If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I could walk through my garden forever
- Alfred Tennyson
The air in Ruby's office stood still. There was no movement, as they stared into each other's eyes. His angry and accusing, hers terrified and resigned. He took a step forward, and began rounding her desk. She took a step back.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice shaky.
"Visiting an old friend. We are friends, are we not?" he asked, raising his brow.
"You need to leave." she said.
"Why? You did know it was a matter of time before I found you right? Jennifer, oh I'm sorry. Ruby. Forgive my manners. It's hard to keep up with all the aliases."
She closed her eyes briefly and took a deep breath. Releasing it, she looked at him. She could see the challenge in those vibrant green eyes.
"Funny enough, when we met and you told me your name was Jennifer, I thought that name did not suit you. I thought you did not look like a Jennifer. Only to discover you're a Ruby. And the name suits you perfectly. With red hair and fierce eyes like yours, you could only be a Ruby." Hunter said, his voice lowering as he spoke the last words. Ruby swallowed. She didn't know what to say.
"Hunter…." she started, then he interrupted.
"I woke up the next morning and you were gone. Disappeared. Vanished." he said, his voice rising with each word. "No word, no note, no nothing. I searched for you. For a year. I tracked down every red headed model from Seattle I could find. You vanished into thin air. It was like you didn't exist. At some point I thought I was hallucinating, like I conjured you up or something. Only to find out you are Ruby Kingston, fashion designer from New York. Rich, isn't it?" he said, as he curled his lips into a mocking smile.
Ruby stared at him, still speechless. It was a couple of seconds before she could recover her equilibrium to speak. "I can understand the fact that you are upset that I lied about my identity. And I apologize for that. It's been three years. Let's just move on and forget about this." she said.
"Forget?" he scoffed.
"Yes. Forget."
"You may have faked your name, but I do know you did not fake the way your body responded to my touch that night." he said, his voice velvet smooth as he took a step towards her. Ruby felt her body come to life once more, the way it had on that fateful night three years ago.
"It doesn't matter." she said, her voice barely a whisper.
"So you're saying that night meant nothing to you? You didn't feel anything? You didn't feel the fire that burnt between us that night? You still don't feel it burning now?" he said, arching his brow.
"No, I didn't, and I don't."
"I don't believe you." he said, gripping her hand.
"Then that says a lot more about your pride than it does about me." she said, pulling her hand from his grip.
She looked at him with pleading eyes.
"Please, just go. I'm sorry, but leave me alone please. Just tally that night as your numerous conquests and just leave me alone. Please." she said, pleading.
Hunter stared at Ruby for a while, looking into her big brown eyes glistening with tears. He felt his heart lurch but he chose to ignore it.
"I can't." he said quietly.
"Why?" she whimpered.
"I don't know." he said softly. He walked towards her. This time, she didn't step back. She stood rooted to the spot. He cupped her cheek. Ruby almost sighed from how good it felt. He lowered his head, and for a moment, Ruby thought he was going to kiss her. Instead, he brought his lips to her ear.
"I'll see you soon." he whispered. She shivered. He turned and walked out of her office without a backwards glance. Ruby lowered herself unto her chair, releasing a shaky breath. She placed her hand to her chest to calm her erratic heart. She knew she was in deep trouble now.
….........................…..
Ruby turned the key in the lock. Stepping into her home, she deeply inhaled the comforting scent of lavender. She leaned against the door for a moment, before dragging herself and collapsing into the nearest couch. She could hear movement and the happy shrieks and shrills of her pride and joy above her. She cracked a small smile, the only real one she's had all day.
It had been exactly four days, seven hours and forty one minutes since Hunter stormed into her office. Yes she had been counting. Since then, she's been looking over her shoulder, expecting him to materialize out of thin air any moment. Work had been a distraction but she was constantly on edge.
Hunter had the reach and resources to ruin her life. She knew that. And if he found out… She did not even want to think about it. It could break her.
Ruby lied when she said that night meant nothing to her. It meant everything to her. It was the best night of her life and that night has produced her greatest gift, a gift she was not sure she would ever be ready to share with Hunter, a gift she was not even sure he wanted. She felt the fire between them alright. But fire was a dangerous element, and when left unchecked it could destroy in great proportions. She didn't want to be burned. She had to find a way to dispel him. She could not let him get too close. She had a lot to lose.
Ruby made a move to get up from the couch when her doorbell went off. Twice. She sighed. She was sure it was her neighbour Matthew who insisted on checking in on them everyday, probably because there was no man in the house. As much as she appreciated the care and concern, she didn't know how else she could make him see that they were fine.
