RUBY"Then I'm sure you're aware how pathetic you are to be doing all of this, either way, I don't care about your opinion and most certainly do not like you. Quit feeding into your delusions," she said, it was getting hard to maintain a content expression when he was infuriating her while they were making 5 heads turn in a second. "You are totally obsessed with me," he said, putting words in her mouth for no reason that acted like an ick up her spine."I am not, I hate you and your demented cocky personality who believes he is too good for everyone else. You need to tell me who the girl is or else I'm gonna walk right up to your grandma and help her announce the news that our relationship is nothing but a pretend play," Ruby threatened and it almost worked like magic because he fell into that trap.She waited as he clenched his jaw and then turned to look at her like he was about to commit a heinous crime on her."Are you blackmailing me?""Yes."That made him let out a sigh and he h
RUBY"We most definitely have to, it's her party she's just busy with others so we didn't have a chance yet," he said, still looking around like he was searching for something. And maybe she knew what it was, it felt natural."Alright.. but what do I say to ease off the blows she got when I lied to her about.. everything. I don't want her to think that I am a weird person," she said, unconsciously worried about their opinion on her because that was what she did. It was natural to her. "You don't need to worry about that," he said hastily, not really listening."No you don't understand. I can't just go to her and pretend to be normal, she'd definitely look down on me, how do you expect me to be okay with that?" She asked, trying to get him to focus on her and give her a convincing reply. He finally looked at her and fixed her with an unbothered gaze."I told you before and I'm telling you again, there's no need for you to make an impression or even fix the one that you have because..",
RUBY"That won't do. You know you could do so much better than that, than a formal thank you," he said with a sense of hint in his voice minus the fact that she didn't know what he was hinting at."If you're flirting with me, it won't work, you know that right?" She made it clear, even though she regretted saying that. It wasn't like Travis had moved from Selene once all this time."I know better than to flirt with you even though you're exactly my type. But you're unavailable and I'm the same way. So, there's obviously a common ground which we both can agree on without rupturing any boundaries," he sounded so much older and wise but she liked his aura. It was kind of reassuring."Then what do you want?" She asked."A dance," he smiled at her suggestively and her mouth opened and closed with speechlessness. She clearly didn't have enough dealing with frank men. "Come on, you know that's not too much to ask for."And he was right but she didn't know how Travis would feel about. Maybe he
RUBY"I love your dress," Selene said, suddenly her expression switched into a sweet one. "I'm sorry if I was staring, your.. dress looks really pretty.""I.. I don't..", Ruby hesitated, she had no idea where it was from. Neither was she aware of any brands rich people wore, she couldn't show that she was poor. "It's from..""I gave it to her, she has no idea where it's from," Travis spoke, accessing the situation and placing a gentle arm around Ruby, making her feel a little strange at his touch."Oh..", Selene looked away. Yep, definitely jealousy. The conversations continued where she barely had to talk, just pretend to be listening and nod whenever someone looked her way."Hey, look. It started," Cove pointed out as they looked over the dance was about to start, it was in a ballroom format with the music slowly starting. She could tell why Travis's grandmother's parties were that famous. "Would you like to dance with me, Kelly?"Kelly said yes and they took to the dance floor for t
RUBY"That's already arranged so don't worry about it. I did it without letting him know that my relationship with you was fake," she said, but there was still some truth in it but that made Travis pause and frown like he had heard that the aliens had invaded New York."You are? You'll go date him, the man, the stranger you barely know and just met?" He asked."Probably. After this farce, I need to make use of my elevated social status, don't you think? Let me benefit a little too," Ruby said even though she had stepped into it seeing a lot of benefits. He would agree to any one of her wishes, be it money, career opportunity, travelling, he would take care of her most required wish before they part ways.Then this whole instance would be buried completely."Are you being serious right now? You'll see other people while we are fake dating." "Yeah, what's wrong with that? You'll be working hard trying to court Selene as well," she challenged and he clenched his jaw. That's when the musi
RUBY"You should've hinted at me," she muttered under her breath, embarrassed to even look at him."If I act like this, just know it's for a reason," he was keeping his voice down almost like he was guilty of something. Maybe the words she had said actually had an effect on him because that's what it looked like. But when he looked at her as she stood with her head down, he placed a hand on her head and patted it gently. "It's alright. I.. might've taken it too far before. I'm sorry. Let's head inside."Ruby's mouth opened to return a little apology as well but he had already started walking away. She sealed her lips, knowing enough to find another opportunity later. She made sure she did. Then with that, she started following him inside and back to the party area. The party proceeded peacefully with the same curious eyes and uninteresting conversations. It was sent to Travis that grandma wasn't feeling too well so she retired for the night, which meant Ruby was saved from facing her
