Contract Girlfriend

Forced date

The sun light shone beautifully in the sky. The morning breeze flew into Ruby's. She lazily got up from bed to take her bath before heading downstairs to have breakfast.

Ruby's the adopted daughter of Mr Wilson. She's was treated as a gem in the family, not until Mrs Wilson finally gave birth to a female child.

Even after having their own child, they never left Ruby alone. They treated her as their own blood.

Things don't actually stay the same. No one stays the same. People can change and the change may be good or bad. Catherine the name of their biological daughter grew up to hate Ruby.

She always made one accusations or the other on Ruby. But her parents knew Ruby more than anyone else. They know she'll never do anything to make others sad.

There was a huge clash between parents and daughter. Ruby hated she was the topic of their clash. Ruby made a decision to stay on her own maybe Catherine will like her on her own time.

Everyone has their time in doing things. That's the way Ruby explained it to her parents. They gave it a deep thought before allowing Ruby to stay on her own.

"But you'll have to promise us that you'll come back when you've age to acquire the family business." Mr Wilson told Ruby.

Ever since, Ruby has been living alone, keeping her identity hidden until she was of age. After having breakfast alone, she left home to head to her temporary freelance writing job at Sullivan Enterprise.

She was early as always. The only one in the office before anyone. Drinking an Iced Americano. Her coworkers gave her a nickname 'Clockwork'.

Some of her coworkers were now arriving. Her friend Sarah came in with a smile on her face as usual.

"Good morning, girl. Hope you slept well?" Sarah said to Ruby as she takes her seat opposite Ruby.

Ruby answered with a smile. "It was delightful. I'm well aware yours was not that bad."

"Your right. Anyway, I've brought good tidings for you today." Sarah said.

"What good tidings?" Ruby asked, seating more comfortable.

"I hear the CEO of Sullivan Enterprises is coming here for a meeting with all workers today." Sarah said

Ruby made a disappointed face. "Is that what you call good tidings? Why must you be dramatic over every little things?"

"This isn't little at all. Miss Rosey has now changed her accent to that of Sweden. She's giving everyone deadly glare. And I'm not comfortable with that. She's acting as if she's going on a date with the famous person on earth."Sarah said.

"She's just acting that way to make an impression on the CEO. After he's gone, she'll turn to her self again." Ruby said.

Sarah starts to laugh. "Oh Ruby, you never change your way of thinking. Since the CEO will be coming, why don't we dress up a little?" Sarah suggested.

"Aren't we dressed? What's wrong with what we're wearing?" Ruby asked, Sarah.

Miss Rosey then said. "I find that outfit offensive. No wonder you both seat together. Birds of the same feathers flocks together." She said,as her minions starts to laugh.

Rosey's the assisting manager, but she acts like she's the actual manager. No one wants to get in her way or they lose their job.

Ruby who always gets in trouble because of her sharp tongue, decided to teach Rosey a lesson.

"You didn't tell me you became a cloth inspector." Ruby said. "If I'd known I would have hired you a long time ago."

Everyone knew trouble was coming the moment Ruby opened her mouth. So they weren't shocked when they heard what Ruby said.

Rosey hearing the rumors about Ruby didn't believe it until today.

"And how dare you talk when I didn't ask you to?" Rosey asked, coming closer to where Ruby was seated.

"I do know who you are. I just don't think it mattered." Ruby answered, as she turns to continue her work.

Rosey was dumbfounded. "How can she not raise her voice at me but I still feel like she's screaming at me?"

"Hey, don't you know who you're talking to? She's Rosey for crying out loud." One of her minions, Jules said.

"Should I applaud, or are we done here?" Ruby asked.

"You don't know who you're messing with." Jules chipped in again.

Ruby looks at Jules, then at Rosey. "I know exactly who I'm messing with. You're just background noise."

Rosey has had enough. She launched at Ruby ready to release a slap. "You have some nerve...."

Ruby cuts in, calm. "And you have an audience. The difference is, I didn't ask for one."

Ruby grabs a paper and walks out of the room. The room was awfully quiet.

"Don't mind her, she's just jealous." Jules said.

Sarah scoffs. "And what will she be jealous of?"

****************************************

James Sullivan stared out the floor-to-ceiling window of his corner office. Manhattan looking small from 42 floors up. His phone buzzed. Mum again.

He answered without looking. "If this is about the Q3 report, I sent it."

"James Henry Sullivan, don't you dare. You promised me one dinner. One. With Rosey Whitaker. Her mother is my dearest friend and she's a lovely, ambitious girl." Margaret said.

James pinches the bridge of his nose. "Mum, I have a board meeting, two acquisitions, and zero interest in being setup with anyone from marketing."

"It's 7pm already. Be charming. Wear the navy suit. And James? Don't embarrass me." She said as she ends the call.

Mason his right hand man, enters with a coffee on his hand. "Here's your coffee sir." Mason said.

"I'm the CEO, but somehow she still manages to ruin my calendar." James said as he sips his coffee.

