Chapter 4 4.

The mess of clothes on my bed was growing out of control. Dresses, skirts, blouses-none of it felt right. My wardrobe never felt more inadequate than when I was getting ready for a dinner with Raymond. The idea of dressing up for him, after everything we'd been through, made my stomach churn. Yet, there I was, sifting through my closet, trying to find the perfect outfit.

"Maybe this one?" Sophie held up a sleek black dress, eyeing me from across the room. "It's sexy but not *too* sexy. It says 'I'm in control.'"

I bit my lip, considering it. "I don't know... Is it too much? I mean, it's just dinner. I don't want to seem like I'm trying too hard."

Jenna, my other friend, who was sprawled on the floor flipping through a magazine, chimed in. "Girl, you better look like a million bucks. Make him work for that apology."

I couldn't help but laugh, even though my nerves were all over the place. "Yeah, but I don't want to give him the satisfaction of thinking I'm dressing up for him."

Sophie rolled her eyes dramatically. "It's not about him. It's about you feeling confident and in control. And trust me, you want him to see what he's missing."

I sighed, eyeing the black dress again. Maybe they were right. This wasn't about Raymond. This was about me. And after everything, I deserved to feel good and confident.

"Alright, fine." I grabbed the dress and slipped it on, the smooth fabric hugging my curves. Sophie and Jenna exchanged satisfied nods.

"Perfect," Jenna said, sitting up. "Now let's do something about that hair."

*************

By the time Raymond pulled up outside, I was ready. My hair was styled in loose waves, and my makeup was subtle but sharp. I wasn't just dressing up for dinner-I was arming myself for a soft battle.

A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. I glanced at Sophie and Jenna, who gave me encouraging smiles, before heading to open it.

"You both should be gone by the time i get back" I whispered to to sophie and jenna

"Hmm Hmm, we hear you girl" They echoey humorously.

Raymond stood there, dressed in a crisp black suit, his expression softening when he saw me. "Ava... you look stunning."

I forced a smile, nodding in thanks. "You ready?"

He gestured toward his car. "Always."

The drive to the restaurant was quiet, both of us wrapped in our own thoughts. When we arrived, the waiter led us to a private table in the back. It was intimate, candlelit, the kind of setting that would've made me melt months ago. Now, it just felt like a calculated move.

We sat across from each other, the silence stretching between us as menus were placed in front of us. But neither of us reached for them. I could tell Raymond had something on his mind, something bigger than dinner.

"Ava," he started after a long pause, his voice low and sincere. "I've been thinking a lot about what you said. About everything. And I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I want to try, I want to make things right."

I leaned back in my chair, folding my arms. "And how do you plan on doing that?"

He met my gaze, unwavering. "By being honest. By making sure you never feel like you're in the dark again. And by proving to you that I'm willing to change-if you'll give me the chance."

The sincerity in his eyes was undeniable, but I wasn't going to make this easy for him. "You hurt me, Raymond. In more ways than one. I'm not just going to hand you a second chance on a silver platter."

"I know." He leaned forward slightly, his expression earnest. "I'll do whatever it takes, Ava. I just need to know what I can do to make this right."

I took a deep breath, my heart racing. I had thought long and hard about what I wanted-what I needed-from him. And this wasn't going to be a normal relationship if I was going to stay with him. Not anymore.

"There are conditions," I said slowly, watching his reaction.

"Anything," he said without hesitation.

"I want in."

He blinked, confused. "In?"

"In your business, Raymond," I clarified, my voice steady. "And I don't mean your *company*-I mean your other business."

His face paled, his body stiffening. "Ava... you don't know what you're asking."

"Yes, I do," I said, meeting his gaze head-on. "I know about the drugs, the deals, the cabal. I'm not stupid. I know the risks. But if we're going to do this-if I'm going to give you another chance-then I want to be a part of it. No more secrets. No more protecting me from your world. I want in."

Raymond stared at me like I had just spoken a foreign language. "Ava, it's not safe. That life... it's dangerous. I've spent years trying to keep you away from it for a reason."

"I don't care," I replied, my voice firm. "If you want me, then you have to let me into your world. I can't sit on the sidelines anymore, Raymond. I want to know what's happening, and I want to be a part of it."

He ran a hand through his hair, clearly rattled. "Ava, you don't understand. The people I deal with... they're ruthless. This isn't a game. One wrong move and you could get hurt."