6

CHAPTER 6

RUBY’S POV

I felt like a shell of myself by the time I got to the front porch of my house.

I had no idea how I even got there but I knew I walked all the way back and I saw Clarissa was seated on the porch, reading a book.

I froze by the sidewalk when I saw her and it took seconds before she noticed me. I could tell that she knew something happened immediately she saw the look on my face.

I had no idea how I looked but I knew I was feeling numb. I didn’t know what to feel after everything Dax said to me and I hated that those mere words from him were taking such a huge toll on me.

“Ruby, are you okay? You look pale” Clarissa asked worriedly as she came toward me and I sniffed when my eyes began to sting again. I really didn’t want to cry but I couldn’t help it when I was always defenseless around her.

As if sensing the tears that were about to come, she quickly pulled me in for a hug and patted me on the back while the dam I had been holding back right from the cafe finally broke.

The tears fell in torrents and I had to gasp to catch my breath in between the sobs I let out. Then she walked me into the house and sat me down before handing me a napkin and a glass of water. With a mumbled thanks, I took them both from her and she sat opposite me with worry still etched on her face.

“Tell me. Did he say hurtful words to you again? I’m going to make him pay in any way that I can” she asked and I managed to let out a chuckle as a lazy smile graced my face. I looked at her and she looked relieved to see I could still smile.

“Did he hurt you, Ruby? I know I’m trying to hold my place without my family’s influence but I mean it when I say I’ll make him pay. Even if I have to beg my parents” she told me while placing her hand over mine on the table and I shook my head.

“He did quite the opposite, Clarissa. It was very unexpected and I don’t even know why I’m crying. It makes no sense but here I am, breaking down over a man that broke me down years ago. I should be immune to him but I can’t help it and I hate it so much”

“What do you mean by the opposite? What did Dax do?” she fired another question at me and I swallowed before speaking.

“He told me he wants me back. That he still loves me and needs me back in his life” I finally let the cat out of the bag and I watched her eyes widen as she let the weight of my words sink in.

“What? He said that to you?” she asked me in disbelief and I nodded my head before sniffing again.

“And I have no idea why. Why would he do that after eight years? It’s a long time for him to get over me. It wasn’t like he even loved me” I told her and she leaned back in her chair before folding her arms over her chest.

“What if he needs something and thinks you would be the perfect tool to get whatever he wants?” she asked me and she went on when I didn’t understand what she meant.

“Imagine you hear about a billionaire who got back with his ex-fiancee whom he broke up with years ago. Such news is definitely going to make the headlines on celebrity gossip outlets and it will be a boost to his companies. I believe he’s just trying to use you, Ruby” she explained further and I scoffed as my heart tugged with pain.

I felt hurt and I couldn’t explain why. Not like I ever wanted to get back with him but to think he was pretending to want me back just for publicity hurt me. It was better if he just left me alone and acted like I never existed instead of wanting to use me for his personal gain.

Cleaning the last of the tears on my face, I tossed the napkin into the nearest trash can and drank the whole contents in the glass of water that Clarissa gave me then I stood up and dragged in a long breath before releasing it. Dax was just going to be a phase that I would never give in to.

I was going to live my regular life like how I did before he showed up again and in due time, he was going to give up and walk away because I never meant much to him to put in effort. All I had to do was forget about him and everything would be normal again.

“It’s a good thing I turned him down then,” I told Clarissa who had been watching me and she smiled.

“I’m glad you did. He doesn’t deserve you… He never did” she replied and I nodded before heading to my room.

Then I returned with an envelope and handed it over to Clarissa who looked confused as she picked it up and opened it. I laughed when she saw the envelope’s contents and gasped then she shot me a wide-eyed and shocked look that demanded answers immediately.

“This is a huge amount of money, Ruby. Why are you giving it to me?” she asked me and I shrugged. It was the little I could do for her after being the best friend ever to me.

“You should use it for your business. And I’m not taking it back no matter what you say. I have enough money of my own and that is just a little from the inheritance I got from Michael. You’ve always been there for me as a best friend and a sister so you should accept that money from me because those cafes buying your cookies don’t deserve them. You should be taking the praise for your baking, not them so I think you should open your bakery or cafe… whatever you want”

I finished my speech and smiled at her while she stared at me for a while. Then she leaped from her chair and rushed over to pull me in for another hug while she squealed happily.

“I love you so much, Ruby. I really do” she said and I hugged her right back while nodding my head knowingly.

“I know sweetie. I know you do” I replied. I was willing to do anything at all when it came to Clarissa. She and Sally were all I had and I loved them both so much, it hurt sometimes but that was the essence of it, wasn’t it?

**********

Another night at the club, Black Pearl, came and it was a struggle to keep my spirits high because all I wanted to do was return home and go to bed.

Thanks to Dax who ruined my day.

With a sigh, I finally finished applying my makeup and wore my mask, a pink and purple colored balaclava. Not like anyone was going to see my face but it was part of the club rules to make sure our faces were made up.

Somehow, Avery believed the men could tell if we were pretty or not just from looking at our eyes through the masks so to make them return every night, we had to keep them satisfied by dolling ourselves up.

I stood up and took off my dress before putting on a purple plaid mini skirt and a sleeveless corset top that had my breasts puffed up with my cleavage exposed.

I looked in the mirror and I couldn't deny the fact that I looked very sexy.

So I added the final touch to my look by wearing my heels and I felt a bit of my mood lighten up as my new look boosted my confidence.

Whoever it was I was performing for tonight, was going to have a show.

Immediately, Avery knocked on the door to my dressing room and opened the door before popping her head in. She gave me a once over and I saw her eyes lighten up before she smiled at me and gave me an approving nod.

“Does anyone want me for tonight yet?” I asked her and she nodded her head before opening the door wider.

“I don't know what it is you've been doing recently but I've been getting a lot of special requests for you. You may just be the best dancer of this month” she told me and I grinned beneath my mask.

“Then that's a good thing for me. I'll be getting a bonus for working so hard” I replied and she winked at me, obviously in agreement.

“So a man is in the same room you performed yesterday. He's quite drunk but I'm sure you can handle it. Just give him the best time so he can return on another day” she told me and I nodded even though I was already dreading performing for a drunk man.

It never went well and I was sure this one wouldn't either. Somewhere deep inside me, I found myself wishing Dax returned so I wouldn't have to perform for a drunk ass of a man but I quickly discarded that thought because I could take care of myself without him.

I got to the room, opened the door, and walked in and I never expected to see the man who stood before me with a bottle of red wine in his hand while he smirked at me.

Somehow, before meeting him, I just knew this night wouldn't go well and it was so disappointing to know I was right.