Chapter 44 (1/1)

Wayne folded the mask and tucked it into the pocket of his jacket.  He didn't know why but finding this and to be dropped by a man bearing a striking resemblance to Ron Ng was all too fishy.  He may be overreacting but just as well, it won't hurt to hold onto the mask for a few days.  He always trusted his intuition and more often than not, it was usually on target.  This was no exception.  He returned to his car and drove up the block to stop directly in front of Charmaine's building.  As he was locking the door he heard voices speaking and looked up.  To his utter surprise, it was Charmaine and standing beside her, with his arm around her shoulders in a possessive and yet endearing way, was Raymond Lam.Charmaine halted in mid step when she Wayne.  "Wayne?  What are you doing back here?"Wayne focused his gaze on Charmaine and walked towards her.  "I didn't get a call from you and got worried so I came back to make sure you're alright."  He then saw the bruises along her jaw and narrowed his eyes at Raymond, "What happened?"Charmaine saw the menacing stare of Wayne aimed at Raymond and quickly interceded, "I was attacked before.  Luckily Raymond arrived otherwise I could have been dead."Wayne's eyes flew back to her face and ignoring Raymond he gripped Charmaine's arms and asked frantically, "Are you alright?  What exactly happened?""I'm fine," Charmaine said soothingly.  "I'm more frightened about what to come than the incident itself."Puzzled, Wayne asked, "Why do you say that?"It was Raymond who spoke.  "Her attacker was Ron Ng.""What?" Wayne gasped.  He then remembered seeing a man looking like Ron Ng running down the block and into an alley.  With his eyes looking at Charmaine, he moved his hand to pull out the mask from his pocket.  "I found this in front of the alley down the block."Charmaine shuddered upon seeing it and without knowing flinched as if the mask itself was some sort of deadly weapon.  Seeing the revulsion on Charmaine's face, Raymond placed a comforting arm around her and said with conviction, "He won't be able to hurt you again.  I won't let him," he added the last in a promising whisper.Charmaine turned to look at Raymond and as their eyes met and held, she was reminded of the happier times they shared.  Most notably the time when she got sick and he took such great care of her.  Believing in him, she slowly nodded her head and said, "I know."Wayne sensed a bonding between the two that made him exceedingly uncomfortable.  "I wasn't aware that the two of you were such close friends," he remarked hesitantly.Before Charmaine could say a word, Raymond opened his mouth, "Charmaine was my personal assistant two years ago.  That's how we know each other."Wayne's initial shock of learning that quickly vanished.  With a look of scrutiny towards Charmaine, he asked, "How come you never told me this?"Shrugging helplessly under Wayne's accusatory tone, Charmaine said, "I didn't think it would matter to anyone and it shouldn't."Wayne stood silent as he contemplated her words.  It was true.  It didn't matter one way or another that she had once worked for Raymond Lam.  Yet, he can't help but feel there were more to their relationship than simply employer and employee.  Dropping the subject, he asked, "Where are you guys heading to?""The police station.  She has to report it," Raymond said taking her arm and turning her towards his parked car."Wait."  Wayne stopped them before they could go any further.  Looking at Charmaine, he said, "Why don't I take you there?  I'm sure Mr. Lam has other things to tend to."Facing Wayne, Raymond said coolly, "I don't.  Besides I'm also a witness because I recognized his voice.  And I'm certain Charmaine would feel better if I accompany her."Wayne looked over at Charmaine and waited for her to refuse Raymond's offer and ride with him.  Instead she looked at him with an apologetic expression that confirmed his suspicion that she and Raymond had a relationship that was anything but ordinary.  Then to his surprise, she turned that expression on Raymond.Charmaine gently removed Raymond's hand from her.  "I better go with Wayne.  The moment you step into the police station word will start flying about your presence there.""So?" Raymond asked with bafflement."Think of all the bad publicity.  I know you're up for the Hong Kong Best Actor award and if we went to the police station together it's bound to create all sorts of unnecessary rumors."Without budging, Raymond retorted, "I'm not afraid.  