Chapter 21 (1/1)

Night has fallen and the production crew was wrapping up for the day.  Filming was coming to an end and if things continued smoothly, they would be returning to Hong Kong in two weeks.  Charmaine squatted down on the ground as she began packing up Raymond's belongings."Let me do that."  Raymond knelt down beside her and took the bag out of her hands."Thanks," Charmaine said with awe and was rewarded with a smile from Raymond.  A dazzling smile that made his eyes twinkle and her toes curl.  Although they did not verbally say it out loud but a truce had magically formed between them.  Since the departure of Kevin and Myolie, things somehow changed for them.  Raymond's mood had lightened up and the scowl that seemed forever embedded on his face was gone.  He now spoke to Charmaine with a teasing politeness that made Charmaine's stomach flutter and her heart soar.  This was a side of him that she had never seen but had once dreamed about in one of her girly fantasies when she used to idolize him."Ready?" Raymond asked and swung the bag over his shoulder.Charmaine nodded her head and followed him to the van where the crew was already shoving their way to cram inside.  The van was one of those 15 passenger ones and should provide ample room for everyone.  However with all their equipment and props, room was barely enough.  Charmaine was soon pressed up against Raymond in the second row.  Throughout the shuffling she accidentally elbowed him in the ribs.  Muttering an apology, she awkwardly sat up straight and shifted herself forward until she was perched on the edge of the seat.Once everyone was seated the van took off.  Joe turned from his passenger seat in the front of the van to ask, "Anyone up for hotpot tonight?  My treat.""I'm in," someone shouted from behind Charmaine, then another and another.  Almost everyone had responded except for her and Raymond."What about you two?" Joe asked, "You know I don’t treat often."Charmaine didn't want to go.  She was looking forward to a nice cool shower and curling up in front of the TV while she pigged out on junk food.  Being out in the sweltering heat all day strained her mentally and physically.  A nice quiet relaxing evening is what she wanted.  Looking apologetically at Joe, she said meekly, "I'm going to pass.  I'm kind of tired," and almost fell off her seat when the van hit a large bump on the road.Luckily Raymond caught her with an arm across her waist.  Easing her back against him, he kept his arm around her and murmured into her ear, "Sit back and relax.  I don't bite.  That is unless you want to."His soft spoken jest caused Charmaine to snap her head around to look at him.  She caught the teasing grin on his face and a wave of heat instantly flooded her.  Quickly averting her face, she concentrated on the road up ahead.  But it was difficult with him holding her so close."Well?" Joe persisted.  This time he aimed the question at Raymond.  "What about you?"Raymond's arm tightened a little on Charmaine's waist as he said to her, "I think we should go.  It's not often that the entire crew gets to have some fun together."Looking at Joe, Charmaine shook her head, "I'm really tired.  You guys go and have fun.""In that case, I'll pass as well," Raymond announced a little too loudly.  "I can't leave you alone in the flat especially since it's located in a very remote area on the outskirt of the city.  I wouldn't want anything to happen to you."Surprised by his thoughtfulness, Charmaine turned to look at him and felt the eyes of everyone in the van watching them with open interest.  They probably think there's something going on between her and Raymond and that they were finding excuses to refuse to be alone.  Embarrassed by the idea and their unwanted attention, she quickly faced the front of the van again.  Looking back at Joe, she said with gusto, "I think hotpot is an excellent idea!"  She heard Raymond chuckle behind her and knew she had played right into his trap."I knew I could change your mind," Raymond cooed softly into her ear.  Lowering his voice even more, he added, "Oh, one more thing, I also plan on changing how you feel about me."Charmaine didn't make any response.  She stared straight ahead as if she hadn't heard him.  But there was no denying the tingling sensations she was feeling by his word or the sudden excitement that made her pulse race.  She better be careful.  If she wasn't, she just might find herself falling for him.------------------------------------------------Kevin closed the file he had spent the past two hours reviewing.  He was beat.  Since his return from Shanghai he found himself immersed with work.  It was a good thing of course.  It doesn't leave him much time to think about Charmaine and miss her.  Glancing at the clock he realized with surprise that it was already 9:30 pm.  