I had been eagerly awaiting Ray's visit, feeling a strange mix of excitement and nerves fluttering through me as I tidied up my small apartment. When the knock finally came, I hurried to the door, my heart racing for reasons I couldn't quite explain.
When I opened it, my breath hitched. Ray stood there, looking incredibly dashing in his agbada, the rich fabric and intricate design complementing his confident stance. He looked every bit the accomplished man he was, and for a moment, I was taken aback. But my gaze quickly shifted, and my heart nearly stopped when I noticed he wasn't alone. Standing beside him, holding his hand, was Angel - his daughter, my granddaughter.
"Oh my God! Angel?" I gasped, my voice trembling with emotion.
"Grandma!!!" Angel squealed, her eyes lighting up as she let go of Ray's hand and rushed toward me. I bent down instinctively, scooping her into a tight, warm embrace. My arms wrapped around her tiny frame, and I could feel her happiness radiating as she clung to me.
It was a moment of pure joy, the kind that made my heart swell. I hadn't seen Angel in what felt like forever, and I could tell from her reaction that she hadn't expected to see me either. We held each other for a long time, laughing softly and exchanging whispered words of love.
But as I finally straightened up, my eyes caught Ray's, and I noticed something different about his expression. He was staring at me - intensely - almost as if he were seeing me for the first time. His eyes moved over me slowly, studying me, and for a moment, I felt self-conscious.
"Come in, please," I said, stepping aside and ushering them into the apartment. Angel skipped happily into the room, already making herself at home, while Ray followed silently.
As Angel settled onto the couch, I turned to glance at Ray, and there it was again - that look. He was still staring at me, his gaze lingering in a way that made my cheeks warm. Then it clicked. He was surprised. I could tell he wasn't expecting the transformation.
Since the last time we met, I had made several changes in my life. My skin was glowing, thanks to a new skincare routine I'd picked up. My hair was styled differently, framing my face in soft waves that made me look years younger. I'd also lost weight from my regular gym visits, and my posture was more poised, more confident. Even my outfit - a fitted, stylish dress - reflected the new version of me, a woman rediscovering herself.
Ray seemed taken aback, though he said nothing. I had a feeling he wanted to compliment me, but perhaps he held back because of Angel's presence.
"Grandma, I missed you so much!" Angel exclaimed, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I smiled warmly and went to sit beside her, brushing a strand of her hair out of her face. "Oh, my sweet girl, I missed you too. How have you been? Tell me everything!"
As Angel began chatting away excitedly, I could feel Ray's gaze still on me. He remained quiet, but his presence was loud. It was as if he were silently acknowledging the changes in me, the effort I had made to rebuild myself.
I couldn't help fussing over Angel as I ushered her to the dining table. Her giggles filled the room as I smoothed her hair and adjusted the napkin on her lap. She looked so radiant, and her joy was infectious. I had already prepared fried rice, dodo, and turkey in anticipation of Ray's visit, and seeing Angel here made it even more special.
Ray took a seat, his eyes lighting up as the aroma of the meal wafted through the room. I noticed his appreciative glance as I placed the dishes on the table. It was clear he was impressed by the effort I had put in, though he said little - his reserved nature shining through as always.
"Grandma, this smells so yummy!" Angel exclaimed, clapping her little hands together.
I beamed at her and said, "Anything for my little princess."
I served Angel a generous helping of the rice and turkey, then poured her a chilled glass of orange juice. Her eyes widened with delight as she dug in, her small bites quickly turning into eager mouthfuls.
Ray, on the other hand, sat back, watching us with a faint smile. I knew him well enough to tell he was holding back from saying something. His gaze darted toward the kitchen at one point, and I realized what it was - his vodka. It sat neatly tucked in the cabinet where I knew he liked to keep it. But he didn't move for it. Instead, he settled for the red wine I had popped open, letting me pour it into his glass without a word of protest. He raised it slightly in a silent toast, his eyes meeting mine for a moment that felt oddly charged.
"This looks amazing, Eva," he finally said, his deep voice warm with gratitude.
"Thank you," I replied softly, feeling a tinge of warmth rise to my cheeks.
As we began eating, the room came alive with laughter and conversation. Angel was a bundle of energy, regaling us with stories from school and her favorite cartoons. I watched as Ray's expression softened, his attention fully on her as she spoke. He responded to her every question, his tone playful and full of affection.
