I never saw Ruby again since the party. The night we returned, Granny and Ruby were up against arms. There was a point Henry and I had to physically separate them from going near each other.

Ruby missed an entire week of work. Granny never gave in to ask me for her whereabouts.

This was their biggest fight yet. By day three, Granny always grew worried to see Ruby gone for that long. Now, she seemed to grow too tired to care anymore.

I still never told Granny the truth. I wanted to believe in Ruby's dreams of pursuing a career and finding her passion. As for her counterfeit hustle, I only hope she will be scared straight sooner than later. I certainly learned my lesson the hard way.

It was Sunday.

My mundane order of life was put to a pause when I found myself alone.

Henry left to spend time with his friends that gave me the opportunity to go meet with Jimmy. I waited with coffee for both of us. The wait first turned to an hour then two. I finished each coffee and headed home.

I never bothered to catch up with old friends from my past. There were not that many anyway.

But not showing up without a notice was completely against the Jimmy I knew from high school. It hurt a slight to not see him show up. I suppose, apart from that ginger-head wimp I always rescued, the man he is now is someone I officially no longer know.

I took the long way home and walked mindlessly for a long time.

There was nothing new that happened so far.

Same mornings. Same shifts. Familiar customers. Loud nights that I am no longer young enough to drown out.

But there was one thing that cannot leave my mind, even if I prayed for it to go away.

My lips sometimes feel warm when I think back of the kiss. At nights, when I lie in bed all alone, I feel so aroused to remember where his hands touched me. I did not think I still remembered to kiss a man. I still do not have the confidence to do it again without the fear weighing in the back of my mind I am a complete idiot for forgetting how to perform such an intimate act.

Sometimes, I wish I could feel his lips again. I wish he could touch me as he did that night.

Being alone is the only time I allow myself to think this way. I shamefully tuck it away even if it is in my thoughts when I'm around Granny, a stranger demanding a refill, especially my Henry.

The same speech plays in my head like a broken record, beating me to submission as a reminder of who I am.

I do not deserve a man.

I do not have the time or the space for anyone in that role.

I am meant to be alone.

There can never be another.

Two arms snaked around me and pulled me forward. I snatched both the stranger's wrists, but I paused when I looked down at ten red shiny acrylics on each pale hand.

I sighed and almost melted against my captor.

"You are going to give me a real heart attack one day, Rubes."

"You survived worse."

She did not let me go. Her chin nestled on my shoulder. I can feel her arms folding me closer.

"Are you busy?" she asked behind her smile.

I am not safe. Once again with her sweet tone, she is bound to ask me a favor I am unable to refuse.

"Whatever it is, I am heading home right now and waiting for Henry."

I began to walk. But the bambi held tight to my body, dragging her feet behind me.

"The Universe is on my side, Emma. I knew this year was going to be different. I manifested hard for this. It really paid off. I'm telling you."

I continued to walk.

"That designer I modeled for personally called me to come to his studio today. Can you believe it? But you have to come with me. I don't know what I'm walking myself into."

I instantly stopped. I took both Ruby's arms and separated myself from her. I turned around face to face with the excited bambi before my eyes.

Ruby was smiling wider from ear to ear. Her hands reclaimed mine, folding each fingers.

"You are coming with me."

"Rubes…There is so many questions you have to answer me right now," I said, my tone was sharp as the fresh red acrylic still potent of acetone.

She shook her head. This time, she started to walk away, dragging me behind her.

"You can ask on the way. We got a train to catch."


~ There was minimal explanation of how Ruby ended up on this exclusive gig on her first day on the job. Her story started with the mad hatter calling her directly from her own phone number. She was in bliss by how much I wanted to damage her phone and change her phone number. Hell. Her whole identity.

And to my own madness, she ended the story the same. She will only meet up with him if I agree to go with her. After sadly letting my poor ears know this truth, I could never let her do this alone with some random designer I strongly detect is a creep.

We took a cab on the rest of the way. I noticed Ruby paid with a silver American Express card.

On her salary, there is no way in hell that card is under her name. Unless, the explanation behind her possessing the card falls under the small possibility her counterfeit hustle is becoming too successful for her to quit. But the most likely possibility is this motherfucker slipped in the card to make this whole ordeal impossible to refuse.

Ruby slipped the card in the cup of her bra. I looked out the window to give no attention to her. I give up on even trying. The bambi will not blab. At least, not yet.

