Raven is feeling a lot of things right now.Thank god, he was able to stop Therese from walking out the mansion and his life! He keeps convincing himself that he’s doing it for the sake of his son but deep down, he knows that there is something else. Something beyond things that involve Keith.Maybe that is why he is a nervous wreck too. He glanced at the clock and saw that it’s already 8:55 in the evening. 5 more minutes and Therese will finally be with him to receive his proper apology in the form of…you know what.He didn’t know why but his hands were sweating. His heart was banging wildly in his chest since this morning. He has been with many girls before but this is the first time he was self-conscious. Raven is not naive to what they had to say about him. He knows that girls fawn over him. He’s rich and handsome and even his body is to die for. If he’s being honest, there’s not much work to do on his part to get them drooling over him.Yet, he decided to spend a good hour inside
“Yokoso!”“Irrashaimase!”Therese couldn’t believe it. She’s finally in her dream country with the most important people in her life right now! If she would die today, she decided there is no better final memory to have. Knock on woods, though. She would still want to experience a lot of things with the two boys.“How are you feeling so far?” Beside her, Raven cradled the sleeping Keith as they boarded in Tokyo international airport. The weather was cold yet the feeling that spread on her chest at the sight of the two was warm. “I’m excited to explore the city! But I guess we need to rest first. Our little guy is knocked out right here.” She whispered-talk as she tiptoed to kiss Keith’s forehead gently.He chuckled as he tightened his hold on his son. “The hotel is not too far from here.”“I’m starving.”“Do you want to eat first or maybe we could just order in?”“Order in for now.” She smiled at the domesticity of it all.“Right. We have the whole week to explore anyways.”When Raven
RIIIIIINGGGG.Today is a beautiful day. Their professor’s sleepy voice was music to Therese’s ears and the boring subject was suddenly her favorite one.“Argh! I really hate that subject! Thank God it’s over.”“Sush, just double your efforts and you’ll be fine.”She was still riding her recent high from Japan and no one could ruin her mood today! Especially not her bestfriend’s foul one.“Wow, what happened to you, girl? You used to hate that prof and that subject more than me!” Aly’s face soured as the two walked to exit the school grounds.Therese browsed through her camera roll, smiling from ear to ear as she swiped through the tons of pictures she took with Raven and Keith. She’s alone in her own bubble now, Aly’s words disappeared in the background.“Hey, I haven’t seen that one yet!” Her bestfriend practically pounded behind her like a dog as she snatched her phone playfully.If today was a different day, she would’ve been pissed by her actions. But again, no one could ruin her
“Raven Desmond.”“You single, handsome?” Erika inched closer, batting her lashes while angling her body lower. Raven gulped hard when he saw her cleavage. “Eyes up. I asked you a question.”Oh god, how could she choose him out of everyone in the bar to flirt with? There was a very drunk and very cleary smitten Jayce beside her for fuck’s sake!She chuckled as satisfaction ran down her spine at the sight of his reaction. “I’d take your silence as a no, then?”“No, I’m…I’m single.” It was pure reflex. It’s not like he’s lying. He is, indeed, single. But the moment he said it, Therese’s face flashed in his mind.If he was still his past self, he wouldn’t hesitate to jump this woman’s skin.“Hmmm. Interesting.”Erika smirked before she brushed her fingers down Raven’s chest. “Dance with me, then?”“Oh. I think I’ll stay here for now.” Raven politely shook his head as he drowned his guilt with whiskey.“Hey, beautiful! Why don’t you dance with me instead? Don’t mind that guy. I bet he’s th
The number you have dialed is unattended. Please try again later. “Please…Raven pick up.”The number you have dialed is unattended. Please try again later.For the past three hours, Therese has been calling Raven nonstop as she lay awake in bed, tears streaming down her face. Leonor Desmond’s words still echo inside her head. Because of him, she learned that words uttered in a harmless way could hurt the most. “I’m sorry, Mr. Desmond. I appreciate the offer but I’m not a person who could be bought.” Therese played their conversation inside her head for the nth time. She remembered how her hands trembled as she stood up against the tallest wall she’s ever encountered. “I’m not buying you, Ms. Barlow. I’m giving you a way out. You’re young, smart, and beautiful. You have a bright future ahead of you and you don’t deserve to be…entangled with our family’s messy business.” In hindsight, she knew he made sense. He’s giving her an opportunity to start again. Money and a scholarship. Wit
“Turn around. I’m not done with you yet.” Sweat trickled down her nape. Therese breathed heavily as she turned to look at him gritting his teeth. “Raven, please. Let’s take a break for a while, hm?” She tried to reach out and brush her fingers on his face only to be slapped away. “No. I say when we stop.” “Ah!” He was dealing with roughly. Far too rough for her preference. Still, Therese let herself be pushed and pulled in bed, hoping that after this, Raven will finally clear his mind enough to talk to her. To hear what she’s about to say. For now, she gripped the sheets tightly and swallowed her cries. “Mine. Fucking mine.” He uttered in a frenzy voice sounding almost like a growl as he lifted her hips up the air and drilled his cock inside her in a brutal phase. He reached to press her beck solidly on the pillow and grabbed her waist hard. His left hand was almost choking her but he didn’t stop. The sound of skin clapping against skin filled the room. Most of the time, Therese
