The waiter shot Mister Martini dead. Sam took care of his bodyguard. I looked at Raven in shock, unable to utter a word. But he was finishing his meal not giving the slightest attention to the two corpses on the floor. 

“Mister Du Vin!” I cried.

 he answered with a hint of sarcasm, not even bothering looking at me, “ if you don't want to be next, then finish your meal silently. Don’t bother people while eating, it's inappropriate.”

I opened my mouth, unable to process what I heard. The waiter took the fork that fell from my trembling hand. He gave me a new one, so naturally. I looked at him in disdain. Like you just killed a man! Show some emotions! But he kept smiling at me as professionally as possible.

I had no chance but to look at Mister Martini’s corpse again. I felt hot tears tracing their way down my cheek. He seemed like a nice man. He seemed good. 

Raven finally put down his utensils and looked up at me with a bored expression. "Are you finished with your display of emotions?" he asked me. "We don't have all day."

I wiped away my tears and tried to compose myself. "What was that?" I whispered, gesturing towards the bodies on the floor.

"Business," Raven replied simply. "Mister Martini crossed my territory. He was threatening my clients."

"So you killed him?" I gasped.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. This man, this Raven, was a monster. And yet, I couldn't help feeling a strange pull towards him. Maybe it was the danger, or the power he exuded. Whatever it was, I knew I had to get away from him as soon as possible.

"Can you take me home?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Not yet, my dear assistant," he replied as he finished his food calmly, "We shall go back to the office in one hour."

I recalled that he threatened me this morning. Maybe he doesn't know yet that I have a baby, But if I anger him, he will surely go after my little Aurlian. So I should be wise. Yet I didn’t help feeling nauseous to the core. I couldn't believe it. How could he be so cold and callous about what just happened? Two men were dead, and he acted like it was just another day in his life. 

"I don't understand," I stammered, trying to keep my voice steady. "How can you be so indifferent?" 

Raven leaned back in his chair and regarded me with a bored expression. "I'm not indifferent," he said. "I just don't see the point in being emotional about something that can't be changed. Those men are dead, and there's nothing we can do about it." 

I shook my head in disbelief. How could anyone be so detached from the world around them? 

"But don't you feel anything?" I asked him. "Don't you feel any remorse?" 

Raven shrugged. “I have no reason to feel it. That man is a criminal. The police can’t do all the dirty work. So they give us some of it.,” he said. "Besides remorse is a useless emotion."

“But my darling, emotions are not meant to be useful,” I responded, “They are meant to make us aware when something is wrong!”

Raven looked at me for a long time then smirked, "you're a strange woman, Ella." He said.

As we left the restaurant, he led me to his car and we drove in silence to his office. Once we arrived, Raven led me to my small cubicle and instructed me to start working. I tried to focus on my work, but my mind kept drifting to the events of the day. I couldn't imagine living like this every day. But for now, I had to play along.

As the day went on, Raven came by my cubicle a few times, checking on my progress. Each time, I felt a chill run down my spine. I couldn't shake the feeling that he was watching me, analysing my every move.

Finally, the work day ended and Raven told me I could go home. I gathered my things and tried to leave as quickly as possible, but Raven stopped me before I could make it to the door.

"Tomorrow, we have an important meeting with some potential clients," he said. "I need you to be there on time."

I nodded, my heart sinking. I didn't want to be involved in Raven's dangerous world any longer than I had been. But I knew I had to keep up appearances if I wanted to keep my life and the life of my child.

As I walked out of the office building, I couldn't help but feel like a pawn in Raven's game. I had no control over my life anymore. But I knew I couldn't give up. I had a child. And I will protect him.

I took my child from the nursery and went back to my modest department. I got into the dark apartment only to feel a chill going under my skin.

Someone was in my house!

I turned back to go out but a female voice stopped me, "Stop, Miss Grace. My colleagues are all around the building." I turned to face her, my heart almost stopping. And I saw a graceful old woman in a suit telling me, "We are the secret police, and we are here to help you."

"What!" A scream came out of my core.

"You will collaborate with us,” The woman ordered me, “and we will make sure that Raven Du Vin never touches your child or even knows about his existence."

And that’s how I ended up becoming an agent in the secret police. And for long months I worked as a spy on Raven Du Vin. Raven was a monster that the secret police managed to have a contract with. But they never trusted him to the fullest. And for that they needed to keep him always under secret supervision. I saw with my eyes what kind of monsters he is. So I never doubted the rightfulness of my choice. 

I woke up one morning feeling a strange sense of purpose. The first time I ever felt that was the day I had made up my mind to keep my baby. If it wasn’t for the strength purpose gave me, I would never ever be able to take care of a child all alone. Purpose gives people the braveness that they need but do not own.

It was eight A M when I heard the knocking on my door. The secret police agents are never late and they are more than professional! I hurried up getting my child ready and opened the door to Apollo.

“Good morning, Persephone,” the agent greeted me gently as he took the child in his arms. Aurlian liked him so he barely looked bothered. I also think that he got used to this new style of life.

“Anything new from Morgan?” I asked Apollo as I was about to close the door.

“Today at three P M someone will pay your Hades a visit,” he responded and I understood the assignment.

I nodded. That was my new mission. And I was delighted. Getting a mission has become the push that makes my blood run.

I wore my black dior suit and was about to get out of the house when I heard the knocking. I took my small gun and hid it behind my back as I looked at the front camera screen. Then I sighed as I put my gun back into my Kelly bag. It was Raven.

“I didn’t think you would really come to pick me!” I said to Raven as I opened him the door.

