To the Love of My Life

Steve Burton drove steadily into the underground parking garage, turned off the car, pulled out the keys, exited the car, locked the doors, and was just about to step into the elevator when he saw parked not too far away, a familiar car.

Steve’s step faltered slightly, questioning whether it was a hallucination induced by the amount of alcohol he had consumed that evening. He gazed in that direction for a little while longer, before walking over, his steps slightly unsteady.

As he drew closer, Steve saw hanging from the front of the car, a cute little Barbie doll. He leaned on the front of the car, bent slightly, and peered closely at the license plate, examining it several times over.

It really was Ruby Gregory’s car… So, did that mean she was upstairs in his apartment now?

A wave of indescribable surprise and excitement swirled within Steve’s heart.

She had no idea how her casual words, actions, or deeds could warm his heart.

Uncontrollably excited, Steve practically leaped into the elevator, watching the ascending red numbers, yet feeling intimately that the elevator was moving far too slowly.

As the elevator doors opened, Steve stepped out impatiently, then arrived in front of his own door. Just as he lifted his hand to enter the password, he once again paused.

A wave of nervous anticipation gripped his heart.

He was both looking forward to seeing Ruby’s reaction, and yet, he was afraid.

He anticipated seeing eyes filled with displeasure and sorrow, yet feared her calm and indifferent expression.

Steve stood at the door, torn for quite some time. Finally, he lifted his hand, slowly input the password, pushed open the door, stood in the foyer, took off his shoes, and then climbed the stairs step by step.

Ruby Gregory had remained awake all this while. She sat nestled on the couch, blankly lost in her thoughts, unaware of what was running through her own mind.

The world around her was eerily quiet. She had no idea how much time had passed when suddenly, she heard the sound of the bedroom door handle turning.

In an instant, Ruby Gregory was fully alert. She quickly stood up from the sofa and just as she turned to look towards the door, Steve had already entered.

The moment Steve’s eyes met Ruby’s, he held his breath. He stared deeply into her eyes, trying to find a hint of emotion, but all he found was a depth of calm darkness.

Ruby, however, was the first to break eye contact. She managed to pull a warm smile on her beautiful face, “Finally home?”

Steve blinked, remained silent. As his fiancee, after receiving a call in the wee hours from a woman of dubious background, taunting her with ambiguous words, shouldn’t her reaction be one of sadness, frustration, jealousy, or anger? How could she still manage a calm smile?

Ruby waited for a long while, but Steve remained silent. She glanced at the clock on the wall, it was already half past one in the morning. Again, in a gentle tone, she said, “You must be tired. I’ll run some hot water for you. A hot bath will make you feel better.”

Steve still remained silent, but his heart was slowly being filled with a sense of disappointment.

Ruby then walked slowly towards the bathroom.

Steve stood at his spot and through the open bathroom door, he could clearly see Ruby kneeling by the bathtub, carefully adjusting the water temperature.