Hearts Call

Chapter 6

The company jet cut smoothly through the pale Oklahoma sky, carrying executives and top staff toward one of Prime Pharmaceuticals’ largest branches just outside the city. It was meant to be a routine three-day strategic trip, but for Jonathan Reid, it had become something else entirely.

A decision.

He stood near the window of the small conference lounge onboard, his gaze distant, thoughtful. For weeks, he had watched Ruby Hale; not just her work, which was exceptional, but the way she carried herself. The quiet strength. The honesty in her eyes. The way she never pushed for recognition, yet earned it effortlessly.

And despite everything, the whispers, the subtle undermining, the tension, she remained steady.

It wasn’t admiration anymore.

It was something deeper.

Behind him, Ruby laughed softly at something one of the team members said, the sound light and unguarded. Jonathan turned slightly, his eyes settling on her.

Yes, he thought.

He was certain now.

The branch was nestled in a quiet area surrounded by wide stretches of land and low hills. By evening, the team had settled into the company’s private lodge, a modern building with large glass windows overlooking a serene lake.

Dinner was relaxed, almost celebratory. For once, work took a backseat.

Ruby stepped outside afterward, drawn by the calmness of the water. The air was cool, carrying a soft breeze that brushed against her skin.

“You always disappear when things get loud.”

She turned to find Jonathan walking toward her.

“I wouldn’t call it disappearing,” she said with a faint smile. “Just… stepping away.”

He stopped beside her, his hands resting casually in his pockets. “From people?”

“From noise,” she corrected gently.

They stood in silence for a moment, the lake reflecting the fading colors of the sunset.

“Ruby,” Jonathan said finally.

There was something different in his tone.

She turned to him.

“I’ve been meaning to say this for a while,” he continued. “But I wanted to be sure.”

Her heart skipped.

“And now you are?” she asked softly.

He met her gaze directly.

“Yes.”

The simplicity of the answer made her breath catch.

“I don’t usually mix personal matters with work,” he went on, “but you’re not… usual.”

Ruby felt warmth rise in her cheeks. “That sounds like a risk.”

“It is,” he admitted. “But I think you’re worth it.”

The world seemed to narrow to just the two of them.

“Ruby,” he said, his voice quieter now, “I don’t just want dinners or late meetings or almost moments. I want something real. With you.”

Her pulse quickened.

“I want you to be with me. Not as an employee. Not as a possibility.” He paused. “As my girlfriend.”

For a moment, Ruby said nothing.

Not because she didn’t know the answer—but because she had been here before. At the edge of something promising, only to watch it fall apart.

But this felt different.

He felt different.

“You’re sure?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I’ve never been more sure of anything,” Jonathan replied.

Ruby searched his eyes.

And for the first time in a long time… she believed what she saw.

A slow smile spread across her face.

“Yes,” she said.

Later that night, back in her room, Ruby sat on the edge of the bed, her phone pressed to her ear.

“Pearl,” she said, unable to hide the smile in her voice. “Something happened.”

On the other end, Pearl’s tone was instantly attentive. “That sounds promising.”

Ruby hesitated, then said it.

“He asked me to be his girlfriend.”

Silence.

A beat too long.

Then…

“Oh my God, Ruby!” Pearl exclaimed. “That’s… that’s amazing!”

Ruby laughed softly. “I know. I just, I didn’t expect it to feel this… right.”

Pearl’s voice softened. “You deserve this.”

“I was scared to say yes,” Ruby admitted. “But I did.”

“I’m glad,” Pearl said.

And she sounded convincing.

Perfectly convincing.

But the moment the call ended, Pearl’s expression shattered.

Her phone dropped onto the couch as she stood frozen in the center of her apartment.

“Girlfriend,” she repeated, her voice hollow.

Then it shifted.

Hardened.

Her breathing quickened, anger rising like a tide she could no longer contain.

“No,” she whispered.

Her hands clenched at her sides.

“No, no, no… this isn’t how it goes.”

She began pacing, her mind racing.

“She doesn’t get this,” Pearl muttered. “She doesn’t get to be happy.”

The memory surfaced, uninvited, sharp.

Her sister.

Lila.

The laughter. The trust.

The accident.

And Ruby.

Always Ruby.

Pearl’s eyes burned.

“You took everything from me,” she said, her voice trembling with restrained fury. “And now you think you can just… move on?”

Her gaze snapped toward her desk.

The file.

Still there.

Still waiting.