Chapter 24 STARTS WITH A LIE

Chapter 24 STARTS WITH A LIE
Ruby pushed the gate of her yard as she walked in without even looking up. Her chest felt heavy from the day, but then her gaze caught the shadow of two feet firmly in front of her.

She blinked, startled, and before she could move further, she looked up to find Emily and Zahra staring at her like two judges.

She sighed, rolling her eyes, her shoulders slumping under the weight of their gaze. “What?”

“What?” Emily scoffed, her brows arching as she and Zahra exchanged a glance. Almost as if she couldn't believe her ears.

They both moved out of the way in perfect unison, parting like curtains until Ruby’s eyes landed on the Range Rover sitting in her yard like a black panther.

It was so fucking sleek, and new. Lord. Her heart sank.

Her eyes almost popped out, her heart leaping to her throat. She gasped, the sound torn from her chest as though she’d been punched. “Shit!”

She had been punched by Leslie’s audacity to ship it directly to her compound. How the fuck did he even know her house address?

“Shit? Shit?” Emily echoed at the same time as Zahra, their voices overlapping like a chorus of disbelief.

“Well, do you want to tell us where the fuck you got money from? Did you win a fucking lottery?” Emily’s voice was sharp but curious, the kind of tone that made Ruby’s palms sweat.

“Listen, guys,” she sighed, her voice cracking slightly as no words came to her head. Nothing. He had given her the key, yes, but the car? Why the fuck was it parked in her yard like a bold announcement she hadn’t signed off on? “How did it get here?”

Zahra shook her head, arms crossed tight against her chest. “I’m not sure you understand what’s going on. First, you haven’t been spending the night at home. You’ve been so sneaky with these short dresses you wear, and now, a car. A fucking brand new Range Rover? It costs like how much?”

“Millions of dollars,” Emily added with her eyes so wide, glittering with awe.

“I can explain,” Ruby started, the words tasting like iron in her mouth. What was she going to say? She was sleeping with her student. And he was so damned good at it?

“Are you into porn?” Emily asked, butting her off, a smirk playing at her lips.

Ruby’s head shifted to her as the words spilt.

“What the fuck? No!” Ruby snapped as her voice came out higher than she expected, heat rising to her cheeks.

“OnlyFans?” Zahra started, one brow cocked like a blade.

“Jesus Christ, guys!” Ruby’s voice trembled with frustration, her hands flying up in exasperation.

“Did you sell an organ? Or rob a bank? Should we be scared?” Zahra asked with her tone dead serious, her eyes narrowing.

“I’m seeing someone!” Ruby snapped again and everywhere went silent.

Enough time to breathe. She inhaled heavily, as if her lungs were burning.

“I'm seeing someone, okay? Dating someone... Someone with status and wealth. I—” She froze, her mind searching desperately for words.

Any words at all and then her throat suddenly went dry. Then, it hit her.

“I met him at a bar, and we kicked off. He is very wealthy and found out my car broke down, so he got me a new one.”

“What!” Emily squealed, her voice breaking into loud laughter. “My God, I am so happy for you!” Her arms flew around Ruby, pulling her into a hug. “Who’s he?”

“You’re seeing someone?” Zahra’s cold voice came from behind Emily and her expression hardened like ice.

“We don’t know where this is going—” Ruby began, hoping it would ease her.

But Zahra cut her off, and her eyes glinted with something Ruby couldn’t quite name.

“Don’t know where this is going? Is he okay? Are you trying to tell me he is playing with you?” Zahra’s words came out firm.

Ruby and Emily froze. Was she mad at her or was she concerned? Which was it?

“You should tell him where you stand. Let him make a decision. You’re not a stop along the way!” Zahra’s voice cracked with worry.

A smile curled around Ruby’s lips, small but trembling. “You aren’t mad?”

Zahra’s expression softened, just a fraction, and she shook her head. “I’m not mad,” she said. The tension in her shoulders is easing. “I just… want you to be careful. That’s all. And make sure he loves you. I don't want to see you hurt.”

Ruby blinked as surprise warmed her chest and relief mingled with a shy sort of pride. Ruby’s eyes watered as she stepped forward, wrapping her arms around Zahra. The hug was tight, hoping to ground her in the comfort.
“Of course, I want you to be happy. Why wouldn't I want that, plus he is rich too,” Zahra said, and Ruby chuckled.

Emily leaned in, squealing softly. She wrapped her arms around them as her hands patted Ruby’s back in excited reassurance.

“We are fine. Ruby is,” she muttered.

Then Emily broke away with a dramatic flourish, pointing toward the doorway.

“Oh! There’s a bouquet of tulips inside. You should check it.” Her grin was wide.

Ruby felt a flutter of curiosity spike her chest.

The door behind her shut. Ruby stood alone in the compound. She walked slowly towards the car. Then, pushed her hand into her bag for the key he had given her. She pressed it, and the door opened.

Ruby took a deep breath as she reached for the handle, pulling it open.

Her gaze landed on the bouquet sitting elegantly on the front chair.

Her lips curved into a soft smile as she reached for it, brushing a strand of hair from her face. Carefully, she lifted the wrapping and opened it, inhaling the fresh, delicate scent of tulips.

The colours, vibrant reds, yellows, and whites, made her heart lift, and she couldn’t help the warmth that spread through her chest.

“Oh, God,” she sighed. “What did I ask for?”

Her heart skipped as she stared at the flowers because everything wasn't so clear anymore. The gifts, the flowers, the sex, the dates. Even the way he bent to her rules, and the claim. No, fucking way.

Her phone rang, breaking her thoughts. Ruby’s eyes flicked quickly across the compound, scanning every corner as though she might catch someone sneaking up on her.

Her hand hovered over her bag for a split second, then she slid the phone out and the sight of the name on the screen made her smile widen. It made her chest skip a beat and it was Leslie.

She whispered into the phone, “Hey.”

“Did you like it?” His deep voice sounded.

“The car or the little surprise attack you sent?” She asked.

“Both. Maybe.”

He went silent, and Ruby swallowed, lowering her gaze to her feet fiddling on the floor like a child. Her eyes caught the flowers in her hands, and she straightened.

“Thanks,” she whispered.