Chapter 1

Raven slid through the open window as she was planning to escape through jumping from tenth floor of the building. 

She doesn't even bat an eyelash to those people who were trying to catch her. She can see how they are taken aback when they realized her plan. It was a suicide plan for others but it was a cool stunt for her. 

"Are you–"

Before one of the men could speak, she winked at him and she suddenly swung herself out. 

Shocked, they were about to run near the window to check what happened but they haven't even landed a single step when a rope came out from the window, grabbing the man who was about to talk earlier by the neck. 

It was all so sudden and all of them were turned into a haystack. The man was strangled and he flew towards the window. Afraid that he will fall, he hindered his foot while still trying hold back the rope. 

Everyone helped him from falling because of the force coming below that window. It's as if someone just used him as a stopper. 

One of the men looked down and was almost horrified to see Raven using that rope to balance herself out and not to fall completely. 

It was a sight to behold and everyone who turned to check also gasped when they saw what was happening.

On the other hand, Raven could only smirk. She was near the first floor when she decided to land herself through leaping. 

Not yet contented, she deliberately put all her weight and swung on a teeter totter. She can't even hear screams coming from that floor, but she laughed because she's sure, they were cursing to no end. 

She tapped her earpiece when she successfully set her foot on land, 'that was a smooth sail.'

"I got it" she said, a small smile was still playing on her lips as she walked out of that scene as if she didn't do anything. 

"Great job, Raven," said the person on the other line, clearly satisfied. Her smiled widen when she got complemented. It has always been a pleasure and she was enjoying every bits of her job. 

"Now, get here safely" that person said, "someone was trying to get you, I'll guide you through Heinz tracking." 

She nodded hearing that. As if someone can get to her, she's not even a little bit concerned. 

"Turn to the left, there's a short alley there" she guided her through the call. "And then right, go down that subway. Someone's already waiting for you." 

She subtly complied and when she was about to reach the stairs down the subway, she saw a suspicious figure following her indeed. That person was followed by another one, and another one. 

They were trying to act normal but of course, even the most careful movement has Raven raise her suspicions. 

She just shrugged it off and pretended she was buying it. She looked so relax walking down the subway and when she saw a trashbin, she discreetly took out the gum in her mouth and pinned it together with a small flashdrive she just stole. 

She threw it like it was nothing but a normal chewed gum. 

She pouted, "that gum still has taste, I want another one" she whisphered to herself. 

"Then get here, I'll buy you a bag of that gum." 

She grimaced after hearing her boss. She didn't realized they were still connected through the earpiece. 

"I love your treats" Raven beamed. "By the way, tell Van to enjoy my saliva stuck on that flashdrive" she laughed lightly. 

She can still see those people following her but she just discarded them and turned to check the bin where she threw the gum. 

A man was there, holding the gum. And even though she was already far she can still see the disgust in his face. 

She was already laughing as she went back to her pace earlier while the person on the other line just chuckled on Raven's shenanigans. 

"He'll enjoy that for sure" that person said. 

She was still laughing, ignoring the danger around her. 

"Calliope" she called the person on the other line, her boss. She's more like their queen, their highness and the brain of all their operations. 

"Hmm?" 

"Can you just keep me forever?"

"What now?" Calliope chuckled on Raven's sudden question. She already has an idea what she wants to talk about but she still wants confirmation. "Is this about your family?," she asked. 

Raven clicked her tounge. Surely, Calliope knows everything. 

"Yeah," she answered nonchalantly. "I mean, I'm a good ace Calliope–I'm a caliber to be reckoned with" 

Calliope cackled hearing Raven boast about her own skill set but she can't deny that what's she's saying we're all facts. 

"I want to," Calliope wants Raven to understand her point. "But I am not someone who will go against your parents. They just wants what's the best for their daughter" she said. 

Raven frowned by her answer. She never felt that her parent's decisions were for her sake. She was a rebel according to people who she came across with and know her situation. 

But for herself? She was just being true. "This is the life that I want for myself. I'd rather die to protect innocents and serve you Calliope than to sit still and be a petty damsel in distress" 

She sounds so stubborn but Calliope knows better. Raven is not a princess type, that's why she's being like this. She's a badass one.

"Alright then, I won't stop you." She finally gave in. "My only request is for you to keep your safety first"

Raven nodded again as if her boss can see her. 

"That's a command Raven, don't take it lightly," Calliope's voice was strict but her words were saying she cares for Raven and the latter appreciates it so much. 

"Yes, captain" she grinned.

True to her words, she took her chance to slowly fade with a huge crowd so she could lost those who were trying to follow her. 

Her focus was to get to exit point Heinz has set for her. 

She wandered her eyes around, quite confident she has lost her hunters. So when she saw no one lingering around– spying on her actions, she tapped her earpiece once again.

"Clear—" 

She was about to inform Calliope that she's bound to exit but a voice filled her ears. 

Someone just spoke behind her ears, sending shivers down her spine. 

"Where are you going señorita?"

Raven was frozen in her tracks. The voice was rather enchanting, it was deep but gentle at the same time. She even smelled that person's scent–Cedarwood. 

She never found herself attracted just by the voice and scent so she don't know how to react. 

She faced him innocently, her eyes were asking what that person–that man wants. But deep inside, she was stunned to see a jaw dropping gorgeous man smirking at her.

"Yes? Need anything?" She asked. 

That man bit his lower lip as if stopping himself from forming an even wider smile. "Nothing. You're just so pretty that you caught my attention," he chuckled. 

Raven raised her brows, completely drawn to his charms. 'Is he trying to flirt with me? Here?,' she can't believe the timing and she's pretty sure Calliope was still listening to them from the other line. Raven could hear chuckles probably from both Calliope and Heinz.  

"I'm busy señorito" she said that with flair. "See you around" she smiled. 

At the back of her head, she wants to stay there and flirt back with him as long as she wants but she just can't risk it. Those bastards were probably still trying to find her. 

Before she could even walk out, the man held Raven's arms and neared their distance even more, he whisphered underneath his breath. 

"I am Kai," he trailed. "Kai Araveles Sage," he gave her a sly glance before taking a turn and blending himself in the crowd. 

Raven could only take a deep breath after that encounter, she didn't even realize that the other line has became dead silent after the man introduced himself.