Chapter 30 LUXURIOUS

Chapter 30 LUXURIOUS
Last night had shifted from a peaceful, beautiful evening to one that left her heart fractured.

He had given no answer to her question. Was this really transactional?

What had she been expecting, sleeping with a student for cash? Ruby sighed, the weight of her choices settling heavily on her chest.

An hour later, she arrived at the airport for the school trip, her emotions tightly packed away, yet her nerves frayed under the weight of her thoughts.

Ruby clutched her carry-on bag tightly as she scanned the group of students gathered near the check-in counters. Her job was to ensure everything ran smoothly, but her mind was miles away, replaying the events of the previous night.

One by one, she began arranging the students into their assigned groups for the flight.

Then double-checked boarding passes, ticking off names on her clipboard.

Keep it together, she told herself. Focus on the task.

“Miss Allaire, where do we go next?” one of the students asked, tugging at her sleeve.

Ruby forced a smile and directed them toward the security line.

The group moved noisily, but Ruby managed to keep them in order. She was good at this, organising, managing, controlling the chaos.

It was the one thing she could count on when everything else felt so uncertain.

Once the students were all accounted for and lined up, Ruby approached the airline representative to confirm the group’s tickets. The woman behind the counter glanced at her screen, then back at Ruby with a polite but knowing smile.

“Miss Allaire?”

“Yes?” Ruby replied, suddenly wary.

“Your ticket has been updated to first class.”

Ruby blinked, caught off guard. “I’m sorry— what? There must be some mistake. I’m with the students. I’m not—” She gestured toward the group behind her. “I’m not first class.”

The representative tilted her head, her smile unwavering. “There’s no mistake, ma’am. Your ticket was upgraded.” She handed over the boarding pass, the words FIRST CLASS printed in bold letters across the top.

Ruby stared at it, her heart pounding. “Who... who upgraded it?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The woman shrugged. “I’m not sure, ma’am. It was already updated in the system before you checked in.”

Ruby’s stomach tightened. She could feel her face flush as her mind raced. Was this... him? Her chest ached at the thought.

“I really think there’s been some mistake,” she tried again. “I need to stay with the students.”

The representative’s smile faltered, but only slightly. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but the system won’t let me make changes to an upgraded ticket. You’re welcome to sit in coach with the students if there’s an available seat, but your assigned seat will remain in first class.”

Ruby sighed, clutching the boarding pass in her hand. She glanced back at the students, who were oblivious to her inner turmoil, then down at the ticket again.

As the boarding announcements began, Ruby stepped aside, her thoughts swirling. She didn’t want to feel special or set apart. She didn’t want to owe him anything more than she already did.

"I think you should take it. It's been a blessing. Don’t worry, I will look at it for the students," Mrs Ola said.

"Really? Oh, thank you, so much. I promise you a coffee date when you arrive," she said with a smile.

"I'll hold onto that," Mrs Ola said.

Ruby took her seat in first class, her body stiff as she tried to settle into the plush leather chair. She couldn’t shake the unease coiling in her stomach. The service was impeccable, and the flight attendants were very attentive, even offering her champagne before the plane took off.

The flight passed in a haze.

When the plane landed, Ruby regrouped with the students while swallowing the discomfort of stepping out of first class as if nothing had happened.

She forced herself into her role, guiding the group through the bustling airport and onto the bus waiting to take them to the hotel.

At the hotel, the group spilt out of the bus and into the lobby, dragging their suitcases behind them.

Ruby began organising the check-in process, handing out room keys and assigning students to their respective rooms. She was relieved to know she’d be sharing with Mrs Ola.

It felt like a bit of familiarity to keep her grounded.

Just as she was about to collect her key, the concierge smiled at her and said, “Miss Allaire, your room is ready. You’ll be staying in the private suite on the top floor.”

Ruby froze. This time her eyes rolled so hard. “I’m sorry—what? No, I’m supposed to be sharing a room with Mrs Ola.”

The concierge shook his head, checking his notes. “No, ma’am. Your accommodation has been upgraded to a private suite. Everything is already arranged.”

Ruby’s skin prickled. “Who arranged it?”

“It was requested in advance. I’m afraid I don’t have the details, but I can assure you it’s all taken care of.”

Mrs Ola raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of surprise and amusement. “Well, well, Ruby. Someone thinks you deserve the royal treatment.”

Ruby forced a laugh, though her chest felt tight. “I’m sure it’s just a mistake.”

“Enjoy it,” Mrs Ola said, patting Ruby’s arm. “I’ll be fine with the students. You’ve been very lucky today.”

Leslie strolled in with Edsel, laughing at something his friend said. But when his eyes lifted and met hers through the glass, his expression turned cold. Even from this distance, Ruby could see it, the way his laughter faded the moment he saw her.

Her breath caught. That look confirmed it all.

Ruby took the keycard from the concierge, thanked him and headed toward the elevator.

Her mind was spinning as she ascended to the top floor. When the doors opened, she stepped into a corridor that was worlds away from the rest of the hotel.

Her suite was enormous, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, a king-sized bed draped in crisp white linens, and a bathroom that looked like it belonged in a five-star spa.

The luxury was undeniable, but instead of feeling comforted, Ruby felt exposed.

She set her bag down and stood by the window, staring out at the view. It was beautiful.