EMBEREmber had no idea what was going to happen today at the stage rehearsals and display to the CEOs of Florence, she was stressing about it. She just hoped everything went smoothly and also that she feels better physically because she felt worn out completely.She raised her hand to her forehead and she could feel herself burning up, she had a fever and her eyes felt like it hurt when she tried to focus on something in particular. But she was bound, she had no other way but to go to the office and take it easy but be present. Oh how she wished she had Ruby by her side.In an hour, she was in the office, stepping into her lobby. Everything was normal but she could feel her brain thumping in her head as she made her way down the corridor to the work area. The moment she entered, it was all a helter skelter, people running from one side to another, carrying things and on call. Ember was running late by 5 minutes and she had no idea everyone else would be that fast. That motivated her
EMBERShe was scared and sick, she couldn't even bring herself to look up and see what Zaire looked like. Before she could go to him, her eyes found the blurry image of Will standing in the near corner and she immediately rushed to him."Did you..""I photocopied and handed out everything after I saw you sleeping. I'm sorry you were sick so I didn't wake you up. Now go," Will said quickly because he knew the emergence of the situation. She wanted to but she couldn't say thank you as the rush settled in. She was relieved that the work was done but if everyone gets to know her work was done by someone else, it would be another problem.Ember turned back to face the place she needed to be at. And the moment she did, her eyes landed on the man who was the one waiting for her. He looked absolutely livid, about to burst with rage the moment she opened her mouth. The sudden shiver of fear made her feel even worse as she gathered up the courage and started walking towards Zaire.The night, the
EMBER"But I never talked to you because I knew I didn't deserve you yet. You were all I could imagine wanting and it only grew after that night when I tried to make you stay but you left the next morning. I knew I'd see you again and I was determined to have you the next chance I got with you," Zaire said with a grin because she knew he meant that the next chance meant them right at that moment."I.. had no idea.. but.. why me?" She asked, not being able to understand."You're seriously asking me that question? Have you ever known yourself enough? What exactly do you think you don't have? You're perfect, you're absolutely perfect. And you're the only one I need. I'm sorry for all the times I've hurt you, it was all because of shortcomings. But none of that would happen again. I promise to keep you happy with all I have," he said and it sounded so genuine, it wrenched Ember's guts. She was too high up on the clouds."I think I'm falling for you," Ember let the words slip out."Glad. I'
EMBER"We totally understand and apologize for this regrettable situation and we are deeply sorry-"."For nothing," a voice came from the opposite side of them that dragged all the attention. Someone had walked in with a bold voice and a knowing smile on their face. Ember's eyes widened and so did others. That's when Ruby Ramirez walked into the scene, bringing a wave of shock and confusion. "They have to apologize for absolutely nothing.""What do you mean.. and who are you?" Mrs. Davis asked but not with conviction but curiosity. Her eyes widened as she recognized her from the news all over, Travis Prescott's alleged girlfriend."I am Ruby, a former employee of Sarte and currently an employee in Iris. And I can assure you that you'll believe me when I saw Sarte has done nothing unprofessional," Ruby said, confidently."Hey! What are you talking about?" Melvin Harvey chimed in, trying to control the situation."That's right, I should just show you what I'm talking about," Ruby said wi
EMBER"We'll see," she muttered. His hold only got tighter on her, making her lips part a little."I'll show you. You're trapped, I'll show you how long you can be trapped here, hmm?" He said, and Ember's blush turned into something just a little more sinister. The game wasn't over yet. She looked to her side to see someone passing by, towards their direction. Zaire saw Ember look at people passing by who can easily spot him holding her, which would be quite scandalous. But her eyes were set, and afraid he would read into it wrong, he started moving his hand away to not be noticeable. That's when Ember's eyes snapped up towards him."Keep holding me, that's the next challenge," she said, knowing for sure that this would push him way out of accepting. Her job was only to make the challenges hard enough for him to back down. And he definitely wouldn't want a scandal so he would surely accept defeat. He surely wouldn't..."Perfect," he said immediately and that's when his hand wrapped ar