"Sir, don't worry. I'll manage to squeeze in a little time from your schedule to go on the date." Mason said.

"You told my mum I had a free time, didn't you?" James asked Mason.

"You know it's Mrs Margaret Sullivan. How am I supposed to say no to her request? She's your mother after all. I didn't do the wrong thing." Mason said.

James gave him a dreadful look, before sighing. "Grab my coat, and get the car ready."

"Wait you're really going?" Mason asked.

"Why not? Since it's my mum decision, I'll just go for it." James said.

Mason was still a little bit confused. "When did you start listening to your mum?"

"And what's that supposed to mean.?" James asked.

Mason fearing the conversation was headed to another route decided to change the topic.

"Let's head out, so we'll get the navy suit. Since you respect your mums wish."

"I want no interruptions at all." James said.

"That's already taken care of. You just only need to enjoy every part of it " Mason said.

"Then you wouldn't mind going in as me, right?" James asked, as Mason nods his head. "Good. You're reward will be granted my dear Mason." James exits leaving Mason to his thought.

"Wait what?" Mason said, as he runs to meet James.

******************************************

"Where are you going, Ruby Williams?" Sarah asked as she tries to keep up with Ruby.

For some reasons, Ruby's short legs were faster than Sarah's long legs.

"I'm going for a quick break." Ruby said, not stopping at all.

"At least, wait for me." Sarah pants as she runs to meet her. This time, Ruby stopped.

"Why don't we go together?" Ruby asked Sarah.

Sarah still catching her breath gave Ruby a serious look. "Oh, now you decide to tag me along."

"The weather today is great for a cup of ice cream. I'm sure they must have dark chocolate raspberry." Ruby said, knowing Sarah loves that flavor.

"I know what you're doing." Sarah said, as they both laughed.

"Is it working?" Ruby asked, a smile on her face.

Sarah sighs. "How can I say no to it? It's also my boyfriend's favorite flavor too."

"I know. You tell me all the time. Lets go. I'll lead the way." Ruby said, as they made way to the midnight spoon.

The cafe was known for it's exquisite taste in sweet things. And also best place for a date. Many who happens to go on a date at the cafe, ended up getting married and living happily ever after.

Sarah rubbed Ruby's side shoulder. "Don't tell me you chose this cafe because of the rumors."

"What rumors? I came here to eat, not listening to some random rumors." Ruby said.

"Let's just find a table first, then I'll go get our orders." Sarah suggested.

Ruby spotted an empty table right at the back. You could even see the view, just from where you're seated.

Sarah waved at Ruby to come help her carry their foods to their table.

Ruby frowns. "Wait, aren't there any waiters around ? Ruby asks Sarah.

Rosey, out of no where appears in front of Ruby. "Why would they be any waiters when you dress like one?" Jules starts to laugh.

Ruby shakes her head in disappointment. "I really thought you weren't daft. Turns out you are." They now had everyone's attention.

"Can you grab us a table? And maybe some water? Since you're already...serving." Jules said, as she and Rosey snickers. Unaware to them, James and Mason were seated at a corner watching everything.

Ruby finally looks up. Blink, genuinely confused. "I'm sorry...do I know you?"

Rosey throws her head back, as she gave a fake laugh. "Oh, please. Don't try to start playing games here. The manager fired you because you talked back to me."

"Yeah. It was not like I didn't warn you about messing with us. Now you're already deciding to work in this place. No wonder she wore that shirt today." Jules said.

Ruby looks down at her shirt then back at Rosey and Jules taking a step closer to them. Still calm as ever. Sarah just relaxed at the counter watching her friend with pride as she stands up for her self.

"Okay, let's do this." Ruby said, unexpectedly. The reply scared Rosey but pretends not to feel anything.

Rosey blinks. "Do what....

"Let's pretend I work here. For one minute." Ruby answered as she takes a pen from the counter, and clicks it.

"Hi, welcome to the Midnight spoon. I'll be your server tonight. First, let's start with your order. One delusional, extra loud, with a side of insecurity you're projecting so hard the Wi-Fi picked it up."

Rosey was quiet now. Jules mouth opens.

Ruby then continues. "Now for the specials, 'We've got a fresh 'Girl, I Don't Know You' with a drizzle of 'Your Makeup Can't Hide That Personality' palate cleanser. Ruby grabs Sarah by the hand and turns to go but stops.

"Oh, and before I forget...store policy says we don't serve people who bully strangers for clout. So you're gonna take your bad outfit and your worse attitude to go."

Rosey's face turns red. "You can't talk to me..."

Ruby holds one finger. "I can. And I just did. The only thing I'm serving is leftovers. And you just got served."

Ruby still holding Sarah's hand, walks out of the restaurant.

One of the waiters said to Rosey. "Uh...are you still gonna order?"

Rosey didn't now if she could speak at all. She has never been humiliated like that in her entire life.

"Don't let it get to you. You have a big day today." Jules said.

Rosey sighs. "You're right, Jules. I'm nit gonna ruin my date because of that thing."

Mason and James gave themselves a look before looking back at Jules and Rosey.