Chapter 180 The party 2
Chapter 180 The party 2
The car pulled to a halt in front of a grand guest house. The surrounding courtyard was already filled with an elegant crowd, everyone dressed in sophisticated attire.
Siwoo stepped out of the car with a bright smile, her shoulders swaying naturally to the hit song blasting from inside the venue.
Raven climbed out as the music drifted through the night air. Groups of guests milled about holding crystal wine glasses, looking happy and relaxed.
Raven let out a dry scoff, turning to Siwoo with a sharp frown. "Are you sure we are at the right place?"
Yoon nudged Raven's arm playfully. "Let's just go along with everything, Raven. Who knows? Maybe this really is the best way to celebrate her."
Raven stared at Yoon in silence for a long moment before finally deciding he wouldn't complain anymore tonight.
Gently, they made their way inside. The entire hall was packed to capacity. Raven recognized several faces in the crowd—including quite a few students from Haneul Ridge Academy who had gathered in the venue. The moment Raven walked through the entrance, smiles broke out across their faces.
Some of the former students walked straight up to him, pulling him into tight hugs, while others offered warm handshakes.
Siwoo moved gracefully toward the front of the room, greeting her own guests. The entire hall radiated happiness, with people smiling and chatting while slow, melodic music played in the background as couples swayed on the dance floor.
Still, Raven didn't feel right about any of it. Seeking an escape from the crowd, he spotted a quiet couch at the edge of the hall and sank into the cushions. His face remained gloomy, though he politely accepted a drink from a server. Surprisingly, much of the room's attention seemed to shift toward him, hushed murmurs following his every move, but he ignored it all.
After greeting a handful of her guests, Siwoo turned back toward Raven and marched over, sinking into the chair right beside him.
"How are you finding it?" she asked, her smile broad and lively.
"Siwoo..." Raven sighed quietly.
"Come on, brother! Loosen up! Smile and dance!" Ignoring his stubborn expression, Siwoo grabbed his hand and pulled him off the couch.
She led him straight to the middle of the dance floor, holding his hand firmly and forcing him into a slow rhythm. Raven hesitated at first, but slowly gave in, swaying with her until she finally pulled him back toward the seating area with a satisfied smile.
A short moment later, a woman walked through the doors carrying a massive, multi-tiered cake.
Raven stared at the cake, turning sharply to Siwoo. "Nothing here seems like a memorial. Why is there a cake?"
Siwoo didn't pay any attention to his question. She stood up and directed the woman where to set down the tray. Written boldly across the top tier in silver icing were the words:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JINA
Raven's eyes locked onto the name, and a sharp, heavy pain pierced through his chest. He turned his head away, struggling to process the grief, when a firm hand tapped him on the shoulder.
It was the Wizard of Gwi.
The wizard was holding his young son's hand. The moment the little boy spotted Raven, he broke away and ran toward him. Raven caught the boy in a tight hug, playfully ruffling his hair.
"You are becoming bigger," Raven murmured, a faint touch of warmth in his eyes.
The Wizard of Gwi scanned the bustling room before sitting down next to Raven on the couch. He bumped his shoulder briefly against Raven's. "Why are you like this? You are supposed to be happy and celebrating like everyone else."
Raven scoffed bitterly and shook his head. "There is nothing to celebrate here, Wizard. Everything seems odd to me, and I can't force myself to be happy."
"What would make you happy?" the wizard asked, his dark eyes fixing intently on Raven's face. "What is that one thing you could see that would make you forget about everything you did—everything that has been eating you up inside? Just say it. The wizard might grant that wish for you."
Raven scoffed softly. "The one thing that would make me happy and bring me back to myself is an impossible task, Wizard. Even the greatest gods couldn't grant it."
"You never can tell, Raven," the man replied calmly, staring back at him.
Raven parted his lips, the raw, aching truth spilling out of him without restraint. "I just want to see her again. I want her to be alive. I don't want her dead... I just wished I could hold her one more time,and protect her and never to listen to any body nomatter what,I would protect her,
but that seems impossible becaue right now all I want is to hold her tight and hug her."
Just as the words left his lips, the back doors flew wide open.