ArcherI’m working on my laptop when I receive a call that my fiancée is here to see me. After making that call to her father earlier today, I expected to see her soon, but not this soon.I tell the receptionist to let her up and wait for her at the elevator. I’m wearing sweatpants that I sometimes sleep in but didn’t see the need to change. My fiancée had better get used to seeing me like this. I listen to the elevator coming up, then the bell rings, and it opens.My fiancée isn’t looking so proper. In fact, it looks like she left the house in a hurry. She isn’t looking as composed as she usually is, wearing an oddly floral skirt and a halter top. Her hair is down, which I love, and she’s wearing flats.Ruby also has a look on her face that I haven’t seen before.She storms out of the elevator and pushes me with both her hands on my bare chest.“Who do you think you are?”Another shove.“Fixing my wedding date without consulting?”Again, her hands raise to shove me, but I hold onto b
RubyWaking up in Archer’s arms is divine. He smells like pine and man, and it’s intoxicating.During the night, we turned, with my back to his chest. I could feel his morning wood pressed against the back of my thighs. His strong, thick arm was thrown over my body, holding me down, and I luxuriated in the feeling.I blush furiously as I try to get out of his embrace without waking him up. A part of him is up all right, and I can’t help but smile.I raise his arm as delicately as I can to drape it over his thigh, then move to get away. My mission is successful when a hand around my waist draws me backward into bed.Archer turns and lays his torso on mine, promptly closing his eyes and starting to snore softly. It feels so good to feel his skin against mine, but I need to use the restroom.“Archer, I’ve got to use the restroom,” I say, squirming under him.Archer groans but finally lets me get up. The moment I get up, he rolls back to his stomach and starts sleeping again. I chuckle. A
ArcherThe elevator opens while I’m working on my laptop. I don’t bother looking up. The only person allowed up without calling is Ruby.When I hear the clicking of her heels, I get curious and look at her. Damn! I feel like I’ve won the lottery every time I see her. Today is no different.She’s wearing a black dress with a red bow that gives me ideas. Her red heels make her already long and straight legs even sexier.I stand and lean back on the table as I watch her strut towards me. She’s wearing makeup today, which tells me she must have had meetings with suppliers.In one of our many conversations, my Princess confided in me that she feels like she’s not taken seriously by people outside her family’s company. They look at her and see a young lady and not the smart, intelligent worker she is. Ruby has started using makeup to make herself look more mature.Today, she’s wearing red lipstick, as red as her heels, and has her hair in a twist. It makes her look sultry and gives her a fe
RubyI’m excited to meet some of Archer’s friends. I’m instantly charmed by Jordan, but Sophia appears to be a tougher nut to crack. I don’t mind the challenge. Making friends, especially female ones, isn’t my strong suit. In my world, most women see each other as competition. It’s all about who can marry the richest, who’s the slimmest, who has perfect skin, whose husband is cheating, and who’s having an affair. Their friendships always seemed false to me, so I’d steer clear of them.The only real friend I have is my sister, and I miss her a lot right now. Jorydan is a cute guy with dark hair and blue eyes, and he’s quite charming. Sophia, on the other hand, has blond hair, dark eyes, and a bronze tan that suggests she regularly basks on a beach somewhere.When Archer excuses himself, I feel a moment of panic. What should I do? What should I say? Entertaining guests can’t be that hard.“Can I get you something to drink? I’m sure the flight must have been tiring,” I say with a smile.
ArcherAndrea enters the elevator as it opens, turning toward us.“I’ll be in touch,” she says before the doors close. I exhale in relief.“Whew. That’s the last of it, right?” I ask my fiancée, who’s standing beside me.“Yes, Archer.”“Thank God. I didn’t think I could bear another session.”After weeks of these meetings with Andrea, the wedding preparations are finally on their way. We’re no longer required to meet regularly since she already knows what we want, although I expect she’ll be in touch as she said. Surprisingly, even though she’s young, Andrea is very competent.Ruby laughs, and I inquire, “What’s funny?”“Well, you weren’t exactly participating in these sessions. I like to think you were there for moral support. And to make sure you don’t get married in pink,” she teases while straightening my tie.“Well,” I say, putting my arms around her, “I’m definitely here for moral support. It’s an important job. And tiring too. Besides, I know you wouldn’t dress me in pink. Like
RubySince arriving at work this morning, I’ve been incredibly busy, so much so that I even skipped lunch. Harvest season is approaching, and it’s crucial to clear out the old wines before the new ones come in. Everyone is working tirelessly to ensure a smooth transition into the harvest season.While I’m in the middle of signing some documents, I hear a knock on the door.“Come in.”Papa enters my office, and I stand up to greet him. It’s unusual for him to come to my office or this side of the building. We’ve always been careful not to give the impression that I receive preferential treatment just because I’m his daughter.“Sit, sit.”As he steps into my office, Archer follows him. This is a new development; Archer has never visited me in my office before. I assume he might have come to see my father and decided to stop by my office on the way.“Good afternoon, Archer,” I greet him, trying to maintain a composed and formal demeanor, as if I hadn’t been intimately involved with him j
ArcherAfter a long day at work and a lavish dinner, I’m driving Ruby home again. I hate this part of my day, having to leave her after spending the whole day with her. I’ve become used to her presence; when she’s not there in my arms at night, I don’t sleep well.Our wedding is in less than two months, and we still haven’t found a place that suits us. We’ve decided to be patient instead of just picking any building. I’ll continue staying in the penthouse for now, though.When I get to a red light, I stop and look at my girl. She looks deep in thought, no doubt cross-checking her to-do list. These past few weeks of shadowing her have exposed me to another side of her – a shrewd businesswoman and a compassionate boss. Ruby is passionate and intentional about the family business. Looking at her, one would expect a diva who shops, parties, and just spends unnecessary money. Ruby is anything but that, and any father would be proud to have her as a daughter.When the red light turns green,
Ruby Not long after the elevator closes behind Archer, Sophia comes strutting out in a short singlet. She goes straight to the fridge and brings out an orange juice, pouring herself a cup.I’m curious about why she doesn’t like me, but I’m not in a hurry to find out or try to be friends with her. It’s crazy how she looks so perfect just waking up from sleep while I probably look like a madwoman.I feel self-conscious enough that I try to pat my hair down without calling attention to myself. After that, I continue eating, waiting to see what she’ll do next.She puts the juice back in the fridge, then turns to where Archer’s unfinished breakfast is. She picks up the fork and takes a small piece of egg and puts it in her mouth. She does this slowly, and when the fork is in her mouth, she moans and swirls it, bringing out her tongue to play with its tines.“What’s wrong with you? Why would you do that?” I ask, feeling disgusted.She shrugs and laughs, maniacally. “You wouldn’t understand