Ray contemplated the situation for a while, his thoughts veering toward a decision that wasn't initially on his agenda.
"Tomorrow, Kim, I want you to make a reservation at the Red Roses hotel. I need every single table to be fully booked," he spoke, musing over the idea.
Kim's eyes sparkled with excitement. "What a delightful surprise, sir! I'm sure she'll be absolutely thrilled!"
Ray swiveled his head to fix Kim with an intense glare. "Did I mention that I'm doing this for her? What gave you that impression?"
Kim stammered, "I just... I thought..."
"Keep your presumptions to yourself, and your words in check if you value your job," Ray warned, his tone sharp. He leaned back in his seat, dismissing the topic.
"Take me home," he instructed, and the driver set off.
As the car moved through the city, an unwelcome voice echoed in his mind. "Are you truly into this girl?" it whispered.
"No!" Ray vehemently rejected the thought. He couldn't go there; it would be beneath him. Besides, she wasn't even his type.
Exiting the car, he made his way to his door, nodding in acknowledgment as two maids greeted him. "You have a visitor, sir," one of them informed him.
He furrowed his brows slightly, checking the time on his watch. "At this hour?"
"She's a friend of your mother, so we allowed her in," the maid explained.
Ray needed no further explanation to know who it was. Eunice. What did she want now?
He strolled toward the visitor's waiting area, but she wasn't there. He sighed, not in the mood for games. His mind was already a tangled mess. With that, he retreated to his room, only to find Eunice reclining on his bed in scarlet lingerie.
"Welcome back, baby," she cooed.
"What the hell are you doing here, Eunice? Don't you have a husband to return to?" he asked, untying his tie.
"Don't act like you're unaware of the fact that my husband and I are going through a divorce. Besides, bringing him up will ruin the mood," she murmured from the bed, parting her legs slightly.
"I'm not wearing any panties."
"Look, Eunice, go home, or I'll have you forcibly removed."
"You can't speak to me like that, Raymond Snow! Just because I've chosen to stoop low doesn't give you the right to raise your voice at me!" she snapped, rising from the bed.
"You're my submissive, Raymond, and I'm your dominant," she said as she approached him. "I own you, Ray, and there's nothing you can do about it."
Eunice attempted to touch Ray's lips, but he intercepted her hand in mid-air.
"Leave my room, Eunice," his voice was cold and menacing.
She halted and moved towards the door. When she reached it, she turned and said, "Just so you know, I've suggested to your mother that we visit your family's penthouse in Italy. I told her it would be a great way to rekindle old memories. Because, Raymond, I'm sure I want to rekindle the memories I have with you."
With that, she slammed the door shut, leaving Ray to ponder the impending storm of emotions and complications.