Raymond noticed her nervousness and deliberately raised his hand, pressing the speakerphone button so the microphone faced her.
"Hey, Grandpa."
"Raymond, am I dreaming? Are you really with Melinda?" Larry's voice trembled on the other end of the line.
"Nope, no mistake. We're together," Raymond replied with a smile, glancing at Melinda beside him.
Under his gaze, Melinda walked over and sat on his lap, her eyes shimmering as she looked at him. "Hi, Grandpa."
"Melinda, are you really with Raymond?" Larry's voice was filled with joy.
"Tell me, when are you two planning to get married? I'm waiting to hold my great-grandchild." Melinda was taken aback and glanced at Raymond. Their eyes met briefly before looking away.
"If any scandal causes trouble for Melinda, I won't forgive you," Larry's voice carried a hint of authority.
Melinda clenched her hands, unable to resist looking at Raymond when she heard her name.
"Grandpa, everything will be fine," Raymond's voice was steady and reassuring.
"That's good. I knew you young people would handle things well. I miss Sam. Bring him over when you can, remember!"
Larry really liked Sam. The boy reminded him so much of Raymond when he was young.
After the call ended, Melinda let out a sigh of relief and quickly stood up. "Let's go! What if Grandpa really comes over?"
Raymond calmly stood up and straightened his clothes. "Don't worry, I've already made arrangements. Nothing will happen to make you worry."
Melinda felt a bit more at ease.
"Was Grandpa just pushing us to get married?" she asked tentatively.
"Seems like it. Why don't we get married soon? As for the wedding, don't worry. Whatever you want, I'll make it happen," Raymond said with a playful smile.
Melinda's face turned slightly red. She turned away, playfully scolding, "Isn't it too soon? We just started dating."
Raymond smirked. "Grandpa's in a hurry for a great-grandchild. If we don't get married, what happens if we have a baby?"
Melinda was about to call him shameless, but before she could, Raymond's lips silenced her.
He pressed her down on the couch, kissing her passionately...
Meanwhile, in Valeria.
Emily woke up from surgery, feeling pain all over her body. It was her first surgery, liposuction, and breast augmentation.
The only thing keeping her going through the pain was the thought of Raymond.
She fantasized about appearing in front of him after her successful surgery, stunning him with her beauty and figure.
Just imagining Raymond looking at her the same way he looked at Melinda was enough to excite her.
She believed she could replace Melinda.
Emily was moved to a private room, with a dedicated nurse taking care of her. The female manager from the agency, who had accompanied her, was diligently wiping her body.
Emily, though plain-looking, had money. After the surgery, she would be a long-term client, needing occasional touch-ups.
Wrapped in bandages, only her eyes, nose, and mouth visible, Emily looked at herself in the mirror and was almost scared to death.
"You just had surgery. The swelling hasn't gone down yet. Once the bandages come off, you'll look great," the manager reassured her, handing her a phone.
Emily took the phone, looking at her plain face in the photo, and smiled slightly.
So what if she's ugly now?
After the surgery, she would be beautiful, Raymond's future wife.
"Raymond."
Emily tightened her grip on the phone and handed it to the manager. "Help me record a video."
"What?"
The manager was worried. Emily looked like a mummy, and no amount of editing could fix that.
"Maybe wait a bit. The results will be better after some time. You're still in the recovery phase."
After the manager's persistent persuasion, Emily gave up the idea.
Emily didn't know that Raymond and Melinda were already together. She had been busy and without internet access, missing the news from Shadow City.
Raymond and Melinda, after dinner, drove straight to Melinda's apartment complex.
"Stop at the entrance," Melinda quickly said.
"It's cold. I'm not going back tonight. It's lonely sleeping alone. Let's sleep together!" Raymond parked the car and smiled at Melinda.
Melinda was exasperated by his words.
Before she could react, Raymond got out of the car, holding her hand as they walked to her place.
"Raymond... I'm not ready," Melinda said nervously.
Raymond ignored her, walking ahead. Melinda was completely flustered. With Sam not home tonight, she didn't know how to handle being alone with Raymond.
They had just agreed to date, and Raymond was already getting bolder? At the door, Raymond's deep voice sounded in her ear, "Open the door."
"Just drop me off here. You should go back," Melinda stood at the door, awkward and unsure.
Raymond smirked. "What are you afraid of? Didn't we agree to date? How can we get to know each other if we don't spend time together?"
"Not every time at home. We can have dinner, go for walks, or..." She trailed off, not knowing how to continue.
Raymond waited patiently for her to finish.
"Are you that scared of me?"
Raymond's eyes twinkled with amusement. Melinda pushed him, "Yes, I'm scared. Whenever you're around, I can't even speak."
She couldn't imagine the scene.
In the hallway, though no one was around, the soundproofing wasn't great. What if the neighbors heard and started gossiping?
Raymond leaned against the wall, looking serious. "Can I at least have a cup of tea?"
Melinda was speechless at his persistence.
She warned him, "Behave, or I'll kick you out."
"Okay," Raymond agreed readily.
Inside, Melinda put down her bag and changed into slippers. Raymond put on slippers and walked to the couch.
Melinda brought him a cup of hot water. "Here, drink this."
Raymond raised an eyebrow, holding the cup. "Aren't you having any?"
"No need." Melinda took the cup and was about to leave.
The next second, a pair of strong hands wrapped around her waist.
"You..."
Melinda looked up, seeing the smile on Raymond's lips.
"Since you initiated, I won't hold back."
With that, he kissed her again.
Their breathing grew heavy.
"Melinda, I want you..."
Raymond's voice was full of tenderness but also carried a dangerous edge.
Melinda trembled, understanding his meaning.
She instinctively wanted to escape, but Raymond held her tightly, not letting go.
"Raymond... should we..."
She was flustered, but Raymond didn't let her finish.
He pulled her into his arms, kissing her ear.
Raymond's voice was hoarse, "Please, don't push me away."
His plea sounded humble, but to Melinda, it felt like a challenge to her sanity.
Raymond pressed her down, his hands roaming her waist, his presence overwhelming her.
Melinda felt dizzy, her rationality slowly eroding.
But a small part of her mind screamed: No! No! No!