LINES THE SAND
633 Words
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CHAPTER THREE – “Lines in the Sand”.
They stared at each other for a long beat.
Ruby’s eyes searched his face, looking for cracks in his cold facade. And for the first time, Royal didn’t look like the confident, untouchable CEO. He looked… tired. Guarded. Human.
“Then maybe,” Ruby said softly, “you need to stop blaming the world for who you’ve become.”
Royal straightened. “Easy for you to say.”
“Don’t be so sure,” she whispered.
Before he could ask what she meant, her phone buzzed. A message from one of the event sponsors confirmed their attendance at the fashion gala that weekend.
Ruby stood up. “Big day tomorrow. We launch the newest line in front of the press and clients.”
Royal nodded. “Wear something… appropriate.”
She smirked. “You mean powerful, elegant, and unforgettable? Already planned.”
He watched her walk toward the stairs. Her confidence, her fire—it was infuriating and magnetic all at once.
Before she disappeared, she turned slightly. “And Royal?”
He raised an eyebrow.
“If you want to act like I’m yours, start acting like you deserve me.”
Then she vanished up the stairs, leaving him speechless.
***
*The Next Morning – Kingsley Empire HQ*
The buzz in the building was palpable. Ruby walked into the design studio where models, assistants, and marketing heads swarmed around, prepping for the dress launch.
Royal stood across the room with his assistant, Mark, going over media briefings.
Ruby’s arrival made heads turn. Today, she wore a deep emerald green jumpsuit that hugged her curves in all the right places. Her hair was in a sleek bun, lips painted a bold red.
She was the moment—and she knew it.
“Everything ready?” she asked Chloe, her assistant.
Chloe, a bright, sassy woman in her late twenties, nodded. “Yes, Queen. Dresses steamed, models briefed, press confirmed.”
Just then, Royal approached. “Impressive.”
“Obviously,” Ruby said. “You didn’t think I’d fumble in front of a hundred industry insiders, did you?”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he replied, his tone unreadable.
As the models lined up for rehearsal, Vanessa walked in—again uninvited.
She wore a silver mini dress that screamed desperation.
“Couldn’t stay away?” Ruby asked sweetly.
Vanessa ignored her and sauntered to Royal. “Just wanted to see how things were going. Thought I’d support your little event.”
“It’s not little,” Ruby snapped. “And you’re not needed.”
“I wasn’t talking to you,” Vanessa replied, her eyes narrowing.
Royal looked between the two and, instead of putting Vanessa in her place, said, “Let’s not make a scene.”
Ruby blinked.
Seriously?
Chloe muttered under her breath, “Wrong move, boss.”
Ruby stepped back, cold and collected. “Of course. Wouldn’t want to ruin *her* moment.”
She turned and walked away, hiding the sting in her chest.
***
Later, during the official launch, Ruby stood beside Royal on the stage. Flashbulbs popped, reporters shouted questions, and models showcased the new collection down the runway.
She smiled through it all—but the heat from Royal’s earlier betrayal simmered beneath her skin.
As the event ended, Royal turned to her. “You handled that well.”
“Because I’m a professional,” Ruby said coolly. “Not because of you.”
He frowned. “Ruby—”
“I don’t want to hear it.”
She stepped away, leaving him alone on stage.
In that moment, Royal realized something:
He may have signed a contract for control—but Ruby was the one stealing power every time she walked away.
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- Writer
