Chapter 9 : Seraphine Ashfall
She continues staring at Raven with that playful smile, her golden eyes gleaming with something unreadable.
Raven tries to ignore the unsettling feeling her gaze stirs within him and focuses back on the stone, admiring its beauty while also calculating his next move.
Out of nowhere, her voice breaks the silence between them. "Do you want a coffee?" she asks, her tone smooth and inviting, like it was the most natural thing to ask a complete stranger.
Raven turns to her, his black eyes narrowing with suspicion and confusion.
The sudden invitation catches him off guard. This woman had been staring at him like she already knew something about him.
"Why would she ask me for coffee? Was it a trick? A test?" Raven thought, But if she had any hidden intentions, Raven intended to find them out.
"Sure," Raven replies, his voice calm and composed, masking the swirl of questions running through his mind. If she was trying to play him, he would find out soon enough.
They both leave the jewelry store, their footsteps echoing softly against the polished marble floor.
As they walk through the dazzling mall, heads turn to watch them pass.
Their beauty is striking—Raven in his sharp, black suit that perfectly hugs his tall, lean frame, enhancing his graceful yet powerful aura.
His white hair and dark eyes give him a mysterious, almost dangerous charm that leaves people wondering who he could possibly be.
Beside him, She looks equally mesmerizing. Her pristine white coat fits snugly over her elegant figure, the tailored fabric highlighting her graceful curves.
Her fiery red hair cascades over her shoulders like silk, its vividness only enhancing the golden glow of her eyes. Her walk is confident, elegant, and utterly captivating.
The two of them together create a picture too perfect to ignore. Whispered comments trail after them, voices murmuring with admiration and envy.
"Who are they? Are they some noble couple?"
"They look like they walked straight out of a Drama…"
"I've never seen anyone so beautiful."
Raven catches some of the remarks but pays them no mind. His attention is fixed on the woman beside him. What was her game? And why was she dragging me along with her like this?
She doesn't seem to care about the attention they're receiving. Instead, she takes her time strolling through the mall as if enjoying a casual day of shopping. Her gaze occasionally sweeps over the extravagant stores with idle curiosity.
Without warning, she stops in front of a shop selling antiques. Raven follows her inside, his eyes scanning the place while remaining wary of her strange behavior.
Seraphine's gaze lands on a peculiar item displayed near the back. It's an ornate piece of craftsmanship, aged and covered with intricate symbols Raven can't quite make sense of.
Her golden eyes gleam with satisfaction as she picks it up and takes it to the counter without hesitation.
She buys the piece as if it's something she's been searching for, her smile now hinting at something more than casual interest.
Raven watches her, his curiosity only deepening. Who was this girl? And why did she invite me for coffee out of nowhere?
They made their way up the grand staircase to the upper floor of the mall. The food court was spacious and luxurious, lined with various stalls serving everything from rich desserts to exotic cuisines. The area was bustling with well-dressed people, their conversations and laughter mingling with the gentle clinking of cups and plates.
Raven and the mysterious woman settled at a small table outside a cozy coffee stall called "Golden Brew." The place had an inviting warmth to it, with its dark wood decor and aromatic scent of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air.
They both ordered the same drink—a signature blend called "Midnight Ember." A rich, velvety coffee with hints of dark chocolate and a touch of spice, served in elegant white cups.
They sat across from each other, the table between them feeling like a fragile barrier.
Raven leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed but his gaze cautious.
The woman, however, remained calm and composed, her golden eyes locked onto him with unsettling intensity. It was as if she was staring straight through him, her gaze piercing his very soul, searching for something buried deep within.
The moment stretched on, Raven growing increasingly uneasy under her unwavering stare.
Her beauty was undeniable, but there was something else about her—something sharp and dangerous, veiled beneath that calm, graceful exterior.
Finally, she broke the silence. "So, what's your name?" she asked, her voice smooth and measured, though her eyes continued to study him with unnerving focus.
"Raven," he replied, his tone careful, watching her reaction.
The corner of her lips twitched, amusement flickering in her eyes. "I already know that your name is Raven."
His brows furrowed slightly at that. "And you are?"
"Ashfall. Seraphine Ashfall." The name rolled off her tongue with an elegance that matched her appearance.
Raven's mind raced. She already knew my name. Is she someone I met with my father ?Why? And who exactly is she?
There was something about her that didn't sit right with him. Her sudden approach, her intense gaze, her knowledge of his name—it all felt too deliberate.
But for now, he played along, keeping his expression neutral and his curiosity tightly guarded.
"Alright, Seraphine," Raven said, his voice steady. "Mind telling me what you want?"
Her smile widened, a spark of interest dancing in her golden eyes. "Perhaps I just wanted to have coffee with a handsome stranger."
He didn't buy that for a second. And from the look on her face, she knew it.
But whatever game she was playing, I am willing to play along. At least for now, Raven think in his mind.
Their conversation was just beginning, and Raven was determined to uncover the truth.
Seraphine took a slow sip of her Midnight Ember coffee, her golden eyes never leaving Raven's face.
The way she looked at him was both unsettling and captivating, as if she was peeling away every layer of him with just her gaze.
"So, Raven," she began casually, though her voice carried a certain sharpness. "What do you do for a living?"
Raven hesitated for the briefest moment before answering. His expression remained calm, his tone smooth. "I'm currently unemployed. Just... looking for something worthwhile."
It wasn't a lie, not exactly. But it was far from the truth. I had no intention of revealing my true line of work to a complete stranger, no matter how beautiful or intriguing she was.
Seraphine tilted her head slightly, her smile never wavering. "Is that so?" she mused, her gaze studying him with keen interest. "Well, it just so happens that I might have something worthwhile for you."
Raven's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
She leaned forward, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her coffee cup. "I have an offer for you. Why don't you work with me? I could use someone with your... potential."
The way she said "potential" made Raven's guard go up even more. But before he could respond, she continued.
"And if money is what you're looking for, how does one million per month sound?"
Raven's eyes widened, just slightly. The offer was beyond ridiculous. One million per month? For what exactly? His mind raced with questions, suspicion clawing at his thoughts. But he kept his expression calm, refusing to let his surprise show too much.
He stared at her, trying to read past that enigmatic smile of hers. Just who the hell was this woman? And what kind of work would pay that kind of money?
The conversation had only just begun, but Raven could already feel the weight of something dangerous settling between them.