Valerie Thorne POV:
Age: Sixteen.
Hi. My name is Valerie. Valerie Thorne. The daughter of Victor Thorne and Leah Spencer. Since I was a child, I got everything I ever wanted. Be it toys, clothes, or extravagant gifts in the world. My father ensured the world bent to my will, and my mother? Well, she made sure I always looked perfect.
But no one ever asked what I truly wanted.
And right now? I wanted him.
Raven Blackwood.
Raven Blackwood was the son of my father’s best friend Richard Blackwood. He was twenty years old this year. He followed after his father’s steps and took over his business just at the age of eighteen. He had dark hair, which looked sharper than shadows, and his gray eyes. Well, they looked like some storm that was on the verge of destruction.
Everyone admired him and feared him. And me? Well, I was no exception either.
But that was not the thing I admired about him the most. Being the family friends, I had basically grown up watching him. He was a quiet kid in his friend circle and had only two friends, Rowan Falcone, and Axel Stone. Since he was older in age, I could only interact with him on some rare occasions. He was always kind, and gentle to me, which I had never seen him with other girls. And I loved this. It made me feel special.
I believed he was my prince charming, and I was his princess.
“Val, be a little quick.”
Suddenly, a soft voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I turned around and saw Elara, my best friend was standing at the door, dressed in a chic white dress. She was one year younger than me. Born in Texas. Her father was from America, and her mother was from Philippines. Her short hair looked curly, falling around her shoulders. She had Asian eyes, so the eyeliner made her look cute. Her lips were painted in a shade of rusty orange. But right now, she looked fierce, which made her lips pout and cheeks full. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Easy babe. If you keep getting angry, I am afraid I will have to take you to the hospital than a club.”
Elara rolled her eyes at me. Frustration looked clearly evident on her face, as she reminded me of time. “If you’re not finished with your makeup in five minutes, we will be late Val.”
I nodded. I knew I was getting late. But I couldn’t help but think about Raven Blackwood. He would be present in the club. And I needed to make sure, I looked perfect. Just for him.
I quickly completed the final touch of makeup with the nude pink lipstick. I glanced in the mirror for the final satisfaction. I wore a purple dress. My blue eyes looked perfect with the double coats of mascara, and on my cheeks, I applied the natural color of blush. To complete the look, I wore purple matching block heels. My hair was medium size, so I neatly straightened it, before security them with pin.
Finally, when I was satisfied, I turned around. For a moment, I felt nervous as I asked, “Is it okay? Or do I need to change something?”
Elara looked like she was about to have another headache as she shook her head, “You look perfect even if you go out without your makeup and ripped clothes.”
I chuckled at her exaggerated and out of place compliment. Well, since she approved, it meant, I looked perfect. But I just hoped, he would like me today. “Let’s go.”
It had been two years since I last saw him. and a few days, I only heard in passing from my father that Raven Blackwood was going to meet some partner in SG Club. So, I made a plan with Elara and Trance. If Elara was my best friend, Trance was my best buddy. Since we were underage, we couldn’t enter the club due to all the regulations and restrictions. So, Trance helped us get our passes and fake IDs.
Sigh, things we do for the man we love.
It took half an hour for us to get inside the club, as the guards were suspicious of our age. But thankfully, we managed.
Inside the club, the air was thick with the smell of alcohol and perfume. The bass of the music pounded through the floor, and colorful lights flashed across the crowded dance floor. People were laughing, dancing, and drinking like there was no tomorrow. It was loud, chaotic, and nothing like the fancy events I usually attended with my parents.
Elara grabbed my hand, her excitement was obvious in her voice. “Come on, Val! Let’s get a drink.”
Trace glared at us at the name of the drink. “No drinks remember, it’s not suitable for two of you. I will go and get some fruit juice for you.”
Elara rolled her eyes and tried to tempt Trance for some drinks. At least, the one with low alcohol quantity. But Trance remained firm on his decision.
I nodded absentmindedly, even though my stomach twisted with nerves. My eyes scanned the room, searching for him. The thought of Raven Blackwood being somewhere in this crowd made my heart race.
Was he already here?
Elara pulled me toward the bar, her white dress glittering under the club lights. “Relax.” Her voice was low against the club’s loud music. “You look like a deer caught in headlights.”
“I’m fine,” I lied, brushing my hair back as if that would calm the storm inside me. But then, as if the universe answered my silent plea, I saw him.
Raven Blackwood.
He stood near the VIP section, there was a glass of whiskey in his hand. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, the crisp white shirt underneath highlighting his broad shoulders. The jacket hugged his frame like it was made for him, because it probably was. His dark hair fell slightly over his forehead, but those gray eyes. They looked sharp and he scanned the room like he owned it. And actually he did.
SG Club was owned by Raven Blacwood’s father Richard Blackwood.
His lips remained pressed into a thin line as he listened to Rowan and Axel, who stood beside him. it looked like whatever they were talking about, was extremely serious. The trio looked effortlessly powerful, like a scene from a movie.
My breath caught. After two years, he looked even more… handsome… and dangerous. And yet, all I could think about was how badly I wanted him to notice me.
“Val?” Elara’s voice broke through my thoughts as she tapped on my shoulder.
“I see him,” I whispered in a low voice, not daring to look away. I was afraid if I even blinked, he would disappear in the next second.
