Raymond POV
I was in my office working because I still had tons of work to do. I had been lazing about since Lena came into my life. Oh, how I enjoyed making love to her.
My phone's ringtone pulled me out of my thoughts.
"Hello, Liam."
"Hello, sir. Something came up online concerning Lena. I want to know what we should do about it."
"What happened?" Right now, my ears were wide open and I was listening.
"I don't have the whole story yet, but there are mean comments about her online that have to do with that night."
"Take it down and issue a stern warning to all media companies spreading those rumors. Tell them who they are messing with and make sure they stay clear."
"Contact the social media companies. Tell them I don't want any account posting that awful story about my woman. Pay them any amount they're requesting."
"Okay, sir."
"One last thing. Let's meet tomorrow after you gather all the information concerning this issue. And the guy that was paid to sleep with Lena, have you found him yet?"
"Yes, sir. He's locked up in the east wing. Eric from the Tiger Team seems to be the one in charge of him."
"Alright. We'll handle everything tomorrow. For now, work on taking down the mess you say is spiraling out of control online."
"It doesn't take a genius to know who the mastermind behind the online mess is."
I took out my phone and went through most of the comments. I found it annoying that Lena was just standing there, letting herself get bullied in one of the trending videos online.
Then I saw Sylvia. How did Lena know Sylvia? Has Liam seen her? What was she doing in York City? All these questions kept pouring into my head. Then I saw Sylvia shove Ashley outside, and it brought a smile to my face. She was still the same after so many years.
I dropped my phone as I noticed most of the videos starting to disappear.
As my mind wandered, I wondered how Liam must be feeling because it was obvious he had seen the video and also seen Sylvia.
As my thoughts drifted, I heard the sound of a car outside. I opened my window and saw Lena jumping out of the car, not looking sad in any way.
Maybe what transpired between her and Ashley didn't get to her, or perhaps she simply didn't care.
I saw her run inside, listened as she opened the bedroom door, and before I could go to her, she left the room again. I wondered what she was up to.
I waited for a while, then soon forgot about her and continued with my work. Not long after, I heard a knock on the door.
"Come in," I told whoever was knocking.
Bertha walked in, which surprised me.
"Raymond, I want to inform you that I'll be leaving early today."
"Why? I hope all is well?" I asked immediately because she had never left this early before. She always stayed to make dinner or waited until she was sure I had no use for her anymore before going home.
"No, I'm fine and nothing is wrong. Lena will be taking care of you tonight."
I raised my eyes in surprise and gestured for her to continue.
"She said she wants to make you dinner because of what you did for her."
"Oh, okay." I didn't know I needed to be thanked, but I was sure going to enjoy this to the fullest.
There was a better way I would have preferred to be thanked instead of her cooking for me, but regardless, I was getting both tonight.
I smiled from ear to ear, forgetting that Bertha was still there. When I caught myself, I cleared my throat, trying to avoid her eyes.
"You can go. See you tomorrow. And when you get to the east wing, tell Eric that Liam and I will be coming tomorrow. He should prepare for us."
"Alright. Goodnight."
She left and closed the door behind her.
I waited a few minutes before going downstairs. I stood by the kitchen door for a while when I got there.
I imagined having sex with her on that table, and I knew I would end up doing just that to put my mind at ease, which I later did, and I enjoyed it.
After the night's activities with Lena, I woke up feeling refreshed. I had a lot to do, so I didn't bother lingering and went about my day.
I took my bath, styled my hair backward, put on a black sweatshirt and pants, and went into my painting room. I looked around and saw nothing out of place, which meant Lena hadn't been there.
That was a good thing, it meant she knew how to follow instructions.
I picked up what brought me there: my signature cane that looked like a walking stick. Whenever I was seen with it, even in social circles, people trembled because it meant war and blood.
I came downstairs and walked toward my car. I was using the Rolls-Royce Sport today. Liam was already in the car waiting for me. My driver, a man in his early forties, Jerry, took the wheel.
"Good morning, Mr. Black," Jerry greeted as he opened the door for me.
"Good morning," I replied.
"Good morning, Raymond," Liam said.
"Good morning, Liam." I noticed his mood, and I knew it had something to do with Sylvia, but I decided to ignore it. I knew he would tell me when he was ready.
As I adjusted myself in the seat and looked through the window, I saw Sullivan, one of the drivers I assigned to Lena. I beckoned to him, and he ran over.
"I pay you to be a bodyguard and a driver, so I expect you to do your job perfectly," I said immediately as he got close. "I don't want what happened at the coffee shop to repeat itself. Understand?"
"Yes, sir," he responded swiftly. I knew he understood exactly what I meant.
"You can go. Make sure you keep an eye on her at all times."
He nodded before leaving.
Jerry started the engine, and the car rolled to life as he sped up, fast and steady, just the way I like to be driven.