We arrived outside in a busy street behind mountains of sky-touching buildings.

There was one person that stood out who was directly looking at us.

It was a man in a vintage tweed suit with unmatching colors of turquoise, gold and a hint of red. He was so slim with one touch I am sure he would rattle only of bones. He made an unusual attempt to keep the skin surrounding his eyes to pull back as far as it could. Oddly, he held a chipped teacup embroidered with a family of ducks swimming on a pond held by a bright pink saucer.

I wanted so badly to keep Ruby inside and drive back home with the precious card she had in her possession. I almost croaked back into my old ways. I still remember my one little trick to drain out a card without a trace. But I guess I can excuse it as Robin Hood taking the rich for the unfortunate.

I followed Ruby's tail as we stepped out of the car. The bambi went over to this crazed man like there was nothing wrong of what we were about to do.

The crazed man in tweed looked at each of us up and down. He had an odd talent of moving one eye in the opposite direction. I counted each eye go up and down against the odds by five. By the sixth time, he hit the side of his head hard, mindlessly dropping the saucer to shatter on the ground. His eyes circled and slowly settled to place like a casino slot machine.

I should not be this surprised that if the mad hatter has surpassed my creep test, the people under him were just the same.

Of course, there could be the exception of Killian. The possibility now is my only solution to suppress myself from thinking of him.

The crazed man tipped his teacup back. But his lips did not touch the rim. A small stream of tea poured out to the ground.

I now grabbed Ruby's hand and pulled her body to my side.

Strangely, Ruby politely grinned at the crazed man and pushed me with her to move forward.

"You must be Marche. I'm Ruby. I have an appointment for a fashion shoot. Will you be taking us to him?"

Marche looked at her at a daze for a solid minute. His expression was so dull and plain it was as if in his world behind the wheels of his head Ruby and I were not there.

I know that look. When I served my time, there were plenty of drug-induced inmates that were either secretly managing their addictions, or worst, are those under cold turkey withdrawal.

Marche's hand went to his hip and curved his arms into a circular shape. He nodded down at his arm as gesture for Ruby to take it. Without a second thought, Ruby took his arm and followed him with me behind her.

Ruby's grip on me tightened.

Inside, I was happy to see a set of staff going about their business with a few tenants getting on and off the elevators. Hopefully one of them could recognize we are in need of rescuing from this crazy man.

The three of us quietly went on the next elevator. To my disappointment, no other tenant joined us as witnesses.

Marche pressed the button for the twelfth floor. Seeing the other numbers, it was the tallest one of the entire building. As the elevator started to go up, Marche slipped his arm off Ruby and moved away from the entrance.

This startled not just me, but Ruby as well. The crazed man, with his eyes still widened as far back as he could, pressed his body flat on the side of the wall. He shifted to the corner and pressed his arms and legs tightly together in one straight line.

The bell ringed as a signal we have reached the twelfth floor.

Ruby and I watched Marche in horror.

His eyes met ours. For a second, he no longer looked lost in a daze. His eyes did not boggle. He placed a finger on his lips as soon as the doors opened.

Ruby and I quickly stepped off.

Inside was a massive loft. I could only measure it as at least five sizes of my entire apartment space. A pink carpet was rolled on the floor into a curvy pathway. Between the carpet, each space was occupied with an enormous amount of stuff in what I imagine a designer's studio would look like.

Racks of clothing were lined up by color. The heads of eyeless mannequins were dressed in a collection of the mad hatter's infamous hats. The walls were covered in sketches of outfits and hats. Some in color and others in only black on a white canvas.

As Ruby and I followed the pink path, by the end of the road awaited the mad hatter himself with more guests I hope are less unusual.

Oddly enough, the man decided to wear something more..familiar. He wore a white pressed shirt with the darkest jeans I could only guess is between navy and black.

My hopes are starting to go up that his other two guests may be more-sane than the unfortunate one he left us with.

A little girl who was half the size of my Henry stood in front of him. Unlike the mad hatter's fashion theme to dress normal, the little girl had on a black silk dress with long sleeves made of floral-patterned tool. A blood red bow was tied around her waist. Her red shoes matched the ribbon and shined so brightly like a diamond.

Next to her was a woman who looked at me with a careful eye. Not batting a single bat at Ruby. I imagine she and Milah would be a match made in heaven.

"They finally came," the mad hatter knelt before the little girl.

The little girl fiddled with the first button of his shirt. Her muddied blonde hair was similar to his. She paid no mind to us.

