Chapter 15: The Makeover, Unexpected Bonds & The Gala Night
Chapter 15: The Makeover, Unexpected Bonds & The Gala Night
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A Rough Awakening
Raven woke up to the feeling of someone shaking her shoulder gently.
"Wake up, we're landing soon," Kai's deep voice broke through her sleep.
She groaned, burying her face deeper into the soft blanket. "Just five more minutes..."
Kai sighed, but instead of letting her sleep, he leaned in and tugged the blanket away from her.
"Kai!" she snapped, her eyes finally fluttering open. She squinted at him, still groggy. "That was unnecessary."
He smirked. "You weren't waking up."
She shot him a glare but quickly got distracted by the view outside the jet window. The breathtaking skyline of Shanghai stretched out below them, filled with towering skyscrapers and shimmering lights. Even from up here, the city looked alive and electric.
Her drowsiness faded instantly. "We're really in China..."
Kai glanced at her, amused. "Did you think I was joking?"
She ignored him and straightened up, running her fingers through her hair to fix it.
As the jet descended, her excitement grew. She had traveled before, but this was different. She wasn't here for business, and she definitely wasn't alone. This was a forced honeymoon—and she had no idea what to expect.
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A Luxurious Welcome
The moment they stepped off the jet, a sleek black Rolls-Royce was already waiting for them, with a chauffeur standing nearby.
A hotel staff member greeted them with a polite bow. "Mr. and Mrs. Valenti, welcome to Shanghai. We hope you enjoy your stay. Your suite is ready, and your itinerary has been arranged as per your parents' requests."
Raven's eyes twitched. "Itinerary?"
Kai didn't seem surprised. He thanked the staff and gestured for her to follow.
As they got into the car, Raven crossed her arms. "Exactly what did our parents plan?"
Kai leaned back against the seat, his expression unreadable. "You'll find out soon enough."
That answer did not sit well with her.
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The Seven-Star Suite
The drive through Shanghai was mesmerizing. Raven couldn't take her eyes off the vibrant streets, dazzling billboards, and the stunning architecture that surrounded them.
But when they finally arrived at their hotel—the Aman Shanghai, one of the most exclusive hotels in the world—her jaw almost hit the floor.
"Kai," she said slowly as they stepped out of the car. "This place is worth more than some countries."
Kai chuckled. "Our parents spared no expense."
The hotel staff escorted them to their suite, and the moment Raven walked in, she was speechless.
The suite was massive, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the Bund, a private infinity pool, and decor that screamed luxury and elegance.
She walked deeper inside, and the bedroom alone was larger than most apartments. The bed was draped in silk sheets, the bathroom had a marble jacuzzi, and there was even a private butler assigned to them for their stay.
"Okay, this is insane," she muttered.
Kai smirked. "You're welcome."
She turned to him with a raised brow. "You didn't pay for this."
"Details."
She rolled her eyes and plopped down onto the couch, still trying to take everything in.
Then a horrifying realization hit her.
She snapped her head up. "Wait... there's only one bed."
Kai's smirk widened. "Yes. There is."
"*Kai.**"
"Raven."
She gaped at him. "Where the hell am I supposed to sleep?!"
He shrugged. "The bed."*
"With you?!"
He tilted his head innocently. "Unless you prefer the couch?"
She scowled. "We're getting a second bed."
"Good luck convincing the hotel staff."
Raven groaned, dragging a hand down her face. This was already turning into a nightmare.
---
A Dinner Full of Surprises
After freshening up and changing into a stunning green dress, Raven joined Kai downstairs for dinner at the hotel's rooftop restaurant.
The view of the Shanghai skyline was breathtaking, with the lights reflecting off the water. The restaurant was reserved just for them, giving them complete privacy.
As soon as the food arrived, Raven wasted no time digging in. Everything—from the Peking duck to the handmade dumplings—was delicious.
Kai, on the other hand, ate at a much slower pace, watching her with an unreadable expression.
Finally, he set his chopsticks down and leaned forward slightly. "There's something else I need to tell you."
