Wake up from a spell

Aidan didn't understand the urge to be close to her, to question her so she couldn't avoid him. He wouldn't let go unless she gave him a valid answer.

'Why are you asking her this? You are nothing but a family friend. You have never been in contact for the past ten years,' the voice in his head warned.

"Behave!" Raven tried to push him away, but her tiny frame couldn't budge him an inch. Frustration crept over her usually calm face, a sign she was at least somewhat affected by him. Good, he thought.

"Answer me," he insisted firmly.

Her eyes reddened as she raised her head to look at him, tears glistening. "You are bullying me."

"Yes, I am. I won't let you go unless you answer me," he smirked, reveling in her discomfort.

She took a deep breath and asked, "Are you sick? Why are you acting like this? We haven't met for a decade, and you suddenly want to know who you are to me? Aidan, be real. You didn't remember my name, let alone recognize me."

"Yes, I am sick. Let's not talk about me. Richard, you must have known him for a long time. Tell me, what is your relationship with him?" Aidan pressed her against the table, making her bend backward to avoid touching his skin.

She scoffed. "Didn't you answer that yourself a while ago?"

Rage rushed to his brain, his blood boiling. "I don't believe it. You used to say you didn't like the concept of dating."

Her smile vanished, replaced by a grimace. She glared into his eyes, swallowed, and said, "I used to say a lot of things."

Her voice carried a strange bitterness. Aidan was taken aback by her hateful gaze, losing himself for a moment. She took the opportunity to remove one of his hands to make way for herself. "Aidan," she said.

He snapped back, head filled with rage. She had just admitted to her relationship with that bastard. Why did he care? Why was he anxious? He had no answers.

Aidan couldn't breathe the same air as her; it disgusted him. He left the hotel room immediately, making his way down the avenue.

"You are here too?" a voice interrupted as he entered the hall.

He turned to see who it was, and his eyes widened. That face—he couldn't forget it no matter what. It kept replaying in his head. "Richard?" He forced a smile as Uncle Rowan approached, patting Richard's back. "You have met my son before?" he asked.

"Your son?" Aidan felt like a crazy dog whose brain had fallen out.

"Yes, Richard studies at L City's university. He's in the literature department," Uncle Rowan introduced. Rowan, a big name in L City, the chairman of KK Entertainment, had some giant projects his father had invested in.

"Hello, Aidan," Richard's sinister smile said it all. He knew he was safe under his father's wing, teasing Aidan without fear.

"Why are you here?" Aidan remembered Richard leaving for college like a crybaby.

"I want to introduce him to today's event," Uncle Rowan said, leaving as Uncle Jay, a close friend of Aidan's father, called him away.

"I thought it would be Raven's birthday party when I saw her father here, but it turns out it's a boring event for elders," Richard clasped his hands and ran around.

"I didn't know about this." Aidan straightened his suit, itching to strangle Richard. He didn't understand why he was so possessive of someone he barely knew.

"So, you brought Raven here? I don't see her," Richard said, eyes searching for her. Aidan wanted to take his eyeballs out and play marbles, but he was glad Richard didn't know she took the bus. Aidan had accompanied her.

"I don't know; she was with me in the hotel room earlier. She said she would join me in five minutes. It's been an hour." Aidan spoke casually, checking his watch and glancing at Richard's stunned expression. Mission complete. Richard would surely ask her about him, making her think of Aidan.

He was smiling to himself when he heard her voice. "Richard?" She ignored Aidan and walked straight to Richard, genuinely happy to see him. A sharp needle of jealousy ran through Aidan's blood.

She was dressed in a white dress with a Chinese painting at its border, a matching scarf, and held a tiny purse. She didn't have those things when Aidan was with her. How did she shop and get ready so quickly? He noticed her cheeks; the wound was covered with makeup, her bun adorned with white pearls. 

Who would guess she was a regular college student an hour ago? Now she appeared to be the heiress of the Rain family. Aidan bit his lip and left them talking, but he could hear them behind him.

"You know my father; he always wanted to introduce me to the business circle. So today is the day, you can say," Richard flipped his hair back with that annoying smile.

"Is that so? My father is here too. How about we introduce them?" Raven spoke eagerly.

"I don't think that's needed. Look, they're already talking. See, my father is calling me. Let's go." Richard led her away.

