Oblivion

Surprisingly, this was not another assignment, yet Ruby found herself in one of the clubs, the high society ones. Or at the very least, the place the New York Elite wanted it to be. A pity really, as when one looked around, even as much as an outsider as she was intended to be - all one could really see is the utter disappointment from the people and their lives. It was when money was no longer cutting it, when getting everything you ever wanted, even what you didn’t know you wanted, got boring. When life lost its meaning, hence coming to a place like this, dipped in silver, with neon lights blasting dimly on the expensive champagne bottles only to try to find something new. 

She ended up there by chance, not by choice. Or rather, the correct phrasing would have been by a given order. Mr Kim was worried. Worried to the point where the night before he invited her to his home, brewed her some tea and simply talked.

‘‘You need something to unwind. I hate seeing you... No, this is not the right wording. It concerns me you may have become a ticking bomb. All work and no play, even me and my wife make sure we get some of that. You need that too - at least pretend.’‘

If he were anyone else, she would have rolled her eyes and threw away the business card he had handed her. If he were anyone else, he’d have been laying on the floor, mumbling in pain. 

Alas, he was the man she took orders from, he was the man she always brought camomile tea for when he could not sleep, the man she brought food - the food from his favourite food truck when she knew he had been starving. 

He was a man that, at times, took the place of a father figure. 

Thus, there she was, sitting in one of the booths that had been reserved just for her. The staff only needed to hear her name, Gabrielle Blackwood. Her real name, though not the last. Ruby forgot that Mr Kim still had some humour to him. Ruby knew how to blend in, she did not look out of place, she was not uncomfortable by the eyes of the ones that passed her by. 

Yes, she would do as she was told and relax. Find a man who was good looking enough, perhaps have some fun in that very booth and head home. After all, she was Gabrielle, or a version of her at least. The black wig with a fringe that hid her face made her fit into the role more easily, the black latex dress which hugged her whole torso made her fit to the place, the drink in her hand offered her some calmness to the animalistic mess which was happening just outside her booth.

“I don’t need a drink bought, nor someone to chat with - if you’re here, you may as well offer something far more useful.” She muttered to the man, who decided to take a bet. 

Gorgeous, beautiful, but she’d be able to crush him in seconds. Boring. Hardly a challenge, though, undoubtedly, she’d be the most interesting thing to happen to him in the year.

“Mr Moore, we’re three minutes away from the destination.” 

Ryder didn’t answer. 

The trip back from the Hamptons had not been that long. It was business as usual, and nothing was disrupted, even if the bastard was absolutely fucking daft. It took special brain power to believe that hiding by the beach would mean that two things could not be done at once. It was already a stretch to think that boss, or he, wouldn’t have found out about his betrayal. About the little narcotics lab that was installed underneath the vineyard near the Niagara Falls. 

Completely other pathetic thing to believe that Ryder Moore wasn’t going to be able to do two things at once. He had presented the papers to Esposito, an almost friendly hand outstretch for taking over what was legally theirs. It was on Esposito to refuse. 

‘I won’t sign, this is mine, everything is mine and I make no deals with men like you. I owe you nothing’ was what he said. 

Sadly, his last words, too.

Ryder wasn’t about negotiation, he was there to do his job. If they did not agree to the friendly gesture, everything would then simply be swept under the rug. 

The rug being the Kim organisation. 

The driver opened the door for him and the consigliere stepped out into the dusty, warm New York air. Familiar almost felt like home now. There was a meeting to be held, something that asked for Ryders' attention and even though he did not have much time - he had agreed. 

With another man next to him, Moore walked through the halls, into the elevator and up to the highest floor. A usual meeting place for the likes of them. Once there, he sat down, with a drink already in his hand. 

“Now, what’s this about?” 

The way she moved, as if she were a trained ballerina but yet so stocky and built, had him wondering of her life before she’d been with his father. He’d never asked questions about her, and his father had never relayed much information; only what he needed to know. But the way she’d been adopted into the family, how she’d became his father’s favorite; that told him a story of a girl who’d signed her soul away to the devil. Satan being his father. Elijah wondered if she’d been tricked. Not that he cared, but intrigue was something that had always been a prominent part of who the man was. He liked to know things. In his pocket, an item of hers burned heavy.

He’d swiped it while she was in the shower, a trinket. A collector’s item. One day, she’d be nowhere to be found. Another name on a long list of the missing and he’d have this. His one hand dipped into the pocket, fingers toying with the edges. Like a serial killer, he thought. But when she took his chin, his attention was on hers. He almost stopped breathing, almost.

‘‘I can leave?’‘ Elijah asked slowly, ‘‘And that’s what you want?’‘ 

It came out even more aggressively than even he’d meant, but his eyes zoned in on her, never diverting from the darkness in her own gaze. A fire burning behind his orbs, the same as the night previous. But this time, something else lingered, a longing to grab hold of that throat again; like the violence was once again surging through him. He’d found that she ticked boxes other women seemed to leave void too often. The animal inside of him roaring to be uncaged and let loose. But her battered appearance told him that maybe that would push her too far, breaking the barrier. Elijah never usually crossed the line to the darkness inside of him. Tiptoeing on the line of right and wrong; knowing one wrong move and his family would pay the price.

Oh, how he wanted to see that. Needed too, even. 

But the kiss caused everything in his demeanour to shift. He stiffened, eyes looking forward, now not on her features, before they fluttered closed. The last person to kiss him in such a way had been his mother many years ago. That kind of affection was not known in the Kim household. So without a second thought, a natural reflex set in place, and he yanked away a little too hard.

The back of his head colliding with the wall. ‘’Ow!’’ He cried, reaching up to cradle the back of his now thumping head, grimacing, while shooting her what he could only describe as the death glare; he guessed she’d pushed that button inside of him. He hated such gentle affection. He’d never understood it, and honestly, he didn’t think he ever would. It caused a shudder to richter through his body, while rolling his shoulders out.

‘‘You’re right.’‘ He practically spat, scrambling until he was stood, dusting off his clothes. ‘‘With a place like this—’‘ he took no time, feet carrying him to the door ‘‘—- if it’s this dirty and unkept, I can only imagine what the owner’s like.’‘ 

-

The kiss had the exact effect that Ruby was expecting. Rather one of the two. First, she expected him to grab her by the throat, squeezing his fingers there until they left a mark there, until her throat closed up just enough to let some air through, but not enough for her not to lose consciousness. The other was the utter confusion and retraction of whatever the air had become around them. Again, she didn’t expect his head to hit the wall. 

Ruby didn’t have the instinct to then brush his head to see if it had left a bump, or to ask if he was okay. That was only reserved for people she truly cared for and those could be counted on the fingers of her one hand. 

The truth was, Ruby recognised the strange air between them, the tension that was different from with the other members of the cartel. The both of them had never met for longer than five minutes. This meeting had lasted already over twelve hours and there was nothing safe about it. 

She got up from the ground when he did, securing the towel around her torso and bobbed her head to the side. “I’m glad to have made your acquaintance, Mr Kim.” She walked behind him to the door, a small smile curving her lips mischievously. 

As a goodbye, Ruby reached for the back of his head, her fingers intertwining in his hair - and pulled him forward and out of her apartment before closing the door that finally separated them. 

LOCATION: NEW YORK CITY, MAIN STREET.  TIME FRAME: 25.03.2022

@forall-x​

If there was one thing she knew, it was that she’d never change.

Lanie Almeida stood tall, luscious brown locks cascading down her back, while a strappy dress adorned tanned shoulders. The summer’s air was leaking onto the New York City streets, while most natives fanned themselves furiously to keep the heat at bay. It didn’t seem to phase her. Most of the ride here had been by private car. The short walk to the restaurant was nothing to break a sweat over; but my god, it was hot. 

This was her day off, and for that, she was grateful. It hadn’t been a day packed with anything of importance. Instead, she’d spent the morning on the phone with her family’s clean-up crew; even she’d had difficulty getting the blood out of her wooden flooring earlier in the week, — a professional was required. The images of the previous weekend came to the forefront of her mind, like small flashes. 

A slice there. A snip here. 

