As the morning banter continued between Raven and Eve, the sudden knock on the door jolted them. Eve's eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and fear, imagining the potential awkwardness of her father discovering them in such an intimate morning setting. Raven, on the other hand, burst into laughter, finding the situation more amusing than alarming.
"Why are you laughing?" Eve whisper-shouted at the still chuckling Raven, her eyes darting towards the door with a tinge of panic.
Raven, with a teasing smile, managed to compose himself. "It's not the first time, though. Your dad has a knack for entering at the most unexpected moments," he said, recalling past instances with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Eve playfully hit him, her tone hushed but filled with urgency, "If Dad saw us like this... oh God, it would be more disastrous than a nuclear attack."
Raven, still grinning, assured her, "Don't worry, love. The door is locked from inside. Just casually talk to him, and he won't even suspect a thing."
Just as they began to strategize their casual interaction with Mr. Dale, another knock echoed through the room. This time, it was accompanied by Mr. Dale's voice calling, "Eve, are you awake? Can I come in?"
As Eve hastily got up from the bed, she found herself caught in the awkward dance of dressing up and maintaining the facade of a casual morning. Opening the door only slightly, she peeked out to ensure that Mr. Dale wouldn't catch a glimpse of Raven still inside.
With an attempt at casualness that bordered on comedic, Eve greeted her father, "Hey, Dad, good morning. What are you doing here on this beautiful morning? I mean... how can I help you?" She cursed under her breath, realizing she was failing miserably at sounding casual.
Mr. Dale chuckled in response, amused by his daughter's awkward attempt at nonchalance. "Oh, nothing. Just wanted to tell Raven to have a talk with me as soon as he is... free."
Eve, nervously trying to divert her father's attention, raised an eyebrow. "Dad, I think for that, you should go to his room or call him. Haha, how would I..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Mr. Dale cut her off with a smirk. "Oh, come on, I know better. Where would he be if not here? I've witnessed too many 'it's not what it seemed like' moments to know where to find him."
With that, Mr. Dale turned around to leave, leaving Eve wide-eyed. Mumbling under her breath, she realized the predicament, "Well, this time, it is what it looks like."
But before she could close the door, Mr. Dale turned around squinting his eyes"Oh, and Eve," he said with a questioning glint in his eyes, "never knew you had an oversized shirt with you." He raised an eyebrow and walked away, leaving Eve standing there, wide-eyed, with the realization that her father was more perceptive than she had given him credit for.
//////
As Raven entered Mr. Dale's room, he could immediately sense the weight of the atmosphere. Mr. Dale was pacing back and forth, lost in deep thought. Raven's greeting was more than just a casual inquiry; it carried an underlying understanding of the tumultuous events of the past two days.
"Morning, Mr. Dale. How have you been?" Raven's voice held a gentle tone, conveying his silent support and readiness to listen.
Mr. Dale, his expression clouded with sadness, stopped pacing and turned to face Raven. "Raven, I need your help," he began, his voice heavy with emotion. "I have made a decision."
Raven's demeanor remained composed, but his eyes conveyed a sense of attentiveness, urging Mr. Dale to continue.
Taking a deep breath, Mr. Dale uttered the words that had been weighing heavily on his mind. "I want to confess," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. He locked eyes with Raven, seeking understanding and perhaps a glimmer of reassurance. "I want to confess all the statements regarding the Velvet scandal in court."
Raven's expression remained neutral, but inwardly, he processed the gravity of Mr. Dale's decision. The confession would have far-reaching consequences, not just for Mr. Dale himself but for everyone involved in the scandal. Yet, Raven understood the importance of owning up to one's mistakes and seeking redemption.
Raven could sense the gravity of the situation. "Confessing," he repeated quietly, acknowledging the enormity of Mr. Dale's choice.
"I can't live forever with this burden, Raven," Mr. Dale continued, his voice tinged with desperation. "I know it's sudden, but yesterday, Eve... after knowing the truth, after everything... she forgave me." He paused, his breath catching in his throat as he struggled to articulate the depth of his daughter's forgiveness. "She thinks that I can never do something wrong, that whatever I ever did or do was only for her betterment. She doesn't know the darkness surrounding me. How I have been helping Bartlett in his every... every crime, every sin."
