Chapter 6 Wasn't he always too alert

I took a deep breath and walked downstairs. I genuinely hoped, that Raven Blackwood had already left. Although I knew, it was a false hope. I didn't want to see him. Especially, when I was just leaving Las Vegas in less than two hours time.

I had just walked to the last stair of the staircase, when I heard my Papa's voice. His voice sounded tired. Apparently, he had been again working tirelessly since yesterday morning. I smiled, and hugged him. I didn't want to leave him all alone, especially when I was his only daughter, and only relative.

Mama had already left the world when I was a child, and he never married again. He didn't even date again. He loved Mama so much. I felt warmth rushing to the corners of my eyes. "Papa.." My voice broke. "I will miss you."

Papa patted my head gently. "I will miss you too Val."

We hugged for a while, and when we heard footsteps from behind him.

Papa turned away to see Raven Blackwood standing tall, and handsome, dressed in his usual, navy blue suit. His eyes met mine. I looked away, down at my shoes. He turned to my Papa, and spoke in low voice. "I think it's time."

I looked up at him and my Papa. 'What were they talking about?' I wondered. But didn't say it aloud.

Papa looked at me warmly, and pointed at Raven Blackwood. "He will go Italy with you."

"Excuse me????!!!" I immediately blurted, both surprised and shocked. I couldn't believe my ears. Raven Blackwood, out of all people, was coming with me, to Italy!! What for??

Perhaps, my reaction was too loud, that both my Papa and Raven Blackwood stared at me with their wide open eyes.

Raven Blackwood looked at me, like he was sizing me up and down, or may be studying me. I thought, he was about to do another complaint to my father, and this time, right in front of me.

I looked away, and stared at my Papa, hoping, he was just joking, hoping Raven Blackwood was not coming with me. I didn't need him anywhere around me. But Papa merely nodded his head, meaning he was being serious, telling the truth, not some joke I thought it was. "He will go with you, and handle the staying procedure, and security, so you will stay safe there."

I shook my head, immediately alert. "But Papa Elvis is already going with me, and he will handle things. As for staying, I would just be staying at campus, so I don't think if I even need security there."

Papa visibly looked like he was about to have a headache. If one thing he cared about the most, was my safety. And now, I was actually denying him for the safe. So, his coming headache was obvious.

Before my Papa could say something, Raven Blackwood interjected. Like it was his place to even talk between me and Papa. "Italy is dangerous. Especially the Italian Mafia. So, if you want your father to stay here in Las Vegas without your worry, do as we say."

I looked at Raven Blackwood, basically glared at him. I had no words for his reasoning. He actually hit the nail. I knew Papa wouldn't let me walk out of here without being fully prepared. So I relented. Forget it, it would just be three to four days at most, for all the procedure to be done. And there was no way, Raven Blackwood would be staying there for longer period of time, considering his business and everything.

Moments later, we left for the airport. Raven Blackwood sat beside me. His Assistant, Eliot was driving the car. And my bodyguard, Elvis was sitting in the passenger seat.

Elvis was my bodyguard since I was twelve years old. He was thirty years old this year. He had broad body type. He had wheatish colored skin. He had some scars on his body, due to the underground fights he was involved in. Well, he won all. That's why papa made him my bodyguard. And through out the years, we became good friends, well more like good siblings. He acted more like my big brother than my bodyguard and friend.

Now. He sat all alert in his seat. Just like me, I felt Elvis didn't like Raven Blackwood either. I smiled, it was a good thing. At least, now I could do back bitching about Raven Blackwood freely.

But happiness wasn't long lasting. As Raven Blackwood was still sitting beside me. And out of my instinctive fear, I sat basically pressed against the car door, completely, leaving a wide space between us. It was only that car doors were locked, so I didn't fall out of the car.

I felt Raven Blackwood's stare at me from time to time, but luckily, he minded his own business, and didn't say anything to me.

We arrived at the airport shortly. He like a gentlemen, he was not, opened the door for me. I didn't look at him or said 'thankyou for your kind gesture,' as I stepped out of the car.

I held my short bag on my shoulder. While, Elvis handled my two luggage. And one of the other guards held my other luggage.

I looked around the airport. People were going back and forth in the airport. Some looked relaxed, while some looked rushed.

Raven Blackwood took the lead, and we finally arrived in front of his private jet. I was surprised. I asked Papa to book me a normal flight. So why were we here?

I glanced at Raven Blackwood, aka, the king of hell. And I knew the reason, why there was even a change of plans regarding the plane I was going on.

I rolled my eyes, frustration creeping into my bones. I didn't say anything about the disappointment I felt. I didn't even want to talk to him.

Moments later, we were settled in our seats. At least, now I had the space to breathe a little freely, as the Raven Blackwood's seat was at a distance from mine.

Soon, the jet took off from the runway. I glanced at the city fading in the distance, as the plane climbed higher and higher in the sky.

There were only twelve hours to reach Milan, Italy. Finally, I would be there. I felt excitement in my body. I felt my heart beat faster at the mere thought of finally stepping in Italy so soon. The dream I had seen for many years, the world of fashion, was just now a plane ride away.

I couldn't help but glance out of the window, watching the beautiful colors of sky, knowing that soon I would be in the heart of Milan. My fingers tightened around my seat's armrest.

I looked at Raven Blackwood through the corners of my eyes. He was tying something on his laptop. Perhaps, he felt my gaze on him, he immediately looked up at me.

Ugh. 'Wasn't he always too alert?' I sighed and closed my eyes to sleep. So, when I will wake up, I will be all fresh and ready to see Milan, Italy.