CHAPTER 41

God, this house is huge! Is this even a house?

Anna was walking into a corridor which, she believed, would lead her downstairs.

Or not? But it was the way she came up the previous night, wasn't it? Her subconscious was still asleep so there was only silence reverberating through her brain, mirroring the surrounding.

I should've looked around instead of staring at Mr. All Eyes while walking up last night. It was so weird that only Raven lived in the gigantic Mansion, and Miss Jones and some maids of course. He could have lived with his family. She was sure that he missed his mother all the time. He seemed to be really attached to her when he was sick.

He. Is. Complicated.

She scratched her head one more time as two stairways going down at a distance caught her attention. Anna smiled. She had reached the correct spot.

Smiling triumphantly she made her way towards it but stopped in tracks when heard a jingle from around. It disappeared almost immediately. She turned around to examine the hallway till the far end where eyes could reach, but there was nothing in particular that caught her attention. Maybe her ears were ringing due to hunger, she thought.

Turning on het heel, she took two steps forward and froze again by the same sound. A little louder and continues. The soft sounds of metals clinking together filled her ears.

Wind chimes.

She tensed when realized it was coming from the room that was on the right. She stood in attention, almost three meters away from the said door, listening attentively. The metals clinked again.

It's definitely wind chime.

Suddenly, she missed the coffee shop which had something like that too. Cautiously, she padded to the dark brownish door and closely examined it. Clean and dustless, just like everything else in that house or Mansion.

Does Miss. Jones do all the cleaning alone?

Absentmindedly, her fingers brushed the hardwood door at the knob, tracing the metal with my finger tips. The door suddenly slid ajar with a creak and reflexively she stepped back. She held her breath, not even knowing who's room it was. Tilting her head to one side, she peeped in through the gap.

White and beige, these were the only colours she could see. That room was quite different from the house it was built in which was all dark. Black and shades of grey.

But what are you doing here?

Her peaceful trail of thoughts was interrupted by the voice in her head, a relevant question. She should be going down for breakfast. But hunger was long forgotten as her eyes roamed the room through the little gap.

Peeking into other people's rooms is not the habit you follow.

Anna rolled her eyes. She almost set her mind up to leave when the sound of the wind chime danced in her ears again. Eyes still scanning in through the small gap, she let the curiosity get the best of her as she found herself widening the door to enter the once empty room. As soon as she stepped in, her jaws hit the floor.

Wow!

It was her dream, to own such a room. It was beautifully decorated but with a girlish touch. Didn't quite seem like Raven's taste. She stepped inside the room and the jingle instantly drew her attention to the wind chime hanging at the open window.

The metals brushed against each other as the wind blew across them as the thin white curtains danced around, giving a perfect view of the backyard.

She looked around the room. It was sleek and tidy, like it was being cleaned every now and then. The sheets on the bed, pure white with tiny roses printed across them.

So beautiful. Whose room is this?

She turned away from the bed and her previous question was answered right in front of her eyes. She froze looking at the huge photograph hanging on the wall. A pair of squinted black eyes stared back at her, as the girl in the picture beamed happily. For a moment, she was convinced that she was looking in the mirror, at her reflection. Slowly, eyes drew down the photo, to a little name scribbled at the bottom right corner.

Areum

Blood drained off her face, heart thumping at her ears, as she blankly stared at the frame.

They looked alike. The faces surely did. No doubt Raven, his parents and even Miss Jones was startled to see her. But she is so much more beautiful than me. Her smile and lively eyes sparkled in pure joy, and were radiating the spring vibes. She walked towards the frame and closely examined it. She realized it was not a photograph but a painting.

It's so realistic.

Her fingers traced the edge of the painting and her brows ceased together.

It's full of dust.

It wad the only part of the whole room that wasn't dusted.

Her fingers travelled up the height of the painting, getting the dust on my fingers as a question popped in her mind. Did Raven restrict anyone from touching it? She withdrew her finger and clapped her hands together, dusting off when suddenly, something fell of from the back of the frame.

Anna jumped back, terrified of whatever in the hell dropped at her feet. But to her relief, it wasn't a rat but a book.

A diary?

Bending down, she picked up the red covered book which was small enough to fit in her sling.

Cute! But it's someone's diary. I can't open it.

Maybe there's something about Raven.

Her subconscious suddenly came alive.

I can't read his ex wife's diary. It's definitely not pleasing to hear even.

What if you find something which will help Raven?

She skimmed the edges of the book, pondering hard on the question. It was true he was still stuck in his past and she didn't even know what actually happened with Areum. Maybe helping him out of it won't be so selfish.

"Miss. Smith" Turning around swiftly, she held the book behind her back and beamed nervously at Miss Jones who looked at her... shocked?

"You shouldn't be here. Please let me help you downstairs." She tried to sound calm but the panic in her voice didn't go unnoticed by Anna.

Okay, I wasn't supposed to be here.

Miss. Jones motioned her as politely as ever towards the door and Anna nodded following behind her but before exiting the room, she turned back to take a final look at the girl who was still all smiles.

How could anyone not fall in love with her?

***

As she walked down the stairs with Miss Jones leading the way, the smell of coffee filled her nostrils.

It smells like Granu's.

The dead hunger returned in full force. As they reached to the end of the long staircase Anna heard a voice. A female voice. Oh, the guest.

She frowned. Raven works so hard that the clients don't even leave him be at home.

Miss Jones motioned her towards the dining table and took a leave as she hurried upstairs.

Why do I feel like she is going to that room?

She had to suppress the urge to follow her as her ears picked up a few words from the near by room.

"One chance, Please Raven," The overly sweet voice said.

