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"Of course," I say, forcing a smile. "I'll be right back." Without waiting for his response, I make my way through the crowd toward Raven, my heart pounding in my chest as if it's trying to escape.
"Hey," I say softly when I reach her side, drinking in every detail of her up close. The delicate lace of her mask, the glint of the silver cross against her dark costume, the warmth of her presence—it all feels like a dream, one that I don't want to wake up from.
Up close, she's even more breathtaking. The way her dark hair cascades in loose waves over her shoulders, framing the delicate mask that conceals her identity—she's a vision straight out of a Gothic novel. The silver upside-down cross around her neck only adds to the allure, drawing my eyes down to the curve of her throat.
"Hi," she replies, her voice barely audible above the din of the fundraiser. Her eyes dart nervously around the room, and I can't help but wonder what secrets she's hiding behind that mask. What made her choose such a daring costume? Especially considering her current occupation.
"Can we talk? Somewhere more private?" Raven asks, her voice quivering slightly. I glance back at Enzo, watching him from across the room, but the pull of Raven is too strong to resist.
"Sure. Let's go," I agree before leading her away from the prying eyes of the crowd, my mind racing with possibilities and questions.
As we weave through the guests, I can't help but think about how much I desire her, how every inch of my being craves to be closer to her. I know I'm shirking on my responsibilities, and I know that could threaten everything in the family business, but right now, she's all that matters.
We retreat to the corner of the ballroom, hoping for some semblance of privacy amid the raucous atmosphere. But as we try to speak, our voices are swallowed by the noise of the presentations. A group walks by us, their laughter spiking my anxiety. I don't want anyone to overhear our conversation—whatever it's going to be about.
"Follow me," I say, grabbing her hand and feeling a thrill of excitement at the contact. We slip through the throng of people and make our way outside into the gardens. The night air is crisp and biting, but as I glance at Raven, she's smiling too, as if the anticipation of what might happen between us is contagious.
We find a hidden spot with a bench and sit down, the shadows enveloping us like a cloak. Raven looks at me, her eyes studying my outfit. "You really went all out, huh? Just be careful not to get that white tux dirty."
I smirk, glancing down at the pristine fabric. As Lucifer, I'm decked out in an entirely white tuxedo, complete with tiny angel wings and a cross necklace—a playful nod to my role in this twisted game of ours. We're like complete opposites: her as Lilith, dark and mysterious, and me as Lucifer, the fallen angel bathed in white.
"Can't make any promises," I reply, reaching over to lightly finger her silver upside-down cross necklace. "So, you're dressed as Lilith, huh? Interesting choice, considering your line of work."
Raven blushes, looking away for a moment before meeting my gaze again. "Well, I figured since you're playing the Devil, I might as well be his first love, right?" She tries to laugh it off, but there's a nervous energy surrounding her.
"Right," I say, my mind racing with thoughts of our past and the undeniable chemistry that crackles between us. This entire night has been a whirlwind, and I desperately want to know what fate has in store for us.
"Look," Raven starts, her voice shaky, "I need to tell you something, Teddy."
"Anything," I say, my heart pounding in my chest.
I glance down at Raven's hands, trembling ever so slightly in her lap. Concerned, I cover them with my own, trying to reassure her. "Hey, relax. It's just me," I say, my voice soft and comforting. "There's no reason to be anxious."
"Okay," she whispers, taking a deep breath as if trying to steady herself. Her eyes meet mine, and I can see the vulnerability there, hidden beneath her dark makeup.
She hesitates for a moment before finally speaking the words that send my world spinning. "I'm not a nun. I haven't taken my vows yet."
The shock is so profound it feels like I've been sucker-punched. Everything goes blurry for a second, and I wonder if I've blacked out. "What?" I stammer, unable to process the information. "Say that again."
"I'm not a nun," she repeats, her voice barely audible. "I haven't taken any vows yet."
A torrent of questions floods my mind, and they all spill out at once. "How? When? Why not? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Her eyes widen, and I realize I'm overwhelming her. I take a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. "Never mind," I say, shaking my head. "Just tell me at your own pace."
"Alright," she says, swallowing hard. "When you took me after that night at the church, you assumed I was a nun."
"Actually, Carmine told me you were," I interject.
"Wait, what do you mean?" she asks, confusion evident on her face.
"Never mind," I say, dismissing the thought. "Just keep going."
"Okay, well, after that night at the church, you assumed I was a nun, and...I never corrected you."
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Raven hesitates for a moment before finally speaking. "I don't know. Maybe...maybe I did it because I was afraid to admit my feelings for you. With you assuming I was a nun, it gave me an out."
