Valentine's Vows; Love, Lies And A Fake Engagement

RUBBY'S POV 

It was the perfect ring. 

Gold, simple and not overpriced. Nolan would really like it. 

Tomorrow was going to be our third anniversary, and since he wasn't going to pop the question, I decided to do it myself. I mean, what could go wrong? I mean, I didn't see what was holding us back anyway. We were in love, both financially capable with very supportive parents. So everything added up. There wasn't any reason to hold off anymore. 

“I can't believe you're doing this,” Trisha, my best friend muttered. “Proposing to Nolan? That's crazy, girl!” 

“No, it's not,” I debunked immediately. “There is absolutely nothing wrong with a girl proposing to her man. We've been together for three years and I understand that Nolan is somewhat shy. Maybe he wants to do this but doesn't know how to go about it. It's Nolan after all.”

“Unbelievable!” She huffed looking sulky as hell. Trish was no happy with the idea of me proposing and kept forbidding it but she had to know that nothing was going to stop me and could only protest now. 

“Come on, Trish. My parents would be flying in tonight to spend the holiday and they expect me to be engaged already,” I sighed. “I mean, think about it. If I propose now and we get married on New Year or even New Year's Eve, wouldn't that be lovely?” I said dreamily. A fresh year with a fresh new start. 

“I don't know. I still think you're moving too fast. Proposing to him just seems desperate. Besides, I know your parents wouldn’t have such expectations from you if you didn't tell them you were engaged. Believe me, that was quite the stretch.”she said and I laughed. 

She was right but I was tired of listening to them drill me about marriage and somehow spilled that we were already engaged. It was technically lying at the time but–oh well. 

“You are so primitive, it's no big deal” I chuckled. “Help me pick a dress will you?”

She didn't argue further and kept her view to herself for that day. She helped me pick out a beautiful red dress. 

The next day, I headed to Nolan's office to surprise him. We already had plans for the night, and even Trish thought I was going to propose then, but I got too excited and just couldn't wait. He was so going to say yes and I was going to get my happy ever after! 

He was the managing director of Black Suits, the biggest law firm in the country and that made him so busy that we barely spent quality time together. Even Trish, who was working under him didn't work twice as hard. 

I took the elevator and headed to the third floor where his office was located. I was about to knock when I realized that the door wasn't properly closed. I reached for the handle when I heard a discussion that shook me to my bones. 

“She wants to propose tonight, you know that right?” Trisha's voice rang in my ears. Wait… I must have been hearing things.

“So what?” Nolan asked and I could have sworn I heard kissing sounds. “It's not like I'm going to marry her anyway.”

The flowers in my hand dropped to the ground as my body stiffened. There was no way I was hearing right. 

“So you are going to say no?” Trish pushed on. “Stop kissing me and answer the damn question, Nolan. Are you going to reject her or not?” 

“Yes, I will. We both know that you are the only one I want. The only reason I am with Rubby is because of her family's connections. Her father got me this job, and it's just easier to have her sponsor my lifestyle so I can sponsor yours,” Nolan said, and my heart shattered into a million pieces. I felt like letting out a scream but the sound stuck in my throat.

I staggered back, tears stinging my eyes. Trisha laughed and my chest squeezed so hard that I could barely breathe. 

“You should have seen her blabbing about getting married on New Year's Eve after engaging you tonight. She has to be the most delusional and desperate person I have ever met! Talking about how everything was going to be so fresh and new for her. Pathetic and delusional” Trisha went on to say. 

“What do you expect from someone as average and plain as her? She couldn't even bag a bad-looking man even if she tried,” Nolan snorted, and it felt like I had been stabbed in the heart. Was that really what he thought of me? After all our years together? 

Wow! So this was it? I meant nothing at all to him? All the years we spent together were nothing to him. Just a means to an end? An average desperate woman?

To think he had to do this with Trisha! My best friend! The one who helped me pick out a dress and ring. How could she?! 

