Unexpected
1380 Words
"Yes.. My best friend is officially employed by the biggest company in California." Rinna screamed.
Ruth covered her ear. “Quit screaming.“
Rinna walked straight to the wardrobe and threw both doors open.
"I told you we'd get you a job, and I was right."
She began pulling dresses from the wardrobe one after another before finally holding up a fitted black dress.
"This one."
Ruth's eyes widened.
"I can't wear that."
"Why not?"
"It's too..." She searched for the right word. "...revealing."
Rinna folded her arms.
"Exactly."
Ruth shook her head immediately.
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Ruthie."
Rinna sighed dramatically before placing the dress against Ruth's body.
"We're going to a club, not church."
****
Ruth looked at herself in the mirror.
The dress hugged every curve she had spent years hiding beneath oversized clothes.
Her shoulders were bare.
The slit climbed higher than anything she had ever worn.
She immediately looked away.
"I feel exposed."
"You look beautiful. You've spent five years dressing like somebody's forty year old aunt."
"I was married."
"So?"
"So married women don't dress like this."
"Who made that rule?"
Ruth opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Rinna smiled knowingly.
"Exactly."
She walked behind Ruth and rested her chin on her shoulder.
"You've spent years living for someone else."
She met Ruth's eyes through the mirror.
"Tonight..."
Her voice softened.
"...live for yourself."
Something inside Ruth shifted very slightly.
She thought about the job, about finally earning something on her own. But then her mind drifted back to Caleb and his threats.
Maybe... just maybe she deserved one happy evening before everything went sour, even if it would only last a few hours.
Ruth finally sighed.
"Fine."
Rinna squealed so loudly that Ruth had to cover her ears.
An hour later...
Ruth barely recognized herself. Rinna did a full makeover on her.
Her long hair fell in soft curls over her shoulders.
The light makeup highlighted features she hadn't paid attention to in years.
The dress fit perfectly. She turned sideways and frowned.
"I still think it's too much."
Rinna walked around her dramatically like a fashion judge.
"No."
She snapped her fingers.
"It's perfect."
She grabbed her purse.
"Come on."
Ruth slipped into a pair of heels.
"Can I wear something lower?"
"You'll survive."
"Ahh.. I might fall."
"I'll catch you."
“You're impossible.“ Ruth frowned.
Rinna laughed as they left the apartment.
****
Bent-nite Club
The music echoed long before they reached the entrance. The neon lights made everything colorful.
Luxury cars lined the front of the building.
The moment they stepped inside, the bass vibrated beneath Ruth's feet.
People danced under the flashing lights.
For a second, Ruth wanted to turn around, but Rinna sensed it held her hands.
"Don't even think about it."
Ruth tugged lightly at the hem of her dress for what felt like the tenth time.
"I still can't believe you talked me into wearing this," she muttered.
Rinna laughed, looping an arm through hers.
"Oh, relax. You look gorgeous."
"I feel bare."
"Exactly! That's how club dresses are supposed to feel."
"You're a terrible influence."
"I've always been."
Ruth couldn't help smiling.
Rinna had always been the outgoing and social one. Ruth still didn't know how they had become such close friends or even clicked. They were complete opposites, yet somehow, it had always worked.
"Come on," Rinna continued. "Tonight is about celebrating. You got a job. Tomorrow can worry about itself."
For the first time all day, Ruth allowed herself to breathe.
Maybe Rinna was right.
Maybe she deserved one evening where she didn't think about Caleb.
Where she didn't think about the photographs or think about prison.
The moment they stepped into the club lounge, several heads turned.
A few men openly admired Ruth.
"The lady in blue, she's stunning."
"I've never seen her here before."
Ruth instinctively lowered her gaze.
"I told you this dress was too much," she whispered.
Rinna grinned.
"They're looking because you're beautiful. Ignore them."
"I don't belong here." Ruth pouted
"You do tonight."
She pulled Ruth toward the bar.
"What are we drinking?"
"I don't drink."
"Common you used to."
"I also used to trust men."
Rinna winced.
"Fair point, but a little won't hurt."
She ordered two cocktails anyway.
"Just one."
A few minutes later, the tension in Ruth's shoulders eased as she moved her body slowly to the music.
Rinna's eyes landed on her.
"There she is."
"Who?" Ruth's eyes narrowed.
"The Ruth I've been trying to bring back."
Ruth rolled her eyes.
"I haven't gone anywhere."
"You have."
Rinna's smile faded slightly.
"You disappeared the day you married Caleb.“
Ruth looked down at her glass.
She couldn't argue because it was true.
Before Ruth could reply, a man in a suit walked up to her
“My boss wants you for the night.“ He said directly.
Ruth looked at him disgusted.
“I'm not interested.“
“Kindly cooperate.“ The man uttered.
Rinna interfered. “You heard her, so bounce off.“ She seethed.
He didn't listen and gripped Ruth's hands.
Her eyes widened.
Rinna was ready to become physical with him even though she was no match when a young man approached them.
"Hey, what's going on.."
The other man suddenly frowned and left.
Ruth's eyes widened. “Dr. Michael?”
It took him a while before he could recognise Ruth.
His lips curled. “I didn't know it was you. Come, join us.”
Rinna looked between them. “The Dr. Michael?”
Michael chuckled. “It's Michael here.”
“Thank you, Michael.“ Rinna said with a smile.
“Yeah thanks.“ Ruth added her eyes on him.
What was he doing here of all places? Ruth thought.
After chatting for a few minutes, Dr. Michael gestured toward the private section upstairs.
“We have a table over there.”
He smiled.
“In the private lounge?” Ruth asked, glancing toward the stairs.
She immediately shook her head.
“No, thank you. We'll be fine here.”
Rinna leaned closer.
“Losen up, you know him, and those hulks are lurking around won't stop.” Rinna whispered.
Ruth glanced at Michael.
He was already waiting for their answer.
Ruth sighed and nodded.
They followed Michael upstairs.
The music became quieter with every step they took.
The atmosphere was completely different from the main floor.
Private booths lined the walls, separated by dark glass panels. lights hung above each table, and expensive bottles of whiskey sat on shelves behind the bar.
Ruth looked around.
“This place must cost a fortune.”
Rinna nudged her.
“Then let's enjoy it while it lasts.”
They reached the private lounge, and Michael led them toward a booth where two men were already seated.
“Guys, this is Ruth and Rinna.”
The men greeted them politely.
Ruth took a seat beside Rinna, still feeling slightly out of place.
She glanced around the room and lowered her voice. “We shouldn't stay long.”
Rinna rolled her eyes.
“You're always worrying. Maybe you should hook up with one of them after now.”
Ruth was about to reply when she felt the alcohol suddenly catch up with her.
She blinked.
“I need to use the restroom.” Ruth stood up.
“I'll be back.”
She walked away before Rinna could argue.
An attendant pointed her toward the hallway.
Ruth followed the direction he gave her.
She turned the corner and pushed open the first door she saw.
She immediately stopped.
It wasn't a restroom. It was a private room.
Before she reached for the door, a deep voice came from behind her.
“Who sent you?”
Ruth's heart hammered, and the urge suddenly disappeared.
Before she could turn around, the door slammed shut.
A hand caught her wrist and pulled her back.
Ruth gasped.
The room was too dark for her to see his face clearly.
“Let me go!”
He didn't.
Instead, he leaned closer.
“Who told you to come here?”
“I... I was looking for the restroom.”
“Rest room, you think I'm a fool?”
Ruth swallowed hard.
There was something about that voice that felt familiar.
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