Excited wouldn't even begin to describe it. He got the job. Both he and Fen got the job. Things couldn't have gone better for them.
Originally he was just going to be working. Things changed after a conversation with Fen, something that would decide their future for however long he went to college.
A week ago
He had putted it off for a full week now, but it needed to be brought up. Rue wanted to know Fen's thoughts, and place on things.
That's why they found themselves sitting outside by the pool, feet slightly kicking through in the pool.
"I found a job to pay for college. With how much college tuition is I'll have to work a lot. I'll think I'll go up to the admission first to see if I can get student support first." Rue blurted, staring at Fen's side profile.
Fen didn't answer immediately, his gaze focus on their feet that touched in the water. The silence stretching until he spoke. "That sounds like a good plan."
Rue shoved Fen, a pout on his face. "Did you seriously have to dragged it on that long. There was no need to be silent that long. Just for you to say that."
"Sorry. I was thinking about something." Fen waved off the shove, leaning back close to Rue.
They fell into a comfortable silence. The water at their feet, the wind in their air, and the smell of grass around them was perfect.
It lasted awhile before Rue broke it with another question.
"Are you going to college? You can finally get your degree. If choose to go I can pay for us, or we can work together." Rue offered, moving his gaze to the surrounding trees.
Fen smiled at his care. He was glad to know Rue would always care for him no matter what. "Let's work together. No need to burden yourself for me."
"Deal."
Present time
As shameful as it is to admit they was running late when they finally arrived at the cafe. It didn't matter that they took in the fact that traffic would be stopped up, they was still late.
Immediately they got changed out, Rue wasting not time getting behind the counter as Fen went to the back to cook.
With his multiple past jobs Rue seamlessly did his job to near perfection.
It was overwhelming at first. It had more to do with him not being able to handle the people than it was not being able to do the orders perfectly.
They work well until sunset despite starting in the morning. The shop doesn't close for another three to four hours, but Rue had dinner plans with "family", so it has to get cut short.
Fen had the pleasure of staying, more money for him he claims.
That's how he found himself driving home to his parents for this big supposed meeting. Rue's jumping for joy at the thought of being in the same room with them again.
With how traffic was, and how he drove he made it in forty-five minutes compared to it being an hour and a half.
Rue took in the new car outside his parents house. He knew that car. It looks like his grandparents paid are finally paying a visit.
If there here it means that she is here.
Rue's mouth curled into a smile. He had to force himself to suppress it for the time being. It looks like dinner is going to be more fun.
Only one person was missing the great show.
Rue swung open the doors of his childhood home dramatically, stepping through like he owned it.
"Young master, welcome back." The butler bowed his head, hiding his hate and disgust away from Rue.
Rue had to stop himself from sneering at him offering the old man an polite nod. "Good to see you Jefferson."
"Same to you."
'Sure if is' Rue mentally praised the man for at least trying to hide his hate. Only he could have done it better. Even a child would be able to call out his hate.
"Where's my parents?"
"In the common room, young master." He though Rue could walk there on his own Jefferson let him to the common room as if he was a criminal.
If only they knew his crimes. There's more than one.
Rue stepped into the common room bringing the attention to himself. As expected she was here.
He scanned the open room, briefly glancing at everyone before stopping on who he was the most excited to see.
"Val! I missed you." Rue opened his arms for a hug. The little girl name Val didn't move, she looked away from Rue slightly pulling on the ends of her black hair.
She was a complete comply of Liana. Like mother like daughter. Only one of them stayed Rue's favorite, despite both of them not liking him.
"Val, it's okay. It's just Rue. You remember Rue right?" Declan wrapped his arm around the younger girl's shoulder as Rue dropped his arms looking at her sympathetically.
"I- I remember."
"Give the girl a break. She just got out the hospital." The old man sitting in the corner snapped, eyes narrowed in Declan's direction.
The old man was protective over the only grandchild he claims. She was a sensitive girl, but she had a pure heart. He spoiled her rotten along with his wife.
"I understand. Val, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to overstep. I'm sorry to grandfather I should have been more careful of her condition. Rue apologizes, bowing to both of them. With his head bowed no one could see the smile taking over his face.
He was too amused with everything. He didn't realize he traumatized her so much. She is a bit dramatic with the whole woe is me.
