Valerie Thorne's POV:

Two years passed. I was finally eighteen. School was complete. In a week, I was finally leaving for Italy. For the new chapter, a fresh start to my life. Italy was a place far from the chaos of Las Vegas and everything that came with it. I had dreamed of this escape for so long that when it was finally here, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Or maybe both.

In the last two years, I rarely saw Raven Blackwood again. But his power and reputation had spread too much. Even more than my father’s power and reputation. People didn’t dare to even take his name casually anymore. They spoke it with fear, with awe, sometimes even with a sort of reluctant respect.

I avoided him since I saw that video on Blondie’s phone. It sent chills down my spine, and I couldn’t sleep for nights after that. And that was not the only incident where he killed a woman he was close to. That was just the first I witnessed. Many such incidents had happened. Before that. After that. The women who had gotten too close to Raven Blackwood paid the price. Some disappeared. Some were found, eventually. But always too late.

I got to listen to it from my school circle. And that was enough motivation for me to stay away from him.

He was truly. A monster in disguise.

Though my heart bled, it was a good thing, perhaps a good warning.

The last time I saw him was on my eighteenth birthday, a month ago. He grew sharper; his jawline looked more defined than ever. He wore a white shirt with navy blue pants. He gifted me the new Hermes bag, the limited edition one. It was the same bag I was looking to buy. But he did before I could. I remember wondering, since when had he been paying such close attention to the things I liked?

I still choose to maintain my distance from him, just because I wanted to live, and I loved my life.

For the full week, I spent my time with my Papa. I didn’t know when I would return to Las Vegas, so I wanted to enjoy all my time with him.

We went to our favorite restaurant for dinner. Spent some time in the countryside. Watched old movies together at Mom’s favorite theater of her time. He didn’t say much about my leaving for Italy. But I knew he was feeling everything he didn’t say. He didn’t want me to leave. But he knew I needed to see the world for myself. So, he didn’t say anything.

Two days later.

I had a dinner date with Elara and Trance. Both were my best friends. So, I had to give them a proper treat before leaving for Italy.

While I decided to pursue higher studies in Italy for the fashion design course, Elara and Trance had decided to stay in Las Vegas only for their studies. It was mainly for Elara due to her family’s concern for her. But Trance had decided to join his father’s business along with his studies.

Dinner was set for eight pm.

The restaurant was buzzing with people’s voices and the clinking of glasses and other culinary. The warm lights cast a golden light across the wooden tables, giving it a rather comfortable and relaxing vibe.

I walked inside wearing a white dress. I looked around and spotted Elara and Trance sitting at the corner booth near the window. They looked like they were already halfway through their mocktails.

Elara looked at me at the same time as I looked at her. She waved dramatically at me, and Trance stood up to pull my chair out like a gentleman he was.

Elara narrowed her eyes at me. But I could see her holding back a smile as she spoke in an annoyed tone. “You’re late.”

“Traffic,” I rolled my eyes as I sat down. “And my Papa insisted on checking my suitcase one more time. For the seventh time today.”

They laughed. It felt easy. And Familiar.

“You’re really leaving,” Trance said, his voice was quieter, but he seemed thoughtful. He leaned back against the chair while his fingers tapped the edge of his glass in a slow rhythm.

“I am,” I nodded. For some reason, saying it out loud made it feel a bit heavier.

Elara reached across the table and held my hand. “I’m proud of you, you know? You’re going to live the life we always talked about. Studying fashion in Italy? That’s straight out of your dream journal from the eighth grade.”

I smiled, trying to hold back the tears forming in the back of my eyes. “You guys are my people. I don’t know how I’m going to manage without you.”

“Don’t worry,” Trance teased me. “You’ll come back in two weeks crying, begging for greasy tacos and your comfy little bed.”

“You wish,” I teased him back, and nudging him with my foot under the table.

After some time, the waiter came with our food. It was wood-fired pizza, pasta, and my favorite garlic bread. Our go-to comfort meal. It wasn’t fancy, but it was perfect. Every bite felt like a memory. Every laugh tonight held a trace of goodbye.

We spent the night reminiscing about Elara’s disastrous birthday party, Trance getting suspended for hacking the school’s Wi-Fi, and my first attempt at designing a dress that looked more like a curtain than a dress.

By dessert time, silence settled on our table. It was not uncomfortable, but weird.

Elara sighed. “Promise us you’ll call and text us, Val. And send us all the pictures.”

“I promise,” I said, meaning it with everything in me.

Trance raised his glass. “To Italy.”

“To dreams,” Elara added.

I clinked my glass with their glass. “And to us.”

Two days later:

I got ready to leave for the airport. My flight was at night. The airport was just half an hour or so away.

I walked downstairs along with my bag, but then I paused.

Raven Blackwood.

I saw him. He was sitting on the couch in the living room. Just before my father, and beside him was Eliot. The other guards, whom my Papa was sending with me to Italy, were also standing there.

I paused in my steps. I didn’t want to see him. I turned and walked back to my room and slammed the door shut behind me.

Minutes later, I heard movement. Footsteps, to be precise, followed by a soft voice. It was Vinnie’s voice, our house cook. “Miss. Sir is calling you downstairs.”

I replied without a second thought. I knew I could get late if I stayed longer in my room. “Coming.”