“Drinks ladies.” I heard Trance's voice behind me. I didn’t look back, just raised my hand so he could directly hand me my drink. My eyes remained on Raven Blackwood only.
And then, in the next moment, it was as if Raven Blackwood sensed his gaze on me, he looked in my direction.
Later that night…Rowan arrived on time he promised. Sitting right in front of me made me feel like I was still in school, and he was my teacher. I didn’t want to get nervous, but his aura screamed danger.“What did you want to talk about?” he asked.I looked up at him from my food, and suddenly felt my throat getting tight.“I am waiting.” Rowan continued.“Well…” I clenched my fist as I forced myself to open my mouth and talk to him. “I need help.”“Help?” Rowan asked. His hands paused on his cutlery.I nodded my head a little furiously. “Yes… It's like…” I explained what had happened in the last month. The more I spoke, the more Rowan’s expression turned ugly, making me bite my tongue and lose my composure.After I was done, what followed was silence.Rowan remained silent, and his eyes remained on me, like he was planning to kill me next second. But he wouldn’t. I knew that. Rowan wouldn’t kill the people he worked with, not without purpose or betrayal. And I didn’t betray Rowan.
“Look at me,” his voice echoed in my ears clearly. “Valerie.” He shook my body, called my name again and again.I tried to blink, to open my mouth. But nothing happened. My body couldn’t react. I felt fear rush through my bones. What was happening to me? Was it fear? Panic? Or was I losing control over my senses?Raven let go of me. I felt the gravity pulling me towards it. But before I could touch the ground, Raven picked me.He walked to the bathroom in no time and turned the shower on.Cold water hit my skin, making me feel currents and goosebumps. Blood rushed to my brain, and my fingers twitched. A loud sigh escaped my lips. “Raven.”I managed to speak, to utter a word. Though it was his name, it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that I spoke. I was finally able to speak. I was able to react.“Valerie.” He held me in his hands, calling me again and again.I shook his grip on my arms and tried to take a step back. “What the hell are you shouting for?”Raven paused, taking a goo
Raven Blackwood POV:A few days passed.The plan I set was already working. Valerie was losing deals. Almost every deal. And the reason was me.I looked at the wedding contract on my desk, which looked all set and ready for My Wife. I looked at the time on my watch and stood up. It was only a week left for Elvis to return. And tomorrow I was going to marry the woman I was obsessed with.The streets were filled with traffic, and I felt my patience wearing thin. How I wish I rather taken a helicopter rather than this Aston Martin? But I was already halfway, so I could just endure.I finally reached the Thorne Residence. The security guard opened the door the moment he saw me. Everyone here knew who I was, and they knew better than to waste my time.As I stepped inside the residence, I adjusted the cuffs of my shirt. My reflection stared back at me in the metal walls. I had waited too long for this day. Valerie could hate me all she wanted. It didn’t matter. After tomorrow, she would be
Raven Blackwood’s POV:I shouldn’t have done it, but I did it anyway!Burning the warehouse wasn’t in my plans, but I did it anyway. It was her first victory, Against Me. I should have protected it, but I ruined it, Myself.I watched the fire and ashes burning to the ground. Smoke cam thick, and flames rose higher. It was both beautiful and cruel in a way. It was her punishment, her warning, from me! And she would understand it sooner or later.I leaned back in my chair, still watching the video on my phone, satisfied. People were running, shouting.Then, I imagined her face, shocked and angry. She was too proud to cry in front of anyone. But I knew her. I had studied her since the moment she walked into my world, wearing her father's name like a crown she hadn’t earned yet.She was bold, smart and ambitious. But still too soft inside. And softness? Softness gets you killed in our world.I lit a cigarette and looked out of my office window. The city was quiet tonight. But it was never
I didn’t sleep that night.Even though my body was tired, my mind refused to stop running from every thought. Every small thing from the Rosario deal replayed in my head, Charles’s forced smile, the lean guy’s sharp and mocking words, even Jeremy’s almost half smile. It all sat heavy in my chest.I missed Papa. How I wished, he was here, and everything was fine. A tear skipped down my eye, though I forced myself not to cry.By morning, I had read the same sentence in my file ten times without understanding it. I shut the folder a while later.A few moments later, I heard a knock on the door. I didn’t look up, and I didn’t answer either. Just in the next second, Jeremy entered the living room anyway. His face didn’t show any expression, but the way he moved, the tension in his shoulders told me something was wrong.I stood up immediately and asked. “What is it?”Jeremy didn’t answer right away. Instead, he stepped forward and held out his phone for me to see. “It’s better if you see it
Valerie Thorne’s POV:Elvis left. He got an urgent call from his home a week ago. So, he immediately left for his hometown. And here I was, still struggling, still trying to win more local alliances.In place of Elvis, the other guard, Jeremy, remained by my side in all the meetings. He wasn’t as chatty or friendly as Elvis. But he was efficient. He was quiet most of the time, but he was a good observer. And most importantly, he was loyal to Raven, not me. And that fact alone kept me on edge.Every word I said, every step I took, I knew it was being reported back. I wasn’t paranoid, just realistic. This world didn’t give me the luxury of trust.Today, I had another meeting scheduled. This time, it was arranged with the Rosario faction. They were small time gang, but vicious. And they were known for switching sides when things got messy, exactly the kind I needed on my side before anyone else got to them.Jeremy opened the car door for me without a word. I stepped inside and adjusted m