Chapter 15 (1/1)

Charmaine sat on the bed, her eyes scanning unwillingly around the spacious bedroom.  She can't believe she's stuck here with Raymond for a month.  At least she hopes it won't be more than that.  She hated it, hated the situation more than she hated him.  With angry movements she dumped the contents of her suitcase onto the bed.  At least she had her own room and bathroom.  Still, the thought of being with him around the clock struck a nerve in her and she wondered how she'll be able to get through this month without killing him first.Night has fallen and after a brief meeting earlier to go over the schedule for the month everyone retired to their quarters.  She had expected Raymond to go out with the crew or at least venture out for some night life.  He did neither and opted to return with her to the flat they now shared.  Upon entering the flat, Charmaine headed directly to her room and began to unpack.  Through the thin walls she heard the water running and knew Raymond was in the shower.  It was exceedingly uncomfortable living with some one she didn't really know or liked, if that should even matter.  Nevertheless, here she is and will be for the next month.  Sighing heavily she shoved the rest of her clothes into the dresser and left her room.With an appreciative eye, Charmaine surveyed the expensively furnished flat.  It was definitely catered for those who like to live luxuriously.  Somehow all the high end stuff made Charmaine uneasy and she felt out of place, like she didn’t belong here.  Perching on the edge of the couch she picked up a magazine from the coffee table and leafed through it.  She heard Raymond's bedroom door open and seconds later he appeared freshly showered with a towel ruffling his damp hair.Raymond stalled when he saw Charmaine on the couch.  She was still wearing the same clothes she arrived in.  He noted her stiff posture and her grim expression.  He guessed she was not too happy about being forced to stay here with him.  Well that's too bad for her, Raymond thought sourly.  She was his assistant and he wanted her close by.  If she hated it that much then she could go out and find her own accommodations.  But Raymond would make sure that she pays for it out of her own pockets and not charge it to the network.  Dropping the towel onto the coffee table in front of her he asked abruptly, "What's for dinner?"Irked by his tone, Charmaine turned her gaze away from him and continued to leaf through the magazine.  In a casual voice that belied her annoyance with him, she said, "You tell me.  What would you like?"Thinking that she has accepted their living arrangements and was now offering to cook for them as well, Raymond responded with a winsome smile, "How about steak?  Joe stocked the kitchen up with food and I saw a couple of steaks in the fridge."Charmaine closed the magazine and placed it back where she found it.  Smiling smartly at him, she said, "Steak sounds good.  Let me know when it's done."Raymond cocked his head at her and said with disbelief, "Excuse me?"Enjoying the look on his face, Charmaine went on with amusement, "You asked if I wanted steak so I said yes.""Yeah and?" Raymond countered with exasperation.Standing up and walking past him, Charmaine threw over her shoulder, "So you should make it.  I'm going to take a shower now.  Hope it'll be done when I come out."Raymond hurried after her and caught her as she was about to enter her room.  Narrowing his eyes at her he said gruffly, "Let's get one thing straight here.  You're my assistant and not the other way around.  If anyone should be doing the cooking then it's you."Leaning against the wall, Charmaine shook her head and reminded smugly, "If I recall, cooking isn't part of my job description."Feeling his temper rise, Raymond nevertheless said in a low controlled voice, "Although it's not but you still should for the time being since you have to eat too."Charmaine saw the anger flash in his eyes and bet no one ever refused him before.  Why would they?  After all, he's a big shot celebrity who expected everyone to do his bidding and had never taken no for an answer.  It's high time someone taught him he doesn't always get what he wants and Charmaine is more than happy to be that person.  Smiling warmly at him, Charmaine said sweetly, "I guess I should since you probably don't know how to cook and I do.  Am I right?""Yes," Raymond retorted sharply.  "I'm glad you're being reasonable for a change.""Alright then, I'll make something for us to eat."  Throwing him a sweet angelic smile, Charmaine turned in the direction of the kitchen.--------------------------------------------------Myolie saw Kenneth the moment she entered the pub.  To her displeasure his new friend Natalie was with him as well as that guy Kevin.  Pasting a bright smile on her face she walked over to their table.  "Hi everyone," she greeted softly and sat down.  She ordered a vodka from a nearby waiter and turned her full attention on Natalie.  "It's good seeing you again," she said in a sugary voice that seem exaggerated even to her own ears.Natalie smiled happily thinking how awesome it was to be out drinking with both Kenneth Ma and Myolie Wu.  Two of the rising stars of TTT Network.  She can't get over the excitement of meeting them and now having drinks with them.  