My Ex Waited In Line For My Autograph

CHAPTER 5 - NEW HOME.

CLEO CLEMENTINE.

It takes me a few hours to pack my things from the guesthouse, not forgetting my refund for the days I didn’t use. Transport fees for my time at work until I receive my paycheck have officially been solved; now I just have to focus on being a bestseller.

You can do this, Cleo!

On my way home, I can’t help but wonder who I’d be living with, but as soon as I use my key card and walk into the beautiful castle, all my worries float away.

I immediately open a door that is supposed to be my own space in the mansion and find that it has everything, aside from personal belongings like my clothes, shoes and other essentials.

Nice.

I drop my things to go do cleaning. I’d better do it now so I won’t be late for work tomorrow. Manager Hayes made sure to press it into my ears to not be late.

~

Five hours later, I am done with the chores. The contract says to not use any kitchen appliances or electrical devices unless I submit a written request, so I guess that means I wouldn’t be cooking.

An hour later, I’m done taking a shower; it’s a few hours to midnight, and I’m staring at the blank page on my laptop.

This marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life. I change my pen name from Cleo Clementine to writer C.C.

It's better to stay anonymous.

Where do I even begin…

***

The pages between us: Act 1.

Ruby’s life was the epitome of perfect. She was young, beautiful, kind, successful and flawless. She was the kind of girl that everyone would always use as an example of a good girl. At the age of eighteen, she already had a lot of suitors, but she chose to ignore them all to focus on her life until Rowan Noir came around.

Rowan Noir was just as perfect as Ruby was, or so she thought. He was tall, smart, more beautiful than handsome, with tan skin and curly hair.

Oh gosh! His curly hair- it was hot.

Her first encounter with Rowan left her drooling. He was quiet and attentive, the kind of guy who barely says a word. Shy, and filled with enough composure for ten men.

Her type.

Ruby began to fold. Before she knew it, she began wanting to speak to him, to get closer to him, but Rowan never approached her, making Ruby starve for it; she wanted Rowan desperately.

When he finally approached her, he didn’t do it like every other man; he came prepared for business. He came with a ring, “Marry me, Ruby.”

Ruby was stunned. But, more than stunned, she was happy. She was finally going to get what she had always wanted: a perfect gentleman, Rowan Noir, her dream man! She could feel her entire blood and bone marrow scream.

At the time, Rowan was 24, a few years older than Ruby; he had just finished school; Ruby wasn’t sure it was the right time to be married, so she hesitated. “I have a house. Sponsor the wedding; when I get a job, I’ll pay you thrice as much,” he said to her, smiling so bright, innocent, and cute that Ruby felt like the sun got handed over to her, like daylight. She softened, her hesitation immediately vanishing.

She had enough money to kick-start this union, and since he already had a house, she didn’t mind spending her fortune to sponsor the marriage. After the marriage, they would figure things out. Rowan would get a job, and she would continue her writing. Ruby had it all planned out.

The celebration was grand. Friends came, families came, everyone ate to their full, and Ruby was the happiest.

She giggled the entire time, waving guests goodbye, until it was time to leave herself.

She looked at her husband, “C’mon, let’s go home,” she smiled at him.

His response, though, left her confused, “I don’t have a house, Ruby.”

They slept in a school that night, her wedding night. They sneaked into a school, pushed student chairs aside and slept in a classroom, on the freezing floor.

It was during the holiday, so Ruby thought at least she didn’t have to hurriedly sneak out at dawn before students began to come in.

By morning, she confronted her husband, “You said you had a house, Rowan!”

“I didn’t lie, Ruby… I was just speaking it into existence for us.”

Ruby got furious, so furious that before she knew it, her hand had connected with Rowan’s chin. “Can you hear yourself right now?” she screamed, hot tears flowing down her chin.

“I sold everything to sponsor this marriage because you told me you had a house! Am I supposed to sleep on a classroom floor until your manifestation becomes a reality?”

“I have spoken to a friend; he agreed to help us. He lives in a 1-bedroom apartment. We’d take the living area. We can sleep there until we find a place of our own.”

Ruby didn’t argue; instead, she silently blamed herself for expecting too much from him. He must have been so pressured he had to lie. He must have been afraid she wouldn’t give him a chance if she knew he was still building, so he lied because he loved her too much to lose her.

When they got to the friend’s apartment, Rowan vanished, leaving her alone with his friend, who was still so much a stranger to Ruby.

For nights, he didn’t return; by the third night, Ruby was sleeping on the ground in the living area when she felt someone crawling up on her. She thought it was her husband at first; at last he decided to return to her, but once she opened her eyes, she saw a different face.

***

I slam the laptop shut, feeling my eyes burn. I glance at the time; it’s currently 1:10 AM in the morning, and I should definitely sleep now so I don’t wake up late to work tomorrow.

This job is my only shot at survival.

~

When my eyes fly open, I sit up, yawn, and casually check my phone, only to see three missed calls from an unknown number and an evil red number on my alarm clock that screams 7:52 AM, which gives me exactly eight minutes to get dressed, commute across town, and explain to my new boss why my career is dying before it even starts.