MasukThe front door slammed hard enough for me to hear it. Malcolm had headed outside.A second later, I heard his car start. I glanced through the window. The engine revved once, then again, before the car disappeared down the road.He did not look back.I stood where I was for a long moment, staring at my closed bedroom door, my heart still racing from everything he had said and everything he had refused to explain. The house felt larger without him in it and too quiet. I had no idea where June was, and I didn't care.I exhaled slowly and rubbed my arms, suddenly aware of how cold I felt despite the warm air. I asked myself a thousand questions, one of them being what this mark meant.I grabbed my phone, took a picture and uploaded it on the internet search engine, with the caption, what type of mark is this. The reply came almost immediately, confirming the mark to be a bug bite. The scientific name of the bug was attached, I didn't bother reading all of it. I searched through other sit
“That mark isn’t ordinary.”I raised a brow and studied my hand, where the mark was etched.I tightened my arms around myself, instinctively shielding my wrist even though he had already seen it.“You’re overreacting,” I said, forcing a steadiness into my voice that I did not feel. “I told you. It’s nothing.”“When did you get it?” His voice sounded more serious this time. “I don’t know,” I shrugged, as I started to wonder what the mark was. “This morning, or maybe during the night.” I didn't think the mark was from the dream with my father. Perhaps a bug bit me during my sleep.“That’s not an answer.”I frowned and opened my mouth to say something, but closed it as I seemed to lack words.He took a step toward me. Just close enough that I could smell the coffee on his breath. His eyes stayed on my face this time.“Try again,” he said. “When did you notice it?”“When I woke up.”His jaw tightened. He glanced at my wrist again, then looked away.“And before you slept,” he asked, “ther
“I’m…I'm so sorry.” I stuttered as I shifted underneath him and he got up from my body.“Damn Ruby,” I scolded myself, feeling like a total slut. Why did I even do that?He smiled lightly in a way that looked like he was blushing. “It's totally fine.”I looked at the floor as I felt too shy to raise my head to face him. He stepped closer to me. “We can try it again.”The smile still rested on his face. I breathed nervously and hurried down the stairs. I needed to escape from here before any other awkward thing happened.I heard his voice calling my name, but I didn't pay any heed to it. I got to the kitchen and clutched the counter, while placing a hand on my forehead. As I gulped down the water, I tried to act like that didn't happen.A few minutes later, I saw him walk past outside. He emerged later with my keys. As he handed them to me, I tried hard to avoid eye contact.“Thank you,” I muttered as I took the keys.When I settled in my room, I found it hard to sleep. My mind kept ju
He stepped closer into the light. His skin looked brighter compared to how pale they seemed when he was unconscious at the hospital.“Dad? You're the one who called me to come.”He nodded. “You're safe. Do not be afraid.”Tears burned my eyes. “You killed someone.”His shoulders sagged. “I didn't mean to.”“That doesn't change anything. She is already dead.”“They were in my way,” he replied. “And something terrible is coming.”I shook my head. “What are you talking about?”He stepped closer. I stepped back.“I am not your enemy,” he said. “I need you by my side.”“For what?” I asked.“To stop what is coming,” he said. “You have no idea what you are part of.”“I want to go home,” I said. “I want you to turn yourself in.” My voice shook as I spoke. Right now, I wasn't even sure if I was safe around him.He smiled slowly. “You still believe in the lie that Malcolm built around you.”“Malcolm loves me,” I said in defiance.My father laughed. “Malcolm only loves what he sees in you.”I fo
He held me close to his chest, while patting my back gently and whispering words that I barely even listened to. My nervous system was in a frenzy. I asked myself if it was really a bad idea trying to meet my father in crimson jail even after knowing he was in a place where grave offenders lodged.My mind raced further that perhaps he escaped because he didn't want to meet me. Was he also averse to me like my mother was? I tried my best not to shed a tear. I was just in a panicked state.While the health workers ran around, trying to clear the mess, Malcolm led me to settle on a chair in the corridor. The hospital corridors were louder now and I heard someone crying loudly near the nurse.I heard the person scream, ‘she is dead’. My heart sank instantly and I stared ahead, my hand clenched together in my lap as I tried to understand how a man I barely knew had just torn apart my life.Malcolm was whispering to me, urging me to take it easy and breathe slowly. But I still went against
Ruby’s POVMalcolm’s hand rested lightly at the small of my back, or rather, the big of my back, because my waist was far from being small. As the valet opened the restaurant doors for us, he held my waist closer.Warm light spilled out from inside, golden and relaxing, paired with the low murmur of conversations and soft instrumental music. The place smelled expensive, but looked simple. He reserved a comfortable spot close to the window. The view was a beautiful one. The atmosphere smelt divine, of wine, polished wood, something floral I couldn’t place.“This is nice,” I said quietly.He smiled. “I thought you’d like it.”The city lights outside glittered faintly, blurred by the glass. It felt intimate and intentional.I sat across from him, smoothing my dress over my thighs as the waiter handed us menus.“Happy birthday again,” Malcolm said, lifting his glass once our drinks arrived.“Thank you,” I replied, clinking mine against his.We talked about nothing important, work, traffi







