Ruby
I went to the university because of Aveline.
She wanted to graduate—so sure, why not.
Me, Adam, Luna, and my guards pulled up.
Bugatti. Matte black. My mood.
I didn't knock. Never do.
Just walked into the Head Room and sat like I owned the goddamn floor.
He stood up real quick, bowed like his knees remembered fear.
> "M-Mr. Ruby... what brings you here?"
His voice? Trembling. Hah. Expected.
> "I need to talk. Something important."
I leaned back.
> "Aveline Vale. Your student, right? Been absent for almost a year. But now—she wants to return. Finish her final semester. Sit her exams."
He nodded like his head was gonna fall off.
> "She was cut off the list," he said.
I raised my eyebrow, slow and deliberate.
> "That's why I'm here. Add her name back. She will appear for those exams. And she will graduate. Respectedly."
> "B-but, it's not in my hands—"
I pulled out my gun. Casual. Spun it between my fingers like a fidget toy with trauma issues.
> "If I pull the trigger... while it's pointed at your face—you know what happens, right?"
Then I stood up. He was already shaking.
I grabbed his tie. Pulled it tight till he choked just a little.
My voice? A venomous whisper.
> "She's not just someone. She's my wife. Aveline Sun. So if you don't wanna fucking die, do it. Or I swear on your entire institution—your 'university' won't exist tomorrow morning."
I let him go. He stumbled back like air hurt.
> "Also... you're getting a 200 million donation. Because my wife will be walking your halls again."
He just nodded. Stupid fast.
> "Tomorrow," I said. "You've got till tomorrow. And if anyone barks at her—"
I smiled, all teeth, no soul.
> "You know what I do to barking dogs."
---
I came back to the villa.
Aveline was barefoot in the backyard.
Cream dress flowing like it had secrets.
Her violet hair dancing in the wind. Her arms swaying, body bending in rhythm.
She didn't see me yet. I leaned against the wall. Watching.
And then, mid-spin, she froze.
Eyes met mine.
Her chest rose and fell like she'd been running through fire.
Those stormy blue eyes?
Lit.
I walked toward her—red gaze locked to her soul.
> "Starting tomorrow, you can go to university."
She blinked.
> "You handled it?" she asked, breathless.
I nodded. Turned to leave.
She grabbed my wrist.
> "Mom... Dad... Mireline…"
She hesitated.
"They want to have dinner with us. I want to see them again."
Her voice was soft. Fragile.
> "Can we go tonight?"
Don't ask me why I agreed. I just said—
> "Sure. Tonight."
Even though I had... other business planned.
As I turned, she hugged me.
Full body. Chest against mine.
Her heart was wild against my calm.
I didn't move. I let her hold me.
---
By evening, we were getting dressed.
> "I didn't dress for dinner. I dressed like I was walking into a trap—with a smirk and a silk trigger finger."
The heat hung low and sweet.
Charcoal button-up, sleeves rolled.
Two buttons undone—heat against my collarbone, brushing the lion pendant my mother gave me.
Never took it off. Not even when I buried her.
My wolfcut?
Still short, messy, crimson.
Framing my face like a fight waiting to happen.
Tailored black pants.
No belt. No chains. Just danger.
Blazer in hand—never worn. I carry threats, not jackets.
Aveline walked out of the dressing room.
And everything—
Everything
—went silent.
---
She was a dream dressed to kill.
A backless, sleeveless satin dress in dusky lavender smoke.
Straps thin, soft over her skin.
Slit teasing danger at her thigh.
She wasn't trying.
She never tried.
She just... was.
My pulse? Gone rogue.
Her hair was up, barely pinned.
A few strands fell like rebellion.
A silver anklet glittered with each step.
She didn't wear perfume.
She wore fire.
Then she looked at me.
> "What?" she asked, like she didn't just ruin my soul.
I cleared my throat.
> "You're gonna get us killed."
> "Why?" she blinked.
> "Because if anyone sees you like that... I'll have to kill them."
Her smirk?
Unlawful.
She came closer, fixed my collar—like it wasn't already perfect—and let her fingers trail across my chest.
I tilted my head. Smirked.
---
We left in my Ferrari.
The Vale estate was already waiting.
Mireline hugged Aveline like she'd never let go.
Mr. Vale patted my shoulder.
Mrs. Vale? Hugged me like I wasn't the devil.
We sat. Ate.
Talked business. Mireline joined in.
Aveline, sitting beside me, looking like every version of temptation.
---
It was past midnight.
Aveline came down, tired.
I held her hand.
> "Stay the night," Mireline offered. "It's late."
> "No, I want to go home," Aveline said softly.
I nodded.
Drove slow. Not because I had to.
Because I wanted to soak her in.
This quiet version. This soft. This sleepy.
A strand of her hair fell.
I tucked it back behind her ear.
> "I can't help it, Aveline... I'm falling."
"But I can't fall. Not yet."
I wanted to tell you that but I can't not now.
---
Back at the villa, I carried her upstairs.
Laid her gently on the bed.
Kneeled down to take off her sandals.
I never kneeled for anyone else. Ever.
Removed my jacket, kicked off my shoes.
She turned in her sleep, found my chest, held on.
She knew I was there. Even in dreams.
---
Morning.
She was still asleep on my stretched-out arm.
Cheek pressed in, soft little puff on her lips.
I slipped away without waking her.
Told Mr. Han not to disturb her.
> "When she wakes up, tell her I left for a meeting."
But even at the office, hours later—
I kept replaying that sleepy face.
That peace.
---
Evening again.
I came back to the villa.
First thing I saw?
Aveline. Dancing in the living room.
She didn't notice me. Not yet.
She moved like music itself.
This time—not tired.
Just... free.
> "What are you doing, Aveline?"
I tossed my coat. Took off my tie. Sat.
> "Talked to Alia. I'll start university again tomorrow. And Aunt Eliza's classes after uni."
> "Hmmm. Good."
I went upstairs...
I went to the storeroom. My locked vault. My silence.
Dust welcomed me.
Canvases stared back.
Aveline's portraits.
My mother.
Her last painting.
Her self-portrait—finished days before she died.
I touched my lion pendant.
> "I'm sorry, Mom," I whispered, tears sneaking down.
Then—
> "Ruby?" Aveline's voice.
I wiped my face, locked the door, went to her.
> "What is it?"
> "Where's Leon?"
I blinked.
Right. Leon.
I forgot he even existed.
I called him. No answer.
Found him by the pool. Alone. Sad.
I sat beside him.
He gets me. I should get him too.