"I only wish you could stay longer, Grace. But daddy has to go back to work now."

She promptly nodded.

He picked her up as he rose back to his feet. He held her with caution, moving slowly and making sure his hand was on her back. The eyeful woman immediately turned her attention back to him.

Grace now looked at us. She examined each of us individually, looking at me last.

"It's good to see you again, Emma. I am happy you agreed to come," Jefferson started.

Grace looked directly at me longer than she did to Ruby. Perhaps, the apple does not fall far from the tree with this little one.

But just like that night, this little girl's existence was the only thing that made me question I was wrong about her father's character.

"This must be your daughter who inspired your love for tonic. She is so big. How old is she?" I asked.

"Ten. How old are you?" Grace answered within seconds before her father.

I bit my tongue. My cheeks turned hot. I did not mean to offend the little one.

She is the same age as my Henry. Looking at her closer, not only was her size was too small, but her face was youthful close to a baby. I have never seen anyone Henry's age this young and tiny.

But I immediately regretted my mistake.

"Aren't you old enough to answer like me?" she further challenged.

The eyeful woman came over and collected Grace. Grace never left her eyes off me. They were haunting and left me feel uneasy just like the first time I came across her father at the park.

"You're not wrong," I said, thinking carefully now to watch my words.

"I am sorry, Grace. It was wrong of me to ask your father when I could have simply asked you."

Grace still looked at me displeased.

"It's fine. Are you the one who's helping my dad?"

Ruby gleefully smiled the same approachable smile she plastered on for tweed crazed Marche downstairs. She raised her arm as response.

"Actually, that's me. I'm Ruby. It's nice to meet you, Grace."

Grace did not acknowledge Ruby anymore. Her focus was still on me. It felt like punishment that my apology was just not enough for redemption.

"It's time to go, Grace," the watchful woman announced.

Grace waved at me goodbye. I could only give her one in return. She nestled her small face on the woman's neck. The three of us watched them start on the pink carpet and disappear behind the mountains of luggage that surrounded the room. The only way we knew they were gone was when the elevator ringed for them to enter.


~ My being here came in handy when the mad hatter's special outfits became more difficult for Ruby to put on her own.

Our changing area was shielded by a curtesy curtain. I could not help but test if they were see-through before I let Ruby take her clothes off. The difficult outfits were so unusual and ugly off the rack. But when Ruby put them on, they immediately became beautiful.

A tall mirror encircled by a team of angels in gold was centered in the room. Ruby glanced at her reflection while I played like I knew what I was doing. So far, my job was zipping up zippers, tightening corsets until Ruby's waist practically disappeared, and fluffing skirts to spread it out across the room.

The only way I know Jefferson is at a distance is the shuffling of his feet and him rummaging through his colossal mess behind this curtain. By now, he was far away enough for me to put my guard down.

"This feels like a trap, Ruby. I'm not comfortable with this," I whispered.

My eyes were rolling from the curtain and back to Ruby. I still was not assured this curtain is thick material.

Ruby's eyes rolled to me from the reflection of the mirror. She huffed a sigh. She gathered her tool skirt and twirled around to face me.

"Ok. Jefferson invited me for this shoot under the condition I bring you with me because…"

She looked like she was going to explode. She was shaking with excitement. Her annoying smile plastered on her red lips. I wanted to shake the truth out of her. I could only take her irresponsibility so much.

"..because Killian Jones – the Killian Jones – wants to see you. Apparently, even after one night, the man knows you well enough that this is the only way to put you two in the same room again."

All the words I know disappeared from my mind.

I was never a fan of surprises. I certainly have enough of them today.

My lips almost felt warm again.

Ruby's teasing eyes forced me to shake off any clear sign this was a surprise to me.

"What makes Jefferson think Killian would show up?"

Ruby squealed aloud, forgetting my instructions to keep her voice down.

"You're addressing him by his first name. Fuck. What did you two do that night? I need details."

My emotions were changing by the instant. Now, I was feeling nothing but anger. I clenched my fist to stop myself from attacking Ruby. The girl went too far this time.

"Why couldn't you be honest with me from the start? I don't have time for these games, Ruby," I whispered to her with all the fierceness I can let out in a frustrating low tone.

She rolled her eyes and returned back to the mirror. She tilted from one side to the next, practicing her poses.

"You know yourself better than anyone. You would have never come if I did."

