And from what Ella could surmise, she was screaming occasionally after she passed out. That caused panic in the kidnappers because they were worried that she would die.
And later, when some of them had gone to deal with Ruby...
’’With my hands tied, I could not do much when they approached. But before they could do anything, there were screams from your side of the room.’’
’’Did they hit me?" That would explain why she woke up sore.
’’The person screaming was not you. It was them.’’
After giving it a thought, Ella barely remembered anything between being unconscious and waking up in the Eve Mansion. But judging by the screams, the timing, and the fact that she was still alive, Adrian must’ve gotten there in time.
’’Hearing the noises, the people who had come to my room kicked me along with the chair and I... lost consciousness. After that, I woke up here.’’
"What about Ronan? Are you close to him?"
Ruby frowned, ’’He is a stranger.’’
From her tone, Ella could tell that he was not necessarily a stranger. But the current status of her friendship with Ruby was still fragile so she did not dare to push her boundaries.
The fact that Ruby was willing to see her face and sit to talk to her was already good enough.
’’That day... those people approached you near the hospital? Why did you go to the hospital, Ruby?" She had tried to hold back on this question for a while now but eventually, she had to bring it up.
"I wasn’t feeling well,’’ Ruby responded without batting an eyelid.
"When I brought you to my dorm that day... did something happen when you went back?"
Ruby shook her head, "Nothing."
Ella lowered her voice and spoke quietly, "You sure?"
Ruby paused for a beat, "Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?"
Ella’s heart clenched. That was all the answer she needed
She had hoped she would be wrong but Ruby’s situation in her family was just as worse as it had been in her previous life.
Ella did not push the topic any further, ’’I have made arrangements for you. They will drop you at your place safely around 8 pm."
As she turned to leave, Ella’s fingers were tightly curled. In this life, she would never let history repeat itself again. At any cost, she would help Ruby break out of that toxic household.
But she knew that now was not the time. No matter how much urgency she felt, she could not rush this matter.
Moreover, the misunderstandings between her and Ruby were still there.
And at the end of the day, Ella did not want to be impulsive and risk hurting Ruby in the process.
Ella had just reached the door when Ruby’s voice rang from behind.
’’That day... I did not misunderstand you.’’
Ella’s turned towards her.
’’I mean I don’t believe the rumours in the university.’’
Ella blinked. Did Ruby think that she would be afraid of the rumours?
Ruby misunderstood her silence and took a step towards her, ’’Trust me, I did not judge you. I won’t judge you over what you do. I just... felt bad that you had the need to lie to me about having a man...’’
Ella was stunned for a brief moment before she walked up to Ruby and hugged her, ’’It’s my fault.’’
She pulled back and glanced at Ruby, ’’It’s not that I don’t want to be honest with you. A lot has happened in these few years and I don’t want to scare you.’’
Ruby frowned, "Ella...’’
"I will tell you everything..."
"It’s fine,’’ Ruby raised her hand, ’’Tell me when you are ready."
Ella paused. There was indeed a lot she needed to share with Ruby but she did not know how things would turn out if she did so right now.
Ruby was in the university but she... was still young.
Ella was physically 21 but mentally she was a woman in her 30s.
"There is one more thing,’’ Ruby suddenly spoke up and her face turned solemn, ’’Actually, it’s about the kidnappers.’’
Hearing that, Ella’s eyes narrowed.
’’I don’t know if you know about this but some of them were talking about coercing you into leaving the country. They... seemed to have been paid to do so,’’ Ruby sighed, ’’I thought about it a lot but why would someone want to do something ? Do you suspect anyone?"
Ella seemed to ponder over it for a moment before she shook her head, ’’Not sure.’’
Ruby nodded again, ’’Forget it, then. In the future, it’s better to be careful.’’
Ella smiled, ’’Yes.’’
’’And... Ella...’’ A hint of hesitation flickered on Ruby’s face, ’’That man outside...’’
"Speak, speak, you don’t need to hesitate. Just say anything on your mind,’’ Ella waved her hand like a chill girl.
Ruby nodded, ’’Then... I want to know who that person is. Actually, he seems familiar but I can’t put my finger on where I have seen him but that’s not the point. Are you safe with him?"
’’Forget it. Ella, there are millions of reptiles in the zoo. How about you reconsider your choices?"
"_" "But...’’ Doesn’t that phrase go like, ’fishes in the sea’?
’’No buts. I have nothing against him but everytime I see him, I feel like punching his face and I cannot describe why I feel that way.’’
Ella slowly backed away as Ruby’s frown got deeper. Sister, are you sure that you have nothing against him?
"And even if his looks are passable, he looks like a sick psy... mmm...’’
Ella slapped her palm on Ruby’s mouth, her eyes wide. That’s Adrian King you are talking about.
For the first time in her life, Ella heard someone saying that Adrian’s looks were passable but that was not even the point.
If Ruby’s words travelled out of this room, then it was done for them all. And even she would be unable to help Ruby out of that situation.
"Mmm... What are you doing? I am not scared..." Ruby removed Ella’s palm from her face, ’’That man...’’
’’Shhh...!" You might not be scared. I am.
"Is he threatening you? We can drag him to court and...’’
Ruby’s words were cut off when Ella reached out to cover her mouth again.
But in her haste, she tripped against the edge of the carpet.
Author: He is an icon, he is a legend, he is the moment!
Ella: *nods* He is the great devil, Adrian King.
Author and Ella together: *Shhhhhhhh!*