To the Love of My Life

“I told you very clearly back then that it was just a momentary impulse, a mistake I made,” Ruby said, voice trembling slightly. “You know if Steve Burton finds out about it, he will definitely put me in a life-or-death situation. I’m about to get engaged to Steve, I really don’t want any problems…” Her voice trailed off. “So, Edric, please consider it a favor to me…”

Before Ruby could finish speaking, Edric suddenly interrupted her. “Ruby, don’t worry. I will do as I promised.”

Ruby pressed her lips together, nodded at Edric, and whispered softly, “Thank you.”

Then she forced a faint smile and said, “I’ll go in first.”

Edric showed no reaction and remained silent.

Ruby whispered “thank you” once again and stepped past Edric, leaving him behind.

As Ruby brushed past him, Edric subconsciously raised his fingers, wanting to grab her wrist, but his arm fell back down. He waited for the sound of her high heels to disappear before lazily turning around, leaning against an ancient tree. He pulled a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and took an urgent puff. Then, looking up at the moon in the sky, his expression became somewhat dazed.

–

Steve Burton had been waiting in the private room for a long time, but neither Ruby nor Madeleine had returned. He took out his cell phone to call Ruby, only to find her purse by his side, vibrating from the incoming call.

Steve canceled the call and dialed Madeleine’s number. After a long while, she answered, her voice slightly hoarse. “Brother, are you looking for Ruby? I’m in the restroom, I told her to go back first.”

Steve frowned, hung up the phone, and waited for about five minutes. When Ruby didn’t return, he stood up and left the private room.

Walking straight towards the restroom, he didn’t see Ruby. He went back, then walked to the corridor entrance, ready to ask a waiter if they had seen Ruby. That’s when he spotted Edric Reat and Ruby standing not far away.

Steve’s face lost all expression as his eyes locked onto the two standing beneath the lush ancient tree.

Because of the distance, he couldn’t hear their voices, but he could see Ruby’s lips moving as she talked incessantly to Edric.

And Edric, his eyes were fixed on Ruby, as if nothing else in the world existed, and his own world only contained Ruby.

Steve’s hand subconsciously clenched into a fist. He resisted the impulse to confront them, took a deep breath, straightened his body, and turned around to walk briskly back to the private room.

By now, Edward Woods had drunk quite a bit. Seeing Steve return, he handed Steve a glass of alcohol, “Bro, want a drink?”

Steve did not respond to Edward. He walked straight to the sofa and sat down expressionlessly.

–

Ruby quickly walked to the door of the private room, took a deep breath to steady her emotions, then raised her hand to push the door open and enter.