She twirled around, pausing with one hand gently on her temple and the other on her hip. She shook away the thought when she saw her lipstick painted crooked. She pulled out a tube of lipstick in the cup of her bra and began to reapply.

"I cannot believe today. This man has been such a mystery for years. And I'm this lucky enough to see before my eyes."

She pressed her lips to seal the color and returned her lipstick back into her bra. She looked to me. I was still fuming but she seemed to care less of my feelings.

"Have you ever Googled anything about Jefferson?"

This time she whispered soft enough for only me to hear.

I shook my head.

"The man was really in his prime. I mean, untouchable, Emma. As far as anyone knows, he just disappeared when he met his wife. One day, he uped and left his entire empire and went off grid. Years later, he reappeared alone with their baby. No one recovered his wife's body. We can only assume she is dead. The case of his wife's disappearance ended with letting him free because there was not enough evidence he was responsible for it. The only price he had to pay is losing his parenting rights of his daughter."

I know what it is like to be apart from your child. I was that exact parent.

When Neal left, I went back to a life of theft. But I failed to succeed in my usual heist without his help. While serving my time, Granny took care of Henry to prevent child protective services from taking him away. I was only able to reunite with him in my dreams.

After getting out, Granny was the one who doubled me down two jobs and forced me to prove myself until she allowed me to give Henry back. The first half of Henry's life before he turned three, Granny gave him back to me and I never looked back.

The woman from earlier was one of those watchers from child protective services.

There is more to recovering an entire empire Jefferson once abandoned. His comeback is all he has to get back his daughter.

My hands loosened down to my side.

If anything, the biggest payment I will forever be in debt to not only Granny, but Ruby for protecting my Henry and preparing me to be the mother I was never ready to be.


Ruby posed gracefully in each outfit changes as Jefferson took one picture after another. I stood aside to get out of the way, but watched the mad man like a hawk.

I was amazed to see Ruby do so well. She not only looked beautiful, but she posed and listened to Jefferson's instructions like a true model.

After the final outfit change, Jefferson was pleased with what they came up with.

I made an effort to stay arms-length away from the man. To my relief, he seemed too consumed in his work he had forgotten I was even there.

The three of us went over to the computer that displayed the shots Jefferson captured. The photos were exquisite. I could easily imagine any of these photographs displayed in the front page of a magazine.

Ruby watched with great focus while Jefferson scrolled through each picture. I have never seen her so serious in all my life. It made me feel even prouder that this is certainly the right direction to her career.

"You're a natural, Ruby. I am proud to follow my gut with you."

Ruby's expression finally softened. She let out a deep breath as if she has been holding it this entire time. For the first time, she was lost for words and only managed a nod.

I was still bitter of being forced to be here. But for the last four hours, I contributed very little to the table. Most of the time, I was either sitting and waiting for Ruby's instructions to help out with her outfit. The whole experience was extremely dull and long.

I tilted my head and my eyes circled the room.

The walls were polluted with Jefferson's sketches. If some of these were not pinned by random with either tape or bullet pins, I would not have guessed the walls were a lime green.

I did not know too much about fashion to be able to tell any of these are any good. But there was one that was drawn on a larger canvas framed against the wall.

I checked on Ruby and Jefferson. He kept a distance from Ruby as he showed her each photograph, giving her short feedback on improvement of some of the photos. It was enough assurance for me to see this frame for myself.

The closer I moved, the more detail I was able to see from the glass frame. Compared to the other sketches he made, this one was given more care and attention. It was a sketch of a wedding dress in black and gray.

The drawing of the dress was left half-finished. The line started from the deep curved bodice down to a mountain skirt, but it ended there. I was only able to tell it was a wedding dress because it was accessorized with a black top hat veiled with a long train.

A warm hand fell on my shoulder. I was ready to attack before realizing it was Jefferson.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" he asked in a cryptic tone.

I saw the reflection of our eyes on the glass. His hand felt cold on my shoulder.

"I made this for my wife. She was much too humble to wear something like this. Although she never wore it, I kept it ever since."

His hand fell to my back. I felt a small push as as signal to follow him.

We were walking between the pink carpet. I had to keep my eyes down to stop myself from stepping on a random mannequin head or a large vintage chest collecting five years' worth of dust.

He grabbed my shoulder again to stop me. I looked up as he went over to a full-size mannequin draped over a wide black sheet. He grabbed a handful of the sheet from the bottom and slowly pulled it down.

