Chapter 3

She leaned over herself. Esmeralda gently drops a kiss on my forehead.

“Euharrell, were you angry last night? I'm sorry. I drank a little too much at the social gathering last night. I promise you I won't do it next time.”

I looked at her eyes. Her look was just like before. I gently hummed and pushed her away. I went into the bathroom to wash out the remaining warmth on my forehead. The table was filled with breakfast. If it was before I would have been very happy. But after reading Esmeralda's memo, I could no longer be happy.

All the dishes on the table were Raymond's favourite food. The sound of a key opening the door came from the foyer. Then I saw Raymond was wearing a clean suit. Naturally, he walked in and sat down at the table.

Raymond smiled at me and explained deliberately, “Euharrell, I’m sorry, if I am disturbing you. I had a shoot with Esmeralda this morning. That's why she asked me to come for breakfast.”

I didn't say anything but just looked at the keychain in his hand, which was the same as mine. Esmeralda keenly sensed my emotions.

She then came closer to me to explain in a low voice, “Raymond Fletcher is our best friend, Honey. It's normal for him to have the key to our house.”

Before she could finish her words, her voice changed abruptly. Esmeralda anxiously stood up and snatched the soy milk from Raymond's hands across her side.

Esmeralda said, “Raymond, you can't drink soy milk. After so many years, how come you still can't remember it yourself?”

Raymond pursed his lips and smiled. His tone filled with laughter.

“Yes, it's fortunate to have you around all these years.”

They looked deep into each other's eyes as if they were a pair of lovers for many years. I wasn't interested in watching their intense love anymore. I was about to go out when Raymond called out to me.

“Hold on, Euharrell. I remember you studied photography. Can you help me with today's shoot? I don't trust the new photographer.”

I haven't touched a camera since my father died. As soon as I pick up the camera, I think of my father, who taught me photography since I was a child.

My mind was filled with his reluctant and fragile appearance when he left. It made me no longer have the courage to press the shutter.

Esmeralda Rosendale knew about that. So she locked all my cameras in a cabinet and told me that I shouldn't force myself. She also would accompany me to walk out slowly until I was willing to pick up a camera again. But at that moment, she didn't wait for me to say anything and directly pushed me into the back seat of the car.

“Euharrell, you know Raymond gets carsick. So, I'll ask you to sit in the back, please.”

But she forgot that the one with worse motion sickness was me. I hadn't eaten two bites of breakfast. My stomach turned over on the way.

When we arrived at the location, Esmeralda carefully organized Raymond's suit. She held his arm to enter the shooting room. On the other side, I leaned against the side of the car and gasped for fresh air.

“Euharrell, the photo shoot is about to start. Don't be willful and take good photos. This photo shoot is very important to both Raymond and us.”

Esmeralda suddenly and vigorously dragged me in with great force. I didn't stand still and almost fell on the ground. I picked up the camera again after five years. I actually felt unfamiliar and fearful. My hands couldn't help but tremble slightly. I tried to restrain the sadness surging in my heart and pressed the shutter again and again.

During the intermission, only Raymond and I were left in the shooting room. He flipped through the photos with a mocking smile at the corner of his mouth.

“Euharrell Givenlee, you are really as useless as your father. You can't do anything right. It's true that like father, like son.”

My fingernails embedded hard into my palms. My body trembled slightly. I felt that my anger was about to spurt out.

“Snap!”

A burning pain suddenly came from my face. Raymond shook off his hand condescendingly. He then looked down at me with contempt.

“Euharrell, you should know that you're really shameless. I really didn't expect that after you were withdrawn from the marriage, you immediately climbed up to Esmeralda. What part of you is worthy of her? Let me tell you, whether it's your ex-fiancée or Esmeralda Rosendale, it's all mine.”