Chapter 11

CHAPTER Eleven

Fiona sat in the backseat of the very expensive and very comfortable black car, the city lights blurred as they sped through the streets –overly out streets in her opinion because although she was in the car. It felt like she had a spotlight hanging over her. The man who had come to fetch her on Raven’s behalf was completely silent it was like he didn't know

how to say anything other than what he had already told her when he took her from the hospital.

She clutched the paper he had handed her, just before she got into the car, it had a few numbers scrawled on it, a lone number "17" which she assumed was the floor she was supposed to go to then there was the room number “1702” written in what she assumed was Raven’s very elegant handwriting.

He even wrote like royalty, while her writing was not horrible,it wasn't like this either.

Questions burned her mind and the tip of her tongue but the driver would not answer her even if he knew something.
Where was she being taken, And why?

The car pulled up in front of a towering building and Fiona had to stop herself from gasping or swallowing her tongue,if Rosa saw this she would flip out of her mind.
She didn't ’t recognize the place but maybe that was because it was dark and she was running on fumes and exhaustion.

Fiona stepped out of the car, her heart pounding with a stupid mix of anticipation and nerves, she looked to the driver hoping he was coming too but he just gestured towards the entrance,–traitor, she thought as she walked inside, the building.

It was quite something, the lobby was simple and smart not overstated but that was not what was taking her breath away. That was the marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and the quiet sophistication that surrounded her like a mist.

Just as she was about to head to the elevator the driver jogged in to meet her
“This way, Miss Fiona,” the driver said, as he pressed the button for the seventeenth floor and handed her a key card.

“this is for Room 1702, I forgot to give it to you"
Fiona nodded, gripping the key card tightly.

" Thank you" she mumbled looking to him, she really wanted him to go with her which was absurd because it wasn't like Raven was going to kill her, the problem was she was still nervous about seeing her secret husband.

The elevator ride felt like it was taking an eternity, to get to where she wanted to go to her fingers twitching with each passing second and when the doors finally opened,she squeezed her fingers together taking a deep breath she stepped into the hallway with its plush carpets .

It was easy enough to find room but taking a deep breath before sliding the key card into the slot to steel herself she pushed open the door and as Fiona stepped inside, her breath caught in her throat.

The apartment was stunning, if it was Raven's apartment she could see how he'd live here, then with its floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the city skyline, that was something he would want to look at the world as a king staring at his kingdom.

She moved further into the room when her eyes caught sight of the dining table that was now set up in the center of the living room,a set of flickering candles and a bouquet of red and white roses on top as well.

Some of the rose petals were littered on the floor, while soft music played in the background, creating an of intimacy or maybe even romance.
Then she saw him, standing there in all his tall glory, his hair slicked back with a few strands falling over his brow as he watched her, he had a small smile on his face that made him look even more beautiful

“Raven, what is all this?” she whispered, her voice a small whisper

Raven walked towards her his smile widening making his face appear more open in that moment.

He had taken off his suit jacket and was in only a tailored shirt but he still looked effortlessly handsome,
“Fiona, I thought you had run away with my driver” he said, crossing the room to take her hands in his.

She laughed a little flustered
" I did consider it but then, I don't think he would have let me " she replied looking around the room
" What is this" she asked gesturing to the room around them and he smiled

" We're married now"
“I wanted to do something to celebrate the occasion, in lieu of a honeymoon"
" Besides you've been so busy, this could be a well deserved break.” he muttered

She looked up to him
" Thank you" he tool her shoulder in his hands he led her to the table and pulled out a chair for.

“I had a lot of things prepared, for you " he said, pouring her a glass of wine.
“I hope you’re hungry.” she laughed
" I guess I can try "

" How is you sister" he asked and she sighed
" She's fine, she was just falling asleep when your man came

" she offered and he nodded
" That's good"
" Please eat " he mumbled gesturing to the plate and she smiled
" Thank you"

Dinner was a splendid affair and just when she thought that there was nothing more to say something came up,so that their conversation flowed easily between them like they had been friends for years.