A cloud of dust sprinkled in the air as the sheet revealed a full-sized model dressed in the complete wedding dress, similar to the sketch.

The dress was in soft satin shaped in a full ball gown. I can see the touch of his madness from the color choice of the fabric. The dress was half black and ivory clashing together in the middle. Along, with sharp triangle edges pointing between the deep-line bodice. On top of the head rested a black top hat veiled in all white with a vintage gold clock on the center.

The dress took a good portion of the room.

We had to keep quite a distance to avoid stepping on the skirt.

Ruby walked right up to the mannequin shamelessly. I wanted to snatch her and pull her back in her place. She walked around it to look at every detail.

"Now this is a dress," she muttered, amazed by the sight.

I eyed at Jefferson. Once again, he looked as if he forgotten he had guests over. His eyes fell on the mannequin with such longing I am starting to wonder if this is his first time seeing the dress as well in a long time.

"You should try this on, Emma," he said.

My heart almost stopped.

There have been very little reasons I find this man to be nowhere safe to be alone with. He was crossing more boundaries than I can count.

"Ruby is the model. If anyone should wear it, it should be her."

He shook his head.

"This was meant for a woman who never worn anything like this in all her life. In honor of that, I find it appropriate for you to try it on."

I was ready to come up with something else. But Ruby snatched the top hat off the mannequin's head and place it on top of mine.

"Do it. I think you deserve to be the model this time."

Compared to every time Ruby went to go change, Jefferson made an effort to stay further away. When it was my turn to change, he waited behind the curtain.

Ruby had to take off her shoes not to step on the dress. The back was a corset finish. It was her turn to give me the devilish tug of my life. When she was done, I was lost for words the dress was my size.

The dress was a house. To reveal me, Ruby had to pull the curtain back completely.

Jefferson stood waiting for me. He looked at me the same haunting way he did when the dress was on the mannequin. But this time, there were tears falling from his eyes.

"She would have looked like this. Beautiful. Thank you, Emma. Thank you."

Suddenly, I felt the urge to cry.

The last time I wore anything close to a dress – my final steal, at least, clothing related. Neal cried seeing me as his bride for the first time.

I rarely saw him cry to the point I wondered if he was capable of it. I thought there would be no man I would wear a wedding dress for ever again. He was my one and only.

Once again, I was in the presence of Jefferson in another wedding dress carrying a anoher tragic memory.

My guard was still high from this man. But admittedly, he and I certainly had a lot in common.

"She would have loved it, Jefferson. It's so beautiful. Thank you for letting me try this on."

The elevator bell rang. Quick footsteps started down the pink carpet.

Grace was back with the watchful woman. Behind them was Killian.

The three of them stopped when they saw me. My cheeks flushed hot. I turned the veil over to hide my face.

Grace gazed directly at me with the similar sharpness she gave the first time. She slowly approached to my direction. But the watchful woman collected her in her arms.

I turned to Ruby. She was quick to read the panic in my eyes. Without a second thought, she closed the curtain behind us.

I did not care to remove myself out of this dress carefully as possible. I wanted to be back in my clothes and leave.

When Ruby pulled the dress down, I jumped out of it like it was on fire.

By the time we were ready, once again, Ruby pulled the curtain back. Grace was gone, leaving her father and Killian behind.

I grabbed Ruby by the hand, giving it a tight grip. I was ready with a story to fly us right of here.

"We have to go. Thank you so much for everything, Jefferson. But I'm in a bit of a hurry."

Killian stepped forward. I glued my eyes to the ground ready to walk away.

"I can offer you both a ride. I have my driver waiting for me outside."

I shook my head.

"Awesome. A free ride is better than the train. Most appreciate it," Ruby cheerfully said.

She pulled away from my grasp and was the first to go down the pink carpet.


~ Ruby did not spare me any further support when Killian's driver pulled over. Immediately, she pulled shot gun and left me to sit in the back with Killian.

Killian held the door for me. I quietly entered.

Inside, the car looked like what I imagined. It looked brand new. Even the smell gave off the chemical new-car smell. The windows were all tinted, including the window that faced in front of me that shielded the driver and nosy Ruby from seeing me again.

I wanted to burst when Ruby played around with the windows and shut the very window that guarded me from hovering over my seat and strangling her.

Killian came inside.

I was unable to hear the commotion going on from the driver's side. But the car began to move.

I wish I knew the exact approximate time it will take from here to Granny's diner. It would give me the greatest comfort for this ride to be over.

