Chapter 36

The tension in the car kept growing stronger that even Morris could feel it. He often asks himself why his boss finds it difficult to admit that he has fallen for his childish bride? Thankfully, they arrived at his grandparents mansion and Raymond was not the only one who was glad but Morris as well, he swore he would have died if he had to stay in that car with them for another minute.
"Little Lee" Hana exclaimed when she saw her and open her arms for her, inviting her for a hug.
Felicity sprinted into her arms shouting "grandma!"
"Oh my darling, I have missed you so" Hana chuckled.
"I have missed you two grandma."
"Oh, you didn't miss me is that it?" Desmond asked while feigning sadness.
Felicity left Hana's arms and hugged him, "I missed you too grandpa."
"I thought as much. Don't sorry, after dinner we will give you all the things we bought for you."
She gasped excitedly and didn't hesitate to show them how happy she is. The older couple laughed while Raymond watched her from behind, smiling to himself.
"Let's go have dinner first. We have been waiting for you" Hana said as they walked to the dinning with Felicity.
Raymond wasn't surprised that he was totally forgotten by his own grandparents. He just followed them to the dinning and made himself comfortable while the Cook served the food.
Dinner was eaten over Felicity telling the stories she has read in a book. They couldn't bring themselves to stop neither did anyone want to. Her voice just lit the whole dinning up.
After dinner, Hana took Felicity up to her room to show her the things they bought for her while Desmond called Raymond to his study room.
"Little Ray" he began "I know the measures your grandmother and I took was inappropriate but we just want what's best for you. We knew that despite giving you all the things you wanted, we never filled in the space of your parents in your heart and we deeply apologized for that."
"Grandpa..."
"No little Ray" Desmond interrupted him "we only insisted you get married because we believed having a family of your own might fill in that emptiness you have always felt. We knew by the time you hold in your arms, a child of yours will you feel that blissfulness you have never experienced. Which was why we were so happy when little Lee got pregnant but unfortunately" he shook his head slowly with a sigh "he didn't come to stay but nevertheless, they will be another one. Truthfully, we have expected her to have conceived again by now but it's okay, take your time" he smiled to him.
Raymond felt his heart constrict and he felt really bad having to lie to them in everything. He knows they care about him and he loves them but just that...he sighed.
"I also knew you want to join the World's Club and you need the Baldwin to be your gateway" he nodded when he saw the shock in Raymond's eyes "their anniversary is coming soon and I want you to enter" he opened a drawer in his desk and fetched out a document "with all that said, here" he handed the document to him, "I am handing over the Baldwin's Empire to you and I know you will bring it to greater heights. You are a Baldwin after all, it's what's we do best" he walked around his desk to him and slowly patted his shoulder "your grandmother and I thinks it's time. We have wanted to do it before but then we received a call about your father's accident, so we decided to leave it till we come back."
"Grandpa" he was lost for words, although he expected this but definitely not now "I don't know what to say."
"There is nothing to say. It's your birthright. Your father didn't want it because he can't base here in other to look after it. I had the discussion with him before our flight back and he also thinks you are ready, so" he handed him a pen "I need my retirement too for crying out loud, I'm an old man, my bones are weak."
They both chuckled and Raymond hugged him, "thanks grandpa."
"It's nothing, it's our family's legacy. You deserve it."
After their heartfelt hug, they both left the study room to see Hana and Felicity already waiting for them in the living room. Hana smiled to Raymond, "I'm proud of you little Ray."
Raymond walked up to her and hugged her, "thank you grandma. I love you."
"I love you too my dear."
They chatted a little more and Raymond and Felicity left later in the night.
***
Four days later, Raymond was in his office lost in thought, his head was resting on his chair as his mind wandered off. He should tell Katherine that he has gotten the company which means their contract has come to an end but he was finding it difficult to. And there are two reasons for that.
One, he doesn't know how he was going to break the news to his grandparents that he wants a divorce after all the heartfelt words Desmond said to him. He knew they adore Felicity a lot and is definitely going to question him why he wants a divorce.
Two, even though he doesn't want to admit it to himself, he knew he doesn't want Felicity to go, he wants her to keep living with him. Okay maybe, he has grown a little attached to her, yes that's it, a little attached, nothing more.
He sighed and picked up his intercom, no matter what, a deal is a deal and a contract must be kept according to it's words. He dialed for Morris' office, "Send McCarthy to my office."
He put down the intercom receiver and took in a deep breath through his nose and out through his mouth. He waited patiently for Katherine to come into his office.
Few minutes later, a knock was heard on his door and he gave permission for the person to enter. When he saw Katherine, he sighed, "McCarthy."
"You sent for me sir?"
"Yes. You know our little contract has come to an end, right?"
"Yes sir, I am just waiting to hear from you."
Raymond nodded once, "four days ago, my grandparents finally handed over the family's business to me which is the reason we had our contract."
"Wow, that's great news sir" Katherine was happy, finally, Felicity gets to come home. She can't believe that one year was finally over. This is the best news she had heard today, "so, what are we going to do now sir?"
Raymond chuckled softly, of course, she can't wait to take her away from him. She has been meaning to do that for a long time now. Well, what does he have to say? Nothing. The deal is up, Felicity has to return to her, "what else McCarthy but what we have already agreed on."
"Okay" she looks to be in thought, "while we process for the divorce, I will like Felicity to come back home. I want her around so I can watch over her."
"You don't need to ask for permission McCarthy, our deal is over" the earlier he is done with this, the better, "you can take her tonight or even tomorrow, I don't care. Expect your last payment soon."
Katherine was hurt, she had thought he would want to delay her leaving or even asked her to let her stay a while more but no, he wants her gone immediately. Why is she surprised? Felicity has stopped him from doing a lot of things so he can't wait to get rid of her. It's all her wishing thinking for thinking he might have grown attracted to Felicity, "thank you sir, then I will go pick her up tomorrow. I will call Mercy to get everything ready" she turned immediately and left.
Raymond knew his words were inappropriate but there is no way he was going to let her see that it hurts him to see her go. He wasn't supposed to grew a little attracted to her in the first place, so it's better this way, let them all go their separate ways. He stood up and picked up his car key and phone, he left the office.