60 Nights with a Billionaire

1. Can I help you?

It is said, that whenever you're faced with a decision-making dilemma, it's usually wise to go with your gut. When Ruby Jason ran away from her wedding, she did what she had always done: trust her heart. Unaware of the challenges ahead, she followed her gut again. She didn't realize, though, that her heart would break this time, and she wouldn't know if she could ever trust it again.

The chandeliers overhead create glittering reflections on the marble floors. Clutching her white bridal gown, Ruby Jason hurried across the vast lobby of the five-star hotel. Despite her rapid and shallow breathing and racing heart, she didn’t stop. She rushed ahead out of fear and desperation to find a place to hide. Her fast steps reverberated throughout the exquisite area as she dashed in the direction of the top floor, peering behind with a mounting sense of fear. Behind her, she could hear Benjamin and his guards approaching with thudding footsteps. When she got to the hotel's top floor, there was nowhere else to go. On the left, there was only one door. She could not get away as the sound of shoes got louder. Desperately, she banged on the door.

When she discovered it was already open, she immediately entered the suite and shut the door behind her. She leaned against the door, breathing heavily and placing her palm over her mouth to be quiet. She could hear that her pursuers had already reached the floor. Their voices resonated as they discussed finding her.

"Where’d she go?"

"I swear we saw her run this way."

"Did she just vanish or something?"

"There’s no way out from here. She’s gotta be hiding." Benjamin's warnings were direct and aggressive.

“Get out! Leave me alone!” a deep voice suddenly commanded from the dark room.

Ruby looked around, trying to see who it was, but the room was pitch black.

“After all you've said, what more could you want now that you’ve come back?” the voice continued.

Ruby couldn’t see anyone, but the strong smell of alcohol and smoke filled the air. Her heavy breaths were loud in the silent room, giving away her presence.

“I said, get out!” the man roared, smashing a glass on the ground.

“Please help me!” Ruby's voice trembled with fear.

After a second, the lights came on. Ruby's worry and anxiety vanished as she noticed a familiar man standing in front of her.

She was shocked.

It was James Miller.

“Ruby!” he exclaimed, shocked to see her after a year, standing in a bridal gown, sweaty and panting and appearing helpless.

James was highly inebriated but just as attractive as he was a year before. His large dark eyes had become red from drinking, and his thick hair was a tangle. Wearing a white shirt, he looked like a prince as usual. His half-rolled sleeves showed green veins, and his silver watch glistened on his wrist.

Ruby's heart rate decreased as she heard her name in his rich, sensual voice. She was relieved that he still recognized her after all these time.

James approached her with a shaky step. His strong, male aroma penetrated the overwhelming odor of booze and smoke, reaching her nostrils.

"Watch all the hotel exits—she can't get out. You guys head downstairs and look for her; I'll check up here." Benjamin's voice echoed from outside. Ruby could hear him and snapped back to the present.

“James, please help me. Hide me somewhere,” she pleaded.

“You ran away from your wedding?” Seeing her in a wedding gown, he asked in his heavy voice.

“I can't explain just now. Just hide me,” Ruby pleaded.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Ruby grabbed James' hands and begged with tears in her eyes, “James, please. Hide me. I’d rather die than marry him. Please save me.”

James glared at the door, then said in his hoarse voice, “Go inside.”

Ruby entered the bedroom without pausing. James drew a deep breath and opened the door. Both men recognized each other immediately. Both were well-known in the corporate sector.

James arched an eyebrow and inquired in a raspy tone, "I heard your wedding is today at this hotel. You are also sporting a great suit. Why are you pounding on my door?

"I'm looking for my fiancée," Benjamin explained coldly.

James snorted sarcastically, "You've come to my suite looking for your fiancée?"

"She is a little playful. Even on her wedding day, she prefers to play hide and seek. I just want to see whether she is hiding here."

"This is my hotel. No one is allowed on the top floor, which is my private suite. Return to the wedding. Maybe you'll find her among the guests," James stated firmly, closing the door in Benjamin's face, making him feel insulted. He lit a cigarette, activated the door camera, and observed Benjamin departing the floor. Then he walked into the bedroom. Ruby stood beside the bed, terrified and panting.

"He's gone," James muttered, blowing smoke out of his mouth.

