Chapter 17

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The office was loud, with too many people shouting in the room and trying to say something all at the same time. It was frustrating and annoying. Raven rubbed his temples, he needed a break, he wanted to see Fiona.

Spending time with her every day helped take away the feeling that the weight of the day was pressing down on him ready to kill him.
His office was filled with stacks of paperwork, and the blinking red light on his telephone let him know he had several missed calls.

He didn’t need to check to know who they were from. Mirabelle’s persistence was exhausting, she had tried his phone and then moved to the office phone when that didn't work.
Her voice had been an unwanted fixture in his life ever since their dinner arrangements, some days he wished he had not consented but then he had and so he was stuck with her badgering

His secretary walked in with a resigned sigh
" What is it now" he muttered and Zane sighed and handed him yet another note from Mirabelle, where she was asking him to meet her.

" And this one is from your father" Raven ran his hands through his hair
" And what does the old man want" he sighed

" Well, apparently he is requesting a meeting regarding the company. Qing investments and such" he muttered and Raven nodded
Sometimes he wondered if he should have just ignored his father's company, if he should have just stuck with running his business but then he remembered how far he had come thanks to the Qing name.

He was his own man now yes, but he had also gotten the backing of his father no matter how he detested it.

Raven sighed deeply, knowing that he couldn’t avoid this confrontation forever, he rose from his seat and made to grab his coat and made his way to the family estate, each step feeling heavier than the last.

He arrived on the estate grounds, and as he entered the grand dining room, he realized with a sinking feeling in his gut that he had walked into a trap.
His father and Mirabelle were already seated at the table, talking and laughing with themselves, they seemed to be having a lot of fun on their own. He was tempted to walk out when his father caught a glimpse of him

" Ah, Raven comes" he gestured his face set with a mix of determination and authority.
The table was set for an elaborate dinner, but Raven had lost his appetite.

“We have much to discuss.” he continued

Mirabelle’s smile was equally big and conniving
. “Yes, Raven. Please, sit down. Your father is a great conversationalist. I was just telling him so" she mumbled and my father laughed
" She's flattering me, please sit we have a proposal that will benefit all of us.”

Raven remained standing, his eyes narrowing
. “What is this about?”

His father exchanged a glance with Mirabelle before speaking.
“We’ve been talking about the future of the company."

" And what would she know about that " he asked feeling his fury rise
" Raven, Mira's family is well off and rooted in politics an alliance with them would secure our increase our influence across the country and eventually abroad"
" I want you to reconsider your decision and marry her."

Raven felt a surge of anger.
“I’m not a pawn for your business deals." He mumbled and then turned to Mirabelle

" I’ve told you before, I won’t marry you. I don't want to date you in the first place " he scoffed and she frowned

" Isn't that extremely shortsighted, Raven? This is bigger than personal feelings. This is about the future of your family and our legacy.” she mumbled taking a sip of wine from her glass
“Think about it, Raven. Together, you both can achieve so much more.” his voice going smooth and persuasive but failing.

Raven’s hands clenched into fists.
“Logical choice? for your gain or mine"

Running his hands through his hair he glared
" I’m done with this.” He turned and stormed out,

" Get back here" his father roared but he ignored him and stormed out of the house.
" Raven, Raven wait " Mirabelle called out to him, she grabbed his hand

" Don't be mad at your father. I asked him to invite me to dinner"
He turned to face her

" I don't know what it is you want but I can assure you that you won't get it" he hissed and got into his car, locking the door behind him.
The drive to their apartment– because it felt like his and Fiona's now was a blur.

His mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions—anger, frustration, and an underlying apprehension that defying his father would not last long his father would want to assert his rights.
When he reached Fiona’s place, he didn’t hesitate to open the door jamming his key card to the sensor and storming in he didn't mean to jam the door but that was what happened. She must have heard it because she rushed to the door, surprise and concern etched on her face.

“Raven, are you ok? What’s going on?” she asked looking concerned, her brow pinched with worry
Without a word, he pulled her into a passionate kiss, pouring all his frustration and longing into that single moment.

They finally broke apart, he rested his forehead against hers, both their breaths ragged, he pressed one last kiss to her cheek

“I needed to see you,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Fiona’s eyes searched his face.
“You always see me, what happened?”

Raven took a deep breath. “My father has been a little bit of a pain in the ass" he muttered and she laughed

" That is a parent thing, what did he do this time" Raven paused, he didn't want to hide anything from her but he didn't want to tell her about the marriage arrangements.
" He made some business suggestions and I refused, he got pissy we argued and now I’m here. I couldn’t stand being there any longer,” he replied, Fiona’s expression softened,
“I’m sorry you had to go through that.” wrapping his arms around her waist and led her through the room and led her to the couch
Raven shook his head.

“It’s not your fault. The problem is my father won’t let this go and I'm not sure what to do now .”

Fiona took his hand, squeezing it gently.
“We’ll figure it out. Together.”

He looked into her eyes a sense of peace flooding him, he had her, she was his
He wasn't sure still what it was that had attracted him to the woman snuggled in his arms, he didn't know love. It had never been a part of his vocabulary and he wasn't sure what he felt was love.

He wanted her, desired her, and would kill anyone who took her from him. Do maybe possessiveness
" How’s Rosa?” he asked running his hands over her hair.

“She’s doing better,” Fiona replied, her voice steady. “Thank you for asking.”
She placed her hand on his chest

" I'm sorry about your father. "
" It's not unusual for him to do this," he said

" It's the fact that I have no true way of getting out of his thumb" he mumbled and she smiled
" You'll find a way one day "

Raven nodded, feeling a pang of guilt, his father’s ultimatum loomed over him like a dark cloud.
He kissed her again, slower this time, trying to hold on to the moment for as long as possible.