Secrets

Stopping outside the house, I hit the button and waited; I slept in. So I had to get ready for tonight and wear the outfit under my dress.

"Yes?" I turn to the intercom. He will be working, but I know where the spare key is.

"Hi, Alaric, it's Ruby. If possible, I need to grab the things that I left here."

"You don't need to ask." The intercom turns off, and the gates open. Driving in, I get out and walk up the steps. I stop noticing that the pot has moved. Turning, I see it.

Leaning over, I lift it and look for the key; it's not here.

"Ahm." I stand and turn, Alaric is stating right where my ass was bent over.

"Sorry, I thought you would be at work. I was going to let myself in." Maybe I should have knocked first.

"No worries. Can I get you a drink?" He walks in, and I follow.

"Erm..." He's smiling at me, shit he doesn't know.

"Is everything okay?" He grabs a glass, and I nod. "Drink?"

I nod at him, I thought Jake would have told him this was over? Now I feel more awkward than before, knowing I have to tell him. He holds out the glass, and I take it.

"Thanks, Aleric."

"You're welcome. Why isn't Jake here?"

I lick my lip. Panic builds within me, but I bite it back.

"Ruby? Where the fuck is your ring?"

"We're over, I'm sorry I thought he would have told you. I wouldn't have come if I knew he hadn't. I just need my things."

"What the hell do you mean it's over? What happened?"

Fighting back tears, my head shakes. "It doesn't matter."

"Like fuck it does. You're almost crying. What happened?"

He stands waiting. "I found him with some other woman in my room." He stills at my words. "He used me to convince you he had settled down so you would give him the money."

"He proposed though."

"To make it more real," his eyes widen. "Can I use the bathroom, please?" I need to avoid his questions.

"Ruby, you don't need to ask, but when you're done, we'll talk about this." I nod, quickly throw my bag on the side, and rush through.

As I entered the bathroom, I locked the door. I thought he would have known. I never expected to get here and have to tell him about his own son's recklessness and dirty behaviour.

Apparently, though, I have to. Jake is hiding the fact that we split, which makes no sense at all. Why hide it?

As I walk back through, he stands waiting. I go to walk around the unit, and he stops me. "What is going on? You're not telling me everything. You're avoiding talking to me. Why?"

"There's nothing to tell. I found him with another woman."

"And..." He stands waiting.

"And we split up." I shrug.

"Talk me through what happened and what he said." He looks at me, waiting.

"New years, I went back early to spend it with him, I found him in my room with a woman. I screamed at him, the woman asked if I was her, and laughed." His eyes widen. "I told them to get out, he told me to calm it and I asked how he could it to me. He called me boring but explained he could see that you were falling for the fact he was with me, so he played for a bit until he got the money."

He doesn't reply; he just stands shocked.

"Then he told me I should be happy, I got to fuck and date him. Someone with money that every woman wants. I hit him, and he said there was more action in a board game."

Now he knows I can get my shit and leave.

"Ruby, I'm sorry." He stares at me. "This is my fault. He was going from woman to woman, partying and blowing money on nothing. You started dating him, and he seemed to settle slightly. I mentioned the money; I didn't think he would use you just to get the money."

"It's not your fault. You know now, but I need to get my things." I turn, and he stops me.

"Don't you listen to him, to his words. What he said is wrong, he was cruel, and I'm sorry."

I shrug but don't reply.

"Ruby, why are you listening to his words and letting that change you?"

"I'm not." My words are quiet, and his head tilts. "Okay, maybe I am. Something must make him think that, so somewhere inside, I'm boring. I'm not sure if it's a fact I wouldn't let him grope me under the table while you were here or that fact I refused to fuck him here with you in the other room that made him see me as boring, or maybe it's because I really fucking am!"

His body stills as I shout. There has to be some truth to his words.

"I wouldn't have believed him so much if he didn't tell others, and then those people start saying shit. Everyone knows, he told everyone." I can't go into class without people staring at me and talking.