He didn't even do much.
The old man just stared at Rue with distain, hiding his suspicion. No one knew what he and his wife knew. The name repeatedly screams out in horror at night.
They didn't hear the way she apologize over, and over. The way she slammed her head against the floor begging for forgiveness as he body trembled in fear.
No one knew, but them. He planned to keep it that way, because he has no proof on what Rue did.
The moment he does he's going to murder him for harming his precious granddaughter.
"Rue, please sit. You're a guest you shouldn't have to stand." The old woman beside the man say, looking at Rue with kindness.
Rue smile was long gone when he finished bowing, he took a seat closer to the door, remembering to thank her. "Thank you, grandma."
It didn't escape Rue of her reminding him of his place. A guest. It's not his home as it always would have been. He's now a guest. To them he's not even a family member anymore.
The show of unity is sweet to the outside, the daggers they hold to Rue hidden behind their backs from people who wished to see an old money family like theirs fall.
"What's with the meeting?" Rue questions, finally getting to the heart of why he's really here.
"We heard our grandson was going to college. One of the best colleges at that so we got you a gift." The old woman says, smiling sweetly at him.
"Really? Thank you, grandma. You didn't have to that."
They all was playing a role. A role written out for them. Everyone in the room was snake, ready to bite any unspecting person. The unexpecting person being Rue. Except he knows what they truly are.
They could hide their knives behind their backs, he would do the same. After all everything's a game. Whoever loses falls.
It was something Rue was use to. Everyone wants to see him fall. Always enemy never a ally.
"I told her as much. The gift is way too much to accept." Liana adds, crossing her legs as she acted out her lines with perfection. Right expression, and all.
"Nothing is too much for our grandkids. We did the same for Ollie, and Declan." The old man counters, gesturing to Declan who was still holding a terrified Val who was slowly curling in on herself.
"What's the gift?" He wanted them to get to the point. After all a next play was going to start. "If I may ask."
"An apartment near your college. We also decided to pay your tuition and rent. Now all you should do is focus on school" The woman added, standing up with her cane to make her way to Rue.
"This is for you." She didn't even let him reach out before dropping the key into his lap, retaking her seat.
"Thank you, grandma." Rue smiled tucking the key into his pocket. "I should be leaving now. I should tell my friend we can pack and leave our small place. The bills was getting a bit expensive for us."
"That's why you got a job?" Sebastian ask, gesturing to Rue's clothing.
Rue looked down in real surprise. He didn't realize he didn't change out of his work clothes. Weakly he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Yeah. Before you say anything I didn't want to ask you for money. I want to earn it on my own."
"It's good that you're taking responsibility." Double meaning.
"I always do." Rue replied to his beloved father, staring at him before looking away.
Rue stood crossing the room to crouched in front of Val, immediately taking her attention considering she was already looking at the floor.
He even went the extra mile to taking her hand in his, lightly squeezing it.
"Hi, Val. I'm leaving now. If you need anything just say it. I'm here for you."
Val stared at him in horror, her grip loose around his tight one. Her mouth parted as if she was going to say something.
Rue waited patiently smiling at her sweetly. To outsiders beside the suspicious grandparents he would look like he truly care and wanted to do anything for his little sister. That couldn't be farther from the truth.
It was a dare.
He was daring her to say something about what happened here, and now. For Rue he wants to see her position on things. He wanted to know if he needed to take more measures to keep her mouth shut about what happened.
Then again it's not like much will change. Except her and whoever she told possibly dying by his hand.
"T-thank you, big brother. I don't need anything." Val's voice was weak from disuse and constantly screaming out her lungs.
"Okay. I'll visit you every week now that I'm back." Rue watched as despair filled her eyes. He destroyed any and all hope of him not being in her life again.
Rue took back his hands from her facing everyone else. "I'm leaving now. See you later?" The last part came out like a question, because it truly was one.
He'll never know when he'll see or won't see them. They call on him so suddenly.
They all said their fake goodbye's acting if they truly cared to the bitter end. Rue left the place in the good mood.
Dear Valeria was back afterall. He almost forgot about her until today.
Things have gotten for fun now that he was back. He might consider staying longer after college now.
Rue hummed to a song on the radio as he drove home.
All that was left was one.