Raven, who was mid-bite, paused. "What now?"
"We're expected to attend a gala tomorrow night."
She nearly dropped her fork. "Excuse me?"
"It's a business event, but our parents think it's a good opportunity for us to make an appearance as a couple."*
She blinked. "A couple?"
Kai's lips twitched. "That's what people think we are, isn't it?"
Raven took a deep breath. "So let me get this straight. Not only am I stuck on this honeymoon, but now I also have to play the perfect wife at some high-class gala?"
"Basically."
She groaned, rubbing her temples. "I swear, our parents are having too much fun with this."*
Kai chuckled, sipping his wine. "Maybe. But it won't be so bad."*
Raven wasn't so sure about that.
"Fine," she said after a long pause. "But I'm picking my own dress."*
Kai smirked. "I wouldn't expect anything less."*
As she returned to her food, one thought lingered in her mind.
This honeymoon was only just beginning, and she already had a feeling things were going to get very, very interesting.
A Startling Morning & A Heated Departure
Raven woke up feeling warmer than usual. Her body was enveloped in a comforting heat, and something heavy was wrapped around her waist.
Her eyelashes fluttered open, and she blinked, trying to adjust to the soft morning light streaming through the hotel curtains.
Then it hit her.
She was cuddling Kai.
Not just that—his arms were tightly wrapped around her waist, holding her close.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she internally cursed. "What the hell?"
She tilted her head slightly, staring at his face—his messy black hair, his sharp jawline, his obnoxiously perfect skin.
Just as she was about to carefully slip out of his hold, his golden-brown eyes shot open.
A slow, lazy smirk stretched across his lips. "Enjoying yourself, Castillo?"
Raven felt her entire face heat up.
She immediately shoved his arms off and sat up. "If you laugh, I'll pluck your eyes out."*
Kai chuckled, stretching his arms above his head. "Too late. I already saw everything."*
Raven grabbed a pillow and smacked his face with it before storming off to the bathroom.
The Ultimate Makeover – Nails, Hair, and a New Aura
After a hot shower and throwing on a casual designer set—black skinny jeans and a cropped sweater—Raven left for her much-needed self-care day.
Her first stop? L'Élégance Spa & Salon, a high-end beauty destination for Shanghai's elite.
She leaned back into the plush spa chair as the nail technician got to work on her manicure and pedicure.
Her fingernails were shaped into a semi-long almond design, painted jet black, and adorned with white diamonds and rare pink jade.
The pedicure matched, her nails shining like polished gemstones.
As she admired the results, she overheard a group of elderly Japanese women talking nearby.
Meeting the Legendary Old Ladies
The women were dressed in elegant silk cheongsams and luxurious pearl jewelry. Their voices were soft yet filled with authority.
One of them, a tall woman with piercing gray eyes, was speaking in Japanese.
"She has such a refined aura. If only my son had a wife like her."
Raven smirked, pretending not to hear at first. Then, in flawless Japanese, she said,
"That's sweet of you to say, but I'm already married."
The old ladies gasped in shock.
The woman who had spoken—Madam Hoshino, a former General Commander in the Japanese Army—stared at her with sharp eyes before laughing softly.
"Oh? And here I thought no one could surprise me anymore. You speak Japanese so well, my dear."
Raven smiled. "I studied it for years. It's a beautiful language."*
The other women introduced themselves:
Madam Suzuki, a renowned corporate lawyer,
Madam Takahashi, a billionaire business mogul,
Madam Fujimoto, a real estate tycoon.
As Raven and the distinguished old women continued their conversation, the atmosphere in the salon was peaceful and filled with quiet laughter. They spoke about business, life, and leadership, sharing insights from their respective fields.
However, the tranquility didn't last.
A loud, sharp voice suddenly broke through the elegant setting.
"You think you're better than us just because you sit with rich women?"
Raven slowly turned her head and saw a group of three well-dressed but arrogant young women standing by the entrance of the salon. They were clearly spoiled socialites, wearing expensive yet tasteless outfits, their faces contorted with jealousy.
