Chapter 2 At the Bar
1030 Words
Ruby staggered out into the hallway, her legs weak beneath her. She leaned against the wall, slowly sliding to the floor, hugging her knees as she tried to collect her scattered thoughts.
When she touched her face, she realized her cheeks were damp. She hadn't even noticed she was crying.
Frustration boiled within her. 'Ruby Bell! What is wrong with you? How could you be so blinded by desire? And he thought you were someone else!'
Then again, maybe that was a good thing. This mistake could stay buried. No one else had to know.
Her radio crackled to life, shattering her thoughts. "Ruby! What's taking so long? You haven't changed the sheets in Room 2018 yet! The guest is complaining."
Annoyance flared in Ruby. "Sir, you told me 2008!"
"Did I? Well, whatever, get to 2018 now!"
Grinding her teeth, Ruby grabbed her housekeeping cart and wheeled it toward 2018, mentally cursing her manager at least eight hundred times.
She failed to notice a woman stepping out of the elevator and entering Room 2008.
Kelly entered the room and immediately noticed that the scent of the incense had faded. Bill's clothes had been neatly picked up and hung. A suspicion curled in her chest.
She pushed open the bedroom door, and the unmistakable scent of passion hit her. Her heart clenched.
Who?
Who the hell had stolen what belonged to her?
She had planned everything so carefully. Bill was notorious for being a playboy, but after a week of dating, he had yet to lay a hand on her.
Worried that he might soon lose interest, Kelly had meticulously set the stage—aphrodisiac-infused wine, intoxicating incense, everything crafted to ensure Bill would finally sleep with her.
And yet, while she had stepped away, someone else had taken her place.
Kelly's rage erupted. She flung a glass off the table and yanked the sheets back, revealing only Bill in the bed. Her mind raced.
Bill stirred, his head pounding from the lingering effects of alcohol. But his last memory before passing out remained sharp. "You're not sleeping?" His voice was groggy. "Why were you crying earlier? Did I hurt you?"
Kelly's brain worked at lightning speed. 'So, someone really was here... and Bill doesn't know who it was.'
She forced a sheepish smile. "I just wanted some water and accidentally knocked over the glass."
"Forget the glass," Bill muttered, rubbing his temples. "Why were you crying?"
Kelly plastered on a sweet expression. "Those were tears of joy." She nestled into his arms, hoping to cement the illusion.
Bill frowned. Something felt... off. Her scent was different. But his head ached too much to think clearly.
"Are you feeling okay?" Kelly placed a hand on his forehead, feigning concern.
She knew it had to be the aphrodisiac's aftereffects. "Get some more rest. I'll stay right here with you."
Smug satisfaction bloomed in her chest. 'Whoever that woman was, she was gone now. Bill will only remember being with me.'
Ruby barely managed to finish her shift at the hotel, exhausted beyond belief. But there was no time to dwell on the past—her new part-time job at the bar awaited. She had already decided to bury the memory of what happened. She had too much else to worry about.
Her phone buzzed—her best friend, Antonia, inviting her to Franklin's birthday party that night. Ruby wished she could go. She wanted to dress up, have fun, and be carefree for once. But she couldn't.
Unlike many Kingston University students, she wasn't born into wealth.
She was the first person from her small town to attend Kingston, scraping by on scholarships and endless part-time jobs.
On top of her own expenses, she supported her grandmother, Laura Bell, who had raised her. Laura was getting old, and Ruby refused to let her continue working just to help make ends meet.
With the semester break starting tomorrow, she had only a week left in the dorms. She needed to figure out where to live next.
Antonia had offered her a place, but her own family was struggling financially. Renting out extra rooms was how she survived.
Ruby couldn't bring herself to add to that burden.
In the bar's staff dressing room, Anna, the senior waitress assigned to train her, handed her an outfit. "Try this on. It should fit."
Ruby took the clothing and unfolded it. A cropped tank top. Tiny shorts. And attached to the back—a fluffy bunny tail.
"It should?" She turned to Anna in horror, only to see her already dressed, complete with bunny ears.
The tail suddenly made sense.
Ruby wanted to run. But she needed the money. Desperately.
"Hurry up. We also need to do your makeup," Anna urged, unimpressed by Ruby's hesitation.
Resigning herself, Ruby changed. Before she could even process the absurdity, Anna pushed her onto a stool and began attacking her face with brushes and powders.
"Wow, you're gorgeous!" Anna admired her work. "Why would you show up with no makeup? What a waste of such a pretty face!"
Anna yanked her to her feet.
"Tonight's going to be fun. I wonder how many guys will be drooling over you."
Ruby gave a deadpan stare. "Oh, joy..."
"Nope! Not good enough!" Anna poked her cheek. "You need to be cuter. Smile! Relax!" Forced to comply, Ruby managed a small smile. Anna beamed in approval.
The job itself was simple—carry drinks, and wait for customers to summon them. But the atmosphere was another story.
Anna moved through the crowd like a pro, unfazed by the flirtations and wandering hands. Ruby, however, was stiff and uncomfortable, forcing herself to endure the leering gazes and suggestive remarks.
Then, outside, a roar of engines. Luxury sports cars pulled up, their engines growling like beasts. A group of stunning men and women stepped out, commanding immediate attention as they strode inside.
Among them was Bill Jones. His arm was draped around a sultry woman, his easy smirk exuding charm.
Ruby's breath caught in her throat.
'What the hell is he doing here? Will he recognize me?!'
Panic flooded her mind, rendering her completely frozen.
- Writer
