Raymond stood behind her, a slight smile playing on his lips, as if he was witnessing the most unforgettable moment of his life. Though it lasted only a few seconds, he savored every bit of it.
Melinda stood in front of him, feeling so embarrassed she wanted to run away.
Dinner left Melinda's cheeks burning. Every time Raymond looked her way, she felt a jolt of electricity run through her body.
After dinner, Raymond offered to take Sam for a walk.
Melinda chose to stay home and clean the kitchen. Later, she lay on the couch, playing on her phone. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, she could see the autumn wind sweeping away the fallen leaves.
An hour passed without her noticing.
It was already nine o'clock, and they still hadn't returned.
Melinda yawned, and finally, she heard the door. She knew Raymond and Sam were back.
She got up and hurried to the door, meeting Raymond's gaze. Sam was asleep on his shoulder, snoring softly, wrapped in Raymond's jacket.
"How did he fall asleep?" Melinda asked softly, taking the child from him.
"He got tired while we were walking," Raymond explained, his eyes full of affection.
They went upstairs together. Raymond, like a father, gently laid Sam on the bed, carefully removing his jacket and shoes, and tucking him in.
He stroked Sam's forehead and kissed his cheek before standing up.
Melinda stood at the door, watching, her heart rippling with emotion.
Raymond's affection for Sam was genuine and unreserved.
Watching their interaction, a startling thought crossed her mind: Could he really care about being a father to a child who isn't his? The thought grew wildly, like weeds.
In that moment, she saw a fleeting tenderness in Raymond's eyes.
Her heart began to race. She felt like she was standing on the edge of a cliff, one step away from embracing happiness.
But she was afraid it was all in her head, afraid that voicing it would shatter the delicate balance they had.
She desperately wanted to ask Raymond, "Do you really not mind me and my child?" She hoped for a positive answer.
But she didn't have the courage to ask.
She buried her hopes deep in her heart, waiting for the right day.
Raymond noticed her furrowed brow and seemed to sense her thoughts. He walked over, wrapped an arm around her waist, and gently closed the door.
Melinda's heart skipped a beat. She stepped back in a panic, trying to push him away.
But Raymond leaned in closer, his deep eyes revealing a hint of mischief.
"Raymond, don't," Melinda said, looking up at him calmly. "I need to talk to you."
Raymond seemed to know what she was going to say. He pointed towards the guest room upstairs. "Let's talk there."
Melinda followed him to the guest room and sat on the couch.
She took a deep breath and said seriously, "Thank you for taking care of Sam and me, but I can't keep imposing on you. I think..."
"I like you," Raymond interrupted, looking at her with determination.
Melinda was taken aback. She hadn't expected him to say that. She blinked. "Can you not interrupt me?"
Raymond chuckled, leaning in slightly. "Melinda, name your price to stay."
Melinda laughed but quickly composed herself. "Raymond, I'm serious."
Raymond didn't back down. He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "So am I."
Melinda's heart raced. She felt like Raymond had her completely under his spell.
She knew this conversation had taken a different turn.
But she also realized she couldn't resist Raymond's charm.
"Unless you promise to keep cooking for me, I don't want to hear anything else," Raymond teased, playing the rogue, knowing he couldn't stop her if she decided to leave.
Melinda remained firm. "Anyway, I've said my piece."
"How do you plan to thank me?" Raymond interrupted, his gaze intense.
"What do you want?" Melinda was momentarily speechless. How rude! She glared at him.
Raymond smiled, his eyes deep as the ocean. "You know what I want."
"I don't know!" Melinda feigned ignorance. She wouldn't easily agree to his demands.
Raymond sighed softly, a hint of frustration in his voice. "It seems you're just saying it. You don't really mean it."
"I do mean it!" Melinda quickly defended herself.
"Then tell me, what do I want?" Raymond threw the question back at her.
Melinda was silent for a moment, knowing she couldn't avoid the topic.
She took a deep breath and looked at him, but couldn't bring herself to speak.
Raymond gazed into her eyes, his voice low. "I want you and Sam to stay with me forever."
Melinda's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected him to say that.
She stood up, trying to change the subject. "Raymond, it's late. You should rest."
But Raymond grabbed her wrist, his voice pleading. "Don't go, Melinda. Don't take Sam away from me."
Melinda paused, her heart trembling.
She didn't dare look back at him. "Raymond, please let go."
Raymond didn't release her. He turned her shoulders, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Melinda, look at me."
Melinda looked up, staring into his eyes.
She saw vulnerability in Raymond's eyes, her reflection in his pupils.
Her heart softened, her voice gentler. "Raymond, don't."
Raymond saw the tenderness and struggle in her eyes, feeling conflicted.
He let go of her hand, turning to leave the room.
Melinda watched him disappear through the door, a wave of emotion washing over her. She knew Raymond had left a deep mark on her heart.
That night, neither of them could sleep.
The next morning, after dropping Sam off at school, Melinda drove to the lab, her mind racing.
As soon as she reached her office, her phone rang.
She glanced at the caller ID. It was Raymond.
She frowned slightly and answered. "Melinda, come to my office."
Raymond's voice was deep and commanding.
Melinda sighed, sent a message to Delilah, and grabbed her bag, heading out of the lab. She didn't notice the figure emerging from the break room.
It was Tenley, her eyes filled with malice and dissatisfaction.
She glared at Melinda's empty office, a cold smile on her lips. "Melinda, still claiming not to be Mr. Thomas's lover, daring to meet during work hours."
Just then, Melinda's assistant Kathy walked up, curious. "Ms. Clark, what are you looking at?"
Tenley turned and glared at her. "Where's Melinda?"
Kathy forced a smile. "Ms. Sharp, she went out. Do you need something? I can pass a message."
Tenley snorted. "No need. Birds of a feather." She turned and walked away with her coffee.