"Let me..."

"No! Get out," Raven growled which had goosebumps erupting over her skin. Why is he so angry?

The voices suddenly stopped and Anna had to stop herself from thinking that the lady inside already fainted or maybe...dead. She chuckled, slowly making my way towards the room.

Why are you creeping into other's room again?

I just want to make sure no one fainted.

Anna convinced herself that it will be just a quick peek. She tuck the small book into the pocket of her dress which surprisingly slipped in easily.

Wow! I have to get more of such dresses.

She slowly opened the door and thankfully it didn't creek to draw their attention. As the door widened enough to give her a clear view of the study, her jaws dropped open and eyes popped out.

A blonde women had her arms wrapped around Raven's neck while she was pressing her obviously plastic boobs onto him.

The heck.

Anna's eyes switched to Raven struggling to get her off without even touching her.

"Get off me, Christine." Raven pushed her away and she came back to him like a rubber band.

What the fuck.

Woah! Did you just swear?

Her subconscious mind was surprised just like herself. Blood gushed in her veins as the blonde bitch put her hands on his chest.

Get your filthy hands off him. Even I haven't touched his chest yet.

Her hands fisted on their own and jaws clenched.

When was the last time I got so angry?

She wanted to turn away and leave the Mansion but when her hands travelled down his pants and tried to grab his thing, she lost it.

Anna swung open the door and stormed inside. Raven turned towards her and his eyes went wide, "Anna,".

I got you.

As she came up to the pair, Anna glared at the blonde bitch as she leisurely clung onto him like a sloth. A challenging look plastered on her overly done makeup face which had her internally cringing.

She has to stop.

Now.

"Get away from him," Anna looked her dead in the eyes and sounded surprisingly calm. But she refused to move. Raven was still looking at Anna motionless and. . . shocked?

"And you are?" The blonde ran her fingers down his chest but Anna kept her eyes on her face.

"I said, get your hands off him".

Woah! What are you so angry for?

She is touching him, what else?.

Anna gave her a warning look but she did not budge. She glanced at Raven who looked very observant, slightly narrowing his eyes at Anna.

She held his gaze even in the inappropriate situation they were in but when she saw his breath hitch and almost stop, her eyes switched to the blonde who was tucking her fingers into his pants through the waist.

That's it.

I'm going to kill her.

Holding her wrist, she snatched her off Raven and pushed her away. Her hand came up in the air and before she could stop it, her palm landed right across the blonde's face and she landed across the floor. Christine panted, holding her cheeks which were beginning to imprint Anna's fingers as she glared up at her.

"How dare you...."

"Don't touch what belongs to others" Anna found herself reciting Raven's words. And weirdly felt him smiling behind her.

The blonde was gaping at them for a few seconds before she stood up to her feet still holding her face. She gritted her teeth.

Oh, how I would like to crack those teeth into her mouth.

Controlling herself from doing it, Anna gave her the most disgusted look that she could and she gaped again. Where's your filthy mouth now?

Before she could ask her, Christine turned on her heels and marched out of the room.

Blonde bitch.

The frown wiped off her face, when a hand gripped her wrist and swirled her around, into Raven's arms. He was grinning. So I wasn't wrong when I felt him smile.

"What was that?" He asked, nuzzling her ears.

"What was what?" Anna ignored the obvious and closed her eyes as Raven grazed his teeth along her earlobe.

"You look so adorable when you are jealous," he laughed into her neck and planted a soft kiss.

"N-no," she suppressed the urge to moan, as his hands slipped into her hair at the back and he tugged gently, exposing her neck to his impatient mouth.

"Yes," he ran his tongue along her jaws, and down her throat.

She didn't even realize she was jealous until now. Her hands came up to the back of his head, purposely grazing her fingertips against his weak spot.

A throaty groan rumbled out of his chest, as he lead them backward, cornering her against the wall. Tilting her face up by the chin, he impatiently sucked at her neck and Anna softly moaned. Gripping her left thigh, he hiked it up to his torso and steadied her on one leg.

Anna gasped when he pressed his bulge over her heat. Even through his trousers and her panties, she could feel the hardness of his erection. He rubbed himself against her and Anna withered in his arms, eyes rolling back.

"What are you doing to me?" Raven's voice tickled her ears as he picked her up, wrapping her legs around him.

Anna held onto his shoulders, burying her face in his neck and inhaled his rich scent, as he lead them to his study table and placed her at the edge.

His fingers fisted into her hair and tilted her head back, as he kissed her hard. Anna held onto his forearms as he kneaded her thighs with the other hand. Her mind was in a swirl, revolving around one person, the one who was holding her.

Raven tugged her lower lips between his teeth as his hand travelled further up on her thigh. Anna, unable to move her legs as he stood between them, shifted over the table, her hips moving uncontrollably.

"Anna..." Raven pulled back panting as she did the same. Opening her long shut eyes, she longingly stared up at him.

"I... would you..." He started. Again, like in the morning, he was befuddled.

"Anna..." He sighed, closing his eyes.

She looked at him and smiled. Bringing her hands up, she held his face in her hands and Raven leaned into her touch.

"Yes," She said.

His eyes snapped open, "What?"

Anna flushed, and pulled him close, burying her face into his neck.

"I know what you want to ask. And my answer is yes," She smiled.

Raven paused a beat, but soon wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her into his embrace. How can this girl read my mind?

But it's not fair, you have to say it.

He pressed her body against his, as she felt the heat crawling into her again.

"Be mine," he whispered.

Anna smiled, unable to contain herself.

"Yes," she said, nuzzling his neck, "I'm yours,"