Each thought was just like a scene from a horror movie; blood spilling onto every surface, her skin painted red, and something finally unleashed the sadistic bitch. That was her favorite look; dishelved and wild. In her natural state. But the smile on her lips that grew with each passing second, exposing it to the passerby, making it uneasy for most. However, her beauty garnered a different approach. Male’s eyes lingered a little longer than they should, while women more often than not returned the beaming girl’s expression.

The truth of Lanie Almeida was simple; there was only truth when it benefitted her.

Turning the corner onto 9th Avenue, the RH Rooftop Resturant came into view. It had been her choice this time. She wanted something more fancy. If Ruby was questioned, Lanie could simply get away with saying she fronted the bill; she was a surgeon, after all. The perfect cover up for her kind of work. 

Within moments, the elevator rose, taking her to the top floor. Each passing floor took her higher, the city spanning out before her moss green eyes. There was beauty in this city, that she could admit. But beneath the concrete jungle was darkness. And that kind of place was where the raven-haired girl dominated. 

Finally, Ruby came into view.

‘‘I have to say—’‘ Lanie called, heels clicking as she approached her best friend, arm adorned by her new coach bag; a gift from a male friend who’d all but disappeared in the recent weeks. A shame, she joked internally.‘‘I really wish you’d let me look at that wardrobe of yours.’‘ It was a jab, but meant with love, sincerely. Lanie had simply never been very good at hiding her thoughts, her face usually a give-away. Unless, of course, it came to the men she liked to lure home.

Then she had the best poker face known to humanity.

Lanie couldn’t remember exactly how long she and Ruby had been so close. But if there was one thing that she did not have, it was friends. Ruby being her only one, besides her sister and boy best friend. 

‘‘What ever happened to your face…’‘ Her voice trailed off, more a coe. Lanie knew of Ruby’s joke and the hinderance it caused her on a day-to-day basis. Sometimes she wished she’d picked something a little less violent. But then again, she couldn’t talk. Sliding into the seat that was pulled out for her. Lanie gave thanks in a sweet smile, a head nod before disregarding them all together. Lanie’s family, while not filthy rich, had enough money to keep them comfortable. It’d been thanks to their business. A business fronted by yet another business. Shell corporations. 

‘‘I guess I’ll be treating you today.’‘ She stated, giving her a once over, unimpressed was a natural look when it came to Ruby’s attire. ‘‘And maybe some shopping after.’‘ She knew she was testing her look, but it was better than nothing. 

‘‘We’ll have a champagne bottle on ice, two glasses and a small platter for every starter, please.’‘ Lanie ordered, before settling back into her chair. Oh, how much fun this would be. It was a rarity that they got to spend quality time together anymore. 

-

Everything that was in her closet was tailored to the life of Danielle. It wasn’t a bad thing, as Ruby wasn’t born into money, even when she did have a family -  their life was absolutely mediocre. Wen she joined the cartel - her life was worse. With the constant fighting and training, her life was anything but luxurious. It was when she finally proved herself when the money started coming in. Not just little amounts, but those that required her to make contact with Ryder who had to help with the offshore accounts. 

Lucky - that’s what Ruby was. To have a man like the boss trust er so much that he even assigned his trusted consigliere to look after her dealings. Her money, her accounts, her properties. Everything. 

She long stopped wondering when she became a favourite. Not because that thought kept er up at night, but simply because she enjoyed it. But after the taste that was gained, when going out, when wanting to step out of the pitiful life of Danielle, she at least wished she had a couple of things that didn’t feel rough on her skin.

Work came before comfort, however.

Ruby made way to the given address, wearing a dress that fit her curves, over the knee boots that hugged her legs like latex gloves and a leather jacket. All summed up to about 400 dollars. At least she could still look hot with a damn trash bag over her head. 

The undercover job was always a constant. She had her phone pulled out, pretending to be looking for the address of the place, when really, she could have found it with her eyes closed. 

“Why? You don’t like the polyester? Or is it the synthetic fibres?” Ruby smirked at her best friend as she sat down in the chair that was also pulled out for her. There weren’t many people that Ruby would have given the title of a friend, let alone best friend. But there was something about Lanie that pulled her in almost instantly. 

Must have been the punch she got from her when they first met. 

Friendship at first blood.

Putting her hand over her chest, the woman feigned shock. “ God, what would your friends think if they saw you like this? Wait...” She paused for dramatic effect. “You’ve got no fucking friends.” With that, Ruby let out a laugh. Neither one of them was good at making friends, so really the insult was at them both. 

Luckily, the place wasn’t where her ‘friends’ from the department would come. Even if it came to it, her excuse had always been and would have been ‘field research for one of the cases’. With Lanie being a surgeon that served like a fucking class a steak on a silver platter. Little did they know about her girls' extracurriculars. 

“This?” Ruby finally pointed at her head. “Elijah fucking Kim, can you believe that? He was at my work -” something Lanie would know the exact meaning of, “I show up and he was drunk of his fucking ass. Could hardly walk, so had to ask him to throw a few good punches at me so I could save the golden boy.” It was still something that she was annoyed with. “Now only that - he showed up at my home the morning after. He wanted to give back the keys to your car. Mommy made him do it.”  A snicker left her lips this time, one that was malicious and intended only between friends. 

They both knew the treat wasn’t really going to be a treat. “What, my place in Bora Bora no longer to your taste?” She arched her brow in question. The mansion was actually in Fiji, but it was better not to take risks with noisy people constantly wanting to have their ears and tongue cut off. “Babe, tell me, do you have any carving exhibitions coming up? You know how I love to be the first one to see them.” 

These formalities made coming from money the hardest of them all. From the moment his eyes had slipped open, the morning sun piercing harshly against his skin and groans left his lips. — he’d known what today meant. The next telling sign was his mother’s shouts from only one room away. When he’d brought this place, he’d done so, hoping he’d have some separation from his over-bearing family. But that had just been wishful thinking, it seemed. 

Only moments passed before her head slipped around the door frame. 

‘‘Your suit’s pressed, breakfast’s made, and I have left some paperwork for you on the kitchen island which I need you to go over before you leave— father’s orders.’‘ The last part only solidified that he had no choice on the matter. There was no way he was getting out of this. Their marriage had been set in stone for as long as he could remember. Without another word, a silent moan left his lips, pushing the heavy covers from his body as the morning’s cold rushed to greet him, as feet collided with the oak flooring that ran through the upper bedrooms.

For a moment, he appreciated his mother’s advice not to get marble flooring in his bedroom.

After his first few moments, the rest turned into a blur of preparing to do his duty, as his mother liked to remind him every time a complaint left his mouth. It wasn’t like he ever believed he’d find love. That was fairytales they told children to give them hope. In reality, the world was a bleak mess of games and fake feelings. Elijah Kim would marry her, of that he was certain. But he thought he had more time to be free, with no constraints or another person to think about when he had to make decisions. 

It seemed the time scale of things, which used to loom in the distance, was now getting closer. And the ticking time bomb was just about ready to explode. 

His lips remained sealed, slipping into the chair opposite with little to no regard for the dark-haired beauty that was perched directly in front of him. He didn’t want to be here. Heck, no one in their right mind would want to. This was fucking Na-Bi Lee. Just like him, she was made from stupid amounts of money, years of rebellion, and would one day take over from her father. They were one in the same and if he was being honest, 

‘‘If I have to die, will it be you slipping the arsenic into my drink, or should I hire another bodyguard to keep me breathing a little longer?’‘ His voice was void of any emotion, stoic in nature, while eyes narrowed on his target. Why couldn’t she be the one complaining about this arrangement? Why did it always have to be him? The one that seemed to cause all the trouble. He muttered incoherent korean sayings under his breath, while longer fingers found the menu.

He knew the place, and he never ordered differently. But this was better than staring at her. Every meeting seemed to more hostile or awkward than the last. He didn’t see how this marriage would ever work. What would it mean for them? Sleeping with other people before slipping back in, as if they other didn’t know.

They’d always know. 

‘‘Let me guess—’‘ He drawled, placing the menu down, crossing legs as he leant back in the chair. His arrogance was never amiss. ‘‘— You held some kind of ball this week, shook hands with some important people, ran around after daddy and then got ready to spend time with your future husband’‘ He didn’t even get a chance to order anything different, the drink sliding in place by the server, offering a bow before they left. 

Great. 

