No words
1053 Words
That night, sleep never came, no matter how Ruth tried.
She turned from one side of the bed to the other, but every time she closed her eyes, Caleb's voice echoed in her ears.
She sat up with a sigh and rubbed her face.
The room suddenly felt suffocating.
Careful not to wake Rinna, she slipped out of bed, wrapped a light sweater around herself, and quietly stepped onto the small balcony.
A cool breeze greeted her as she got out. The city was usually like it was, California's night life was always buzzing.
She folded her arms across her chest and looked up at the heavens.
For a long moment, she looked up.
Then her lips moved.
"Mom, Dad..."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"I don't know what to do anymore."
Her eyes slowly filled with tears.
"I've tried so hard to leave everything behind."
She swallowed the lump in her throat.
"I don't want to lose the only family I have left."
She closed her eyes.
"I don't want to spend the rest of my life in prison."
A stray tear slid down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it off.
Just then, the balcony door slid open behind her.
"I knew I'd find you here."
Ruth jumped and quickly turned around.
Rinna stood there with messy hair, hugging a pillow against her chest.
"You scared me." Ruth pouted.
"Sorry."
Rinna walked over beside her and leaned against the railing.
"I couldn't sleep either."
Ruth smiled faintly. "That's a surprise. You used to fall asleep the moment your head touched the pillow."
"That was before aviation school destroyed my sleeping schedule." Rinna laughed. "Now, insomnia is my roommate."
Ruth chuckled softly.
She had known Rinna almost her entire life. They had met in college on scholarship, two girls everyone loved to call "the poor ones." They survived the teasing together, studied together, dreamed together. While Rinna had gone on to chase her dream of becoming a pilot, Ruth had married Caleb and quietly buried her own dream of working in tech.
After a few minutes, Rinna nudged Ruth gently with her shoulder.
"Since both of us are awake..."
She grinned.
"... how about we prepare for your interview?"
Ruth blinked.
"Now?"
"Why not?"
"You really don't know how to rest."
"I'll rest after you get this job."
Despite everything weighing on her heart, Ruth laughed softly.
"You're impossible."
"I've been told."
The two of them went back inside.
For the next hour, Rinna sat across from Ruth with a notebook in her hand, asking one interview question after another.
Ruth answered everyone she could.
Sometimes confidently, sometimes nervously.
Whenever she got stuck, Rinna patiently corrected her before moving on to the next question.
Slowly...
The fear in Ruth's chest eased.
For a little while, Caleb disappeared from her thoughts.
When they finally finished, Rinna stretched her arms above her head.
"I think you're ready."
"You think so?"
"I know so. You've always been the smart one."
Ruth smiled.
"Thank you."
Rinna waved it off.
"Friends, don't say thank you."
Ruth lowered her eyes.
She wished she could tell Rinna the truth.
That Caleb had returned, and he had given her two days.
Everything they had planned might never happen, but the words refused to leave her mouth.
She couldn't destroy their friendship, especially not now.
As they headed toward their bedrooms, Rinna suddenly stopped.
"Oh!"
"What?"
"The man from the hospital."
"What about him?" Her brow rose.
"We never thanked him properly."
A small smile appeared on Ruth's face.
"You're right. I had that in mind, but I don't really know anything about him."
Rinna shook her head.
"Not even his name?"
"I think Scott, I can't quite remember."
Rinna stared at her.
"You mean the man paid your hospital bills, repaired your car, and you can't even remember his name?"
Ruth nodded sheepishly.
"I was unconscious most of the time."
Rinna laughed.
"Then, after your interview, we're going back to that hospital to get his details."
"We are?"
"Of course."
"I want to thank him."
She paused before adding with a teasing smile,
"And I want to see this mysterious man for myself."
Ruth rolled her eyes.
"You're unbelievable."
"I know."
****
TC Corporation.
10:08 p.m.
The entire executive floor had gone quiet.
Every office was dark, and the employees had gone home.
Only the light in Scott Rowland's office remained on.
Stacks of files covered his desk.
A cup of coffee sat untouched beside them.
His suit jacket hung neatly over the chair while he stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the glittering city with his shirt half buttoned and his hair a bit messy.
Another long day, but it was a good excuse not to go home.
A soft knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in."
His personal assistant stepped inside, carrying a folder.
"Sir, today's candidates couldn't pass the assessment."
Scott didn't even turn around.
"Find more."
"We've exhausted our recruitment list."
He finally looked back.
"Then expand the search."
"Yes, sir."
She hesitated.
"Anything else?"
Scott pinched the bridge of his nose.
"You should go home."
"What about.. you, sir?" She stammered.
"I still have work."
She gave a small nod.
"Goodnight, sir."
After she left, silence returned.
Scott stared at the files in front of him
Then something caught his eyes, Ruth's discharge papers.
He picked it up. He didn't even know why he had kept a copy.
Then Michael's voice echoed in his ears,
"Looks like her husband finally came to his senses. He always came looking for her until she was discharged."
Scott placed it down and reached for his phone.
"Get the car ready."
"Yes, sir."
Forty minutes later, his black range rover rover rolled through the gates of his mansion.
The butler hurried forward the moment Scott Rowland stepped inside.
"Welcome home, sir."
He accepted Scott's briefcase and coat.
Scott loosened his tie.
"Was my mom here?"
The butler hesitated.
"No sir, but.. there is someone else."
Scott stopped walking.
"Miss Ambrose has been waiting upstairs."
His expression instantly darkened.
"I told you never to let her into this house again."
The butler lowered his head.
"I'm sorry, sir."
Scott's jaw tightened.
Without another word, he strode toward the staircase.
The atmosphere in the mansion suddenly turned cold.
- Writer
