Chapter 39 Rules
CHAPTER 39
Rules…
“Dinner is ready,” she called.
Leo opened the door slightly.
“Bring it in.”
Nora entered with a small dining trolley filled with warm dishes and neatly arranged plates. She set it up near the sitting area of the room. Ruby was still holding the registration papers like they were something fragile and precious.
Nora noticed immediately.
“Oh?” she said with curiosity.
Ruby smiled brightly for the first time that evening.
“I’m going to culinary school.”
Nora gasped happily.
“Oh my goodness! That’s wonderful!”
Leo gestured toward the food.
“Eat first. Celebrate later.”
Ruby laughed softly.
Dinner had already been served, and the comforting smell of warm food filled Ruby’s room. Nora had carefully arranged everything on the small dining table before quietly excusing herself, leaving Ruby and Leo alone.
Ruby still held the envelope Leo had given her earlier. The culinary school registration form rested on the table, but this time it was blank.
Dinner was finally over. Leo suddenly stood up and walked toward the large window, staring out at the city lights for a moment.
Finally, he spoke.
“If you attend this school,” he said slowly, “you’ll be surrounded by strangers.” he turned to face her now.
Ruby nodded.
“Yes.”
Leo turned around.
“Male strangers.”
Ruby blinked in surprise.
“Well… yes. Probably.”
Leo walked back toward the table.
“If you’re going,” he continued calmly, “then there will be rules.”
Ruby stared at him.
“Rules?”
Leo sat down again, his expression serious now.
“Rule number one,” he said.
Ruby almost laughed, thinking he was joking, but his face showed no humor.
“You do not get close to any male students.”
Ruby’s mouth fell open.
“What?”
Leo remained completely serious.
“No talking unnecessarily, no friendships, no hanging around them after class.”
Ruby stared at him like she had just heard the most ridiculous thing in the world.
“Leo,” she said slowly, “that’s not how school works.”
He took her face in his arms. “That’s how this one will work.”
“You’re being unreasonable.”Ruby crossed her arms.
Leo ignored that.
“Rule number two,” he continued calmly, “Carl will drive you to school and bring you back every day.”
Ruby sighed.
“That one I expected.”
“Rule number three,” Leo added, “no staying late after classes unless Carl is present.”
Ruby rubbed her forehead.
“Leo…”
“And rule number four,” he finished, “if any male student gets too friendly, you tell me immediately.”
Ruby dropped her hands onto the table.
“This is insane.”
Leo shrugged.
“It’s necessary.”
Ruby stared at him in disbelief.
“You realize culinary school involves teamwork, right?”
Leo nodded.
“Work with female students.”
Ruby threw her hands in the air.
“What if my partner is male?”
Leo answered without hesitation.
“Then you ask for a different partner.”
Ruby couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“You can’t control an entire school!”Leo leaned forward slightly.
“I don’t need to control the school.”
Ruby narrowed her eyes.
“You’re being overprotective.” Leo met her gaze calmly. “I’m being careful.”
Ruby sighed loudly. “You act like every man there will try to kidnap me.”
Leo’s voice lowered slightly. “I don’t trust men.”
Ruby raised an eyebrow.
“You’re a man.”
“Yes,” Leo said calmly. “And I know exactly how men think.”
Ruby burst out laughing. “You’re unbelievable.”
Leo didn’t seem bothered.
“You want to attend culinary school,” he said. “These are the conditions.”
Ruby shook her head slowly, trying to process everything.
“I didn’t expect a contract just for going to school.”
Leo looked at her seriously.
“You wanted my approval.”
Ruby hesitated.
That was true.
Finally she sighed again.
“Fine,” she muttered.
Leo’s eyebrow lifted.
“Fine?”. I accept.
Ruby pointed a finger at him. “But I’m not promising I’ll never speak to a male student.”
Leo crossed his arms.
“You will keep it professional.”
Ruby rolled her eyes.
“You’re impossible.”
Leo smirked slightly.
“And yet you still want my signature.”
Ruby looked at the blank registration form. This was her dream and her only chance, she can't let it waste now that she has his full support.
She grabbed the pen quickly. “Before you change your mind,” she said, signing her name.
Leo watched her quietly.
After she finished signing, she pushed the paper toward him.
“Happy now?”
Leo picked up the form and looked at it for a moment.
Then he signed as well.
“There,” he said calmly.
Ruby stared at the paper with excitement bubbling inside her chest.
“I’m really going to culinary school.”
Leo leaned back in his chair.
“Yes.”
Ruby looked up at him with bright eyes.
“Thank you.”
Leo’s voice softened slightly.
“Just remember the rules.”
Ruby groaned dramatically and leaned back in her chair.
“Yes, Mr. Carter.”
Leo smirked faintly.
And though Ruby pretended to complain, deep down she knew something. Behind all those ridiculous rules… Leo only wanted one thing. To protect her.