‘‘There was only one girl of importance that I had to see this week.’‘ He offered a sweet smile— it was fake, now leaning his elbow on the table, his chin finding the palm of his hand. ‘‘And it certainly wasn’t fucking you.’‘ 

-

The fact that he was so reluctant, that he was always trying to play the distant game, only made her feel more interested. The arranged marriage was something in their culture for generations, so there was no doubt he understood the meaning of the joining of two powerful families. His father and mother were strict with the rules, with the traditions just as her family was. Yet there he was, in all his glory, pushing away all things that held meaning to their influential positions. 

How long was he going to hold out? How long was e going to refuse? He hardly looked like a man who would be looking for a foolish idea, feeling as true love. No. That wasn’t him. So was he simply resisting for the sake of it? Tere was nothing in him that suggested he wanted to be away from this life. The expensive clothes, the dinners, the cars, the homes, the travels, the luxurious lifestyle agreed with him and h would never want to get cut off from him.

The thought made her chuckle, and Na-Bi quickly covered her mouth as if she was simply brushing off the remainder of the wine from the corner of her lips with the silk cloth. 

No, Elijah Kim would end up exactly where he needed to be. By her side.

“Not until we’re a little more established.” There was no need to get rid of him while so much still hung over his head. His parents were still alive, first of all. He had a younger brother - too. His death would only mean five steps back instead of forward. Their families weren’t stupid enough not to put a death clause in their contracts. Well, at least she already put her own death clause down. 

“In case of death, return everything to the Lee family.”

Death would not do them part. 

His death would only benefit her when there was a successor down the line. Their son or daughter, who would be of age, to take over both of their businesses. They were not in a dynasty to force a seven-year-old to rule. Thus, that meant they would have to live the perfect cover life until that happened. After? Who knew? It wasn’t as if her brother liked the idea of her marrying Elijah. Maybe her brother would dirty his hands instead of her. 

The server who handed the drink to her husband to be, stole a glance at her. OR rater - her legs. Disgusting. This would be the place that would soon go down. IIf the service was bad, then the rest would be, too. To hire perverted help? That was not a place she wanted to be associated with. 

“Isn’t it perfect?” Na-Bi mused, taking the wineglass back into her hand and taking a sip. “The papers will have a blast, already loving me, maybe condemning you for making me wait.” Her lips pouted ever so slightly with the words. Neither he nor she had to be careful, but the way Na-Bi did things was simply more amicable to the public. “Ah, that smile...” The waiter had come back with their food -  a rare steak for her and whatever Elijah had ordered. “Makes my heart flutter every time.” A sweet smile accompanied her words and stayed even as the server disappeared. 

“Oh? Who was she? Was she pretty? Tell me at least she had something good about her. If you start fucking trash, that’s not going to be a good image for me.” The woman had no expectation of care for him. Not even in the slightest, therefore his words didn’t even make er flinch. 

The situation wasn’t completely hopeless, after all, no one would understand him better than she did. 

“I held the company of a very nice politician. He was absolutely delicious.” Na-Bi grinned as she placed her fork in the steak. 

The difference from Ruby’s place to his own was extreme; He had only a semblance of the wealth he’d acquired to which he’d used for his decor; even that was enough to make this place look like the slums of his home country. Walls were lined with matt black paint, obscure art hung effortlessly and perfectly placed in different rooms (Elijah didn’t know where it’d came from, his mother, he presumed.) while his furniture lay pretty much untouched. Most of the time, he wondered if he should have had them covered in dust sheets. 

Eli only lasted on the floor a few minutes before he was pushing to his feet, taking his time. Walking with no place in mind, his hands ghosted over various objects. None of which seemed to have any meaning. His brows furrowing, but words stayed locked behind lips. There was a time when he wouldn’t keep asking questions. There was a time and a place for certain things. And right now, he felt like he might ask one too many. Now and then he’d sneak a look over his shoulder, caught just the glimpse of her silhouette, but nothing more. It was like a tease show in a burlesque bar, an illusion of the eye. 

Looking away again, his eyes found what he could assume was an old trinket. Maybe something from her childhood, he wondered. But then Ruby’s question caused him to stop dead in his tracks, his back to her and eyes straight forward.

Elijah shouldn’t have come here. Instead, he should have told his mother he’d do it before contacting his assistant. It would have been less hassle. She was far too much work, and internally, his regret was growing by the minute. 

‘‘I’m bitter because of your attitude.’‘ Elijah snapped, his voice harsh, which was dipped with sarcasm all in the same breath. There was this internal switch that seemed to be in a constant battle of staying off or flickering on. And she seemed to have the ability to get him to flitter between the two, unable to contain what came out of his mouth.

A rarity.

It took moments for his long legs to carry him back, sliding into his original position. He didn’t want her to know he’d continued to look around her apartment when he got the chance. But who could blame him? Knowing more about people was always in his favour. Even if it was something small, it could be of use potentially in the future. Hearing the water stop, her question echoing in his mind for all, but a moment. 

‘‘I never said it did. I just wasn’t keen on the watchful eyes of your neighbours.’’ He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. All it really told the room was that he didn’t care. Because he didn’t. But the second Ruby walked out in front of him, legs glistening with the droplets of water and hair dripping into puddles on the wooden flooring, he couldn’t help swallowing thickly, eyes of chocolate dragging from her toes, until it was cut off.

She leant in front of him, his breath lodging in the back of his throat. She looked delicious. He wasn’t sure if his eyes were playing tricks, watching her own flicker to his plump lips. It caused the corners to upturn into his dominant smirk, the one he knew made most women quiver at the knees; but he knew she’d never let him know, even if he did.

She was stubborn, that much he knew. 

It took only seconds, her face level with his, Elijah let his eyes wander over her face before his hand reached out to take her chin between his fingers, his smirk still set in place. ‘’I can go if you want me too, or we could make today just that little more interesting.’’ He licked his lips.

-

Her body stayed still as Eli moved to place her chin in between his fingers. The woman was as still as the sea, right before the storm came. There were so many options, so many answers to his statement. How easily this man showed her who he was? Again, was it the money that allowed him to so easily move through life? Must have been, otherwise he would have at least tried to hide some of his intentions. Already, she had gathered what he didn’t like, what he liked, even what grossed him out. Some things would have even been obvious to the ones who knew absolutely nothing. 

Moving the coffee cup down to the ground, she reached her hand into his hair, brushing the dark locks away from his eyes in a gesture that others would have called sweet. 

If Eli wanted her to beg, show resistance, show er fight - she could also easily play that game, in a way that he himself would take a step back. “The neighbours are like pawns on a chessboard.” Se said, her voice low, as her fingers continued to softly brush through his hair. “They are easily replaceable.” 

Hardly ever did Ruby make connections that lasted. Especially in the mundane life that she was now placed in. Danielle had friends, but mostly from her work. It was either the ones she went drinking with or the ones she occasionally fucked. Not one of them really made a difference in her like. Another pawn, another piece to discard in case tings stopped working. 

“You can just leave.” She finally answered his statement and smiled as she now herself moved her fingers to his chin. “Don’t stretch yourself out in a place like this.” It didn’t hurt her pride in saying this. That whole place, that whole life, was just a cover. Ruby already had a couple of homes overseas - ones that were to her taste, to her liking, to her actual status. Thus, saying things that others would otherwise perceive as lowly did nothing to her, even as she did it to herself. “So let’s have this as a goodbye, see you... Never? No, that’s not possible. See you the next time you’re drunk off your ass, ruining something else for me.” A smile curved her lips, and she leaned in, kissing the top of his head. 

There were traditions which were set in stone, things she had to follow since she was a little girl. Not that Na-Bi minded. It means that her life had been fairly easy, or at least compared to the scoundrels that she had so often seen on the streets. The woman pitied them and often wondered what it was they had done in their past lives to be reborn into such shit. 

But she didn’t feel so bad as to try and save them from that piss-take they called their day to day lived. 

A charity to host for those in need, show her face, shed a fake tear as she gave out the main speech and move off the stage to enjoy the expensive champagne and the food cooked only by the best of the best. 

Na-Bi was a woman of elegance, grace, and intelligence. Every one knew her degrees, everyone knew that one day she would take over her father. Not her brother or sister, even though she was the youngest. None of them had shown the capability she had. She was the favourite, which was also why she was allowed to get away with so many things. 