Are you?"Charmaine was.  Not for herself but for him.  She knows how important his career was to him.  She also knows that winning this award was his life time goal and she never want to take that dream away from him.  Looking away from him, she said with finality, "I'm going with Wayne.  See you at the police station."Raymond watched with irritation as Charmaine climbed into Wayne's car.  What was wrong with her?  Minutes ago she had cried in his arm and he thought there was a chance for them to be together again.  All of a sudden she wanted to draw a clear line between them.  Never had Raymond felt this confused and lost and all over a woman.  But Charmaine wasn't just any woman, she was the woman he loved.  Stalking towards his car, he had no choice but to follow them.----------------------------------------------Myolie switched of all the lights and took a final look around the salon to be sure everything was off.  Satisfied that it was, she grabbed her purse and walked out of the store.  She glanced up and down the empty street for a sign of Kevin.  He was nowhere to be seen.  Glancing quickly at her watch, she vowed to give him a lengthy lecture about the importance of being on time.  While she waited for him, she might as well start locking up.  Usually, he does it but since he's late, she didn't want to waste any more time waiting for him to do it.  After she was done, her impatience grew to annoyance.  Where was he?  Glancing at her watch again, she noted that he was now more than fifteen minutes late.  With angry movements she pulled her cell phone out of her bag and punched furiously with her finger until she got his number up.  It rang and rang and finally went into his voicemail.  "Where are you?  I'm not waiting any more."  Done with her short and curt message, she headed up the street.  In her haste she didn't see the lone man with his head bent low walking steadfastly in her direction.  They collided with him hitting against the metal rails on the curb of the street and bouncing backwards with a thud.  "Sorry," Myolie quickly went to his aid.Ron was about to curse the hell out of her when he recognized her face.  "Aren't you Myolie Wu?"Myolie smiled shyly and helped him to his feet.Ron continued to stare at her.  "I loved watching you on TV.  It's a pity you no longer act.  None of the current leading ladies can compete with you.""I think they're better than me," Myolie said softly and she meant it.  She knew her acting was only mediocre.  The only reason she was so popular at that time was because of her male co-stars and the endless rumors that surrounded her.  Rumors created news and news are free publicity for any celebrity, whether it was good or bad news.Ron shook his head, "No!  You're so much better."  He suddenly snatched her arm and asked roughly, "Why did you retire?"Panic filled Myolie feeling the way the man's fingers were pressing firmly into her arm.  She gently tried to tug her arm free but he only tightened it.  "I-I have to go.""Not yet," Ron whispered.  He glanced quickly around him and seeing no one in sight, he brought his hand down hard on the back of her neck.  Myolie instantly lost consciousness.-----------------------------------------------------Kevin helped the elderly lady into the ambulance.  "You'll be fine.  The doctors at the hospital will take care of you."The old lady smiled gratefully at him and murmured, "Thank you young man."Kevin smiled in returned and jumped off the van.  He glanced at his watch and noticed the late time.  Oh boy!  Myolie would be pissed off at him.  He dashed towards his car and jumped in.  Pressing down on the gas pedal he smiled happily at no one in particular.  He felt good.  In fact, he felt wonderful after doing such a good deed.  He was on his way to his car when a young punk ran past him, nearly knocking him down.  Seconds later, he saw an old woman hobbling out of nowhere with tears in her eyes and a noticeable bruise on her face.  Putting one and one together, Kevin chased after the young punk and soon realized that the young punk had just robbed the old lady.  Not only that, he also threw a few punches at the old lady when the old lady refused to hand over her purse.  Kevin was sure once he explained this to Myolie she would forgive him and probably reward him for being such a good Samaritan.At a light, he took out his cell phone and was met by a black screen.  Damn, he forgot to charge his phone.  Flooring the gas pedal now, he raced towards Myolie's spa.