Ruin Me, Mr X

A spy

SABLE

Alaric's eyes slowly opened and landed on me. He stared at me for a moment before lifting his hand to press it against my forehead.

“You're awake,” he said. “Do you feel dizzy?”

I slowly shook my head. “Not at all.”

“That's good.” He sighed softly, lowering his hand from my forehead to my waist.

Glancing around, I realized we were still in the office, but it was already very late into the night.

Wait.

“What time is it?” I sprang up, my heart slamming heavily against my chest.

“Calm down, Sable. You just woke up.” He held me, forcing me gently back onto his lap. Checking his wristwatch, he added, “It's past 9 p.m. Do you have someone waiting for you at home?”

“Y-yes, my grandfather. I always return home early, and he will be alarmed if I come home this late,” I quickly answered.

“It's alright.” He stood up, carrying me in bridal style. “I'll take you home.”

“What? No, there's no need for that, Mr. Leighton. I am very sure you have other problems that need your attention.”

This was one of the reasons I had hidden the injury in the first place.

Alaric said nothing as he walked toward his desk. He grabbed his car keys before leaving the office.

My heart raced at the thought of workers seeing me being carried toward his car. Still, those worries disappeared almost immediately because no one except the security guards remained in the building.

For some reason, everyone, including Christina and her sister, had already left.

My gaze lowered as my hands tightened together. I wondered what they thought of me after seeing me collapse from an injury like that and sleep in his office.

I hoped they didn't think this was an excuse to avoid work.

“What are you thinking about?” Alaric's voice sounded beside me as he opened the car door.

“Nothing,” I replied too quickly.

He gently placed me beside the driver's seat and fastened my seatbelt. I risked a glance at him and saw the calm look in his eyes, yet he said nothing.

It was obvious he knew I was lying. He simply chose not to expose me.

“Mr. Leighton.” I opened my mouth to apologize for answering him that way, but he closed the door before I could continue.

I watched him walk around the car before entering the driver's seat. He started the engine and drove out of the company grounds.

The drive to my house was silent and awkward. I bit my lower lip, silently blaming myself for making things uncomfortable.

The only conversation we had was when he asked for my address. After that, neither of us spoke again.

“We're here.”

His voice pulled me back to reality.

Looking through the window, I noticed my grandfather standing outside with his walking stick.

He shouldn't be outside with his condition!

“Thank you, Mr. Leighton! I owe you for this,” I said quickly as I hurried out of the car.

I shut the door and hurried across the road despite the sharp pain in my heels.

“Grandfather! You shouldn't be out here! It's cold!” I yelled while crossing the street.

His head turned just in time to see me, and relief immediately washed over the frown on his face.

I rushed to him and hugged him tightly.

“Child, I couldn't rest knowing you were still out there so late at night.” He smiled softly, his eyes closing briefly. “I see you came with someone. Is he a colleague of yours?”

I froze slightly before turning toward Alaric's car parked nearby.

If I told Grandpa that he was my boss, he might misunderstand the situation.

“Yes, he's a colleague of mine. I got caught up with work and didn't realize how late it had become. He decided to drive me home since his house is close by,” I lied smoothly.

Grandpa's hand rested over mine. “Is that so? Why don't you invite this fine young man in for tea?”

Panic instantly gripped my chest.

“N-no, that won't be necessary.” The smile on his face dropped slightly, causing me to quickly continue. “He has some urgent matters to take care of. I'll tell him about your invitation another time. I'm sure he would love to come.”

“I see.” He smiled again before letting go of my hand. “Are you hungry? I'm sure you weren't able to eat this afternoon, and you also missed taking your medicine.”

I gasped. “How did you know?”

He chuckled softly. “It's very obvious, child. You are easy to read.”

I walked beside him while helping him into the house.

As we stepped through the door, I glanced over my shoulder and noticed Alaric's car was still there.

Even from that distance, I could feel his gaze fixed on me.

I shut my eyes briefly before quickly entering the house and closing the door behind me.

I hurried upstairs to wash up and change into my night clothes before returning downstairs to eat the food Grandpa had prepared.

We talked about how my day went, including my head injury, before I finally returned to my room.

The moment I collapsed onto the bed, pain spread through my aching body.

Suddenly, memories of everything that happened today flashed through my mind.

“Wait.”

I sat up abruptly as Grandpa's words replayed repeatedly inside my head.

“You are easy to read.”

I slowly widened my eyes.

“Alaric knew I was lying the entire time!”

I jumped off the bed and rushed toward the window, yanking the curtain aside.

Squinting into the darkness, I saw his car still parked outside, and he was standing beside it while staring directly at my window.

My breath caught slightly as I stared down at him, unsure what to do.

Could he really be waiting for me?

“No.” I shook my head quickly. “He wouldn't wait for me.”

At that moment, my phone rang.

I turned toward it briefly, but a loud screech from outside immediately pulled my attention back to the window.

My heart tightened painfully when I saw his car driving away.

No.

No.

My phone rang again.

I marched toward it, snatched it up, and unlocked the screen.

It was Madame Lior.

[Come to the Clubhouse now]