Not knowing or asking about Ruby’s sufferings, Ella coldly turned her away from the door.
The Ella then would never have known that this beautiful girl with a cold facade was ready to lay her world down at Ella’s feet for a friendship that Ella failed to cherish time and time.
’’I... I am leaving,’’ Ruby spoke up, her straight face visible a little awkward when Ella remained silent.
Ella’s eyes reddened. This face that was cold but still retained so much of life in them would become dead and hollowed in a few years...
No! In this life, I will protect you with everything I have, even my own life.
Just as Ruby was leaving with hurried steps, her hand was grabbed again.
"Leave? Who said you could leave?"
Ruby looked at her speechlessly.
...Wait. Even Ella was a bit speechless.
That sounded like something Adrian would say. Ugh. Was that guy invading her brain now?
As Ruby’s eyes narrowed, Ella quickly put on a flattering smile, ’’I mean... Of course, you can leave but what’s the rush? I forgot to tell you that I saw your driver loitering inside. They haven’t changed your driver all these years so I was able to recognize him at one glance.’’
Thank you, god of memories, for blessing me with all ’great’ memories from my previous life. Take my heartfelt bow. Make do with a 10 degree bow for now, the remaining 80 I will do after losing some weight, I promise! *three fingers up in the air *
Ruby blinked, ’’He... came inside?"
"Yes, I saw him with both my eyes...’’
Ella struck the iron while it was hot, "So, you’re coming with me."
Ruby’s eyes narrowed. "I don’t recall agreeing to that."
Ella grinned, tightening her grip. "Then call it a free kidnapping service."
A pause. Ruby sighed, but didn’t pull away.
And just like that, Ruby was—cough—persuaded and dragged off to Ella’s dorm room.
Ella took a less used path so as to not attract attention considering Ruby’s popularity.
Ruby seemed a bit bewildered but after her initial hesitation, she resumed her cold expression and followed after Ella.
Seeing that she had no intention of running away, Ella let go of the hand she was clutching so tightly.
’’I got engaged to Maxwell.’’
Ella’s face stiffened but she kept her back as flexible to not get noticed by Ruby.
Ruby loved Max and in their past life also, Max became the border separating them.
Ella couldn’t come to terms with the fact that Ruby readily got engaged to Max. And she hated Ruby even more when their marriage went through.
She never once blamed Max for it even though things couldn’t have proceeded without his willingness.
So, right now, could Ruby be testing her? Was she trying to see if she had feelings for Max?
Just thinking of it made Ella straighten.
Then... then... if her stance was unclear, won’t Ruby turn around and run away?
She tucked her hair behind her ears and suddenly turned to Ruby, almost startling the girl who was closely following her.
Ruby stared at Ella, who looked like a guilty panda caught mid-binge, now desperately trying to prove its innocence.
The visual made Ruby avert her eyes. She coughed, a bit guilty.
Ella thought that she was sad, ’’I know about your engagement and to be honest, I don’t...’’ feel very happy about it. That guy is your doom. "have any feelings for that guy at all."
"I heard...’’ Ruby hesitated.
Ella’s eyes widened. Heard? Heard what?
Words that went around about her would chase away anybody who heard them, even her own parents would disown her...
Ah, the only exception was Adrian. He would hold onto her, in best and worst of the circumstances, both literally and metaphorically.
But what if Ruby was scared away? ’’What did you hear? I can explain...’’
"I heard you’re still in love with Max and couldn’t get over him, so you... found yourself a wild man as a distraction?"
Which fella went around spouting such nonsense...? You dare to come in front of me and see if I dare to kill you?
’’Sis, are you here...?"
Just at the sound of that voice, Ella pulled Ruby behind a wall.
’’Hmm...?" Esther looked around, visibly confused, ’’They said they saw her here with someone else though...’’ she mumbled and took another look before slowly walking away.
Ella looked at the heavens helplessly. I know... I know it must have been her. Are you done giving me ’101 signs you are high-key dumb’ lessons or is it still left?
Feeling a probing gaze, Ella looked up and was met with Ruby’s cold eyes.
’’Ah, you know my sister is quite cling... affectionate... She would hang around and won’t let us speak properly at all..’’ Ella straightened up and started leading the way for Ruby again.
’’So, is it true?" Ruby asked suddenly.
Ella almost tripped. The young Ruby was oddly... obstinate and the kind to not forget things easily...
’’It’s not true at all...’’ Ella wanted to take the opportunity and come clean about Adrian.
But now, it seemed like if she did that, it would have a negative effect on her already fragile bond with Ruby.
Won’t she think she really got herself a man just to displace and project obsession for Max on him?
’’Not true? No wild man..?’’
Ella closed her eyes. Wild man... What would Adrian have to say about being referred to as a wild man...?
"No wild man. No tame man. No man at all. I am a proud, independent woman, okay? Can’t I go on in life for a while without a man waiting for me on my bed? Must I have someone who will eternally be curious about my whereabouts and think I cheated on him if I ever get a little late? Must I re-create all those fluffy domestic scenes with him...?"
While speaking, Ella instinctively opened her room door but suddenly...
Because the door was already unlocked.
The unlocked door swung open unexpectedly, sending Ella stumbling forward.
As she staggered a few steps and struggled to regain balance, Ruby hurriedly grabbed both of Ella’s hands and pulled her back.
Ella found herself pinned to the door, Ruby looming over her, hands firmly clutching hers.
Ella was about to sigh in relief when suddenly, the air felt colder.
And suddenly, the realization hit her like a slap.