Chapter 16 : An Awesome Snack and The Arrival of Death

An Awesome Snack and The Arrival of Death

The grand ballroom shimmered under the golden chandeliers, their crystal-like glow casting a soft elegance over the room.

The music slowed.

They swayed in perfect sync, Kai's palm resting at the small of her back, his fingers grazing the exposed skin. Raven's breath hitched slightly. His warmth seeped into her, his scent—a mix of cologne, danger, and something distinctly Kai—surrounding her.

For a moment, it was just them.

His golden-brown eyes locked onto hers, intense and unwavering. His thumb brushed her waist, sending shivers up her spine.

Raven swallowed. Dancing with him should be illegal.

Then, as if sensing the shift in her heartbeat, Kai leaned in slightly, his breath teasing her ear.

"You're tense," he murmured.

She scoffed. "Maybe because I'm dancing with a known killer?"

His lips barely curved. "That's what excites you, isn't it?"

Before she could reply, the song ended.

Kai didn't let go.

Neither did she.

The air between them buzzed with something electric, something dangerous.

Then, finally, Raven took a step back. "I need the restroom."

Kai's jaw clenched slightly, but he nodded. "Don't take too long."

With a small smirk, she turned and walked away, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor.

She didn't notice the pair of piercing blue eyes watching her from the shadows.

A Dangerous Encounter

The restroom was quiet, the soft hum of the gala barely reaching inside. Raven washed her hands, staring at her reflection.

Her heart was still beating too fast.

"Damn it," she muttered, drying her hands. "I need to get a grip."

Shaking her head, she turned to leave.

The moment she stepped out—

She collided into something solid.

Large, strong hands caught her waist, holding her in place.

Her breath hitched.

She looked up—

Piercing blue eyes.

The man holding her was tall, broad, and strikingly handsome. His skin was a rich, warm brown, his sharp features looking almost too perfect. His hair was dark, slightly tousled, and there was a smirk tugging at his lips.

He looked half-Chinese, half-Black—a mix of two dangerously beautiful worlds.

His grip on her waist didn't loosen.

"Careful, Mei Mei," he murmured. His voice was deep, smooth, confident.

Raven's eyes narrowed, she didn't like him one bit.

"Let go." she muttered.

Instead of obeying, he tightened his hold slightly, his fingers pressing harshly against her waist.

She stiffened.

"Now why would I do that?" he mused, tilting his head. "It's not every day I run into someone like you, beautiful and dangerous."

Wrong move.

Raven didn't hesitate.

She flung her leg up, her sharp stiletto heel slamming into his shin.

CRACK.

He let out a sharp and loud groan, loosening his tight grip.

The movement caught people's attention. Whispers started.

But before he could recover—

A gun cocked.

A shadow loomed over them.

Raven immediately relaxed.

Kai.

His expression was calm, his golden-brown eyes unreadable, but his grip on the gun was deadly steady.

"Step back," Kai said, his voice dangerously soft.

The man, despite the situation, smirked.

"Kai Valenti," he murmured. "I've heard about you."

Kai didn't react.

He simply pulled the trigger.

BANG.

A clean shot straight through his forehead.

Blood splattered.

Gasps filled the room, people whispering the man who was just killed was a famous bigshot son but his authority was nothing compared to Kai.

The man's body crumpled onto the floor.

Raven barely blinked.

Instead, she stepped forward, her fingers trailing over Kai's face, wiping away a stray drop of blood.

She smirked. "Let's go to the hotel, love."

Kai clenched his jaw.

Without another word, he scooped her up and carried her out of the gala.

His patience? Gone.

A Sudden Detour

The car ride was silent.

Kai's fingers curled tightly around the steering wheel, his jaw locked, his body tense.

Raven, still slightly hazy from the alcohol, leaned her forehead against the window, watching the passing lights.

Then—

"STOP!"

Kai quickly slammed the brakes as they jerked forward.

"What?" he snapped.

Raven pointed outside. "I want some Chinese food."

"No."

She pouted. "But—"

"No."

She sighed dramatically. Then, without warning—

She opened the car door and jumped out.

Kai groaned. "Not again."

He parked and followed her and when he caught sight of her.

She was already happily munching on Jianbing (Chinese crepes).

She turned to him, offering a bite. "Try it."

"No."

She glared. Then, she forcefully shoved a piece into his mouth.

Kai choked, then slowly chewed. Swallowed.

Then, to her surprise—

He gave her a thumbs-up.

She smirked in victory and leaned against him.

More Street Food & A Little Trouble

Raven spotted a vendor selling octopus-based snacks and bought three kinds:

Takoyaki – Soft, round octopus balls covered in a tangy sauce.

Grilled Spicy Octopus Skewers – Smoky, tender, and dripping with spicy goodness.

Octopus Dumplings – Crispy on the outside, bursting with juicy octopus filling inside.

She took a bite and sighed happily.

Then—

Her gaze landed on something small and shivering.

A tiny abandoned puppy with mismatched green and white eyes, caught her eyes.

Her heart melted and she mentally swooned.

She scooped it up immediately. "Kai! Look at this cute baby!"

Kai barely glanced. "No, not happening."

She sighed again dramatically. Then—

She punched him in the balls.

Kai froze, holding his balls, groaning in pain.

She grabbed his ear.

"I'm keeping him, yes or sure."

Kai, gritting his teeth, croaked, "Yes, ma."

She grinned like a naughty Cheshire cat. "Good boy."

Raven washed the puppy with her soft skincare, revealing pure white fur beneath the sticky mud.

She airblowed its fur and gently pecked its nose, Kai watches her in disgust, cringing mentally.

She takes the little pup and asks Kai what name should they give the little pup, Kai grumbles and didn't reply, then a sec, later a shoe meets his jawline and he says Death, she grumbles but agrees.

She cuddled Death, overjoyed, feeding it bits of her octopus snack .

Eventually, her eyelids grew heavy, and she fell asleep on the sofa.

Kai sighed, gently picking her up and carrying her to bed.

Then, with one last glance at her peaceful face

That night, as she slept peacefully, curled up with the puppy, Kai sat in his study.

His fingers tapped against his desk.

The man from earlier—

Who the hell was he?