Better with you

Chapter 23

Alexis pov

I was in the kitchen, overseeing lunch prep for Samuel, when I heard some noise coming from the living room. I went out to see, and it was Cecelia greeting Ray who had just returned. He looked exhausted from the travel, but he seemed cheerful. It goes without saying that the trip was successful.

As soon as I saw him, my mind replayed the photo of him and the lady. I again felt the familiar dip in my chest. I wasn't liking it. I ignored it, and went back to the kitchen to resume my work. I didn't think I could talk to him while feeling this way.

I couldn't hide any longer though, since I was going to see him at lunch. He had freshened up, and was wearing oversized sweatshirt and sweatpants. He smelled of aftershave and it was heavenly. As soon as he saw me, his eyes lit up and his mouth broke into a smile. I smiled back.

As usual, Cecelia and I sat on either side of him, white he sat at the head of the table.
"How have you been?" He asked me. His voice was warm. He looked at me with curiosity like he wanted to talk to me all day. I felt my heart beat raise.

"I've been alright. How about you? How was the trip?" I asked.
"It was wonderful. I'm so thrilled to have met so many incredible people..." he went on about the trip and his meetings. It was good to see him talk so passionately of his work.

"Yes, we saw pictures." Cecelia added.
"You did?" Ray looked between Cecelia and me. Cece told him that she showed me his post.
"By the way, who was that lady that you posted?" Cecelia asked Ray.

"What lady?" He looked clueless.
"That lady who was standing awfully close to you." She said. Ray took a while to think.
"Oh- that! She's Myra Wang. One of the biggest female entrepreneurs in the world. She is so amazing, Cece. It was a pleasure to be in her presence." From the way he talked, I knew that he truly admired whoever this lady was, however I still couldn't help but feel envious.

I didn't feel like talking much, I just felt very low. I don't remember when was the last time I felt this way, so I couldn't understand how to push these feelings away. I didn't want to feel jealous. I didn't want to feel upset either. But I was. And that made me realise that I really do have feelings for Ray.

And although I was emotionally mature enough to understand that physical closeness doesn't always have to mean something, plus we're not even together for me to feel this, but I felt what I felt and I wasn't going to suppress it. I needed to accept and embrace it.

Later that day I received a text from Ray.

Is it okay if I come see you right now?if you're not busy?

I was in my room taking a break, so I told him he could come.

Ray's pov

I have missed her so much, I couldn't wait to engulf her in my arms. I couldn't get a hold of myself at her sight. Her presence made me feel at peace.

When she opened the door with her usual smile, I just felt so much better. I hugged her immediately.
"I missed you." I whispered in her ear.
"I missed you too." She said. It was a little awkward for us to face each other after that night because we hadn't really spent that much  alone time together, so being alone with her was slightly nerve wrecking.

"It's been a while since we talked." I said.
"It's only been 2 days, Ray." She said.
"And that's a long time." I added. She shot me a surprised glance. We sat on her bed.

I have been thinking about her, and our kiss, the whole time that I was away. At first, I was scared to leave her after the incident, but somewhere I knew that she would be okay. I realised that since the day she entered my life, I have felt so much at ease.