Raven was charming and attentive if a bit too stoic but she was willing to endure it all because for the first time it was like someone was putting her first.
His presence was a huge comfort and when she found herself laughing and smiling, the weight of her worries lifting with each passing moment she could duly say that it was Raven Qing the husband she barely knew who had made it happen.

Once dinner and dessert were over , Raven extended his hand.

“i want to show you something ” he offered and she nodded taking his hand, she followed him through the apartment.
They stopped in front of a set of double doors, and Raven pushed them open to reveal a beautifully decorated bedroom, complete with a king-sized bed draped in luxurious linens.

“Raven, this is amazing,” Fiona said, taking in the space,it was more space than she'd ever had.

“im glad you like it then, " she looked at him curiously
" Why"
" Because–" he started with a small smile
“This apartment is yours, Fiona. I want you to have it.”

Fiona turned to him, her eyes wide with shock.
" You can't mean that" she huffed and he laughed
“ why not ” he asked and she laughed
" This place is way too expensive" she mumbled and he smiled
" I know"

“thats why I bought this place for you,”
" You may be my secret wife but you are my wife"
“I wanted you to have a place to call your own. Somewhere you can feel at home.”

Tears welled up in Fiona’s eyes as she looked at him, she was overwhelmed by him but this and she had no idea what to say
", I don’t know what to say. I'm not even sure I can accept this. It’s too much.” she whispered beneath her breath.
Raven took her shoulders in his hand turning her to face him then he grabbed her face in his palm his gaze intense
" You can just say thank you"

Fiona leaned in and kissed him deeply, pouring into the kiss her gratitude he pushed her away
" I didn't mean it like that" he muttered and she laughed

" I know" she ran her hands over his face and the beard son his cheeks and leaning in again she kissed him, slowly.

This time Raven responded with equal passion, pulling her close,they stumbled into the bedroom, shedding clothes as they went.
He followed her into bed and took her hip in his hand

" Protection" she mumbled and he groaned
" I need you like this nothing between us, we'll put you on the pills" he said and she reached for him too eager and out of her mind with wanting.
He thrust into her and that was the beginning of her end.

They laid there tangled in the sheets, from the aftermath of their passion and Fiona resting her head on his chest. The weight of the ring on her finger felt both comforting and much more of a reality now.
She was married to this man, for better or for worse.

She traced patterns on his skin, feeling a sense of peace

“Raven,” she murmured, breaking the comfortable silence.
“Can I ask you something?”

“ok" Raven replied, his fingers running through her hair.
" Why does out marriage have to be a secret" she asked and he sighed
" My father is not a very easy man" he replied and she sighed
" So he would not accept me" she asked or said because she already knew
" No" he replied

" And your mother, is he your only family?” Fiona asked cautiously.
“I would like to know about your family " she whispered and his body tensed beneath her's
“There’s nothing to tell,” he said, his voice tight.

Fiona sensed she was entering forbidden territory but she wanted to know
. “I’m sorry, I didn't ’t mean to pry. I just— I don't know anything about you”

“I said there’s nothing to tell,” Raven snapped, his tone harsher than she had ever heard it. He pushed her away and got out of bed, grabbing his clothes.

“Raven, stop,” Fiona called,
" Please don't go, I'm sorry" she called to him
He didn't ’t answer, storming out of the bedroom and slamming the door behind him. Fiona sat up, pulling the sheets around her, as she hugged her knees to her chest, the warmth of their earlier connection replaced by a chill of sadness and loneliness

She listened to the sounds of him moving around the apartment, glasses and plates being dropped in the sink. The almost too silent sounds of clothes being picked up.
It was a few minutes, after when the front door opened and closed, and silence fell over the apartment.

Fiona lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The city lights outside seemed dimmer now, the previous glow of happiness was replaced by the cold gnawing teeth of reality.
She should not have expected more. She was not a real wife, just a secret one.