Raven's gaze softened with empathy as he listened to Mr. Dale's confession. He could sense the inner turmoil and self-reproach in Mr. Dale's words, the weight of carrying secrets and guilt for so long.
"Mr. Dale," Raven began, his voice calm but firm, "confessing takes courage, and I commend you for facing your truth." He placed a reassuring hand on Mr. Dale's shoulder, offering a comforting presence in the midst of turmoil.
Raven's expression darkened as he spoke, his eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation. "But this isn't something as simple as it looks, Mr. Dale," he emphasized, his voice tinged with concern. "Bartlett has his eyes everywhere, and he wouldn't want his biggest asset to just surrender like this. Also, it can be the biggest proof against him. There's a lot of risk, more than what could be gained."
Mr. Dale nodded solemnly, acknowledging the validity of Raven's words. "I understand the risks, Raven," he admitted, his voice heavy with resignation. "But I can't continue living with this burden, knowing the harm my silence has caused. I owe it to Eve, to myself, and to all those affected by Bartlett's crimes to do the right thing, no matter the consequences."
Raven studied Mr. Dale for a moment, sensing the depth of his resolve. Despite the dangers and uncertainties ahead, Mr. Dale's determination to seek redemption shone through. "I respect your decision, Mr. Dale," Raven said finally, his tone filled with unwavering support. "I'll do everything in my power to ensure that your confession is heard and that justice is served. But we need to proceed with caution, to minimize the risks and protect those involved."
Mr. Dale nodded as he took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. "I can arrange and manage for everything else, Raven. I just need two favors from you."
Raven inclined his head in acknowledgment, his gaze unwavering as Mr. Dale continued.
"First of all, I need you to be with Eve the whole time until I'm done with my part," Mr. Dale requested, his eyes locking with Raven's. "Make sure Bartlett can't reach her. I know, Raven, you aren't just a bodyguard, but I'm trusting you on this. Make sure not to prove me wrong."
Raven spoke with determination, his voice firm and resolute. "I might not be a bodyguard, Mr. Dale, but trust me, I will protect her at all costs, no matter what."
Mr. Dale nodded in appreciation. "Good. The second thing I need is the proof you have, Raven. I know you must have something with you to know so much about my past and relationship with Bartlett."
Raven couldn't help but smirk slightly at Mr. Dale's astuteness. "Mr. Dale, if you knew it already, you could have fired me anytime. Why didn't you?" he inquired.
Mr. Dale chuckled softly. "You're clever, but not old, Raven," he replied with a hint of amusement. His expression turned serious once more as he continued, his gaze locking with Raven's. "I need that proof, Raven. It's crucial for what lies ahead. Can I count on you to provide it?"
Raven met Mr. Dale's gaze with unwavering resolve. "You have my word, Mr. Dale." he affirmed, his commitment unwavering.
As Raven was about to leave, Mr. Dale's voice stopped him in his tracks. "And one more thing, Raven," he called out, prompting Raven to turn back and listen.
"Don't tell Eve about this," Mr. Dale instructed, his tone serious and determined.
Raven's brows furrowed slightly in surprise at the unexpected request. He understood Mr. Dale's reasoning—to shield Eve from the potential dangers and uncertainties of their plan. However, he couldn't help but feel conflicted about keeping secrets from her, especially given their newfound closeness and trust.
Nevertheless, Raven nodded in acquiescence, recognizing the importance of Mr. Dale's request. "Understood, Mr. Dale," he replied evenly, his voice tinged with resolve. "I won't breathe a word of it to Eve."
With a final nod of acknowledgment, Raven turned to leave, his mind already racing with the weight of the secrets he now bore.
///
In a dimly lit corner of the club, Bartlett sat comfortably, exuding an aura of confidence and charm as he engaged in conversation with a well-dressed individual seated across from him. His smooth demeanor masked the underlying currents of his illicit dealings and clandestine operations.
Suddenly, Bartlett's attention was diverted as one of his men approached, leaning in to whisper urgently in his ear. Bartlett's brow furrowed slightly, betraying a momentary lapse in his composed facade.
His companion noticed the change in Bartlett's demeanor and inquired, "What is it, Bartlett? You seem a bit distracted."
