"Would you let me see beneath your beautiful?"
- Labrinth, Emily Sandé

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Ruby's POV

It's been a month since I broke up with Aaron and I couldn't be happier. With him gone I got to focus more on my work which provided me with more money.

The moment we broke up he went out with his assistant. He had the nerve to tell me since he was fucking his assistant there wasn't a way in hell I wasn't fucking Mr. Cruz.

After I slapped the hell out of him, I threw hot coffee in his face then, I stapled his tie to the wall. I was going to continue my assault but, Noah walked out of his office.

Aaron stayed on the wall all day. He only got removed from the wall when the janitor came to clean the office at around twelve in the morning.

After that incident, Aaron hasn't bothered me. He doesn't even look my way anymore and I'm happy. His constant staring and winks had tired me out.

The banquet I was supposed to plan is already done. I have the caters booked, the venue is decorated, and I sent the invitation out to the guests.

Mr. Cruz hasn't seen the work I've done yet since he's always busy. The banquet is tonight and I'm slightly nervous. I don't know how the night is going to turn out.

You get a lot of work done when the dead weight is gone.

"Are you ready for tonight? I'm ready to throw that ass back on my man"

Yolanda said as she started twerking. She's been dating this mystery guy for months now and I still haven't figured out who it is. The only hint she gave me was that he works in our office.

She's always on the phone with him during our lunch break too. I know for a fact that his name starts with the letter 'N'. She was going to say his name but then she realized I was sitting next to her.

Once she accidentally put her feet in her salad because she was so into their conversation. That's the kind of relationship I want. I want to do dumb things while I'm talking on the phone with you.

I haven't had one of those calls in a while.

"Yeah, I guess so. I don't really feel like going because I'm binge-watching 'All American'. I have to go since I'm Mr. Cruz's assistant though"

"I mean maybe it's for the better. You're on the market so maybe you could find yourself someone special"

"I think I'll just stay single for a while. I don't want a relationship to define me"

She nodded her head as she ate her salad. She claims she's trying to be healthy but, I don't buy it. She sprinkled a whole bag of hot chips on top of the salad to add a pop of color.

I was going to sneak into my office as an attempt to escape Mr. Cruz but, it didn't work. He was sitting on my chair as I crawled my way in my office. When I noticed he was there I quickly got up and dusted myself off.

"Hiding from someone Ms. Carter?"

"No, I just dropped my vibrator and now I'm looking for it?"

I said in a questioning manner. Out of all the things I could've said I decided on 'I was looking for my vibrator'. Maybe I need to head back to church.

"I sure hope you're playing dumb"

He whispered as he walked out of my office. I followed him to his office with a scowl on my face. If he's trying to make me look dumb it's not going to work.

I already pushed on doors that said pull.

"I have a very important job for you today"

Noah said as he sat down at his desk. I sat up straight and got prepared to hear my assignment. I feel like I haven't done anything worthwhile since I been here.

All I do is attend his meeting, get him coffee, and plan stuff for him. I know that's basically my job description but I want to do more. I want to have a bigger role in his life.

The day I've been waiting for is finally here. I get to do something memorable.

"I want you to take the day off"

I looked at him like he was drunk. I put my notepad and pencil down as my shoulders deflated. That's the important job he had for me? Taking the day off?

" That's what I'm supposed to do today? Are you sure you don't want me to do something bigger than that?"

"Yes, I'm sure. My driver is waiting outside for you in my Mercedes. I want you to get dolled up for the banquet tonight. I'm expecting you to be ready by 8"

I nodded my head and went to gather up my belongings. I shouldn't even be mad at this. It's a gift from heaven actually. Lord knows I couldn't spend another second in my cube-like office.

I quickly took my purse and ran out to his car. I ran as if he was going to change his mind in a matter of seconds. When I got to the Mercedes I hopped in the back seat and let out a sigh.

"Step on it, sir"

I said as I saw Noah coming outside. It feels like I just finessed him and now he just noticed I stole his Rolex watch. Even though I didn't do anything illegal it sure does feel like it.

"Can you please tell me where we're heading?"

"Mr. De la Cruz told me not to inform you, ma'am"

I nodded my head and leaned back on the seat. I was back there for what felt like hours before he pulled up to a big store. The whole store looked like it was made of glass.

As I was staring at the store the driver stood at the door waiting for me to exit. I took his outstretched hand and started walking to the store. The minute I walked in I was rushed to the back.

I was sat down on a chair while the workers around me scrambled to get some products off the shelves. I watched them in the mirror as they all fought over who got to do my hair.

They're fighting for no reason. None of them is ready to take care of the one-month-old cornrows I have under this wig. From afar I saw my light and shining armor standing by a chair.

A black girl.

I pushed past the group of white girls and took a seat in her chair. I silently prayed to God because this melanin goddess is here to save my hair. Mary Beth would've given me the Shirley Temple cut.

"Hi sweetheart, what can I do for you today?"

