Chapter 6 (1/1)

Raymond sauntered into the club, his eyes roaming freely around the crowded room.  He had taken a secret passage into the club, one that was deliberately built to accommodate people that didn’t want anyone to see them entering this posh club.  The owner, Joel Chan, who happens to be a friend of a friend of Raymond's saw to having it built just to appease his number one customer.  Raymond frequented the club a lot and every time he did, the bill for that night would run up more than what he would make in one week.  So naturally, Joel was more than happy to make a little adjustment to ensure that his favorite customer returns, and as much as possible.  With the loud music blasting and the rays of colored lights flashing around the dark room, Raymond began nodding his head in rhythm to the fast tempo beats.  Not bothering to look at Charmaine, he bent slightly backwards to yell into her ear, "Go find yourself a table.  I'll look for you when I'm ready to leave."Charmaine grabbed the sleeve of Raymond's shirt and swung him around.  Staring angrily up at him she snipped, "Why can't I wait for you in the car?  I don't like being in these places."  Even as her words were out she felt a hand run caressingly down her back and flitted lightly over her butt.  She whirled around to find a man with a lopsided grin appraising her from head to toe.  The bold way in which he stared at her was anything but decent.  "Why did you touch me?!" she screamed with frustration.  However, because of the loud blasting music, the man didn't seem to hear her.  He simply stood there smiling back at her while his eyes continued to stare with open admiration at her chest.  Seeing the direction of his gaze infuriated Charmaine.  She lifted her hand to slap him but her hand was caught by Raymond."Please don’t make a scene," Raymond hissed into her ear and threw her arm down.  "You'll only embarrass yourself."Charmaine's anger was now directed at Raymond.  The nerve of him to make it sound as if she was the one at fault and not the pervert who made a pass at her.  "I'll be teaching him a lesson," she yelled."Why are you always so serious and defensive," Raymond yelled back.  "He's drunk and probably doesn't even realize what he's doing."Crossing her arms across her chest, Charmaine gave Raymond a glare and snapped, "Why do men always use being drunk as an excuse to feel up women?"Her question brought a cunning smile to Raymond's face.  Leaning in close to her, he said huskily into her ear, "Because women like to think that the men hitting on them are drunk.  It's a way to cover up their own promiscuous behavior."Aghast at his so-called rational reasoning, Charmaine took a step away from him.  She shook her head in disbelief and said loudly, "You actually believe that women enjoy being fondled by men who are complete strangers to them?""Believe?  I know it!" Raymond answered just as loudly with a cocky grin spreading on his face.Astounded by his arrogance, Charmaine closed her eyes briefly to collect her wits.  Don't let him get to you, she repeated over and over in her head.  Raymond Lam is a jerk and she shouldn't waste any more time on him.  When she re-opened her eyes seconds later, she was more in control of herself.  Giving him a cool stare, she said, "Why am I even arguing about this with someone who has no morals or ethics whatsoever."  She turned on her heels to leave but Raymond's hand shot out to encircle her wrist, stopping her from going any further.With firm pressure, Raymond pulled her towards him until she was standing directly in front of him.  He saw the resentment on her face and smiling down at her he gave her wrist a hard yank, causing her to fall against him.  Imprisoning her against his chest, he whispered silkily into her ear, "Remember, don't leave without me."  After his words were out he instantly released her and strolled away.Charmaine stared at Raymond's back, her eyes shooting daggers at him.  Damn him! she bristled as she watched him make his way over to a table where a beautiful, young woman was apparently waiting for him.  The young woman shifted slightly in her seat to make room for him, which he quickly obliged.  Charmaine continued to watch with mounting fury as Raymond put his arm around the young woman and to her utter disbelief, they kissed.  The kiss was anything but simple.  It was a heated kiss between lovers and Charmaine found herself too embarrassed to even continue looking.  Damn Raymond Lam, she muttered with indignation.  She was finding out more and more things about the infamous Raymond Lam that she didn't want to know.  The more she saw and learned of him, the more disrespect she had for him.  Walking stiffly towards a back table, she prayed Jazz would return to work soon.-------------------------------------------------Natalie walked between the isles of the candy section.  She picked up a small bag of Hershey kisses and after a pause placed the bag back on the shelf.  She took a few steps and stopped to pick up a bag of Cadbury nuggets.  Eyeing the bag with longing she turned but halted, and like the Hershey kisses, she placed the bag back on the shelf.  It's only chocolate, why is it taking her so long to decide on which bag to buy.  That is a major problem for her and Charmaine had often told her so as well.  Natalie can never make up her mind and stick with her decision.  