Ruby stumbled onto the bed, hid her face in her hands, and wailed.

James sat near Ruby and gently said, "Is Benjamin Harries your fiancé?"

Ruby wiped away tears and nodded quietly.

"He is a billionaire with a solid family history. Why don't you want to marry him?" James inquired.

Ruby closed her eyes, lowered her head, and took a deep breath. The question weighed heavily on her heart.

"Do you love someone else?" James questioned softly.

Hearing his question, Ruby lifted her tear-filled eyes and looked at him earnestly. It was the same question James had asked her a year ago. Back then, she couldn't answer it, and now, faced with it again, all she could express was the tears in her eyes and the sadness on her face.

As Ruby remained mute, James rose and approached the bar counter. He lit a cigarette, the smoke swirling about him as he slid one hand inside his pocket.

"Well, he's gone now. You don't have to be afraid," he said coldly. Ruby wiped her tears and stood up, her eyes searching his face.

"When did you start smoking and drinking?" Ruby asked softly.

"I don't remember," James replied curtly.

"Are you feeling any better now?" she pressed gently.

"I don't care," he admitted, taking a drag from his cigarette.

Ruby continued to gaze at his cold back, "You seem worried. What’s going on?"

“I’m not your patient anymore. What good would it be if you knew?" he said, flicking his cigarette ash into the tray.

She managed a sad smile. "I may not be able to look after you anymore, but I can always pray for your well-being."

He smirked cynically. "You really think praying works?"

"If you pray with sincerity, you can achieve anything.”

"Then pray for yourself." James said, pouring himself a glass of whiskey.

"Oh, and Benjamin's guys are watching all the exits. He’s not gonna let you leave the hotel,” he said, his voice bland but resigned. “You can stay here for a while if you want. Call your boyfriend or whatever.”

James left her alone in the bedroom, and she heard the door quietly close behind him. Ruby stood for a time, gathering her thoughts. She looked around the room before walking to the couch. She sat down, sighing heavily, and closed her eyes.

James had intervened to save Ruby from Benjamin, igniting hope that he might help her further. However, as she watched him, he appeared to be engrossed in his problems, disconnected from their past from a year ago. Ruby gave a bittersweet smile as she realized James was unlikely to be interested in her current situation.

James was standing on the balcony outside, watching the city lights sparkle below. He slowly sipped the whiskey. After a while, he received a call from his assistant informing him that Benjamin's men had left the hotel. James chose to let Ruby know she could go safely.

When he entered the bedroom, he discovered Ruby dozing off on the couch, her eyes closed and her legs hugged. It reminded him of the times he slept peacefully with his head resting on her lap. He chose not to bother her because he greatly appreciated all that she had given him in his worst moments. As he turned to leave the room quietly, he heard the beep of the suite's door unlocking.

A stunning woman came in.

James knew who it was, so he didn't turn around. She was the only other person with access to this suite.

"James," her voice was soft but carried sadness.

He stared out the window, smoking his cigarette, still unhappy with their previous arguments. "Why are you here, again?" he asked coldly.

Maya stepped closer, gently resting her hand on his back. "I got angry, and I don’t even remember half of what I said! Can’t you just forgive me, James?" she pleaded.

James stood silent.

"I couldn’t leave. I thought we should just sit and talk it out," she continued.

"There’s nothing left to talk about," he replied, walking away.

"James, Dad just announced in a press conference that if we don’t have a kid within a year, he’ll kick you out of the company," Maya said sadly.

"Before he kicks me out of the Miller empire, I’ll quit."

"If you go along with my plan, everything will be fine, James," Maya insisted.

"I’m not just gonna sleep with someone else to have a kid,” he shouted angrily, turning away and breathing heavily. “Even if it means being thrown out of this world, not just the company!"

Maya rested her forehead on his back, sighing deeply. "Do you think this is easy for me too, James?"

"Then why are you trying to force me into this?" he asked, frustrated.

"I can’t let you lose everything because of me. If I could get pregnant, we wouldn’t be in this mess," she said, holding his hands and urging him, "Please… Just hear me out, James."

"And even if I do, where exactly are you gonna find a girl who’ll have a kid and then just vanish?" he scoffed.

"Need some help?" a distant voice interrupted them. They turned and saw Ruby standing in the bedroom doorway.