Joseph cast a glance at his wristwatch, standing at the threshold of the room. On the other hand, Ruby combed her hair with her hand to provide it with a smooth effect, having no time to look in the mirror it was a bit of a hassle. However, she didn't seem to look as tensed as Joseph who couldn't stop tapping his new shoe in agitation.

What a poor pair of new shoes.

"Jose, I'm not sure about today. Still." She giggled, taking her sweet time pulling the hem of her cardigan in the name of supremacy. Her every action seemed exceptionally slower, Joseph began to massage his temples. "Jose, I think this purse would be superfluous, tell me?"

At this point, as she came closer to him shutting the door behind her, he spun her around and carried her in a bridal style.

"Joseph!"

"There's no other way to take there ─ in just one minute, is there?"

"Never had I objected just hold me tight." As if those words were not enough to reinstate him to the edge that she had to kiss him on the cheek. To say that his heart skipped a beat would be an understatement. She wrapped her arms around his neck in a loving manner. Joseph hobbled, also making sure to keep an eye out.

Lucy moseyed along with a cup of tea, singing a song in an acute tone. She got startled as she saw a glimpse of Joseph carrying Elizabeth in his arms and running. She careened to catch them, yelling at the same time. "Joseph sir! Your tea!"

Joseph nearly swore after sensing the physical touch they had put in the eyes of everyone, he quickly slipped his arm away from Ruby's.

Mrs Warner's eyes widened as they lay on Ruby's face. "Christ! Elizabeth . . . are you okay?"

Ruby realized that it surely was the uneven dash of eyeliner or maybe unpolished lipstick. She cradled her face in her hands, puzzled and over-emotional.

"I'm . . . fine." Ruby nodded unthinkably.

Mrs Warner ordered one of the maids with all seriousness, "Bring Alicia here to fix Elizabeth's makeup. Quick." In the meantime, Ruby whipped her head to read Joseph's embarrassed face. What had happened?

He was rubbing his neck and refused to look into her eyes utterly. She slowly retreated her steps back to check her appearance in the decorative mirrors on the wall. A yelp escaped her lips. Looking at herself was like witnessing the previous version of herself as Ruby--- the petty singer with poor makeup skills.

"Joseph sir, your tea is ready," Lucy gasped, offering him the teacup, while Ruby rewound what he had been doing on her face previously.

"No thanks," he answered flatly.

***

It was Joseph's brilliant idea to send a convoy of three cars to the front entrance and leave a swarm of paparazzi in their wakes, while they enter through the less-visible entrance. Still, her terror didn't go unnoticed by Mrs Warner. "Darling, if you don't feel comfortable answering any of their questions, then don't."

Ruby bobbed her head, smiling.

The hotel staff welcomed them, and one of their manager who gave a tough competition to Joseph's good looks sidled the crowd and greeted Mrs. Warner through a handshake. "Ma'am, I heartily welcome you to Hotel Pullman." His green, smiley eyes set on Ruby next, waiting for them to land on his face which sadly didn't happen.

Ruby was breathing in and out, in and out. Every time Joseph lifted his hand he wanted to bite his nails but somehow fought against the urge. How was she going to deal with it? He thought.

"Elizabeth, how do you like the venue?" She beamed at her. These wild swings of nervousness and anxiety took a huge toll on her mental health albeit she tried shifting her focus to the posh surrounding encompassing her. It was indeed an expensive hotel - custom furniture with signature Hirst motifs.

"Such a baller!"

Everyone's expression changed altogether and Joseph stepped in quickly, "Now please take us to the hall. We don't want the press to raise questions on our punctuality."

"Sure. Please follow me." The manager was reminded of his duty for the first time, purely because it was the first time he saw someone as beautiful as Ruby; he was sincerely bewitched by her divine existence.

Mrs Warner was overwhelmed when Ruby linked their arms and murmured in her ear, "Please, don't leave my hand."

Mrs Warner replied, "Never will I, El."

At that moment, she wished Mrs Warner was her real mother.

Just as the door opened, they strode toward the stage, along with a secret entry of a gamut of mixed emotions jiggling in her pit. A large table, festooned with peach flowers and a water bottle in front of their seatings. Joseph dragged the center chair for Ruby and sat beside her while Mrs Warner enclosed her from the other side. Ruby noticed that the number of shotgun mics that sat on the table was certainly more than what she would say: Hello I'm Elizabeth Warner. And what more? Well, nothing.

The view from there displayed the sea of spectacled, mixed-race reporters. But there was something in common amongst them, that was the strenuous obstination perching on their faces.
The entire scene looked like a skirmish whereupon the opponents were armed with weapons like innumerable questions and statements to be proved as wrong or right.

