Chapter 5: 4

I didn’t see Chelsea, but I received an email from her three days ago. After Ruby gave me a tour of the Empire, I realized that I needed to be more careful, this isn’t just some ordinary person I’m dealing with.

Now, we’re in her pantry, casually eating. The silence between us is comfortable until she suddenly speaks.

"Still can't believe that your brother is already dead," she said, making me stare at her.

I took a deep breath, pushing away the memories I had no intention of revisiting.

"Let's just move forward and move on. I don’t want to talk about his death anymore," I said firmly.

Ruby leaned back against the counter, arms crossed. "If you need anything, feel free to tell me. I’d gladly provide it for you," she offered.

I gave her a small nod in acknowledgment before taking a sip of my drink. The tension between us remained, thick and unreadable.

"Tell me about yourself," she said, her voice steady and unreadable.

I smirked. "Interested?" I teased, leaning slightly forward.

"Very much." Her tone was void of emotion, and she held my gaze without flinching.

I stepped closer, testing the waters, but she didn’t even move an inch. Her confidence was different, and for some reason, that only intrigued me more.

I lowered my voice to a whisper. "I am a person who likes a woman like you very much," I admitted, my lips dangerously close to her ear.

Instead of reacting the way I expected, she chuckled. "I am the kind of person who gets whatever she wants. And when I say I will make you mine, I will." I added

She pulled back just enough to look me straight in the eyes. There was no hesitation, no doubt, only a blankless one.

Ruby let out a small, amused laugh. "Are you sure about that? Me?" she asked, raising a brow.

"Yes. You." My response was immediate, checking if she will give in.

She shook her head with a smirk. "I don't think you'll ever find me interesting."

Her words piqued my curiosity even more.

"You can never woo me with your words, Sanae Delen. Sorry to disappoint, but I don’t need love. I don’t need anyone with me."

She stood up, dismissing the conversation like it was nothing more than an idle exchange. But to me, it was a declaration of war, one I fully intended to win, in order to bring her down.

I smirked. "I'll make you mine."

Without missing a beat, she grabbed an energy drink from the fridge and glanced at me with a knowing look.

"Good luck with that," she said before taking a sip and walking away.

I watched her go, my smirk never faltering. Oh, Ruby… you don’t know what you just started.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Finally, the lecture was over. I couldn't focus the entire time because my mind was occupied with figuring out how to trap her. I wouldn’t be able to execute my plan until I had her. Until she trusted me.

I was the first to leave the room. As I was about to get on my motorbike, I saw her. Should I follow her? No, it would be better to invite Cami, my best friend, for a night out. I had a hunch she was going somewhere tonight, Olympus, her usual hangout spot with her friends. How did I know? Chelsea  provided me with her details and whereabouts. I had all the information I needed.

I contacted Cami, and he arrived at Olympus almost immediately. It worked out perfectly, his sister owned the place. Fate really had a way of making things easier for me.

"Why did you suddenly want to come here tonight?" Cami asked, eyeing me curiously.

"I have someone here," I replied.

"Who?"

I subtly pointed at Ruby, who was deeply engaged in conversation with her friends, Darlene and Ashley.

Cami followed my gaze and raised an eyebrow. "That's Akio's workmate," he noted, glancing back at me. I nodded.

"I want her to be mine," I said without hesitation.

Cami chuckled, shaking his head. "Bro, as if she'd even spare you a glance. She doesn’t entertain anyone here. She just comes to drink until she’s satisfied." He leaned back and smirked. "And let me tell you, she’s a heavy smoker too. You’d never guess that she owns one of the biggest companies around. No bodyguards, no security—just her and her two best friends."

"You seem to know a lot about her," I observed.

"Of course," he replied with a knowing grin. "My sister and her? They’re kind of friends."

He stood up. "What do you want to drink?"

"Anything," I answered absentmindedly, my attention still fixed on her.

As he left to get our drinks, I studied her carefully. She was beautiful, undeniably so. But beneath that beauty was a monster. No wonder people described her that way. Alone. Lonely. A heartless bitch. And the most terrifying part? She didn’t even deny it. She knew exactly what she was. And she embraced it. That was what made her both infuriating and intriguing. It makes me pissed off.

_____________________

"So, you’ve got Akio’s sister?" I asked, lighting my cigarette.

Cami nodded.

"And she's trying to flirt with you?"

Another nod.

"Damn, that girl has some serious... what’s the word? Ah, guts," Darlene commented with an amused chuckle. "First day, and she already tried to make a move on you? Interesting."

"I don’t get it either," I muttered, exhaling smoke. "But honestly, I don’t care what she feels. I don’t want any distractions. I don’t want any strings attached." My voice was firm, unwavering.

The last thing I needed was someone getting romantically involved with me. If possible, I didn’t even want people to see me with anyone, because anyone associated with me could easily become a target. A potential victim of my enemies.

Except for these two, Darlene and Ashley.

Darlene owned a secret service agency, a direct partner of Sedes Quantum, specializing in tracking down high-level threats and the world’s most wanted cybercriminals. Meanwhile, Ashley ran the world’s largest weapon supply company, giving her access to every means of defense and attack imaginable.

"But if I were you," Ashley said, pausing with a smirk, "I’d go for it. Even if it’s just a one-night stand. I mean, look at her." She gestured toward the main topic of our conversation—Sanae.

I turned my gaze toward her, finding her in the company of Yuri’s brother.

Just then, a woman approached Sanae, clearly attempting to flirt with her. I arched an eyebrow as I watched the scene unfold.

To my surprise, I saw how effortlessly she rejected the woman. And then, as if sensing my gaze, her eyes met mine.

For a second, she looked startled. But then, her lips curled into a playful, flirtatious smile.

"She’s interested in you," Darlene remarked, watching the exchange.

"Is this it? Are we finally witnessing you getting a love life for the first time?" Ashley teased.

"Cut it out," I muttered, downing my drink. "I don’t have time for this. I don’t have time for her."

The night dragged on with them talking about nonsense, vacation plans, upcoming events, things that didn’t interest me in the slightest. All I wanted was to focus on work. Yet, throughout the evening, I could still feel her eyes on me.

It was a relief when it was finally time to leave.

Just as I stepped outside, a familiar voice called out to me.

"Heading home already, Ms. Espinosa?"

I turned to see Sanae standing there, watching me with a knowing look.

"Yes," I replied curtly.

"I can drive you home. You’ve had a lot to drink," she offered, her voice carrying a hint of concern.

I exhaled, trying to keep my patience. "I can handle myself, Sanae. My driver is already on his way."

"Then I’ll wait with you," she insisted.

I frowned. Should I be amused by her persistence or annoyed?

"Seriously, what are you up to?" I asked coldly.

She stepped closer, her eyes locking onto mine. "I told you, Ruby," she said, her voice dropping into something softer, more dangerous. "I’m going to make you mine."

Before I could react, she wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me closer.

"I’m going to make you crazy for me," she added, her lips mere inches from mine.

I stiffened. "I don’t have time for that. I don’t have time for you. Now get—"

Before I could finish, she kissed me.

For a second, I was too shocked to move.

Then, instinct took over. Her lips moved against mine, and without thinking, I responded.

But the moment I realized what I was doing, I shoved her away.

She smiled. I didn’t.

"I... I’m sorry," she murmured.

"It’s nothing," I said, my tone cold and detached. "Forget it ever happened."

Without another word, I turned and got into my car.

As I drove off, my grip on the steering wheel tightened.

Damn it, Akio. Your sister is going to get herself into trouble because of me.

This can’t happen.

No one should have seen that.

She could become a target.