Chapter 31 (1/1)

With a towel wrapped around her wet hair Charmaine raced out of her room hoping to catch Raymond before he left for work.  She had completely forgotten to remind him to come straight home after his filming today.  Today was a special day for her.  It was her birthday.  She had almost forgotten it herself if it hadn't been for Natalie calling her yesterday afternoon to wish her an early happy birthday.  Natalie had insisted on celebrating with her but Charmaine gently turned her down asking for a rain check.  Charmaine wanted to celebrate this special occasion with Raymond being that this was her first birthday with him.  Last night in bed, she waited up for Raymond to return.  Only when he did, he was too tired to talk and went straight to sleep.  Not that she blamed him.  He was working fourteen to sixteen hours a day.  Each time she asked him to take it easy he would simply smile and say, "It'll be all worth it in the future."  She just gave up on the subject and instead supported him the only way she knew how: by taking care of all his needs at home.  It has now been more than three months since she moved in with him.  Although she slept in his bed every night, Raymond also gave her a separate bedroom that was further down the hall.  He explained that Jazz enters his bedroom frequently and if he saw female things lying around it would only arouse his curiosity.  Raymond didn't want to take the chance of her being discovered.  Charmaine as usual accepted it with no complaint.  Being with him was all that mattered and she never regretted her decision.Charmaine dashed into Raymond's room as he was coming out and collided with him.Catching Charmaine before she fell, Raymond asked, "What's the hurry?""Tonight," Charmaine gasped, "Can you come home a little earlier to have dinner with me?""Tonight?" Raymond asked as he frowned.  "I can't.  I have to finish some scenes for the series and then after that I have to make an appearance at a pub that's holding its grand opening tonight.  The owner is a good friend of mine's."Charmaine's face fell.  "How late will you be?" she asked with disappointment.Raymond tried to keep his face straight but soon burst into giggles.  Grabbing her shoulders he pulled her close and murmured, "Happy Birthday.  I've already requested the night off from work and plan on coming home early to celebrate with you."Charmaine saw the gleam in his eyes and poked him in the chest, "You!  Why do you always have to kid around like this?"Pinching her nose, Raymond said, "Because I love to see the expression on your face when you're mad.  You look absolutely adorable did you know that?"Ignoring his teasing remarks, Charmaine asked, "What time will you be back then?""I only have two scenes for late afternoon.  It shouldn't take long but I do have to make an appearance at my friend's pub.  In fact, the entire production crew is going.  Sammul Chan, the owner who is also my friend, wants to have a picture of me at the pub to put on the wall.  He said it's good for publicity."Knowing fully well how these types of events can drag well into the evening and some times even into the early morning hours, Charmaine asked hopefully, "Can't you do it tomorrow night?"Raymond wished he could but he made the promise to Sammul a while back.  Most important, the entire crew was going straight after his scenes.  If he backed out now then there'll be questions flying around on why he wasn't coming along with them.  "I'm sorry Charmaine but I agreed to it before realizing it was the day of your birthday.  I promise I'll be back by 10:00 pm the latest.  I'm just going to go, have a drink and then leave.""I doubt you can leave just like that," Charmaine responded gruffly.  "I used to assist you and know how these events can turn out.""Listen, it won't.  I promise.  After all, today is the first time I'm celebrating your birthday with you.  It's an important occasion to me too."The tender way in which Raymond was looking at her melted some of Charmaine's resolve.  "Alright.  I guess I'll have to take whatever you can give me."Raymond didn't like the way she phrased that and it made him feel like a jerk who was handing out to her bits and pieces of his free time.  He knew he hadn't been spending much time with her lately but he was filming series after series.  His schedule was packed to the max and he even wondered how he managed to get up every morning to begin the routine again.  What he wanted most right now was to take Charmaine on a long vacation, away from work, away from other people.  Just the two of them on an island with no one to bother them.  Sadly, that vacation will not be any time soon.  He'll be lucky if he can even get half a day off.  Looking grimly at her, he said, "Charmaine, please don't say it like that.  You should know by now I would rather spend all my time with you than anything else.  Haven't I proved myself to you by now?"Charmaine thought about the past three months and all that they have shared.  Besides going to work, Raymond was constantly at home.  Even when he worked late into the wee hours at night, he would call her frequently just to chat and tell her how much he missed her.  "You have," she said softly.  "I'm sorry Ray for making a big deal out of this.""Don't be.  I'm the one who should be saying sorry."  Raymond glanced at the clock on his nightstand and gushed, "I have to go now.  Jazz is waiting for me downstairs.  I'll be home by 10:00 pm tonight."Charmaine nodded but it was evident on her face that she was still unhappy of not having more time with him, especially since it was her birthday.  Mustering a smile for his benefit, she said, "Okay.  I'll see you tonight."Raymond took a step but turned back around to haul her into his arms.  He knew she was disappointment in him and it gnawed at him.  He would have to make it up to her.  "Happy Birthday," he said softly before giving her a tender kiss.  "We'll continue our celebration tonight," he promised.  With a wink and a grin he left.------------------------------------------------------Raymond arrived at the pub and glanced at his watch.  It was a quarter to eight, plenty of time for him to congratulate Sammul, have a drink or two and then hurry home to Charmaine.  He patted the pocket of his jacket where a small jewelry box laid within.  It was his present to Charmaine.  Thinking about her and how happy he's been with her brought a smile to his face.  He's never been happier.  Not even when he won the Best Male Lead Actor Award last year."Ray!" Sammul called from the entrance.  "Why are you standing out there?  Come in!  Come in!""Hey Sam!" Raymond greeted in return as he followed Sammul into the dimly lit pub.  Checking out the décor, he said, "Nice place."Sammul led him over to a corner where a woman with a camera around her neck immediately stood up when they approached.  "Take a picture of us," Sammul directed and the woman quickly began snapping shots.  After at least a dozen or so pictures later, Sammul finally pulled Raymond away.  "I need to save some film for my other famous guests," he joked.  "Where's the rest of the gang?"A waiter came forward and held out a tray with glasses of champagne on it.  Sammul plucked out two and handed one to Raymond.  After a sip, Raymond said, "Joe went to buy some cigarettes and the others have some errands to run before coming over.""I can't wait to see everyone," Sammul said with excitement."Raymond Lam?" a female called out from a distance.Raymond turned towards the voice and recognized Kate Tsui.  She was one of the newer actresses who were lined up for heavy promotion in the upcoming year.  They shared a scene once in one of his older series and since then never crossed paths again.  "Hi Kate," he greeted with a small smile.Kate sauntered up to him, her eyes checking him out and admiring what she saw.  "I'm glad you remembered my name," she purred silkily.Raymond shifted uncomfortably when Kate practically leaned against him.  "I'm good with names."Suddenly Kate clutched his arm, "I'm so glad you're here.  I need some advice about my career and who better to ask then someone who is already at the top."Raymond tried to remove her hands from his arm but they wouldn't budge.  Smiling apologetically at her, he said, "I doubt I can offer any solid advice.  All I can say is work hard and do the best you can do.""Come on Raymond," Kate whined while she continued to press her body up against his.  "You should help out your juniors.  Teach me a few things… please."Sammul who was watching their exchange suddenly gestured towards one of the private rooms towards the back of the pub.  "Why don't you guys have your discussion in there?  People are starting to arrive in herds and I don’t need you guys drawing attention away from my grand opening," he joked.  Deep down he knew what these two were getting at.  Kate was well known for being promiscuous and Raymond was just as bad.  Even though he noted Raymond's slight reluctance Sammul would bet anything he was only playing hard to get with Kate.  Sigh.  He wished he had a way with women the way Raymond did."Thanks Sammul!" Kate quickly tightened her hold on Raymond and practically dragged him into one of the private room.Once inside, Raymond roughly pushed her hands away and asked with disinterest, "So what is it that you want me to teach?"Ignoring his bored expression, Kate sidled up close to him.  Draping an arm across his shoulders, she leaned up to whisper in his ear, "Let's drop the pretenses now shall we?"  She blew into his ear and felt him stiffen but he didn't push her away which was a good sign.  "I want you Raymond Lam," she murmured in a soft purr, "And I bet you want me too.""No I don't," Raymond responded coolly but remained in place while Kate ran her hands caressingly up and down his chest and his back.  Feeling his blood stir by her advances, Raymond can't seem to make himself push her away or leave."Yes you do," Kate informed him as her lips descended from his ear to his firmly closed mouth.Raymond opened his mouth slightly to receive Kate's kiss and a vision of Charmaine popped in his head.  Charmaine!  What was he doing?  What was wrong with him?  He can't betray Charmaine!  He can't!Kate felt Raymond drawing back and with an iron grip held tightly onto him as her lips continue to assault his.