"So, are we ready?" Joseph leaned to the side.

"Kill me please," Ruby replied, through clenched teeth. She shot up her hand and snapped shut her eyes as the cameras started to flash and the only sound of the clicking ricochetted in the hall for the whole three minutes.

Someone announced, "Let's begin. Everyone is requested to question one by one."

"Hello! I'm Meghan from The Today news channel. Before I congratulate Katherine Warner for getting her daughter back. I would also like to compliment Elizabeth Warner that you are indeed, very beautiful!"

"Thank you." Ruby smiled timidly and the stout lady returned the same.

"My question is for Katherine: how did you get to know about Elizabeth's existence? How did you meet Elizabeth?"

"Hmmph, one of my very trusted and respected workers introduced me to her." It was Mrs Warner's style not to disclose everything to the media.

"I once again would like to congratulate you and thank you." She descended upon her seat.

"I'm Diego from Seattle Times. My question is for Elizabeth Warner; why did you decide to turn up to her after a gap of fifteen years? And why not in your teens?"

"Umm...I wanted to have an independent life, wanted to try something new, and enjoy some me-time."

"So, what is an independent life according to you? Is living a life in a mansion kind of bounds you or puts a leash of restrictions around your neck?"

"Of course not. Although I've never come across any situation where I have to take my mother's permission, I'm sure she would never deny it. Since the mansion itself has so many entertaining things to do that just accentuates the daily dosage of fun factor."

"Where did you live in these years? Who were your friends? And who raised you?" another shrill voice penetrated her ears.

"I-I..." Joseph's hand crept up her thighs to her hand, and he tightly clasped it. They began staring at each other, surprisingly she tore away her gaze at the thirsty reporters, feeling complete viscerally. "I lived in a place which was like a boarding school where only selective elite kids stayed. There was only one teacher who took immense care of us." She thought about Madame Tào as she quoted the lie. That money-driven loathsome woman.

Ruby pressed her fingers against his knuckles, Joseph spoke into one of the mics, "Next question please."

"Is your return motivated by an act of backstabbing Katherine Warner due to her old age and acquiring everything in your name?"

A frown latched on Mrs Warner's forehead, she spewed with a bitter scoff that came along, "What is he talking about?"

"Sorry, that's just a bunch of lies loosely spoken and pushed forward," Ruby asserted confidently.

"No, that's not what I meant to ask. Recently the occurrences of cases of deception lobbed into reality have gone too far. So, shall we vouch for a similar story from your side?"

His voice hiked up an octave which gave Joseph a chance to trample his
dodgy wordplay.

"Excuse me, sir, there is no point in shouting? We are here! You have a mic! Let's become humans first." The profound hatred in Joseph's intervention did cause half of the mass comprising of the ladies' section, especially, to let out a coveted laugh. But the heated session of questions only seized for a matter of a few seconds.

"Sorry, sir. I thought my voice was not audible. Our team wants to verify your identification documents. So can we just take a look at it?"

Joseph stopped the reporter in the middle, a hand lurched in the air. "I don't see a need for your so-called team's interference in someone's personal life. She's been accepted into the family and they have no issues with it. I mean who hell are you to publicize her personal details in your pity newspaper? Do you happen to keep any relation with Warner's high fathers? Tell me?"

"Next question," mumbled Mrs Warner, taking her chances to change the topic.

Joseph bent over to grab Mrs. Warner's attention and whisper-yelled showing his five fingers, "Not more than five minutes."

Mrs Warner nodded, smiling flamboyantly.

Now it was Ruby's turn to lower his temperature, she held his hands. "Don't lose your cool, Joseph. It's okay."

"What is next on Elizabeth Warner's shortlist? Do you have someone special in your life you want to settle with?"

"Umm...I think he's sitting and watching me carefully. I'm just waiting for his reply." Ruby smiled as the entire hall uproared fervently. She realized it late what Mrs Warner must have thought about her strange confession. Someone was in her life. Who? Possibly an heir of a massive hotel chain?

"Thank you everyone for your kind cooperation. Now you may help yourselves with some food and drinks," the other lady said.

Everyone dispersed and Ruby banged her wracked head on the table. "I can't believe it's over." Joseph stalked off the stage leaving them behind to track his path.

"Now I'll have to reward my daughter with something she will never forget." Mrs Warner caressed her head with a dictum of love. "Don't worry I have already thought about it."

****

Street lights replaced the waned sun, they were sitting in the car which was driven by Joseph. The same Joseph who was soaked in anger was now as quiet as a mouse. Too focused to even acknowledge Ruby's tackling of the media which Mrs. Warner couldn't stop fawning over.

