Chapter 47 (1/1)

Charmaine had just arrived home when her cell phone started ringing.  She was too exhausted to answer it and whoever it was could leave a message.  Ignoring it she made her way into the bathroom.  What she needed right now was a long hot shower to relax her tensed muscles.  Since learning that there wasn't much to do on their part to put Ron Ng behind bars, Charmaine's mood had been low.  She was restless and ready to explode.  She couldn’t understand how someone like Ron Ng could get away with all that he's done.  Can money really overcome justice?  She didn't think it did.  At least not when she first studied law and decided to become a lawyer.  However, working in Wayne's law firm for the past two years had told her otherwise.She stood under the steaming hot water for a long time, letting it pound on her aching tensed flesh.  It was when her fingers began to wrinkle did she decide she had enough.  Stepping out of the shower she heard the soft ringing of her cell phone again.  Undaunted by it, she slowly slipped into her silk robe and tied it securely around her waist before emerging from the steamy bathroom.  A blast of cool air hit her instantly and she shivered slightly despite the heat that was still emanating from her body from the hot shower.  The ringing of her cell phone continued.  Frowning at the urgency of the caller, she opened her bag and looked at the caller id.  It was Jazz.  "Hi Jazz," she greeted, mustering as much enthusiasm as she could in spite of her sour mood.Jazz's greeting in return was just as upbeat as hers, "Yo Charmaine, you home now?"Charmaine smiled at his cheery tone.  Jazz always had a way of lifting her spirits.  "Yes.  Why do you ask?  Are you looking for some company?""Only if you are," Jazz joked.Charmaine thought back to all that has happened recently and a nice, fun-filled, relaxing evening with Jazz may be just what she needed.  "I am," she said softly.  "So you're welcome to come and keep me company.  However, dinner will only be take-out.""Are you sure?" Jazz asked meekly.  "I mean I don't want to barge in on you if you have stuff to do or not in the mood for company.""Jazz!" Charmaine exclaimed in an exasperated tone.  "I've already said I could use some company.""That's great!"  Jazz responded instantly.  "Will be there in a minute.  Bye.""Huh?  A minute?" Charmaine sputtered into the phone and then she heard the steady dial tone, signaling that Jazz had already hung up.  Before she could ponder about the speed in which Jazz would get here, her doorbell buzzed.  "True to his word," Charmaine muttered under her breath and swung the door open.  To her surprise, it wasn't Jazz that stood in front of her, it was Raymond.  Frozen in place, she asked warily, "What are you doing here?"Raymond gave her a cheeky grin as he held up two large paper bags.  "Jazz told me that you wanted some company, so here I am.  I hope you're in the mood for sushi."Still barring him from entering her apartment, Charmaine narrowed her eyes at him and said accusingly, "You and Jazz planned this."Raymond saw the hard set of her face and answered truthfully, "Yes.  I told him to call you because I wanted to see you."Charmaine had expected Raymond to make some lame excuse but now confronted with his honesty she didn't know how to respond nor was she able to control the familiar fluttering in her heart whenever she laid eyes on him.Seeing the softening of her features, Raymond took a step forward and asked softly, "May I come in?  I bought a lot of food and could use some help eating it."Charmaine found herself moving aside to let Raymond in.  She caught the smug smile on his face when he breezed past her and it enraged her to the point where she was about to demand that he leave.  But then when he turned back to look at her, the tender smile on his handsome face banished the thought."Where should we eat?" Raymond asked as his eyes wandered around the tidy apartment."It doesn't matter," Charmaine answered tonelessly and watched as Raymond set the food down onto the coffee table in the living room.  She didn't know why she allowed him in.  What was wrong with her?  Hasn't she suffered enough because of him?After setting the food on the table, Raymond looked over at her, "I just bought this new movie and thought we could watch it while we ate.  It's a light comedy," he added in case she wanted to know.Charmaine didn't make a reply.  She merely stood there looking at him as if unsure of what to do.If Raymond was aware of her dilemma he didn't show it.  He plopped himself down on the thick rug next to the coffee table and returned her look.  "Do you plan on giving me a treat by eating in that flimsy robe of yours or are you going to put on some real clothes?" he teased and almost chuckled when he caught the flare of annoyance on her face just before she clutched the lapels of her robe together."You!" Charmaine gasped angrily.Before she could say another word, Raymond jumped to his feet and stood directly in front of her.  He touched the side of her face gently and said softly, "I didn’t mean it to be an insult and if you took it that way then I'm sorry.  I really am."Brushing his fingers away, Charmaine took a step back away from him.  Without looking at him, she muttered, "I'll be right back," then hurried into her room to collect herself.  