"Ruby, speak up something. You have been sitting there rock solid ─ totally wordless as if I'm talking to the walls," Emily gave the word a loathing swirl as she crouched down to the side of the bed. "What did he say?"

With a cup of simple tea being transferred and secured in Ruby's hand carelessly, she took from there slowly, "Emily, tell me one thing, honestly, am I not fit for this world? Clearly, I'm not. Because I'm not rich, sexy, and educated. Or maybe because I don't have a cunning mind?"

"W-why are saying that? No. You are totally fine. Only if it was in my hands, I would have somehow told Madame Tào to set you free forever."

"Because the way this world carries on its business, it is fucking dangerous," Ruby pondered, breathing hard. Her head throbbed with torment. It was traumatic, the fact that he wanted her to use in somebody else's place as a replacement. That was so against what demotics do, so how could she shake hands with him? No. Never. Fine, she was betrayed and had to forget everything and get a move on. It was supposed to be as simple as that, but she wasn't convinced by the idea of someone making her a fool.

"And what's that paper in your hand?" Emily asked worriedly as she took the crumpled note and read it.

"He was a liar. A cheat. The fact that he lied to me just leaves a bad taste in my mouth," Ruby ventured, causing the corner of her lips to turn up as she took a small sip of the now lukewarm tea. "Now I know why my favorite tea tastes so weak."

"No way. Did he?" Emily blurted with her eyes popping out of her head.

"Instead, he wants me to assume the identity of someone ─ live and breathe her life ─ excellent." Ruby's temperament cooled down and she checked on her friend's face simultaneously to know if she did the right thing.

"So, what did you say?" Emily's voice lowered. She allowed her gaze to search her face in stealth. "What was your call?"

"What do you mean by that?'" At first, she laughed and then thrust her hand in her direction as she morphed her face in disgust at the same time. "I controlled myself from abusing that man in front of so many people at the restaurant for developing otherworldly ideas."

"But he seemed like a man of substance, clothed in good attire and his demeanor was like that of an elite class man." Her mind seemed to be clouded with indifferent thoughts about him, just like Ruby's. But Ruby somehow felt distanced from Joseph, mainly because of that unforgettable lie that closed the doors of hope for her. "This is strange."

Ruby started to feel weighed down emotionally and psychologically after facing yet another morale-sapping defeat.

"Sadly, there is no torrent like greed. I'm glad that I've ended Joseph's chapter without getting a rash," Ruby retorted wistfully. "Okay, I need a hot shower to calm down my nerves. Let's have something good after that."

"Ruby, the geyser isn't working? You will have to bathe in the cold water." Emily stopped Ruby from taking a step forward toward the bathroom.

"What's wrong with the geyser? We got it fixed three days ago," Ruby muttered, her body frame tensed.

Emily shrugged her shoulders before spinning around and continuing her work of doing the dishes.

"Cool." Ruby tied her hair in a loose bun and crashed on her bed before turning on the TV. The buzzing sound emanated and colorful strips flickered on the screen like the strips of photo booth rainbow hues. "Emily, why aren't the channels coming?" she inquired testily.

"Starting today they are included in the premium plan, we have got to purchase one to continue watching them. Check if the advertisement channels are coming," Emily sat down on the edge of Ruby's bed, spreading the leftover salted mashed potatoes on the bread.

"Seriously, you want me to watch that fucking Telebrands ad from Lincoln's age? I'm leaving to Madame Tào's place right away ─ have lotta complaints piled up for the lady to address," Ruby spat and slipped in her vans.

"Bad news! She's gone out and only God knows when she will return," With that said, point A met point A again, making a big wheel. Ruby for one, knew nothing good could happen to them at any cost. "Miranda told me that."

"Fuck!" Ruby cursed before digging her face in her hands as she plopped on the chair next to the bed. Tears pricked at the back of her eyes.

"Ruby, sometimes we attach ourselves to the defeat so much that we somehow are not ready to accept the win."

"What does that mean?" the younger piped up.

"I don't know if it is correct to say this but," Emily spoke after a long pause. "You should do what he's asking you to do. Like he already told you any breach of contract will be dealt with seriousness and more importantly, he's offering you the money. You know how important is that for you."

