It felt like he was betraying someone, with every step he took. It seemed to him like he was leaving an essential part of himself behind, when he was in fact a fully grown man with all his limbs and body parts intact.

But that still, wasn't the hardest part of the rampaging emotions he was facing. The hardest of them all, laid in the bag he was currently carrying, that although contained mostly nothing, felt like it contained a ton of bricks.

It was an empty bag that contained just one thing, and one thing alone. An engagement ring. A ring that would belong to Raven. A ring that he should have given to her. A symbol of how he felt for the woman he felt it for. The seal to keeping her by his side forever.

A lady he loved beyond reason and all common sense.

Maybe he was a coward and a fool after all. And perhaps he was scared out of his bones. But he'd so badly wanted to get on one knee and ask that lady to marry him, back in that room. Before he'd left the room.

The same woman he was sure, as sure as he knew his name, was even now crying, because of his departure, crying to see him leave.

With all the vigor and strength someone like him possessed, he'd been more than scared to ask her the one question that if she'd said yes to, would have made him the happiest man alive, for the remainder of his life.

But he'd been more than cowardly to do it...

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

THREE DAYS LATER...

Raven expertly drove into the driveway of the the all-too-familar building. Her home. Or it at least used to be, before Mikhail came along.

She firmly believed home wasn't just a place. It was also found in a person, and Charlotte had been home to her in more ways than one, for a very long time. She still was. This building was only as important to her, simply because someone she loved wholeheartedly, resided in it, not because of its artistically designed walls or its expertly applied paintings. The best of her memories still resided in here.

For the past year, she'd tried her best to live both in Mikhail's home, and in hers. Because as many times as Mikhail had wanted her to move in with him, and as many times as she'd wanted the same thing as well, she hadn't wanted to leave Charlotte alone in this big house. They were used to staying together. Living with one another. And men were creature of habits.

Thankfully, Charlotte was outwardly, and a party goer. She loved to groove, and have fun. So she hadn't felt too lonely, blindsided, or left out, when Mikhail had become a major part of her best friend's life.

As soon as Raven grabbed her bag and got out of the car, the door to the house swiftly opened, and Charlotte came bustling through with perfectly drawn out smiles and brilliant gusto. Not to mention barefooted with a matching set bikini on

Well speaking of the devil...

"Raven!" with the blind excitement of a two-year old Charlie called out Raven's name, as she ran to hug her friend

Raven smiled easily, wrapping her own arms around Charlotte as well. How she'd missed her.
Her smile, the way she expertly handled situations, her ability to listen and provide solutions expertly and easily. Her ability to lift spirits. And now more than ever, Raven needed her spirits lifted.

"I missed you so much Charl" Raven admitted honestly, her hands wounding even tighter around Charlotte.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming over? I've could have driven to come get you. You didn't have to drive all the way. My God, you're looking pale. Have you even eaten today? I ought to have a good word with Mikhail. He let you out like this, looking pale? You have fucking bags under your eyes Raven. You hear me? Bags! You've never had those before. I swear on my left breast, if Mikhail's putting you in danger... "

"Shhh Charl I'm okay" Raven laughed, the Motherly concern painted on Charlotte's lithe face, would make anyone laugh too, if they saw it. She looked like a fucking mom. This was one of the good things about her relationship with Charlotte. The girl was a mother hen. She never seized to worry about those she loved and care about.

"Come let's get you inside, and off your feet. In the state you're in, you should be in bed sleeping. Not struggling to convince me about how okay you are, when you don't even look it to me" Charlotte huffed, ushering Raven into the house, and Raven burst into another fit of laughter once more, allowing herself to be led by Charlotte.

"Why exactly are you dressed in a bikini at 10am in the morning Charlotte? It's a week day. Shouldn't you be at work? Heck we both should be at work. Not just you. If the director finds out..." Raven trailed off, her initial curiosity turning to worry.

"Well you date the boss of the director. So in that case, I'm guessing we should both be fine. Besides, I wanted to soak in the pool for a little bit, and bask in the sun, before heading to the office. It's not as if I wasn't going at all" Charlotte rolled her eyes

"Charlotte Clyde Michigan. You may think me fragile right now, but I am still your boss. And I won't permit your kind of tardiness at the firm placed under my command." Raven stubbornly placed both hands on her fist, and stared squarely at Charlotte, until she started squirming from embarrassment. Good.

"But you at least need to rest. I wasn't lying when I said you look sick. Let's get you settled first. Then we can talk about work. I'm still your girl, anytime, anyday. Come on, you know that. And you know you can count on me. You placed the firm in my care remember? Because of how much you've had to be away from it, for the past year, since Mikhail came into our lives. I know how important it is to you. You know I won't knowingly jeopardize that, whether you date the boss or you don't date the boss. Although it is quite cool, that you do infact date the boss."

As if on cue, they both laughed at once, journeying to the living room, to flop on the same love couch.