What was Raymond doing to her?  Just a small touch from him and her heart soars while her breathing escalates.  Why?  Why does he still have this affect on her?  Why does she still love him?  Why?!  Why?!  Why?!  Inside her room, she could hear Raymond outside bustling around in her living room.  Seconds later she heard sounds from the television.  He was really making himself at home, she thought with grudging resentment.  When at last she was changed into something more appropriate and concealing, she felt more in control of her emotions.  Walking out of her room, she encountered darkness.  What the…. Her eyes caught the flickering of the television screen and walked towards it only to be stunned by what she was seeing.  In the short time it took her to change, Raymond had somehow magically transformed her living room into a room right out of some movie scene.  He had moved the coffee table to the side and propped pillows in front of the television.  Flames from dozens of candles gave the room a warm, romantic glow.  "What's all this?" Charmaine asked in a strangled voice, knowing all too well that under these circumstances there was no way she would be able to resist him anymore.Raymond grabbed her hand and bit back a winning smile when she didn't pull away.  He led her to in front of the pillows and gently prodded her to sit down.  When she did he walked away only to return seconds later with a plate of sushi.  "For tonight, I'm going to be your servant.  Just tell me what you need and I'll get it."Charmaine didn't accept the plate from him.  She merely sat there staring up at him in stunned silence."Do you want something to drink?  I'll get it," Raymond offered and was about to turn when Charmaine's hand stopped him.Squeezing his arm, Charmaine looked imploringly at him and asked in a ragged whisper, "Why are you doing this to me?  Why are you acting like this?"Raymond set the plate he was holding onto the floor and knelt down beside her.  "Isn't it obvious?" he asked quietly.Charmaine shook her head as she released her hold on him.  Looking away, she said numbly, "With you I never know.  One minute you claim you love me and the next I find you kissing another woman."The deliberate reminder made Raymond regretful of what he had done in the past.  Because of his stupidity and carelessness, he hurt the one person who ever really mattered to him.  "Charmaine," he said her name with remorse, "Can you please forgive me and give me another chance?"Charmaine didn't know what to do.  She wanted so much to say yes and for them to resume what they once shared.  Yet, she was afraid, afraid of getting hurt by him again.  She knew she won't survive if he ever cheated on her again.Raymond saw the conflicting emotions on her face and slowly lifted his hands to her shoulders where he held on tightly.  "I know it's going to take time for you to trust me again but I'll prove it to you.  Just give me one chance and I'll prove with my actions that I truly love you and won't ever hurt you again."Charmaine stared at him, trying to gauge whether to believe him or not, to take that first step in trusting him again.  That one step would either make all her dreams come true and make her the happiest woman alive or destroy her completely."Will you please forgive me?" Raymond asked again, his voice had dropped to a low murmur.  "Please."The sudden ringing of her cell phone saved Charmaine from giving her answer.  She was glad for the interruption because she wasn't ready to answer him yet.  "Excuse me," she said lowly and removed herself from his hold to hurry over to her cell phone.  It was Kevin.  Turning away from Raymond she answered the call, "Hi Kevin!"Kevin's voice was urgent when he said, "Charmaine, I know it's kinda late but I was wondering if you could come over and spend some time with Myolie.  She really needs someone to talk to right now."Charmaine detected something was wrong right away and didn't question further.  "I'll be right over," she said and quickly hung up.  She felt Raymond behind her and tensed knowing that he would try to persuade her to stay and continue their conversation.Instead he said softly, "I'll drive you over there.""Thanks," Charmaine replied just as softly.  When Raymond took her hand and led her out of the apartment, she didn't resist.  In fact, it felt natural and comforting.  While they were waiting for the elevator she felt his hand tighten gently over hers and out of reflex she squeezed his hand in return.-------------------------------------------------------Ron trotted down the stairs whistling a happy tune.  He was meeting some friends at a new bar for another night of heavy drinking.  Hopefully this new place will offer more pretty babes than the one they went to last night.  He slowed his steps when he heard his father speaking to an unfamiliar voice in the foyer.  Turning around the corner, he stopped when he saw the group of men crowded at the entrance.  From the official badges clipped to their jackets to their stoic expressions, Ron knew they were police officers.  "What's going on Dad?" he asked curiously.Damien gave him a reprimanding look and seethed, "They've come to arrest you."Shocked and agitated by the news, Ron demanded loudly, "For what?"The man in the middle of the group took a step forward and said, "For the rape of Myolie Wu."