"I don't know what Mr. Cruz has scheduled for me"

"Mr. Cruz? Just sit back and relax, I will take care of you. Mr. Cruz gave us specific orders."

I shrugged my shoulders and leaned back in my chair. She started taking off my wig as one of the other ladies brought me a glass of champagne. Life is good.

After the stylist took down my braids and washed my hair she went to a little storage room. When she left I heard a whole bunch of screaming coming from the front of the store.

Of course, my nosy ass turned my chair around and leaned back to watch everything go down.

"You're paying me my money rather you're dead or alive"

"Is that a threat?"

"No bitch, it's a promise. You called on the phone and set an appointment for a wig take down weeks ago. I told you I will have to charge you for it and you said ok. Now after I finish touching your greasy ass scalp and washing your dry mattedbhair you don't want to pay"

I felt her frustration. Why did that lady walk in and expected free service? I swear stylists go through the worst when it comes to crazy customers like this lady.

"It's not like you did anything magical on my hair. All you did was take out my tracks, wash my hair, and detangle it. I could've done that myself"

"Then you should've stayed your cheap ass home. I'm getting my money one way or another"

The lady tried to make a run for it but the stylist was faster. She grabbed the lady by her hair and dragged her back to the front desk. She didn't let go of the lady's hair until she handed her the money.

She had the money all this time. She just wanted a free wash day routine done by a professional. I'm not going to lie wash day do be taking a while though. If I didn't have my Saturdays off I would call in sick every week.

After a couple of hours sitting on the chair and eating strawberries, my hair was finally done. Turns out Noah brought the wig for me and gave it to the stylist so she can take care of it for me.

The ladies were fighting over me the moment I walked into the door because they knew they Noah sent me. Apparently, that's their boss.

Noah picked out a black bob curly wig for me to wear to the banquet. The curls looked like God took a curling iron and curled it himself.

When I walked outside Noah's bodyguard was leaning on the car with a bag of Wendy's in his hand. He was licking an ice cream with so much determination he accidentally bit down on his hand.

"Did you bring me some?"

I asked. He jumped out of surprise and nearly dropped his cone. He stuffed the rest of the ice cream in his mouth and stood up straight.

"Please don't tell Mr. De La Cruz I was eating an ice cream cone. I'm not supposed to be eating on the job"

"Your secret is safe with me if you got me some food"

"I brought you some food, it's in the backseat of the car. Your ice cream is in the cupholder"

I said a quick thank you and hopped in the car. I frantically looked around the car looking for the food the moment I got in the car. By the time he arrived at my house, I was already with the food.

I unlocked my apartment door and stepped in. The banquet is in a couple of hours and I still don't have a dress yet. Noah told me he took care of it but, I don't see a dress. The banquet starts in two hours.

I shrugged my shoulders and went to lay down on my bed. I took out my phone and started playing a game. My fluffy pillow felt good against my back as I got ready to beat my high score.

This is the problem with me. I could be ready for me to go somewhere but, I would stay in my bed until I'm late.

Noah had the dress delivered to me one hour ago but I was playing a game. The dress was just draped next to me with a black garment bag.

After a couple more minutes I got off my bed and went to take a shower. After I did my routine I picked up some lotion and started getting ready.

I stood in front of the dress for minutes just looking at it. I'm scared of what's inside of the bag. Noah always complains about how I show too much skin so, the dress probably covers me from head to toe.

When I finally decided to unzip the garment bag I was stunned. A silver body con dress was in that bag. The tops of the dress had many folds in it making it look sophisticated. A cap passed around the back allowing the dress to reach the floor effortlessly.

The dress looked cute on my bed but, it looked even better on my body. It hugged my hips and butt but flared out at the bottom. The red bottoms that came with it added more class to the look.

Once I was done getting dressed up a knock came from the door. Before I could even open the door Mr. Cruz came walking into my apartment like he owns it. He does own it but damn, let me answer the door at least.

"You look heavenly"

Noah said as he scanned my body. I shifted uncomfortably as he started to undress me with his eyes.

"This will go perfect with your beautiful"

He said as he handed me a big black box. I looked at him with lifted eyebrows as he waited for me to open his gift. I sat the box down and the counter and opened it.

There was a diamond pear shape necklace and a pair of earrings with a sapphire stone in it. The jewelry shined under the light almost making me blind.

This isn't the plastic earring and necklaces that I'm used to wearing. Noah took the necklace out of its place in the box and stood behind me.

He put my hair to the side as he put the necklace around my neck. My breathing skyrocketed through the roof at his close proximity.

"Now you have something one of a kind, just like you"

He whispered in my ears. He then unexpectedly placed a kiss on my shoulders. My breath got stuck in my throat as his lips lingered on my shoulder for seconds.

"Thank you, Noah, this looks absolutely beautiful"

He just nodded his head and took my hand. After locking the door he led me down to his matte black Tesla. I sat quietly in the backseat as his eyes stayed glued on me.

I'm feeling something and I don't like it.