CHAPTER 28: I’M LEAVING

After breakfast, Ruby carefully wrapped a few slices of toast, some fruit, and leftover sausages in a napkin, stuffing them into a small covered tray. She glanced around the dining room before slowly making her way toward the stairs.

She hoped no one would notice. Especially not Stefan. He had been escorted by Martin to the room to get a document he had said he wanted to drop off at the office but had been forgetting.

Just a quick trip. I’ll drop the food off and be back down before anyone wonders where I went, she told herself.

Though that was the plan, she hoped she wouldn’t be compelled to stay there longer than was necessary.

Her cheek warmed up when she thought about the kiss and she couldn’t help but ask herself whether or not she should tell Rayna about it.

What would she say though? Would she chide her or tell her she was falling for Stefan which she knew was probably true. She’d think about what to do or say when she gets to the room.

As Ruby climbed the stairs with careful, quiet steps, she reached the hallway and turned the corner, only to stop dead in her tracks.

A maid was standing right in front of the room, holding cleaning supplies and staring at the door like something was off.

Ruby’s heart jumped into her throat immediately she saw her. What was she doing there? Why was she looking like that? She thought in panic.

The maid turned slightly and saw Ruby. Her eyes widened when she noticed the tray in Ruby’s hands and she couldn’t help but wonder why Ruby was taking food to her room when she’d just had food.

Was somebody in the room? She mused, her brows furrowing in confusion.

For a second, Ruby almost blurted out an excuse when she saw the confusion on the maid’s face.

She wanted to say something. Something like I’m taking this upstairs because I didn’t eat to my fill or I liked it so much that I needed to have some more—anything that would explain why she was sneaking food to her room.

But then she remembered—I’m supposed to be Ivy. She told herself. Ivy wouldn’t explain. She wouldn’t stutter or look guilty or even think about what a maid would think of her. She’d stand tall and act like she owned the place. She did own the place, she thought, almost with a chuckle.

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Having thought that, Ruby straightened her shoulders, raised her chin, and looked the maid dead in the eyes, her confidence toppling over.

"What are you doing standing there?" she asked, her voice firm.

The maid fumbled, surprised. "I was going to clean the room, ma’am...."

"So why are you just standing there?" she asked wanting to see if there was really something wrong.

"I wanted to go in but after unlocking it with the key, it still won’t open. The door seems to be locked from the inside, I don’t know how that is possible," she said in confusion.

Ruby blinked. Locked from inside? That means Rayna must’ve heard the maid coming and locked it. How was she going to do it now?

Thinking Rayna could do something from inside if she heard her voice, Ruby raised a brow.

"What do you mean, locked from inside?" Ruby asked, raising her voice a little so Rayna could hear her. "It’s not locked. It can’t be because I’m here so what are you talking about?"

She moved past the maid, heart pounding so hard she was sure it echoed in the hallway. She turned the doorknob slowly—and to her relief, it opened smoothly.

The maid who had been wondering why Ruby was shouting even though she was used to ’Ivy’ yelling at her by now, blinked in confusion.

"I told you," Ruby said, turning back to her with a cool tone. "It wasn’t locked. You must’ve been turning the knob the wrong way."

The maid opened her mouth as if to argue, but Ruby cut her off.

"Since I’m here now, there’s no need to clean in here. I’ll let you know when I want the room cleaned. For now, you can go."

The maid gave a short nod, still looking puzzled. "Yes, ma’am," she said before leaving, wondering why ’Ivy’ seemed to be pretending to be pissed when it was obvious she wasn’t. Was ’Ivy’ hiding something? She wondered.

Ruby watched her leave, not breathing until the maid had disappeared down the hall. Then she quickly stepped inside and shut the door behind her, locking it.

She leaned back against the door and let out a deep, shaky breath. "That was close..."

"Tell me about it," came Rayna’s voice, and Ruby turned toward the bed.

Rayna stepped out from behind the curtain that separated the sitting area. Her hair was messy, and she was still wearing the oversized t-shirt Ruby had given her to sleep in. She folded her arms across her chest, a small smirk on her face.

"I thought my heart was going to stop when I heard her voice," Rayna said. "Did you really have to act like the boss lady?"

Ruby raised an eyebrow. "Did you really have to lock the door?"

Rayna shrugged and walked over, flopping down onto the edge of the bed. "I heard someone outside. I panicked and didn’t want anyone finding me in here. Sue me."

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Ruby rolled her eyes and walked over, placing the tray in front of her. "Well, next time, don’t panic. Or we’re both dead."

Rayna lifted the napkin and peeked under it. "Ooh, toast and sausages? You really know how to spoil a girl in hiding."

Ruby sat beside her, still breathing a little fast. "We have to be careful. If anyone finds out you’re here...."

Rayna bit into a piece of toast. "About that, I think it’s time to leave since we’ve already found out who your blackmailer is."

There was a short silence.

Then Ruby looked at her friend and spoke quietly. "Leave? Back to Florittle?"

Rayna looked up. "Nah. I’m thinking of renting a place here while you do your marriage thing. After that, we could go back together—"

"No, Ray. You can’t do that," Ruby said, shaking her head and Rayna laughed.

"Why not? It’s not like anything’s going on for me in Florittle except my work which I can actually do anywhere. Let’s be here together. Who knows? I might eventually find my Mr Right, you know?" Rayna said and Ruby shook her head.

"Let’s talk about this later when I return," Ruby said before walking out the door.