Chapter 1 He was my prince charming, and I was his princess

Valerie Thorne POV:

Age: Sixteen.

Hi. My name is Valerie. Valerie Thorne. The daughter of Victor Thorne and Leah Spencer. Since I was a child, I got everything I ever wanted. Be it toys, clothes, or extravagant gifts in the world. My father ensured the world bent to my will, and my mother? Well, she made sure I always looked perfect.

But no one ever asked what I truly wanted.

And right now? I wanted him.

Raven Blackwood.

Raven Blackwood was the son of my father's best friend Richard Blackwood. He was twenty years old this year. He followed after his father's steps and took over his business just at the age of eighteen. He had dark hair, which looked sharper than shadows, and his gray eyes. Well, they looked like some storm that was on the verge of destruction.

Everyone admired him and feared him. And me? Well, I was no exception either.

But that was not the thing I admired about him the most. Being the family friends, I had basically grown up watching him. He was a quiet kid in his friend circle and had only two friends, Rowan Falcone, and Axel Stone. Since he was older in age, I could only interact with him on some rare occasions. He was always kind, and gentle to me, which I had never seen him with other girls. And I loved this. It made me feel special.

I believed he was my prince charming, and I was his princess.

"Val, be a little quick."

Suddenly, a soft voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I turned around and saw Elara, my best friend was standing at the door, dressed in a chic white dress. She was one year younger than me. Born in Texas. Her father was from America, and her mother was from Philippines. Her short hair looked curly, falling around her shoulders. She had Asian eyes, so the eyeliner made her look cute. Her lips were painted in a shade of rusty orange. But right now, she looked fierce, which made her lips pout and cheeks full. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Easy babe. If you keep getting angry, I am afraid I will have to take you to the hospital than a club."

Elara rolled her eyes at me. Frustration looked clearly evident on her face, as she reminded me of time. "If you're not finished with your makeup in five minutes, we will be late Val."

I nodded. I knew I was getting late. But I couldn't help but think about Raven Blackwood. He would be present in the club. And I needed to make sure, I looked perfect. Just for him.

I quickly completed the final touch of makeup with the nude pink lipstick. I glanced in the mirror for the final satisfaction. I wore a purple dress. My blue eyes looked perfect with the double coats of mascara, and on my cheeks, I applied the natural color of blush. To complete the look, I wore purple matching block heels. My hair was medium size, so I neatly straightened it, before security them with pin.

Finally, when I was satisfied, I turned around. For a moment, I felt nervous as I asked, "Is it okay? Or do I need to change something?"

Elara looked like she was about to have another headache as she shook her head, "You look perfect even if you go out without your makeup and ripped clothes."

I chuckled at her exaggerated and out of place compliment. Well, since she approved, it meant, I looked perfect. But I just hoped, he would like me today. "Let's go."

It had been two years since I last saw him. and a few days, I only heard in passing from my father that Raven Blackwood was going to meet some partner in SG Club. So, I made a plan with Elara and Trance. If Elara was my best friend, Trance was my best buddy. Since we were underage, we couldn't enter the club due to all the regulations and restrictions. So, Trance helped us get our passes and fake IDs.

Sigh, things we do for the man we love.

It took half an hour for us to get inside the club, as the guards were suspicious of our age. But thankfully, we managed.

Inside the club, the air was thick with the smell of alcohol and perfume. The bass of the music pounded through the floor, and colorful lights flashed across the crowded dance floor. People were laughing, dancing, and drinking like there was no tomorrow. It was loud, chaotic, and nothing like the fancy events I usually attended with my parents.

Elara grabbed my hand, her excitement was obvious in her voice. "Come on, Val! Let's get a drink."

Trace glared at us at the name of the drink. "No drinks remember, it's not suitable for two of you. I will go and get some fruit juice for you."

Elara rolled her eyes and tried to tempt Trance for some drinks. At least, the one with low alcohol quantity. But Trance remained firm on his decision.

I nodded absentmindedly, even though my stomach twisted with nerves. My eyes scanned the room, searching for him. The thought of Raven Blackwood being somewhere in this crowd made my heart race.

Was he already here?

Elara pulled me toward the bar, her white dress glittering under the club lights. "Relax." Her voice was low against the club's loud music. "You look like a deer caught in headlights."

"I'm fine," I lied, brushing my hair back as if that would calm the storm inside me. But then, as if the universe answered my silent plea, I saw him.

Raven Blackwood.

He stood near the VIP section, there was a glass of whiskey in his hand. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, the crisp white shirt underneath highlighting his broad shoulders. The jacket hugged his frame like it was made for him, because it probably was. His dark hair fell slightly over his forehead, but those gray eyes. They looked sharp and he scanned the room like he owned it. And actually he did.

SG Club was owned by Raven Blacwood's father Richard Blackwood.

His lips remained pressed into a thin line as he listened to Rowan and Axel, who stood beside him. it looked like whatever they were talking about, was extremely serious. The trio looked effortlessly powerful, like a scene from a movie.

My breath caught. After two years, he looked even more... handsome... and dangerous. And yet, all I could think about was how badly I wanted him to notice me.

"Val?" Elara's voice broke through my thoughts as she tapped on my shoulder.

"I see him," I whispered in a low voice, not daring to look away. I was afraid if I even blinked, he would disappear in the next second.

"Drinks ladies." I heard Trance's voice behind me. I didn't look back, just raised my hand so he could directly hand me my drink. My eyes remained on Raven Blackwood only.

And then, in the next moment, it was as if Raven Blackwood sensed his gaze on me, he looked in my direction.