0.1 | No Exit from Deception ✓

0.06 | Let's Get This Bread

"Seriously, you want me to watch that fucking Telebrands ad from Lincoln's age? I'm leaving to Madame Tào's place right away ─ have lotta complaints piled up for the lady to address," Ruby spat and slipped in her vans.

"Bad news! She's gone out and only God knows when she will return," With that said, point A met point A again, making a big wheel. Ruby for one, knew nothing good could happen to them at any cost. "Miranda told me that."

"Fuck!" Ruby cursed before digging her face in her hands as she plopped on the chair next to the bed. Tears pricked at the back of her eyes.

"Ruby, sometimes we attach ourselves to the defeat so much that we somehow are not ready to accept the win."

"What does that mean?" the younger piped up.

"I don't know if it is correct to say this but," Emily spoke after a long pause. "You should do what he's asking you to do. Like he already told you any breach of contract will be dealt with seriousness and more importantly, he's offering you the money. You know how important is that for you."

"Emily, don't make me-"

"You know it very well that our life will never change until either of us break free from our shackles. We are not living, but existing like most deprived people. Then if you are getting this chance, why not earn your due share of happiness? By . . . by smiling more, having fun, buying anything that you desire without worrying about the price tag, or whatsoever."

Ruby gawked at her; the emotions on her face sent out a charged and powerful anti-wave. "And you think that I'll be able to do all of that without you? Why?" A breathy dismissal let out her mouth. "Why it appears like Madame Tào, Cassie and now, you too, are ganging up against me?"

"Ganging up?" Her eyebrows cinched together. "Ruby, I've always loved you like an elder sister."

"No, no just say it directly in my face that you are sick of babying me around for years. Because I'm about to turn twenty and you still have to get me my food on my bed like I'm a fucking child-"

"Shut up, Ruby!" Emily's voice raised hell, and it was for the first time. "I do that because I genuinely care for you."

No doubt, the notable polarization between Emily's irrepressible optimism and Ruby's over-the-top outrage underscored their different outlooks on life. Surprisingly, their ally had lasted for more than a decade now, as a result of which Ruby couldn't think of sleeping without hearing Emily's motivational preaching before bedtime. Together, they walked on the paths they paved with bare what-ifs; without the agency of parents, they had come to treat each other like siblings.

Ruby hung her face down in ostensible defeat. Emily took the cup from her hands and endured the warmth by placing her cold hands in hers. "Try to understand. You are young. I have tasted the fruits of all seasons. Now there is nothing on earth that excites me to revel in its essence."

"But this is not one of the down-to-earth chores. The police could drag me behind bars if they find out about the whole damn thing."

"Ruby, don't you want to get away from Madame Tào? With the way, things stand now. This is the time to try the other way around. Who knows if he's the savior of your life?" Emily exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air. "I don't know why but my heart always says that God has planned something extraordinary for you."

Ruby kept quiet for a few minutes, for she hadn't seen her friend so serious.

"I think you are right. What did I get in all these years? Not even a new pair of socks," Ruby chuckled bitterly.

Emily smiled, rubbing off her tears.

"Yes. I want a new life. A grand life indeed," Ruby's voice cracked, sounding ostensibly serious. She took her tote bag that was hanging on the peg and stuffed Emily's phone inside as she strode to the door.