"Emily, don't make me-"

"You know it very well that our life will never change until either of us break free from our shackles. We are not living, but existing like most deprived people. Then if you are getting this chance, why not earn your due share of happiness? By . . . by smiling more, having fun, buying anything that you desire without worrying about the price tag, or whatsoever."

Ruby gawked at her; the emotions on her face sent out a charged and powerful anti-wave. "And you think that I'll be able to do all of that without you? Why?" A breathy dismissal let out her mouth. "Why it appears like Madame Tào, Cassie and now, you too, are ganging up against me?"

"Ganging up?" Her eyebrows cinched together. "Ruby, I've always loved you like an elder sister."

"No, no just say it directly in my face that you are sick of babying me around for years. Because I'm about to turn twenty and you still have to get me my food on my bed like I'm a fucking child-"

"Shut up, Ruby!" Emily's voice raised hell, and it was for the first time. "I do that because I genuinely care for you."

No doubt, the notable polarization between Emily's irrepressible optimism and Ruby's over-the-top outrage underscored their different outlooks on life. Surprisingly, their ally had lasted for more than a decade now, as a result of which Ruby couldn't think of sleeping without hearing Emily's motivational preaching before bedtime. Together, they walked on the paths they paved with bare what-ifs; without the agency of parents, they had come to treat each other like siblings.

Ruby hung her face down in ostensible defeat. Emily took the cup from her hands and endured the warmth by placing her cold hands in hers. "Try to understand. You are young. I have tasted the fruits of all seasons. Now there is nothing on earth that excites me to revel in its essence."

"But this is not one of the down-to-earth chores. The police could drag me behind bars if they find out about the whole damn thing."

"Ruby, don't you want to get away from Madame Tào? With the way, things stand now. This is the time to try the other way around. Who knows if he's the savior of your life?" Emily exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air. "I don't know why but my heart always says that God has planned something extraordinary for you."

Ruby kept quiet for a few minutes, for she hadn't seen her friend so serious.

"I think you are right. What did I get in all these years? Not even a new pair of socks," Ruby chuckled bitterly.

Emily smiled, rubbing off her tears.

"Yes. I want a new life. A grand life indeed," Ruby's voice cracked, sounding ostensibly serious. She took her tote bag that was hanging on the peg and stuffed Emily's phone inside as she strode to the door.

"Where are you going?" Emily asked, leaving everything behind as she had been all at sea. Confusion spilled on her face, like the flickering strokes of paint on the canvas board.

"To make the best of the bad bargain, honey." Ruby giggled, rubbing her nose off her sleeve before closing the door as she sallied to the arrogant's cave.

***

Paying the taxi fare was a pure act of resistance for Ruby. She walked along the street, checking the address over and over again in the orange hue of the streetlight. Moments later, she finally reached 22-D, Arthur Colony. Ruby pushed the steel gate and strolled past the stone pathway. She knocked on the door after rethinking her decision for the umpteenth time. A beautiful girl, probably a little older than her opened the door.

Ruby gave her the note and asked her, wide-eyed, "Is this Joseph Holden's house?"

"Oh yes, it's Joseph's house. He's not here at the moment but you can wait for him. Please come on in," she gave her a warm smile.

Ruby nodded skeptically, eyeing her casual shorts and a loose tank top that showed the straps of her ocean blue bra. Perhaps if she is Joseph's girlfriend, then he is probably keeping all the money to himself. Nevertheless, she threw the thought over her shoulder and followed her inside.

The smell of freshly baked bread wafted into her nostrils. The living room wasn't big enough to accommodate a raft of things, but the decor looked sophisticated.

"Wait a minute, I'll be right back," she said and vanished somewhere.

In the meantime, a doorbell broke the connection with her thoughts. She stood attentively and looked around. After waiting for a moment, she went on to open the door, imagining Joseph to be home.

"Hey, you're the one who literally gave him the hallucinations all night? Do you know how much I have to suffer because of that," Anshuman stated, his words laced with slight anger. He plodded into the room while hugging a paper bag of veggies in his arms. "Just leave. Okay. He's not even one percent of what he used to be. All because of your bang-on bitch attitude and that really sexy red dress."

