The room is once again is silent, and I'm not sure what to say now. Alaric looks at me, and he sighs. His look says that this ends now. I don't blame him; I'm his son's ex-fiance; it's messed up."Ensure that you have everything, Ruby." He points around the room. That way, there is no reason for you to return once you leave," he says, and somehow, the words hurt. I wanted a reason to come back, even just once.He's right. I should ensure I get everything and take it with me. Yet, leaving something will give me a reason to come back, which I shouldn't do.Moving, I straddle him."Ruby, what are you doing?" He's staring at me."When I leave tomorrow, this ends, right?" I know it does, I don't want for his confirmation. "So let me have tonight, now." Leaning forward, I kiss him.His hand moves up and tangles in my hair. My hands move down and unfasten his shirt, and he releases my hair and helps me undress us both.With our clothes thrown to the floor, his body moves, rolling us over unt
A knocking wakes me, my mind trying to ignore it."Ruby! I need my fucking clothes." My body moves, and I see Alaric sitting up."Shit, I fell asleep." He moves and grabs his clothes."Alaric, he's right outside the room!" My words are whisper-shouted."Ruby! Open the fucking door." The bang makes me jump. As I rush to get dressed, Alaric looks around the room."Get behind the door." Alaric pushes me over, and I stand confused."Alaric." What is he doing?"I can't hide, you're smaller.""And where am I then?" He can't open the door and be in here."You're in my room. You were reluctant to go to bed because Jake would join you, so I gave you my room, and I slept in here."Oh, that could actually work.I watch him move the door and unlock the door. Opening it, he stands, blocking me."Dad?" Jake's voice shakes."Ruby is in my room. She wasn't willing to sleep in here in case you climbed into bed with her again," Alaric says, and I hear Jake laugh."She's overdramatic." I hear his bathro
We didn't speak, and an hour later, he stopped, and I looked around us confused."You said you needed a dress; considering my son left you in this situation, I figured I would make a detour, and then you can get one."Dress, I almost forgot about that. I glance towards the shops."Alaric...""Don't, yes, I'm paying. See it as an apology for his fucked up behaviour.""No." I can't let him buy me a dress."Ruby, no arguing, just let's buy a dress." He gets out. Sighing, I follow. Walking into the store, he smiles and sits. "Find the perfect dress, Ruby." I nod and walk through the store.I pick up a few dresses and walk to the changing room. After trying on the first dress, I stand looking in the mirror. I'm not sure. It's not often I wear long gowns.Smiling, I take a picture, hitting messages I find Alaric's name.Can't decide, help me. Hitting send on the message and attaching the picture, I get changed. As I fasten the dress, my phone vibrates.Well if that was a genuine choice, yo
As I walked upstairs, she followed me and looked at the items."So, he bought you gifts.""He bought my dress and mask for tomorrow night." She opens the box and stares."He has taste. I know you didn't choose either of these."I laugh and nod. Taking out my phone, I look at it. Is it really over? Clicking his name, I upload the videos from the last few days and hit send.Thank you for the last few days. I trust you. You kept your businesses hidden from Jake, so I know you will keep these safe.Maybe I'm hoping that him having the videos of us will make him want to reach out to me more. Maybe it won't."So, what is happening, and what happened?" Ivy walks in with glasses and a bottle."Honestly, nothing is happening, that's it now.""You don't sound happy about it." Bex looks at me."He's different, I felt completely safe with him, like I never had with anyone. I'm Jake's ex, though, and despite how bad Jake is, he's still his son.""Screw Jake! He didn't just use you to get money, bu
"Okay, blue it is." Bex laughs and gets changed. We leave together and get in the car. "Are your parents coming?" she asks, looking towards me."No, even after I said things with Jake were over, they haven't contacted me. Apparently, I am not worthy of their time." I shouldn't care, but I do."Well, at least you can enjoy tonight without worrying they will be watching."I know she is right. Still, I'm not sure I'm looking forward to this. It's meant to be a family ball, only my family won't be coming.The car stops, and we get out. Standing, I look at the people entering. Fastening on the mask, we walk in, and my eyes look around."I'm going to go see my parents. Are you coming?""No! I'm good, thanks. I will see you later." Walking to the bar, I order a drink. This is just awkward. Everyone's family is here, or they have brought a plus one. I'm alone.We get called through, and I find my seat. I purposely booked a seat next to Bex. I watch her walk over with her family, sitting we ea
I look around for Bex but can't find her. Right now, I want to leave. Giving up, I walk out. Going in my bag to get my phone, a hand grasps mine."I'll give you a ride home." Turning, I look at Alaric."That's dangerous, your son could see your car." It's foolish and stupid."I'm not in mine." He guides me down, and I watch the chauffeur open a door. Alaric gestures for me to climb in, and I slide into the car. He joins me."Alaric, we were not meant to see each other again." That was the whole idea of this."Technically, I'm not seeing you right now."He's right, rasing my hand, I unfasten the mask and remove it."Just indulge me, Ruby. For tonight.""You don't need to ask Alaric." I wouldn't say no, anyway. The car stops and the door opens, Alaric gets out and I do. He follows me into the apartment and to my room.As I step in, he closes the door. His hand grips my hip, and his body moves and pins mine against the wall. My hips push up as his hand slips between my legs."I have to b
I wake up alone. Rolling over, my hand reaches out, but Alaric isn't there. Sitting up, I look around, confused, and grab my phone.Your locks are changed. Don't give my son a key. Stay safe, Ruby. A xI want to believe this wasn't the end, but something tells me it was. Standing, I walk down and see Ivy and Bex in the kitchen. Sitting on a chair, Bex hands me a coffee."Fun night?" She smirks at me."You two were home, right?" I didn't even consider that. Which says a lot, as with Jake I did, every thought was there making me worried and paranoid."Oh, we were..." Bex grins. "Jake wasn't happy. He let himself in, heard you, called your name, and tried to open the door. Then, he left swearing about how he would win you back."Win me back? "He didn't give in?" He should have realised that was the moment to give up."Nope." Ivy stands and places flowers on the table."Where did these come from?""Jake, after your friend changed the locks this morning. Jake came by and was pissed off he
"Ruby, can we talk?" My head falls forward, hearing Jake. "Please. I've no one else to speak to."Nodding, I look towards Bex and Ivy, watching as they walk away. Jake sits opposite me."Now what, Jake?""Can we..." My hand goes up."Don't! Do not ask me if we can try again or try to fix things. I'm not going back, Jake. We're done. Nothing can change that."He looks at me, defeated. "I'm sorry. I guess now, without the money, I realise just who fucking cares about me. No one." His words are loud."People care about you, Jake." His dad, for one."No, they don't. Do you know how much I have spent on others? How much I have given away? Nights out drinking where I paid. Now, it's nowhere to be seen. Not a single one of them will even buy me a damn drink."My head nods. "You used money to gain friends. They weren't ever your friends, Jake. They were there for your money, and now that it's gone, they have moved on to the next fool.""I know that." He looks around us. "I realised the one pe