Chapter 61 !!!!!!!!!!.
CHAPTER 61
!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The transition from the beach to Leo’s house marked a clear shift in the atmosphere of the celebration. What had once been expansive and public now became more contained, more personal. The music was softer, the lighting warmer, and the crowd significantly smaller. Only close family members, trusted friends, and a few familiar faces remained. The grand display of status had faded into something more intimate, though not necessarily more relaxed. Some sat down with drinks on their hands while chatting, while some were seen moving around or some dancing to the soft music.
Leo’s house, already elegant in its structure, had been subtly prepared for the continuation of the celebration. The living area opened widely, with soft golden lights illuminating the space and quiet music playing in the background. Drinks were served more casually, and conversations took on a more personal tone. It was the kind of setting where people revealed more of themselves whether intentionally or not.
Ruby entered alongside Jane, her presence quieter than before. The earlier energy she had carried at the beach seemed to have faded. While her appearance remained composed, there was a noticeable distance in her demeanor. She walked in, observing her surroundings, but without the same curiosity or excitement. Instead, she seemed inwardly occupied, her thoughts drifting elsewhere.
Jane noticed immediately. “You’re zoning out again,” she whispered lightly.
“I’m fine,” Ruby replied, though her voice lacked its usual warmth.
They settled into the space, joining the others, but Ruby remained slightly detached. Her attention wandered, her gaze occasionally lingering on nothing in particular. To anyone watching closely, she looked like someone present physically, but absent mentally.
Leo noticed, Ruby wasn't herself, from across the room, he tried to catch her eye. But each time, it didn’t work. Ruby didn’t respond not because she was avoiding him intentionally, but because she simply wasn’t paying attention. Her focus was elsewhere, caught in a quiet conflict she hadn’t yet resolved within herself.
Leo’s expression tightened slightly. He wasn’t used to being ignored by her. Not like this. He watched her for a moment longer, trying to understand what had changed, but the distance between them felt unfamiliar. It unsettled him more than he expected.
Meanwhile, the room continued to fill with quiet interactions. Blake stood near one side, engaged in conversation with a few of Leo’s friends, occasionally glancing around as though observing more than participating. Richard remained composed, speaking with a calm authority that drew respect without effort.
Trent, however, moved differently. He carried an ease that bordered on calculation. His presence was subtle, but intentional, as though he was always aware of where attention should be directed. He went from dancing to drinking and eating. He was bored, he just wanted to be there for family sake or so he thought because this wasn't his usual gathering.
At one point, his gaze landed on Ruby. He watched her briefly, noticing her distant expression, the way she seemed disconnected from everything around her. Then, with a small, deliberate gesture, he lifted his hand and waved.
Ruby caught it this time. Her attention shifted, and she looked in his direction. There was a brief pause before she responded, offering a polite smile and a small wave in return.
And in that moment, Ruby allowed herself a quiet assumption.
If Leo had allowed Trent to be present or invited him into a space this personal then perhaps whatever tension existed between them wasn’t as serious as she had once thought. It made things seem normal, uncomplicated in a way that eased her briefly.
But that moment didn’t go unnoticed. Leo had seen it. From where he stood, he saw it, he saw him waving at her, he saw her smile at him, the exchange was brief, almost insignificant. Yet, something about it didn’t sit well with him. The ease of it. The way Ruby smiled at him, soft, unguarded. A reaction she hadn’t given him all day. Without thinking too much about it, Leo moved.
He crossed the room with quiet determination, his expression controlled but his thoughts less so. The distance between them closed quickly, and before Ruby could fully register his presence, he was standing directly in front of her.
It interrupted her thoughts instantly.
“Ruby.”
Leo called out. His voice was calm, and annoying at the same time
She looked up at him, slightly startled.
“Oh… Leo.”
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke. Leo studied her face carefully, noticing the subtle changes, the lack of brightness in her eyes, the quiet tension she was trying to hide.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
The question was simple, but it carried genuine concern.
Ruby paused for a second, she considered answering honestly. Telling him that she wasn’t entirely sure what she was feeling, that something about the previous night had unsettled her more than she expected. But she didn’t. Instead, she nodded.
“I’m fine.”
The answer came too quickly. Leo didn’t look convinced.
“You don’t look fine,” he said quietly.
Ruby forced a small smile, one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m just tired,” she replied. “It’s been a long day.”
He held her gaze for a moment longer, as if trying to see past the surface of her words. There was something he couldn’t quite understand, something just out of reach. But he didn’t push. Not here, maybe when they are alone.
“Alright,” he said with reluctance. He looked at him one last time, but he left. He didn't want to leave his side at that time, he wanted to know what's wrong but of course they were in public he had to let his thoughts slide.
Ruby nodded again, her posture softening slightly as if the moment had passed. But the tension between them didn’t fully disappear. It lingered, subtle and unspoken, woven into the space they shared.
Around them, the party continued. Laughter, conversations, the quiet clink of glasses it all carried on as though nothing had shifted. Jane tried several ways to know what was wrong but Ruby wasn't telling her anything. Seeing her and Leo's conversation cleared the way that there was definitely something wrong between them.