Raven's suspicions were confirmed: the Azure family had an ulterior motive. Uncle Edward must have learned that Raven's father was about to sell a significant piece of land. He likely introduced a seemingly beneficial project, disguising his true intentions under the pretext of friendship. This scenario had played out too many times, and Raven had become adept at predicting it. She sighed deeply, knowing she couldn't stop her father from wasting his money.
"Your father must be here too, perhaps for a business deal," Raven remarked, turning to Aidan.
"Yes, how do you know?" Aidan responded, raising his eyebrows in surprise.
Raven smirked, confident in her assessment. She would bet her entire savings that the Azure family was looking for an investor like her father.
When the bus stopped, Raven said, "Get aside, let me go. The stop is here."
Aidan stood up, giving her a look of disdain. The fourteen-year-old Raven might have crumbled under his gaze, but now she didn't care if he hated her. In fact, it might be better if he did. He had hit her without an apology, something no one had ever done before. She should be the one harboring deep hatred.
"Wait, where is your car?" Raven asked, suddenly realizing the obvious.
"I gave it to my friend. He will bring it to my home. You were right; I was too exhausted to drive. I didn't think you cared about me that much," Aidan replied. His words seemed casual, but Raven sensed a peculiar tone. It was more than flirting; he was seeking validation, gauging his place in her eyes.
But Raven saw no need to give him what he wanted. He must have felt anxious about not getting much validation from her, as a man's ego could be as delicate as cotton candy, easily bruised. She remained unaffected by him after all these years, and it likely made him feel down.
…
Aidan followed Raven to the elevator. When they reached the floor where her father usually stayed, he stopped her. "You didn't get a dress," he pointed out.
"I am dressed in the best attire I have," Raven replied, hurriedly putting on a mask to hide the marks on her face. If her father saw them, he would ask numerous questions, though she feared he might not ask any.
"No wonder Uncle wanted you to get a dress," Aidan said, looking her up and down.
"Thank you for the compliment," Raven said, bowing her head slightly before knocking on the door.
Raven's father opened the door with an unpleasant expression. Raven entered, followed by Aidan, which puzzled her until she saw Uncle Edward's sinister smile.
"I sent him so you could come here quickly. Why are you so disobedient?" her father asked, sitting across from Uncle Edward.
"We talked about this," Raven replied, sitting down. She had been running around all day, working gigs to earn as much as she could. It was her birthday, but the next day was her parents' anniversary.
"This is the dress you got her?" Uncle Edward asked Aidan, raising his eyebrows. Aidan was about to speak, but Raven interrupted, "Yes, I bought the dress I could afford."
"You made her pay?" Uncle Edward glared at Aidan.
"I don't like to touch money that isn't mine," Raven said, her heart filled with bitterness. She remembered how Uncle Edward had badmouthed her to a distant aunt, who disliked her but was still embarrassed by his words.
"You were quite happy when Richard bought you those expensive brush pens," Raven's father added, seizing the opportunity to humiliate her.
"That's different. He paid me for ghostwriting his articles," Raven clarified immediately.
"Whatever. I don't care if you want to be dressed like that in the meeting," her father said, rolling his eyes and buttoning his suit. "When I call you, come down to 7th Avenue with Aidan. Be nice; there will be many big shots."
"What meeting?" Raven asked, turning to Aidan for an explanation.
"You'll know," her father replied, leaving the room with Uncle Edward. Raven sank back into the couch, realizing her father wasn't there for her birthday.
"I swear, I have no idea about the meeting he mentioned," Aidan said, sitting down.
Raven didn't respond, figuring out everything. Her father hadn't asked why she was wearing a mask, and Uncle Edward hadn't either. They probably knew about the slap.
"Raven," Aidan called her name seriously. She looked at him, his eyes glowing with a fire she hadn't seen in years. She shook her head, dismissing the thought.
"Do you really not blame me for slapping you?" Aidan asked.
Raven chuckled softly, turning to the mirror and taking out a wet napkin to clean her face. She applied ointment to the wound, aware of Aidan's expectant gaze through the mirror. "No, I don't. Why would I blame you? I should apologize on behalf of Richard; he hit you first."
"It seems like you're taking my side, but why do I feel you're protecting him?" Aidan's words sent chills down her spine. What did he mean? She had no words.
"Let's say, someday, I hit him or anybody. Will you apologize to the victim on my behalf?" Aidan asked, his strange question throwing her off.
"Why would I apologize?" Raven laughed, trying to ease the tension.
"But you just did it on Richard's behalf," Aidan pointed out, spreading his arms on the couch's edge.
"Richard hit you because of me," Raven nearly threw the ointment but restrained herself. Aidan was getting on her nerves.
"So will I…" Aidan's soft, breathy voice and narrow eyes pierced her.
"Why would you do that in the first place? And you can't go around hitting people and say it was because of me. Why should I take responsibility for your ruffian acts? And you are constantly comparing yourself with Richard. Let me get this straight! He is the head of my literary club, not usually violent, and has a good temper. He is my…"
Before Raven could finish, Aidan stood up, enraged. "Before you say boyfriend, I better leave or I might not be able to hold back."
Raven froze but then laughed. "You are weird, Aidan. Why are you behaving like you really are my husband? Don't forget who you are."
A sarcastic smile played on Aidan's lips as he stepped closer, each step making Raven's heart race. What was he doing? He placed his hands on the table, cornering her.
"You are too close," Raven barely managed to say, lowering her face to avoid being just an inch away from him.
"Who am I?" Aidan's voice carried a strange pain, his anxiety making it difficult for him to stand straight. A man who didn't remember her a few hours ago was now asking who he was to her. Wasn't it obvious? He was a mere acquaintance, a stranger, an estranged crush.