The leader of the trio, a woman with dyed platinum blonde hair and overly dramatic makeup, crossed her arms and smirked. "I recognize you… you're Raven Castillo, right?"
Raven sighed, completely uninterested. "It's Raven Valenti, and who are you?"
The blonde's smirk twitched. "Someone you should respect, you low-class outsider, you are trying to act all haughty in my turf."*
Madam Hoshino, who had been sipping her tea, calmly placed the cup down and said in perfectly controlled Chinese , "Do you have no manners, young lady?"
The blonde scoffed. "I wasn't talking to you, old woman."*
Silence.
The entire salon went deathly quiet.
Madam Hoshino, a former General Commander, simply tilted her head and smiled, but the sharpness in her eyes sent a clear message of warning.
Raven sighed again and slowly stood up. "I was having a nice conversation, but you just had to ruin the mood. You have three seconds to walk away before I break your face."*
The blonde laughed mockingly. "You? You're just some pretty business arrangement doll hanging off Kai ' s arm. What can you even—"
She didn't get to finish.
Because in the blink of an eye, Raven moved.
She gripped the woman's wrist, twisted it with expert precision, and slammed her face-first onto the manicure table.
BAM!
Nail polish bottles tipped over, and the blonde screamed in pain.
The other two women gasped in horror, stepping back.
Raven bent down, her lips inches from the woman's ear. "Since you know my name, you should also know… I don't tolerate disrespect."*
The blonde whimpered, clutching her arm.
Madam Suzuki, the corporate lawyer, chuckled. "Impressive reaction time. Have you considered a career in law enforcement?"
Raven grinned. "Not my style. But thanks for the compliment."*
Madam Takahashi, the business mogul, sighed dramatically. "Ah, I do miss my younger days when I could put brats in their place like this."*
The other salon guests whispered amongst themselves, some nodding in approval.
Meanwhile, the two remaining socialites grabbed their fallen leader and ran out of the salon, humiliated.
Madam Fujimoto, the real estate tycoon, leaned forward and patted Raven's hand gently. "My dear, if my son were single, I would have begged you to marry him."*
The other old women nodded in agreement.
Raven laughed. "I appreciate the thought, but I think my husband would have something to say about that."*
They all chuckled, the tension melting away as if the fight had never happened.
They exchanged contacts before parting ways, with the elderly ladies promising to meet again for lunch.
Raven left the salon, feeling refreshed—both from her spa day and from putting a spoiled brat in her place.
The Gala – A Night of Elegance & Shadows
Raven arrived back at the hotel, and as expected, Kai was already waiting for her.
He took one look at her and froze.
"You dyed your hair…" His voice was softer than usual.
Raven twirled a strand of her hair, the white-dyed tips gleaming under the hotel lights. "Yeah. You like it?"
Kai's eyes flickered down to her midnight blue chiffon dress, the rare black jade details glinting as she moved.
"You look… dangerous."*
Raven smirked. "Good."*
Kai cleared his throat and offered his arm. "Let's go before I forget we're heading to a business gala."*
They entered the gala, unaware that the night was far from peaceful.
Chapter: The Unexpected Brawl
After spending a luxurious day pampering herself, Raven felt refreshed and confident. With her nails perfectly polished, her hair elegantly styled with white-dyed tips, and her skin glowing from the body massage, she knew she looked breathtaking.
Now, it was time for the gala.
But what she didn't expect was that her evening was about to take a violent turn.
The Gala – A Night of Elegance & Danger
The gala was held at one of the most prestigious venues in Shanghai. A grand ballroom filled with business tycoons, aristocrats, and powerful figures from all over the world.
Raven stepped in wearing a stunning off-shoulder, midnight blue chiffon dress adorned with rare black jade. Her rose-shaped diamond necklace sparkled under the crystal chandeliers, and her pink diamond stud earrings complemented the look perfectly.
Kai, standing beside her, looked irresistibly handsome in an elegant black suit with a navy blue silk tie.
