Chapter 19 (1/1)

The restaurant Kevin chose was more elegant than what Charmaine had expected.  Luckily for her she overdressed rather than underdressed.  The food was excellent and they chatted and joked with ease throughout the meal.  It was over a dessert tray of cakes and Italian cookies that Kevin asked the question that's been on his mind all evening.  "You know I'm not the type to pry in your work but how did you come about sharing a flat with Raymond Lam?"Charmaine had been in the midst of taking a bite out of her tiramisu when his question caught her attention.  The mention of Raymond automatically brought a frown to her face.  "Believe me, if I had a say in it I wouldn't be staying anywhere near that jerk."From the two times that Kevin had been around Raymond Lam, he witnessed Raymond's arrogance and at times rude behavior.  Yet, from years of observing people, Kevin wouldn't exactly call Raymond Lam a jerk or even a bad guy.  Sure, he's high strung on himself but so are many celebrities.  It's comes with the territory.  In a neutral tone, he said, "Besides being arrogant, Raymond Lam doesn't strike me as that bad of a guy."Charmaine rolled her eyes with disbelief and said resentfully, "That because he doesn't let everyone see the real him."Seeing the stubborn set of Charmaine's face brought a chuckle out of Kevin.  "He can't be that bad.""You're right.  He's worse than bad!" Charmaine said heatedly.  "If it wasn't for the promise I made to Jazz I would have quit a long time ago."Kevin smiled with admiration and said quietly, "But you're no quitter.  You'll stick to it no matter how much you hate it right?"Charmaine nodded her head in admittance.  Sighing heavily she began picking at her tiramisu.  With her earlier gay mood dissipating she said miserably, "I've had my share of demanding and unreasonable bosses but Raymond Lam tops the list.  I'm determine do keep my end of the bargain but I just don't know how much longer I can tolerate him.  The man is impossible!"The visible stress and disgust on Charmaine's face made Kevin wish he hadn't brought the subject up at all.  He took her out so that they can enjoy a nice relaxing evening and get to know each other better.  No way was he going to spoil that by having her mood dampened which seems like it was.  With a brilliant smile, he looked at her with excitement and said, "Shanghai is a real beautiful city full of historic landmarks.  Have you gotten a chance to tour it yet?"Charmaine shook her head, a bit floundered by the sudden turn of discussion.  "It's been raining every day since we arrived.  Even our filming has been delayed because of the weather."Smiling cheekily at her, Kevin summoned the waiter for the check.  "In that case it's only right of me to take you on a private tour of the City.  I guarantee you'll see sights you won't be able to see back in Hong Kong."Kevin's excitement was infectious and Charmaine can't help but smile with anticipation.  Turning sideways to look out the window and glimpsing a sliver of lightning flash across the black sky, she said with disappointment, "But it's still raining.""So?" Kevin responded with a mischievous grin.  After dropping off several bills he held his hand out for Charmaine to take.  "I have a car and I'm familiar with Shanghai so I know exactly where to take you."Charmaine placed her hand in his and felt his warm fingers wrap around hers like a nice warm blanket, soothing and diminishing her earlier foul mood.  Kevin has a way of making her forget her troubles and with him even her hatred for Raymond didn't seem to bother her as much.  "Lead the way," she said gleefully.  As they walked out of the restaurant, Charmaine suddenly wondered what Raymond and Myolie were doing back at the flat.------------------------------------------------Raymond stood out in the balcony leaning over the rail and looking down at the streets.  He ignored the downfall of rain splattering on his head and face.  Where was she?  It's already in the early a.m. and Charmaine still hasn't returned from her dinner with Kevin.  He wiped his face dry with the sleeve of his shirt and took another look below and out to the distance.  No signs of any headlights coming in their direction.  Dinner should have been over by now.  They've been gone for over six hours.  Six hours was enough time for dinner, a movie and drinks!  So why wasn't she back yet he asked himself for what seemed like the hundredth time in the past hour."Raymond, why are you still standing out in the rain?" Myolie asked softly from the patio doors.  But she knew why.  He was waiting for Charmaine and she wasn't happy about it.  "Come back in.  I've made you some tea."Raymond reluctantly went back inside where Myolie quickly wrapped a large fluffy towel around him.  "Thanks," he muttered as he sat down on the couch.  He pulled the towel off his body and threw it over his head to dry his hair.  "It's getting late.  I'll call a car to take you to your hotel."Myolie sat down beside him and rested her head on his shoulder.  In a casual tone, she informed him, "Hotel?  I didn't book any.  