Chapter 8 (1/1)

"Excuse me?" Charmaine rasped, standing dumbstruck at the threshold of the door while mentally she wondered whether she had heard correctly or not.Raymond stood poised in front of the mirror and slowly rested his hands on his hips.  Holding her gaze he smiled wickedly at her and said, "I asked if you saw anything you like?"Charmaine did not mistake the challenge in his eyes.  She knew he wanted to embarrass her with his vulgar behavior.  Given if this was their first meeting she would have been mortified and quickly ran out of his place.  However, she has come to know him pretty well and even though she did not like or approve of his offensive and often at times rude behavior, she has out of her own will gotten accustomed to it.  And if he thinks to intimidate her with sexual innuendos, well then, two can play at this game.  "I don't know," she began in a low sultry voice.  She caught the astonishment on Raymond's face and relish in having the upper hand for a change.  Swinging her hips as if she was on a catwalk modeling lingerie, Charmaine lazily walk to stand in front of him.  With more boldness than she actually felt, she surveyed him from head to toe, stopping briefly in his midsection before directing her gaze back to his face.  "Not too bad, except you could lose a few pounds around your stomach."  Lowering her eyes to the part she was talking about, Charmaine continued, "It's getting kind of flabby if you ask me."Stunned momentarily by Charmaine's open perusal and outright criticism, Raymond could only stare at her.  The way in which she appraised him made his pulse soar and he suddenly felt hot all over.  But nothing deterred Raymond for long.  Regaining his wits, he locked his gaze with hers and grinned mischievously before picking up her free hand and placing the palm flat on his lean stomach.  "Does this feel flabby to you?" he whispered huskily and felt her hand jerk when it made contact with his body.The feel of Raymond's skin beneath her hand was like touching fire.  It took every ounce of willpower not to pull her hand back.  To do so would mean admitting defeat and for once she was going to beat him at his own game.  Hoping that he was unable to hear the thudding of her racing heart, Charmaine said casually, "It does."Raymond's grin widened and still holding her gaze he covered her hand with his and pressed her palm gently into the hardness of his stomach.  "Does this change your opinion?"Charmaine knew he was toying with her.  Raymond wanted to see how far she would go and the thought of him having the last laugh spurred her into doing something she would never have done under ordinary circumstances.  But nothing with Raymond Lam was ordinary she realized.  Taking a deep breath for courage, Charmaine slid her hand from beneath his and with tantalizing slowness explored the width of his waist, all the while her eyes remained fixated on his face.  Her exploration was gentle and firm at the same time and under her hand she felt Raymond stiffen just before his grin disappeared and replaced by a dark scowl."Enough!" Raymond hissed and clasping her wrist roughly he flung it off his body.  With angry movements, he retrieve the towel he had removed only minutes ago and hastily wrapped it around his lower body before turning back to face her.  "I need to dress," he said gruffly, his eyes refusing to look at her.Charmaine saw the sudden flush that came onto Raymond's face and could bet on anything that she was the cause of his discomfort.  Not that she blamed him.  Even she was astounded by her own bold and daring actions.  Yet, she finally succeeded in embarrassing him for a change and it felt good.  Too good.  Stifling a victorious giggle, Charmaine looked at him with wide innocent eyes and knowing that he would refuse, she nevertheless asked coyly, "Do you need me to help you get dress?  Jazz told me that he helps you in that area as well."Raymond was far too aware of what she was doing.  The little witch knew she had affected him and it'll be a freezing day in hell before he lets her know exactly how much she affected him.  He was only affected because her bold erotic actions took him by surprise.  Now knowing what she was playing at, Raymond was hard set on retaliating.  This time, however, he was going to crush her ego so fast and hard she'll wish she never messed with him.  With his lips spreading into a grin, he tugged at his towel.  The towel dropped swiftly to pool around his feet.  "Come and help me dress," he said invitingly and took pleasure in seeing her face flame up with shock.  Naked as the day he was born, Raymond closed the distance between them until he was standing extremely close to her.  He saw her eyes fluttered nervously around the room, avoiding his gaze, and he almost laughed out loud.Their close proximity did strange things to Charmaine's inside.  