A Heartless Monster (2)

Penelope was stunned to see a private jet waiting for her and her husband. She knew Raven was loaded with money, but she hadn't expected that he owned several luxury cars and a private jet. The gesture made her feel both overwhelmed and grateful for his generosity.

It was the first time she had taken a vacation trip in five years, and she was looking forward to it. Penelope didn't know what to expect on their honeymoon trip, as Raven hadn't told her where they were going. Since what they had was nothing but a marriage of convenience for both of them, Penelope hadn't expected Raven to waste his time and money on a honeymoon trip with her.

A flight attendant welcomed Penelope as she boarded the private jet and led her to a plush leather seat. Raven followed close behind, his expression unreadable. The engines roared to life, and soon they were soaring through the sky, leaving the familiar world behind.

Penelope couldn't help but steal glances at Raven as they flew. She had never seen him outside of their business arrangements, and now, in this intimate setting, she noticed details she had never paid attention to before. The way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, the slight stubble on his jawline, and the way his hands gripped the armrests as if holding on for dear life.

Was he afraid of flying? She wondered. Penelope never once saw him display any sign of weakness or vulnerability. It was always a facade of confidence and control that he wore like a shield. However, Raven appeared more human than she had ever seen him up in the air, amidst the deafening sound of the engines and the vast expanse of nothingness outside. 

The thought intrigued her, and she found herself wanting to know more about the man she had been married to. The silence between them was deafening, broken only by the hum of the jet engines.

Penelope hesitated for a moment, torn between breaking the silence or respecting his privacy. A moment later, she cleared her throat and asked softly, "Are you okay?" 

For a moment, Penelope regretted speaking up, fearing she had crossed a line. But then, to her surprise, she saw something flicker in his eyes—a vulnerability so raw and unexpected that it took her breath away.

"I'm... not a big fan of flying," Raven admitted, his voice tinged with something she couldn't quite place. "Or any form of travel, really. But I figured a private jet would be less... unsettling for me." He shifted in his seat, looking out the window as if trying to distract himself from the discomfort of being thousands of feet above ground. 

Penelope blinked. It made her husband look normal for the first time since she had met him. The revelation that Raven Hendrix, the formidable businessman known for his stoic and unwavering confidence, had a fear of flying humanized him in his eyes. 

Feeling empathy towards him, Penelope reached out and placed her hand on his, offering silent comfort. Raven glanced at her hand on his, surprise clear in his eyes, before a ghost of a smile tugged at his lips. 

"Where are we heading to?" Penelope asked once she sensed that her husband was finally at ease. 

Raven studied Penelope's face for a moment, as if weighing his options. Finally, he let out a soft chuckle, the tension in his shoulders visibly easing. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to tell you now," he said, a playful glint in his eyes. "We're heading to the Celadon Isles." 

Penelope's eyes widened in surprise. The Celadon Isles were a dream destination for many, with their turquoise waters and pristine beaches. She couldn't believe Raven had chosen such a romantic and luxurious location for their honeymoon.

"I thought it might be a nice place for us to start fresh… in our own way." 

Penelope hadn't felt such excitement for a long time. She couldn't wait to see the stunning sunsets and picturesque landscape of the Celadon Isles. Penelope's heart raced with anticipation as the private jet descended towards the Celadon Isles. 

The moment they landed on the island, Penelope was greeted by a warm breeze carrying the scent of tropical flowers. Raven led her out of the jet, his hand gently resting on the small of her back as he guided her toward a waiting luxury car. The drive to their accommodation was a blur of lush greenery and sparkling ocean vistas, and Penelope found herself stealing glances at Raven, marveling at how different he seemed in this setting. 

Their villa was a breathtaking blend of modern luxury and island charm, with sweeping views of the crystal-clear waters that surrounded the Celadon Isles. Penelope couldn't contain her awe as she stepped inside. 

"This is beautiful." She said in awe as she looked at the scenery before them. 

Raven stared at her and smiled. 

"Yes, it is indeed beautiful." He responded. "I'm glad you like it." 

"Of course I do." Penelope let out a peal of laughter that sounded like music to Raven's ears. She always looked so guarded and careful with her emotions and words, but in this moment, she seemed truly happy. 

Raven couldn't help but feel pride that he brought that joy to her eyes. 

"We're only going to be here for a week, but I hope you'll enjoy our time here." He told her.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you where we were heading earlier. I wanted it to be a surprise." 

Penelope turned around to face him with a wide smile on her face. 

"I love it here," she said, her voice soft but filled with appreciation. "Thank you for this, Raven. I haven't seen the beach for a very long time." 

As she said this, a flash of sadness appeared in Penelope's mind as she remembered her family celebrating Priscilla's 18th birthday with their father. But she quickly pushed the thought away, not wanting to dampen the mood of their honeymoon. 

Raven noticed the shift in her expression and the sadness that passed through her eyes before she masked it with a bright smile. His curiosity piqued, but he decided to let it go for now. They had a week ahead of them on this paradise island, and he was determined to make it memorable for both of them.