Chapter 20 (1/1)

The sun had finally broken through the days of rain.  It was a welcome sight despite the hot soaring temperatures.  It was mid afternoon with the sun's scorching blaze at its fullest.  Raymond had finished a scene and went under the shade of a tree away from the filming process to rest while he waited for his next one.  Charmaine hovered nearby and handed him whatever he requested.Since last night a stony wall of silence erected between them.  Charmaine had woken up and a glimmer of something filled her as she made her way out to the living room to find it empty.  What did she expected?  Had she really expected to find Raymond sleeping on the couch?  She scolded herself for even entertaining that outrageous idea.  Naturally, Raymond was sleeping in his own room with Myolie by his side.  Not like it's anything new for them.  Myolie had made it clear, in her own way, that she and Raymond shared an intimate relationship.  Not that Charmaine cared of course.  But if she didn't, why did her heart feel as if it was ripped in two and why did she dislike Myolie so much that it was killing her inside.Raymond lifted the bottle of water to his lips.  Taking a gulp he brought his gaze on Charmaine.  She was sitting a few feet away, her head hung low.  She looked restless and moody.  Probably anxious to see her lover boy Kevin, Raymond thought broodingly.  He himself wasn't feeling all that great either.  Sleeping on the couch gave him aches and pains all over his back and the second he heard Myolie moving about in his room he quickly went in.  While she went about her usual morning routine, Raymond took a few winks on the bed.  It wasn't enough to alleviate his sleepless night but it did ease some of his back pain.  When he emerged from his room a short while later, Charmaine was already up and having breakfast.  She didn’t look up or made any acknowledgment that she was aware of his presence.  She directed all her words to Myolie as if he was invisible.  It was only when they arrived at the shoot that she finally spoke to him.  Even then her words were short and curt.  Recapping the bottle of water, he called out, "Catch!" and tossed the bottle at her.Charmaine caught it right before it hit the ground.  She dropped it into the cooler and walked over to him.  "What else can I get you?" she asked absently, her mind still trying to come to terms with her newfound jealousy of Myolie.Thinking that her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Kevin, Raymond barked, "I'm hot!  Get me some ice water and not these warm bottled ones."Ticked by his behavior, it took all of Charmaine's will power to hold herself in check.  Clicking her shoes together she said sharply, "Yes Your Majesty!" then stormed off towards the little outdoor store down the hill."That wasn't very nice Raymond," Myolie said softly from behind him.Startled by her voice, Raymond almost fell out of his chair.  "What are you doing here?"Myolie shrugged and sat down on the arm of his chair, dropping an arm around his back.  Shielding her eyes from the sun with her other hand, she squinted down at him and said, "I know you're almost finishing for the day so I thought we would have dinner together."Raymond edged away from her leaning body and said, "I'm sorry but I'm really tired.  I plan on going back to the flat and sleep."Out of the corner of her eyes, Myolie saw Charmaine returning.  She quickly locked her eyes on Raymond and bent down to give him a full kiss on the lips.Raymond pushed her away and that was when he saw Charmaine.  She was already upon them, a bottle of water in her hand.Charmaine hadn't been prepared for the sudden clenching of her heart when she saw Myolie and Raymond locked in an intimate pose.  However, recovering quickly, she pasted a friendly smile on her face and walked the remaining steps towards them.  "Hi Myolie, waiting for Raymond?""Yes," Myolie answered in a sweet voice.  "We plan on having dinner.""That's nice and you won't have long to wait.  He has one more scene and we're done for the day.""Lucky me," Myolie chuckled as she gave Raymond a loving glance.  Turning back to Charmaine she asked, "Aren't you going out to dinner with Kevin tonight?""Yes," Charmaine answered and bent to begin packing some of Raymond's stuff.Standing up Myolie said with exaggerated enthusiasm, "Let's make it a double date!  Doesn't that sound like fun Raymond?"Raymond saw Charmaine's face tense up and he guessed it was because she didn't want her evening alone with Kevin ruined by their presence.  Smiling up at Myolie he said with fervor, "That's a wonderful suggestion!  Do you mind Charmaine?" he asked the latter tauntingly.Charmaine saw the smug smile on Raymond's face and wonder why he would even want to have dinner with her and Kevin.  Wouldn't he prefer to have the entire flat to himself so that he and Myolie could spend it rolling around the bed.  "Why would I mind?" she replied with just a hint of sarcasm to muster a flicker of surprise on his face.  "Kevin and I will be more than happy to have you guys join us.""Then its set," Myolie said happily.  "I'll go back to the flat to start getting ready.  See you guys back there."When Myolie was out of sight, Raymond looked at Charmaine and in a scathing tone he said, "I hope Myolie and I won't be disturbing any of your quality time with Kevin."Charmaine noted the way he practically snarled Kevin's name and was instantly inflamed by it.  "What's your problem?""What problem?" Raymond countered.  "I don't have a problem.""You guys suggested having dinner with us and if you intend to spend the evening glowering and taking little jabs at Kevin and me then let's just call the whole thing off.  Its bad enough I have to put up with you at work but after work I won't!  I can put up with your offensive attitude towards me but I won't let you walk all over Kevin and get away with it!"Hearing her defending Kevin brought out the green eye monster in Raymond.  "I'm sure your lover boy can take care of himself and won't need you to defend him.  And why would you think I would even bother myself with your precious Kevin.  He's not even worth speaking to."Charmaine shook her head with disgust.  "You're unbelievable did you know that?!"  She then stalked off.---------------------------------------Dinner was a nightmare.  Never had Charmaine felt so ill at ease or tense during a meal.  She blamed it on Raymond.  She didn't understand why he bothered to join them when obviously he didn't want to be here.  He didn't say much and when he did his words were clipped and sarcastic, even to Myolie, making everyone uncomfortable.  It was Kevin, with his good humor and quick witted responses that prevented the evening from becoming a total disaster.  Kevin was the perfect gentlemen and his charm seemed to have an effect on Myolie as well.  Myolie who at first was wary and cool towards Kevin, soon was enraptured by his stories and even spoke nicely to Charmaine.Now that dinner was over, Kevin gave them all a lift back to the flat dropping them off in front.  He was flying back to Hong Kong early in the morning and after bidding Charmaine a farewell with a kiss and a promise to call her once he landed, he left.  Trailing behind Raymond and Myolie as they headed up the stairs, Charmaine wished she could return to Hong Kong with Kevin.  So absorbed with her own thoughts she didn't hear Myolie's question."Do you miss him already?" Myolie asked softly.Charmaine looked up at Myolie and for once didn't see the hostility that had always been on the other woman's face since their first meeting.  Nodding her head, she admitted, "Yes.  These two days have gone by so quickly with him here.""I think he's totally in love with you," Myolie declared and cast a glance at Raymond to see his reaction.  She saw Raymond clamp his jaw down and added, "And you're so lucky to have found someone like him."Charmaine smiled shyly in return but didn't say another word.  Once in the flat she headed straight to her room to shower and to bed.  As she slid underneath the blankets, she found herself recalling the events of the evening.  It hadn't been her imagination that she caught Raymond staring at her throughout most of the night.  Whenever their eyes met he would quickly look away.  She didn’t understand this strange behavior of his.  From the numerous times their eyes met over the table, Charmaine sensed a yearning within him.  But that was ridiculous!  Raymond Lam hated her and she hated him.  It must have been the too many glasses of wine she consumed that caused her to hallucinate about him wanting her.  Yes, that must be it.  Glancing at her beside clock she noted with disbelief that it was already in the early morning hours.  2:35 a.m. to be exact.  Sleep doesn't seem to be coming any time soon.  Perhaps a glass of warm milk will help her to sleep.  Walking out of her room she immediately saw a shape lying across the couch.  Upon closer inspection she realized it was Raymond.  Why was he sleeping out here?  Shouldn't he be in his room with Myolie.Raymond heard Charmaine's bedroom door open and opened his eyes.  Through the moon's filtering light he watched as she slowly approached him.  He couldn't make out her expression but when she was nearer he quickly shut his eyes.  He heard her small gasp of surprise at finding him here.  He waited for her to come closer but she never did.  Seconds later he heard her bedroom door close.  He was inordinately pleased that she saw him sleeping out here instead of in his room with Myolie.  With a delightful smile, he closed his eyes and fell asleep.Charmaine leaned against her closed door with her heart thumping against her chest.  Raymond was sleeping on the couch!  For some unknown reason, Charmaine was enormously pleased with this finding.  With a small smile she returned to bed and fell instantly asleep.