Ruby was able to drag her tired self to the door. Plastering a fake smile, she opened the door expecting to see Matthew's beach blond hair and blue eyes. Instead, she was confronted with dark tresses and green eyes belonging to Hunter. She reeled backwards in shock. He regarded her with those challenging eyes.
"What are you doing here?" she screeched. He ignored her, walking past her and into the house. She hurried towards him, trying to stop his advancement into the house. She planted herself in front of him with her arms outstretched.
"How did you know where I live?" she asked, a bit breathless. He gave her a patronizing look. "I found your office. What makes you think your house would be so difficult?" he said, arching one brow.
"Fine. You've made your point. You need to leave now." she said.
"I want to talk to you."
"Okay. Come by the office tomorrow."
"No. I want to talk, here and now."
Ruby could feel the sweat running down her spine. She had to think of something, and fast.
"Well, you can't stay." Ruby said.
"And why is that?" Hunter asked.
"Because I have a guest." she blurted out, her face reddening.
"A guest?" he said, arching his brow.
"Yes. A guest. So you need to leave."
"As a matter of fact, I think I'll stay." He walked over to couch. He sat down, crossing his legs and giving her a challenging stare. Ruby could feels the tears she had been holding back since he barged into her office a few days ago pool at her eyes.
"What do you want?" she said, raising her voice over it's normal pitch, throwing her hands in the air in frustration. He didn't respond.
To her growing horror, she heard the pounding of footsteps on the steps. She barely had enough time to turn around when a small body crashed into her, wrapping his arms around her knees. From the corner of her eye, she saw Hunter sit up.
"Mommmmmyyyy!" Zach cried out. Ruby looked up to see Hunter blink a couple of times. She turned her attention to Zach. Crouching down to her knees, she wrapped him in a hug.
"Hey baby. How was your day?" she asked as she placed a kiss on his chubby cheek. His green eyes shone back at her.
"Laura and I made cookies! And she told me stories!" he jumped up and down excitedly.
"Really? I'd love to taste them, and hear all about them." she said, but he wasn't paying her attention anymore. Instead, his gaze was focused on the man sitting on the couch. The only men he ever saw in the house were Ruby's friend Jason and their neighbour Matthew. He walked up to the couch and came to a stop in front of Hunter. He stood there wringing his hands.
"Are you my daddy?" Zach asked suddenly.
"Zach!" Ruby cried out, horrified.
"And why do you ask that?" Hunter asked softly.
"Because my mommy said that the only man allowed in the house apart from Uncle Jason and Uncle Matthew is my daddy. You are not Uncle Jason or Uncle Matthew, so you must be my daddy. Mommy said he had to go on a trip but he'll be back soon." Zach said in a rush. She was surprised that he was so talkative. He was usually so taciturn around strangers.
"Really?" Hunter said, giving Ruby a fierce look. She looked away. And realization dawned on her. He knows. Oh God. He knows. What was she to do? She'll never be rid of him now.
"Oh yes. And he'll bring me lots and lots of presents." Zach chattered excitedly. Ruby felt like the floor under her feet was disappearing. Hunter was staring at Zach with an awestruck expression on his face. At that moment, Laura, Zach's babysitter came running into the living room. Her face morphed into a horrified expression when she saw Ruby standing in the living room.
"Oh my God. Miss Kingston, I'm so sorry. He heard your voice and he just took off before I even noticed. You know how fast Zach moves." Laura said in a rush, her face reddening.
"It's fine Laura. Please take Zach inside. I'll be with you guys shortly." Ruby said gently.
"Yes of course. Come on Zach, lets leave Mommy with her friend." Laura said, nudging Zach out of the room. He followed her without protest.
"I'll be with you soon honey." Ruby said, shuffling Zach's hair as he walked past her. At the exit of the living room, Zach turned to Hunter.
"Will you come see my daddy when he gets back?" Zach asked Hunter. Ruby saw a peculiar look cross Hunter's face. "Of course." Hunter replied, giving Zach a small smile. Zach gave Hunter a brilliant smile as Laura ushered him away, his retreating footsteps echoing in the living room.
Ruby turned to Hunter. He was no sitting anymore. He was standing by the window overlooking her small garden, his hands clasped behind his back. She could see the tension in his shoulders and arms, his muscles straining the cloth of his white dress shirt. It was so silent Ruby could hear the nervous beating of her heart.
"Hunter?" she called out in a small voice. She could not stand the silence anymore. It was suffocating. He held up his hand to silence her. She shut her mouth immediately.
After what seemed like minutes, he turned to face her, slowly. His eyes hard and narrow. She sucked in a breath.
"Ruby, is he mine?" he asked, menacingly.
"Yes." she said in a small voice.