IF ONLY COMMON SENSE WERE COMMON

RAVEN POV.

Standing at the hospital reception desk while staring at the paper in hand.

"Did you say two hundred dollars?”

The receptionist, a woman with short dark hair.

"That's for both of you, which includes the tests and treatments received by the man you came with,”

I looked down at the details, my finger tracing the numbers listed for medical services.

"Why would I pay for his treatment?"

"Were you two not together? He said you would take care of the bills." The receptionist asked.

"how does this make any sense? I was the one who saved his life!"

She remained unmoved, her focus on the transaction at hand.

"will it be credited,” she asked.

There is no arguing my way out of this.

I pulled out a small stack of cash and placed it on the surface,

The receptionist smiled as she pulled it towards her, leaving me with nothing.

How can I survive two more days with ten dollars?

The door to my hotel room swung open as I stumbled inside."That damn highway robber, you're dead if I ever catch you," I Didn't even bother to turn on the main lights, With a pained grunt, I went face flat onto the white sheeted bed overnight.

I sat at a table laden with plates of sausages, rice, and meats, but my appetite had vanished. I stood by the window, my smartphone trembling in my hand as I tried to capture the garden landscape, but my expression froze when I looked at the screen.

Reflected in the glass, sitting directly behind me, was the man who had left me with a mountain of medical debt.

My pulse hammered. I quickly pulled my hood over my face and walked towards him with a sharp.

I reached his table and slammed my hands down onto the table.

He didn’t flinch.

Dorian slowly lowered his phone and leaned back, his gaze lingering on me before he looked back at his screen.

"You know, there isn't much to life," I snapped, "Even when you feel like you're going to die, you still get hungry. And seeing a nice hotel usually cheers people up. Don’t you agree?"

He sighed, finally setting his phone aside.

"Ms. Raven? What are you doing here?"

"Isn't it obvious? I'm a guest," I said, “Hold on how do you even know my name?"

"I checked your ID for the hospital paperwork," he replied simply.

I threw my hands up in absolute frustration. "You searched through my bag? You saw the envelope of cash! That money is my literally family rent money, so give me back or…”

Dorian shifted he's gaze across the room, Bennett zade stood far with a lady leaning into him.

Dorian eyes set back to me, He seemed to be calculating his next move.

"I'm a little busy now, so let's finish this later,”

Before I could respond he stood up, and began walking away.

"Wait!" I demanded, blocking his path.

"Says who? Anyways, I'm sure you had your reasons for resorting to such drastic measures, so give me back my money and I won't report you,”

He adjusted his pinstriped jacket, "Let's finish this later, okay?" He moved to push past me, but I wasn't finished. I lunged forward gripping his shoulders to hold him in place.

"my heart may be warm, but my temper is fiery, Do you want to see it?"

Before Dorian could respond, a feminine voice rang out across the hall.

"Raven!"

I froze.

It was Bennett and Jade. I looked up at Dorian with a desperate plea to play along.

"I can't believe it!" Jade exclaimed.

She looked between Dorian and I,"Is he your boyfriend?"

"Yeah,” I stammered, "This is my Boyfriend,”

Jade approached Dorian. "Hello, I'm Raven friend from high school, My goodness, you're very handsome,”

Dorian stood watching the interaction with a curious look.

"If you haven't eaten yet, how about we eat together?" Jade suggested.

"Sure why not." Bennett agreed.

"I can't believe this just fell in my palm," Dorian muttered.

"We'd love to, but we actually just ate," I said hurried to get out of the situation. But Dorian wasn't going anywhere, He turned to me,

"Babe, I'm nowhere near done eating. Let's just eat a bit more,”

"I still can't get over how handsome he is Raven! Jade said.

You really hit the jackpot. How did you two meet?"

l opened my mouth to speak but Dorian beat me to it.

"It was a dramatic encounter, actually. You could say she saved my life. I was Mesmerized by her beauty I knew I couldn't let her go,”

Hahaha forcing a laugh that sounded more like a choke.

The waiter arrived with coffee and a fresh plate of pastries, Dorian pick up a fork hovering it over a piece of fruit. He held the fork out to my mouth, I leaned forward and took the bite.

"Give me back the money now, or I'll blow your cover,” I whispered.

He whispered back “And tell them your handsome boyfriend is actually a thief? Go ahead. I'm sure your friend would love the gossip,”

"What do you do for a Living Dorian?" Jade eyes scanning his expensive suit.

"I work in investment, it's a demanding field, but it allows for unexpected opportunities,”Dorian replied.

"Investment? You must have a sharp eye for value,” Bennett chirped in.

"If you're free tonight l'd love to invite you to a party Bennett,” Dorian began. He pulled out two envelopes from his jacket pocket,” I happen to have two extra invites,”

"That sounds great,” Jade exclaimed.

****************

Racks of exquisite dresses lined on the walls of the boutique. The dresses were unlike anything I had ever seen, ethereal gowns with delicate lace.

I stopped in front of a pink dress, reaching out its price tag

"One thousand dollars!" I whispered, quickly turning to another dress the price tag was even higher, this can cover up my family’s house rent for 3 years.

"This dress is part of the ss collection, and it features a ball gown silhouette," one of the shop assistant informed.

I looked over at Dorian, "Let's keep this one," he said gesturing towards a dress on a mannequin.

I cleared my throat trying to get Dorian attention.

"Let's get out of here, This place isn't it."

"Why? Not your style," He replied.

I turned to the shop assistant and gave a quick wave "Thank you for your time."

He pulled out a black credit card across the counter.

"Thank you sir,” She spoke.

"Won't I try it on first"

he didn't even look at the gown.

"It'll suit you,” he simply said.

"Thanks to rolling around yesterday, I figured out your size,”

My breath caught.

"Please look forward,” An esthetician directed guiding my face towards the mirror.

The stylish leaned in holding a portfolio of fashion hair designs. "How about this?" She suggested.

Dorian didn't hesitate.

"I think this will suit her better," flipping to a style with softer looks. "Let's go with these bangs swept slightly to the side like this,”

Dorian leaned in, his lips brushing my ear. "That thousand dollar dress? I’ll buy it. I’ll even give you back the cash I 'borrowed' at the hospital. But in exchange, you don't just play the girlfriend you move into my suite tonight. My business partners are arriving, and I need a permanent fixture by my side, if you refuse, I’ll turn you over to the police myself… and I happen to have connections everywhere,”

I looked at him with disbelief, there was no way out now.