As they walked inside, he leaned slightly toward her ear and whispered, "You look ethereal tonight, he complimented her for the second time day."*
Raven smirked. "Don't fall for me too hard, Valenti."*
Kai rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of a smile on his lips.
Everything was going smoothly—until it wasn't.
An Unwanted Guest
Raven was in the middle of sipping her expensive champagne when she noticed a group of men staring at her from across the room.
She recognized one of them instantly—Hayato Sakamoto.
A Japanese businessman who was notorious for illegal dealings. A man she despised.
Raven was about to ignore him, but then he started walking toward her.
"Mrs. Valenti," he greeted, his voice dripping with fake politeness.
Raven's eyebrow twitched at the name. She still wasn't used to being called that.
"Sakamoto," she said coldly, her fingers tightening around her glass.
Kai noticed the tension immediately. His gaze darkened as he subtly shifted closer to her.
"I must say, your presence here is quite… surprising," Sakamoto continued, his smirk widening. "A mafia queen gracing a business event? Interesting."*
Raven smiled sweetly but her eyes were ice cold. "Oh, don't be mistaken. I'm here for business… but I won't mind breaking a few bones if necessary."*
Sakamoto chuckled, but there was something dangerous in his eyes. "That temper of yours… I wonder, does your husband know how deadly you can be?"
Kai immediately stepped in front of Raven. "Watch your words, Sakamoto."*
"Relax," Sakamoto smirked. "I'm just here to have a little chat… unless, of course, you'd rather settle things in a more… entertaining way?"
...eyes were sharp. "You must be mistaken, Sakamoto. I'm just a humble woman accompanying my husband."
Sakamoto chuckled. "Of course. Just a humble woman—who once broke my associate's arm in a negotiation."
Kai's grip on his whiskey glass tightened. "Do you have a point, Sakamoto?"
Sakamoto's smirk remained as he raised his glass. "Just reminiscing, Valenti. No need to get aggressive."
But Raven knew men like him. They never approached without a reason.
Before she could respond, a waitress passing by suddenly tripped—her tray of expensive wine flying straight toward Raven.
Without hesitation, Raven sidestepped gracefully, catching the bottle mid-air with one hand while smoothly twirling to avoid the spill.
The entire room went silent.
Sakamoto's smirk dropped.
Kai smirked. "Not just beautiful, but fast too."
A few guests murmured, clearly impressed.
Sakamoto, however, simply chuckled. "Impressive reflexes. No wonder you survived so long in the underworld."
Raven set the bottle down and smiled. "Careful, Sakamoto. You almost sounded like you admire me."
"Admire?" His smile turned sharp. "I'd rather call it… curiosity."
Before he could say more, Kai smoothly stepped between them, his cold gaze locking onto Sakamoto.
"That's enough small talk," Kai said in a low voice. "You're in my city. Don't forget it."
The tension thickened, but Sakamoto simply smiled and raised his glass. "Of course. Have a wonderful evening, Mr. and Mrs. Valenti."
As he walked away, Raven let out a small sigh.
"That bastard is up to something," she muttered.
Kai nodded. "I know."
But before they could dwell on it, the gala's host took the stage, and the night continued—though neither of them could shake the feeling that Sakamoto wasn't done yet.
A Dangerous Dance & An Unspoken Understanding
Later that night, a slow song played, and couples moved to the dance floor.
Kai extended his hand toward Raven.
"May I have this dance?"
Raven raised an eyebrow. "Since when do you ask permission?"
"Since you started looking like you wanted to stab someone."
She rolled her eyes but placed her hand in his.
As Kai pulled her onto the floor, their bodies moved in perfect sync—a dance of power, control, and something else neither wanted to name.
Their gazes locked.
"Careful, Valenti," she murmured. "People might think we actually like each other."
Kai's lips twitched. "What a terrifying thought."
And yet, neither let go.
For a fleeting moment, in the midst of enemies, power plays, and hidden agendas, they were just Raven and Kai.
A king and queen dancing in the eye of the storm.