Instead of returning to the home she shared with Derek in Amzone City, Ruby opted to stay with her best friend, Elena, for the time being while she sorted her life.
She switched off both her mobile phones and buried herself in a pile of clothes design sketches, only pausing to eat when she felt the need.
"You know you've got to rest at some point, right?" Elena stood by the bedroom door of her apartment, holding a bowl of freshly popped popcorn.
It had been three days since they arrived at her house in the city and not for once had Ruby stepped out of the bedroom, except to eat or pick up her accessory deliveries.
She was either busy sketching a new design or ordering material online for her autumn collection, completely alienating herself from reality.
The buttery aroma of the popcorn soon filled the room, wrapping its delicious tendrils around Ruby's nostrils.
"Are those for me?" Ruby lifted her face up, her twinkling eyes narrowed at the popcorn.
"Sure ....if you can join me in the sitting room and watch a movie." Elena offered with a wink.
"You know I'm busy. I have a lot to organise before tomorrow morning." Ruby returned her focus to her sketches, pretending not to be interested in the popcorn anymore.
Elena sighed, already accepting defeat, as she lazily strolled to the bed, while popping some of the delicious popcorn into her mouth and munching on it noisily.
"Are you seriously considering going back to work after everything that happened?" She pushed aside some of the rough sketches and carefully placed the bowl of popcorn on the bed before sitting beside her friend.
"We've been over this already. I have clients' demands lining up, and I can't sit here sulking over a failed relationship. It's time to move on." Ruby grabbed the bowl and greedily scooped some of the popcorn into her mouth.
"What about Derek?" Elena pointed out.
"What about him?" Ruby's voice came out in a muffled sound as she stuffed more popcorn into her mouth, chewing on the delicious snacks, hungrily.
"You know he has been trying to get in touch with you since you left your parents' home."
"So?"
"Are you ready to face him and everyone else at work?"
Ruby let out an exaggerated sigh, dusting the powdered milk from her hands to grab a bottle of water.
"Derek and I own this company together. I can't give up and destroy something as beautiful as Drubick Edges simply because we didn't work out."
"What about Bailey? Don't forget she works there too and you know how infuriating she can be."
"I haven't forgotten." Ruby smiled bitterly. "I guess I'll have to tolerate her for the time being."
"You should fire her," Elena suggested.
"That is not up to me alone. Derek and I will have to agree."
"Then you should insist. He owes you that much. After all, you were the one who did Bailey a favour by employing her as your assistant creative designer. But instead of showing her gratitude by working harder, she stabbed you right in the back, by snatching your man."
Ruby's expression dampened. "He is no longer mine and Bailey will get what's coming to her." She said in a resigned tone.
"I can't believe she's pregnant with Derek's child. I can already picture her flaunting her pregnancy before you and Derek siding with her."
"That's their cup of tea." Ruby hissed. "Moreover, she isn't the only one pregnant. I just want to focus on my work and grow our brand. We just signed one of our biggest investors, and I can let our emotions get in the way."
"I will have to disagree with you on that, knowing who Derek is. He will try to test your emotions and use his family's love for you to blackmail you."
"I don't care what Derek does or who he cries to, Ellie." Ruby snapped, feeling a bit frustrated from talking about him. "I have moved on and so should he. And can we please drop this issue?"
"As you wish, her excellency." Elena stood up from the bed, letting out a sigh. She apologized and tried to make Ruby laugh.
"Would you like some juice to go down with that popcorn, your Highness?"
"What would I do without you, my cupcake?" Ruby beamed warmly.
"Absolutely nothing." Elena glimmered animatedly as she exited the room.
-
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The following morning, Ruby feverishly got ready for work and joined her friend downstairs, holding a medium-sized duffel bag.
"Are you ready?" Elena asked, collecting the duffel bag from Ruby and putting it in the trunk of the taxi. She assessed Ruby's very casual outfit with a sigh, wishing she had opted for the fitted gown she had picked earlier.
Ruby exhaled, shaking off every anxiety and wearing the most cheerful smile. "I am."
"All right then, let's go."
They both got into the taxi, blissfully unaware of a sleek grey sedan with tinted glass windows, parked across the apartment building.
Immediately the taxi left the premises, a young athletic man in an all black running outfit alighted from the back seat of the car. He casually made his way across the busy road towards the apartment building, blending in perfectly with the neighbourhood.
He loitered briefly by the entrance to the building, waiting patiently until someone came out.
"Good morning," He greeted an old lady tenant who came out of the building, holding the door open for her like a complete gentleman before disappearing through the door.
-
-
At Drubick Edges –a one-story building fashion designing house– Derek gathered everyone in the reception room in readiness to welcome his runaway bride.
As Ruby's taxi halted in front of the building, she alighted from the car, thanking the driver and removing her duffel bag from the trunk before making her way towards the entrance.
She wasn't surprised to see Derek waiting for her by the door, holding her favourite sunflower bouquet and wearing the killer smile that once left her melting like butter in his arms.
He was looking exceptionally handsome in his sky blue suit. I know a lady in her right mind would reject a pretty flower from such a handsome young man.
In the past, Ruby would have jumped into his arms and kissed him out in the open for such a warm gesture. But not anymore. That ship had long sailed.
"Good morning, my princess." Derek held the door open for her, while extending the bouquet towards her.
"Good morning, Mr Bishop," Ruby replied coldly. "Please, if you don't mind, take this trash out of my face."
Derek withdrew his hand, pretending her cold words didn't affect him as he reached forward to help carry her bag. But again she stopped him coldly.
"I think I can manage perfectly, Mr Bishop." Ruby walked passed him, barely meeting his pleading gaze. She was infuriated to see the entire staff waiting by the lobby to receive her like some sort of celebrity.
"Welcome back, Madam Ruby."
"You look so beautiful madam, Ruby."
"We missed you so much, Madam Ruby."
Ruby plastered a smile on her face, replicating the warm gestures even though she knew they were faking it.
After all, they were all present at her catastrophic wedding and had borne witness to her failed relationship.
Just when Ruby thought things couldn't get more entertaining. She watched her cousin Bailey step out from one of the offices, holding a heart-shaped strawberry cake, with a bold write-up on the centre that said, I'm sorry, Ruby.
"Hmph!" Ruby scoffed under her breath as Bailey strutted towards her, flaunting a sleek crimson sheath dress, with a daring front slit that revealed a glimpse of her smooth alluring thigh.
Compared to her plain jeans and loosely fitted shirt, Bailey was looking like the ideal celebrity side chick with all the power of intimidation in her polished acrylic nails.
"Sister, I'm really sorry you had to find out about me and Derek that way," Bailey said softly, like someone incapable of hurting a fly. "Trust me, it wasn't intentional. I haven't been able to forgive myself for pushing my sister into marrying a drunk loser and getting her banished from the family. I understand if you do not want me working here anymore and I'm also willing to forfeit Derek for you. All I ask is your forgiveness and for you to divorce that loser before you ruin yourself because of me.'"