Tears stung my eyes. No wonder she thought I was desperate. She must have been laughing at me a hundred times in her head. Mocking me for how much of a fool I was. How could she do such a thing to me? 

My fists clenched as angry tears rolled down my cheeks. How long did he intend to play me? Obviously, the genius plan was to embarrass me before all our friends right? All this time he “overworked” in the office, he was most likely going down on Trisha. The mere thought of it made me want to break down and wail 

I wanted to storm in there and confront him but I just couldn't bring myself to. A part of me felt like if I could pretend this didn't happen then it wouldn't be real. 

I slowly picked the flowers from the floor fighting back the tears blurring my vision. 

Me, Rubby Cavilton couldn't bag a bad- looking man even if I tried? Wow! Just fucking wonderful. 

A bitter chuckle fell from my lips. He had no idea what was coming for him. 

“What are you doing here?” I heard suddenly and whipped around to see a man that made my breath stop. 

At that point, my mind went blank. The memory of Nolan and Trisha pushed back; all I could see was this gorgeous man before me with shoulder-length black hair, gelled to the back, oceanic blue eyes and thick slashed brows. 

He was in a white two-piece suit and looked like he fucking stepped out of a magazine. Did I mention the intoxicating lemon-scented cologne? 

“Who are you?” He repeated, the silky baritone sending delicious shivers down my spine. I blinked rapidly, regaining my composure. Who was I? I couldn't say I was Nolan’s girlfriend would I? 

“Hi, you must be Nolan's coworker,” I lied with a polite smile. “I'm Rubby, you?” 

His eyes flickered to my outstretched palms, yet he didn't make a move to take them and I didn't really have the time to let him decide. 

“Are you single?” I cut in and surprise flickered in his eyes. He was probably stunned by my audacity. “You know what, don't answer that, take this.” 

I pushed the flowers to him and fished out the ring box from my bag. 

“What are you doing?” He asked when I pulled out the ring. 

“Engaging you, what do you think?” I shrugged, taking his right hand. He didn't pull away, just staring at me like I'd lost my goddamn mind. 

Maybe I did. 

“Don't worry, you can take it off after this. It's not that deep. I just need you to do something quick for me and I'll pay you, okay?” I said, pushing the ring into his finger and right before I could drill him on what I needed him to do, the door opened and Trish stepped out of Nolan’s office. 

At first, she was surprised, but then it quickly turned into the brightest fake smile I had ever seen. 

“Rubby!” She exclaimed, attempting to hug me. “What are you doing here?” 

I stepped away from her, disgusted that she would smile at me after stabbing me in the back. She wanted to embarrass me by making fun of me but she had another thing coming if she thought that was going to happen. 

“Rubby…” she trailed off, surprised at my reaction. I interlocked my arm with blue eyes. Her eyes went wide with shock but before she could say anything, Nolan stepped out of the office. 

“What is going on…” the words got stuck in his throat as soon as he saw our interlocked arms. 

“Oh, don't mind me. I just came to pick up my fiance,” I said lightly, turning over to blue eyes. Without hesitation, I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him.

God, his lips tasted like cherry. He didn't push me away; he just remained frozen. I mentally made a note to cut his pay for being such a bad actor. Tch, he didn't even go with the flow.

I was immediately yanked away from him. 

“What the hell are you doing, Ruby? Who is this man and why the fuck are you kissing him?” He barked angrily. “Have you lost your mind?” 

“Lost my mind?” I chuckled. “Quite rich coming from you! Considering that you were just exchanging saliva with my best friend minutes ago!” 

He paled out immediately and Trisha went ashen. 

“What? I thought we were both surprising each other today.”

I had never seen him as furious as the way he was right now. His grip on my arm tightened so much that I could feel his nails sinking into my flesh but before he could say anything else, Blue eyes finally snapped out of his shock and decided to play his part. 

“Get your hands off her this minute, or I will not only throw you out of my building, but I will make sure you land in jail for assault,” the iciness of tone sent shivers down my spine. So he could talk.