Aidan didn't want to miss what Uncle William and Uncle Rowan were discussing, so he dragged his father there. But he was a step late. They were already laughing, and she was giggling at some joke Richard made.

"Ayee, Brother Edward, meet my son, Richard. I just found out William's daughter is at the same university. Not only that, they're good partners. Recently, she's been writing a play my son will direct. I'm excited to watch their masterpiece," Uncle Rowan said, laughing.

Aidan's father laughed too, but Uncle William didn't look happy, forcing a bitter smile as he glared at Raven. She seemed a little embarrassed, worried her boyfriend wouldn't get her father's approval.

Uncle Jay's eyes darted between Raven and Richard. He smiled and said, "Brother Rowan, William's daughter and your son seem a match made in heaven. They look perfect together."

The smile on Uncle Rowan's face faltered as he paused to observe the two youngsters, then looked at Uncle William's grimace. He burst out laughing. "You're right, Jay. What do you say, William?"

"Huh?" Uncle William turned to Aidan's father, who wore the same expression. Aidan almost forgot how his heart dropped at the next words.

"See, it's their last year in college. Once my son graduates, he'll take over the business. They'd be a perfect match, as Jay said," Uncle Rowan sounded serious.

Aidan's eyes fell on Raven. Her cheeks were red; she was acting shy. What a double-faced woman. She must have called Richard and asked him to talk of marriage before her shenanigans were exposed.

"Umm, actually, she is," Aidan's father mumbled. Aidan couldn't rely on him to speak up. Summoning courage, he grabbed Raven's hand. "Excuse me, Raven and I have to go shopping. Uncle William, our family is coming to L City tomorrow, right? I need to buy something for them."

He gambled, hoping Uncle William would play along. Seeing his unpleasant expression, Aidan guessed he didn't like Richard at all. He had overheard him talking to Aidan's father about two families coming for a private event tomorrow.

"Go ahead." As soon as the words left Uncle William's lips, Aidan rushed out, ignoring Raven's furious gaze. She silently pinched him, but he didn't let go. She underestimated him.

He took her to the emergency exit, throwing her against the wall. She stumbled slightly but wasn't hurt.

"Do you know what you just did?" she asked angrily.

"Destroyed your plan of disguising your love as an arranged marriage," Aidan smirked.

"Aidan, what is wrong with you?" She looked extremely frustrated, trying to leave.

"Yes, Raven. Tell me what's wrong with me." He grabbed her hand again, pinning her against the wall, twisting it slightly. She groaned in pain. "Aidan, you are hurting me."

"Say that again."

"You are hurting me."

"My name?"

"Aidan, dammit, you are hurting me; let go."

"Strange, I don't want to let go. Your voice of pain comforts me."

"Aidan, somebody will mistake us for something weird. You are tarnishing my reputation."

"Why don't you be explicit? Say that people will think we are making out."

Her eyes filled with blood. She tried to push him away, but he got closer. "What will happen at most? I will marry you and shut their mouths."

"Nonsense! You are a psycho. Let go of me. Why are you behaving like this? You and I never had anything with each other. Why must you act like I am some lost treasure that you own?"

"Exactly. The moment I knew it was you, I felt like you belonged to me, just to me and nobody else. That explains why I'm so restless thinking you are in a relationship with that bastard."

"He and I…" She opened her mouth, but he placed his hand on her lips.

"Him and you, tell me, what stage of relationship are you at? Did he hold your hand?" He lifted her hand as she struggled.

"Did he hug you?" He grew closer, leaving an inch between them. Her eyes widened as he continued. "Did he kiss you?"

 His pupils trembled with rage. Even the thought made him crazy. But he gathered himself. "Did you sleep together?" Before he could finish, she pushed him away with unexpected strength.

Her eyes were numb and red. She must feel exposed, Aidan thought.

"Aidan, you are a monster," she growled. "How dare you accuse me of such lowly acts?"

"If you so strongly believe that I am in a relationship with Richard, why are you forcing me? Why do you act like you care about me? Why do you act like you love me? I know you just have a strange obsession with me; it's just your momentary rush of hormones. Stay away from me and you will get over it." She ran down to the next floor, slamming the door behind her, leaving Aidan in utter disbelief.

It was as if she woke him up from a curse.

"She must be right. It might be a momentary obsession," he said to himself, sitting down on the stairs to reflect on what he had done.