“Well, I am a man of my world, my darling. If I said I am coming, then I will come.” his husky voice almost drove me out of breath. “Let’s go.”

We got into the elevator and went down to the parking floor. Meanwhile I was humming a song I recall every time I see Raven’s face!

“I will pay to know what song is vibing in your mind now,” he said and I was surprised by his words. I think that was the first time someone ever discovered that there is always a song playing in my head.

“What will you pay for it?” I joked.

“What do you want?” he asked.

“A bouquet of flowers!” I applauded.

Raven smirked. The smirk on that masculine face made something move in my stomach. Please God, let them not be butterflies! I am okay with serpents, please anything but butterflies!

When we reached his car I noticed that Sam was nowhere to be seen. “I will ride today, Just like the first day we met.” he responded as he opened the front passenger seat door for me. 

“Those are for my good assistant,” and he gave me a pretty bouquet of peonies and roses that was waiting for me in the car. I accepted his flowers with a large smile. And I hugged the bouquet as he rode us to the office. 

“So tell me, what song is playing in your head?” he asked as he gave me a glance with his hazel eyes.

“A song called I am bad as bad can be,” I replied

“Do I know it?”

“Are you joking?! This song is made for you!” I played the car audio system and linked it to my IPhone. The lyrics certainly were made for Raven! They go:

I made the devil run 

I gave him poison just for fun 

I had one friend, now there's none 

I made the devil run

Raven laughed immediately at the lyrics, “That’s indeed so like me!”

“I told you!” I chuckled. 

“So, since you have a genius taste in music, you will be in charge of making my playlists from now on,” he ordered. He was serious and I smiled at the suggestion. This man is far from being a normal boss! 

After the death of Mister Martini, the boss of an Italian mafia in the city, I barely witnessed any new traumatic events. The environment around Raven was calm for the time being which gave me the opportunity to plant myself right. I trained so hard and studied harder and worked the hardest. Of course I took care of my baby as well and watched him grow happy and healthy. And although I was absent half of the day, I was present and he was mentally and emotionally healthy. Most importantly, he was safe.

I gave Raven a glance. If I take my gun and shoot his head, will all of this just end? Will my baby and I become really safe? The state promised me a life-long allowance when I am done with this job. So the only thing between me and a happy life with my baby, is this handsome man.

I hate thinking that I like it, but I can’t help the truth. I must admit, I love the life I am living now! And I love the handsome enemy that I have.

We reached the office in no time. Raven immediately locked himself in his office to review the morning newspapers. And I sat to my dask and started my work.

“Good morning, Ella!” The secretary at the haul greeted me gently then brought me some documents, “The financial department wants the C E O to look at those.”

“Okay, I will bring them to him,” I said as I read them, “But he better not see this before his morning coffee. They will drive him mad!”

She was about to leave when she recalled something and turned to me, “By the way Ella?”

“Yes?” I replied to check my boss’s schedule.

“Is it true that you are dating the CEO?”

I burst into laughter, “Why on earth would you think so?!”

“Everybody thinks so!” the poor woman replied as if denying the accusation of being stupid, “You come together, sometimes you leave together! And he looks very interested in you!”

“Well, I am not interested in him, nor do I think he is into me,” I replied typing on my computer some notes, “We are just close because of work and friendship!”

“Friendship? Darling are you out of your mind! That handsome wealthy man is so into you and you are friendzoning him?!”

I smirked saying, "Can you believe it?” .

The poor woman sighed and went back to her office. She must have discovered that I am hopeless.

Raven called me later and ordered me to clean his schedule after two A M “What about the meeting with Missus Jonson, sir?”

“Reschedule it, Ella.”

“As you like, sir!”

“And pass by my office after fifteen minutes.” he ordered.

That’s my chance. I pulled a little spying device out of my bag. I should put this on Raven no matter the cost. 

I entered the grand office to find Raven pouring a glass of wine and a glass of water, “Take a seat, Ella,” he told me with a low voice.

“You’re already tired, and it’s only midday,” I noticed.

“That damn report Alex sent me,” he replied with that low voice and I got the impression I am gonna sink in my couch. Raven gave me the glass of water and took the whiskey. 

“You consumed a lot of coffee and now you’re drinking before lunch,” I murmured, “you shall care more about your health, sir!"

He smiled, “How did you know I drank too much coffee?”

“Your right hand is shaking,” I noticed, “This only happens when you drink more than four cups of coffee in the morning.”

“Sometimes your cleverness frightens me, Ella,” he replied.

I sighed, “You should drink less coffee, sir. You may endanger your health with all this caffeine!”

Raven giggled. “You always nag about my health,” he teased me laughing, “Gosh! Almost like a wife!”

“A wife?!” I exclaimed and shook my head in a hilarious way, “You will be very lucky sir if I ever agree into becoming your friend let alone your wife!”

Raven laughed. The laugh was both intimidating and contagious. He sat by my side, looked into my eyes till making me drunk by the hazel. Then he got closer, so close that I smelled his turn head Versace perfume, “Are you sure about that, madam?”

“Sure about what?” I stuttered.

He gave me a dangerous gaze and replied with a tempting voice, “Are you sure that you would hate being my woman?”

Gosh I can’t believe the audacity of this man!

“I did not say I hate it,” I replied with the rest of braveness I had in my heart, “I said you’re lucky to have me!”

“Indeed, madam. Indeed,” he responded, not cutting the hypnotising eye contact. He bent on me and reached to my ear to softly whisper in it, “I am the luckiest boss ever for having such a good assistant. For that I want you to attend something with me.”

“Something?” I asked.

But he gave me a smile that calmed my heart as he said, “A ball.”