RubyI don’t hate him.Despite the fact that he practically makes me a prisoner in my own home, and despite the fact that he makes passionate love to me one moment, then chucks me away the next. I don’t hate Archer, no matter how much I want to. It’s a jarring realization, maybe because I’m beginning to see things from his point of view.I hurt him, led him on, and then stood him up at the altar. His ego is bruised. Of course, he won’t just believe I have pure intentions now. If roles were reversed, I wouldn’t believe it either. His indifference is painful, yes, but that’s probably his coping mechanism. He probably doesn’t know he’s hurting me like that.But what to do? I need him to stop running away from me. I want his warmth, I can see it peek out sometimes from behind the cold mask he has on every time. I need a way to break the ice without shattering it, and there’s only one person I can turn to for help.I pick up my phone and dial.“Hey Ethel, are you free today?”“Yeahhh, kind
ArcherFor sure Ruby was up to something I thought as I relaxed back on my seat. This morning she was wearing the sexiest pair of lingerie I’ve ever seen as she stepped out of the room and almost bumped into me.At this pace, it was getting hard to keep the indifference of my attraction to hear. Even now, thinking about her lush body, sent a hard on straight to my spine.It was becoming lame to continue to fault her for the decision she made that made our brewing relationship go south.Taking a deep breath, I allowed the faint sound of my staff bristly about the building to soothe me. I sighed. I’ve never had things easy for me. I’ve had to work hard for everything I own and even if I didn’t have to, I still do it anyway. It brings me satisfaction to know I’ve earned something.Ruby was supposed to be my gift. When an arranged marriage was first suggested, I merely thought I would be performing yet another duty. But I had taken one look at her, and it had only taken one kiss to keep m
RubyI rub at my eyes as I lie awake the following morning. I’m not even surprised Archer left the bed. But for a moment there, I think I see even the tiniest glimpse of contrition beneath his facade. The way he kisses me, holds me like I’m delicate.I exhale, causing my tousled hair to flutter across my forehead. I must have been mistaken thinking I saw a glimpse of the old Archer. I am definitely being delusional. But it doesn’t make it any less worse. I look around the large room, feeling lonely. Archer will not spare me even the slightest bit of his time. I get up and stretch lazily.I can’t afford to be hungry and sad; I think as I make my way to the bathroom. I freshen up quickly and then I put on the next thing I can find, which is a grey shirt. I roll the sleeves unceremoniously and put on grey sweatpants. My gaze lands on a yellow floral dress. It reminds me of sunshine and the peace and tranquility I long for. But I’m not feeling warm or sunshiny, so I close the closet with
ArcherThe expression on Ruby's face this morning cuts me deep. Since when did I become this monster? How did I let my hurt and pain turn me into this wicked being that his wife is afraid of? My need for retribution has turned me into a shadow of myself.How could I hurt her like this? I'm so disgusted with myself that I run out the moment she enters. I didn't want to face the product of my mistakes. I think about how she looks this morning; her eyes have dark circles under them, her usual glow is missing.I've punished her enough for something neither of us can change. It's high time to start looking at the future and not the past. What's done is done; I can't change it, but I can make the future better. I sigh. I miss my wife. I miss the days when we used to talk for hours and could never get enough. I miss the way she used to look at me with love and warmth. I miss holding her hands. I miss her even when I'm with her.I promise myself as the elevator takes me to the ground floor th
RubyWatching Archer hurry away for work as usual breaks my heart. How much longer are we going to continue like this? How much longer before I become a shadow of myself?I blame myself every day for the strain in our marriage. I blame Archer more for not wanting to fix it. We could book couples therapy and try to work through our problems, but broaching that topic with Archer will require him to actually talk to me.I'm still in the kitchen when Sophia walks in; she's wearing her usual clothes, just a shirt. I grit my teeth and clench my fist. This is my house; she can't continue to dress like that, or I'm kicking her out."What are you wearing, Sophie? Or not wearing?" I ask casually."None of your business," she responds."Actually, it is. This is my house, and Archer is my husband. I'd really appreciate it if you stop dressing like that. Because if you don't, you're out of here," I threaten, hoping Archer will back up my words if it comes to it. Briefly wondering if he'll choose m
ArcherSitting across from the investor from Spain who wants us to partner with them, I zone out as he goes on and on about the advantages of the partnership. I haven't had time to speak with Ruby for days now. I haven't told her about wanting to bury the hatchet or asked her for forgiveness.I know I'm only delaying because I'm afraid that I've pushed her too far and that I could never win her back. Be that as it may, I miss her badly enough that I'd rather risk doom than spend another hour talking to her. The investor is still talking, and I stifle the urge to yawn.My phone vibrates to announce an incoming message. I sneak it out and take a peek. What I see makes me jump up from my seat, startling everyone at the table, including the investor."Um, I'm sorry. I have to use the restroom. Excuse me," I say. I get out as quickly as I can. "Shit, shit. I can't believe Sophia would do this," I murmur, walking quickly to the front of the building. I call Ruby's phone; it rings and rings,
RubyI hear a knock at the door, and I know it’s my friend, Julia. She has been visiting ever since the last time she came. It was a memorable event where I got to hang out with the kids from the orphanage and also be free around her, now that Archer isn’t in town. We definitely have a lot to catch up on. I take a deep breath and open the door.Julia sees the look on my face and rushes over to me, giving me a big hug.“Oh my God, are you okay?” she asks, and I can feel the concern in her voice.“Yes, I am,” I assure her.“You sure don’t look fine to me; you’ve got dark circles around your eyes,” Julia says.“It’s just stress. You know, I’ve been doing some work at home,” I explain.“You should get help to assist you at home. I don’t like to see you stress out yourself,” she suggests.“Don’t worry; I’ll be fine. It’s nothing that I can’t handle,” I reassure her, gesturing for her to come into the living room.We both sit on the big cushion, and she looks happy as she runs her eyes all
Archer“Mr. Archer? Are you still there?”“Yeah... yeah! I’m here. Go on,” I say quickly, the director’s voice snapping me out of my thoughts.“Are you sure? ‘Cause you seemed a bit distracted for a moment there.”“I’m fine, director. Please continue.”I am distracted. Ever since I got the call from Julia, my heart hasn’t stopped racing. Why is she at the hospital? Julia is saying something about her slipping and falling. I’m not so sure if I heard her right with the sound of my heartbeat filling my ear.Ruby looks okay when I leave the house, I am sure of that. What I’m not sure of is the state she is in after probably seeing those pictures. She ignores all my calls, all twenty-three of them. Yes, I count, my agitation mounting each time the phone goes unpicked. I quickly grab the phone when I see her calling, only to find out its Julia.I would totally cancel this meeting like the others if it wasn’t scheduled by the committee. I can’t let them think I’m slacking or they’d pounce on