The next day…
Ethan and Olivia stood in front of Raven's antique shop.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Their gazes lingered on the building—small from the outside, almost unremarkable… yet somehow carrying a presence that felt heavier than it should.
Curious.
Unsettling.
And still… they stepped inside.
Cling.
The soft chime of the bell echoed.
"Oh… it's you."
Missy looked up from the book in her hands.
And for a brief second—
Ethan forgot how to breathe.
Sunlight poured in from the front window, falling gently over her figure… catching in her wavy brown hair, making it glow as if it held light of its own.
Soft.
Warm.
Untouched.
She looked… different.
No.
Not different.
He just hadn't really seen her before.
Beautiful Missy… suddenly felt out of reach.
Olivia, on the other hand, was already looking around—her gaze sharp, assessing every corner, every item, every detail.
Judging.
"Welcome to..."
"What exactly are you doing?"
Olivia cut her off, her tone laced with mockery.
Missy didn't flinch.
"She manages the shop. And handles the sales report."
A voice entered smoothly.
Calm.
Controlled.
Raven stepped out, his movements unhurried, as if he had all the time in the world.
"Welcome," he added.
Olivia blinked.
Just slightly.
But enough to show she noticed.
The man looked… even better up close.
A simple white shirt, sleeves relaxed, paired with dark trousers—nothing extravagant, yet it fit him in a way that made it difficult to look away.
Too effortless.
Too composed.
"Ah… Mr. Raven," Olivia said, her voice shifting instantly—soft, almost as sweet as honey. "We had an appointment today. We'll be reviewing the items and assets you mentioned yesterday."
Missy gave a small, almost invisible shake of her head.
Ethan didn't move.
Didn't speak.
His eyes were still on Missy.
"Yes," Raven replied. "But not here. As I said before, these are just minor pieces. The items my assistant showed you yesterday are kept elsewhere."
"Ah… I see," Olivia said, though her eyes flickered with doubt. "Are you sure they're valuable?"
"You may contact Mr. Clinton if you have concerns," Missy answered calmly. "He's the appraiser usually used by your company. Or you may rely on Mr. Raven's own experts."
"No," Ethan finally stepped forward. "We'll see them ourselves."
But even as he spoke… his gaze drifted back.
To Missy.
To the way her hair fell over her shoulder.
To the soft white blouse that traced her frame… the pencil skirt that wrapped around her waist with
quiet elegance.
He had always known she was pretty.
Innocent.
Simple.
But now…
Now he saw what he had lost.
"Mr. Ethan Hale."
Raven's voice cut in.
Not loud.
Not harsh.
But precise.
Like a hand placed firmly on a shoulder.
A warning.
Ethan blinked. Just once.
"Shall we head there while having lunch?" Raven continued, his tone unchanged. "The place is near the countryside border. It will take about an hour."
Olivia's eyes lit up immediately.
Ethan frowned slightly—but didn't refuse.
"Feel free to look around," Raven added. "I'll prepare everything."
Missy straightened.
"You stay here and accompany them, Hart," Raven said calmly. "Help them choose one item."
Olivia's head snapped toward him. "Choose?"
"Yes," Raven replied. "One item. Anything here. For you."
"Anything?" Olivia repeated, her eyes widening with unmistakable greed.
"Anything."
"Thank you," she said quickly, already moving, her heels clicking against the floor as she began scanning the shop with growing excitement.
Ethan didn't move.
"Mr. Hale, you as well," Raven added.
Missy stepped forward slightly. "I can call Henry to drive—"
"I'll drive myself."
Raven's hand brushed lightly against her shoulder as he passed.
Subtle.
Brief.
But enough.
Ethan saw it.
And something inside him tightened.
Olivia's steps slowed.
Her eyes had locked onto something.
A standing mirror.
Tall. Elegant. Framed with intricate carvings, its surface adorned with glimmering stones that caught the light in quiet, hypnotic flashes.
She stopped right in front of it.