I plan on staying here with you."Raymond froze for a mere second before turning to look at her.  "There's no room.  There are only two bedrooms here and Charmaine and I both occupy one.""I'll sleep with you," Myolie suggested and entwined her arm with his.  Snuggling cozily up against him, she added seductively, "It's not like we haven't done that before."Pulling away from her clutch, Raymond stood up and walked towards the balcony but didn't step out.  Without turning to look at her, he said quietly, "I don't think that's a good idea.  It's not appropriate with Charmaine being here.""Why not?" Myolie pressed, and was annoyed that he was finding excuses to put her off.  She had traveled far, on short notice, to be with him and here he was giving some lame excuse about her sharing his bed not being appropriate.  It had only been less than two weeks when they shared a bed and why didn't he find it inappropriate at that time.  But one thing about Myolie was that she was very persistent.  She won't give up until she gets her way and Raymond was about to find that out the hard way."Because it's not," Raymond said firmly with finality.Myolie sneaked up behind him and slinked her arms around his waist.  She felt him resist and tightened her hold.  Tiptoeing she kissed his ear and whispered, "Don't be like that."  She kissed a trail from his ear to his neck and breathed, "Let's go to bed now.  I want to show you how much I missed you."Raymond took hold of her hands and was about to pull it away from his waist when the front door opened.  Jerking around he saw Charmaine staring at him with disgust and Kevin with a silly grin on his face."Sorry for interrupting your … uh… moment," Kevin announced loudly, giving Raymond a knowing wink.  "I wanted to make sure Charmaine gets in safely."Myolie slowly released her arms from Raymond.  Smiling haughtily she looked directly at Charmaine and said silkily, "You guys didn't interrupt anything Raymond and I haven't done before.  So no apology is necessary."Charmaine abruptly turned to Kevin, giving Myolie and Raymond her back.  In a soft sweet voice she said, "Thanks for a wonderful night."Kevin looked down at her with an adoring smile.  He brought his fingers to lightly touch her face, "It was my pleasure.  Dinner tomorrow night?" he asked the last with hopeful eyes."I would love it," Charmaine responded and lifted her face up to Kevin's for a goodnight kiss.  After Kevin was gone she took her time closing the door.  She didn't want to turn around and see Raymond and Myolie, especially when the sight of them together causes unfound bitterness within her.  Taking a deep breath she turned and rested her eyes on Myolie.  "Shouldn't you be going?  It's late and Raymond has to get up early for work tomorrow."Myolie giggled like a school girl while she clasped Raymond's arm.  Leaning on him, she said, "I'm actually going to stay here.  I hope you don't mind but I don't think you will since you have your own rooms and bathrooms and I'll be sharing Raymond's."Charmaine flicked a glance at Raymond and saw his face darken with the scowl she hated.  Thinking that the scowl was aimed at her for objecting, Charmaine forced a smile and said, "Of course I don't mind."  She walked in the direction of the bedrooms only pausing to say, "Well I'm tired and am going straight to bed.  Goodnight guys."Raymond stared at Charmaine as she entered her room and quietly closed the door.  Alone with Myolie, he flung her hands off him and turned on her, "Why did you do that?"Looking innocently back at him, Myolie asked, "Do what?""Tell her that you're sleeping with me," Raymond bit out angrily.Rubbing her body up against his, Myolie cooed into his ear, "But aren't I?  Where else can I go at this hour?  I know you're not going to kick me out are you?"Raymond knew he wasn't.  No matter how displeased or angry he was at Myolie for her little stunt, she was still one of his closest friends.  Sighing with resignation he picked up her small bag from the floor and said grudgingly, "Come, I'll show you the room."Myolie beamed up at him and planted an affectionate kiss on his cheek.  "I knew you wouldn't kick me out Raymond."Raymond led her into his room and gave her a short tour of where everything was.  When Myolie had finished unpacking her small bag he walked to the door and said, "Have a goodnight.""What?" Myolie gasped in surprise.  "Aren't you sleeping here with me?"Raymond shook his head.  "I'm going to sleep on the couch."  He quickly walked out and closed the door before she can protest to the sleeping arrangements.  He stopped outside of Charmaine's door and saw light filtering out from beneath the door.  He brought his hand up to knock with the intent of telling her that he was not sharing the room with Myolie.  Just as quickly, he brought his hand back down.  He didn't need to explain anything to her.  If anyone was to do any explaining it was her.  After all, she was the one who spent six hours with Kevin doing God knows what.  Flustered by that thought, Raymond stomped to the couch and threw himself down on it.