Raven's mind went wild, every part of her telling her to back away, to put some space between herself and this mysterious stranger. But she didn't. Instead, she found herself nodding, as she shut out every other thing her mind had to say.
"Let's get out of here." She heard herself say, before she could stop them.
He looked surprised for a second, then a slow smile spread across his face. "My place isn't far."
Raven didn't bother informing Annie and Iris. She didn't even look back as they left the bar. She felt like one misturn could bring her back to her senses and she could miss the only chance she had. Her steps felt to be out of herself, if she were watching a scene from a movie.
After walking a few blocks away to his flat, he said, "Welcome," as he opened the door.
Raven entered and looked around the stylish yet welcoming surroundings. She was completely taken aback by how well everything had been chosen, from the modern designs to the cosy lighting that created a warm setting.
But as Raven studied the place, she noticed there were no pictures or frames— any attachment that could label the place as a home. This only made Raven more curious about the man. What kind of person was he?
Raven forced a laugh out loud. "You're not a killer, are you?"
A smile played along his lips as he put his hands in his pockets. "Do I give you the vibe of a killer?"
Raven bit on her lips as she stared at him. She knew the answer to that already. She didn't know for sure, but the pull she felt with him definitely wasn't negative. The fact that she had the guts to follow a total stranger alone to his place actually scared and surprised her though.
Raven placed her palms on her arms trying to warm her exposed skin. Whatever bravery that led her to this place was definitely gone, because she began to feel out of place.
The man seemed to have sense the sudden shift. He excused himself to get drinks, leaving Raven standing there, her heart increasing its pace with the realisation that she was actually following through with her reckless plan.
This was supposed to be easy: find a man, go to his place, have sex, break the engagement, and get Taemin back. That had been the plan, the simple plan. But now, standing in the middle of a stranger's apartment, she felt a pit in her stomach. Why was she hesitating? Why now, when everything was lined up perfectly?
Could she really risk being trapped in a loveless marriage for the rest of her life just because she couldn't go through with this? The thought of living without Taemin, of giving in to her father's wishes, was suffocating. But the idea of giving herself to a stranger out of desperation made her stomach even twist.
She freed herself from her grasp as if her palms had suddenly burned her skin. She headed for the door, about to leave the apartment and forget she ever followed a stranger to his place.
At that moment, the man appeared, two glasses in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other. "You okay?" he said, his tone displaying worry.
Raven's mind raced, her head was telling her to run and her heart telling her to stay. If she leaves now, everything would fall back into place, exactly as her father wanted. No Taemin. No freedom. No chance at happiness. But could she really go through with it?
Her eyes darted to the apartment's entrance, then back to the man, and something in her caught on his lips—plump, rosy, and now, the smile she had grown so oddly fond of was gone.
The words came out of her mouth, before she could stop herself.. "Do you want to have sex with me?"
He froze, shock flashing across his face. Then, in his rush to respond, he fumbled, the glass in his hand slipping and shattering on the floor.
Raven rushed to help him clean up, her hands shaking as she whispered an apology, she could feel her face burning with embarrassment.
"I'm so sorry." She said, barely raising her voice above a whisper. "I didn't mean— I'll just leave." She stumbled, embarrassed by her own audacity.
She couldn't believe she had actually said that. Who just blurts out a question like that? Raven, apparently.
She quickly stood, ready to run and save herself from any further humiliation. But just as she turned toward the door, she felt a grip on her wrist. That same electric heat from earlier shot up her arm, halting her steps. She turned to see his hand holding her back.
"I didn't say no. Yes." he said, his voice steady and low, his gaze locking onto hers with an intensity that made her pulse quicken.
Raven froze, her heart hammering in her chest. "Yes? But I mean, I don't seem—"
Before Raven could finish talking, the man closed the gap between them, pressing his lips to hers, stealing her ability to breathe. Raven's eyes widened in shock, but the warmth and pressure of his lips sent tingles through her body, melting her hesitation.
She responded almost immediately, matching his pace as he wrapped his arms around her, lifting her off her feet effortlessly. She held onto him, her legs going round his waist as he lifted her into the bedroom.
He laid her gently on the bed, his lips trailing down to her neck, each kiss sending shivers down her spine. Raven realised she was about to lose her virginity—for real.
←——---——---——→
Raven gradually woke up, the sunlight seeping through the curtains. Upon waking, she sensed the embrace of the man, who was still sound asleep. She was in such a proximity to him that she could sense his breath against her neck.
She shifted slightly, as she tried to break free from his embrace, but instead, she felt a sharp pain between her thighs. She had done it, she had given her virginity— to a man she hardly knew.
