Chapter 26: Twenty four

Hope had at different times, wondered what it would be like when she eventually fell in love. She'd even played different scenarios out in her head, but never in all those times had she pictured herself as giggly and overexcited. No, she was a hard girl. At least that was what she'd thought. However, after waking up that morning with a permanent smile on her face, she wasn't so sure anymore.

She'd woken up to the memory of Raymond confessing to her playing on repeat in her head, and that seemed all her mind had the ability to conjure.

I really like you, Hope . . .

Hope giggled, the action drawing everyone's attention to her.

Yes, it was Sunday evening which meant that the whole family had once again gathered, and Hope had just broken into giggles in the middle of what had previously been a somewhat quiet dinner. Now everyone was staring at her, waiting for her to reveal the source of her amusement.

"Care to share the joke?" Sophie teased, although curious as to what was making her sister so happy. She'd noticed it the moment Hope had walked in that evening. She seemed . . . chirpier than normal.

"Nothing," Hope declared, trying but failing to curb the smile that was still plastered on her face. Sophie regarded her with a suspicious look.

Val chuckled, joining the conversation. "She has been like this since she got back home yesterday. One would think she got a boyfriend or something."

Hope turned to glare at Val, knowing that was definitely going to get her mum's attention.

And she was right. "Boyfriend? Hope, you have a boyfriend?" It was funny how a question could come so calmly yet carry so much threat.

"No, mummy!" Hope shouted, a little too loudly. If she didn't already have everyone's attention, she definitely did now. "That's not what she meant--"

"You better not have a boyfriend."

"Mummy, I don't--"

"Better."

Hope sighed, cowering in a mix of embarrassment and restrained frustration at her mum's hard stare. With Raymond sitting right next to her, that was the worst possible timing. Her mind reeled, wondering what was now going through his head but too chicken to turn her head even the slightest bit to find out.

Raymond didn't miss the change in her mood, and he didn't like it. Hope's eyes  were close to falling out when she felt his hand finding hers under the table. Her eyes immediately shot to him and he sent her a beautiful smile, lacing their fingers. Hope turned away, suddenly feeling shy, but didn't retrieve her hand. And just like that, she was right back to trying to keep a shit eating grin off her face, and boy, was it a torture?

She looked up and her eyes caught Sophie's whose eyes narrowed even more suspiciously at Hope. She was all too clearly passing the message that she knew something was up and she was going to grill Hope about it later. Hope on the other hand didn't care about much at the moment, except for the feel of Raymond's fingers against hers, and the tingly feelings that were running up her fingers and through her body.

Realizing then he was only making things worse for her, she tried to tug her hand off his, but it was almost like he'd been expecting it. His grip on her hand tightened. She turned to him and he rewarded her with another smile. If he kept doing that, her heart would most likely go into arrest.

Dinner dragged, but it eventually ended, and Hope all but jumped out of the chair when they were done. She even offered to do the dishes -- granted, her mum would have made her do it anyway, but at least she wouldn't have offered so readily.

She braced herself as Sophie unsurprisingly followed her into the kitchen. For the first few minutes, they didn't say anything as they worked, Hope washing and Sophie rinsing the plates, until Sophie decided that was enough of the silence.

"Okay, spill."

Hope chuckled. "I was wondering how long you'd last."

Sophie laughed, a smug look on her face. "Did you really get a boyfriend?"

"No," Hope replied. It wasn't exactly a lie. Raymond wasn't really her boyfriend. They'd only just confessed they liked each other -- and kissed. That was all.

Sophie shot her a look full of doubt, one Hope pretended not to see. "Really, Hope? There's no boy?"

Hope sighed at her sister's persistence. Sophie could be stubborn when she wanted to be. "Fine, there's someone."

"Mm, interesting," Sophie murmured, pleased, and Hope wasn't sure what to make of her reaction.

Hope's brows raised. "What, why?"

"It's the first time I've seen you like this over a boy. It's . . . weird, but nice to see."

Hope rolled her eyes, laughing. She couldn't help but be relieved her sister didn't seem to be aversed to the idea. "See who's talking."

Sophie hummed, wiggling her brows. "So . . . Who's he?"

Hope dragged her fingers across her lips in a gesture of silence. She rolled her eyes even harder at Sophie's sulking look.

"Alright, I get it, You're shy, I won't push it. I trust your judgment anyway."

Thank heavens . . .

"So you said you're not dating?"

. . . And to think she'd thought that was the end of it. Hope shrugged in response.

"Judging by that smile on your lips, it doesn't seem like an unrequited crush," Sophie persisted. So much for 'not pushing it'.

"It's not," Hope admitted reluctantly.

"So, what's the problem, then? Is it mum?"

Hope sighed. She couldn't deny she was a little scared of her mum's reaction. Scratch that, she was a lot scared. "Well . . . You know how she gets."

"You do realize she's just being protective, right? She doesn't really mean the things she says," Sophie encouraged.

Hope's brows flew all the way up her head. "Are you taking about mum here? Our mum?"

