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(THIRD PERSON’S POV)

“No, please! Don’t kill me! Please!” She cried, sprawled on the floor with her gaze fixed on the pistol pointed her way. The metallic click as it was cocked echoed in before the shot.

An ear-piercing scream tore through the air as Ruby Mae jolted upright in bed, clutching the sheets to her chest.

Her heart hammered against her ribs in a frantic rhythm as her wide eyes darted around the medium-sized room. Only then did she notice Lana, her friend, standing beside the bed with a steaming mug.

“Another nightmare?” Lana offered a soft, sympathetic smile, handing over the coffee. Ruby took it with a shaky sigh.

“I’m sorry. I feel so embarrassed. Was I very loud?” She said with shame.

“Not as loud as yesterday.” Lana teased gently, settling on the edge of the bed.

“I’m so sorry.” Ruby sighed again, wrapping both hands around the warm mug.

“It’s fine, Ruby. There’s no need to apologize. It’s only been a week since you got here. Soon, you’ll get over it.” Lana said, soothingly massaging Ruby’s foot. But Ruby’s sigh held a deeper weight.

“It’s been a week, Lana. I’m scared he will somehow find me and kill me. I don’t even know how to come up with the money for Papa.” A tear escaped and rolled down her cheek.

“You will come up with the money. All we have to do is work hard! For instance,” Lana’s tone brightened encouragingly, “you can get up so you get to your job early. You don’t want to make a bad impression on your first day.”

Ruby offered a small, grateful smile. “Thank you.” She swung her legs out of bed, taking a tentative sip of the coffee.

“Tracy has already gone to work, so you can just lock up and leave the keys in the flower pot. I have a paper this morning, so I can’t take you, I’m sorry.” Lana apologized.

Ruby giggled softly. “I can find my way, Lana. I’m not a baby.” She paused. “So Tracy is out already, huh? She was back so late last night, and I heard her tapping away at her laptop. She works really hard.”

“She doesn’t have a choice. Her boss is a monster!” Lana exclaimed, widening her eyes in playful exaggeration, but Ruby’s expression turned serious.

“A monster?” she gasped.

Lana threw her head back and laughed. “Yeah. He’s a monster. Very hot, wealthy, and gorgeous, but a complete monster, and he’s been on her neck lately.” Lana glanced at her wristwatch and sighed. “I have to go now, baby, but I’ll be back when you get home, hoping to hear all about your first day.” She wiggled her eyebrows before giving Ruby a quick hug and kiss.

“Good luck, Lana.” Ruby said, holding onto Lana’s hand, sincerity shining in her eyes. “Thank you for everything. For the job, for giving me a place to stay. For…”

“No. Not now. I love you, and I’ll do anything for you, bestie.” Lana cut her off gently before hurrying out the door.

Now Alone, Ruby began to prepare for the day. She took a quick shower and slipped into a simple dress. As she brushed her long, shining red hair, she offered herself a silent affirmation. “I will have a good day today. He won’t find me.” She breathed out the words, a fragile hope clinging to them.

Then, with a deep sigh and a silent prayer, she left the apartment.

Despite having only spent a week in New York and still navigating the unfamiliar rhythm of city life, Ruby managed to find her workplace with surprising ease. A short bus ride followed by a brief walk brought her to a small little coffee shop nestled on a corner.

It was charming, adorned with flowers that instantly appealed to Ruby’s love for them. The manager was a woman with a sour expression and a badge that read ‘Mrs. Humphrey,’ showed no interest in Ruby’s introduction.

She cast a dismissive glance at Ruby’s simple attire but settled for a general air of unfriendly impatience.

Ruby refused to let the manager’s demeanor dampen her spirits. She wore the offered apron and plastered on a bright, eager smile as she began her work.

The morning flowed by uneventfully until he walked in.

A tall, undeniably handsome man with silky jet black hair entered the coffee shop. He was dressed in an elegant charcoal black suit that spoke of expensive taste, and dark sunglasses shielded his eyes. He exuded an air of effortless sophistication and flawless perfection, making Ruby momentarily wish she could simply stand and observe him.

However, a customer needed their order taken, and Ruby refocused on her duties. But a few minutes later, Mrs. Humphrey gestured sharply for Ruby to go to the dark-haired man’s table, even though he had already been served a croissant and coffee.

Approaching his table with her most cheerful demeanor, Ruby greeted, “Good morning, how may I help you?”

The man, engrossed in his phone, didn’t even flick his gaze towards her. Ruby stood there, unsure of what to do next. When he remained oblivious for a full two minutes, she began to wonder if he had even heard her.

“Good morning, how may I help you?” she repeated, her voice was louder this time.

He looked up abruptly, smoothly removing his dark shades.

The impact was immediate. Ruby’s breath hitched as she found herself drawn into the most mesmerizing pair of cold blue eyes she had ever seen. They were sharp and assessing, devoid of any warmth.

The man took a deliberate moment, his gaze sweeping over her from head to toe with a dismissive air, before finally settling on her face. A faint and barely noticeable smirk played on his lips.

“I didn’t tell you, I’m deaf, did I Red?” he drawled, his voice smooth yet laced with an unmistakable undercurrent of arrogant irritation as he referred to her red hair.

Ruby blinked, snapping back to attention, trying to regain her composure.

“And now you seem to be dumb! So cliché.” He added rudely, clicking his tongue in a show of bored annoyance.

“Excuse me?” Ruby responded, her voice a mixture of shock and confusion.

“And you’re slow also. Is this your first day?” He arched a perfectly sculpted eyebrow, his expression showing utter disdain.

“Yes, but I–“

“You’re incompetent. This coffee tastes horrible.” He stated flatly, his tone suggesting it was a self-evident truth.

Ruby felt a wave of bewilderment wash over her. How could this stranger be so casually insulting?

“I wasn’t the one who took your order or served you,” she managed to say, her own emotions beginning to simmer beneath the surface.

“You’re speaking back to me? That’s rude!” he remarked, his voice hardening with a hint of anger, as if her mere response was an offense.

“You were rude to me first,” Ruby retorted, struggling to maintain her composure against his dismissive arrogance.

“You’re so proud for someone who wears such…unremarkable dresses.” His gaze flickered over her again in a condescending manner.

Ruby could feel the heat rising in her cheeks. Anger began to eclipse her initial surprise.

“I may wear simple clothes, but I believe I have a good character,” she stated with a touch of defiance in her voice that she regretted a minute later.

He glared at her just as Mrs. Humphrey bustled over, her usual frown replaced by an overly bright smile.

Ruby couldn’t believe this was the same stern-faced manager.

“Is anything wrong, sir?” Mrs. Humphrey simpered.

The rude man’s icy eyes never left Ruby’s. “Your girl is being very rude to me. Makes one wonder if this is how things are now.” His voice was low, a dangerous growl beneath the polished surface.

“Ma-am, I–” Ruby began to explain, but Mrs. Humphrey cut her off, her smile vanishing, replaced by a sharp look of fury directed at Ruby.

“Do you know who he is?” she demanded, her voice tight with barely suppressed rage. Without waiting for Ruby’s answer, she snapped, “Get your things. You’re fired!”