Chapter 72 Be my Girlfriend
CHAPTER 72
Be my Girlfriend.
Leo and Ruby’s love had not begun as something simple or predictable. It had started with distance, uncertainty, and an arrangement that neither of them truly understood at the time. There were walls between them unspoken rules, guarded emotions, and a constant fear of crossing lines that were never clearly defined. Yet, somehow, through moments of tension, quiet understanding, and unexpected vulnerability, those walls began to fall.
What they had now was not rushed. It was built slowly, carefully, and with meaning.
Leo saw that clearly as he sat across from Ruby at the restaurant that night. He barely touched his food. His attention was on her completely. The way she smiled between bites, the way her eyes softened when she laughed, the way she seemed lighter, free it held him still.
For a man who had everything, this was different. This mattered. He realized, in that quiet moment, that all the power, control, and success he had built meant nothing compared to this simple sight seeing Ruby, sitting in front of him and seeing her so happy and somehow, he was part of the reason.
That alone was enough to ground him in a way nothing else ever had. Their journey had not been perfect. It had been messy, emotional, and at times uncertain. But that was what made it real. Every misunderstanding, every moment of doubt, had led them here to something honest, something they both chose, not something they were forced into.
Leo leaned back slightly, still watching her, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Ruby had just taken a sip of her drink when she noticed his gaze on her again. Not the usual teasing glance or playful observation but something steadier, focused almost as if he was memorizing her.
“What?” she asked softly, setting her glass down.
Leo didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he leaned back slightly, studying her in a way that made her heartbeat pick up without warning.
“You’re thinking too much,” she added, trying to lighten the moment.
“Maybe,” he said quietly.
That didn’t reassure her. If anything, it made her more aware of the shift in his tone.
“Leo…” she started, her voice softer now. “What is it?”
He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair again, something he only did when he was trying to organize his thoughts.
“I’ve been wanting to say something,” he admitted.
Ruby’s fingers stilled on the table. “And?” she asked carefully.
Leo leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table, his gaze never leaving hers.
“And I don’t want to overthink it,” he continued. “I don’t want to complicate it.”
Her chest tightened. “Then don’t,” she whispered.
That was all he needed. He nodded once, almost to himself. Then he spoke.
“Be my girlfriend, Ruby.”
Ruby froze. Not because she didn’t expect it, but because she had. Somewhere deep down, she had known this moment would come. She had felt it building, piece by piece, through every look, every touch, every word they hadn’t said out loud. And now it was here. Her heart reacted first, racing faster than she could control, her emotions rising all at once. Happiness, fear, disbelief and something softer beneath it all.
She looked at him, searching his face. “Leo…” she said quietly. But she didn’t finish because suddenly everything came rushing back. The contract. The arrangement that had started all of this. The line they had crossed without fully acknowledging it. Her expression changed slightly.
And Leo noticed immediately. “What?” he asked, his tone softening.
Ruby shook her head faintly, though her thoughts were clearly louder than her actions.
“This wasn’t how it was supposed to be,” she said.
Leo’s brows drew together slightly. “What wasn’t?”
“This,” she gestured lightly between them. “Us.”
His expression became more serious. “That doesn’t mean it’s wrong,” he said.
She let out a small breath, her eyes dropping to the table before lifting back to him again. “It started as something else,” she continued. “Something… controlled. Something we understood.”
“And now?” he asked.
Ruby hesitated. “Now I don’t know what it is anymore.”
Leo leaned in closer, his voice lowering. “I do.”
That made her look at him again.
“It’s real,” he said.
Ruby’s heart clenched at the certainty in his tone. “You make it sound so simple,” she whispered.
“It is simple,” he replied. “You feel it. I feel it. That’s enough.”
“But what if it’s not?” she asked.
Leo’s expression softened again, his hand moving across the table until it found hers.
“Then we figure it out,” he said.
Ruby looked down at their hands. At the way his fingers fit so naturally with hers. At how steady he felt even when everything inside her wasn’t.
“You said you loved me,” she said quietly.
“I meant it,” he replied instantly.
“I know,” she said. “That’s what scares me.”
“You think I don’t get that?” he asked softly. “You think this is easy for me?”
Ruby didn’t answer.
“I don’t say things like that, Ruby,” he said. “Not unless I’m sure.”
Her eyes lifted slowly.
“And I’m sure,” he added.
For a moment, Ruby didn’t speak. She just looked at him. At the man who had once felt so distant, so controlled, so untouchable and who now sat in front of her, opened in a way she had never seen before.
“You’re not going to take it back?” she asked softly.
Leo frowned slightly. “Take what back?”
“This,” she said. “Us. When things get complicated.”
He didn’t even hesitate. “No.”
The firmness in his answer made something inside her settle. “And you’re not going to push me away when it gets real?” she continued.
“Ruby,” he said, his voice steady, “it’s already real.”
Ruby took a slow breath. “Okay,” she said.
Leo’s eyes searched hers. “Okay… what?”
She tightened her hold on his hand slightly. “Okay,” she repeated. “I’ll be your girlfriend.” she added. smiling.
“You’re serious?” he asked, almost disbelieving.
Ruby laughed softly. “I wouldn’t say it if I wasn’t.”
That was all he needed.
He stood up suddenly, moving around the table before she could even react properly. His hands found her again, pulling her gently to her feet.
“Leo, what are you doing?” she asked, laughing lightly.
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I just know I don’t want to sit anymore.”
She barely had time to respond before he pulled her into him, wrapping his arms around her in a firm embrace.
“I love you so much,” he said, kissing her face.