A News

RAYMOND 

“What is it?” 

The look on her face said it all. 

There was a problem, or maybe not an exact problem but something had gone wrong. “Whose call was that?” 

“Matthew,” she let out. “He says he has something for us.”

I looked at Rachel. 

“Thank you for having us, Rachel. My wife and I need to be somewhere.” I let out and took the child from her. 

“Let's get going then.” 

Once again, as if we weren't contracted couples—we walked through the hallway hand in hand. “Did he say anything at all?” I asked when we reached the elevator. 

“What do you think he has to say?” I clicked on the button and the machine began to move. 

“I don't know,” she looked at me. “I wish I had asked him what it was.” She looked away, then looked back at me just to ask if I was comfortable holding the baby. 

Of course, I was. 

But what mattered to me at that point was getting her home. Safely. This way, a call will be placed to Matthew who would make it to the house and this way, he could let us know about his development. 

Was it a bad one? 

We caught up with the last floor and walked out of the machine. Again and as expected, many people looked at us as though they had not seen us before. 

“How are you feeling?” 

At some point, I had to ask the woman who laughed out, heaving a sigh next. “The car is not so far from here so you don't have to worry about anything.” 

Just as I predicted, we hopped in the car soon. 

Together and at the same time, a sigh of relief ran out of our mouths. “Thank God—” I mouthed and looked at the man who was seated at the front of the car. “I think you should move this car right now, Marcel. We don't have all day and as a matter of fact, a call reached us a while ago. We need to be in the mansion as soon as possible.” 

“Yes, Mr. Raymond.” 

And the ride started. 

While I relaxed my back on the chair, I looked at the child in my arms—envying her for being so peaceful. 

At least, she didn't have to worry about anything at all. Unlike me who had so many enemies on my list. 

Starting from Rhett who was my brother and twin when it came to appearances, down to Victoria, a business rival who is likely to strike soon. 

I knew what she could do. 

And I was expecting her. 

A part of her had imagined she would take over the company I built because I didn't have a wife a few months ago. And now that I did, all of a sudden, I expected a fight from her. Once again, a sigh ran out of my mouth. 

“Boss,” the call from my driver woke me up from my thoughts. I snapped out and looked around me, meeting the gaze of Eleanor whose hand held mine. 

“Are you okay?” She asked. “You looked like you were dead for a moment. We've arrived at the house already.” 

“Oh.” 

Opening the door, I touched the hand of Eleanor who looked like she was about to hop down. Yes, she was. What was I expecting? “Would you like to hold the baby now, my wife? I don't think I'm in my right senses and wouldn't want to make a mistake with the child.” 

“Sure. Sure.”

Taking Michelle from me, she hopped down while I did the same. “You may close for the day, Marcel. I don't have much to do at the company today. But, don't forget to be here tomorrow because I'd be ready for work by then.” I shut the door of the backseat and started to walk away. 

At least, before Matthew and the rest of the men would make it to the house, I needed to be more than ready. 

One of the few things that would qualify me as ready was taking a bath, changing my clothes, and then having something to eat. 

“Welcome back, Mr. Raymond. Can I do something for you? One of the maids made pasta a while ago. Would you love to try it?” That was Maria. 

“Pasta?” I kept on walking while she followed from behind. “I think I would love to try some pasta, Maria. Can you prepare a tray for me? I'll have it when I'm done with my bath. Thank you so much.” 

Dashing into my bedroom, I took off my clothes. 

Snatching a towel from the closet, I hurried into the bathroom. I shouldn't have felt this sick but I did—especially because of the thoughts I was having while we made it back to the house. 

What was going to happen to me? 

Nothing. 

What? I asked myself again and my instincts used the ‘nothing’ word on me. As soon as I was done taking a bath, I walked out with the towel wrapped around my body. Not only was a towel wrapped around my body, but I felt very much better—more than a while ago. 

What now? 

Did Eleanor reach out to Matthew to let him know that we were ready? She should have done that. 

Whatever it was and whichever way it would be—I was more than ready to have them. Maybe not, since I had a tray of pasta to feast on. 

“Yes.” 

In satisfaction, I looked in the mirror, giving a nod as I got ready to walk out of the room. No one warned me to stay away from these thoughts unless I didn't mind coming back into the room and taking another bath. 

Finally, after a short while, I walked out of the room. 

Through the hallway, my legs led me again. “Where is my wife?” I asked a nearby maid who followed me from behind—as usual. “Do we have visitors already?” 

“Mrs. Jefferson is in her room,” the maid sounded. “We don't have a guest. Not yet.” 

“Good.” 

I had reached the stairs, climbed down, and walked toward the dining area. “I think we have a guest already. Was it only me who heard the bell sound?” 

The door opened and Matthew walked in. 

“Good afternoon, boss.” 

Changing my mind, I picked up the tray and walked to the living room area. “Come on, my boy. Come take a seat.” Settling down, I looked around for one of the maids who worked in the house. 

“Can somebody call my wife?! We have a guest.” 

Maria. 

She walked out of the kitchen and gave me a nod. Now, I faced the young man who was seated before me. “She'd be here soon. You sounded very urgent over the phone, judging from how Eleanor reacted to the phone call. How about the other men? Are you here on their behalf?”

“Yes, yes,” Matthew let out. “I am here on behalf of the three of us, boss. The other two are busy with the same project. This is not all. I mean what I have come to say.” 

That was a good thing to hear. 

At least, they took the job seriously which was a relief. “Eleanor would join us in a short while. But before that happens, is there something you need? Like a glass of water or something. I wouldn't know. Let the maids know.” 

There were footsteps sounds soon enough. 

“Mr. Raymond—” That was Maria who called and I turned around to meet her gaze. “She says she'd join you shortly. She's getting the baby dressed. The child is crying too much and will be needing some time.” 

I turned to look at Matthew. 

“I'll wait, then.” 

It was a good thing, after all. I get to finish my meal on time and get ready for what is to come. 

Facing the tray on my lap, I resumed eating, relaxing my back at some point and sitting up again while I turned to see if the woman was on her way. 

She was beginning to waste our time and I didn't like it. But at the same time, she was not to blame. When I turned around to check if she had come, I caught sight of her. 

“Finally. Look who we have here.” A sigh of relief ran out of my mouth and I relaxed my back once more—putting the last piece of meat in my mouth. 

“Can somebody come to take this tray please?” 

“I am so sorry, gentlemen—” Eleanor, who settled on a couch not so far from me, cried. “You two must forgive me. The child was giving me a hard time and I needed her to shut her eyes. I don't think she'd do that for long, but can we get straight to it? How are you, Matthew?”

“Of course, ma'am,” it was Matthew's turn to adjust. “I have done my research just as you asked and I came up with something I also cannot believe.” 

I looked at Eleanor who coincidentally looked at me. Together, we looked at the man and asked at the same time. 

“What did you discover?” 

“Mr. Andrew is into illegal activities.”