Ruby prompted, looking at her, "I-I actually wanted to pay a visit to my friend's house. She lives right around the corner."

"Of course. We will throw a private party tomorrow and celebrate it lavishly. You can invite her."

"Oh. Yeah, she will be glad to come."

"Joseph, ask Tony to drive me to the mansion. I'll leave you for her safety." As the car halted, Ruby was put to ease. Mrs Warner began searching for something in her purse. Maybe something she had promised to give to Ruby.

"Here. Take these keys." The touch of cold metal stirred her senses.

"These..."

"Yes. These are the keys to my locker. From today onwards it is in your possession." She squeezed Ruby's hands, begotten the importance of it in her statement. Ruby needed some time to register the worth of a couple of keys dangling in a loop.

Joseph's eyes flickered to the rear sight mirror, fingers drumming in excitement and uncomfortableness naturally arose out of eavesdropping.

"What is in it?" She breathed out in a mere whisper.

"You will find it once you get access to it. I'm not telling you anything," was all she said and got out of the car.

Joseph sighed and slid shut his eyes, keeping his hands intact on the steering wheel. "Ahh, you aren't that blockhead to be unbeknownst to what all things will be hidden inside. Yes, we are halfway there."

To his horror, he didn't hear her expected retort or yowl. He turned around to find Ruby peeling off her cardigan and the second thing was she lay on the seat to remove the tricky laces of her shoes.

All he did was watch her every move with interest, entranced. He gulped as she smacked his head and jumped next to his seat.

"Wow. The ringside view always gives you the best sort of feeling. This car is so spacious." She smirked as she leaned in to pour down some seductive words in his ear. "And how the hell I ended up with a handsome driver like you? Take me to the beach, sex bomb."

"You can't take advantage of this loneliness we are struck with─"

"─Exactly, my point. Let's do this in front of everyone on the beach."

"W-What?"

"Oh, God, just look at your duality. Acting like mama's boy in a fraction of a second." She then wandered her bare feet on his jawline and then pushed it with a jerk.

Joseph's eyes glistened with fear of what was happening next. "You sure, you aren't drunk?"

"RIGHT THERE!" She bounced on her seat, like a fish out of the pond. "JOSE, I WANT TO EAT AN ICE CREAM."

"Okay! Fine! Do I have to remind you that you are a grown-up girl? Let me find a place to park the car first."

Ruby clambered out of the car, running like a wild beast. Despite Joseph's continued utterances of 'come here', 'don't run', or 'wait for me'; she didn't stop. Joseph took her cardigan with the plan of covering her exposed shoulders from the cold breeze rupturing the skin.

Strangely, she dashed toward him and flew her arms around his neck, he stumbled. "Ruby! Be careful. Don't grab unnecessary attention. You'll be regarded as a public figure after tomorrow's newsprint and broadcasting."

"I know I'm going to jail after this!" She pronounced loudly and he clapped a hand onto her mouth.

"Shut up."

"Then give me your phone."

"What! And why? I suppose I've already bought one for you. I stay in touch with you on that number only. Don't tell me you lost it?"

"It's there in the car and I'm not going back, and neither are you, Jose. Now give it to me. I'll take my selfies cause I've never been to the beach. The cold water waves fascinate me a lot. I wish I could spend the rest of my life here." She whined, sketching her dream.

"Fine." He extended his phone.

"Don't watch me like that, I fail to give the correct expressions."

He shook his head and turned his back on Ruby, shoving his hands in the pockets of his pants.

It nearly took her ten minutes to fill his storage memory, Joseph asked without looking at her, "Are you done yet?"

"No. I'm not. Why are standing you here? Go and get me a chocolate peanut butter swirl right now. I want to enjoy this moment Joseph."

"I'm not leaving you."

"Are you scared that I'll fly away in this darkest hour? C'mon thirty and above mortal! Go and get it now."

Later on, he returned to the same spot with a cone of chocolate ice cream. He rotated his head to find any clue of her and even padded to a little distance to look out for her. The cone slipped from his hand and so did her blended fabric cardigan.

"Ruby! Ruby! Where are you? Ruby! Come back to me!" He raked a hand through his hair at the memory. "She said, she was fascinated with cold water. Maybe..." He dragged his terrified gaze to the seemingly grating roar of the tides drawing back.

Word count - 2702

a/n; tysm for 10k reads...but where is our female lead? Gone with the tides.... NOOO! 🌊🌊🌊

(she has got the keys 🔑🔑) Now if you think the game is over, IT IS NOT! *inserts evil laugh*