Chapter 10: 9

I can't get the images of what I saw out of my mind, her scars. What happened to her? What has she been doing? I should hate her, but why do I feel this way? Why am I more worried than anything else?

But no matter what emotions I have right now, my main goal remains the same, to seek revenge. I will avenge my brother's death.

I was in the office, lost in my thoughts, when someone suddenly barged in. It was Ashley.

"What's up, Ruby Fae Espinosa? Come on, let’s go out and drink!" she said cheerfully, holding up two bottles of wine.

"You're being too loud, Ashley. Stop disturbing us." Ruby replied coldly without even looking up.

Ashley dramatically rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on! Don’t tell me you don’t miss, Oh." She suddenly stopped mid-sentence as her eyes landed on me.

Her gaze was sharp, analyzing. She looked like a model—no, they all did. But I knew better. Their world was dangerous, full of risks most people wouldn’t dare to take.

Ashley leaned forward, a smirk playing on her lips. "You… you’re the one who's been keeping an eye on my best friend at Olympus. Tell me, are you interested in her?"

Before I could respond, Ruby sighed, clearly annoyed. "Ashley, stop bothering my—"

"Shhh, focus on your work so we can hang out later," Ashley cut her off with a teasing grin before turning back to me. "Name?"

I hesitated for a moment before answering. "Sanae Delen."

At my response, Ashley’s eyes lit up in realization. "Oh, the sister of Akio—my darling baby?"

I tensed. What did she mean by that? As if reading my thoughts, Ruby interjected. "Ashley had a huge crush on your brother."

Ashley grinned, flipping her hair dramatically. "Oh yeah, who wouldn’t? Akio was kind, tall, and incredibly smart. A rare combination, honestly." She casually popped open one of the bottles and took a sip.

Then, she turned her gaze back to me, her expression shifting from playful to eerily serious. "So, tell me… are you hitting on her?"

I frowned. "Who?"

She scoffed, pointing directly at Ruby. "That woman right there. She doesn’t know how to love, but if you somehow succeed in making her fall for you… don’t you dare hurt her. Don’t betray her. Because if you do…"

She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "I will hunt you down, Sanae. And trust me, you wouldn’t want that."

Her eyes bore into mine, cold and unwavering. For the first time since meeting them, I felt something close to fear.

But I wasn’t about to back down.

I smirked slightly, leaning back against my chair. "You’re pretty protective of her, huh?"

Ashley raised an eyebrow, swirling the wine in her glass. "Of course. I may tease her a lot, but Ruby is my best friend. And best friends don’t let idiots play with their hearts."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "You’re assuming a lot. What if I’m not interested in her like that?"

Ashley studied me for a moment before laughing. "Oh, honey, trust me, I can see it. It’s all over your face." She took another sip before glancing at Ruby, who was still busy with work, pretending not to listen.

Then, she looked back at me, eyes sharp again. "Just remember what I said. If you’re here to mess with her, don’t even try. But if you’re here for something real… then, well—good luck. You’re gonna need it."

She raised her bottle in a mock toast before downing the rest of her drink.

I exhaled slowly, my grip tightening on the armrest.

What the hell did I just get myself into?

"Leave Sanae alone, Ashley."

Ruby grabbed Ashley’s arm, pulling her away from me. "Stop listening to her craziness. She’s just drunk."

Ashley, completely ignoring her, draped an arm around Ruby’s shoulder, grinning like a mischievous cat. "Are we going to drink already?" she asked playfully before adding, "Ruby baby~"

Hearing her call Ruby that made my blood boil for some reason.

Ruby groaned in frustration, shoving Ashley’s arm off her. "Damn it, stop calling me that! You’re not my mother."

Ashley only laughed, clearly enjoying how annoyed Ruby was. "Oh, come on, Ruby. I know you like it. Stop acting like you don’t. Did you forget? We actually made out alr—"

"You talk too much."

Before she could finish that sentence, Ruby swiftly pulled out a handkerchief and covered Ashley’s mouth. Within seconds, Ashley’s body went limp in Ruby’s arms, completely unconscious.

I raised an eyebrow, impressed yet confused. "Did you just knock her out?"

Ruby sighed, adjusting Ashley’s weight in her arms. "It’s just a sleeping agent. She talks too much when she’s drunk, and I’m not in the mood to hear all of her nonsense today."

She struggled for a moment, then glanced at me. "Sanae, can you help me?"

I stood up without hesitation and lifted Ashley effortlessly. "Where do you want me to put her?"

"On the couch over there," Ruby pointed, leading the way.

I carefully laid Ashley down, watching as she mumbled something in her sleep before rolling onto her side.

Ruby ran a hand through her hair, sighing. "I apologize for whatever she said to you. Ashley tends to say the most absurd things when she’s drunk. Don’t take her seriously."

I crossed my arms, studying her. "Is she an alcoholic?"

Ruby nodded. "Yeah. That’s why her older sister had to take over her position for a while. She got so bad that she couldn’t focus on running her company anymore."

I hummed in response, glancing at Ashley’s peaceful face. "Must be rough."

Ruby shrugged. "She brought it upon herself. She drowns in alcohol to forget things she doesn’t want to face."

Her voice was indifferent, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes. Understanding, maybe? Or was it guilt?

I didn’t comment on it. Instead, I waited for her to turn back toward her desk before making my move.

The moment she was about to walk away, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a hug.

Ruby froze. Her body stiffened against mine, as if she wasn’t used to this kind of closeness. I could feel her heartbeat against my chest, quick and uncertain.

She didn’t push me away immediately, but I could sense her hesitation.

"Even if you push me away a hundred times, even if you reject me over and over, I will still do my best to make you mine," I whispered, my voice low and steady.

I felt her tense even more, but I didn’t let go.

"I will protect you."

And with those words, I pressed a soft kiss against her temple.

I could feel her breath hitch.

She shoved me away immediately, stepping back as if she had been burned. Her eyes were wide, and for the first time, I saw something unexpected—vulnerability.

"Don’t play with me, Sanae," she said in a cold, sharp voice.

I tilted my head, smirking slightly. "Who says I’m playing?"

She clenched her fists, looking like she wanted to say more, but instead, she turned around and walked away.

I watched her retreating back, my smirk slowly fading.

This… was all part of the plan.

Make her trust me. Make her believe in me. Make her fall.

Then, when the time comes… make her crawl like a snake.

Sorry, not sorry, Ruby. You’re going to pay for everything you’ve done.

Especially for what you did to my brother, Akio.