He didn't take her home, but instead brought her to his place?
Melinda was instantly alert. She looked down at herself, her clothes were intact, with no signs of being tampered with.
She breathed a sigh of relief and quickly got up from the bed. However, her shoes were nowhere to be found, so she had to walk barefoot on the cold, clean floor.
She glanced at the alarm clock on the bedside table, it was five in the morning.
It was still pitch dark outside. Raymond actually let her stay overnight at his place? What about Sam?
Melinda, filled with confusion and anxiety, walked down the stairs step by step.
The entire villa was lit with soft wall lights, making her feel as if she was in a luxurious palace, and she was the lost Cinderella.
Finally, she found her bag on the sofa downstairs.
She hurriedly picked up her phone and saw the messages sent to Asher and the replies.
Knowing that Sam was well taken care of, she finally felt relieved.
She gently tidied her messy long hair. At this time, she could only stay here for now.
However, Melinda was still full of doubts.
She had just slept in what should be Raymond's room, so where was he?
Where did he sleep? She looked around but didn't see him.
What on earth was Raymond up to?
She quietly went up to the second floor and unexpectedly found a study with the light on.
Melinda curiously turned the doorknob, and the door slowly opened. The scene before her made her freeze. Raymond was sleeping quietly on the sofa, with his arm as a pillow.
He was actually sleeping on the sofa? And he was only wearing a white bath towel.
Melinda's heart involuntarily started to race. She was so startled that her hand slipped, and the doorknob fell from her hand.
The door made a "ding" sound as it hit the doorstop, breaking the silence of the night.
She covered her mouth, knowing it was useless.
Sure enough, Raymond's thick long eyelashes fluttered slightly, and he opened his eyes. His gaze was deep, as if he could see through people's hearts.
He stared at Melinda at the door, a meaningful smile playing on his lips, and slowly sat up.
"You're awake?" he asked with a low, magnetic voice, squinting and smiling.
Melinda felt a bit awkward but still questioned, "Why did you bring me here?"
Raymond retorted mercilessly, "Do you know how awful you look when you're drunk? If Sam saw you drunk like that outside, what would she think?"
Melinda was at a loss for words. Did she go crazy when drunk? Although she didn't remember exactly what she did, she knew it couldn't have been good.
She silently closed the door and turned to leave.
Raymond called after her, "Since you're here, why don't you sit for a while?"
Melinda hesitated for a moment but then walked back and sat on the sofa, trying to keep a certain distance from him.
Raymond got up and went back to his room, and soon came out dressed.
In the quiet study, it was just the two of them, and the atmosphere was somewhat subtle.
Melinda took a bottle of water from the fridge and drank it, trying to ease the awkwardness.
At that moment, Raymond also came over and took a bottle of cold beer from the fridge.
"Why are you drinking beer at this hour? It's bad for your stomach," Melinda couldn't help but frown.
Raymond glanced at her, a faint smile on his lips, "You care about me?"
"Who cares about you!"
Melinda glared at him and muttered, "I'm just afraid you'll go crazy when you're drunk."
Raymond chuckled, "Melinda, you don't trust my drinking capacity?"
"What does your drinking capacity have to do with me?" Melinda snorted.
Raymond looked at her serious little face and couldn't help but laugh. He sat on the sofa next to her, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, "My drinking capacity varies. Do you want to see if I go crazy when I'm drunk?"
Melinda's cheeks flushed slightly. She glared at him, "Is it fun to make fun of me?"
Raymond was in a good mood seeing her angry.
He reached out and ruffled her hair, "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. Someone is taking care of Sam, don't worry!"
Melinda nodded, "Yes, I saw the message."
She paused and then warned, "Don't mess with my phone or reply to my messages again."
Raymond looked at her serious expression and couldn't help but laugh, "Got it."
His tone was full of indulgence.
This subtle change in atmosphere did not escape Melinda's keen perception. She couldn't help but feel a bit helpless and tentatively asked, "You wouldn't be in love with me, would you?"
Raymond's heart was gently touched by this question, as if it had struck a hidden corner, but his face remained calm, showing no sign of emotion.
Seeing this, Melinda said, "You better not fall in love with me, it won't end well, because I can never like you." Her words carried a hint of provocation and confidence.
However, Raymond suddenly stood up, his tall and straight figure exuding a strong pressure, making Melinda sit up straight involuntarily, nervously asking, "What... what are you going to do?"
"Melinda, this is my house, why are you being so arrogant?" Raymond's gaze was cold and sharp, as if it could pierce through her heart.
Under his gaze, Melinda felt a pang of fear, as if she saw the shadow of a demon flickering on his handsome face, exuding a chillingly violent aura.
She realized she might have provoked someone she shouldn't have, and a sense of fear welled up in her heart.
"Raymond, I take back what I just said, let's pretend I never said it."
She tried to ease the tension, but the tremor in her voice betrayed her inner panic.
After saying that, she turned to leave this suffocating space.
However, Raymond had no intention of letting her go. He snorted and grabbed Melinda, who was trying to escape, tightly holding her in his arms.
"Let go of me!"
Melinda struggled to push him away, but Raymond's strength made her unable to move.
The two of them tangled on the sofa, Raymond's tall figure like an impenetrable net, firmly trapping her within.
"Raymond... you..."
Melinda's warning was silenced by Raymond's kiss, all sounds drowned in his passion.
His kiss was intense and domineering, making Melinda feel a dizzying sense of suffocation.
She widened her beautiful eyes, trying to protest this sudden invasion with her gaze, but only saw the burning desire and deep affection in Raymond's eyes.
Melinda felt a strange flutter in her heart, her body starting to respond to his kiss.
This terrified her. How could she have feelings for Raymond, Emily's ex-boyfriend?
She used all her strength to push him away, panting and warning, "Don't touch me again, or I'll call the police." Her eyes were filled with vigilance and hostility.