Lina bit her lower lips, her eyes drooping. Her anger dissipated as she considered Raymond’s question. Though he sounded playful, she took his question into consideration. She recalled that she had asked him a few days ago at the hospital if his offer to become a real couple was still on the table. Ria’s call had interrupted their conversation, leaving the question unanswered.
As Lina’s gaze fell, Raymond released one of her wrists and gently lifted her chin, trying to see what was going on in her mind, through her eyes.
Their eyes met, and Lina quickly averted her gaze from Raymond, unsure of how to process her emotions. His question had caught her off guard, and she couldn’t shake the feelings that he was right.
Is it true that she had fallen in love with him without her knowing? No, that can’t be possible. I was just worried about him not coming home for the past two days, that’s why I’m here. Lina convinced herself, trying to shake the thought off her head.
“Look at me, Lina.” Raymond uttered, his voice low and gentle. I’m asking you a question.” Raymond stood up, his tall frame towering over her. Their height difference wasn’t that much. Lina’s head was reaching in-between his neck. Lina shut her eyes, not daring to look into Raymond’s eyes. She feared that her defiance would crumble if she stared into his blue eyes.
Seeing that Lina wasn’t planning to look at him, Raymond released her hands, his fingers brushing against her messy hair.
“Does that mean I’m right?” Raymond whispered as his fingers caressed her right cheek, causing Lina’s pulse to quicken. “You have really fallen in love with me and can’t stay a day without me?” Raymond’s voice trembled with excitement, and Lina’s heart skipped a beat.
She couldn’t deny the flutter in her chest at his words. His touch never ceased to make her skin tingle in excitement. She admits she likes Raymond, and she loves the way his skillful fingers and lips always ignite fire in her body, but was she ready to accept all these attractions as a sign that she was in love with him?
“No need to keep fighting it, babe,” Raymond’s voice broke her thoughts. Lina raised her head and stared straight into Raymond’s blue eyes, which were filled with emotions she herself couldn’t define.
“I can see it in your eyes, Lina,” he caressed the soft skin beneath her eyes. “Don’t fight it anymore. Admit it, you are in love with me.” Raymond’s hot breath brushed against her left ear as he whispered his last word.
Lina’s body was already weakened at Raymond’s words. Only his voice alone could make any woman fall in love with him. Who in their right senses could remain immune to the allure of a man whose voice was a masterpiece of seduction.
“Did you like me?” Lina finally opened her mouth, questioning Raymond instead of answering his question. The words tumbled out before she could stop them.
Raymond was taken aback by Lina’s sudden question. His expression changed. “No, I don’t.” Raymond replied, his voice cautious. He doesn’t like Lina. What he felt for her was more than like. He was in love with her.
Lina’s face turned pale, and she felt like she had been punched in the guts. “You jerk, you are asking me if I love you and you don’t even like me?” Her voice trembled with anger and hurt.
Raymond stood there in confusion, not getting why Lina was upset. “Lina, I…”
But Lina did not let him finish. Her eyes were already filled with tears. “Since you don’t like me, and all you know is manipulating me. Can we just end this, and stop hurting each other?” What did she expect from someone like Raymond, who would never make his feelings clear.
He kept on leading her on, making her believe she was special, and he was in love with her. And now? He dare say he doesn’t like her? Lina shut her eyes in pain, trying to stop herself from crying. She would never win a man over with her tears, never!”
“Let’s get a divorce and end all this shit, Raymond. I’m tired!” Lina screams, her tears spilling as she can’t control herself anymore.
Raymond stood there in confusion. Looking at Lina’s tears was like a stab in his chest. He held his chest, trying to soothe the ache he was feeling.
“Lina, you can’t just talk about divorce that way. We are doing fine with our marriage. Why divorce?” Raymond raised an eyebrow, not understanding why Lina’s emotions change like a woman changes clothes.
Lina chuckled between tears. “Are we doing fine? No, Raymond, I don’t think so.” She whispered in a voice only him and her could hear as she shook her head.
“I understand our marriage was contractual in the first place, but I don’t think I can cope in this marriage any longer.” After saying that, Lina turned around, making her way to the door. She can’t bear to stay in the same room with Raymond.
She doesn’t know if she loves him, but she was definitely sure that she likes him. And if this goes on, she would definitely fall in love with him. If the man she loves doesn’t even like her by that time, what would become of her?
As Lina’s hand made contact with the door handle, she was suddenly embraced from behind. She was shocked for a moment, before she started struggling against Raymond. “Let me go, Raymond.”
“No, I won’t.” What a shameless man. He doesn’t even like her, but he wanted to keep her by his side. He should keep dreaming.
“I’m sorry for making you upset, Lina. I didn’t get your question earlier. Now, I finally understand.”
Lina stopped struggling against Raymond, whose chest was pressed against her back. She could feel the warmth seeping from his body. She decided to give him the last chance to explain himself, and if he still doesn’t come up with a satisfactory answer, she would walk out of this marriage, even if it hurt her to do so.
Raymond’s heart went out to her, and he felt a surge of emotions. The past two days he hadn’t seen her was not pleasant. What would happen to him if she walks out of the marriage with his heart already occupied with her. He wouldn’t be able to afford that. As he watched her walk out earlier, he put one or two together in his head. That was when he figured out what Lina was thinking, and why she asked him if he liked her.
“I don’t like you, my stubborn Lina. What I feel for you is much more than that. I think I’m in love with you.” The room went silent at Raymond’s words. Lina, who was facing the door, was frozen in shock. She didn’t expect Raymond to confess his love for her so suddenly. Raymond’s words keep on ringing in her head. He loves me! Lina’s lips spread into the biggest smile she had ever had since her mother’s demise.
She abruptly turned around, took hold of Raymond’s neck tie, and dragged him until he was the same height with her. She crashed her lips with his in a passionate kiss, taking Raymond in surprise.
Raymond’s eyes were wide open as he watched how Lina kissed him with intensity. The space around them grew dim, leaving the two of them lost in their passionate kiss, which ignited a fire that consumed them both.