9 I didn't love her

That night, Violet couldn't fall asleep. She was the type of person who couldn't sleep whenever she stayed overnight at a place for the first time.

While everyone was asleep in their own rooms, she decided to take a walk inside the mansion, touring it all by herself.

The heavy rain has already stopped but dark clouds filled the sky, covering the beauty of the night. Lights were turned off in the place and without the moon's light helping her sight, it was darker than usual. She had to use her phone's flashlight to light her path.

Out of nowhere, her stomach grumbled. She skipped dinner earlier, not wanting to eat together with that weird man, Raven. Something in her told her that she should stay away from him. It was her instincts. It was like how a prey unconsciously tries to stay away from their predators.

Since she was hungry, she decided to go to the kitchen. One step at a time, her feet slowly took her to where she wanted to go.

No one was going to catch her sneaking some food away from the kitchen, right? Yes. No one should be awake at this late hour of the night.

She looked for the light's switch and when she did, she pressed it turning the kitchen's lights on.

When she turned, a black cat jumped down the table which startled her.

"It's just a cat..." She muttered to herself as she tried to calm her racing heart. She really felt like it would leap out of her chest.

The black cat looked up at her and meowed loudly as if asking for food.

"Where did you come, huh?"

As she slowly approached the cat, the cat moved close to her feet and even rubbed his body on her. From the looks of it, the cat was totally used to having humans around. It didn't look scared at all.

Violet has always been fond of cats since she was little. There were mixed views when it came to black cats. Some said it's bad luck to meet the black ones while some said that it was good luck. She didn't really care about those views. Cats are cute no matter what color they have. Who could resist their adorableness?

"Let's see if we can find some food or milk for you." She opened the refrigerator and when she found a bottle of milk, she poured some of its contents in a bowl before placing it on the floor.

As she searched for other food that her tongue was craving at that moment, she found a jar of cookies in a cabinet.

"Mm, cookies, and milk. I guess this will be an early breakfast for me." She mumbled. Violet loved dipping her cookies in the milk.

While she was in the kitchen, spending time together with the cat, they were interrupted when somebody walked in.

"You're still awake?" Raven blinked a few times and after he did, his eyes landed on her empty glass and the jar of cookies.

Violet gulped nervously, "I... I couldn't sleep."

"I can see that." He chuckled. "It looks like you have finally met Kuro."

She turned her gaze to the cat who was now licking its furry paw. "His name is Kuro?"

"Yes. It means 'black' in Japanese. Funny tho, the person who gave him to me also has 'Kuro' in his name." He went and took a clean glass and filled it with water.

"Oh..." That information was something she was not interested in tho... "Can I call him Virus instead?"

"Virus?"

She nodded a bit, "I think it'll suit it more than 'Kuro'."

He chuckled, "Sure I guess? If that's what you want."

"Thanks..."

After taking a sip on his drink, Raven noticed how uncomfortable was still uncomfortable with his presence. He can't really blame her tho.

"I guess you really can't remember me." He smiled a bit. "Mind if I sit beside you?"

It would be rude to reject him, right? She knew that she won't be able to avoid him forever. "Okay."

And so, Raven placed the glass he was holding on the counter before he went to her. He pulled the chair beside side her and sat there. He knew that she was going to be quiet that was why he decided to keep the conversation going. "You know, you're lucky to have your grandfather."

Even if Raven hasn't said that, Violet already knew that she was lucky. "I know..."

He took his phone out and showed her his wallpaper. "This is my wife. Her name is Liliana."

Wife? She never heard of that at all.

Violet turned and looked at it. The woman was beautiful, she looked so perfect with her long black hair and eyes. Her smile was even heavenly.

"Our parents arranged this relationship for us. I wasn't even able to say no." He said, smiling a bit as he remembered those times. "You see, not everyone is going to get married out of love."

This time, she turned her gaze to him. "You don't love her then?"

"I didn't... back then." His gaze softened when he stared at the photo. "I only agreed to marry her because my dad was sick at that time. It was his wish to see me with a family but... sadly, Lili couldn't bear a child. We found that out later after we got married."

She lowered her head, feeling sad for him. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's okay." He chuckled a bit. "We found another way to have a child."

"Another way?" She blinked a few times, turning her eyes back to him.

"It's what they call 'test-tube baby'. It's actually pretty amazing. I have a two years old daughter now." He grinned at her. "Can you believe that?"

She giggled softly, "That's amazing!"

Violet had to admit, she actually has a bad first impression of Raven at first but now that they were really talking with each other, she could suddenly feel an 'uncle' vibe coming from him.

"I'm sorry to hear what happened to you. I was one of your guests that attended that day."

The smile on Violet's lips suddenly became stiff. She has never really talked about it with anyone else. "It's okay. It already happened."

"I'm not saying this to force you but... time is running, Vio. Time won't stop for anyone." The look on his face suddenly turned serious which somehow made her nervous.

"Just like you, I'm also close with your grandpa, Andrew. He's like a father to me and I want him to be happy." He heaved out a heavy sigh before he continued, "Your grandpa wants to see you happy but... he also wants to see you have a family of your own. Just like what I've said, time won't stop for anyone. Andrew's days are limited. How many years do you think he still has left?"

Raven didn't have to say more and explain further what he was trying to say. Violet was able to catch up on it.

She bit her lower lip and clenched her fists tightly. She also wanted her grandpa to be happy, to repay him of all the goodness that he has given her. Raven was right, time was limited for Andrew.

"Did you... already loved your wife when you married her?" She asked in almost a whispering tone.

"No, I didn't love her... I only began loving her when we had our daughter."

That meant that... after all the years he has been married to her, he only began loving her two years ago?