And stared.
For a moment… she said nothing.
Then slowly, she tilted her head—studying her own reflection as if seeing something more than just herself.
Her lips curved.
Satisfied.
"I want this one," she said, almost immediately. "This must be valuable, right?"
She turned slightly, smoothing her hair, her body swaying just enough to admire the way the mirror captured her figure.
"Hmm… it reflects me perfectly," she murmured, almost to herself.
Behind her, Missy's gaze lingered.
"That's the Siren Mirror," Missy said.
Calm.
But observant.
"Whatever, can you send it to my apartment?" Olivia added casually, as if she had already claimed it.
No hesitation.
No second thought.
Ethan didn't even look.
His attention had shifted long ago.
He stood near one of the glass displays… but his eyes were no longer on the items inside.
They were on Missy.
Still.
Quiet.
Unmoving.
"Not choosing anything?" Olivia nudged him lightly, though she didn't truly care for his answer.
Ethan didn't respond.
Instead, he stepped closer to Missy.
Ignoring her completely.
"So… this is what you call work?" he said, his voice lower now. "Taking care of his antique shop all day?"
Missy let out a soft breath.
Not annoyed.
Just… tired.
She reached for her coat and bag, her movements neat, composed.
"Choose one item like Mr. Raven said," she replied calmly. "We'll be leaving soon."
No emotion.
No invitation.
Just distance.
Ethan's jaw tightened slightly.
For a brief second, his gaze flickered toward the display beside him—barely paying attention—before pointing at one item at random.
"This one."
Missy followed his gesture.
A ring.
She took it without comment and handed it to him.
"Votum Ring," said Missy briefly after she checked the data in the inventory book.
Simple.
Efficient.
As if he were just another customer.
Nothing more.
And that… stung more than it should.
Missy turned toward the door, already slipping on her coat.
"Missy."
Ethan reached out—his fingers closing around her arm.
Gentle.
But firm enough to stop her.
"We need to talk."
Missy paused.
Only for a moment.
Before pulling her arm back slowly.
"We don't," she said quietly.
Olivia rolled her eyes from across the room, completely uninterested.
Her attention had already returned to the mirror—admiring it, owning it… as if it had always belonged to her.
Outside—a sleek black car slid into view from behind the building, stopping right in front of the shop.
Olivia's eyes lit up immediately.
Raven stepped out.
His gaze… went straight to them.
More precisely—to Ethan's hand, still lingering too close to Missy.
A flicker.
Barely there.
But sharp.
Missy, meanwhile, moved forward to lock the door.
Ethan stepped back.
Reluctantly.
Without a word.
Without shame, Olivia was already walking toward the car, her movements quick, eager. She opened the passenger door and slipped inside first—claiming the seat beside Raven without hesitation.
"We're going together, Mr. Raven?" she asked, her voice bright, almost playful.
"Right," Raven replied shortly.
But his eyes weren't on her.
They remained on Missy.
Waiting.
He stepped around the car, opening the other door himself just as Missy approached.
A simple gesture.
Quiet.
Natural.
But deliberate.
Missy hesitated for half a second… then entered.
Raven followed.
Only then did he speak again.
"Please drive, Mr. Hale."
Calm.
Certain.
Not a request.
Ethan's fingers curled slightly at his side.
But he said nothing.
He walked to the driver's seat.
Because he had no reason to refuse.
And somehow… that made it worse.
Olivia pouted faintly, crossing her arms in annoyance from the passenger seat.
"The trip will take about an hour," Raven said flatly once the engine started. "We'll stop for lunch first."
Controlled.
But inside—
Something had already begun to shift.
---
They chose a small restaurant not far from the main road.
Quiet and warm.
The kind of place that didn't try too hard—wooden tables, soft lighting, the faint scent of food lingering in the air.
Missy sat across from Olivia.
Ethan beside her.
And Raven… at the head of the table.
Naturally.
No one questioned it.
