Chapter 19
1026 Words
Chapter 19
Clara's POV
"Are you okay?", my secretary blinked up at me, a worried expression plastered across her face.
"Yes. I'm fine."
"You've been a bit absent minded ever since lunchtime."
"I'm fine", I frowned, growing irritated. "Any update?"
"Uh, yes. Maxwell came to visit. He brought flowers."
"Maxwell, huh?"I faced her, not quite sure what to make out of her words. I never knew Maxwell was on a first name basis with my secretary. I had barely even witnessed a proper interaction between them.
"Mr. Hunter", she threw me a wobbly smile. "My bad."
I made a mental note to reach out to Maxwell as soon as possible. "Anything else?"
"Umm, oh. There's a lady waiting for you in your office."
"You let a stranger into my office?!"
She faltered for a second before regaining her composure. "No. Well, according to her, she's a friend."
I raised a brow at this. "She tells you she's a friend and you automatically believe she is? How many 'friends' have you ever seen me with?"
"None", she looked down in shame. "I'm sorry. I just thought..."
"Well, you thought wrong", I glared before rushing over to my office.
If there's one thing I've learnt, it's that a lot of rival companies will do absolutely anything to bring their competitors down. I have been careful for this long, I won't let a little slip-up from a careless secretary ruin my streak.
The moment I barged into the office and caught the back view of the intruder, my demeanor shifted. It couldn't be...
"Ruby?", I called out.
Ruby turned to me, her eyes shining with pride and a bit of unshed tears. "Clara."
Without thinking any further, I rushed towards her, throwing myself at my best friend. Ruby was waiting with wide arms, squeezing me tightly.
"I can't believe you're here", I shut my eyes, letting my guard down for the first time in years. Ruby was my only safe space.
"I can't believe I'm here either", she chuckled, her fingers stroking my hair.
After maintaining the hug for a few more seconds, we broke apart and I finally had the chance to take in her features. Ruby was still as beautiful as I remember, same dark makeup and bold hair highlights- she was currently rocking purple streaks.
"What are you doing here?"I asked wide-eyed, positive that my eyes were deceiving me. "You never said you were coming. In fact, you weren't replying to my texts."
"About that...", Ruby chuckled. "I was on social media sabbatical and I forgot to mention it to you before shutting down my messaging app", she rolled her eyes. "You know what? That's not important. What is important is that I'm here."
"Yas!!!", I beamed. "s**t! What do I offer you?"
"Tea", she shrugged.
We remained in silence for a few seconds before bursting out in an uncontrollable laughter. "I can't believe I almost fell for that."
"You're becoming rusty, Miss Valmont."
"Oh, f**k off", I flipped her the middle finger.
"I'm not interested in your hospitality. I need you to tell me everything that has been going on."
"Oh. Nothing much. Just a few things here and there."
Ruby made an entire show of a feigned jaw drop. "Girl, look at this place", she flailed her arms. "This doesn't look like nothing."
"Oh please", I waved off her praises. "I'm just...trying to survive."
Ruby's smile dimmed. "Seriously though. How are you holding up?"
"I don't know. I honestly don't", I drew invisible lines at the surface of the table. "The company is helping a lot and I'm happier." Until Dominic came along. But I didn't add that part, knowing she'd freak out.
"And the new guy?"
"Maxwell?", I shrugged. "He's great. Perfect."
"Perfect?", Ruby raised a delicate brow. "You never considered any guy as perfect except...you know who."
"Maxwell has been a darling. He takes care of Nico and me. He's present, emotionally and otherwise."
"So, will I get to see him this time around?"
Although Ruby tries to visit as often as possible, she never had the chance to meet Maxwell yet I still find ways to fill her in on almost every single amazing thing he does. Maxwell was always out of town whenever Ruby came to visit but I was glad I'd finally introduce her to the man that had kept me mentally afloat for a few years.
"Of course", I offered her a glass of orange juice. "How long will you be staying?"
"I have a few months off work, so maybe a while."
"Great", I squealed, glad that I had someone worth speaking to. "Nico will be so glad to see you and Maxwell will adore you. You'll love him."
"Okay...", Ruby chuckled. "Calm your horses. He needs to pass my assessment before you can speak highly of him."
"Yes ma'am", I chuckled, gathering my purse and coat. "Come on", I grabbed her hand. "We'll share a room."
"I'm certain I saw like two spare bedrooms when you gave me a virtual tour of your house."
"Doesn't matter", I grinned wolfishly, feeling lighter than I've felt in a very long time. "You're with me."
On the way home, Ruby and I chattered on and on about a lot of things, catching up on the parts of our individual lives that we missed out on. Ruby was thriving in the art world and engaged to the Beta of a neighbouring pack. I was happy for her.
"There's something I may have not mentioned", I stated after a while, playing with my fingers to dispel the nervous bubbling of my stomach.
"Is something wrong?", Ruby frowned, her eyes oozing with worry.
"Dominic is here."
It took a few seconds for the words to settle and when it did, her eyes almost bulged out of her head.
"What?!! That asshole followed you here?"
"I don't think so."
"How dare he?", she fumed. "Just when you were beginning to enjoy a semblance of normalcy in your life, he decides to show himself?"
"I don't think he was aware, Ruby."
Ruby took large gulps of air, reigning in her anger. "Tell me everything."
- Writer
