Chapter 3 Trip to A Friend

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 didn't know he would be happy for her, or to feel sad.

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.

Perhaps studying abroad would be a good option for her. Or for them.

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...

Soon enough, the date when Raven's summer trip with her friends and family finally came. She, Nanny Rong, and Senior Choi headed to the holiday island by his private plane. Jordan had an important meeting, therefore, he wouldn't fly together with them and would have to follow them in his own time.

After an hour of flying, the plane landed, and they all walked out of the airport through the VIP Lounge Access.

Looking ahead, Chad was already waiting for them at the greeting area. He waved in their direction, Raven spotting him as soon as she saw him. She had already mentioned to her father that they would stay at a Beach Villa owned by one of her friends.

Chad approached them with a big smile. Seeing her family, he extended his hand to them as a greeting. "Hello, Sir. I'm Chad," he introduced himself to Raven's father before smiling at another female elder. "Hi, Ms. Rong."

Senior Choi accepted the young man's hand. He then nudged at Nanny Rong, who was standing frozen, as if mesmerized by the young boy's handsome face.

Raven laughed, "Father, Chad's one of my closest friends at school. He suggested that we stay at his family's beach villa, and he'll be our host for the next four days."

Senior Choi and Nanny Rong gave each other meaningful glances. They were both thinking the exact same thing. Still, they kept their thoughts to themselves for now.

They embarked soon enough. Eventually, they arrived at Chad's villa and met up with Raven's other friends, Yan and Sheena.

The villa itself was a private luxury one on Lain Island. The white sand beach at the front was very captivating, and there was a large private pool behind the massive villa. Just from the amenities alone, the estate was clearly top class, with ten bedrooms and a lavishly decorated theme to it.

Entering the villa, Chad welcomed them with some light snacks and soft drinks. He then later showed each of them to their respective rooms.

"Oh, you must be tired from all the traveling. You should settle in and rest for a while first," Chad suggested before shifting his gaze to Raven and whispering lightly. "I'll see you all later."

Being left to their own devices, Raven and Nanny Rong first assisted Senior Choi to his room.

"Little Raven, is Chad, your boyfriend?" her father inquired with a smirk as soon as their host left. "Are you hiding something from us?"

Raven rolled her eyes as she answered, "Father, he's just a close friend of mine, like Sheena and Yan."

"Then why am I only now meeting him?" Nanny Rong skeptically asked, shooting Raven a piercing gaze as the girl set her father's clothes into the closet. "You always brought Sheena and Yan to the mansion, but not him. Besides, you never even mentioned him before."

Raven laughed, "Stop it, you gossipy two. I told you already we're all just friends. I don't want to get into a relationship yet, and I've never thought of it anyway." She chuckled, "Don't worry, okay? You two will be the first to know once I decide to have a boyfriend."

Raven had never even thought of getting a boyfriend. She was always focused on her studies. Every confession she received was turned down without any second thought, completely ignoring any sort of pain that she might've inflicted on them.

"Listen you two paparazzies, Chad had planned some fun activities for us, and tonight, we'd have a barbecue dinner party just by the beach. Don't make my friends and me embarrassing, Okay?"

They watched Raven pout and pretend to be angry which was actually rather cute, Senior Choi and Nanny Rong all laughed.

As sun was going down, they had all gathered outside for the event. Chad had everything prepared well in advance, and already had all of the food ready.

Meanwhile, Senior Choi and Nanny Rong weren't convinced with Raven's defusing statement, and they kept intently monitoring all of the interactions between the two of them.

So far, Chad seemed to be a good boy. Senior Choi, as a man, could easily tell that the boy always had his eyes on her little Raven, however. 'Who wouldn't? Also, where the hell is my own brat?'