Ruby's face switched colors. She didn't know what to make of his statements. "I-I should leave?"

Surprisingly, his lips stretched in amusement and it was visible by his wobbly motions. "Oh, no. Please park yourself on the sofa. I was just kidding. I think he's just fanboying over you," Anshuman joked as they sat on the couch at a distance from each other.

"What do you mean?" Ruby asked quickly.

"Joseph has a poor track record with women. I wonder if he had any in his life before you." He smiled before offering a can of beer and Ruby clutched the freezy can between her warm palms.

"Thank you. But, it's not like that." She cleared her throat, mentally wanting the fact to turn into a beautiful truth. His handsome features did offset his temperament (fractionally).

"Wait. Where's Sarah?"

"Uh, she said she had a little work," Ruby said in a suggestive tone. "Can I ask you something about Joseph?"

"Yes of course."

"Is he a criminal or something?" Her eyes turned smaller.

Anshuman shot a hand up to his mouth, giving her more serious attention.

Ruby bit her lip, cowering. "Ain't I right?"

"Wait, d-do you have a talent of doing a background check at first glance?"

Horror swept over Ruby's visage and her back erected. "That means he is." Her body shivered as if she had been summoned to death.

"Why do you think he is always dressed in designer suits like a boss? It's because he is a cagey mafia. His forefathers worked for some of the most dangerous mafias tropes in Italy." He fiddled with his posture.

"Designer suits." It wasn't easy to fool Ruby when her memory was sharp, "It could be because he works for a high-profile public figure. His pictures are clicked in the newspapers as well."

Anshuman opened his mouth and scratched his head, avoiding her piercing glare. "O-okay. You got me. Don't look at me like that. You only make me want to act like Joseph."

Her face relaxed. "For example."

Anshuman pulled the air through his nostrils and his head slung back. Ruby wondered what he was up to. He then got up, joining his hands at the back as he imitated Joseph's stiff body movements. His chest heaving up and down, eyebrow cocking up and when he began speaking in a controlled husky voice just like Joseph's, Ruby's eyes teared up.

"Do it again please," Ruby begged him and he walked hither and thither, copying Joseph's posture and composure comically. Ruby parked herself on the sofa, wrapping her arms around her abdomen, laughing out loud.

"And when Joseph has a bad day. His anger lands at everything." Anshuman's nose flared, as he threw the cushion on the floor out of fake anger. He was being unstoppably funny.

Ruby floated too far in his comedy that she stood on the sofa and copied his actions, dumping all the six cushions across the room one by one. "Like this?"

His actions and plentitude of humor suddenly jolted to a stop as his eyes flashed with strange self-doubt. On the other hand, her laughter perched upon another level ─ eyes welled up and she couldn't recall when was the last time she had this kind of belly laugh.

"Hey, why did you stop? humor-strapped? Ha, ha." She took the liberty to jump on it, sticking a hand out on the wall. Her rough auburn hair worked very well to cover the ugly, wide grin on her face. She was out of breath and her right foot slipped into space subconsciously. She yelped as she fell back, "Ouch!" and felt a life-saving power of a palm against her back, injecting mighty force onward.

She tried to look over her shoulder to confirm his identity, unfortunately, that bunch of rough hair curtailed her vision. And another yelp reached for his ears as her body descended upon him completely. He didn't give her a chance to touch him as he seemed adamant to put her down immediately using the very same hand.

Her body had no extra flesh that would call help for using another hand, but Joseph's this cerebral belief turned wrong when her face drew exceptionally . . . exceptionally closer to him, and the moment slowed down to a stop.

Once her eyes met with him, her lips worked without receiving any prior command, "Why is it that we always have to see each other's face from this close every time we meet?"

"It's purely because of . . . your negligence." His Adam's apple shuttled up and down under his skin. Next, his eyebrow lifted even more as if it would move out of his forehead. "What?"

At crunch time, an image of Anshuman's twisted face struck her mind, which she found very similar to Joseph's present expression. The earlier scenes were par for the course of laughing, so she spat on Joseph's face, riling him more.

He pulled apart.

Word count - 2570

a/n; lots of love xxxx
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