Chapter 3 Ruby

Ruby

Rosette gave me an hour break, instead of fifteen minutes. I stared up at the ceiling in the office where I'd been lying down for that hour. I've never thrown up so much in my life, but the feeling was almost gone. With my stomach now empty, I felt drained of all my energy.

I tried to remember what I had eaten that could have made me sick, but all I've had since this morning was a sandwich and then a muffin when I got to work. Maybe what I needed was a proper meal.

I grimaced. The thought of food was making me feel sick again, and I decided with the feeling passing I'd better get back to work. Rosette had argued with me for ten minutes that I should go home, but I need the money. My scholarship covers my school expenses, but I still have to eat.

I made my way back into the diner to take over from Brittany when my eyes landed on Xavier.

What was he still doing here?

He was alone but sitting in the exact spot he had been before. He looked up as I was putting my apron on and his eyes lowered into slits. My hands froze from tying my apron as his face morphed from relaxed to angry.

What in God's name did I do to this man?

I've only seen him once before, that day in the library. And considering that I'm friends with Natalie, what reason does he have for looking at me as if I'm a plague beast? Did Natalie tell him what I had said, that I wasn't interested in him, and he's somehow upset about it? That was the only thing I could think of, but I wasn't going to stand around and have this creep watch me my whole shift.

"Can I help you with something? Why do you keep staring at me?"

Xavier looked up at me and my heart lodged itself in my throat when he abruptly got to his feet, his nostrils flaring. I backed up, my eyes widening as his narrowed even further. My head was tilted back because of how he was towering over me, and just like that, I was hit with another wave of nausea.

My face twisted in pain, and he recoiled from me.

Was that it? Was he repulsed by me being sick or something? Jesus, what is with this guy? But God, was he even more perfect up close. I still didn't like him. Why is he acting like this? For a second there, I thought he was going to hit me.

He turned and stormed out of the diner, everyone having frozen to watch the scene.

"Do you know Xavier Blackwood?"

I looked over at Brittany and inhaled a breath. Throwing up even once more would surely kill me. "No. I don't know what his problem is."

She threw me a look I couldn't decipher before turning away to clock out for the day. From what I understood, Xavier's father was Mathieu Blackwood, the business mogul and millionaire. They were among the elite, and considering I was new in town, there was no reason for this man to hate me.

By the time the last customer left, I was again on the verge of fainting. I had munched on a few cookies throughout the night, but what I needed was rest. With tomorrow being Sunday and since my Monday assignments were already completed, I could sleep in.

I closed up the diner and zipped my jacket as the chilly air nipped at my skin. In the distance, I could hear music, no doubt from a bar or club or frat house nearby. Since my apartment was close by, many nights I walked home instead of calling an Uber. It's the only exercise I get since I've never seen the inside of a gym.

Xavier's face flashed in my mind, and I rolled my eyes. Something was seriously wrong with that guy, and you could bet on Monday I'd confront him for it. His father could be the president, I didn't care. You don't get to do stuff like that and walk.

My eyes narrowed and my steps slowed when before me, a man in a hoodie pushed himself off a wall and turned in my direction. He just stood there staring at me, his face cloaked in darkness with his hoodie pulled over his head.

Shit.

I turned around, but a chill ran down my spine when behind me was another man.

Oh, Jesus.

I turned and walked briskly down an alleyway, my hand rummaging through my handbag. I closed my eyes and cursed inwardly, my heart pounding in my head as I realized I'd left my pepper spray at home.

Behind me, I heard a whistle and another man appeared before me. No, no, this was not happening right now. This wasn't happening! Two weeks, I've been here for two weeks! My life was turning around! I got a scholarship!

The most gruesome thoughts started going through my head. I turned to run, but my way out of the alleyway was blocked by the first two men. They charged at me, grabbing both my arms and holding them apart.

"Hey, babe," the man who had appeared in the alleyway whispered, his voice low and gravelly. My skin started to crawl as he reached a finger out and ran it down my cheek. "Why are you walking home alone, princess?"

"I like to stretch my legs." I kicked him in the gut, sending him staggering backward. At the same time, I yanked on my arms, but only one came free. Before I knew it, the two men had grabbed me again. This time, one of them held my face, squeezing my cheeks.

The man before me started laughing and removed his hood, revealing a deep scar running down the side of his face. His skin was pale and his breath reeked of alcohol. I wanted to cry. My eyes were stinging, and I knew what was coming next when he smiled at me.

"I love 'em feisty."

My world started crumbling when he started grabbing at me, his cold fingers prying at my body until I felt them, like ice cubes, dip into my top and grab my breast. I screamed. I screamed for my life, for someone to save me, when suddenly the man to my left was yanked away.

I slapped my attacker in the face and pushed the other away but it proved unnecessary. They had already forgotten about me because, behind us, their friend was suspended in the air.

His neck snapped to the side with a sickening sound that echoed in the darkness around us. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. What man has the strength to hold another off the ground like that?

The body was thrown to the side, and I got my answer as Xavier stepped forward.