2. This is my final decision
1450 Words
Maya's face turned pale when she saw an unfamiliar girl in a wedding gown emerging from James' bedroom in his private suite.
"Who are you?" she asked, her voice tinged with insecurity.
"I'm Ruby Jason," Ruby replied calmly.
Maya swallowed nervously and looked at James. "Who is she, James? What’s she doing here?" she demanded, her voice shaky.
"Don't get the wrong idea. He’s just letting me stay here for a bit," Ruby said.
Maya still looked panicked. James said in his deep voice, "She's Benjamin Harris' fiancée."
Maya quickly put the pieces together and turned to Ruby. "You ran away from your wedding?"
Ruby nodded. "Your husband did me a favor by saving me from Benjamin. He's hiding me here."
"But why'd you run?" Maya asked, still confused.
Ruby sighed. "The reason I ran away is just as big as your problem. I think we can help each other."
Maya and James exchanged glances.
Ruby stepped towards Maya and said, "I’ll have the child for you, and then I’ll disappear from your life."
It was surprising how Ruby could say something so painful so easily. James frowned and walked to the bar counter, pouring himself a whiskey and gulping it in a deep breath.
Maya squinted her eyes. "Do you know what you’re saying? It’s a big decision. I won’t let you come back to this city. You’ll be silenced forever."
Ruby smiled sadly. "I know. I’m ready to do anything."
Maya understood that Ruby wanted to make a deal. "What do you want?" she asked seriously.
Ruby glanced at James' back and swallowed hard. "You’ll protect me from Benjamin until I give birth. And..."
"And?"
"My mom is in his hands."
James turned to look at Ruby.
Ruby sadly lowered her head. "I know what you’re thinking. I don’t want money. I can earn. All I want to get my mother out of his grip, and then I'd go away forever. And no one other than James can help me with this."
Yang City, commonly referred to as James' City, was a commercial centre. Nothing took place there without his consent. Benjamin's wealth and influence would not be enough to overcome James. Ruby believed that this deal was her greatest chance.
Maya's face darkened as she turned to face James. She grasped his hand. "James..."
"f**k off!" James stormed out of the hotel room, leaving Maya and Ruby in tense silence.
"Are you sure you can do this?" Maya asked.
Ruby nodded.
Maya called her assistant, "Simona, bring the contract."
Ruby had the contract in front of her within one hour. Leaning back on the couch, Maya put a pen on the table and spoke in a chilly tone. "Read it closely before you sign. The penalty for breaking it is way more than you can handle."
Ruby stared at the blank space where her signature was required. Her mind was racing with thoughts, and her heart was becoming more and more burdened every second. However, she finally recalled her mother's face. As she picked up the pen, a coating of tears formed in her eyes.
Maya appeared relaxed as she lit a cigarette and blew the smoke into the air.
"I want you to have a kid within a year. If you can’t get pregnant in three months, the contract’s off. Until then, you and James will stay at his farmhouse. Doctors will check on you regularly, and you’ll be taken care of in every way."
Seeing Ruby silent, Maya said, "Thirty crore won. An apartment and flight tickets. But keep in mind, you won't ever need to return here."
Ruby signed the contract and placed the pen on the table. "I agree."
Maya smirked and picked up the contract, checking each signature. "Then I'll take care of you and your mother."
She extinguished her cigarette and left the suite. Ruby closed her teary eyes and slumped back. In just three hours, her life had completely changed.
After an hour, Ruby realised that everything had changed except for her name. A new location, new attire, a new phone, a new bed... She was taken far from Yang City to James' isolated farmhouse. With a lavish bedroom, a modern kitchen, a large garden, a calm pond, a beautiful pool, and all the contemporary conveniences one could want, the villa was enormous.
Three nights passed and James was still nowhere to be seen. She was well aware that James didn't like his wife's decision. Still, she harbored a glimmer of hope that Maya would convince him. It was night four. Her loneliness appeared to be echoed by the luxurious silence of the villa. Ruby stood by the window, watching the moon cast silvery reflections on the pond as midnight drew near and James was nowhere to be seen. She was about to turn in for the night when she noticed a car arriving at the villa and driving up in front of the entrance. With the moonlight bathing the villa grounds, James gracefully stepped out of his sleek black car. Dressed in a perfectly tailored black shirt and trousers. His long frame moved with a confident stride. As he approached, the soft glow from the villa's lights highlighted his strong profile and the intensity in his red eyes.
He couldn't see Ruby standing close to the window and entered the bedroom right away.
Ruby plucked up the bravery to gently knock on the bedroom door.
"..."
She entered the room, steeling herself. In front of her eyes stood the tall, good-looking man with his back.
She whispered, "James," scarcely raising her voice above a whisper.
"..."
Ruby paused a few steps from him, uncertain of where to begin.
"I had no choice," she said at last. "I'm sorry."
"This decision has knocked you down in my eyes for good." His voice was husky as he spoke.
"Maybe this is what's best for both of us."
"Get out!!" James clenched his jaw so tight. "If I knew this was how I'd repay you for saving my life, I'd rather be dead," he growled, his words like ice.
She reached out, pleading. "Don't say that, James," she whispered, her hand trembling.
He shoved her away roughly. "Don't touch me," he spat, his eyes blazing with fury.
Ruby's heart sank. "Don't hate me, James," she begged, her voice breaking.
"You ran from your wedding, and now you're here, agreeing to this like some kind of w***e?" James shouted, his words sharp and cruel.
Ruby fought back tears, swallowing her pain. "Fine, then treat me like one," she shot back, her voice quivering with pain.
James, lost in anger and alcohol, lashed out. His hand cracked against her cheek.
SLAP!!
Ruby stood there, her cheek stinging from his slap. Tears welled up as she pleaded, "James, please..."
James couldn't contain his rage any longer. He grabbed her wrist and dragged her towards the door. "Get out of here, and don't ever show your face to me again, or I'll lose it."
He shoved her through the doorway and slammed the door shut before she could say another word.
"James! James!" Ruby banged on the door, hoping he would open it, but there was only silence from inside. She leaned against the door, tears streaming down her face. The cold winds chilled Ruby to the bone, turning her body numb as she huddled in a corner by the door. All night long, tears streamed down her face. She had no warm clothes, no mobile and there was nowhere she could go.
The farmhouse sat in a remote, quiet location.
James awoke with a jolt, the last of the alcohol from the previous night still pounding in his head. Recalling the heated clash with Maya brought reality crashing in. When James picked up his phone off the bedside table and dialled Maya's number, the automated message's icy voice said, "The number you have dialed is currently unreachable."
There was a message from Maya: "For three months, you have to stay there with Ruby. I'll be at my mother's. We won't speak during this time, James. This is my final decision."
"f**k!" James hurled the phone across the room. He knew Maya's judgment all too well; having a child had always been her deepest desire. He knew Maya wouldn't easily change her mind. Quickly leaving everything behind, James got ready to go to the company.
James walked confidently out of the bedroom, his tall figure radiating confidence. Dressed in a sharp white shirt and well-fitting black trousers, he strode with a commanding presence to the main door.
As soon as he opened the door and walked outside, his face flushed, and his eyes widened an instant.
- Writer
