CHAPTER 49

---6 months later---

Raven stepped out of the car as Charlotte followed out after him, bringing with her two bouquets of flowers. She looked up at him, her eyes already teary and Raven gently smiled at her before tucking her close to his side.

"Let's go." He whispered

She quietly nodded and they entered in through the gates, as the cool winter breeze of the cemetery welcomed them with open arms. They walked past a couple of stones.

Every step forward was cutting them off the loud city noises and into the calm, peaceful environment inside. Charlotte clutched Raven's hand and he pulled her closer, rubbing her back as they came to a stop before the two gravestones.

Raven looked down at his Mother. Her long held tears were already rolling down her cheeks. Her hand still clutched his as the silence engulfed them, bathing them with it's serenity.

He stood still as a tear forced itself out of his eye. How strong did God make me to bear so much? He thought.

He had lost so much but there he was, standing in front of the graves of his loved ones, the ones whom he never got to bid a final goodbye.

Someone who came to complete his life and another who left without a reason. Drowning in sorrow and mourning would be the last thing they would want him to do, he knew that.

Raven quietly wiped the tear off his face as Charlotte held out the flowers to him. He took some from her and together they placed them on both the graves. Charlotte turned to him.

"Raven.." She said breathlessly and dropped her face in her hands, sobbing into them, "I'm so sorry,"

"Mother." He pulled her onto his chest. "It's okay." He rubbed her back as she cried in his arms.

He knew it was hard for her too. She too lost someone dear. Still holding her into his arms, he turned around and she slipped to his side as he lead then towards the gate.

Raven never knew their lives would take such drastic turn, but they lived through it and could continue living, hopefully a normal life.

As they approached the gate, Charlotte was almost calm and just leaning on him. "Are you okay?" He smiled down at her and she weakly smiled back.

"I'm better." They came out of the cemetery and after a single, last glance back, she stepped into the car while he closed the door behind her.

Before he could go to his car, she leaned out of the window.

"You should come to dinner today at the old mansion." She said still sniffling.

"I will." Raven nodded and left for his car.

As he got in, he started the engine and drove away after his Mother's car.

Everything was so calm. Even the breeze blowing in through the open window was somehow soft on his face. He felt at ease, as he saw his Mother's car turning to the other way, towards the old mansion and he turned to his own way-his home.

He want that day and probably everyday following to be so peaceful. No stress or worries whatsoever.

After a few minutes he pulled over in front of the Mansion and gave the keys to the guard, "Park, Please". The guard nodded, taking the keys.

Raven unbuttoned his blazer as soon as he entered and Miss. Jones came into his view, smiling. He slid out of the blazer as she took it from him.

"How are you doing Miss. Jones?" He asked rolling his sleeves up.

"I've been better. Thank you." He smiled at her and made his way upstairs.

He ambled through the corridor, hands stuffed into his trouser pockets, enjoying his alone time. Even the hallway was so quiet.

He walked into his bedroom and let out a breath. Taking off his shoes then watch, he rolled his shoulders and then glanced at the nightstand where a glass and the whiskey bottle was set, decorated.

He smiled and made his way towards the nightstand and poured himself a glass before taking a brief sip.

He stood at the window, staring outside at the pink and orange in the sky. He aimlessly wondered how many souls were watching over him. But he knew they all were once most important part of his life.

He took another sip from the glass when the door opened behind him and the smell of roses instantly seeped in through his nostrils. The whiskey was nothing as compared to the dizziness 'that' smell could bring him. He stayed still at hus spot as soft footsteps approached him.

He gulped another sip when two arms wrapped around his waist and his lips twitched into a smile, a the warmth instantly wrapping around them.

"Did you visit them?" She asked, her voice so low that he had to grip the glass tightly, almost feeling like it would slid out of his hand.

"I did and I feel better. Much better." She giggled and hugged him tighter.

Raven placed the glass down and turned around to be met by a pair of sparkling hazel eyes, her hair still damp from the shower. She smelled all roses. That scent was intoxicating.

He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips. She responded and smiled against his lips as he pulled back. He wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her up to his chest, burying his face in her neck and inhaling deeply. She chuckled again. 'God, I love that sound.'

"Anna?" He murmured against her neck, nuzzling her unbelievably soft skin.

"Hmm?" Her fingers buried into his hair, playing with it.

"Why do I feel so calm today? Everything is so oddly peaceful." He could feel her smile as she wrapped her hands around his neck and pecked his forehead.

"Because you have come out of the shadows of your past, Raven. You are no longer chained to those memories. You don't have unanswered questions that bothered you all the time. You're free, that's why you feel at peace." Raven pulled back to look into her eyes. She was right.

All his questions and confusions had long gone. That's why even while visiting Areum's and his father's grave, he didn't feel so depressed.

It all lasted for a few months when Richard was discharged from the hospital with Anna, they had both fallen over the extended roof of the porch. Richard suffered from minor injuries while Anna was treated for several others.

After discharging , Richard was arrested with the evidences that the Austin had. He handed over a copy to Raven when he met him outside the hospital. Raven still didn't know who he was although Anna said he was an acquaintance of hers.

After Charlotte returned from Japan, she could hardly handle herself, knowing the man she trusted with everything, betrayed her. It was after that, when Raven asked her about his birth father, that she showed him the grave right beside Areum's.

Raven had never visited the cemetery after Areum was gone so he never saw it and he wouldn't have gone if Anna hadn't insisted him to.

She had helped him once again, to break away from his past and what else? He had her in hus present and most certainly in his future too.

"Thank You" he whispered, softly pecking her lips.

Anna smiled. She didn't need to ask him what, because she already knew why he was thanking her. She tiptoed up and pecked his lips. "Your welcome." She chuckled again before squealing when he hoisted her up from the floor and spun her around.

She ruffled his hair as he grinned at her, leading them to the bed and softly laid her down.

Leaning down, he crawled over her and kissed her again, this time harder. Anna's hands came up, cupping his face and she kissed him back, her soft lips moving across his. She had a way of affecting him, and getting under his skin, with the minimum contact.

Raven grabbed her hips which made her gasp and he thrusted his tongue into her mouth, tasting her sweet little cavern and she moaned. 'I was wrong about the giggle because I liked this sound more.'

He moved down from her lips to her neck, and peppered her skin with wet kisses before sucking at her sweet spot. She moaned again and he felt his pants tightening.

Every nerve ending on his body came alive when he touched her. She filled him with such desires that however tried, couldn't be suppressed and as much as he had her, he couldn't seem to get enough of her.

He stood up and unbuttoned his shirt, and slid out of it, before throwing it somewhere around the room. Anna sat up, holding her knees, smiling up at him, looking incurably adorable. Raven smirked.

"Christ, you're looking at me like that when I'm seconds away from spreading you legs." Anna gasped, before biting her lips to muffle her smile.

He chuckled before leaning down and kissing her lips again.

"I love you," He whispered, against her lips.

"And I love you," She pulled him down, sealing his lips with hers and Raven couldn't help the smile that drew on his lips. A smile that was for her and from her.