Sighing at her own indecisive nature, Natalie simply stood in front of the chocolates, her face a mask of deep thought as she pondered on which bag to get.  "Can I offer you a suggestion?" a humorous male voice asked from beside her.  Startled by the voice, Natalie jumped and accidentally bumped into the man."Easy," Kenneth soothed with a friendly smile on his face.Natalie gaped at him.  Although he had on a baseball cap that was pull low over his face, she recognized him easily.  It was…he was Kenneth Ma!  He wasn't as popular or famous as Raymond Lam, but nevertheless, he was one of the top rising stars of TTT Network.  Natalie had watched many of his series and admires his acting skills just as much as she did Raymond Lam's.  It had only been last night that she saw him on her TV screen.  Looking at him now, the TV doesn't do him justice.  He's much more handsome and soave in person.  Feeling lightheaded from the encounter, Natalie could only stare at him as she tried to still her racing heart.  Kenneth Ma!  She was standing next to Kenneth Ma!Pleasantly surprise by the effect he had caused on this woman, Kenneth smiled warmly at her and pulled a bag of Cadbury nuggets from the shelf.  "I think this is the better choice," he said.Trembling with excitement, Natalie took the bag of chocolate from him with a shaky hand.  "T-Thanks.  I-I watched all your series!  I-I'm your fan!" she gushed out and even she thought she sounded like some giddy teenager instead of a woman in her late twenties with a professional job.  Feeling embarrassed, she lowered her head but continued to look at him from beneath her lashes.  She was relieved when that warm smile on his face remained."How's my acting so far?" Kenneth queried, then said, "Since you're my fan I expect you to be honest with me.  Otherwise I won't be able to make improvements on myself.  And if I don't make improvements I would never win the Television King award.""You're acting is great!" Natalie gushed out and seeing the twinkle in his eyes, she knew he was merely jesting with her.Kenneth chuckled and when he saw a blush come over her face, he took the bag of chocolate from her and headed towards the cashier.  "A gift to my fan."Natalie followed, while at the same time she pulled her wallet out and protested, "I can't let you buy this for me."Kenneth pressed his money into the cashier's hand and blocking Natalie from having any contact with the cashier, he took the bag of chocolate and handed it over to her.  "I hope you'll enjoy eating this bag of chocolate as much as I did buying it."Taking the bag reluctantly, Natalie pulled out a bill and held it out to him.  "I really can't accept this.  Take the money please."Kenneth flicked a glance at the money and then lifted his gaze to her.  With that twinkling smile still in place, he said softly, "How about repaying me by buying me a cup of coffee?  That'll make us even.""Coffee?" Natalie sputtered.Kenneth laughed, "Yes, coffee.  But I can't right now.  Why don't you give me your number and I'll call you to arrange a date when we're both available."Afterwards, Natalie couldn't even remember how she was able to recite her number to him and not make a mistake.  Walking dreamily down the street back to her apartment building, she clutched the bag of chocolate to her chest and giggled.---------------------------------------------Charmaine was falling asleep.  The hour was late and the club seems more rowdy than when she first walked in.  Her gaze did a bee line to Raymond's table and he was no longer sitting there.  Miss beautiful young woman wasn't there either.  Great, Charmaine muttered with exhaustion.  They're probably in some back room groping each other while she was about to collapse out of tiredness under the flashing bright lights and ear blasting music.  With slow, tired movements, she got up from her chair and inconspicuously began roaming the club in search of His Majesty.  After a thorough search of the main room and not seeing His Majesty anywhere, Charmaine went down the long corridor of private rooms.  She peered in through the small window of the first room and didn't see him.  By the time she got to the fifth window her exhaustion has wilted away to frustration and anger.  This was the last room she's going to check.  If he's isn't in here then she was going to leave.  Without him!  She peered into the room and saw two people making out heavily on the couch.  They were going at it as if they were starving for each other.  Talk about public display, Charmaine thought wryly and was about to turn away when the male looked up directly at her.  It was Raymond Lam!  Charmaine quickly stepped back away from the door.  Feeling slightly ashamed at being caught peeping in on them, she was about to make a dash for it when the door suddenly opened and Raymond stepped out."Did you enjoy the free show?" Raymond taunted and smiled when he saw the flush on her face.  "I could give you another preview if you like.""You're disgusting!" Charmaine spat and turned from him.  But her attempt at leaving was short lived for she found herself swung back around to face him.  "What now?" she seethed.Squeezing her arm tightly, Raymond said, "I'm ready to leave.  Bring the car around to the back exit."Pulling her arm free of him, Charmaine rubbed at the sore spot where his fingers had been and said sarcastically, "Yes, Your Majesty!"