Ruby was able to find a babysitter for her daughter Ariel.
As Ruby arrived at the party in the silk red dress that hung lightly around her figure, a small group of men that stood by the door of the penthouse apartment turned their head to gaze at her.
"Oh my God you came!" Kiko rushed to her, dressed casually in a velvet shirt and leather trousers to match. "And You look so gooood Ruby. I have never seen you look this good"
Ruby shot him a look.
"Ooops"
The birthday party was held in a penthouse suite which pulsed with the sounds of bass-heavy music, dim lighting, and a grand view of the city lights below.
Kiko spotted his friend—the one who'd invited them—and darted over to him, leaving Ruby by herself.
"I'm sorry girrrllll" she spawn over to his friend.
"Okay, I'll be fine," she murmured to herself.
Taking a deep breath, she reached for a glass of champagne from a nearby server and took a sip to steady her nerves. But just as she started to relax, she felt someone close by.
"Alcohol?" came a deep, smooth voice from beside her.
Turning, Ruby's eyes widened as she saw him—Arnold Aagaard. The man she'd encountered in the hotel, the one who'd spilled coffee all over her and then proceeded to bring a bouquet of flowers. She had no idea he'd be here, and instantly, suspicion flared.
"Are you following me?" Ruby demanded, stepping back with a look of incredulity.
Arnold chuckled, taken aback but amused.
"How am I stalking you in my own apartment?" He raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips.
"Wait…" Ruby's mouth fell open slightly as she glanced around the extravagant space, taking in the grand decor, the towering bookshelves, and the panoramic view. "This is your place?"
"Indeed it is," Arnold replied, his eyes twinkling with a mixture of pride and amusement.
Ruby stared at him in pure confusion, her pride was broken.
"I..I.. I didnt know" she murmured, her gaze turned to Kiko was gave her a knowing wink. He knew all along it was Arnold Aagaard's birthday part. Who needs friends when you have Kiko!
"That it was my birthday party?" He finished her question with a faint smile. "I didnt see you as a party crasher"
Ruby's eyes went wide again. "I'm not a party crasher!"
Arnold nodded, then leaned slightly closer, his voice lowering. "Or were you just stalking me"
Ruby fought to keep her expression neutral, but inside, she felt a strange mix of confusion and tension.
"Wha...aaat?"
Arnold chuckled, sensing her unease but deciding to take a gentler approach. "Am I wrong?" he said, giving her a charming, disarming smile.
"In fact, I'm glad you're here. I've been wanting to have a proper conversation with you. About that day we bumped into each other at the hotel."
Ruby tensed, glancing away as she searched for an excuse to deflect the topic. "It was just a…coincidence."
"Perhaps," he replied smoothly. "But if there's one thing I've learned, it's that some coincidences are worth exploring."
She met his gaze, her defenses high. "I don't believe in coincidences," she replied coolly, though her pulse was racing.
Arnold's smirk softened as he studied her for a moment.
"Then maybe fate is giving us a push in each other's direction."
She raised an eyebrow. "Or maybe you just wrong" she shot back, a tiny hint of a smile finally breaking through her guard.
Arnold laughed, genuinely amused.
"Touché, Ma'am" He lifted his glass to her in a playful toast.
Ruby rolled her eyes, suppressing a grin as she clinked her glass with his. "It's Ruby" She said as she took a sip.
"So, if this is your birthday party, then why aren't you celebrating?" she asked.
Arnold shrugged. "I have everything I could need, but celebrations have never been my style. The party's more for my friends and business associates."
She studied him, wondering if this was just another layer to the enigma he seemed to be. He was charismatic but guarded, like there was something hidden behind that suave exterior. It intrigued her, though she wasn't about to let him know that.
"Well, maybe you should enjoy yourself more. What's the point of a party if the host doesn't have fun?"
Arnold raised his glass, conceding the point. "You might be right." He paused, as if weighing his next words carefully. "Then maybe you can help me enjoy it."
The invitation hung in the air, and Ruby felt her cheeks warm, though she tried to play it cool. "Are you asking me to dance?"
He extended his hand, his gaze steady and inviting. "Only if you want to."
Ruby hesitated for a moment, her thoughts racing. But for some reason, in that moment, she felt daring. She placed her hand in his, letting him lead her onto the dance floor.
The music was soft and intimate, a slow melody that filled the space between them as they moved in tandem. Ruby was hyper-aware of his touch, his hand on the small of her back, his warm breath as he murmured, "You're a natural at this."
She looked up at him, trying to mask the flicker of emotion she felt. "I haven't danced in years."
"Could've fooled me," he said, his tone sincere. "Maybe it's just who you are."
Ruby felt a pang of vulnerability, the words hitting closer to home than he probably realized. "People change," she replied, her voice barely audible above the music.
"Sometimes," Arnold agreed. "But the best parts of us? They stay."
She looked away, focusing on the rhythm, on anything that wasn't him. The vulnerability he seemed to see in her felt too raw, too exposed. But despite herself, she couldn't deny the draw she felt toward him, the strange familiarity of his presence, even if it made no sense.