Hearts Call

Chapter 5

Ruby noticed it first in the way conversations stopped when she entered a room. The way glances lingered just a second too long.

Then came the comment.

“I guess sleeping your way to the top still works,” someone muttered just loud enough to be heard.

Ruby froze.

“What did you say?” she asked, turning sharply.

The woman smiled innocently. “Nothing.”

But the damage was done.

Ruby’s chest tightened as she walked away, her mind racing.

By the time she reached her desk, the whispers had spread.

“She’s only there because of him.”

“Did you see them leave together last night?”

“Figures.”

Ruby gripped the edge of her desk, her knuckles whitening.

This wasn't a coincidence.

This was deliberate.

Across the office, Pearl sat quietly, listening.

A colleague leaned toward her. “Did you hear about Ruby?”

Pearl sighed softly, shaking her head. “People can be so cruel.”

“But… is it true?” the colleague pressed.

Pearl hesitated—just enough to make it believable.

“I don’t want to say anything,” she murmured. “Ruby is my friend.”

The colleague leaned in closer.

“But…?”

Pearl lowered her voice. “She did tell me about the dinner.”

That was all it took.

Later that evening, Ruby stood in Jonathan’s office, her composure barely intact.

“They think I’m…” She couldn’t finish the sentence.

Jonathan’s expression darkened. “I’ve heard.”

“It’s not true,” she said quickly. “I would never!”

“I know,” he cut in.

She paused.

“You… know?”

He stepped closer, his voice steady. “This didn’t start on its own.”

Ruby’s breath caught. “You think someone started it?”

“I don’t think,” he said quietly. “I know.”

Silence stretched between them.

Then Ruby’s phone buzzed.

A message from Pearl.

“Hey, people are talking. I tried to defend you, but it’s getting bad. Maybe lay low for a while?”

Ruby stared at the screen.

Jonathan watched her carefully. “Who is it?”

“Pearl,” she said softly.

Something flickered in his eyes.

“Of course it is,” he murmured.

If Pearl was the one “defending” Ruby… why did the rumors start only after Ruby confided in her and is she secretly the one destroying her reputation?

The days that followed the rumors grew heavier.

Every meeting became a test. Every glance, a question.

But Ruby didn’t back down.

And neither did Jonathan.

“If anything,” he said during one tense meeting, “Ms. Hale’s work speaks louder than any speculation.”

The room fell silent.

Ruby felt a quiet surge of gratitude.

Afterward, she found him alone.

“You didn’t have to do that,” she said.

“Yes, I did,” he replied simply.

She studied him. “Why?”

Jonathan held her gaze. “Because someone is trying to discredit you. And I don’t like being manipulated.”

The word echoed.

Manipulated.

Ruby’s mind drifted, unwillingly toward Pearl.

“No,” she said softly, almost to herself.

Jonathan didn’t argue.

But later that day, he sat in his office and thought, if Pearl was really the friend she claimed to be.

That evening, Ruby sat across from Pearl again, the familiar café now feeling strangely unfamiliar.

“You look exhausted,” Pearl said gently.

“It’s been a long week,” Ruby replied.

Pearl reached across the table. “I told you to be careful.”

Ruby frowned. “Careful of what?”

Pearl hesitated. “Office relationships are… complicated.”

“You didn’t seem concerned before,” Ruby said slowly.

Pearl’s smile faltered for just a moment. “I just don’t want you getting hurt.”

Ruby studied her, something uneasy stirring beneath the surface.

“Pearl,” she said quietly, “did you tell anyone about the dinner?”

Pearl blinked. “Of course not.”

“Then how did everyone find out?”

A pause.

Then Pearl sighed softly. “Ruby… people notice things. You can’t hide something like that.”

Ruby leaned back slightly, unconvinced.

For the first time in years, doubt crept into her trust.

As days passed, the rumors subsided as Ruby's Idea gave outstanding results in the company's sales.

A month had already passed, Jonathan's feelings grew as they spent more time together.