📖 Chapter 5 – Dinner with the Devil
The next morning, Seo-jin woke to the faintest sound of a key turning. Her eyes flew open, every nerve alert. The heavy door creaked, spilling golden light into the room.
It wasn't Raven.
Two maids in black uniforms entered silently, their heads bowed. Without meeting her gaze, they set a tray on the table by the window—silver cutlery, crystal glass, and a steaming plate of food that smelled far too delicious for a prisoner.
"Eat," one whispered, bowing before retreating.
Seo-jin stared at the tray. It looked safe, but doubt gnawed at her. Poison? Drugs? She clenched her fists. If he thinks I'll swallow his kindness, he's wrong.
Before she could push the tray away, a voice drawled from the doorway.
"Careful," Raven said, stepping inside, "staring too hard won't change the flavor."
Seo-jin's head snapped toward him. He was dressed differently this time—dark suit, black tie loosened just enough to look dangerous. His presence filled the room until the walls seemed to close in.
"I'm not hungry," she said flatly.
His smile deepened, a shadow of amusement glinting in his eyes. "That's a shame. I was hoping you'd join me for breakfast."
With a flick of his wrist, he motioned to the guards outside. In seconds, two men wheeled in another tray—this one larger, laden with dishes fit for a royal feast. He pulled out a chair and sat down casually, like a king at his throne.
"Sit." The command cut through the silence like steel.
Seo-jin hesitated. Every instinct screamed don't obey. Yet her stomach betrayed her with a sharp growl. Her cheeks flushed as Raven's smirk widened.
"Interesting," he murmured. "Your body betrays you, even when your lips won't."
Reluctantly, she crossed the room and sat opposite him. The air was heavy with the scent of roasted meat, fresh bread, and spiced wine. She gripped the edge of her chair tightly, refusing to relax.
Raven poured her a glass of wine, the dark liquid swirling like blood under the chandelier. He slid it across the table toward her.
"Drink."
Seo-jin lifted her chin defiantly. "What if it's poisoned?"
For a moment, Raven simply stared at her. Then, with deliberate slowness, he picked up the glass she had refused and drank from it in one swallow. Setting it down, he leaned forward, his voice dropping to a husky whisper.
"Now you have no excuse."
Her pulse quickened. Against her better judgment, she reached for the second glass. The cold stem of crystal felt sharp between her fingers. She raised it, watching him carefully, before taking a small sip. The taste was rich, intoxicating, but she refused to let him see her enjoy it.
"That's better," Raven said softly, eyes glinting with triumph.
For a while, silence stretched between them, broken only by the clinking of silverware. But Seo-jin couldn't ignore the weight of his gaze, heavy and unrelenting, as though he was peeling back her very soul.
Finally, she slammed her fork down. "What do you want from me?"
The air froze.
Raven leaned back in his chair, the smile fading into something sharper, more dangerous. His voice was calm, but it carried the weight of a thousand unspoken threats.
"I want everything."
Seo-jin's breath caught.
"Your fear. Your fire. Your surrender." His gaze burned into hers. "Until then, little star… you'll dine with the devil every morning."
Before she could reply, he rose to his feet, sliding the silver key onto the table just inches from her hand. Her heart leapt.
But his next words shattered any hope.
"Take it," he whispered, bending close to her ear. "If you can."
And then, just as quickly, he snatched it back, slipping it into his pocket with a smirk.
Seo-jin's hands trembled under the table. Her hunger was forgotten.
Because it wasn't food Raven was feeding her—it was despair wrapped in temptation.
To be continued…