Bullying, excessive parties, dates, rudeness, spending. If anything ever got out, it was quickly hushed by the power of her father. To everyone else, she simply looked like the woman who had it all. On to be loved but also one to be feared. 

The only thing her father put as a clause in her contract to becoming the president was a marriage. A marriage to his best friend's son. An easy task that could be fulfilled with a little push. Plus, Elijah Kim was alright. A challenge, maybe, but one that intrigued her. 

“Ah, so the golden boys make an appearance.” Na-Bi half smiled as she placed down her glass of red on the table. “Are you here to tell me of all the girls you dated in the past week? You know that doesn’t work on me, sweetie.” Another smile, as her fingers twirled the glass in circles. “To get out of this, you might just have to die.” 

They weren’t engaged yet, but she liked knowing what was coming, mentally preparing herself for that little show. Would she love him? Maybe, but not in the way they show in western movies. Na-Bi could learn anything if it benefited her. 

There was something about her, the ice cold of her stare, or how he couldn’t read her. Maybe that was the intrigue; for a man like him, intrigue was a dangerous venture. He stopped for a moment, chocolate hues darkening just as it had the previous night. How fun it would be to watch her break. Each part of her slowly unravelling under his hands; it shouldn’t have been his first thought when a beautiful woman stood before him, but here, with his feet planted firmly on the ground, Elijah Kim could think of nothing more, and definitely nothing better. 

And just as if they were back in the tunnel, his sickening grin returned. 

But when she laughed, it almost took him back, causing his brows to furrow. It sounded unnatural to hear such a sound from her, what he could only describe as draining personality.  The woman didn’t know how to have fucking fun. Always so serious, she’d play a grand version of the joker, he was sure. Why so fucking serious? But he took the compliment, laying a hand over the breast pocket of his blazer.

‘‘I should have been comedian, the next Lenny Bruce or Anthony Jeselnik’‘ Elijah joked, his voice deadpanned, unsure if she’d even know who they were. He moved on swiftly, using his hand to gesture that he was done with the topic. Eli knew Ruby was not accustomed to his habits. He always got his own way, staff, family and friends never questioning his tactics or motives. If he deemed something to be done, that was just so.

He had a feeling that she was not one to let things go. And maybe that was her appeal? She didn’t trip over her feet or bend at the knee for him. There was a proper fire there, and one that usually had him turning in the other direction. But right now? He was staring. 

His eyes once again trailed her derailed exterior, raising an amused brow. ‘’You sure as well weren’t getting ready for me.’’ He retorted, raising a hand to cover his mouth, laughing silently, but his face was a telling sign. ‘’And this looks the new cover for the next American Psycho.’’ He scoffed, his usual response when he had nothing else to say, or couldn’t come up with a smart arsed comment, rolling his eyes in response.

However, her comment caused him to take a step back, hands raising in the air. 

‘‘I know I look great—’‘ He started, looking her from head to toe, and slowly dragging them back up until they reached her eyes, lips twitching into an almost smirk, but never fully gracing his lips. That was the game she wanted to play, dually noted. ‘‘— But if I’m not your type, your taste must be….’‘ Elijah paused, simply shrugging his shoulders, dipping his head until he was level with her; taking her in, just as he did every time he got to look at her. 

‘‘Boring. Your type most certainly must be boring’‘ 

Elijah took a moment to take another glance over his left shoulder, where two old biddies found the need to let their stares linger, finally clocking on that they were in fact not looking at Ruby, but instead, judgment spoke loudly. They watched him. He wanted to laugh brashly, but swallowed it down thickly, shifting uncomfortably on the spot, before turning back to Ruby, jerking his thumb over his shoulder in their general direction. 

But when her hands took the fabric of his blazer in her hands, his face stiffened, lips raising into a dominant snarl. He didn’t remember giving her permission to touch him. The difference from the night previous was that he’d been intoxicated. Yes, he was the same man with his cocky nature and boisterous need for something more intoxicating; something toxic. But in the daylight, where others could see, there was a standard even he upheld. Reaching up, his long fingers wrapping around her wrists, he yanked them from him before dropping them with little to no regard, his gaze not shifting from hard and disconnected.

‘‘Your neighbours seem to have a staring problem.’‘ He muttered.

However, her invitation inside, while it came as a surprise, made him feel more comfortable. The staring of others had begun to put him on edge, and internally, he wished he’d asked his bodyguard— his train of thought stopped, a confused look etched onto his features. Actually, what the fuck happened to his body guard last night? His eyes narrowed at her, but he said nothing else, his feet dragging him in her direction. 

Inside had to be better, right?

When Ruby took off, he felt like a puppy trailing after her. His long legs meant he was never more than a step or so behind her. However, the inside of the building caused a discomfort he’d not experienced in a long time. These kinds of buildings always made him feel uneasy. A boy who was used to the refined luxuries in life, when put in a situation such as this one, caused him to shudder in his three thousand dollar suit which sat crisp. He stayed far from the walls, not even daring to touch the handrail. Maybe, just maybe, the handkerchief in his breast pocket might come in handy, should have had to touch anything in this place.

It screamed filth. 

Inside the apartment, he came to a dead stop. His face was now emotionless. It was just as bad as the fucking exterior, his nose crinkling in disgust. How did one live like this? It was piss poor conditions, and that was being polite. His hand reaching up, fingering the fraying paint that looked like it hadn’t been touched in years. Eyes scanning to find her, before a hand found his hip and his face asked the questions. This would not do. 

‘‘Seriously?’‘ was all he managed. 

The boy had grown up with a silver spoon in his mouth his entire life, never wanting for anything. But there was a line he drew when working a job. She lived in conditions he’d deem unacceptable for vermin, scuttling along let alone someone that was part of their organization. However, he stopped his train of thought as brows pulled together in a moment of realisation. That was what she was, in reality, right? A rat. Someone who slinked in and out of situations in order for his family to live the life they did.

But she openly chose this for herself? It just made little sense to him. 

Elijah opened his lips to say something, but there were no words. Instead, he leaned his body against the door frame, watching her. He didn’t understand her, honestly? He didn’t think he ever would. One day she’d cause so many problems that she’d disappear, and he’d never question why or wonder where she might be. He was not stupid, he’d know. There was only one place people like Ruby ended up, and that was six feet under. He was always prepared for that. 

It was why he did not keep friends. 

Eventually, they all turned up dead or missing, anyway. 

With a sigh, he pushed from the door frame, turning into the piss poor kitchen. It wasn’t hard to find the things, although the man had someone to do all of this for him. He wondered how exhausting it must be to work and have to do everything for themselves. Wow, that was a rich kid realisation, if there wasn’t already one. But he went through the motions, preparing. But as his feet carried him through the small apartment. 

He stopped dead in his tracks, coffee in hand. 

The bathroom door lay open, revealing the outline of her body. Still unable to see the most precious details, he took a moment to drink her in. His eyes, just as they seemed to do all the off the surrounding time, darkened slightly, his mouth drying, as he swallowed thickly. The question snapping him back to reality. Why was he here? He placed the drinks down, walking to the wall, where the door to the bathroom lay, pressing his back to it, so he looked into the living room.

He needed to be able to concentrate, at least. His eyes were taking in the small objects, the place was pretty bare, or at least, that was his opinion. ‘’I guess you could say I was forced here after my parents found out about last night’s antics…’’ His eyes slowly slid down to his feet, before he allowed his back to slide down the wall, arms propped on both knees. ‘’My mother wanted me to return the keys, and so I did….It’s not my fault you turned up looking like you went on a murdering spree.’’ 

-

There was no reason for him to be here with her. Really, Ruby thought that their encounter would end with the hit in the head and they would simply continue their meetings in the passing by scene as they had before. Her seeing him in the corner of her eye as she went to see his father, as she picked up something from his mother. A relationship that only existed as ghosts in parallel worlds. 

So why was he there in her apartment, making the coffee whilst filling the usual silence in the studio with his words. It felt unnatural, strange, almost unbearable. But Ruby always adapted fast. She didn’t complain until there was a reason for her to. Besides, as she walked into the bathroom, she glanced back at him for a mere second, loving how uncomfortable he felt in the space that was her staged home. 

