Chapter 57 You okay
CHAPTER 57
You Okay .
The car ride ended, but the quiet excitement Ruby carried didn’t. By the time she stepped into the house, the evening had already settled in. The warm glow of the lights welcomed her, and the familiar calm of the space wrapped around her, but tonight, everything felt different.
“Miss Ruby,” Nora greeted as she stepped inside, her voice calm as always.
Ruby smiled, adjusting the shopping bags in her hands. “Nora… I need your help.”
Nora’s eyes flickered briefly to the bags. “I assumed as much.”
Ruby laughed softly. “To my room.”
Alex and Carl followed behind her, each carrying a few of the bags as well. Inside her room, Ruby quickly closed the door and turned to face them.
“Okay,” she said, lowering her voice instinctively,
“This stays between us.”
Carl crossed his arms. “A confidential operation.”
Alex nodded slightly. “Understood.”
Nora stepped closer, her expression attentive. “What is the plan, Miss Ruby?”
Ruby hesitated for a moment, looked at the bags then smiled. “It’s for Leo.”
That alone shifted the mood. Even Carl raised an eyebrow.
“His birthday,” Ruby continued. “I want to surprise him… after his party.”
Nora’s expression softened slightly. “That’s thoughtful.”
Ruby placed the bags carefully on the bed, opening one of them to reveal the items inside.
“I don’t want him to suspect anything,” she said.
“So whatever we do—it has to be perfect.”
Alex leaned slightly closer, examining the contents. “You’ve prepared quite a bit.”
Ruby nodded. “But I still need help putting everything together.”
Carl looked around the room briefly. “So this is a coordinated plan.”
“Yes,” Ruby said. “Timing, setup… everything.”
Nora folded her hands neatly. “What exactly do you have in mind?”
Ruby took a small breath. “After his party ends… we bring him somewhere quiet. Maybe the garden, or the living room if it’s decorated right.” She paused, her thoughts forming carefully.
“And then… Everything is ready. Lights, gifts, maybe something simple but meaningful.”
Nora nodded slowly. “That would be lovely.”
Alex added, “We can manage the setup discreetly.”
Carl tilted his head slightly. “And security?”
Ruby blinked. “It’s just a birthday surprise.”
Carl remained serious. “Still. We ensure no interruptions.”
Ruby laughed softly. “Alright.”
They gathered closer now, forming a small circle as Ruby explained every detail, where things should go, how to move without Leo noticing, what time everything should happen.
At some point, Nora gently suggested,
“You should also consider what he would expect… and do the opposite.”
Ruby smiled.
“That’s exactly what I want.”
They continued discussing, adjusting small details, debating over placement, timing, and even lighting.
“No, the candles should be here,” Ruby said, pointing.
Carl shook his head. “Too obvious.”
Alex nodded. “He’ll notice immediately.”
Ruby sighed. “Then where?”
Nora stepped forward, calm as ever.
“Near the window. It will look natural.”
Ruby’s eyes lit up. “That’s perfect.”
They continued like that, back and forth, ideas overlapping, small disagreements turning into better solutions.
For a while everything kept going well, it felt almost like a team effort.
Until, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway echoed faintly from outside. Everything froze immediately.
Ruby’s heart skipped. Leo is backkkkkkkk.
Carl reacted first, his posture straightening instantly. “Master Leo.”
Alex glanced toward the door. “He’s early.”
Ruby’s eyes widened. “Already?”
Nora moved calmly and quickly. “We should go.”
“Yes, yes, go,” Ruby whispered urgently.
Carl picked up a couple of empty bags, while Alex adjusted his jacket. “Remember,” Alex said quietly, “we were never here.”
Ruby nodded. “Exactly.”
Nora gave her one last look. “Stay calm.”
Then, one by one, they slipped out of the room, leaving Ruby alone. The moment the door closed, Ruby turned quickly, her eyes darted to the bed, the bags, the gifts.
“Shoot—”
She rushed forward, grabbing everything and moving toward the wardrobe.
Her movements were fast, slightly clumsy in her urgency.
“Okay… okay…”
She opened the wardrobe and shoved the bags inside, adjusting them quickly so nothing looked out of place. She closed it immediately, and took a step backward, she took a deep breath and then adjusted her hair. She forced herself to slow down.
Just as she turned—
The door opened.
Leo stepped in, his presence filled the room immediately. He looked exhausted, his shoulders were slightly tense and his expression more tired than usual.
Ruby’s heart softened instantly. “Leo…”
He didn’t say anything. Instead, he walked straight toward her, and pulled her into a hug.
Ruby froze for a second, and then melted into it.
His arms wrapped around her firmly, holding her close like he needed it and had missed her.
Ruby rested her hands lightly against his back. “You’re tired,” she murmured softly.
He exhaled quietly against her shoulder. “Long day.”
She held him a little tighter. “You should rest.”
“Later.” He pulled back slightly, looking down at her.
His eyes searched her face. “You okay?”
Ruby blinked. “Yes.”
Leo frowned slightly. “You sure?”
Her heart started beating faster, was she acting strange? “No, I’m fine,” she said, trying to sound normal.
Leo didn’t look convinced. “You seem… off.”
Ruby forced a small smile. “I’m not.”
He studied her for a moment longer. Then his expression softened. “Come with me.”
She blinked. “Where?”
“Walk.”
Ruby hesitated. A walk? Now?
Her mind immediately jumped to the wardrobe behind her. What if he noticed something? Her fingers curled slightly at her sides. “Now?” she asked.
Leo nodded. “I need some air.”
Ruby swallowed. “Okay.”
He reached for her hand, as she let him take it.
Her heart kept racing, she doesn't want him having a clue on what she's hiding. As they stepped out into the quiet night, the cool air brushing against her skin. Leo glanced at her again. “You’re really okay?”
Ruby looked at him and smiled, “I'm okay Leo, you don't have to worry about me if there's anyone looking worried it should be you, you don't look fine at all.”
Leo smiled, and pulled her into a hug.
She just hoped, he wouldn’t notice.