Raven’s fiance.It felt like an ice-cold bucket of water was poured directly above her. Therese stood frozen on the ground, forcing her weakening knees to carry her weight. Coming to his office was a bad idea. She shouldn’t have followed her gut. When he wasn’t anywhere to be found in the house, she thought he would be here. She thought she could talk to him about what happened to Keith.She wasn’t expecting to see anything close to this.She felt her heart shatter into pieces. Her vision blurred with unshed tears as she witnessed Raven’s tongue throat-deep with a woman she just met earlier. A woman she thought she could befriend. “I’m so sorry that you witnessed that. It’s embarrassing but it’s not like we’re doing anything wrong, right? We’ll be husband and wife soon.” “Wife.” She repeated the word inside her head.What’s this woman’s name again? Right, Erika. Erika’s demeanor is the complete opposite of what she’s saying. She wasn’t embarrassed or sorry at all. She snickered a
He would never tolerate it. Jayce knew what Raven did to Therese was a total dick move. He’s here to hammer some morals inside his best friend’s head whether he likes it or not. “You were an asshole. You know that right?” “I know! One more bottle here please!” Raven took a shot of the strongest, most expensive liquor in the bar. “Therese didn’t deserve that. What the hell, man?” “I wasn’t expecting her to be there, alright? I was just…testing the waters with Erika. That’s all.” His hold on the glass tightened as he remembered her crying face. Jayce sighed heavily, massaging his temples as he dealt with the Desmond drama. “Okay, so how was it? With Erika?” Silence passed between them save for the instrumental music in the background. Raven slumped over the counter as his lips formed a thin line. “She’s…she’s okay, I guess. Too soon to tell.” “No shit.”Jayce leaned forward, tapping his shoulder forcefully. “Raven, I’ve known how you were with women since forever! You’re always
“Are you sure this is okay?” “Mmmm. It’s fine. They’re all asleep.” Raven swallowed whatever protests Therese was about to say with hungry kisses. He cupped her cheeks and pressed their bodies together in the cramped space of the aircraft lavatory. It was hot, narrow, and thrilling. It was getting harder to draw a breath hearing her moans and feeling her chest pressed against his skin. The moment the plane steadied its flight on air, Raven secretly held her thighs on their seats before motioning towards the lavatory so they could sneak from his parents and kid. He pushed the small lock sidewards, making sure that no one would catch them in an awkward situation.He gave her butt cheeks a few squeezes, never cutting their tongues' circling motion against each other. Therese wasted no time and hiked her left leg up to snake it around Raven's torso. His knees pressed against her mound. He knew where to seek her pleasure."Ah!" A certain lewd sound came out from her when he carried her
“I’m so glad that you’ve been living in a comfortable house like this.” If it was a different person that said those words, Raven would have felt irritated. But hearing his mother’s voice devoid of any sarcasm or mockery made all of his emotions mix together in a whirlpool of joy and guilt. If he was being honest, he had already forgotten how sweet her voice was until he heard it again now. "It's not a big deal, mom." That must be the wrong response."It is for me! I needed to know that my son was doing well in my absence." He swallowed hard. How could she look at him with the same loving eyes? How could she not resent him?Her mother was oblivious of his longing gaze. Raven watched her side profile silently as her face lit up the moment she drank in his house's interior luxury. Her mother was a lot older now. there were crow feet in the corner of her eyes everytime she smiles that weren't there before."Have you learned how to cook?" She asked with a teasing grin when they reache
“A mayor in that small town, really?” He stared at her. He drank her long, brown locks and small dimples that appear just below the corner of her rosy lips every time she smiles. Nelle's cheeks were no longer hollow and the crow feet that rested on the sides of her eyes that weren't there before added to her aged beauty. She was as beautiful as the years they spent together. “Yup. I know I don’t look like the type so don't start with me."Leonor laughed. He laughed! He didn't know he still had it in him to laugh. Grasping his teacup gently while hiding his shaky hands was no easy task. He couldn't believe that his conversation with Nelle would be this easy, light-hearted, after all these years. "No. I just...you surprised me. That's all." And I am proud of you, he added in his head. He was afraid to blink for he fears that if he does so, she would disappear again. In his dreams, he often sees her wearing a look of contempt and hatred strong enough to torment him even in his wak