The studio was a buy to fit in. The interior was done in a way that people who entered didn’t think she was completely psychotic, otherwise she’d have left it completely bare, showing the distaste for such a living space, no portraying a single personality trait within the walls. Alas, a good cover was one which told a story. The same way how she got into the narcotics department. A story that mentioned in her application a dead father who was killed by drugs. Danielle never talked about it, only allowing others to assume what they wanted. If they dug into her, they’d find information of her father being killed by some narcotics gang leader. Which was technically a lie - but good enough for the others to understand. 

She first reached out to let the water run, let the steam slightly cover her bathroom while she got completely undressed. Her underwear fell to the floor and Ruby stepped into under the water. It quickly touched her skin, burning her in places where she had bruises and cuts. But not a wince left her lips. The only indication with the water was the red running down the drain. She didn’t realise how much blood had gotten on her.

Rest in peace, Bruce. 

“You sound as if you’re bitter about that.” She meant the last part. Though what did he think? He probably took some time before he got home and within that time Ruby woke up, assessed the club and the damage and got into her own car, pulling out the phone she used with Mr. Kim. 

“Your son was there.”  “He was?”  “I got him out, he should be unnoticed if he follows what I told him.”  There was a slight scoff in the background, his usual tell of slight annoyance. “And you?” “They won’t suspect a thing. I got a few scratches to make up for it. But, sir. He was something we did not account for. Caused a little trouble, which means I am going to have to deal with this.”  Boss knew what it meant. He trusted her.  “Yes.”

Boss usually allowed her to deal with things the way she wanted to. He never needed an explanation or a plan. Only when deciding who needed to be gotten rid of. The rest was in Ruby’s hands and so far, there ha not been a single decision that she had made which was wrong. 

Though something told her, having Elijah in her apartment could mean a whole new deal of trouble. 

“What does giving me back the keys and then me being covered with it have anything with you coming into my apartment?” 

Ruby stepped out of the shower, grabbing a towel from the rack and wrapping it around her. The water was still dripping, but at least she was fresh and smelled like fresh daisies. Without bothering to dry the rest of the water off, she walked right in front of Eli and bent down, so her eyes were level with his. 

“You know I won’t beg for you, so what the fuck do you want? We both know you are not one to give me orders. Call me curious.”  For effect, her gaze drifted to his lips; those full lips that even she would have loved to suck on. It was a shame that someone like him had such a fucking hot face, which made her wonder what the rest of his body looked like. 

Reaching out, she wrapped her fingers around the cup that she presumed was hers, intentionally letting her fingers graze over his. Ruby wanted to see if he was going to hit her for that. Elijah didn’t like to be touched like that. He was a rich boy who only believed that those with a golden ticket had a special allowance. 

“So why don’t you just go?” 

‘‘Fuck— I know for fucking sure I didn’t do that to you.’‘ Elijah stated with an almost horrified face, lifted brows and an amused expression. What the hell happened after he left? Did someone (maybe from his father’s team) try to finish her? It didn’t sound like them, but then again, his mother had known within the hour and made it all the way over to his apartment. So maybe his father had sent a clean-up crew? Had she killed them?

Was she now a target?

But then again, if she had been, his mother would have never sent him here. And they had her address? They weren’t stupid, his father’s people, they did things quietly and discreetly. No, this was something else. He pushed away from the car, taking a few quick steps until, just like the previous night, he was gazing down upon her. 

‘‘This won’t do’‘ He used his hand to gesture to her attire. ‘‘You look fucking awful.’‘ He scrunched up his nose in disgust. If she asked him to fuck her right there and then, he shocked himself when he thought this, but he’d have to turn her down. Honey, that wasn’t a good look, not even for him. And he’d worn that shade of red a few too many times.

‘‘I mean, I’d fuck you…but when you look like that? Not a fucking chance.’‘ He stated. He didn’t care how it sounded, even if it was brash and off-hand. The way she stood with her arms folded across her chest, cocky and uptight, caused him to choke a laugh back in his throat. Was she really trying to be sassy right now?

She looked like a literal psychopath in broad daylight.

‘‘Beautiful, you look crazy.’‘

Passersby were gawking, he noticed, as he withheld the loud sigh. This was the problem with living in such a large and overpopulated city. There was never any privacy when he wanted it. No matter what street corner he turned, there always seemed to be someone watching with an inquisitive eye or a questioning stare. Why had his father never moved them somewhere more discreet, with forests, to bury the bodies of those that had wronged them?

Wasn’t that a more smart move? He thought about it for a second. Actually, no. Keeping the bodies so close to home was an idiotic idea. He wasn’t thinking straight, the hangover so clearly clouding his mind, because he took another two steps away from her, raising his hands in the process. He wasn’t a threat…not right now, at least..

‘‘I just came to return these, and to thank you for the…tension from last night.’‘ He smirked towards the end, flickering his eyes up to hers, down to her lips, and then seeing the blood caused him to shake his head all over again. What the fuck happened? Within a few seconds he held the keys to the car out in her direction, raising a brow as a gesture. 

She really had an attitude problem. 

‘‘You want to tell me outside what the hell happened after I left, or are we going to stand outside and let the people of the town call the cops because some crazy lady used too much fake blood for her Halloween costume?’‘ He said the last bit louder, as a couple of old women walked past whispering angrily under their breaths. 

‘‘Nice neighbourhood.’‘ He jibbed with an upturn of his lip. ‘‘Lets go inside.’‘ 

-

The comment actually made her laugh - a full pledged chuckle where her head tilted backwards. How fucking amusing it was that he thought it was him who did that to her. If that were the case, he wouldn’t be standing there in front of her without a single bruise. So far, she did not lay a hand on him, she did not show him exactly what she was capable of. Now, his pretty little head could only make conclusions based on the few times he’d seen her. In neutral places, like his father's home. 

“You’re funny.” Was her only answer as she finally stopped laughing and looked up at him. Why did he keep wanting to close the distance between them? A power play? So he could continuously keep looking down on her? 

Ruby stayed in place, her face no longer flinching with emotion except the tiredness that rested all over her body. “I wasn’t trying to get ready for you. I feel this look is rather refreshing.” Yet, she itched for a shower and the wish to burn the clothes she was wearing. They were stuck to her in all the wrong places, and the smell, even though she was used to it, was lingering. The stale iron smell was simply a reminder of the fact that she had not slept.

It was one of the reasons why she didn’t wear perfume when she went to work. The mix of perfume and blood for a while made her want to stay away, as soon all smells started to smell the same. The other reason was simply that she did not want anyone to recognise her based on the perfume she used. Even if she changed, the scent of her skin and the perfume would mix into something that was unique and identifiable. 

Ruby never wanted to be something that was easily found out. 

Putting her hand onto his shirt, she brushed the invisible dust, while not breaking the hard, cold stare into his eyes. “I wouldn’t fuck you when you look like that.” Apparently, he somehow got the wrong idea from the night before. Overly confident, that’s who Elijah Kim was. With others, she knew it worked. If she were any other bitch, she’d have thrown herself under him, grazed her tongue against his neck as her hand found its way into his pants. Others wanted to do everything they could to simply please him. 

That wasn’t the kind of woman she was. 

Her hands took a hold of his blazer, aiding herself as she stood on her toes and leaned into him to whisper in his ear. “Baby, I am fucking crazy, but no less than you are.” 

The people in the neighbourhood already knew who she was, so while she felt Eli getting uneasy by the stares, she knew really it was him they were eying. To play the good citizen, when she moved in, she walked around with some cupcakes, introducing herself and showing her badge with a promise to make this neighbourhood a safe place. She told them they could knock on her door if they ever needed something and in response; they smiled at her and every now and again brought her food. 

Lanie was going to be upset, she knew that. The girl would have at least wanted to get a look at the famous son as he got the car back. Later, she’d call her and give her the details. At least he was lucky he wouldn’t have her name carved into his chest. “I was just doing my job. I don’t need anything from you.” 

Taking the keys from his hand, she walked past him, brushing her shoulder with his arm and then quickly turning around as she walked backwards towards her door. “The outsider here is you, not me.” When she turned towards the older ladies, her face changed, and she smiled warmly at them, something that she had mastered in the long years. Who said it was hard to fake a smile? 

