Chapter 3 His Own Reasons

As always, Senior Choi chose his favorite spot to dine outside; a well-known restaurant known for its ambiance and cozy atmosphere. As soon as they arrived, he took his favorite seat in the garden, soaking in the open air as they situated themselves into their places.

'Thank goodness I saved a lot from my allowances,' Raven thought as she scanned the prices on the menu.

While Senior Choi had given her a limitless black card, as well as her own savings account for her own use, Raven never really spent much beyond what she really needed. She still kept a low profile, and just bought things that she actually needed, avoiding spending on things that she simply wanted but were unnecessary.

Waiting for their orders to arrive, the food was about to be served when a tall man in a dark blue suit entered the venue. His hair was combed back, and though he was wearing a suit, she could still see how muscular the man truly was. And even from a distance, he had a distinct air of pride around him. In short, he looked striking wherever he went, and could easily make everyone recognize his presence with a mere flick of his wrist.

"Here comes my workaholic son," Senior Choi scoffed.

Raven looked at Jordan as he walked with dignified steps towards them. Immediately, she couldn't help but feel a little mesmerized by his handsome appearance. He had dark brown eyes that blended well with his dark brown hair, and he had this intimidating look from his square jawline which added even more appeal to his already divine-like appearance.

"There you are," Senior Choi waved to him. "Have a seat beside Raven here."

The latter obeyed, and Senior Choi looked at them carefully as a smile of satisfaction showed across his face.

"What's the occasion?" Jordan neutrally asked.

"Raven here is going to treat us," her father replied. "She's been accepted to her chosen college in a university abroad, and that calls for a celebration."

"I see," Jordan nodded. "That's good. Congratulations. When do you plan on leaving?"

Raven blinked at the blunt question Jordan just fielded her.

'What the heck!? Of all the questions, why did he ask me when I'm leaving!?' she inwardly yelled in shock. 'Does he want me to leave that badly? To get me out of his sight sooner?'

Thinking about it, Raven would've bet that Jordan might even celebrate on his own as soon as she left the country.

"I'll be leaving in about one month before the classes start," she coldly replied. "It's so that I can familiarize myself with the place."

She keenly eyed him for some kind of response but he seemed to be content in keeping all of his attention solely on his food as he carefully cut his steak.

With silence as being her only response, Raven looked at Senior Choi and said, "Father, I'll be going on a trip this summer with my close friends to celebrate. It's a four days stay. Would you like to come with me?"

She then added, shifting her gaze to Jordan as she sincerely offered, "It would be great if you can join us as well. Getting stuck inside an office all day isn't good for your health. You should also unwind sometimes."

"Okay, I will try," he immediately replied before suddenly exchanging their plates, giving her his plate of meticulously cut steak without so much as a warning. "Here, take mine. You like it well done, right? I'll take yours. It looks like a medium to me, and I want mine that way."

Senior Choi, who was carefully observing his son, gave a meaningful grin as he cut his own steak... 'This brat! He doesn't even care to bother helping his own old man cut his steak...'

For the rest of their dinner, Jordan kept his silence, no longer commenting as he focused on his food. Every once in a while, he would sneak glances at Raven. She looked so happy, knowing that she passed her exams and was now about to study abroad. He was happy for her, of course, but he also felt sad, knowing that she would be far away from him. After all, he was aware of how Raven was uncomfortable around him for some unknown reason.

It all started when Jordan graduated from college... He didn't know what he did wrong at the time, seeing as she just suddenly became aloof around him for seemingly no reason at all. It honestly felt like every move she made was calculated whenever he was around as if he was some sort of enemy to her even as he remained clueless as to why. He just assumed that Raven was like that because he was being vocal in opposing his father's intent to adopt her legally. He had his own reasons as to why he was against it, but for now, he couldn't just say it to her or his father...