Bartlett's lips curled into a cunning smile as he leaned back in his seat, his gaze fixed on his companion. "Oh, just a minor inconvenience," he replied smoothly, his tone dripping with calculated charm. "Nothing that can't be handled swiftly."
Bartlett raises his glass of wine" To the new friendship and many awaiting success."
With a dismissive wave of his hand, Bartlett seamlessly returned to the conversation at hand, masking the true nature of the disturbance with practiced ease.
/////
Raven stood in a secluded corner, his phone pressed to his ear as he spoke with Jake, recounting the events of the past few days in a hushed tone. As he finished, Jake's voice crackled through the line, filled with surprise.
"So now? You're going to give all the evidence we've collected so far?" Jake's question hung in the air, expectant and uncertain.
After a moment of contemplative silence, Raven responded, his voice firm and resolute. "No, Jake. I won't," he declared, his tone unwavering. "No matter how much I've come to understand Mr. Dale's regrets, this doesn't sit right with me."
Jake sighed audibly, the frustration evident in his voice. "The ever-typical Raven," he muttered under his breath. "What if Mr. Dale genuinely wants to surrender? It could jeopardize everything without the evidence."
Raven's expression remained composed, yet there was a hint of sternness in his demeanor as he spoke. "Think about it, Jake. If Mr. Dale knew about the evidence and my involvement, I'm certain he and Bartlett would have had a conversation about it."
Jake's frustration reached a boiling point as he pressed for a decisive answer. "So, tell me, what do you propose, Raven?"
Raven's gaze drifted into the distance, his mind racing as he analyzed the situation. Finally, he spoke with a sense of determination. "We'll do it Aria's style," he announced, his voice tinged with conviction.
As Raven stood lost in thought, contemplating their next move, Eve suddenly appeared before him, causing him to freeze in place. His heart skipped a beat, a surge of fear coursing through him as he wondered if Eve had overheard his conversation with Jake.
But as Eve smiled warmly at him, her eyes bright with affection, Raven felt a wave of relief wash over him. He forced a smile onto his lips, masking the tension that still lingered beneath the surface.
"Hey, Eve," he greeted her, his voice betraying none of the unease he felt.
Eve observed Raven's demeanor, noting the subtle shift in his behavior, and couldn't help but feel a pang of concern. "Is everything alright, Raven?" she inquired softly, her eyes searching his face for any sign of distress.
Raven offered a nod in response, his hand reaching out to gently caress her cheek in a reassuring gesture. "Everything's fine, Eve," he replied, his voice steady despite the turmoil swirling within him.
Eve's smile faltered slightly, a flicker of unease crossing her features. "Why do I have a feeling that you're hiding something from me?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Raven's heart skipped a beat at Eve's question, a pang of guilt tugging at his conscience. He struggled to maintain his composure, knowing that he couldn't betray Mr. Dale's trust by divulging their clandestine conversation.
Suppressing his inner turmoil, Raven mustered a reassuring smile. "You know me, Eve," he replied, his tone light yet tinged with evasion. "Just caught up in some thoughts, that's all."
Eve studied Raven's expression intently, her intuition telling her that there was more to his response than he was letting on. However, she chose not to press the matter further, trusting in Raven's reassurance for the time being.
"Alright," she conceded with a soft sigh, offering him a gentle smile. "Just remember, you can always talk to me if something's bothering you."
Raven's heart swelled with affection at Eve's words, grateful for her unwavering support. "I know," he murmured, his gaze lingering on her face as he silently vowed to protect her from the turmoil that threatened to engulf them both.
"Tomorrow is gonna be a long day," he mused inwardly, his mind racing with the weight of the tasks ahead. The decisions he would need to make, the secrets he would need to keep, and the risks he would need to navigate—all weighed heavily on his shoulders.
( A/N - hey my loveliest readers. If you are here on this chapter *tears up* i can't thank you enough for supporting me this far. Honestly i feel as if it has been a never ending journey.
But ....yeah here we are just 1 chapter away from the end ( not really 'THE END' but yeah)
Hope you have loved the journey so far and would continue to shower your love 🥹❤️)
Oh and
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Happy valentines week 💓 😘
# ( sighs ) though no one proposed me today ( propose day ) 😮💨