"Liz?" Ed snapped his fingers in front of Ruby's eyes after calling her name twice without getting an answer. He was still on the horse.
"Huh?" Ruby blinked, and her face turned a perfect shade of red.
"What were you thinking about?" Ed looked at her suspiciously.
"Nothing!" Ruby replied too quickly, making Ed even more suspicious.
"What did you ask?" Ruby tried to steer the conversation to something safer.
"I asked if you wanted to ride a horse too." Ed repeated the question Ruby hadn't heard earlier.
"Oh, I don't---It's been a long time since I rode a horse. I don't know if I still can."
Ruby adjusted her answer because it made more sense. She didn't know if Liz could ride a horse, but Esli could afford to buy one. It was possible Liz knew how to ride. Saying she couldn't might cause problems later.
"Come here." Ed extended his hand and removed his foot from the stirrup.
"What..."
"Step here." Ed pointed to the
“Don Rosas, the food...”“Later!”Ed interrupted when Tita confronted him near the side door, wanting to inform him that breakfast was already over—but Ed ignored her and continued pulling Ruby towards the room.Out of embarrassment, Ruby didn't dare look at Tita. She lowered her head, following Ed with a flushed face.But when they reached the room, the pink hue on Ruby's face turned redder as Ed impatiently held her, pushing her until her back hit the door and simultaneously closing it.Ruby sighed inwardly as Ed covered her eyes with his hand before kissing her again—but that reality no longer mattered afterward.Ruby couldn’t be disappointed when Ed gave her what she wanted. Hurried, but not unpleasant. The new sensation was far from bad.Ed didn’t take Ruby to the bed but used the nearest table to support her body. Impatiently stripping off her clothes. He couldn’t be patient
"Let me help you." Tita slipped a hair accessory adorned with pink pearls into Ruby's hair, perfecting an already stunning look."There, not too thick, but beautiful. This kind of makeup really suits you." Tita then evaluated Ruby's face and was satisfied.Ruby did her own makeup. Because her previous job as a restaurant waitress required her to wear makeup, she was used to it. Initially, Ruby did it haphazardly, but many friends helped her until she found a makeup style that suited her and felt comfortable for her. Even Tita praised her."I'll put this on." Tita picked up a necklace with a luxurious blood-red pendant. Ruby didn't want to guess the price because it would be impossible to estimate."Very beautiful. It suits you." Tita sighed contentedly, admiring Ruby’s appearance."Thank you." Ruby blushed, of course. It had been a long time since she had received so many compliments."Hmm... Don Rosas isn't one to easily give complime
"Yet it seems dim when placed beside your face," Ed continued.Ruby’s heart, which had momentarily stopped, gradually resumed pumping blood. She realized Ed wasn't calling her name.Ed’s hand reached out to touch the necklace around her neck, brushing it briefly before caressing Ruby's face with a satisfied expression.“You’re perfect now,” he said.Ruby remained silent, but she tried to smile and nod, swallowing her anxiety.The red stone was ruby. Ruby knew that a ruby was a precious red gemstone; she just never imagined she would one day wear a gemstone that matched her name.“It’s not that I dislike what you’re wearing, but I don’t want anyone coveting anything that belongs to me. Not because you're imperfect, but because you're too perfect. And you’re only for me.”Ruby’s body tingled as Ed cupped her face and kissed her lips. There was a hint of lust, but wh
Ruby fervently hoped that the waiter was just referring to her jewelry, not her name. But this one called her by name, looking directly into her eyes.Ruby remembered. Paolo, a waiter at the restaurant, was one of her friends. Ruby even remembered his name, despite them not often being on the same shift. But Paolo wasn’t supposed to be here; he was supposed to be in Veracruz!“I almost didn't recognize you. You all look so different when dressed up like this. Are you a guest at this party?” he asked, moving closer with a curious expression.“Y-You’re mistaken. I’m not Ruby.” Ruby shook her head vigorously and stammered. This was a mistake, as it diminished her persuasiveness.“Huh? You’re Ruby. I’m not wrong. My friend is always talking about you, and I know this. Paolo didn’t seem like the type to accept excuses easily.“No, you’re mistaken. Excuse me.” Ruby decide
“Liz? Are you alright?!”Ruby stood up immediately upon hearing the knock on the door. She straightened out her slightly disheveled black dress and face. She was still weak, but her head was clear enough.“Yes.” Ruby opened the door, and Ed greeted her, helping her back to the bed.“What…”“Maybe I ate something bad.” Ruby had no other excuse. The sound of her vomiting was loud enough. Ed must have heard it.“I’ll get you some tea in just a moment.” Esli quickly exited the room.“You’re too cold.” Ed touched Ruby’s forehead, which was indeed too cold from the sweat.“Yes, I’ll lie down for a bit.”Ruby didn’t want to push herself. Too much had happened to her today. Paulo was just the beginning. There could be other servants with him who also recognized her. The possibility was there, even if small. Ruby felt
Ruby no longer felt like she was seeing a ghost or anything else. It really felt like she was seeing herself walk across the room toward the bed. Liz wasn't wearing makeup, and her clothes were casual. However, Ruby still felt as though she was staring into a mirror.“Why are you out now? I thought you were gone!” Esli was angry, glancing towards the door. He was really worried someone would open it and see both Ruby and Liz together.“I’m bored, Dad! Even if I go out, I can't go anywhere. I can’t meet my friends! What do you want me to do?! I’ve been hiding for hours! You said I could be free soon!” Liz complained, and Ruby snapped out of her shock. She had never whined in such a childish voice. They were different.“Is it just me, or is this a bit creepy?” Liz finally looked at Ruby, rubbing her hands together. Like Ruby, she also got goosebumps upon realizing their similarity.“Are you sure sh
“Are you only going to Guadalajara today?” Pedro inquired, making small talk while chewing his breakfast.“Not really. I’m also going to El Sato. Maybe for a few days.” Ed initially answered casually but then added more for Ruby’s benefit, letting her know he wouldn’t be home for a few days.But Ruby wasn’t paying attention. She looked down, stirring the green and red salsa that accompanied her huevos divorciados—eggs on a tortilla. She was probably daydreaming.“Are you still not feeling well? Should I call a doctor?” Ed inquired, mistaking her lack of interest for a medical emergency.“Uh, no. I’m better now.” Ruby finally snapped out of it and shook her head.“She’s just being spoiled! She’s only pretending to be weak to get attention.” Of course, Mia provided the sneer.“Aunt, how long will you keep this up?” Ed immedia
“Are you always this busy?”Ruby winced and stepped back. Her path was blocked by Pedro, the person she least wanted to see at the moment.“Move!” Ruby didn’t want to pretend or think about her plans now. She just wanted Pedro to go as far away as possible.“Hey! Don’t be so harsh.” Pedro reached out to stroke Ruby’s cheek, but she slapped his hand away immediately.“Leave! I don’t have time for you!” Ruby snapped. She was utterly frustrated, and her mind was overflowing with problems.“Huh? This is the perfect time. Didn’t you say you were going to find the right time? This is it. Ed’s not here, and there’s no guarantee he’ll come back.”Ruby frowned. “He will come back.”It was strange hearing Pedro say that. Ed would come back, of course, though it was uncertain when.“Yeah, I mean not today. We can h