Menus were handed out, but for a moment, no one spoke.
Until—
"What do you usually eat, Missy?"
Olivia's voice broke the silence, sweet on the surface… but laced with something sharper underneath.
Missy glanced up briefly. "Anything simple."
"Oh?" Olivia smiled faintly. "You don't seem like someone with… simple taste."
A small pause.
Missy didn't react.
But Raven did.
"She prefers warm, simple, home-cooked food. Clearly, that's her favorite."
Missy blinked.
Just slightly.
"I'm not a picky eater," Missy added a little nervously.
"Hm, of course not," Raven muttered meaningfully. Remembering the food she never refused whenever he cooked.
Ethan noticed.
Olivia's smile stiffened. "I see… you seem to know her quite well, Mr. Raven."
Raven finally looked at her.
Not defensive.
Not proud.
Just… certain.
"I cook for her."
Simple.
Straightforward.
And somehow—it landed heavier than expected.
Ethan's fingers tightened around the menu.
Olivia let out a soft laugh. "You cook?" she tilted her head. "That's unexpected."
Missy lowered her gaze, a faint, almost unconscious smile touched her lips as she blushed.
"He cooks well," she said quietly. "Better than most restaurants. He enjoys cooking."
The moment the words slipped out—she froze.
Just a fraction.
"I mean, it's just his hobby..." she added, wetting her lips briefly. Holding back her nervousness.
As if realizing… she had said too much.
Raven didn't react outwardly.
But there was the faintest shift in his gaze.
Warmer.
Ethan saw it.
And something in his chest pulled tight.
"So you've been eating his cooking every day?" Olivia asked, her tone light again—but her eyes sharper now.
Missy hesitated. "…Yes."
"How convenient," Olivia murmured, leaning back slightly. "Living and working in the same place… being taken care of like that…"
Her words lingered.
Suggestive.
Unpleasant.
Missy straightened a little. "It's just practical. I started living there since working with him."
"Of course," Olivia smiled. "I'm sure it is."
Ethan suddenly closed his menu.
A little too hard.
"I'll order," he said shortly, not looking at anyone.
The waiter came, breaking the tension for a moment.
Orders were placed.
But the air… didn't ease.
Not really.
When the food arrived, Raven reached for Missy's plate first—adjusting it slightly closer to her.
A small thing.
Almost nothing.
But deliberate.
"There's parsley," he said quietly. "You don't like it."
Missy blinked again.
"…Right."
He removed it without asking.
Naturally.
Like it was something he had done many times before.
Ethan's gaze darkened.
Olivia noticed.
And smiled, a little sarcastically.
"Seems like you're very well taken care of," she said, picking up her glass. "Lucky you, Missy."
Missy didn't answer this time.
She simply lowered her gaze to her food.
But her fingers… tightened slightly on the fork.
Ethan leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly.
"Do you always do this?" he asked suddenly.
Raven looked at him. "Do what?"
"Take care of your employees like this."
A beat.
Raven's expression didn't change.
"No."
One word.
Enough.
Ethan let out a faint, humorless chuckle. "So she's special."
Missy's hand paused.
Olivia's eyes flickered with interest.
Raven didn't look away.
"Yes."
Silence.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
And this time—no one could pretend it meant nothing.
Ethan clenched his jaw. "Do you live there too, Mr. Raven? I mean, every day? It's just one of your little shops, right?"
Raven straightened slightly.
"Yes," he replied.
He looked at him, calmly.
"Why?" Ethan asked again, challenging. Curious.
"Your employee is there." He emphasized the last word.
"Because I need to be near her. Has that answered all your curiosity?"
Ethan blinked slightly.
"I understand, like roommates," he said, as if trying to convince himself.
Raven smiled slightly, "More than that. I'm her savior."
Ethan clenched his fists under the table.
"A savior... and a man."
Raven's gaze remained steady.
"Indeed."
Ethan stilled.
Just for a second.
But it was enough.
***