#02 Not Her Prince Charming

Caius didn't feel guilty and instead laughed at the innocent attitude displayed before him.

"Are you really Raven's girlfriend? He usually chooses women who are more mature. A kiss on the hand shouldn't surprise you."

Gia felt warmth rising as she began to grow angry. "I'm not Raven's girlfriend!" she snapped.

"Oh? But..." Caius looked toward the room Gia had pointed out earlier. He misunderstood, assuming the 'boyfriend' Gia mentioned was Raven.

"Lonan? You're Lonan's girlfriend? Hmm... You’re more suited for Lonan. He’s always liked petite, innocent girls."

Whoever Caius was, Gia hated him. She might be petite, but she was a grown woman, 24 years old. Yet Caius had guessed accurately, as Gia could indeed be considered innocent when it came to romance.

At the age of twenty-four, Gia remained a virgin—not by choice, as her commitment to her studies and work left little time for relaxation.

Even with Lonan, things hadn't gone further; they had only kissed and been affectionate. This wasn't entirely Gia's fault, as Lonan was just as busy, often traveling around Europe for work alongside his studies.

"Well, since you’re Lonan's, I'm not interested. Goodbye, sweet girl." Caius attempted to brush Gia’s cheek, but she managed to swat his hand away in time.

"Fiery! You're actually pretty decent," he said with an annoying laugh before leaving Gia.

"Miss Harken, I apologize. Mr. Lindgren is waiting for you."

A servant approached Gia, pointing to the room where Lonan was, just as she was about to exhale in relief.

"Thank you."

After politely nodding, the servant escorted Gia to the door where Lonan was. As they walked, Gia began to wonder what was going on. Lonan had promised he would come out.

"Mr. Lindgren. Miss Harken has arrived."

A faint murmur answered from inside, prompting the servant to open the door. "Please, come in, Miss."

Only two meters from the door, Gia stopped, realizing that the man waiting for her wasn't Lonan—it was Raven.

"Where is Lonan?" Gia asked.

But Raven only responded with a piercing look. He then stepped toward her.

Without realizing it, Gia took two steps back. Raven appeared highly intimidating, even though he was roughly the same size as Lonan.

"How much money do you want?" he asked, his unblinking stare signaling he was serious.

"W-what do you mean?" Gia actually understood what Raven was implying, but she hoped she had misheard him. This was what she had feared ever since Raven had been sizing her up with that judgmental gaze.

"Do you still want to continue playing Cinderella? Or maybe you plan to cling to Lonan for life? Like a bloodsucking leech. Leave Lonan, and I'll give you any amount of money you ask for."

Gia wanted to cry upon hearing Raven's accusation. He had hit her in a vulnerable spot. She did feel like Cinderella today, dressed in this extravagant gown and adorned with fine jewelry, but her fairy tale wouldn’t end happily. The man standing before her was determined to make sure of that.

In a shaky voice, Gia tried to fight back. "I'm not as low as you think! I love Lonan."

"Ha...ha...ha... Love?" Raven’s laugh was hollow and painful. Slowly, Gia's tears began to fall, though she quickly wiped them away.

"No girl approaches a Lindgren with love." Raven’s voice was even colder than before.

"I LOVE LONAN! And I don't need your money! Excuse me," she shouted, her anger flaring as she turned toward the door. Continuing this painful conversation was pointless to her.

"Ahh!" Her body wobbled as she felt a strong grip on her wrist.

Gia was prepared to fall to the floor, but something caught her waist, pulling her back. She collided against a hard chest. Before she could catch her breath, Raven spun her around to face him.

"I haven’t said you can leave."

Raven’s voice was nearly a whisper, given their close proximity. Gia’s entire body tensed upon hearing him speak.

"Let me go!" Gia tried to push Raven away, but her strength barely felt like a breeze to him.

"You’re quite intriguing." Raven tilted Gia’s chin up, bringing their faces closer. Gia wanted to push his hand away, but Raven’s dark gaze seemed to paralyze her.

"You say you love Lonan? Then prove your love now." 

Gia's mind went blank as Raven's lips suddenly claimed hers.

Raven kissed Gia deeply, exploring every corner of her small mouth, giving her no chance to breathe. Warmth began to spread through Gia’s body as Raven’s hands wandered down her back, caressing her waist.

Gia struggled to breathe, but Raven’s lips offered no respite. When his tongue slipped in, Gia could no longer hold back a soft moan.

"Love is nonsense. You didn’t even resist me. Or do you believe any Lindgren will suffice?"

Her moan shattered the magical spell surrounding them. Raven’s voice broke the warm bubble enveloping Gia, plunging her into an icy storm.

"You jerk!" Gia raised her hand, but Raven easily caught it and pulled her close again.

"You enjoyed it, sweetheart. I could feel your warmth when you trembled in my arms. And to be honest, I enjoyed it too." Without permission, Raven kissed her again, even more intensely this time.

"GIA?!" Another voice shouted, loud and furious.

"What are you doing? Is it because of Raven that you’ve been acting restless tonight?" Lonan stood in the doorway, glaring.

Raven simply stood there, his face expressionless, releasing Gia’s body. He didn’t bother to explain anything. 

Gia, on the other hand, appeared pallid and shook her head as tears poured down her face. "It's not what it looks like...I..."

But Gia then fell silent, guilt gnawing at her. Raven was right; she had enjoyed the kiss. She had surrendered so easily.

"And I actually thought you were different from other women!" Without another glance, Lonan stormed out, slamming the door. Gia collapsed to the floor, covering her tear-streaked face with her hands.

"Would you like to continue?" Raven crouched in front of her, a satisfied smile on his face. He had achieved his goal: separating Gia and Lonan.

SLAP!

This time, Gia’s slap landed squarely on his cheek, leaving it red.

"You rich people are disgusting! Do you really enjoy tormenting others?" Gia rose and grabbed a flower vase from the table.

SPLASH!

She poured the entire contents over Raven, soaking his face as he stood half-risen. Gia then smashed the vase onto the floor.

"You arrogant jerk! You may be used to getting everything you want, but there are things in this world you can’t buy with money. Take all your money to hell!"

Gia ripped off the necklace and all the jewelry she wore, throwing them to the floor. She could feel a stinging sensation and dampness in her ears, likely from the rough yanking off of her earrings.

If she could, she would have torn off the dress Lonan had given her, but that would have been foolish. Instead, she kicked off the beautiful shoes she had admired just this afternoon, throwing them at Raven. One of them bounced away when Raven blocked it.

"Take it all back. I refuse to be Cinderella." Breathing heavily, Gia ran out.

Her dream was over. She should have followed her instincts and turned back when she first saw the grandeur of this mansion. That world wasn’t for her.

From now on, she would no longer gaze upon that world. Gia would rather be the little match girl than Cinderella if all the princes in this world acted like Raven.

FIVE YEARS LATER