"Hey, what's up?" she called back.
"Yeah," Raymond's voice was noticeably hoarse.
"Melinda, I talked to my grandfather. Things aren't like Rufus said. My grandfather did call the mayor. That year, the stock market crashed, and the mayor desperately needed my grandfather to save it. Coincidentally, I was kidnapped that day. My grandfather was frantic and had no energy to deal with the stock market. The mayor promised my grandfather he would get me back... I know, saying this now doesn't change anything." Raymond's voice had a barely noticeable tremor.
"But I want you to know, my grandfather never threatened anyone. If anyone used the stock market to threaten my grandfather, it was the mayor." Raymond finished calmly.
Melinda remained silent.
"Melinda, I'm sorry." This was the first time Raymond had apologized to her.
"I accept your apology." The truth of the matter wasn't that important anymore.
"You... really accept my apology?" His voice sounded a bit surprised.
"I accept your apology, so let's not have any more contact from now on." She sighed softly.
Clearly, he hadn't expected her to say that.
"Melinda, I love you." He confessed again.
At this moment, he was no longer a high and mighty power holder, but a man humbled by love.
She calmly said, "I don't want to talk about feelings right now."
Raymond's voice carried a hint of urgency, "What will it take for you to accept me?"
"If I were you..." she began slowly, "I would choose to forget me."
"Forget you?" Raymond's voice was puzzled, "What do you mean?"
"If you really like me, leave me alone and let me live a peaceful life." Her voice was gentle, "I just want to be with Sam and watch him grow up safely."
"Okay." Raymond's voice seemed to tremble, "I promise you."
This time, he finally let her go for real.
But did she really mean for him to forget her?
The weekend passed.
The next day was Monday. After dropping Sam off at school, Melinda returned home. Not going to work felt strange to her.
Just then, the phone rang. It was Leo asking her to accompany him to an art exhibit.
Since Connie remarried Bobby, she rarely contacted Melinda, but Melinda felt her mother was doing it on purpose this time.
"Melinda, let's go." Leo even waited for her at the community gate.
But once in the car, Melinda seemed preoccupied, staring out the window.
"What's wrong? You look troubled."
"Nothing." Melinda shook her head. Just then, the overcast sky suddenly started pouring rain.
The raindrops grew heavier, pounding on the car windows. Leo quickly gripped the steering wheel and drove towards a nearby café, "The rain won't stop anytime soon. Let's find a place to wait it out."
"Okay." Melinda couldn't risk their lives. The car parked next to a café, and they dashed inside through the rain.
A distant thunderclap startled them both, even through the glass window.
Meanwhile, in the Thomas Group office, Raymond paused mid-signature, his mind flashing to Melinda, who was afraid of thunder. He picked up his phone and sent a message.
"Where are you?"
No reply after two minutes, or ten.
Raymond's grip on his phone tightened. Was Melinda really planning to forget him?
Melinda glanced at her ringing phone, frowning. Was this man ever going to stop?
"Not answering, huh? Fine." Raymond's lips barely moved as he hung up.
Leo asked curiously, "Why didn't you answer?"
"Just an unimportant call," Melinda said, turning off her phone and putting it on silent.
But Leo's sharp eyes caught the name on the screen—Raymond.
Melinda's phone buzzed again. She glanced at it and saw the message: "I'm coming to your place."
Her eyes widened slightly. Was Raymond really coming in this downpour?
She finally replied, "Don't come. I'm out."
"Where? I'll join you," Raymond texted back.
"No need. I'm with Mr. Schmidt," Melinda replied, seemingly to provoke him.
"Are you on a date?" Raymond's voice was cold.
"If you think so, then yes!" Melinda uncharacteristically didn't explain.
The phone rang again. Raymond was calling.
Melinda sighed and answered, "What do you want? Can you stop bothering me?"
"I'm coming to your place now," Raymond's light words made Melinda's heart skip a beat.
Raymond didn't give her a chance to refuse and hung up.
Melinda's heart raced. He must be crazy!
In this heavy rain, while everyone was seeking shelter, he was driving to see her?
"Mr. Schmidt, let's go back. The rain is too heavy," Melinda looked at Leo.
Leo was stunned, "Now?"
"Yes," Melinda quickly got up to pay the bill.
Leo tried to stop her, but she had already paid.
He had no choice but to accompany her back.
He didn't understand why she wouldn't wait out the rain in the café but insisted on going home now.
Melinda watched the rain streaking the window. Even the fastest wipers couldn't clear it. If Raymond was driving in this, it would take him at least half an hour.
Melinda sent a message, telling Raymond to find shelter.
But he didn't reply.
Melinda's heart was in her throat the whole way home.
Raymond was truly unpredictable.
Despite being sick, he was still running around.
Melinda kept her eyes on the window, barely any cars were coming in.
After fifteen minutes, she finally saw a familiar black car through the rain.
The blurry car silhouette made her heart skip a beat.
A large truck had just parked, blocking the road. Raymond's car couldn't get through.
If he wanted to come in, he'd have to walk in the rain.
Melinda grew anxious, but Raymond turned off the car and, without an umbrella, ran through the rain.
Melinda rushed out and saw Raymond soaked within seconds.
Raymond looked at Melinda at the door, despite his disheveled state, he was overjoyed.
"Are you crazy? Running out in this rain?"
Melinda didn't realize she was worried.
Raymond smiled, shaking water from his hair, his deep eyes full of affection, "I wanted to see you!"
Melinda pulled out a pack of tissues from her bag, gently wiping Raymond's wet hair and shoulders. She didn't notice her fingers touching his damp shirt, she just kept wiping.
Until a large hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her into his arms.
"You..." Melinda looked up angrily.
"You say heartless things, but your actions are honest." Raymond's gaze was tender.
Melinda felt guilty and looked away.
Raymond didn't mind, he just kissed her forehead, "With me here, don't be afraid."
In the car, Leo saw Melinda and Raymond embracing, clenching his fists in anger.
Melinda dried Raymond off and pushed him aside, "Leave when the rain stops."
Raymond nodded obediently, "Okay!"
Melinda led him upstairs.
In the warmth, Raymond took off his wet suit jacket, revealing a dark shirt. The matching vest highlighted his dangerous and alluring physique.