“Come on, then.” Ruby turned back and got the keys out of her bag, opening the door to the complex. Two flights of stairs and she was opening the door to her studio, not waiting to see if he had followed her or not. Instead, she placed her bag on the door, shrugged her jacket off and pointed towards the kitchen. “Can you make some coffee? Or do I need to show you how?” The coffee machine was an expensive one, it was one of the things she could not live without and ‘splurged’ on as a cop. In reality, she had more than enough money in different accounts. But Ruby had to play the part. 

In the middle of the room, Ruby stripped down to her underwear and walked towards one of the kitchen drawers, taking out a bin bag and stuffing the blood-stained clothes in there. Those were going to the trash as soon as humanly possible. 

“I’ll have a shower - you can talk to me while I scrub this off.” She said, walking towards it and leaving the door open. It wasn’t an invitation, she was simply saving time. 

“What is it that you need from me? You gave me the car, you ran away and you’re not a fugitive. So why are you here?” 

LOCATION: Outside of Ruby’s Studio Apartment.  DATE: 12.03.2022 RUBY’S ACCOUNT: @forall-x

Elijah should have known better that going home that night. He was smart, even if he played dumb most of the time, but even he made mistakes; too fucking many of them, according to his father. But he so often brushed them off, he wasn’t sure when he was right or wrong these days. However, it had been the wrong decision to go home that night and, in hindsight, he’d been correct. But when he stumbled through the front door of his own apartment, there she sat with eyes of her own fire. 

His mother, Mrs. Kim, held a different rage than his father. And he was terrified of her. She held the keys to the kingdom differently. One look, and he was sure she could put him down. And the thing was? It was always when he disappointed her that caused him the most pain.

Yes, he could feel pain. He just was great at delegating (Which was pretty much all he ever did when he was at work.) His father had always said to ‘‘work smart, not hard.’’ And with those words, he’d taken them and ran with it. Maybe a little too far, and he was sure his father now regretted giving his son that advice, but he couldn’t complain. He was literally doing what he’d been told to do, right? 

But there she sat with thin lines and eyes alight with her own kind of rage. 

‘‘You are drunk again, and I do not want to hear excuses, Elijah.’‘ She practically spat, standing from the kitchen table she’d brought for him only months apart. ‘‘After everything me and your father do for you—’‘ She tutted under her breath. ‘‘You can’t seem to follow one simple rule!’‘ She exclaimed in horror. Elijah was already protesting when she raised her hand in the air.

He fell to silence. 

‘‘Tomorrow you will see the girl and return that car.’‘ 

His brows furrowed. How did she know about this already? Hadn’t it happened…he looked down at his watch. One hour ago? And his family already knew. Which meant his father knew, and instantly that sinking feeling in his chest set in. Oh boy, tomorrow he’d be in all kinds of shit. Which meant more work, and less time for himself. That was how they liked to punish him. Keep him busy and within sight. 

It was smothering. 

And just like that, she gathered her things and left, muttering in Korean under her breath as she passed by him. There were no other words required. He knew he’d once again fucked up, and undoubtedly be headlining the newspapers in the morrow. Why didn’t they just let his younger brother take over? Why did it have to be him just because he was older? It felt like an absurdity. 

They always went on about how Mikael was good, not an evil bone in his body. Like they were so proud of him. But they’d made Elijah this way? Why couldn’t they make Mikael? Why had he taken the burden of the family’s darkness? It enraged him differently from the tunnel. When the door finally closed, he unleashed hell upon his apartment. 

It’d need to be redecorated, which he’d leave to his assistant to sort when the sun rose. But as he finally made it to the couch, he slummed heavily down and sleep eventually took over him. 

*** NEXT DAY ***

When the sun rose, he groaned loudly and with dissatisfaction. His head was pounding, as he realised he was still dressed in the same attire from the previous evening; his mouth was dry and eyes were heavy. He remembered everything clearly, however. Every step of the way, his darkness coming out, his hands raising against the woman in te tunnel, known as Ruby and his mind instantly stayed on the girl. Today he’d seek her out, as told by his mother. 

She wouldn’t want to see him, but hell, he didn’t have a choice. 

If Mrs. Kim wanted something done, it got done. 

So with no further ado, he rose from his spot and began his usual routine. It started with a half an hour run on the treadmill that was strategically placed overlooking the city’s skyline. Before he ate, showered, shit and shaved. It took around two hours before he was feeling normal again, and that was a far stretch. 

But as he braced himself on the counter of the kitchen, he brooded for a moment. Her lips came to mind, so pretty, before they were bleeding. But even then, if she’d asked, he’d have licked it clean for her. He groaned, shoving her from his mind with force. He didn’t want to go back there, not yet anyway. That kind of darkness was reserved for certain times. Elijah needed to get through his normal day without losing it.

He needed to remain calm. 

So he took off, taking to the New York City streets. Finding her hadn’t been difficult. A quick call to the office, a few sweet words to his father’s secretary and, just like that, he was combing the street in his decoy car. Pulling up outside, he furrowed his brows. 

Well, this was a shit hole.

As he slid from the seat, slamming the door behind him with little regard for the car, he positioned himself against it, crossing his feet at his ankles. All he had to now was wait.

-

Ruby was knocked out for a whole two minutes, enough time for the man to run away, and the police to find the door. The lie rolled easily off her tongue. She told them the man she did not recognise took her by the collar and dragged her out there, no she did not know about this door before. No, he didn’t have a gun but he was a lot larger than her. She tried to fight him off, but he was too strong. They all believed her without a single doubt. This was Danielle, after all. They thought they knew her full strength; they knew how much she could take. 

The club had been raided and both of the dealers had been taken into custody, which had been their primary targets. Everyone else they allowed to run - but not first taking their ID’s. Ruby knew they would be fake, because those who dealt less they did not want any sign of them on the streets. It was bad for business.

The medics arrived shortly after and cleaned her up. Two stitches in her forehead where she herself slammed her head against the wall with the help of him. The order was for her to get home. Get some rest Dani, you’ve done good. You can come back in the morning and we will do the rest.

As if she would ever let that fucking happen. With Tony and Bruce both in custody, it meant that one of them would talk. It meant that the detectives would use tricks on them, and with their simple minds, one of them would crack. That would be fucking horrific.

It wasn’t that she was defying direct orders, she was simply making a choice for herself. As a detective who was on the case. 

She knew what she had to do.

The drug that she always had with her was poison, one that left no trace in the body or a cup. Take one out and the other would shut up, knowing just how much harder things would get for him outside. The only question was which one? 

Decision was to play the game; whoever was behind the first door would get the drink. 

“Ah, so you must be Bruce.” A smirk crossed her lips as she entered the room two hours after she saw Eli. So much paperwork, but also they wanted them to sweat a bit, to get anxious so the questioning would be easier. It also offered enough time for the detectives to believe whatever that would come out of their mouths. 

The glass of water was already beside him and all she did was reach over to pat him on the hand as the pill dropped into the water, dissolving in a matter of seconds. Not a trace, but within a few moments his heart would stop.

Just like that.

The next door was Tony. Unfortunately, someone had left a pen with him while they were working on the situation with Bruce. Tony decided to take his own life. When she came in, the blood was still splattering from the pen in his neck. It got all over her and as she tried to put pressure on it, save his pathetic excuse of a life, more got all over her. 

The job was less than pleasant, and now they had lost them both. Which really, turned out for the best. None would talk, and none would come back to the boss. For Danielle, it was simply a dead end which she will have to solve again.  They would now try to find the man who hit her. A description of someone other than Elijah.

***

It was no longer early morning when she made her way home. The car that she had given to Eli was a standby car, something to be used in case the need for a get away, was ever needed. Not hers, as it belonged to someone else, but then Lanie had her ways of getting things back that belonged to her. 

The state she Ruby was in to say the least - was tragic. Her clothes were soaked in blood, she tried to scrub off the blood of her face, but she reckoned at one point her own started to gush again and she simply forgot to notice. But again, she was fine, she was used to it, and cared very little. Simply annoyed that she’d have. to throw away more clothes. 

But as she drove back, her mind drifted back to the night before, four minutes before the police barged in to be exact. It was shocking that someone who’s features were so easily read tried to hide who he was behind a drink. She could still feel his low breathing, his touch on her, the way he pressed into her and the huskiness of his voice. Everything about the way he was screamed at her that he wanted her, in a way. 

