cameras don't come out when it's raining.'
'Very true.' The rain was getting heavier and their clothes were no match for the showers. A clap of thunder burst through otherwise peacefulness of the park making Pandora eye Seth suspiciously.
'Don't sing it!'
'Sing what?' he said grinning.
'You know very well what.'
'Oh, do you mean "when you hear the sound of thunder…"'
'Yes that!'
'But it's perfect for this occasion!'
'Not as good as "I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain"'
'"What a glorious feeling, I'm happy again."' Seth joined in the singing with his deep, velvety voice and took Pandora's hand and spun her around as they continued to sing together.
'"I'm laughing at clouds so dark up above"'
'"The sun's in my heart and I'm ready for love."' Seth sung that line sincerely and pulled Pandora close to him. She looked at him and smiled as if she was waiting for him to kiss her. He held her and cupped her cheek. 'Have you ever been kissed in the rain?'
'No, but I have a feeling that's about to change.' Before she knew it Seth had brought their lips together as her heart skipped a beat. She had forgotten what it was like to kiss someone properly and allowed him to kiss her more deeply. Had it not been for another loud clap of thunder, it would have been a wonderfully, romantic moment. Pandora abruptly stopped kissing Seth at the roar in the clouds and smiled at him. 'We should probably go inside.'
'Sure come with me.' Seth took Pandora's hand and they ran to the Fox building, shrieking with excitement every time the thunder rumbled above. By the time they made it into the building they noticed for the first rime how wet they both were and they giggled when they looked at each other in the light of the lobby.
A soaking wet Pandora and Seth got into the elevator to the 16th floor. It stopped along the way to let people in. Seth kept Pandora firmly wrapped in his coat and with her arms wrapped around his waist; she then rested her head against his shoulder. The doors opened to a surprisingly empty 16th floor, but Seth was grateful for this.
'Ok, there aren't many people about,' he whispered, 'so if we can just make the short walk to my office I think we'll be fine.'
'Ok.' Pandora whispered back. 'Let me just get my whip and pistol out in case we're attacked on the way.'
'Kinky!'
Pandora raised her eyebrows. 'It was an Indiana Jones reference!'
'We'll see!' Seth said putting his hand on her back and guiding her through. 'So far so good.' He said as they walked past recording booths and conference rooms. A few people greeted Seth, but took no notice of Pandora. But that was the way she liked it; being inconspicuous.
'Almost there.' Seth reached for the handle of his office door and opened it, but before they were able to step in, they were stopped.
'Seth!' he turned around to find his sister Rachael standing in front of him.
'Rach!' Seth said back. Rachael all of a sudden pulled her brother in for a long hug, taking him by surprise but he hugged her back. 'Everything alright Rachael? This is a bit out of character for you.'
'Oh I'm fine. I'm fine. Oooh, you're all wet!' She said letting go of her brother and retreating ever so slightly. 'Bella and Spencer both have the flu so I'm rushing around like crazy, but it's so good to see you!' she spotted Pandora over Seth's shoulder looking at them, smiling. 'Oh sorry. My big brother is being awfully rude and not introducing us.'
'Pandora Palmer.' She said holding out her hand.
'I'm Rachael. Seth's younger but more talented sister!' she said shaking hands with Pandora.
'Yeah what she means is Pandora, is that I taught her everything she knows.'
'Either that or you're taking credit for all of Rachael's hard work!'
'I like this one, Seth!' Rachael exclaimed. 'Anyway, I'm going to get back to the family. Tends to fall apart when I'm not there! It was lovely to meet you Pandora.'
'Good to meet you too.'
'See you later then Seth.'
'Bye Rach. Wait,' he said holding on to his sister's arm stopping her. 'Are you sure everything's ok.'
'Uh huh.' She nodded. 'I have to go give Bella her medicine.' And with that Rachael disappeared. Seth watched her go and worried as she went. Pandora stood behind Seth and watched her also.
'She seems sad.' Pandora said. 'I know that smile. She was putting on a brave face.'
'Yeah she was.' Seth put his arm around Pandora, squeezing her gently. Realising she was still wet, he turned to her. 'We need to get warm.' Seth said. Seth shut the door to his office and took his coat off. He watched Pandora remove her cardigan. Seth took it from her and gave her one of his sweaters. It drowned her in size but she looked so cosy in the fleecy layers.
'Do you want some coffee?' he asked her.
'That would be lovely.'
Seth left his office and Pandora walked over to his desk. She didn't understand a lot of the paperwork on there but that wasn't the reason she was at the desk. She had spotted Seth's large leather chair. She sat in it and to her delight, it did what she wanted.