Sophie chuckled. "Okay, I get why you might be hesitant, but really . . . If you as much as think this is right for you, don't let the fear of 'mummy' stop you. I'll take care of mum."

"I'll hold you to that, trust me. I have a feeling I'll be needing it," Hope admitted on a laugh.

"Sure thing. That's what you get for having as amazing a sister as myself," Sophie bragged, adding a wink for effect.

Hope scoffed. "This is the least you could do since this is all your fault anyway."

"Excuse me?"

"Well, if you'd started dating at age fourteen or so like every normal teenager, I wouldn't have such a high standard to look up to," Hope accused, half joking. Maybe their mum had been created overprotective, but Sophie had definitely not made things easier either.

Sophie shook her head, amused. "Yeah, well. You and I both never really got much of a chance to be normal teenagers."

Hope sighed, suddenly feeling melancholic. "You went through so much because of me. I literally owe you my life."

"Don't start," Sophie pleaded. She didn't want to deal with an emotional Hope right then and there.

"But it's the truth. If it hadn't been for you and Alex . . . "

Sophie reached out, nudging Hope's nose affectionately. "I believe you'd have survived anyway. Is it not you? Superwoman herself."

Hoping sniffled, smiling. "Well, if I am . . . I learnt from the best."

Sophie returned the smile, reaching out to hug Hope. "I love you, Hope."

"Of course you do. I'm the best."

Sophie pushed her away lightly. "You're so full of yourself."

"Like I said, I learnt from the best," Hope quipped back.

"Mm. So . . . Are you going to tell me who the boy--"

"Lalalalalalalalala....."

"Is it Paul?"

Hope shuddered and shot her sister a disbelieving look.

"Okay, not Paul. Got it," Sophie concluded on a chuckle.

•     ~     •

Raymond shifted Ella until the sleeping baby was nestled comfortably in the crook of his elbow. The smile on the baby's face mirrored the one on Raymond's face, only that his was way bigger as he gazed lovingly down at her. He'd figured since everyone was busy catching up downstairs, he might as well steal some alone time with the baby and had taken them up to Angel's room. Until she'd decided to sleep off on him, that is.

"She's asleep?"

Raymond glanced up at Val who was now settling beside him on the bed. "Yeah, she is."

Val smiled, reaching out to flick the baby's noise gently. She didn't as much as budge. Val chuckled, "She's asleep, alright."

Raymond nodded, unable to stop smiling watching the baby. Val watched him watch her and there was this faint pang of ache in her chest.

"What are you doing up here?" Raymond suddenly asked, breaking her reverie.

"Nothing. I was just curious to know what you and Ella were up to," she replied.

"Oh."

"And . . ." She hesitated. "I kind of feel things have been awkward between us, and I wanted to talk about it?"

Raymond sighed, the sound weighing much. "I'm really sorry, Val."

"For what exactly?"

"I don't know. Everything. For maybe leading you on and then . . . I'm really sorry."

It was a mystery Val was capable of feeling even more disappointed. She had no idea she still had any expectations left. "You don't have to keep apologizing like that. Just . . . Is there someone else?"

Raymond hesitated. He wasn't sure how she'd take it, but he felt he owed it to her to at least be honest. "Yes."

Val nodded, the dull ache reverberating. "Okay. I just . . . I like you, Raymond. As a person, I mean. At least. I'm not going to pretend I'm not hurt but I don't want any form of awkwardness between us. I guess what I'm trying to say is . . . Once I feel better about this, I'd like us to maintain being friends."

Raymond was relieved, but even that he felt bad about. "I'd like that as well."

She smiled, a genuine one and stood. "Okay then. Now that I've gotten that off my chest, I'll leave you and Ella to it."

Raymond nodded and watched as she walked out of the room, almost running into Alex who was about to walk in.

"Hey, Alex," she greeted, not waiting for a response before walking past him.

"Hey," Alex called back absentmindedly as he entered the room and shut the door behind him. "I was wondering what you were doing up here by yourself. I didn't know you were busy breaking hearts."

Raymond scoffed. "Aren't you to old to be eavesdropping, Alex?"

"I take strong offense to that."

Raymond shook his head, standing up to lay Ella in her crib.

Alex watched as he did so, smiling at his brother's tenderness. "Seeing you like this, it's no wonder everyone wants you to get married. You should have a baby."

Raymond chuckled. "How the tables have turned. See you lecturing me about getting married."

Alex's face went all innocent. "When did I say anything about getting married?"

"Oh, you meant I should knock up a random girl then, that's a much better idea," Raymond replied, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"So, who's the other person?"

The question was presented so casually it took Raymond a few seconds to realize what Alex was asking. "What other . . . How long were you eavesdropping for?"

"I was just there and your conversation of it's own accord floated into my ears. You can't blame me for that."

"Whatever." Raymond eyed his brother, all sort of thoughts going through his head. "And when did you get so invested in my love life?"

"Oh, you know." Alex shrugged nonchalantly. "I can't help but be bothered this time. You and Hope . . . Definitely bothersome."

