Ruby reached home very late, walking through the dark red streets when she spotted a familiar figure.
"Even though we’re neighbors, we barely get to see each other," Angeline said with a tired smile as she walked up to Ruby. Her face was pale, and her eyes showed signs of exhaustion.
Ruby sighed, matching her pace. "Yes, Angel," she replied softly, noticing how worn-out her friend looked.
"What happened? What have you been up to these days?" Angeline asked, rubbing her temple as they walked side by side.
"Nothing much, just running around trying to earn something good," Ruby said with a small shrug. Angeline gave her a faint smile but continued rubbing her temple.
Ruby frowned. "What’s wrong with you?" she asked, concerned as Angeline kept massaging her head.
"Nothing, just the same old headache," Angeline replied, sighing deeply. "Work’s been wearing me out. It’s so overwhelming nowadays. And the worst part is, if I take a day off, my boss will find a reason to fire me. There are plenty of others waiting in line for my job," she said with a sad smile, her shoulders slumping slightly.
Ruby felt a pang of sympathy. "It’s a pity... Why don’t you take Advil? It might help relieve your headache," she suggested without thinking.
"Aadvil?" Angeline repeated, looking confused. "What’s that?"
Ruby froze, realizing her slip-up. She bit her tongue, cursing herself silently. She had forgotten that not everything from her past world existed here.
Quickly recovering, she said, "Oh, um, never mind. I mean... why don’t you try some herbal tea or maybe a massage? Sometimes that helps with headaches," she covered up smoothly.
Angeline tilted her head and nodded slowly. "I’ve tried herbal tea, but it doesn’t help much. And as for a massage, my husbands are hopeless at it," she said with a small chuckle, though her tone was tinged with exhaustion.
Ruby nodded thoughtfully, glancing at her friend. "You really should take it easy, Angel. Your health comes first," she said softly, her concern genuine.
Angeline shook her head. "That’s easier said than done, Ruby. You know how things are. If I stop working, it’s not just me—my whole household depends on it," she replied, her voice heavy with responsibility.
Ruby sighed, feeling helpless but wanting to offer some comfort. "If you ever need help, just let me know," she said earnestly.
Angeline looked at her, surprised by the sincerity in Ruby’s voice. "Thank you, Ru. That really means a lot," she said with a small, genuine smile.
Ruby smiled softly. "No problem, but don’t thank me. If you still have that headache, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’ll massage your head," she said with warmth.
Angeline’s tired face lit up with a small smile. "Thank you, Ruby. You’re really kind," she replied.
When they reached their respective homes, both waved each other goodbye. Ruby adjusted her bag as she walked up to her door and rang the bell.
The door opened almost immediately, and Karl stood there, his baby blue eyes blinking as he looked at her. Without a word, he stepped aside to let her in.
Ruby shrugged her shoulders lightly, slipping past him and into the house. Her gaze swept the living room, and that’s when she saw Adrian.
He was there, sitting with a natural confidence that made it hard to look away. His black-grayish hair was slightly tousled, as if the wind had played with it, and his sharp features looked like they had been sculpted by an artist. His jawline was strong, his skin smooth and glowing, and his dark eyes held a mysterious depth that seemed to draw her in. He was tall and muscular, his shoulders were broad, giving him a strong, elegant presence. Even sitting down, he looked effortlessly perfect, like he belonged in a painting.
When his dark eyes met her red ones, her breath hitched for a second. There was something in his gaze—intense and unreadable. It was like a quiet storm brewing behind those deep eyes, and for a moment, she felt like she was the only thing he could see. The moment passed quickly, but it left her feeling oddly flustered, though she tried to brush it off.
Ruby blinked and looked away, her heart beating just a little faster than before. Without saying a word, she walked further into the room, but she could still feel his eyes on her, watching her every move.
What’s wrong with him?
Ruby shrugged and headed toward her room, but the moment she stepped inside, she froze in place.
She was shocked to see Julian lying on her bed, clutching one of her pillows tightly to his chest. His mossy green eyes were closed, his chest rising and falling gently as he slept. The way his blue hair strands fell onto his pale cheeks made him look angelic.
To be honest, she hadn’t cared much about what her husbands thought of her before. She never let their opinions affect her or how she lived. But recently, things had started changing, especially with Julian. His behavior, his attention toward her–it was starting to tug at the edges of her thoughts.
"He’s making me think otherwise..." she muttered under her breath, stepping closer.
Her eyes softened as she looked at him. He looked so peaceful, so gentle in his sleep, almost like a doll. She noticed a fly hovering near his hand and instinctively shooed it away, not wanting it to disturb him. But the moment she brushed the fly away, something unexpected happened.
Julian’s arms shot out, pulling her down on top of him before she could react. She gasped as she fell against his chest, his arms locking around her neck like a warm embrace. Her long white hair cascaded down, mingling with his blue strands.
Ruby’s red eyes widened in shock, but what stunned her even more was the gentle press of his lips against her neck.
His soft, warm lips lingered for a moment, sending a strange chill down her spine. She froze, completely caught off guard, unable to process what was happening. Her heart skipped a beat, but she quickly snapped herself out of the daze.
Without thinking, she flipped their positions, her reflexes taking over. She pinned Julian beneath her, her arms supporting her weight as she stared down at him, her white hair falling around them like a curtain.
—To be continued...🪄