Chapter 9
KUBY
She let Scott take her hand and lead her out of the building, still reeling from the embarrassment of getting caught and still – linde bu turned on by what had happened between her and Alex just minutes ago She felt Scott rubbing small circles on her hand as they walked And when they came to a stop in front of a Rolls Royer, her eyes widened and she looked to Scart In question, but he was oblivious to her shock and only opened the door for her to get in. While Scott jogged over to the alriver’s side, she looked around the exterior of the car in awe, still confused. But she decided not to overthink things Ma IINGI rented, or it could even be Scott’s car Scort hud always had an affinity for flashy things. He got in and started the car and they were on the way Ruby’s mind kept drifting back to the room upstairs. It had only been a couple hours but the day seemed so long and tiring already. And she still had to figure out how to get the money for her mother’s medical bills Obvinudy, the gentlemen’s clubs was off the table now. Sighing heavily, she turned over to look at Scott, just in time to catc his eyes flitting over to her.
“What’s going on Ruby? What made you decide to do this Scott asked.
She didn’t say a word, she was way too tired and the last thing she needed was even more judgement. But Scott wasn’t like that, she knew that Sensing her hesitation, he placed his free hand on her arm and spoke again “Ruby, you know you can tell me anything right?”
That made her break into a small smile. She could still remember the both of them being eight years old and promising to always be friends forever, and to always tell each other everything. They had even gone the extra mile and written the vows. on paper and buried it in the sand in one of the Blackwood’s vacation homes. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she recounted the entire story to Scott, pausing at intervals when it got a little too much and she felt like she would cry. Scott was patient He drove and listened silently as she told him about how her mother suddenly had an accident and went into a cama, how she was declared brain dead a few months later and how her father and brother suddenly switched up on her. She told him about her father’s new wife, and about her half sister who had become the apple of their father’s eyes and about the bills and how she was currently at a dead end.
When she was done. Scott squeezed her arm affectionately, she looked at him and saw the pained expression on his face.. “Why didn’t you come to me for help?” He asked, and then added. “I know you wouldn’t resort to this unless you were completely out of options.”
She looked down in shame and twisted her fingers around each other. “L. we we’re not that c–close, not anymore,” she sammered, unable to lift her head and look at Scott. Her cheeks were heating up in embarrassment, and she knew they were bright pink. Talready asked my father for help, even begged him. And if he can’t even help me, how could I expect you to? We haven’t seen each other in years, her voice faltered “Besides, I’ve asked every single one of my friends, and none of them could help.”
“We were once close friends too Ruby, we were best friends. I would’ve helped you regardless” Scott said.
She nodded and intertwined his fingers with hers. She looked at him with such tenderness and when he took his eyes off the road for a second to look at her, she could see the same look of affection in his eyes. She smiled at that. It was almost like things were back to normal, like she got her best friend back. Almost like they were never even apart.
“Scott, even if I did come to you for help and you agreed, you’d have helped me maybe once or twice before I became a burden. I need an enormous amount of money, and it’s not fair for me to rely on you like that”
Scott clenched his jaw the way he always did when they were kids. He always did that when trying to bite back his words. And she wondered what he was about to say.
“I’d help you unconditionally, Ruby.” He finally said.
Ruby shook her head, “I need at least fifty thousand dollars by the end of the month, and it doesn’t stop there. I’d need even indre money over time. That’s not something I can just ask of you” She knew what she was saying. It was important for her to stand on her own two feet and not trust anyone else with her mother’s life. How long could an outsider provide her with the kind of financial assistance she needed? She saw Scott open his mouth to argue but she cut him off. “We’ll discuss this later. Fin way too tired”
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6125 Tue, Oct 15
Chapter
eyes
He rolled has ryrs at her and sighed dramatically, but nodded anyway Now that they had stopped talking, she tumed her focus back on her surroundings just in time to see Scott driving into a gated community. The same confused expression remamed on her face even as he pulled up in the most magnificent mansion she had ever seen. He got out of the driver’s seat and came over to open the door for her as she sat staring in confusion.
“Where are we?” She asked as Scott closed the car door
“We’re home” He answered proudly taking her hand again to lead her towards the house. “Mom’s gonna be so excited to see you. She never stopped talking about you all these year.”
“Scott, I think you’ve got it all wrong” she attempted to explai
“What are you talking about?” Scott asked with a small frown
“Whose house is this?”
“It’s ours. Well technically, it’s Alex’s but yeah, mom and I live here too.”
She stopped in her tracks, trying to make sense of the situation in front of her
“Is there something wrong?” Scott asked again looking concerned this time.
“This isn’t… something isn’t. This isn’t where Alex brought me after the wedding
“Huh? Alex said you were staying at your parent’s for a little while
“What Scott this can’t belong to Alex right? He was cut off, right?”
Yeah, but…” Scott answered, “wait, he didn’t tell you?
“Tell me what” Kuby questioned, but the pieces were already falling in place in her head Alex owned this place, despite what everyone thought about him. Owning this place meant that he wasn’t penniless like they all thought. Which only meant our Hung. Alex had led to her. The realization slammed her in the face with full force, right on time as Alex pulled up in an uber with a distressed look on his face
“Ruby.” he called “I can explain
SEND AIN