I buckled my seatbelt and looked out the window. I do not have it in me to face him.

The space between us was so quiet. I never heard so much quiet, not even at night when I go to bed.

Any sound made me nervous. From the way his clothes crinkle when he makes any sudden movement, to his soft breath reminding me he is right next to me.

"I am sorry, Emma."

These four words were difficult for me to process in my head if I was hearing things or he was actually speaking to me.

I pulled my eyes away from the window and finally faced him. He was already looking at me.

"It is inexcusable how we ended off. Milah is awfully talented in many ways, especially when it comes to scaring the people she judges too quickly on. I like to apologize on behalf of her wrongful behavior."

I never planned on what I would ever say to him if I face him again.

I cannot say I was just angry for being mistaken as a thirsty whore who would open her legs for a man of his reputation. I cannot even say I was upset that he was possibly one of those many men that turns to the convenience of sleeping with women in exchange for pleasure and luxury.

I am simply in no position to find out the benefit and the disaster of being that kind of woman with that kind of man. That night, I was just someone else for a night. Milah's accusation was a slap in the face that I needed as a reminder that my time was ticking for me to return to my old life.

I shook my head.

"I had to leave anyway. It's no mystery I didn't belong there. It was best for me to never know, I guess, to be part of such a group. It's a special one that, I think, it's not for everyone for a reason."

"But there was..some form of curiosity. I still think about that kiss – "

I instantly hushed him. I quickly looked to the window where behind it the nosiest woman in the world can hear. I looked to him with my eyes so wide I can imagine they mirrored just as madly as Marche's. Killian softly laughed at my alertness.

"Soundproof," he said.

I melted to my seat and breathed a long sigh.

"I have been thinking over it in my head since you were gone, thinking how the Universe were to put us back in the same path. Now you are here, I must know. Why did you kiss me?"

My lips felt warm again.

I still cannot trust this man. That night, it was just fun and games. Once again, his friendship with a suspicious man like Jefferson makes it even difficult to consider him as trustworthy.

"Because I was certain I will never see you again," I said.

My eyes narrowed forward. I could only hope we were getting close to our destination.

"Believe me, Emma, I had no intention of permitting those awful instructions Milah gave you. I did not want that night to end. I wanted to see you again."

I cannot believe what I am hearing.

I wet my lips.

My thoughts were at war on what to say. But an image of Henry came to thought. My first priority.

I was now more determined on what to say. These games must end here.

I turned to him, gripping onto the belt of my seatbelt as a stress reliever.

"That night, I enjoyed myself too. It was nice to forget about everything and be in the moment. But this is the present, and let me tell you I am someone who is in no position to give my time to any man. My responsibilities will never grow smaller for anyone. So, I cannot even toy with even the idea to have anything with you. I am just..just not the right person."

I was confident in my answer. I was surprised to put it all together on the spot.

But Killian did not give me the reaction I was hoping for. A smirk started to crawl from one corner of his lips.

"I cannot say I regret trying. But, as you said, this is the present. Tomorrow is another day. The future."

My eyes returned back to the window.

For a second, I felt like I was under a trance. There is something about this man that I am beginning to fall under the same way as his victims does under his spell.

But I am firm with my answer. He will not change my mind.

"You make a beautiful bride. That dress was one of Jefferson's masterpiece. No one has ever seen it before, or ever worn it."

I only nodded. My grip on my seatbelt grew tighter.

"I never wore anything like that. I appreciated he allowed me to put it on."

The wheels made an awful screech as the car came to a sudden stop. My arm flew out to Killian's side, laying my hand on his abdomen to keep him seated.

The driver honked at a car that cut him off.

I withdrew my arm when I felt the fabric of his shirt on my fingertips.

I checked out the window and we have reached to a familiar setting. I could walk the rest of the way from here.

I kept my head low and unbuckled my seatbelt.

"Please tell him to stop the car. I want to walk the rest of the way."

I heard the window facing us come down.

"Pull over from here," he ordered.

The minute driver pulled over to the side of the road. I mumbled a quick "thank you" and got out of the car.

Ruby did not come out. I did not even care.

I walked the rest of the way in a slow pace until I was confident the car drove away.

When I reached the diner, it was a rare moment I was happy to be back where I was familiar with. From the reflection of the glass door, I noticed the same car Killian dropped me off drive by.

I bit my lower lip. I turned around to search for the car. But it was gone.