For a man who always had everything, for a man who wanted to feel and see people drop to their knees - someone who refused was something he;d want to throw away or try out. Though she had a feeling, if he took after his father so much, he’d want her begging before he put his dick in her.

The thought alone made her chuckle as she got out of the car in front of her house. Yes, Elijah was amusing. So fucking hot, but at the same time so fucking weird. 

At least she wouldn’t have to see him again. 

“Fuck.”

Was this a mirage? Did sleep deprivation finally hit her? Or was it the actual hit on the head? As fucking Elijah Kim was standing in front of her very public house, seemingly waiting for her.

“You here to finish the job?” She asked, walking up to him and crossing her arms over her chest. “At least do it quick, I’ve had a long night.” 

Elijah all but wanted to be swallowed into the ground below him. How could a night of fun and games have come to this? To the world of blood and death, one that he knew too well. One that his father had forced upon him from the moment he could talk.

This was the life that Elijah Kim knew, and one he wished he could forget. 

But it was a part of him. Every scar, every memory and every venture he’d had since the day he turned eighteen had been built on. And here he stood, thirty-two years old and yet again, he caused the horror and pain. The problem was, as much as he wanted out of this life for reasons he kept locked away in a special place in his mind. He knew they had perfectly crafted him for it; there was no other who knew everything like he did. His father had made him privy to the information; how one would keep an upright image (to which he failed every day, much to his father’s disappointment.) Elijah knew how to run the business like the back of his hand. 

He knew when someone needed to be eradicated. And he sure as hell knew how to make sure someone stayed gone when he needed it. But the most important part, he knew how to make money, and keep the cash flow coming in, to keep the people in line. Loyalty in this kind of business had nothing to do with personalities or friendships. It had to do with dirty fucking money, and everyone around them was petty fucking scoundrels. 

He talked and thought about how he did, sure. But if it came down to it, he’d have each of those suckers eaten alive while he dined, just to save the skin on his own back. People, to him, were nothing more than money makers, or those that kept his house clean and his shirts pressed. 

She was no different. If the time came, and she became too much of a nuisance. He’d end her. A gun shot would be suffice, he thought, he was no cocking his head to the side. But yet, he couldn’t stop his lingering eyes from tracing her lips, the round of her nose and the edge of her jawline; he’d sure as fuck love to bite that. 

But she was expendable, just as much as the others. Sometimes the packaging was pretty, but those that were pretty and stupid? They were the most dangerous. However, laying hands upon a woman had just never been his gig. He’d rather end them, save the suffering. He’d kill them. There were no qualms about that. It was the physical part; his hands could do that. 

He hated to say it. As sexist as it sounded, he was stronger. He knew he could cause a damage far greater than whatever she could. And from the way she looked at him, he knew she thought of him as weak. 

Oh, Princess. If you only knew. 

‘‘If I blew out the fire in my life every time I woke up, it’d be boring—’‘ Another joke. He knew it’d piss her off, but in all honesty? He didn’t give a single fuck. ‘‘— My humour has gotten me out of some very tricky situations, and I’ll have you know—’‘

He grabbed her by the waist, pulling her flush against him, his back still against the wall. 

‘‘I’m not hidin’ sweet heart. I’m simply taking you along for the ride.’‘ He whispered the last part, dipping his face to mirror hers. He stared into this doe-like eyes, but they were anything but dormant. They were lit with a fire he was sure he’d seen die out in everyone else. She was a stupid girl. That would not change. But she was brave and even he was not stupid enough to piss of the brave. Those were the ones that could do actual damage. 

In the long run, she would be a problem, he noted. He’d talk to his father about this one. His smirk showing now reaching his smouldering eyes. But feeling her hands upon his own; the moments unfolded so quickly that he clenched his jaw.

‘‘If you let me have my way with you, you may very well end up dead, beautiful.’‘ He reached up to brush a strand of hair from her forehead, but his smile was sickening. Like a beast inside of him was shining through. ‘‘My hands are already stained— merciless people have gone down, but you… you’re asking me to change my morals for you…to against the thing I said I’d never do…for you.’‘ He looked her from head to toe, and then back up. ‘‘Like you rotting in prison should mean something to me.’‘ His chuckle was sinister. 

She was unleashing a monster she may not be able to re-cage. 

He had his father inside of him, that burning rage that he’d seen. Like a god was striking down on the peasantry below them. Watching as he cracked his whip of fire, and those around him scattered to their nearest hiding spots. Elijah Kim had that same hunger for blood in his veins coursing through. 

So when his hand connected with her skin, he almost winced. But felt the heat rise through him, like he’d been missing out on the very thing he was built for. Then came the slam, and he took a moment, breathing heavy. 

Before it hit him like a freight train. It turned him on. 

Only mere seconds flashed before his one hand gripped her throat fiercely, licking at his lips, slowly biting down on his bottom lip as he pushed his body against hers; now she was trapped behind the wall. ‘’You see what you could do to me…’’ He smirked. ‘’It’s a shame I have to mess up that pretty little face of yours, honestly.’’ 

He looked at her lips. 

‘‘And those— there are far better things to use those for.’‘ 

And with that he pulled away, hand rising to strike her. He was no longer the humourous boy who’d been to drunk to think or feel anything but sorrow. Now he was his father. He was the heir to the Multi-million dollar tycoon. 

And he would not stop until she begged him too. 

-

What was it about people thinking strength and built was the thing that made them be above all else? Te way the man before her stood, the way he spoke, the way he pushed himself against her. It was the power that was running through his veins. Was this the reason why he was constantly found in shit holes such as the club? Was this why he thought drowning himself in alcohol would be the reason to hide who he was? 

Was this a peak in the reflection of the man he himself was afraid of? 

Quite possibly. If she was normal, she may have sucked in a breath as he pulled her closer, she may have glanced at his lips, felt a tremble which would have been mixed with desire. The way he looked, who he was, it was easy for him to have that effect on people. It would have been easy for anyone to get pushed down to their knees, begged for forgiveness, promised to use better words, wished he granted them a ticket far away from here, to freedom, to life.

It was something she should have felt.

But there was nothing. All the experiences in her life had left her simply calm. No, Ruby wasn’t heartless, wasn’t someone who felt nothing at all times. No. She simple felt nothing in times like these. You could beat her, break her bones, open her skin and still, not a single scream would leave her lips. That’s what happened when one experienced years of beatings. 

It made her skin thicker. 

“Then why don’t you save me the trouble next time?” Ruby simply stood there, er eyes looking straight back at him, studying him rather than showing any actual emotion that he wanted to find. 

He was much like his father. Always looking for that thing that would make people fear them. Always looking for an ‘in’ in people to dangle that in front of their faces. The more people feared, the easier it was to control them. It was the same with power, with lust, with money. It’s how they worked. But she worked on something entirely different. What his father offered her, was something he couldn’t offer. 

There it was, the smouldering look that he had once the wheels started to turn. Was he thinking about the ways he would kill her? The best time for him to get rid of her? Ah, but she knew, even if he spoke to his father, at this point she was far too valuable to be rid of. She was the one letting their drug ring stay alive. She was the one who made sure they were able to still pose as an oil company and have the drug ring connected to someone else. Tere were cards she had in her sleeve, too. His father knew this, his father was the one who taught her that. But it was the information Eli still did not know. 

“Do it. Have your way with me. Right here. Right now. You have six more minutes. I’m sure you would be able to get everything done that you need to. Why wait, why give me an empty threat when you could do the real thing?” Her eyes stayed dark, focused on him as her hand reached for the hand that had just seconds ago brushed the hair from her face. Ruby moved it down to her shoulder, then slowly guiding it down to her breasts. “Is this what you want? Or should I struggle a bit more?” Yet, with that, she pushed away from him. Time was ticking and she had no time for the games. 

He didn’t scare her, she’d experienced men far worse than him.

The smack in her face was exactly what she needed, and Ruby turned her head to spit out the blood from her mouth. It hurt, and the tears naturally formed in her eyes. Yes, she understood the strength he endeavoured was something she was no match on.

Her tongue slowly licker her bottom lip, where blood had started to pour - he cut it. “Thanks.” Was all that she offered, as she once more felt the pounding in her head. It should be enough. One more hit and it would suffice. Ignoring everything before, Ruby placed her hands on his arms, pulling him away from the door, leading him further out of the tunnel. She fished out her car keys and placed them in his palm. “Don’t take your car. This is a decoy, it’s a white Mercedes parked on the first spot on the right once you leave here. You have about seven minutes to get to the usual spot and swap cars. 

