Aveline
Ruby sat beside Leon.
He seemed down today, all curled up with that moody pout of his. I guess we both got too wrapped up in our own chaos to notice.
She gently rubbed behind his ears, whispering something only he could hear. Her fingers were so soft, like she was apologizing without saying it out loud.
I walked over, dropping down on the other side of Leon.
Ruby looked at me. I looked at him.
"What's wrong, baby? Are you mad at us?" I whispered.
He just gave a huff, dramatic like always.
I giggled.
"I'm sorry, Leon. We've both been busy. Will you forgive us?"
He looked up slowly, then barked—tail wagging, licking both our faces.
Ruby smirked at me. I rolled my eyes but smiled.
---
The next morning
I blinked awake, and the first thing I saw was her. Ruby. Sleeping beside me.
That? That's rare. And kind of… comforting.
I got up slowly, padded to the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face.
Time to come back to life.
Ruby was still asleep. I walked over to her side, brushing my fingers through her red wolf-cut strands.
Don't ask me why I love doing that. Maybe I'm obsessed with her hair. It's hot. It's silky. It's... her.
Eventually, I slipped out to the kitchen, tied my hair up in a messy bun, threw on my apron.
Wife mode: activated.
Fruits—sliced.
Omelettes—fluffy.
Bread toasted, apple jam on the side her favourite.
Black coffee—no sugar, just the way the sugar-hating demon likes it.
And Leon?
"Here ya go, big guy," I chuckled, placing his food down.
I heard footsteps.
Ruby. In her loose trousers, tee tucked in, phone to her ear. Mr. Ben, probably.
She sat at the head seat like a queen, didn't even look at me. I knew the routine though.
Coffee.
Fruits.
Breakfast. In that order.
Call ended.
"You made this?" she asked.
"Yes, Ruby. I made it."
I mean of course I'm the only one here with butler and Leon.
She nodded and started eating. No 'thank you'. No smile. Just her being… Ruby.
Later, I saw her in her study. She was sketching.
It'd been ages since I'd seen her hold that sketchbook.
I smiled, didn't disturb her.
---
Afternoon: Studio Time
Aunt Eliza was training me again.
Two weeks to go till the next competition, and I was determined to be better.
The studio lights buzzed softly. The air was warm, thick with old music and effort.
I stood in front of the mirror—hair up in a loose knot, sports bra sticking to me, leggings soaked at the knees. My whole body ached like it was screaming stop.
But I didn't.
Couldn't.
I tapped my playlist: The War Inside Me.
Track one: "Veins of Silk."
The music started slow.
A haunting whisper.
I lifted my arms.
One step.
One breath.
I danced like I was unraveling, like every move was pulling a thread from my soul.
It wasn't graceful.
It wasn't for show.
It was me.
The girl who had broken, cracked, and still somehow got up every single day.
My ribs burned. My throat felt dry.
The mirror didn't flinch—it just showed me as I was.
Second piece: "Wilted Bloom."
A story of letting go.
Of Kai.
Of every bruise he left—on my skin, my soul, my memories.
I twirled slowly, petals falling in my mind.
I saw Ruby. Her voice distant. Cold.
Still, I danced.
Then came the last one.
The terrifying one.
"Ashes of Her."
The beat hit like a fist to the gut.
I didn't hold back.
I twisted. Lunged. Slammed to the ground. Rose again.
Fire in every muscle.
This dance wasn't about Kai.
Or Ruby.
It was about me.
The girl who used to flinch.
Now moving like the storm she survived.
Sweat dripped.
My heart roared.
Aunt Eliza clapped. "That's enough, Aveline. You did well."
Her face was calm, but her eyes were proud. And that meant everything.
---
After class, I treated myself to an ice-cream shake.
Andrew appeared. Out of nowhere, as usual.
I swear he come out of nowhere.
"Yo," he said, grinning like we were old friends.
He was Ruby's business partner, but casual with me? I never got it.
Still… he made me laugh.
Like, a lot.
And for once, I let myself enjoy it.
---
Back at the villa
Ruby was fuming.
Silent. Pissed. A whole storm in that mafia body.
"What's wrong?" I asked gently.
"Nothing. Just tired," she said flatly.
I didn't push.
I showered, got into my nightwear, called Alia.
"Tomorrow I'm joining you."
Alia: "I knew it! Your mafia be wildin'!"
I rolled my eyes so hard even though she couldn't see still.
"Yeah yeah, whatever. Bye, Alia."
"Love you, little troublemaker!"
Click.
I went out to the balcony, breathing in the night.
Door creaked open.
Didn't need to look.
I knew it was her.
"Aveline."
I closed my eyes.
"Hm?"
She came closer. I felt her against my back—warm, solid, terrifying and safe.
Her breath grazed my neck.
I shivered.
"You know what you're doing," she growled low.
My heart jumped.
She grabbed my waist and spun me around.
Trapped.
"You don't get to smile at anyone else. Or laugh. Especially not with him," she said darkly.
"If you do…"
She leaned closer, voice a whisper soaked in heat.
"…I'll punish you."
Her warm breath against my neck I swear I was sheviering not out of fear but her possesiveness.
And then—
Her mouth was on mine. Hard. Fierce. Possessive.
I gasped, pushed her chest, but she didn't budge.
She kissed me like she owned my breath.
And maybe she did.
I melted.
Held her neck.
Gave in.
She bit my lip.
Kissed my neck.
Tugged my hair.
She bit my neck hard enough to feel the pleasure but not with much pressure. She was licking where she bit me.
She kissed my throat and lick it, damn I couldn't handle her.
She's in her beast mode--- hungry beast.
She whispered against my ear, "That's what you get… for laughing with Andrew."
I swear she's giving me butterflies my legs got weaker with her every kiss.
I cursed silently.
Of course she knew. She's mafia, for crying out loud. She knows everything.
Fuck fuck fuck fuck it !
She licked her lips, smirking. Demon.
And I? I was falling.
My breathing heavily my legs weak my lips bruised and bleeding a little but she leaned closer and suck it.
My mind fucked up.
---
Next Morning
My neck was wrecked.
Hickeys. Bites. Heat. Chaos.
She was still sleeping, peaceful and smug.
I threw on a turtleneck. No way I was showing up like this.
Especially not with alia she's clever can't give her hint.
When I came downstairs, she was already dressed.
Loose black trousers. Fitted shirt. That damn jacket.
And the wristwatch that screamed mafia boss meets runway model.
She dropped me to uni.
Girls stared. At her. At us.
Of course they did.
I leaned over and whispered, "Just leave already, Ruby."
And she smirked.
And not leaving cause I know " she will never, never fucking leave me".