Seth came back into his office holding two cups of coffee and raised his eyebrows at what he saw. Pandora was happily spinning around in his chair, singing to herself.
'"I'm spinning around, move out of my way, I know you're feeling me 'cuz you like it like this!"' she stopped when she saw Seth standing there and giggled.
'Spinning in a chair to Kylie Minogue, you just keep getting cooler and cooler!'
'Says the man who knew that was a Kylie song!'
'Must you always have the last word?'
'Damn straight!'
Seth held a cup of coffee out to her. She stood up and took it from him and took a drink. They took a seat on the leather couch Seth had on the other side of his office. Pandora kicked her shoes off and curled up, leaning against the arm rest. Seth sat a little bit apart from her, but looked at her affectionately as she drank her coffee. Pandora put her cup on the floor when she finished and huddled up in Seth's oversized sweater.
'What?' Pandora said when she saw Seth looking at her.
'You look so comfy!'
'Your sweater is so warm.'
'It's one of my best!'
'I didn't expect anything other than the best from you.'
Seth flashed a smile. Feeling ready to make a move, Pandora shuffled over and snuggled into Seth's chest. He held her firmly around the waist and shoulders.
'You know Seth, I never do this.'
'Do what?'
'Let my guard down so easily.'
'Why do you keep your guard up so high anyway? What could you possibly have to worry about?' Pandora kept silent. 'Has someone hurt you in the past?'
She nodded against him. 'His name was Jerry. We were together since high school and had moved in together after college. He used to tell me that he loved me and I thought he was the one. Then one night, I was working late at a bar to try and make ends meet and we had a fight before my shift and when I got to work I was so upset they sent me home. Then I came back to find him and my best friend Alison stark naked on the floor at it like rabbits.'
'Jesus Christ! What a thing to happen.'
'6 years we were together and he does that after we had one stupid fight, can you believe it?'
'That's awful. Must have been a killer losing two people you loved like that.'
'Yep. Luckily Jay took me in and introduced me to his housemates Caissie and Lawrence and I've been there ever since. They've been so great to me these last 2 years.'
'They sound like great friends.'
'Yep. When the stakes are down, it helps to have friends.'
Seth squeezed Pandora, making her look up at him. He leant forward and kissed her softly on the lips. She was becoming accustomed to his kiss and was beginning to enjoy the genuine adoration that came with them. As their kiss became deeper, Pandora moved so she was sitting upright. She felt Seth move to plant kisses on her neck and knew where he wanted it to head.
'No.' she said simply. Seth looked up at her. He stopped their kiss. 'I know where this is going, I just can't right now.'
'Ok.' Seth frowned and looked down, but felt Pandora's hands cup his face.
'I'm not ruling it out in the future, just not now. Not while I'm still cold and wet and have knotty hair.'
'I don't care about that.'
'Well I do. I want it to be perfect.'
'You are to me.' He kissed her with more passion this time. Pandora moaned softly, relishing the intensity by wrapping her legs around his waist. They clung to each other tightly. It was amazing what rain could lead to. And it was perfect. At least it was until they were disturbed again.
They quickly broke their kiss and sat in stunned silence as a harsh tapping beat against the door to Seth's office, followed by a man's voice.
'Seth? Seth? I'm coming in!'
'Uh, just a sec!' Pandora quickly shuffled of Seth and smoothed herself down as he stood up and opened the door ajar. The man outside burst into Seth's office, taking no notice of Pandora who was now awkwardly perched on the edge of her seat.
'Seth we need help in the writer's room, the FCC isn't happy with our latest episode pitch and if we don't get this Family Guy episode finished by the end of the night, we're going to lose a lot of money! We're all stressed and have run out of ideas, mate. We need your input in this!'
Seth looked over at Pandora who was now gathering up her things. 'John, can't you see I have company?'
John looked over at Pandora who had turned around and was facing them. 'Sorry, sorry. Didn't realise.' He took a step forward. 'John Viener, nice to meet you.'
'Pandora.' She shook his hand and then turned to Seth. 'I'm going to leave you guys to it.'
'No there's no need for you to leave Pandora. Stay.'
'Seth its fine. They need you and I'll just be in the way. It's fine. I'll find a way for you to make it up to me.'
She stroked Seth's arm and left his office swiftly, shutting the door behind her. She heard him speak in angry muffled tones as she walked away. ('That was really rude John.') But despite the last 2 minutes of drama, she felt hopeful. Hopeful that she may be able to finally let her guard down completely.
