POWER PLAYS & COLD WARS
810 Words
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[Chapter TEN : Power Plays & Cold Wars]
The ride back from the Kingsleys' mansion was suffocating.
Neither Royal nor Ruby spoke a word. The weight of Mr. Kingsley's offer hung heavily between them like a ticking bomb waiting to go off. The tension was electric—one wrong word, and everything would explode.
The silence broke when they stepped into the mansion.
“You didn’t tell me your parents were... investigating me,” Ruby said calmly, removing her heels with poise.
Royal loosened his tie. “I didn’t know. Clearly, they’ve been doing their homework.”
She scoffed. “I bet you loved the part where they questioned my intentions.”
He turned sharply. “Don’t twist this, Ruby. You’ve made it clear from the beginning you didn’t want this marriage.”
“And you did?” she shot back. “You think I enjoy being paraded like a trophy, just so your family doesn’t doubt your precious legacy?”
He stepped closer. “You flirted at the office today just to get under my skin. Don’t act like the victim now.”
Her smile was razor-sharp. “Oh, honey. If I wanted to get under your skin, I’d already be in your veins.”
Royal blinked, stunned. She walked past him, her perfume lingering like a challenge in the air. As she climbed the stairs, he stared after her—frustrated, confused… and undeniably drawn to her.
***
The next morning, the mansion buzzed with quiet activity. Royal was on a call in his study when Chloe knocked and entered.
“Ruby’s schedule is packed today. A new fashion show invite, two celebrity fittings, and... a brand partnership offer from Vogue.”
Royal raised an eyebrow. “She’s that in demand?”
Chloe gave a knowing smile. “She doesn’t stop, sir. You should see her when she’s in design mode. It’s war.”
As she left, Royal leaned back in his chair. His father’s words echoed in his mind.
*“If it’s real… we’ll support you. Fully.”*
***
Downstairs, Ruby reviewed fabric samples in her home studio when Leo walked in, holding two iced coffees.
“Peace offering,” he said.
She laughed and took one. "Thanks"
“ your welcome", He leaned on the table. “Impressive Designs.”
" You learned from the best" ruby said smiling.
leo whistled "spoken like a queen ".
Ruby sipped her coffee. “Vanessa doesn’t threaten me. She just makes it obvious who’s afraid of losing control.”
Leo whistled. “Spoken like a queen.”
***
That afternoon, a courier arrived with a handwritten letter. Ruby frowned and opened it.
Her stepmother's elegant cursive greeted her mockingly:
> My dearest Ruby,
>
> Heard about your dinner with the Kingsleys. Congratulations. Don’t forget who helped you climb the ladder.*
>
> Let’s not pretend you're too far from | the ground.
|
| XOXO, Clarissa.
Ruby crumpled the note and tossed it aside. “Wicked witch,” she muttered.
She didn’t know Royal had seen her from the hallway.
“Everything alright?” he asked.
She turned to him, eyes steely. “Perfect. Just another love letter from my supportive family.”
He walked in. “Want to talk about it?”
She studied him. His tone was softer… less cold.
“No,” she said, voice low. “But thank you—for asking.”
He nodded slowly, and for the first time in days, they shared something that wasn’t anger or sarcasm.
***
That evening, Royal's parents arrived unannounced.
“Thought we’d check on our favorite newlyweds,” Mrs. Kingsley said, handing Ruby a bouquet of white roses.
Royal tensed. Ruby accepted it graciously.
Dinner was impromptu—Chloe and the staff scrambled to prepare something elegant, and by 8 p.m., the dining room glowed with candlelight.
Mr. Kingsley raised his glass. “To growth, and to truth. May this marriage be more than a performance.”
Ruby smiled, glass in hand. “Cheers to that.”
But then Mrs. Kingsley turned serious.
“Ruby,” she said, “we want to offer you something… personal. Not business.”
Royal looked up.
“We have a villa in Santorini. A retreat. We’d like to send you both there for two weeks. No work. Just you two.”
Ruby blinked. “Just us?”
Royal shifted. “Is that really necessary?”
Mrs. Kingsley’s eyes sparkled. “You need to act like a real couple. Maybe… you’ll become one.”
Mr. Kingsley added, “Think of it as a test. Or an opportunity.”
Ruby looked at Royal. His jaw was tight, unreadable.
But all she said was: “When do we leave?”
Mr. Kingsley smiled. “This weekend.”
And just like that, Ruby knew — the real game was only beginning.
- Writer