Grabbing his jacket and briefcase he left the office.The street was empty save for a few overtime workers like himself.  Kevin wandered the streets looking for an open restaurant or café within the district.  After a few blocks, and with his stomach growling with hunger, he saw a small place that was actually bustling with people and even from the distance he could smell the delicious aroma of the food being served.  He sat down at a table and while he was loosening his tie a waiter came over to take his order.  Skimming the small menu and wanting to order everything, Kevin finally made his selection, "I'll have the garlic fried shrimp and a curry noodle soup."  As the waiter turned to get his order in, Kevin called out, "Can you also get me a bottle of beer?  Thanks."The waiter returned shortly with his beer.  While he was waiting for the rest of his order, a woman came to his table, bumping into him as she took the seat next to him.  Her hair was long and thick with long bangs covering half her face.  Her glasses were the old fashioned type – black plastic frames and too big on her face.  What caught his attention was the ugly mole on her lower cheek.  It was big with a strand of black hair hanging from it.  He didn’t mean to stare but it was not often that you run into a sight like this."What are you looking at?" the woman hissed defensively.Ashamed at being caught staring at her ugliness, Kevin quickly looked away and sipped his beer.  There was a moment of tense silence when suddenly he heard soft giggling from the woman.  Turning to her with surprise he found the woman smiling smartly at him."You don't recognize me?" she asked softly.Kevin took a hard look at her.  If he did know someone who looked like her, the chances of him forgetting that face was next to impossible.  Yet there was a familiarity about her that nagged at him.  Shaking his head slowly, he asked caustiously, "Am I suppose to?"The woman looked around her and making sure that no one was paying any heed to them, she slowly brushed her bangs back and lowered her glasses.  "It's me!" she gushed out and quickly dropped her bangs and glasses back in place.Kevin began to smile as recognition hit him.  Leaning towards her he said quietly, "Is this how you avoid being recognized when you're out?"Myolie giggled again and said, "This disguise works!""And very well too," Kevin agreed.  Changing the subject he asked conversationally, "Are you here by yourself?"Myolie nodded her head.  "I just finished filming and was hungry.  Everyone is too tired to eat so I decided to grab a bite myself.  Here I am!"Kevin looked at her as a sly grin began forming on his face.  "How hungry are you?"Wary of the look on his face, Myolie asked in return, "Why?"Picking up the menu, Kevin waved it in front of her and said, "I want to order a few more dishes but can't finish them alone.  Think you can help me out?"Myolie rolled up her shirt sleeves and with challenging eyes replied, "Bring it on!"---------------------------------------------Charmaine walked into the flat with Raymond following behind.  She was stuffed and could barely walk thanks to the crew forcing food on her.  She had to admit, the food in Shanghai was so much better than in Hong Kong and already she wanted to dine out again.Sensing her happy mood, Raymond asked, "Aren't you glad I made you come out to dinner?""Yes I am," Charmaine answered and turned to face him.  "Although I don't appreciate the way you pressured me into going."Raymond laughed as he walked with her down the hall to their respective rooms.  "If that's the only way to get you to go I don't see a problem with it."Stopping in front of her room Charmaine turned to face him again.  Searching his face she asked tersely, "Do you always have to get what you want?"Raymond planted a hand above her head and leaned down towards her.  With only inches separating their faces, he said quietly, seductively, "Yes, and right now I want you."Charmaine's eyes widen at his admittance.  Shrinking back as far as she can away from him, she stammered nervously, "I-I only think of you as my boss and nothing else!"Raymond was not the least bit deterred by her statement.  Instead he smiled coyly and said, "As I told you before, I plan on changing how you feel about me.  And I'm not going to stop until I do."  He brought his face even closer to hers and chuckled when Charmaine automatically squeezed her eyes tightly shut, her face scrunched up like she ate something sour or have gone bad.  "Goodnight," he whispered then abruptly stood back and walked into his own room.Charmaine heard the click of a door and slowly opened her eyes to find herself alone in the hall.  Her heart was racing and it felt like it was going to burst any second.  What was Raymond Lam doing to her?!  With frustration she hurried into her room locking the door behind her.