EMBEREverything looked exceptional. So magestic and gorgeous that there was no way anyone could even think of a better way than this. Every inch of it looked straight out of a mythical movie.Ember sure had to know they were all professional and talented enough to modify the theme "heaven" given to them to something like this. Sarte has added lots and lots of detailings that embraces the dark elements. Like black vines and rust like textures on the while that looks like the darkness or hell is infiltrating the heaven's gate.It was grand and if Ember could recall it properly, she knew the kind of costumes Iris had prepared, it would look so good together. If only the whole idea passes and no one steps in to say a word against it. Technically, Sarte was breaking the rules by not following the theme entirely but incorporating heaven theme into hell because they were misled by Sarte.The only saviour would be if the fashion show preparations overall look so good that it impresses Mr and
RUBYIt went on and on, the only entertainment being Melvin Harvey's scowling face at her. She tried not to laugh at his face every time, it was weirdly entertaining."So, because Sarte asked for some more time, we are going to have to display the fashion show we prepared once again so we need to get everything ready by the end of the day," Max said and everyone noted something down but Ruby didn't bother."And what about the models? What timing were they given to report here so that we can do the rehearsals beforehand?" Travis asked and suddenly it got a little silent as they all looked at each other. "What's going on?""W-we didn't know we had to give them the time right away before the meeting so we didn't give them the time yet," Cara explained and that made Travis visibly annoyed."What does that mean? Shouldn't you have completed that before coming here? I didn't expect this from you," Travis said but Ruby noticed something very strange. It was unusual but not surprising but prob
RUBY"W-what did you just say? What does that-""You know exactly what that means. I am demeaning you for the way you run your team by gaslighting hate into them. You're misusing your authority, bet half of them don't even know why they actually hate Sarte," she shrugged like she had said enough."You think you can badmouth our company and I'll just stand here and hear you out?" He was visibly running out of words to say because of being caught off guard. He was threatening to report her to someone but that was just funny at that point."You can say whatever you want. You can even bring the board of directors, the managers, even your Chairman out here and I'll still repeat the exact same words. Don't take me for a fool like you do with everyone around you, you are a coward anyways," Ruby could feel the satisfaction coursing through her veins as she told him off, watching the colours fade from his face too fast. "It doesn't matter who I am dating, I'm not afraid to speak up so don't ev
RUBY"Fine then, you really think you're that slick when you are anything but that. If that's what you're deciding to do then I'll do something too. And something that you won't be able to hold against me because in your style, technically, I am not going against the deal as well. That's okay, I'm guessing?" She said, with a menacing look on her face that emitted what she actually felt and it certainly cannot be faked."You can't do that, it will be a clear breach of the contract and it certainly would not be as well explained as mine because there's no such detail written in the papers as well," he said, a little defensive in her opinion but something that can be very well recognised through his body language. She knew she didn't have to work that hard to unleash the goal.Ruby offered him a bitter smile before turning around and pulling out a piece of paper. It was the copy of the contract they signed and Travis watched her carefully as she opened the paper and started running her ey
RUBYRuby didn't know on a scale of one to ten, how angry she was and how larger it can grow. Maybe her anger might just break and split open the scale because she was furious.She had no idea how this happened or how it was even possible because when she agreed to the deal with the unscrupulous man he clearly said he wouldn't come in the way of Sarte or disrupt the project at all. But they did it, they completely sabotaged Sarte by giving them information about a fake theme. They had been planning on doing Hell as the theme the whole time but Sarte was told the theme was Heaven.This was clearly breaking the deal and the rules, it was totally unacceptable.Ruby could feel her mind going blank with anger as she rushed through the gate of Florence building and up to the floor given to Sarte and Iris. This was her first day of work as a member of Iris and it was bound to be strange. But when she got the news from the Iris group chat, how they fooled Sarte into believing a completely diff
EMBER"What are you thinking?" He asked, finally breaking the silence."So, anything, right? Anything I ask you, without questions," she made sure, as a trick to test him."I already said it, anything you want," he answered right then, with no hesitation at all. Ember thought, if he wasn't hesitant, what was her excuse? The drive was still going on and the wild idea took over her. "Okay so..", she started, not giving him time to comprehend he was going to be given a task right at that moment. "Stop this car in the middle of the road and kiss me."His head snapped to her at that rash and unusual task but Ember knew she was doing it to see to what extremes he would go. That seemed fit enough for the first task. He scanned her face and realised she was serious. A quick look behind him and he immediately brought the car to a stop at that exact moment, 0 questions or hesitations.Hurrying, he leaned in and snapped off her seatbelt and in one moment, he had swept her off her seat and placed