Chapter 29

Time flew by and it was Felicity's birthday already. Raymond because he had promised, threw her a birthday party. Katherine had been surprised when he carried on with that. He hadn't been so kind or caring towards Felicity as he had been earlier, so forgive her for being shocked when he threw her the party.
Due to Katherine not knowing a lot of people and Felicity not having friends, it became his duty also to invite guests and he did to those he knew who are mostly, models, celebrities and business tycoons. Desmond and Hana invited family friends since it was their granddaughter in-law birthday. Raymond's parents couldn't make it again and they weren't surprised. To fit into Felicity's description, there was a dress code, women in ball gowns and men in tuxedoes.
Raymond had told himself times without numbers that he won't wear the couple outfits with her but he found himself putting on the male wear on the big day. Mercy had been shocked silly when she saw him coming down the stairs, she had seen Felicity's dress so she identified his outfit immediately. Does it mean he has finally decided to be gentle with Felicity again? She thought but of course, she can't go up to him and ask him.
Gloria came to her then and asked the same question. The two older women had found it difficult to put up with his mood swings. One minute he was kind and gentle to Felicity, the next minute he doesn't want to talk to her or see her. Although Felicity has always been a cheerful girl but it always hurts her when he pushed her away, neither can she say why she always feel like that.
The guests greeted Raymond when they saw him while the ladies swarmed around him, especially those who doesn't give a fuck about the fact that he is married and were practically there because of his wife's birthday.
Felicity was later led downstairs by Katherine and Mercy, time stopped when all eyes befell the birthday girl slash Mrs. Baldwin who not all had have the opportunity to see, judging by the fact that after their wedding four months ago, she has never made a public appearance.
Some even believed that Raymond was hiding her from the world because she is ugly or not fit to be his wife. While some said that he was overprotective and possessive because he doesn't want men to take her away from him like he had ruined a lot of marriages. But all speculation stopped when they saw the beautiful woman standing on the stairs, looking so breathtaking, her honey gold hair styled up in a bouffant ponytail, her neck empty of any jewelry, her gown cladding to every curve on her body, blossoming like a flower from her waist down and shimmering in the light.?
Everybody was dumbstruck including models for if she was a model, then no one can beat her. Felicity got nervous from all the attention and Raymond decided to be the gentleman he claims to be. He climbed up the stairs to her and offered his hand to her. Her eyes lit up when she saw him and she couldn't explain the crazy feelings she had especially the discomfort in her stomach. She took his hand like she had seen in the movies and they went down the other half of the stairs.
It was only when everyone recovered from their shock that they realized that Raymond and Felicity's dressing looked identical. And the realization wowed them the more, Raymond Baldwin put on a couple outfits with his wife, it was such a big news, one the press will go crazy to have.
Not knowing anybody there except Desmond and Hana, her family, Felicity clung to Raymond like he was her life saver but mostly because for so long, this was the first time she had the opportunity to hold him and she couldn't let go.
Desmond and Hana walked up to them then, bearing gifts and affectionate smile "little Lee, happy birthday dear" Hana congratulated and hugged her.
"Grandma, grandpa, thank you" she hugged them back, smiling happily.
"I'm proud of you Raymond, wearing a matching outfit, that's good, at least it will shut those stupid reporters up who claimed you two doesn't get along" Desmond praised.
Raymond smiled, "I don't care what people say grandpa, Felicity and I are good" he offered her a smile and her heart involuntarily missed a beat and she smiled down to the floor.
"Good, I'm happy to hear that and also happy to see that Felicity is getting more and more better. That's good" Desmond smiled affectionately to her.
"Oh dear, we got you these. We hope you like them" Hana handed her the gifts.
"Thanks grandma. I love them."
"Alright alright, we will let you enjoy your party now and meet new people. Little Ray, why don't you introduce her to everyone" Hana suggested.
"I mean to do that" he replied and they parted.
Raymond introduced her to family friends and few of his business partners. He didn't want to make her well known so as not to find it hard to answer a lot of questions when the contract finally ends.
He didn't stick along with for her long and left her to chat with some friends. Not knowing anybody and also not good at socializing, Felicity walked out to the balcony to watch the stars.
"I was not expecting to find you here" a voice said behind her and she turned to see a handsome dark haired man.
"Hi" she said timidly as she clenched her fingers in nervousness.
"Why did Raymond leave his beautiful wife here alone?" The man asked.
She backed away from him when he stepped closer to her "his...his insi...inside" she stammered, she doesn't like the feeling the man was giving her.
"I know, I saw him" he smiled coyly "to be honest, I saw you walking out here alone and I decided to come keep you company" he offered one of the glasses he was holding to her "wine?"
"No thank you" she gulped.
"What's the matter? You don't like wine?"
"I have never taken one before."
"Wow, why not?"
"Aunt Katy doesn't allow me to drink it."
"Well, don't you want to try it out? Your aunty Katy is not here. To be honest, for a second I thought Raymond was the one that told you not to drink wine."
"No, little Ray had never said that."
"What did you call him? Little Ray?" He smiled with a mischievous glint in his eyes "what an interesting nickname."
Felicity didn't say anything, she knew Raymond warned her to never call him that in the presence of anyone but she just forgets at times. She wonders if he would be angry with her now.
"Here, try one out, you will like it" he offered her the glass again.
"I don't want to, thank you."
"Felicity, right?" When she nodded, he continued "do you know you are acting like a baby? Why will an adult like you still rely on her aunt to tell her what to and what not to drink?"
"I'm not a baby" she whispered.
A sly smile curved on his lips "then try this wine, it's good, I promise" he offered it to her again.
Felicity looked at him timidly before taking the glass from him, she pressed the glass on her lips and her nose twitched on the smell of the wine "I don't like the smile."
"Haha" a low but beautiful laughter left his mouth "just try it out first, you will see."
At his constant urge, she took a sip, she wrinkled her face at the taste immediately but after a while, she relaxed "hmm, it does taste sweet a little."
"See, I told you. Do you want to take more?" He never knew Raymond's wife could be so gullible. He did come out to chat with her but he never expected what he was seeing.
"Yes" she nodded.
"Then try more" he encouraged.
Felicity ended up finishing the full glass and her face turned red at the alcohol voltage of the drink.
"Are you feeling well?" The man asked her when he noticed how flushed her face was.
"I don't know" her hand reached to knead her temple, she blinked continuously, fighting to steady herself. She staggered backwards and he rushed to hold her.
"Hey. Easy" he held her in his arms to keep her from falling.
"What the hell do you think your doing Philip?" A thunderous voice raged behind them and the man tuned to see Raymond staring daggers at him.