Not to mention the way his eyes seem to see right through her.  Feeling dizzy by the unfamiliar churning in her stomach and the sporadic beating of her heart, Charmaine took an involuntary step back away from him.  Unable to meet his gaze she stammered, "I-I just remember I-I have to confirm the time of the ribbon cutting ceremony with the network."  She would have run out of the room after her little lie but Raymond's hand on her arm prevented her from doing so.Looking down at her bent head, Raymond goaded, "What about helping me getting dressed?"Charmaine heard the taunt in his voice and in spite of her earlier bold behavior, it still wasn't in her to go that far.  Pushing his hand off her arm, Charmaine muttered, "You can dress yourself," and hastily left the room with his chuckling following her out the door.-------------------------------------------------Kenneth dialed Natalie's number but didn't press on the send button.  Would he be too forward if he called?  They were strangers, having only a brief meeting at a local convenience store.  Yet during that brief moment, Kenneth felt a fondness for her.  Maybe it was the way she stood in front of the chocolates with eyes looking with excitement at the sweet goodies before her eyes.  Never had he seen such a glow on a woman's face and over something so plain, and frivolous like chocolate.  Perhaps it was the smile that seems to light up her entire face when he made the choice for her.  Regardless of which factor it was, he knew right then and there he wanted to see her again."What are you smiling about?" Myolie asked as she sat down beside him in the makeup room.  She waved her assistant away and from her bag pulled out a thick wad of cotton pads and a bottle of make-up remover.Giving her a glance Kenneth resumed his own ministrations of adjusting his hair piece and said, "I'm just happy that we're collaborating again."Kenneth always knew what to say to make her smile.  "Are we still on for drinks after work?" Myolie asked while she swiped a cotton pad across her face.  She worked it around her cheeks until bubbles began foaming and she felt a tingling sensation."If you like," Kenneth replied and giving her another glance he stood up from his chair.  "My scenes are up.  I'll see you in a bit.""Wait," Myolie called out.  She waited for Kenneth to turn around and waved him back over.  Peeping behind her to ensure that no one was within hearing range, she said softly, "Do you think Raymond would like to join us?"Kenneth sighed and the look he gave her was full of defeat and hopelessness.  "Myolie, we both know that Raymond….""Please don't say it," Myolie interrupted.  Looking up at him with pleading eyes she said, "Can you ask him to join us?  I just want us to be friends again.  That's all."Knowing that whatever he said was useless, Kenneth simply nodded.  "Alright.  I'll see what I can do."Myolie grabbed Kenneth's arm and pulled his face towards her.  "Thank you so much Kenneth."  She then planted a soft peck on his cheek.---------------------------------------------------Natalie sat behind her desk, her eyes ignoring the documents before her.  On its own accord, her eyes would land on her cell phone.  Why hasn't he called?  He made it seem as if he would definitely do so.  She could tell he was interested in her and she felt the same way.  Last night, when their eyes met, she felt an instant connection to him and hoped he would call soon.  She picked up her phone and looked at the screen.  Still nothing.  Relax, she told herself.  She only met him last night and perhaps he wanted to wait a bit before calling her instead of appearing too eager.  Yes, that must be it, she consoled herself.  She focused her attention back on the documents in front of her.  Better get back to more important things, like work."Natalie, you have a moment?" Damian, her supervisor asked from the doorway.Natalie smiled and stood up.  "Of course I do.  Come in."Damian walked in with a man.  The man was extremely handsome in a good boy type of way.  "Let me introduce you to Kevin Cheng.  We just hired him to be the head of our marketing department."Kevin stepped forward and extended his hand to Natalie, "Nice to meet you Natalie.""Same here," Natalie responded with open friendliness.  "What do you think of our company so far?"Giving Damian a shy smile, he answered, "Overwhelming for my first day.  But I'm sure in time I'll get adjusted to everything and everyone."Turning to Natalie, Damian said, "I'm going to leave Kevin in your hands.  Show him around and introduce him to the staff.""I will."  Natalie waited for Damian to leave the room before returning to her chair.  "So Kevin, since it's your first day how about I take you out to lunch?""Sounds great."