"What? " Raymond stared dumbfoundedly at his brother. He let out a drawn breath at his brother's stoic face. "How did you know?"

"It was a hunch up until a second ago," Alex admitted. He'd definitely set Raymond up good there. "It wasn't hard to notice how you both were sharing secret smiles all through dinner."

"Wow," Raymond murmured, wondering if Alex had always been so sharp minded and nosy.

"So, you and Hope . . . " Alex paused, pondering over it for a moment. "How long has this been going on?"

"I honestly can't say," Raymond admitted. "One minute she was just Sophie's sister and the next, I couldn't stop thinking about her."

Alex didn't say anything, just staring at him and Raymond found that so unnerving. It wouldn't have bothered him if it was anyone else, but this was Hope. "I really like her, Alex. More than I'd ever even thought possible. This is all I've ever wanted, and now that I've found it, you should understand why I can't just let it to go like that."

"Maybe, but it's Hope. I'm not sure Sophie and her mum would like this," Alex replied, confirming Raymond's inner fear.

"I know, but what I feel for her . . . I'd be lying if I told you I'd get over it eventually."

Alex was surprised, but with his ridiculously impassive face, it was hard to tell. "You like her that much, hm?"

"I do," Raymond responded immediately, convinced.

Alex nodded, a small smile breaking over his face. "Okay."

"Okay?"

Alex shrugged. "What else is there to say? I wish you luck?"

A relieved laugh escaped Raymond's lips at Alex's cluelessness. "You're really okay with it?"

"You're my brother, and I know you well enough to know you're more than good enough for any woman and Hope . . . She's a good girl. Smart and quick witted. Definitely good for you."

"Yes, she is," Raymond replied fondly.

"Besides, if there's anything I've learnt, it's that fighting your feelings is nothing, if not a waste of time."

Raymond chuckled. "Wow, Alex. Look at you being a love expert. Sophie has really done a number on you."

"You be--"

They were interrupted by a knock on the door before it swung open and Hope poked her head in. She regarded the two men in the room before speaking, "Mum asked me to get you both downstairs."

"Speak of the devil," Alex muttered.

"Knocking is a thing, you know?" Raymond quipped. "For all you know, we could have been buck naked in here."

Hope shrugged, staring at him as if she'd just seen an alien. "And what would you both be doing up here in that state?"

He shook his head, chuckling. He raised his hand and motioned for her to come, and Hope found herself obliging without fully registering the presence of Alex in the room.

He grabbed her hand the moment she was within reach and pulled her to him before placing a soft kiss on her forehead. "I've wanted to do that all day."

Hope's hands were reaching up to his shoulders when Alex's presence finally struck her mind. She shot away from him, simultaneously shooting a panicked look at Alex.

"Yes, Hope, I'm still here," Alex announced, watching her with an amused look.

Raymond rolled his eyes, turning to Hope. "He knows. Apparently, we weren't subtle enough during dinner."

Hope glared at him, silently accusing him of that being his fault. They weren't even a day into their 'relationship' and were already getting caught. At that rate, her mum would be finding out before she could count to five. She looked back at Alex with the best puppy look she could conjure. "Please don't tell Sophie or mum."

"What are your intentions towards my brother, Hope?"

Hope blinked. Confused and unsure of where that question came from. "What?"

"When people don't want their relationship found out like that, they always end up being players," Alex accused, looking dead serious.

"What?"

"Alex. Don't do that," Raymond is interjected, shooting his brother an unamused look.

Alex laughed aloud, immensely entertained by the look on Hope's face. "Fine, but you both realize if you are serious about this, which you better be, they're going to find out eventually?"

Raymond knew that, and he'd been thinking about it more frequently than was probably healthy. "Yes, and that's why I intend to tell them as soon as possible."

Hope's gaze shot to him, wide eyed. It was an evening of surprises for her. "Nonononono. Mummy will kill me."

"She won't."

"Easy for you to say. She loves you . Me . . . She'll kill," Hope insisted.

Raymond smiled, wrapping his arms around her to reassure her. "My intentions towards you are honest, Hope and it would be disrespectful to both you and her to keep this from her."

Hope turned her head to stare up at him, voicing out her worst fear. "What if she says no?"

"Then we'll work on changing her mind. No matter what, I won't lose you, Hope."

The words were spoken so tenderly and with so much conviction Hope couldn't help but be touched. She smiled. "Okay."

"Yeah?"

Hope nodded. "Yes, but give me a little time to brace up first?" She might be convinced, but that didn't change the fact that she was still scared. Terrified even. She couldn't even revel in the fact that Raymond liked her enough to want to make their relationship known.

Raymond curbed the urge to argue. It was enough for now that she was even thinking about the possibility. He nodded, his eyes meeting Alex's. Alex nodded, an indication he was okay with it. Raymond shot him a grateful look. With one last look at the two, Alex turned and made his way out of the room.

•   ~   •   ~   •

This is long overdue, I know and I'm sorry for being late. Again.

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