"Dad, is it true?""I don't know who leaked that fake news. It wasn't true."But people wouldn't believe them, of course.Raven gripped his phone tightly, a sense of little relief washed over his flaring anger the moment heard his father's reassuring voice."I'll meet with the team today. We've got this under control. You and Therese must lay low for now. Got it?""Right. I'll talk to you soon." He ended the call.Pressing his lips in a thin line, Raven headed towards the curtain-clad window where the sounds camera flashes and various media devices were heard. The moment that fake news broke, hundreds of media personnel immediately swarmed outside his house, hoping to land a statement from him. Their breakfast was long forgotten."Why don't I go out and talk to them?" Therese peeped at the smallest crack with a worried look on her face. Her eyebrows were furrowed and her face paled in anxiety. Raven closed the window entirely as he embraced her from behind. "That will not be a good i
1 MONTH LATER“Did you know about mom?” Leonor stared at Raven with an unnerving look he saw in his father's eyes for the first time. If he squinted a little, he could tell that he was sweating profusely under the collar of his suit. The older Desmond clenched his jaw. "Are you here to deliver some bad news?" This time, it was Raven's turn to gawk. His eyebrows were pinched as he opened his mouth to ask his father what he meant, only to close it again when he realized he must have the wrong idea. "Did you read in one of your brother's letters that something bad happened to your mom?" "No, dad. Listen--" "I reached out to her, you know." Leonor stood up and walked towards the window of his office. He hid his hands in his pockets while staring at the magnificent view of skyscrapers in midday. "When I sensed that things were going bad, I snuck out a letter addressed to them only for it to be sent back to me." His father's honesty caught his attention. Whatever explanation Raven was
“W-what? What do you mean I…I lost the baby?” Therese knew what the doctor meant. She was just not ready to accept the truth. Her lips quivered when silence met her question. She felt Raven snake his arms around her tighter. “The fetus was not strong enough to endure the stress that you’ve been subjected to. If you’re planning to get pregnant again in the future, I suggest that you take it easy.” The doctor said before excusing himself and giving the couple their much needed privacy. Therese bowed her head and let her tears fall. The pain in her abdominal area might have disappeared now but a different kind of ache sparked in her chest. She was a failure. She couldn’t protect her child. “It’s not your fault, baby. I’m here.” Raven pulled her head to his chest, letting his clothes get soaked by her tears. She clutched the end of his shirt as she sobbed the content of her hearts out in the open. "I...I didn't even think of a name yet and now, they're g-gone." Her own saliva choked
PAST"A letter from the other kid, madam." Leonor's wife rolled her eyes in annoyance. If her memory isn't deceiving her, she was sure that this was probably the tenth letter that Warren kid has given to the house, addressed to his brother. Over her dead body, she will allow Raven to see it. "These pests are getting on her nerves! Is it not enough that we've shouldered that stupid woman's medical expenses already?! Now, they're clinging onto us for more riches!" She rambled before stepping forward and pulling the envelope from the butler. She didn't bother opening it anymore. Lifting it in the air for one final judging gaze, Alliah was about to tear the paper apart when Leonor's voice echoed around the big room. "What are you doing, Alliah?" Her eyes widened in panic. A cold sweat ran down her spine as she forced a genuine smile before turning around and facing her husband. "Leonor! I didn't see you there." She hid the envelope behind her dress. He stomped angrily across the roo
The moment those words left her mouth, Warren wasted no time and sent her his address. First step of the mission, done! “Be careful on your way, if anything bad happens, you know what button to press.” Raven kissed her forehead and held her in a loving embrace to soothe her bubbling anxiety. Behind them, Leonor spoke the reassurance she badly needed. “We’ve got your back. You have nothing to be scared about.” He handed the recorder to be hidden in her clothes. Therese smiled as she looked around the space, seeing a few police officers setting up their laptops and radio frequency devices. Inhale. Exhale. She got this. They will take down that monster no matter what.“I’m ready.” —-----"I can't reach her. Do you think she will be fine?"Aly bit the corner of her nails in anxiety. She heard about the plan from Jayce. In fact, the two of them offered some help but Raven and his father told them to stay put for now. "Trust in them, baby. Therese is a strong girl. You, out of all peo
“I knew it was the right decision for us to invest in your potential! You’re a lot more promising than your brother!” “Well, thank you! You flatter me.”“I’m looking forward to our future partnership, Mr. Desmond.”Warren flashed a victorious smirk at seeing his plan come to life. It only took a few bundles of cash and manipulative eyes before the stupid old men in suits were crawling on him, licking his feet. Maybe the way he painted his father's reputation played a role too. And now for the grand finale...“I don't normally show this to people, but...my concern about the company would never tolerate my brother's disturbing behavior." He feigned a concerned expression by sighing heavily. Warren crossed his left leg over his right, leaning back on his expensive sofa before pulling out his tablet and clicking the play button. The investors exchanged looks of confusion before they focused their eyes on the clip. "Goodness gracious!" “Oh my! Is that the supposed heir of Leonor?" Th