Ruby couldn't remember the last time she slept so peacefully in a strange environment with her supposed husband, who did nothing but pamper her throughout the night like a needy, sick child.
She woke up to the brilliant glow of the early morning sun filtering into the cozy bedroom and a hearty breakfast in bed.
"Wait a minute...Am I dreaming?" She mumbled under her breath rubbing her eyes as the delicious aroma filled her nostrils, making her stomach rumble in euphoria.
Derek had never done something as romantic as this for her. She always works up to a lot of new sketchy...proposal, client's relentless demands, and sometimes, stale half-eaten pizza on her bed. It was work and more work, even in her dreams.
She was the brain and fire behind the brand, and there was simply no room for this kind of indulgence.
In a nutshell, her morning was never this surreal, let alone romantic. But this....this was something unusual.
On the carefully laid out tray were two sunny-side-up eggs on toast, smoked bacon strips, herb sausages, grilled tomatoes, sautéed mushrooms, black coffee in a porcelain mug and a freshly squeezed glass of pineapple juice.
And by the side of the bed – already showered and dressed like he was going for an elite business meeting – was Kai, smiling sweetly at her.
"Good morning, beautiful."
Ruby slowly sat up on the bed, her face flushed with embarrassment as she wondered how long she had been sleeping and what her face looked like after crying herself to sleep the previous night in his arms.
She unconsciously ran her fingers through her messy hair and wiped her hand over her face in a desperate attempt to look presentable while averting his gaze.
Her eyes swept across the cosy luxury room, as she ransacked her memory for answers to how she ended up in bed.
Then she recalled vomiting by the beachside and crying like a loser in his arms. He had been so gentle and kind to her, without acting repulsed by her disgusting state.
She also remembered being carried like a hopelessly fragile bride in his arms, while she buried her face in his chest.
'Did he...'Her alarmed gaze flickered to her body and she exhaled, seeing she was still dressed in her previous day's gown, with her panties and bra intact, except for a male jacket, which she didn't remember putting on.
"Which would you like first, madam, your coffee or the pineapple juice?" Kai asked again when she didn't say anything. He tried to hide the amusement in his eyes as he watched all her alarmed but cute gestures.
Ruby hesitated before replying. "The pineapple juice is fine." She sniffed her breath and crinkled her nose at the foul smell.
"Awesome choice." Kai crouched to serve her like a waiter but Ruby quickly stopped him, unintentionally touching his hand, while covering her mouth.
"I can take care of myself, Kai." She quickly withdrew her hand as though she had accidentally touched hot coal.
Kai smirked at her guarded reaction. He straightened up, maintaining his subtle tone.
"As you wish, your majesty."
"And can you please do away with the unnecessary titles. I'm just Ruby." Her voice came out muffled.
"Okay, Ruby. I'll leave you to enjoy your breakfast. I've already picked up a selection of dresses for you in the wardrobe. Join me at the lounge when you're ready. We leave for the civil affairs bureau by 10:00 AM."
"Sure." Ruby waited for Kai to exit the room before releasing her breath, which she hadn't realised she was holding all this time. She quickly climbed out of the bed and hurried into the bathroom in case he changed his mind and returned.
Safely behind closed doors, she checked her reflection in the mirror and flinched.
"Jeez.... Ruby, you look like a scarecrow." She hissed at her messy mascara and ruined eyeshadow from all that crying and rubbing her eyes.
And worst of all, her bad breath could suffocate a dozen marine species.
Without a second to spare, she quickly brushed, relieved herself and showered, washing off every trace of her heartache except for the scar in her heart.
Smiling at her fresh and appealing look, she exited the bathroom and went over to the wardrobe.
When she opened the wardrobe and saw the neatly arranged set of designer outfits with matching accessories, all screaming old money, her jaw dropped.
"How did he....when did he.... holy shit!" She ran her fingers through the labels on the clothes. They were all from top designers around the world. And the accessories, ranging from designer handbags to gold and diamond jewellery.
But something else caught Ruby's eye. It was a velvety heart-shaped baby pink ring box with a handwritten note by the side from Kai, which simply read.
'To my beautiful wife. Thanks for accepting me.'
Ruby slowly picked up the ring box with trembling hands, her heart pounding wildly inside her chest as she opened it.
The sight of a magnificent, rare pink diamond engagement ring seated beside a twenty-four karat pink diamond rose gold band left Ruby gasping for breath.
This was beyond her wildest expectation... Something she could only read in fairy tale novels.
When Kai married her the previous night with a makeshift ring, he had promised her a befitting ring but not an entire family legacy carved in precious stone.
She quickly closed the ring box and kept it aside.
Then she picks one of the modest dresses among the exotic selection, her gaze narrowing at the tempting lingerie and inner wear displayed by colour.
"This pervert has already memorised the shape of my ass and boobs in just one night." She hissed snatching a black panties and bra set, before disappearing into the bathroom.
Standing before the mirror, all dressed and looking like a celebrity about to walk the red carpet, Ruby could barely recognise herself.
She had picked up only the modest jewellery and dress, yet she was looking like new money.
Inhaling and exhaling as she wore the designer perfume on the dresser, she said to herself.
"This isn't real Ruby."