"What?" Ruby stared at Milo in confusion, tilting her head slightly.
Milo puffed his cheeks, his brows furrowing deeper. "You guys are so mean! Last night I knocked on everyone’s door, but no one answered," he said, still refusing to look at any of them.
Adrian’s calm expression changed, his brows drawing together. "You knocked...?" he said softly, his eyes narrowing slightly as he thought back.
But Milo was already awake when I got up... Adrian realized. I thought he’d slept in Ruby’s room.
Julian’s face showed the same shock. "You knocked on my door?" he asked, his voice filled with guilt. "I’m really sorry, Milo. I must have been in a deep sleep. If I had heard you, I would have opened the door right away."
Karl scratched the back of his head, looking just as surprised. "Yeah... we were so tired yesterday. As soon as our heads hit the pillow, we were out cold."
Milo huffed, clutching his pillow tightly. "I get that! But wife," he said, turning his sharp gaze to Ruby. "I even told you I was going to sleep with you, and you said yes! So why didn’t you open the door for me?"
Ruby blinked, her mouth opening slightly as she tried to recall.
"When...?" she asked, her tone genuinely confused.
Milo narrowed his eyes, watching her carefully.
For a moment, Ruby was ready to deny it entirely but then a faint, blurry memory flickered in her mind.
Late last night... Milo’s voice... something about a pillow...
Her eyes widened slightly, and she pressed her fingers lightly to her temple. "Oh... that."
"See!" Milo pointed dramatically at her, looking vindicated. "You said yes! You promised!"
Ruby let out a small sigh, suddenly feeling the weight of his disappointment. "Milo... I must have been half-asleep. I didn’t even realize what you were saying."
Milo’s shoulders slumped, and he flopped back into his chair. "I knew it..." he muttered, sulking again.
Julian patted his back gently. "I’ll make it up to you at breakfast, okay? Anything you want."
Milo mumbled something unintelligible, but his posture eased slightly at Julian’s offer.
Ruby tone softening. "Next time, I’ll make sure to listen more carefully, alright?"
Milo glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "...Promise?"
Ruby smiled faintly. "Promise."
"Wait, wait... you actually went to sleep with that stupid wife?" Karl blurted out, his eyes wide with disbelief.
The room went silent.
Ruby’s gaze snapped toward him like a whip, her red eyes narrowing dangerously.
Karl froze, his hand flying up to cover his mouth as if he could shove the words back in. "I mean—uh, not stupid wife... just, uh... Wife!" he stammered, flashing an awkward smile.
"Yeah, what’s the problem? She’s my wife anyway. I can sleep with her anytime I want, right, wife?" Milo said confidently, turning his expectant gaze toward Ruby.
Ruby’s eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by his boldness. "Yes... yes, of course," she replied quickly, waving her hand dismissively.
But as soon as the words left her mouth, she caught sight of Karl glaring at Milo, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. His brows furrowed deeply, lips pressed into a thin line as if he were holding back a comment.
Ruby decided it was best to pretend she didn’t notice.
"I’m going for a jog," she announced, already heading for the door.
"A jog?" Julian arched a brow. "This early?"
"Yes. Fresh air and all that." Ruby flashed a brief smile, stepping outside before Karl could say anything else.
The moment the door closed behind her, she let out a sigh of relief. Finally.
The cool morning breeze greeted her as she began jogging down the path leading away from the house. The sky stretched wide above her, bright and clear.
The world felt peaceful in that moment.
Ruby picked up her pace, feeling the tension in her shoulders gradually ease. The rhythmic sound of her footsteps against the dirt road and the lightness in her chest reminded her why she loved mornings .
After about ten minutes, she slowed to a stop, breathing heavily. Sweat dripped down her temple, but her body felt light and refreshed.
"I needed that," she muttered to herself, brushing her damp hair back.
As Ruby slowed to a stop, wiping sweat from her forehead, she felt an odd sensation prickling at her back. She glanced around and realized several people were staring at her.
Most of them were witches heading to work, their robes fluttering as they passed by. A few ghosts watching her with quiet curiosity.
Ruby shrugged, deciding to ignore them. Let them stare, she thought, turning to head back home.
But just as she rounded a corner, she nearly collided with someone.
"Ah—!" Ruby stumbled slightly, blinking in surprise.
Standing before her was Pillu, his wide eyes locking onto hers as if he’d just run into his favorite celebrity.
Pillu’s long green hair shinning in the sunlight, cascading down his back like silk, and his black eyes held a shy sparkle. His robes, however, looked slightly wrinkled, and his hands fidgeted nervously at his sides.
"Miss Ruby! Hi! Do you remember me?" he asked, his voice soft but eager.
Ruby offered a small smile. "Of course. You’re Pillu, right?"
Pillu’s face lit up, his eyes widening with delight. "You remember me, Miss Ruby!"
Ruby nodded, but she shifted slightly on her feet. She could feel sweat trickling down her neck, and the thought of clogged pores and potential breakouts made her want to head home immediately.
I need a bath... if this sweat stays any longer, I will have pimples.
Pillu, however, seemed determined to continue the conversation. "Miss Ruby, I—"
Before he could finish, another ghost ran toward him, his presence sharp and impatient.
"Pillu, didn’t you say you were running late? What are you doing here?" the ghost interrupted, his tone flat.
His gaze flickered briefly toward Ruby, though there was no warmth in it. His eyes carried a subtle judgment, as if sizing her up.
Isn’t she that jobless witch? the ghost seemed to think, though he said nothing aloud. Even if she bought a house, she’s still unemployed.
—To be continued...🪄