Chapter 11 : Dangerous Men
The sun hung lower in the sky, casting a warm, golden hue over the bustling streets as Raven and Seraphine stepped out of the grand Silvergate Mall.
The air was thick with the lively chatter of pedestrians and the distant hum of vehicles.
Raven's rugged, practical clothing — dark, worn leather jacket over a fitted black shirt, along with black trousers and sturdy boots — contrasted sharply with Seraphine's elegant white ensemble. Her fitted white blazer and matching pants highlighted her slender, graceful form, exuding both sophistication and authority. The golden embroidery along the cuffs and hem of her blazer shimmered softly under the sunlight, giving her an almost regal appearance.
In her delicate hand, she held a small bag, which Raven assumed carried the antique she had just purchased. Her golden eyes, sharp and piercing, were locked onto his black eyes with an intensity that made Raven feel as if she could see right through him.
"Have you thought about my offer?" Seraphine's voice was calm and composed, but her gaze carried a hint of curiosity.
Raven didn't answer immediately, his instincts suddenly flaring up.
Something felt off about the street. His eyes darted around, quickly catching the subtle movements of men closing in from different directions.
Their gaze was fixed on Seraphine, their approach too deliberate to be a coincidence.
Without hesitation, Raven grabbed her wrist and pulled her away, his sudden action catching her by surprise. "Come on," he muttered, his tone urgent.
He dragged her into a narrow alleyway, their footsteps echoing against the cobblestone path. The moment they turned the corner, one of the men was already upon them, his speed far beyond the average thug.
The man swung his knife in a vicious arc, the blade slicing through the air with deadly precision.
Raven reacted fast, but not fast enough. The knife's edge grazed his left arm, drawing blood. At the same time, the blade nicked Seraphine's shoulder, leaving a small but noticeable cut.
Raven gritted his teeth through the pain, his sharp gaze locking onto their attacker. With a swift movement, he lashed out with his leg, his kick moving with blinding speed. His boot collided with the man's jaw, the force of the strike sending the assailant collapsing to the ground, unconscious.
Blood dripped from Raven's arm, staining his sleeve. Despite the pain, his grip on Seraphine's wrist remained firm as he dragged her further away from the scene. His agility and stealth allowed him to navigate the maze of alleyways effortlessly, evading any potential pursuers.
Once they were far enough from danger, Raven released Seraphine's wrist, his breathing slightly heavier. He glanced at her, noting the blood staining her pristine white blazer.
Despite her injury, she appeared calm, her golden eyes studying him with curiosity rather than fear.
"You're bleeding," Raven said, his tone blunt. "We should go to a hospital."
"No." Seraphine shook her head. "Going to a hospital would be dangerous. For both of us."
Raven hesitated but eventually nodded. There was something about her words that suggested she wasn't exaggerating. "Then where do we go?"
"My place. It's safer that way."
"Alright. Where is it?"
"Luxe Haven Apartments. Not too far from here."
Raven recognized the name. It was one of the most luxurious apartment complexes in the city, known for its impeccable security and lavish interiors.
Of course, she would live somewhere like that.
He followed her lead, keeping his senses sharp as they navigated the streets.
They managed to avoid any unwanted attention, and soon enough, they arrived at Luxe Haven Apartments.
As expected, the guards were vigilant and well-trained, but Raven's stealth and skill allowed him to bypass them without so much as a whisper.
They reached the door of her apartment, Room 101. Seraphine unlocked it and pushed the door open, revealing a lavish interior filled with antique pieces and elegant furnishings. The air was scented with something sweet and pleasant, adding a welcoming touch to the extravagant space.
"Nice place," Raven remarked, his gaze sweeping over the artwork and intricate décor.
"Thank you," Seraphine replied with a smile. "I was right about you. You're something special."
Raven stayed silent, his expression unreadable. He stepped further inside, taking in his surroundings as she shut the door behind them.
Seraphine set the small bag containing her antique on a table before shrugging off her blood-stained white blazer.
Underneath, she wore a simple but elegant white blouse that hugged her figure perfectly, accentuating her graceful curves.
She retrieved a medkit from a nearby drawer and gestured for Raven to sit down. "Let's take care of those wounds before they get worse."
Seraphine began cleaning her own shoulder first, her movements precise and calm.
Once done, she approached Raven and carefully cleaned the cut on his arm, her touch surprisingly gentle.
As she worked, Raven's thoughts briefly drifted to their attackers. He wanted to ask her who those men were, why they had been after her. But something held him back. It wasn't his place to pry into her business, especially when he was just a stranger caught in her troubles. Instead, he chose to remain quiet about it.
"Do you live alone here?" Raven asked casually, his voice low.
"No, I live with my older sister. She's four years older than me," Seraphine replied while applying a bandage to his wound.
Raven raised an eyebrow. "You have a sister, huh? So... how old are you, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Don't you know it's rude to ask a lady's age?" she said with a playful smirk. "But since you asked, I'm 19."
"Same as me," Raven replied, his voice softening just a bit. "And I also have an older sibling. A brother, four years older than me."
They exchanged a brief glance, a flicker of understanding passing between them.
"So," Raven continued, "What kind of job would pay me one million a month?"
Seraphine's eyes narrowed slightly, her expression unreadable. "I'll tell you the details... but only if you agree to join."
Raven remained quiet for a moment, his gaze thoughtful. "I'll think about it. I'll let you know."
She nodded, accepting his answer. As he stood to leave, she spoke up again.
"Why don't you take my number? That way, if you change your mind, you can call me."
Raven hesitated before taking out his phone and handing it to her. Seraphine quickly dialed her number and returned the phone to him.
As he walked toward the door, her voice reached him one last time. "Take care of that wound, Raven. I'll be waiting for your answer."
He nodded once before slipping out of the apartment, his thoughts already tangled with curiosity and suspicion.