She gathered her clothes while moving quietly around the room, trying not to wake him up. Each move seemed like a betrayal - to herself, her Dad, and the life he had expected her to live.
Once dressed, she took one last glance at the man, his face still peaceful in sleep. Raven was about to leave when she remembered an important piece— she needed evidence. Merely telling her father that she lost her virginity the night before her arrangement would seem too convenient and not believable. She removed her phone from her pocket and slowly went close to the bed, sitting on it, being careful not to wake him up. She quickly took a selfie picture, making sure they both appeared in the picture before quietly slipping out of the apartment.
Raven walked out to the streets, hailing a cab, telling the driver her destination as she boarded it. She realises she was with no cash, she had left her purse at the bar with Annie and Iris. She facepalm herself, silently cursing how she thought it was a good idea to leave without her purse. She'll have to get a house staff to settle the driver.
She let out a deep sigh, resting her head on the car's headrest. Everything is going to be fine now. She has gotten rid of her virginity, and there was no reason for this marriage to hold anymore. Now, she's left with how to inform the Silver family when they arrive.
Raven was still in her thoughts when the cab stopped right in her home's car park.
"I'll be right back." Raven said before getting out of the cab. She walked up the short pile of stairs to the entrance, quickly opening the front door, walking inside, praying no one would see her sneaking in.
In the kitchen, she found one of the housemaids busy at work. "Hey. Could you help me out real quick?" Raven whisper-yelled, trying to sound casual. "There's a cab outside. Can you please settle the fare for me?"
The maid looked up, surprised but obliging. "Of course, ma'am."
"Thanks," Raven replied, already heading towards the stairs.
As she climbed up the stairs, she almost walked stumbled to her stepsister, Ananya, who eyed her with a suspicious look.
"And where exactly are you coming from?" Ananya asked, her voice dripping with curiosity.
Raven met her gaze with a narrowed stare. "What are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be in Texas."
Ananya's lips curved into a sly smile. "And miss your engagement? No chance."
Raven rolled her eyes, brushing past her. "Well, enjoy your stay while it lasts. It won't be for long, trust me."
Ananya's gaze was still on her, but Raven had already turned the corner, heading straight to her room.
As soon as she spotted her bed, she collapsed onto it, feeling utterly tired. She was just about to drag the covers over herself when the door burst open, breaking the silence. Annie stormed in, her lips slightly frowned.
"Where on earth have you been, Esther!" Annie demanded, her hands firmly planted on her hips.
Raven winced at the sound of her middle name. "Please, Annie, don't call me Esther."
"Oh, I will!" Annie shot back, tossing Raven's purse onto the bed. "Do you have any idea how terrified Iris and I were when we got home and you weren't here? We thought you ran away or something."
Sighing, Raven opened her purse and took out her bills. "Yeah, I wish I could."
Then, almost as if to herself, she said, "I did it."
Annie's eyes narrowed, as she turned her head to the side. "You did what?"
"I lost my virginity, Annie." Raven's lips curled into a small, almost relieved smile. "I'm free now."
Annie sat down next to Raven, her jaw dropping at Raven's words. "Oh my God, Raven! You actually did it? How? When? What happened?"
The way her sister responded made Raven grin. "So I met this guy at the bar and I followed him to his place. I kind of… asked him for sex and yeah— the rest is history."
Annie's eyes widened before grinning. "You're really rebelling against Dad, aren't you? But what are you going to do now? Sleeping with someone isn't going to stop the Silvers from coming today."
Raven sighed, she knew her sister was right. "I know. I'll have to find some way to politely tell them that I'm no longer… a perfect fit for their son. I took a picture for evidence tho."
Annie sighed deeply, studying her sister's face with concern. "This is insane. Dad's going to lose it. He might even cut you off, Raven. You know how he is."
Raven's eyes filled with tears as she looked down at her hands. "I know, Annie. But I'm ready for whatever comes. I'm not just doing this for TaeMin—I'm doing it for us. I'm so tired of Dad controlling our lives. I want to make my own choices. I'm sure Mom would've wanted that for us, too."
"Oh, Raven…" Annie's voice softened as she pulled her sister into her embrace, gently rubbing her back. "It's going to be okay. We'll figure this out together."
Annie pulled back slightly, a determined look on her face. "Now, let's get you ready for your big debut."
Raven groaned. "Annie, please—"
"This is going to be the biggest highlight of your life, I can't wait to see the look on Dad's face when he hears the news. Come now, you have to get ready." Annie insisted, dragging her off the bed.
With that, Raven let her sister drag her into her walk-in closet. She had gotten rid of the most important thing, what could possibly go wrong?