For a moment, I allowed myself to imagine we were a real family - a mother, father, and daughter sharing a meal in perfect harmony. The thought warmed my heart, even as I tried to push it aside.
The food was a hit. Angel's plate was nearly spotless within minutes, and she grinned up at me, her small hands tugging at my sleeve.
"Grandma, can I have more turkey, please?" she asked sweetly.
"Of course, my love," I replied, adding another piece to her plate.
Ray chuckled, shaking his head as he refilled his wine glass. "She has a good appetite, just like her dad."
"And a love for good food, just like her grandma," I added with a laugh, earning an enthusiastic nod from Angel.
We dined together like one big, happy family. The room was filled with a warmth that felt almost tangible, and I could tell from Ray's relaxed posture and the twinkle in his eyes that he was enjoying every moment.
As I cleared the table after the meal, I caught him glancing at me again, a look of quiet admiration lingering on his face. I pretended not to notice, focusing instead on Angel, who was now humming a tune and swinging her legs under the table.
It was a simple dinner, but one that left my heart full. For the first time in a long time, I felt surrounded by love - pure, unfiltered, and without expectations. And for that, I was deeply grateful.
For the rest of the evening, the apartment was filled with warmth and laughter as I caught up with Angel and exchanged knowing glances with Ray. It was a reunion I hadn't expected, but one that made my heart feel full in ways I hadn't experienced in a long time.
It was close to Angel's bedtime when they finally left, and as I hugged her goodbye, I promised I would make time to see her more often. She smiled brightly, her innocence tugging at my heart, and I knew I meant every word.
After they were gone, silence descended on my apartment. I sat on the couch, letting the evening's events replay in my mind. My thoughts kept circling back to Ray - his good looks, his calm demeanor, and, most importantly, the way his eyes had seemed to hold an intensity I couldn't ignore.
There was something in the way he looked at me, a silent communication between us that lingered even after he left. It felt unsettling yet oddly exhilarating. I couldn't help but ask myself the question I had been trying to avoid: Was I getting attracted to Ray, my ex-son-in-law?
The thought alone made my heart race, and not in the good way. It felt wrong, forbidden even. Yet, it was undeniable. The way he spoke to me, the gentle way he treated Angel, and how he seemed to admire me - it was stirring something inside me that I hadn't felt in years.
I poured myself another glass of red wine, hoping it would help calm my nerves, but it didn't. My thoughts remained chaotic, my feelings unsteady. The more I tried to push the thoughts away, the more they came rushing back, and one stood out clearly - I wanted to see him again.
As I moved toward my bedroom, trying to shake off the dizziness from the wine and the emotional whirlwind in my chest, my phone rang. My heart skipped a beat, and even before I looked at the screen, I knew it was Ray.
I picked up, my voice slightly breathless. "Hi, Ray."
"Thank you, Eva, for the lovely dinner and the warm reception," his deep, soothing voice floated through the line. "It was amazing. Angel was so happy I brought her to see you - she couldn't stop chanting about how lovely you are on the way home."
His chuckle was warm, and I couldn't help but giggle in return, feeling a little like a schoolgirl. "I should be the one saying thank you, Ray. Bringing Angel over made my day."
"I'm glad you're happy," he said, his voice softening. There was a pause, a moment of hesitation, before he added, "And I must say, you look pleasantly different today. I was speechless when I saw you."
I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face. My cheeks warmed, and I wondered if he could sense my blushing through the phone. "Thank you, Ray," I managed to say softly.
"When I come over tomorrow," he continued, his voice shifting to a lower, more intimate tone, "I want you to tell me everything you've been up to these last three months - every little detail."
His words sent a flutter through my chest, and for a moment, I was at a loss for words. "I'd like that," I finally replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
We exchanged more pleasantries, our goodnights lingering in a way that made my heart race. When he finally hung up, I stood there holding my phone, staring into the quiet of my room.
The call had left me with an inexplicable warmth, but also a sense of unease. I knew this wasn't just friendly admiration. There was something deeper growing between us, something I wasn't sure I was ready to face.
As I climbed into bed, one thought refused to leave my mind - Raymond wanted to see me again tomorrow. And, despite the conflict in my heart, I couldn't deny the quiet excitement that the thought of seeing him brought me.