Ruby dashed into her office, her face flushed and her heart pounding as she flung her bag onto her desk. She could still picture the scene from Arnold's penthouse: Chloé draped across the couch, lounging around as if she owned the place. The thought made Ruby's stomach twist with an unfamiliar jealousy she couldn't shake.
Not a moment later, Kiko hurried into her office, worry etched across his face. "Ruby, what's wrong?" he asked, scanning her face for any hint of an answer.
"It's nothing," she replied tersely, her voice sharper than she intended. She avoided his gaze, hoping he'd drop it, but Kiko wasn't convinced.
"Nothing?" he repeated, crossing his arms and studying her carefully. "I know you too well, Ruby. Spill."
Ruby sighed, knowing Kiko wouldn't relent. "Fine, if you must know… I just came from Arnold's apartment."
"Okayyy…" Kiko replied, his eyebrow raised. "And?"
"I… I met his ex-girlfriend there," Ruby admitted, barely able to keep the bitterness from her tone.
Kiko's eyes widened. "Wait, which one of them?" he asked, before catching her glare and instantly realizing he'd overstepped. "Sorry!" he added quickly, flashing her an apologetic grin.
"Chloé," Ruby said, her voice flat.
Kiko gasped. "Ohhh, Chloé! The actress and model! She's so famous! And so sexy!" He went on, oblivious to Ruby's rising annoyance. "I'd sell my soul to go on a date with her—she's a goddess!"
Ruby shot him a look that could've killed. Kiko finally noticed and shut up, putting his hands up defensively. "Okay, okay, I'll stop! I'm sorry, Ruby. Seriously."
"Leave my office," she said, practically shoving him out the door, her patience fraying.
"I didn't mean anything by it!" he pleaded as she nudged him into the hallway. "I was just saying—"
"Kiko, out!"
Once the door shut, Ruby leaned against it, exhaling a heavy breath. She'd spent the whole weekend trying to ignore her feelings for Arnold, convincing herself they were nothing more than co-parents with a mutual goal. But seeing Chloé at his place had shaken her, stirring up emotions she wasn't ready to face. She was the mother of his child, technically even his wife… but that didn't mean he owed her anything beyond that. Right?
Ruby shook her head, forcing herself to focus. She moved to her desk, where files and paperwork were piled high, a testament to the busy week ahead. Just as she settled into her chair, her landline rang, snapping her from her thoughts.
"Yes?" she answered, her tone brisk.
"Ma'am, there's a guest demanding to speak with you," came the shaky voice of the front receptionist. Ruby could hear a voice in the background, loud and indignant.
"What about your supervisor?" Ruby replied, trying to mask her irritation.
"She's on maternity leave, ma'am," the receptionist explained, her voice barely containing her nerves. "I'm really sorry, but the guest is refusing to wait any longer."
Ruby sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Alright, I'm coming."
She pushed her chair back, straightening her blazer as she prepared herself mentally. She'd earned her position by handling tough situations and difficult customers, and today would be no different.
As the elevator doors opened and she stepped into the lobby, Ruby spotted the familiar figure, a silhouette she'd hoped never to see again. Her heart sank, and she froze, a wave of panic washing over her. Standing in the center of the lobby, arms crossed and a haughty expression plastered across her face, was none other than her stepmother, Margaret Miller.
Before she could slip away unnoticed, the front receptionist called out, "Miss Ruby Miller?"
Ruby felt her stomach drop as she turned slowly, meeting her stepmother's gaze. Margaret's face shifted from surprise to an unmistakable sneer, her gaze cold and calculating.
"Ruby," Margaret drawled, her voice dripping with disdain. "It's been too long."
Ruby swallowed, fighting to keep her composure. "Margaret. What are you doing here?"
Margaret tilted her head, looking Ruby up and down as if she were sizing her up. "Well, I had business nearby and thought I'd book a room in this trashy hotel" she replied, her tone condescending.
Ruby clenched her jaw, feeling her pulse race. "You still haven't changed a bit."
Margaret gave a dismissive wave, glancing around the lobby with a look of distaste. "My, how far you've come," she murmured. "Working at a hotel. I would've thought you'd have returned home by now, but I suppose you're still… wandering."
Ruby forced herself to keep her voice steady. "I'm exactly where I want to be, Margaret. Do you want a room or not?"
Margaret's lips curved into a cruel smile. "I just thought you should know that your father is… disappointed in you. He'd hoped you'd come back and finally accept your place in the family."
Ruby's chest tightened, but she refused to let Margaret see how much her words hurt.
"Wow. Margaret as you can see, I'm happy on my own."
"Oh, really?" Margaret's eyes glinted with a cold satisfaction. "Because from where I stand, it looks like you're struggling to make ends meet in a dead-end job."
Ruby felt a surge of anger rise within her, but she managed to keep her tone calm. "Margaret it looks like you don't need to book a room. I'll advise you leave or I call security to move you"
Margaret clicked her tongue, feigning sympathy. "You know, Ruby, it's not too late to return home. I'm...I'm your mother...we miss you " she said to thechearing of everyone around.
"Margaret don't call yourself my mother!" Ruby replied sharply. "Please leave."
For a moment, Margaret's expression faltered, a flicker of frustration in her eyes. But she quickly masked it, her smile returning.
"Well, it was nice catching up," she said, her voice laced with insincerity. "But remember, Ruby—you'll always be an empty child of a miserable mistress" she whispered to her ears.
Ruby took a deep breath, refusing to let Margaret's words get under her skin. She'd worked too hard, come too far, to let her stepmother's bitterness ruin her progress. "Goodbye, Margaret."
Without waiting for a response, Ruby turned on her heel and walked away, her head held high. As she moved back toward the elevator, she could feel Margaret's gaze burning into her back, but she didn't look back.
Once inside the elevator, Ruby let out a shaky breath, her emotions a mix of anger and sadness. She hadn't realized how much Margaret's words would sting, how they'd bring up memories she thought she'd buried long ago. Memories of never being accepted, always feeling like she didn't belong.
When the elevator doors opened back to her office floor, Kiko was waiting for her, his face etched with concern. "Ruby, are you okay?" he asked softly, sensing something was wrong.
Ruby forced a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "my step mother just made a scene at the reception lobby"
"You mean the witch came here?" He gasped dramatically.
Ruby nodded.
"If I were downstairs, she would definitely be catching my hands" kiko punched the air.
His theatrics made Ruby laugh.
He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "If you ever need to talk, you know I'm here."
Ruby nodded, grateful for his support. "Thanks, Kiko. I appreciate it."
As she walked back into her office, she felt a newfound determination settle within her. She wasn't going to let Margaret's words shake her. She'd come too far to let anyone, especially her stepmother, make her doubt herself.
She'd show them all that she was stronger than they ever gave her credit for.