Chapter 23

Raymond climbed the stairs, he went straight to Felicity's room and pushed open the door. She looked up from where she was laying on the bed, her eyes shun like Christmas moon when she saw him and his heart melted. Every day he comes home just to see her look so happy at seeing him.
"Little Ray" she exclaimed as she jumped out of the bed and into his arms.
Raymond hugged her tightly, "mm, what are you doing?"
"Nothing."
"Aunt Katy is here."
"I know!"
Raymond furrowed his brows in surprise, "if you know then why are you here?"
"I'm hiding" she beamed.
His heart constricted at the sight and his fingers involuntarily picked out a strand of her honey hair from her face, he smiled then "why are you hiding?"
"I almost told aunty Katy you use to buy me ice cream and cake but then I got hold of myself and ran away to here. I'm going to hide till she forgets."
Raymond chuckled "is that so? And your room is your best hiding place?"
Felicity pouted "I don't know where else to hide."
He pinched the tip of her nose, he just don't know why she brings out such feelings from him, the feeling to pamper and adore her, "next time, hide in my room. She won't look for you there."
Felicity laughed "okay, I will hide there."
"Are you up for it? I want us to go shopping."
"Shopping? But I have enough clothes."
"I know, I want to buy more for you, then after we can go to the amusement park."
Her eyes brightened then and she hugged him "thank you little Ray. I will go dress up now."
"Fine, I will go freshen up. Meet me downstairs when you are ready okay?" He wanted to kiss her but he ended up kissing her forehead. Katherine is downstairs, he can't risk her knowing he usually breach the contract and more over, he wants to stop having intimate contacts with her. That way, he will stop craving for her and who knows? He might end up getting rid of this feeling he has for her. He left her room then and entered his.
?
Felicity met him downstairs wearing a jeans and a shirt, she was putting on a white sneakers, her hair sprawled on her shoulders like a golden waterfall, her face wrapped up in a frown as she jumped down the stairs. Raymond couldn't help but took a sharp intake of breath when he saw her, she looked heavenly and he had the urge of going to her and kissing her. It took all the reasoning in him to stop himself from doing just that.
Katherine was already aware that they are going out, Raymond told her when he came down "McCarthy, Felicity and I are going out, don't offer to join us" he had warned and she had rolled her eyes. Like she will like to be seen anywhere with him "what's the matter darling?" She asked Felicity at the foot of the stairs.
"I tried tying my hair in a ponytail but I couldn't" she complained.
"Let me help you" a male's voice said and they both looked at Raymond. Even Mercy was surprised, now talk of Raymond himself, he didn't even know when he said that. He just wanted to clear off that frown from her face. When he noticed Katherine's gaze, he cleared his throat "I mean, let your aunt help you. It must have came out wrong" he looked at Katherine.
"Oh really?" She asked in amusement "you didn't mean to help her yourself?"
"Don't over think McCarthy, I don't do such" he turned and walked out of the living room, his hands in his pant pockets and his head held high, he strolled out in the most dignified way he good muster.
Katherine chuckled and turned to Felicity "let me help you darling."
"Is little Ray leaving without me?" She asked aghast.
"No darling, he is just waiting for you in the car."
"Okay. Hurry up aunty" she passed the hairband to hair and squatted while Katherine packed her hair in a loose ponytail "bye aunt" she waved and ran out of the house.
"Have fun" Katherine yelled after her before looking at Mercy "is it just me or does Raymond have a thing for my Felicity?"
Mercy laughed "I don't know about that but I do know, he cares a lot for her."
"Hmm. If Raymond falls in love with her, then I won't worry about leaving her with him again. But that's only 'if' because men like Raymond doesn't fall in love."
"You can't be too sure" Mercy interjected.
"True, but let's wait and see."
?
Raymond took Felicity to one of the top shopping malls in New York, she has never shopped before and she had no idea it can be so amazing. She wanted to buy almost everything as she picked up whatever she fancied as she browsed the mall.
Raymond mainly kept a three meter distance from her as he watched her with a sweet smile on his face. He can't name how he feels but one thing he knew was that, he was happy.
He never knew watching a woman spend his money can be so gratifying. He just wanted to spoil her, to give everything she wants.
To make her happy always.
To keep that happy smile on her face.
To make her even more childish.
He chuckled when he realized his thought, Katherine will kill him if she learns of what he was thinking but that's only 'if'.
When Felicity almost tripped because she stepped on one of the gowns she was holding, he rushed to her immediately and helped her. He took the clothes from her and glared at the shop attendant who apologized and left to get a cloth rack for the dresses.
After her shopping spree, Felicity dragged Raymond to the counter. On getting there, they passed a door in which a man and a woman walked out from, she read the sign on the door 'PRIVATE CUSTOMIZATION."
"What are they doing there?" She asked with a frown.
Raymond looked at the door "it's for private customization."
"What does that mean?"
"It means you can go in there and have your measurement taken and a dress will be sowed for you. They have style guides from where you will choose the style you want" he explained casually.
"Really?" She looked at him then back at the door.
"Yes ma'am. Most couples always request for a couple outfit, I suggest you try it" the attendant advertised with a smile.
Felicity looked at the girl with a frown "what's couple outfit?"
"Em" the girl looked at Raymond but he didn't mind her so she continued with her explanation "you can have your measurement and that of your husband taken. You will then choose the style you want and they will sow a matching outfit for you."
"We will wear the same clothes?"
"Yes ma'am. Anybody that see you will know that you are a couple."
So that's what she saw in the television that other day, the girl and boy wore a matching outfit and if she go into that room, she will wear matching outfit with little Ray?
She dragged on Raymond's hand on hers immediately, when he looked at her, she beamed. Her request already clear in her eyes.
When the girl was explaining to her, Raymond had already decided to say no should she ask they have one. He has never worn a matching outfit with someone before but when he saw the crystal in her eyes, he couldn't bring himself to say no and so, they turned back and entered the room.