It was like meeting the President or someone just as important.  Laughing giddily, she said, "It's good seeing you again too and I just want to say that you're more beautiful in person than on television."Myolie laughed softly and looked at Kenneth, "She's so sweet."Kenneth chuckled and turned to look at Natalie.  The look he gave her made Natalie blush profusely.  "Yes she certainly is," he said in a soft murmur which the others missed but Natalie didn't.Myolie scanned the pub as if looking for someone then asked Kenneth, "Where's Raymond?"Kenneth had been expecting this question from Myolie.  He didn't understand why she was so taken by someone who obviously does not reciprocate those feelings.  He knew of their one time sleeping together and even reprimanded Raymond for repeating it on the last night they went out for drinks.  In his own subtle way, Kenneth tried to tell Myolie that by pursuing and pressuring Raymond nothing good will come out of it.  It would only drive Raymond further and further away.  Myolie, however, can't seem to grasp that concept and continue her hot pursuit of him.  Kenneth was friends with both of them and had been for a long time.  He didn't want to see either of them hurt or have their years of friendship ruined because of this.  Kenneth knew that Raymond values his friendship with Myolie but for the life of him, he couldn't understand why he took her to bed in the first place.  They both knew that was against the rules of friendship and now look what happened.  Myolie was doing her hardest to snag Raymond and Raymond was avoiding her at all cost.  This would only lead to disaster and Kenneth didn't want any more to do with it.  Keeping his voice light, he answered, "He's in Shanghai filming the last few episodes of his series.  He'll be gone for about a month.""Charmaine is with him," Natalie chimed in.  "At least Raymond won't be bored having a friend there with him."Myolie narrowed her eyes at Natalie and said coolly, "I wouldn't exactly call them friends.  Their relationship is purely a working one and your friend is merely his servant."Natalie immediately felt a change in Myolie's demeanor and didn't know what could have caused it.  Plus the little jab at Charmaine was uncalled her.  Smiling uncertainly at Kenneth, she said meekly, "I was just speaking metaphorally.""I know and Myolie didn't mean it that way," Kenneth stared hard at Myolie and said, "Right?"Instead of responding to Kenneth's question, Myolie shrugged and averted her gaze.  She took a sip of her vodka and turned to Kevin.  "I understand you just returned from the states after being away for over a decade.  How are you adjusting so far?"Kevin didn't like Myolie and it took great effort to mask that dislike from his face.  He heard the venom in Myolie's voice when Charmaine's name came up and it gnawed at him to have someone talking down of her.  But Kevin was a man of great tolerance and he knew better to get into a verbal fight with this witch who obviously believes she was greater and better than all of them.  Giving her a pretentious smile, he said levelly, "I thought I would have a hard time adjusting.  After all I've been away for a long time and things change.  Luckily for me I met two wonderful ladies who made me feel right at home."  He looked at Natalie with a grateful smile.Seeing the direction of his gaze, Myolie felt obligated to say, "Natalie is definitely a very sweet and nice person."Returning his gaze to Myolie, Kevin said, "And so is Charmaine, who I happen to be dating at the moment."  He saw Myolie's eyes widen in shock and leaning towards her with a killer smile and eyes that were hard and cold, he added softly, "And I don't take too kindly with people talking down about her.  It makes me mad and irrational."Myolie shivered with alarm under Kevin's intense gaze.  There was this aura about him that made her believe there was a reckless and dangerous side to him that he rarely reveals unless driven to.  Quickly looking away and returning her gaze to Kenneth, Myolie said, "I have a long day tomorrow so I'll be cutting out now."  She stood up abruptly and muttered goodbyes before running out of the pub.After Myolie was gone, Natalie looked incredulously at Kevin and said, "You practically scared her to death!"Kevin laughed, his face relaxed in contrast to how serious looking he had been only seconds ago.  "I did?" he asked with amusement, "I wonder how?"Natalie burst out in laughter and would have continued laughing if she didn't see the grim expression on Kenneth's face.  "What's wrong?" she asked gently.Kenneth shook his head, a small smile on his lips.  "I'm just worried about Myolie.  She hasn't been acting herself lately and I wish there was something I could do to help her.""She's in love with Raymond Lam, isn't she?" Kevin asked and when Kenneth nodded he said, "And seeing how she was acting I bet she thinks there's something going on between him and Charmaine."That thought never occurred to Kenneth and looking helplessly at Natalie and Kevin, he said, "That I don't know.  All I know is that she'll do anything to have Raymond."Kevin's face turned serious as he said, "And I meant what I said.  I won't take too kindly if anyone does anything to hurt or slander Charmaine."