Chapter 51 (1/1)

"I'm scared," Myolie said, and her face showed the extent of her fear.Charmaine wrapped her arms around Myolie's shoulders and soothed, "Don't be.  We're all here for you.  Just answer the questions the lawyer ask and you'll be fine.""What if the jury doesn't believe me?" Myolie countered nervously.  "What if they think I'm lying?""You're not lying," Kevin affirmed and took her hands in his.  "Be strong.  You can do it."Myolie stared at Kevin and what she saw on his face banished the last traces of fear in her.  Giving him an encouraging smile she said softly, "I can do it.  I won't let him get away with what he did to me."Kevin nodded his head with approval.  "Now that's the Myolie I fell in love with."  Guiding her towards a bench off to the side, he gently helped her down on it.  "We still have some time before they call you in.  I saw a vending machine in the hall when we were coming in.  I'm going to get you a cup of hot tea."Myolie smiled lovingly at Kevin and watched as he walked away.  Wringing her hands together nervously, she looked up at Charmaine, "Thanks for staying with me these couple of weeks.  You don’t know how much having you around means to me.""You and Kevin are both my closest friends, so no need to thank me," Charmaine said with a warm smile and sat down on the bench beside her.  "I want to support you in any way I can.  That’s what friends are for.""Thanks," Myolie whispered with gratitude.  After a pause she asked, "How are you and Raymond doing?”Giving Myolie a dim smile, Charmaine said, “I don’t know.”Intrigued by Charmaine’s vague response and yet seeing the sadness on her face, Myolie asked curiously, “When was the last time you saw or spoke to him?"Charmaine shrugged and asked in return, “Does it matter?”“Did you even speak to him at all since that night when he came with you to Kevin’s apartment?”"No," Charmaine replied immediately and looked away from Myolie's probing gaze.  In fact, she hadn't heard from him since that night.  Perhaps he was keeping a low profile due to that night and wanted to avoid any gossips or rumors that may affect his chances of winning the Hong Kong best actor award, which was only a few nights away.  It didn't help matters when her very own picture was splashed on the front page of a magazine that very same week.  And under her picture was the caption, "Raymond Lam's Hidden Girlfriend."  When she first saw the article she was raging with fury.  The paparazzi had concocted a steamy story that was so far from the truth that it made Charmaine cringe on how Raymond's reaction would be to it.  She knew how important the Hong Kong best actor award was to him and this negative publicity may affect his chances of winning.  On several occasions, she had wanted to call him, to explain that she had nothing to do with the articles, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.  Call it pride or even cowardice on her part.  She had also hoped that he would call her instead.  But she hadn't heard a single word from him.  As each day passed without word from him, it reinforces her belief that he didn’t want any more to do with her.  Didn’t he give that indication when they last saw each other?"I really have to thank him you know," Myolie said softly, interrupting Charmaine’s reign of thoughts.Charmaine's response was a weak smile."If he didn't turn that video over to the police they wouldn't have enough evidence to press charges against Ron Ng," Myolie said while her gaze searched Charmaine's non-responsive one.  "I know many people see him as some sort of cold, uncaring, mean, and even intimidating person but deep down he's really a nice caring person."Charmaine finally turned to look at Myolie and said, "If you don't mind, I rather not talk about him.  He and I are over.  We don't belong together."With disbelief, Myolie studied Charmaine’s face and then said solemnly, "I don't understand why you feel that way.  To me, I think the two of you are perfect for each other.”Sighing heavily, Charmaine looked into the far distance and said with regret, "Maybe if he wasn't someone famous we would be happy together.""Have you ever told him how you feel?""How can I possibly ask him to give up his dream for me?" Charmaine rebuked testily and instantly softened her tone.  “I’m sorry Myolie for acting out on you.  Raymond is a very sore subject for me and as much as I love and want to be with him, we’re just not meant to be together.”Myolie nodded with understanding but when she spoke it was full of wisdom and experience.  "I believe if you truly love someone you should be open and honest with that person.  Otherwise, you'll never know fully how that person feels.  I remembered when I first started dating Kevin it took us some twists and turns before finally realizing that honesty is indeed the best policy.  You see, he didn't like sneaking around or having me going around in disguise for fear of being photographed.  He never told me how he felt but I knew of course, because I didn't like all the sneaking around myself.  One time I asked him to tell me the truth, did he mind having an underground relationship.  He answered me right away.  But I caught him by surprise by telling him that I have already terminated my contract with TTT Network.  He was furious at me and more so at himself, believing that I did it for him.  But I did it for us because I know in my heart, nothing is more important than being with him."Charmaine was in awe by what Myolie was telling her.  "So you didn't mind giving up your fame and fortune for him?"Myolie smiled tenderly and said wistfully, "What I gave up doesn't even compare to what I gained in return.  That's a life with the man I love.""That is you.  Raymond is different.  He has dreams and his dreams are most important to him.""Is that what he told you or are you assuming?" Myolie challenged.Before Charmaine had a chance to respond, Kevin was already upon them.  He handed Charmaine a cup, “I got you a cup of coffee.”  Turning to Myolie he gently placed a cup of tea in her hands.  “It’s still very hot so sip it slowly.”“Thank you,” Myolie whispered lovingly as Kevin gently stroked her cheek.Charmaine looked between Myolie and Kevin and there was no denying the strong bond of love between them.  How she wished to have this very same kind of unconditional love with Raymond.  Blinking back the sudden moisture in her eyes she quickly bent her head and sipped her coffee.-----------------------------------Raymond stood in front of a full length mirror while he adjusted his bowtie.  The awards ceremony was fast approaching and as usual tons of designer shops were eager to sponsor his attire for the evening.  He had tried on tuxedos after tuxedos for the past several days and finally decided on a charcoal gray silk suit that had real diamond studs on the buttons.  The entire outfit was completed by a matching gray silk bowtie with tiny diamonds lining its shape.  What made the tux even more perfect and eye catching was his initials stitched with diamonds on the lapels of the jacket.  It provided a bright glittering contrast to the darkness of the tux.“You look soave as usual,” Jazz piped in with an appreciative smile from the side.Raymond turned slightly to look at Jazz and said, “I like it myself so I’m going to stick with this one.”Jazz nodded in agreement and quickly came forward to help Raymond undress.  He carefully removed the jacket and returned it back to its padded hanger.  “I’ll let the manager at Armani know we’re keeping it.”“Thanks,” Raymond replied and began unbuttoning his shirt.  Halfway down, he paused to look at Jazz, “Did you hear anything about Myolie’s hearing?”Jazz slipped the shirt off Raymond’s back and said, “I know she’s testifying in court today.  So whether Ron Ng is acquitted or not depends on today.”Raymond walked stealthy over to his bed where he picked up a tee and threw it on.  After pulling on a pair of sweats he said matter of factly, “I guess we won’t know the verdict until tomorrow.”Following Raymond out the bedroom and into the living room, Jazz said diplomatically, “That is if the jury votes in one favor.  If there’s a tie, it may be days before a verdict is read.”“True,” Raymond remarked and stretched himself out on the couch.  “What’s my schedule like tomorrow?”Jazz picked up the clipboard on the coffee table and quickly scanned down it.  “As far as I know nothing heavy is taking place.  Management wants you well rested for the awards ceremony.”  Sitting down beside Raymond, Jazz went on enthusiastically, “I really think you’re going to win this year.  I can feel it.”Raymond merely gave Jazz a faint smile in return, feeling none of the enthusiasm that was apparent on Jazz’s face.  What usually brought him excitement during this time didn’t seem to hold that effect on him any more.  All he could think of was Charmaine and wondered how she was coping with Myolie’s hearing.  He knew she would be present for each day of the hearing.  Therefore it meant confronting Ron Ng.  Although Charmaine had never told him so but Raymond knew that the incident with Ron Ng would not be easily forgotten or erased from her memory.  He felt like a jerk for not being there for her now but how could he be supportive when just being around him brings trouble to her.  He didn’t even know how the paparazzi had gotten hold of her name or who she was to him.  When he saw her picture that morning on the front page of a tabloid magazine he was fuming mad.  After reading the article and seeing the pictures of her trying to escape the reporters, he went from fuming mad to boiling rage.  Why did they have to disrupt her life too?  Isn’t it bad enough that he himself can’t even go out in public without being chased and photographed?  This was exactly the kind of things he didn’t want on her.  He knows how much Charmaine valued privacy and simplicity.  Having him in her life was anything but that.  And regardless of how much he loves and wanted to be with her, he wasn’t selfish enough to ruin her life.  Instead, he chose to leave her because like what Kevin said, Charmaine deserved better than what he was able to give.“Raymond?” Jazz repeated his name.Snapping his attention back to Jazz, Raymond mumbled, “What?”“Do you have an acceptance speech ready for that night?”The question didn’t surprise Raymond.  It was an open secret as far as he knows that the Best Actor award was his.  They just have to play out the formalities for the audiences and the press.  It was kind of like acting out a role in a movie or TV series.  Leaning his head back on the back of the sofa, Raymond shook his head.  “Can you write one up for me?”“Sure thing!” Jazz answered with anticipation.  He grabbed a writing tablet from a table and began jotting on it.Raymond walked over to the window.  He looked out into the blue afternoon sky.  The sky seemed unusually blue today and it gave him a peaceful feeling that he haven’t felt in a long long time.  As he opened the patio door to step out onto the balcony, thoughts of Charmaine paraded through his mind and he wondered did she miss him as much as he did her.