02||~ Raven.
~~~~
Warm hands cupped my cheeks. "Raven. Can you breathe?"
Was this a dream?
If it was, then could I finally be with him?
A sob broke out of me, my gaze moving from his tender eyes to his lips. Why was this dream so real?
Slowly, I leaned closer and placed my lips on his, my entire body shaking, afraid this dream would end and he would slip from my hand again.
His body went rigid, his hand on my shoulder holding me so tight, I almost winced from pain. But it didn't matter, nothing did except him.
He tasted sweet, like strawberries and chocolate.
Someone let out a sharp gasp from afar.
Vance tried to pull away at the sound. I didn't let him.
Not when it could mean I would never see him again.
"What the fuck are you both doing?!" Dad bellowed and my eyes flew wide open, pupils dilated with the force of trying to make sense of what my eyes were seeing.
I detached from Vance, breath caught. "D-Dad?" My voice was weak, but it sounded like mine. Like the sane girl from five years ago.
Tears stung my eyes as I slowly rose to my feet with Vance's help, to face my very livid, but very real Dad.
The anger in his face eased at the sight of my tears. "Pumpkin, what happened to you?" The word had not left his lips before I threw myself at him, letting his deep cologne warm my heart.
"I am sorry, Dad. I shouldn't have..." The words wouldn't leave my lips due to the shame and guilt crawling through me.
Dad pulled me back to face him. "What are you saying, Pumpkin?" Concern crossed his features. He placed his palm on my forehead, the warmth from his body seeping into my skin. " Why is your body wet? What happened?"
I parted my lips to respond. But then...
I saw her, Aurora.
The bitch who ruined my Dad's life. A shiver ran through me. Trembling, I pushed my Dad behind me as if to shield him from her.
"Raven, are you okay?" She asked in concern, if I hadn't seen the real her, I would have believed that she really cared.
However, I would never forget her face as she told me that she had personally fed my Dad poison for three months, nor the look in her eyes as she described his death.
A loud buzz filled my head, drowning out all sounds, except the crazy yet undeniable thought invading my mind.
I had been reborn.
My breath caught, wide eyes scanning the area. This was three months before my wedding, before my life fell into ruin.
Yes, I remembered today!
I remembered it too clearly.
From the joy I woke up with after finding out I was carrying Elio's child, the pain of being shut down when I told him. My foolishness as I announced it to the whole world without caring about what it would do to Dad.
The taste of vomit and chlorine water in my mouth did nothing but confirm my suspicion.
Breathing heavily, I swirled around to face Dad who had a frown on his face. "What day is today?" I asked almost frantically.
"It's your birthday today, don't you remember?" Aurora responded from behind. My knees weakened instantly and i took a step back.
Water droplets flew as I shook my head in disbelief.
"Raven." Vance was in front of me now. "Breathe, Raven." He instructed softly, only then did I realize that I held my breath.
"It isn't a dream!" I whimpered, running my eyes through his huge frame.
"No, it's not." He confirmed, brow snapped together.
"Thank God, I thought you were both dead. I thought I was alone." I said, throwing my arms around him.
"It's alright." Vance patted my back softly.
"Ok, that enough." Dad snapped. "I need to know what's going on, right now!." His eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Vance as though he wanted to burn a hole through him.
"I-"
"That can wait, she just fell into the water." Vance interrupted.
"Fine." He gritted out and turned to Aurora, take Raven to get changed. And be quick with it, the guests will be arriving soon."
"Yes, sir." Aurora turned to me. "Come with me, Raven." I immediately shook my head, hugging Vance tighter.
I didn't want to be anywhere near her, not after everything she did to me in my past life. Vance let out a soft sigh. " Don't be scared, I am here."
"Take me there, please."
He stared at me like I had spoken a different language. "Are you sure?" I responded by hugging him tighter, only then did he bend down and sweep me in his arms, lips pressed in a thin line while he carried me to my room.
Aurora on our heels.
Vance placed me down once we arrived in my room. I offered him a soft smile and tucked a strand of his curly gold hair behind his ear. His ear turned red and he grabbed my hand. "What are you doing?"
"Sorry. The hair was just..."
Fool.
Why did I touch him like that? I chided in my head.
He opened his mouth, closed, it, then opened it again. "Are you certain you are alright?" He asked.
"I am. Why are you asking?"
"You hated hugging me since you turned sixteenth, but you've hugged me three times today." He said, brows pressed together as if trying to figure me out.
I looked up. Had I?
Cheeks burning, I lowered my eyes. "O-oh. I didn't notice."
His frown deepened, yet he turned around. "Take your time. I- Your Dad and I will be waiting." He said, then he was out. I almost ran after him.
Almost.
Calm down Raven, he's not going anywhere. This was the thought that made me stay.
"Don't be swayed by his action, We both know that Vance only sees you as a little kid." Aurora's voice jerked me out of my thoughts. I flinched, fingers digging into my skin as I glared at her. "W-Why are you looking at me like that?"
Briefly, I imagined myself lunging at her and tearing off her skin for everything she did. Yet, I restrained myself.
Maybe it won't be wise to just rush at her like that. A cold smile spread on my lips. "Nothing. I am just wondering who gave you, a maid, the guts to involve herself in my business."
Her eyes flew wide open, pupils blown large as if she couldn't believe I would say that to her. "Raven-"
"Oh, I know why." My gaze was cold as I took a threatening step towards her. "It's because I have you too much access to my life, I trusted you and treated you as a sister. But what did you do to repay me, pushing me into the water so I would drown."
She took a step back, color draining out of her face. "No! I didn't-"
"I saw you!" I screamed. "You were the one who pushed me into the water!" Another step, she recoiled eyes not meeting mine.
Aurora's breath was shaky, I knew I had her in the right place. A smile curled at my lips as I leaned back, and finally asked her the question that had been burning in my mind.
"The man you brought into my room three weeks ago, it wasn't really Elio, was it?"
~P-Lia~
