Ruby
Well, yes. I did bend her.
And I can't believe it was that romantic.
We were done dancing, and now we were drinking. Yeah, her sister, my brother—we were just sitting there, laughing and talking like we've known each other forever. But… we don't.
Well anyway, it was just acting.
So nothing's wrong, right?
Let me just play along.
"So, Ruby Sun...?" she asked.
"Hm?" I looked at her with my usual emotionless expression.
"Yes, Mireline?"
"How old are you...?"
Her question was just—out of the blue.
"Twenty-five," I said with a low, deep voice that could easily send shivers down your spine.
Wait—that Aveline girl? She looked so shocked, like I just said I was Queen Victoria's sister.
She pointed at herself, "I'm twenty."
I didn't say anything, but inside, I was like: So what...?
It's not my problem, right?
She's younger than me—I expected that. The day of our first encounter, I already guessed her age. I've got good senses.
Anyway—
"Aveline Vale," I said, "you danced well... with me. Dancing is no less than a challenge."
"I love challenges, Mr. Ruby Sun," she replied, her voice confident.
I smirked.
"Let's see, then. Accept me as your challenge."
I extended my hand toward her, and she took it.
"I'm your challenge now. Let's see... if you can win against me or not."
I excused myself with Max, and we left with Father.
Max said, "Damn, sis, you just—"
"Yeah, yeah," I cut him off.
"She was too confident. I want to see her fall from her pride," I said.
He grinned.
"Just be careful you don't fall for her," he winked.
I shook my head. "Whatever, idiot."
What was he saying? That I might fall in love?
Me?
Love?
Never meant for each other.
…I hope.
We got back to the villa. I tossed Father the car keys and went straight to my room.
I changed into a comfy T-shirt and joggers.
Then I went to the garden—
The only place in this house where I feel like I'm still alive.
I wandered, staring at the colorful, lifeless, alive-yet-dead flowers.
At least, for me... they're lifeless.
I started thinking about Aveline.
She's so different from me.
Alive. Not lifeless.
When she smiles, she really smiles.
She's... happy.
Even when dancing, she looks breathtaking—
Like dancing is her life.
Like she can't bear to lose it.
Wait...
Why am I thinking about her?
And smiling?
Me, smiling?
Why? For what? …Why?
I took a deep breath and stretched my neck.