Ruby

 

 

~ Six months later ~

 

 

I take in a deep breath and fix my skirt for the millionth time, casting a superimposed smile at my reflection in the mirror. The girl who’s smiling back at me looks like an entirely different person, a person I haven’t seen in years.

When we went to the agency, so I could make sure they weren’t looking for me six months ago, I knew it would be the very last time I stepped foot in there. I will never know what happened to that last client of mine, the client who never showed up and who never reported my disappearance to the agency. Our madame, Miss Barry, was surprised to see me, because she thought I’d be with my client as planned. He may have copped out at the last minute without  telling anyone, or perhaps he found another way to satisfy the desire he was willing to pay so much for - I will never know. It remains a mystery to me, just like my red coat, that was sent to the agency anonymously a few days after I showed up there. The package showed up out of nowhere, leaving Miss Barry just as confused as myself. 

Neither Loran nor I had to face any repercussions from our more than unconventional meeting. Sadly enough, neither my parents nor my sister even noticed that I had vanished off the face of the Earth for three whole weeks.

Fate has its twisted ways in bringing people together. Loran and I are a perfect example of that.

I pull myself away from the mirror and leave the bathroom to go downstairs. My fingers absentmindedly search fort he bracelet around my wrist, twisting and turning the two little black hearts anxiously. I haven't been this nervous in months, and I don't think my heart has ever beaten this loudly. I make my way down the hallway, my fingers dancing along the wall on my right, seeking contact with the house that has become my home. It's only been a few months, but the intensity of my first weeks here evolved into stronger connections than any I've ever developed anywhere else.

I pass by our bedroom door and continue on my way to the stairs. I pause again before making my way down to the kitchen. I'm wearing a navy blue  suit, the jacket draped over my arm, as I walk down the stairs on shaky legs. I'm not wearing my heels yet, but I still feel as unstable as a newborn deer.

His eyes meet mine when I reach the first floor and join him in the kitchen, where he has been preparing breakfast for us.

"So?" I ask, spreading my arms and giving him a little twirl so he can judge my get-up. "Do you think this will work?"

Loran is standing in front me, looking as marvelous as he always does, a dark suit hugging his broad, muscled frame. He's more used to wearing this kind of work attire, so he‘s not moving nearly as stiff as I am when he approaches me.

"Not sure I can let you go out like this," he says before placing a loving kiss on my lips. "Someone might kidnap you."

"Charmer," I say, winking at him. "I need an honest opinion!"

He chuckles and takes both my hands in his.

"You look perfect, Ruby," he says. "The dark blue goes well with your hair.”

“Doesn’t it?” I ask.

“Perfectly,” he reaffirms. “You have nothing to worry about.”

"Easy for you to say," I reply. "It's not your first day."

He smiles at me. "In a way it is."

I meet his gaze and can't help but agree with him. I'm starting my job as a management assistant at a young sister company of his main business. It was brought into being just a few months ago and is still in the fledgling stage, which increases the burden of responsibility for me, because I know he's putting a lot of trust in me by giving me this position.

I was the one who insisted on putting my college degree to good use, finally, but when I mentioned this in front of him, I didn't expect him to offer me a position, let alone a position of this magnitude. When I said that I wasn't sure whether I'd be comfortable working for him, he clarified that he wouldn't be my boss. In fact, he's barely involved in the affairs of this young marketing company other than being one of its founders and a shareholder. However, that didn't stop him from using his influence to guarantee me a chance at a job that otherwise would have been out of reach for me.

And I'm determined not to disappoint him. I was adamant about quitting my former job even before I met him, but I never thought about what else I wanted to do with my life. All I knew was that I needed something of my own, something that doesn't leave the bitter aftertaste that my former job as an escort did.

I want this, and I can't wait to start. But I'm feeling sick to my stomach because my nerves are getting the best of me.

"You'll do fine," he says, placing his index finger below my chin to tilt my face up to his. "I have complete trust in you."

"But I'm so fucking nervous," I utter helplessly, my lower lip quivering.

"Don't be," he says. "That's an order."

I smirk. "You're not the boss of me."

He lets go of my chin and hooks his finger underneath the slim sterling silver neck cuff encircling my throat.

“At home I am,” he whispers, pulling at the collar as if to remind me.

There's a little heart-shaped lock attached to it at the back, barely visible and as discreet as day collars come. He gave it to me when it was clear that I’d be returning to public life, giving room to the person I am outside the kink that brought us together. I now wear a subtle silver cuff around my neck, as well as the bracelet that sustained me during a very different time in my life.

"Yes, here you are," I agree, getting on my toes so I can leave a little peck at the corner of his mouth.

"Thank you," I say in a low voice. "Thank you for this opportunity."

"You don't have to thank me for that," he says, letting go of my silver collar and running the tip of his finger along my cheek, careful not to mess with my make-up, not today.

"It may just be a selfish move," he says.

"Selfish? How so?" I ask, leaning into his gentle touch.

"You're a part of me," he says. "By handing this responsibility over to you, I could be following a wish that's been driving me for a very long time."

I look up at him, my face slightly tilted to the side and my eyes wide and questioning. "What wish?"

"The wish to truly build something of my own," he explains. "You know, I've never been involved in my family's business too much, it wasn't wanted - either by them or by me. I've always wanted something of my own. My own family business - a family empire even."

The smile on his face strengthens, and it’s joined by a strong sense of hope.

"You're helping me to build just that,” he adds. “And you look so damn good doing it.”

"Family," I reply, getting up on my toes to steal another kiss from him.

"I like the sound of that."