The noises now came closer, they only had a few minutes left. “I’ll get in touch as soon as I can. But now, I need you to knock me out one more time.” Or she was going to have to do it herself. 

“Not much time to think; you have two minutes to get to the car, Eli.” 

The music was now dead. The screams that followed only caused his body to stiffen. So this was real? This was happening, and he was sure if he kept listening, he might pass out. It was the alcohol that was working its way through his body. Seeping out of every pour, mixed with the sweat from the nerves that he could no longer swallow down.

‘‘Breathing the same air as me isn’t all that bad…. when I’m not throwing up.’‘ He muttered, before letting his hand brace against the wall. ‘‘I was always told, If you woke up breathing, congratulations! You have another chance. When in reality, if I wake up, I have to live this god damn horror show all over again.’‘ He spat, literally, to the side, to clear his mouth of Flem. 

Being sick sucked ass. 

Okay— fuck, this is getting pretty real. He looked at the door and then back at her. She needed to stop looking so hot, because right now he smelled bad. Even he could taste the linger of the puke that would surely stain the floor, and the after shaved which had worn off hours prior. Were those gun shots for his friends? Were they now bleeding out on the floor, helpless? Shame, he deadpanned. If there was one thing his father had taught him, it was that all life was expendable. Even theirs. 

His mother thought differently. 

But only a few seconds passed, and he laughed.

This felt like one big comedy show, and he was waiting for the punch line. Better yet, for the camera crew to come running from the darkness like an old episode of Punk’d. Where was Ashton Kutcher when he needed him most? Not that he’d ever met the guy— his mind was stalling as he grumbled loud enough that it was audible. Things just couldn’t be smooth sailing, could they? Every night had to have dramatics that followed. 

If this were a TV series, he was sure it was the finale. 

The woman seemed to show up at the perfect time, always. She was some kind of saving grace amongst those that used him. But yet, he couldn’t see it. Why would she, a girl, or woman, however people wanted to phrase it, would constantly put her life in danger, for his. For what? She wanted to be another cronnie of his fathers, to run around like a headless chicken until they beheaded that chicken for not following through. She was stupid. He was watching her intently, shaking his head as he bit back the words he wanted to say, but even he knew there was a time and place. Stupidity was not a nice thing to be born with, and she’d been born with a fuck load, if she thought working for his father was a good thing. 

She’d find out in time, unfortunately. It’d be a shame to see such a pretty face just…disappear. 

‘’Elijah Kim. I need you to beat me up’’

The words echoed in his mind. For a second, he laughed loudly and boisterously, before he felt it crashing down around him. Oh god, she was being fucking serious? He wanted to laugh again, but even his eyes now sneaked over to the door, waiting for the moment they came bursting in to ruin the party. His chocolate orbs almost bulged out of his head, before he resorted to what he knew he could do best. Humour. It was a coping mechanism, sure. But also it was a time delay. Because there was no way on this fucking earth he’d hit her. 

Ever. 

‘‘Look, if you’re into the kinky stuff, I know a pretty elite club down the road that can help you with that.’‘ He jerked his thumb in the door’s direction, biting down on his tongue to stop the laughter, however short-lived it was. 

‘‘There is no way in hell I am going to lay a hand on a woman.’‘ He paused. ‘‘Do I look like a woman beater to you!’‘ He exclaimed in horror, only for his face to fall moments later. He began to look around, before he stopped shooting his head in her direction. 

‘‘Actually — don’t answer that.’‘ He muttered, running a hand through his gelled hair. 

-

They had around ten minutes before the others were going to start looking through all the doors. This one she had found through the blueprints she had studied, the ones she had that the department didn’t but it was going to take them exactly ten more minutes until they were going to start going through every single hole in the wall in order to account for those they were missing. Right now, they were busy securing the targets, right now they were focused on getting the main guys, it would only be within that time that Peter would flick his switch and think outside the box. That man had always been slow, to the point which was ridiculously pathetic. 

For the past five years, since she had been in the narcotics department, getting a read on her so-called colleagues had been her main job. Fortunately, there were far too easy to crack. The police were always confident in their own force. They thought their screening programmes did all the work, and the rest was just training.  Body language, fighting skills, intelligence, thought process, personalities - Ruby had them all down. And the moment they started to change, started to sway from their usual selves, she found a way to get rid of them. Without a single trace that it was her. 

By the way he talked, it was obvious that Eli thought he was this poor man suffering. When in reality he had not a single clue how the world worked. His expensive suits, jets, travels, women, parties - all concluded with his carefree nature. What had been asked of him was to fit in, but in his devious nature, the boy always refused. 

She wouldn’t have been surprised if he thought there wasn’t a single brain cell in her brain. “Do you get to blow out a candle every time you wake up?” She shot back, her voice dipped thickly in sarcasm. 

Ah, to live life in such a bliss.

The luxury she simply didn’t have.

The woman expected his response. Suddenly, the drunk boy, who was surrounded by the smell of his own puke, had a conscience. It was strange to think that he was from the same blood from the man who killed hundreds, who ordered to kill more. Didn’t he know that where they were, the positions they took, there wasn’t a difference between a man and a woman? 

Ruby knew that from the mere age of fifteen, when she was thrown in with thirsty young boys, willing to do anything to be on top. She was there when they tried to rape her when she had won the first tournament. She was there when they tried to drug her to get their own. If she went by the same thinking as him, she would never have been able to lift a finger against any of them. It would have been her wrong doing to stick the broken glass in their neck. It would have been on her to take a step back because then she should not be able to lift a finger against men. 

A bitter laugh left her lips as she stretched out her hand, with a thumb brushing the spit from his plum lips. “I think you need to wake up from this dream you’re living in. Step into the light as you were. Look at the reality you’re in. Stop hiding, stop pretending and stop hiding behind your humour.” 

He was wrong if he thought his words would have any meaning, that his words would make her pause and think of another alternative. No. There was one way, and she was going to get it done one way or another. 

“Stop thinking of me as a woman and think of me as your subordinate. I’m a fighter that is under your paycheck.” Before he could react, her hand grasped around his fist, while the other quickly moved those fingers into a fist. In a quick tug, she threw his fist into her jaw. It wasn’t enough, but at least it was a start.

“This kind of pain will pass. However, if you’re dead, then so am I. If they find me-” she motioned to the door. “They’re not going to let me rot in prison. They’re going to try to beat the shit out of me for information. So stop thinking that you not lifting your hand is some fucking stupid excuse to be a knight in shining armour. You’re in the mob, now, start acting like it if you don’t want my blood on your hands.”

A smirk crossed her lips as she moved his hand once again, this time gripping into her hair, and forcing him to throw her against the wall. This time it hit, the pain soaring into er head as she felt the hot liquid drip on er forehead. “They know how I fight, this won’t be enough.” 

Elijah should have known that she was there for a raid. It was only a matter of time before this place had gone up in dust. It’d been nice while it lasted, he thought through his whirl wind mind. The good things in life were always short-lived, hence why he was not so sure on making it to his father’s age and having such responsibility for the job he’d been given. But yet, here he was, being taken out of the back door of the only place he’d felt alive in what felt like years. 

And it was over. The place was done, and he’d have to sneak out into the night to find another place to sling his hook after a long day at the office. It was such an inconvenience. The worst part was, he was talking about the place and not his friends, who were dead or being arrested right now. 

In all honesty, they weren’t friends. They liked his money and the three-day parties he could offer them for something as simple as a ‘fake’ friend to laugh with until the sun came up. It was the other problem with having stupid amounts of money at the end of his finger tups. 

‘’I always miss you—’’ He slurred, letting his eyes give her a once over before landing on her face, a lazy smirk etching itself into place. ‘’— I mean you’re always here busting my balls, ruining my fun and getting in the fucking way.’’ and while his tone held malice, it was also teasing. He’d never learnt when to be serious and when to crack jokes, so he always made them into an amalgamation of the two. 

As much as he hated his life, the boy did not want to die. 

‘‘Thank you.’‘ He barked back sarcastically, although he almost regretted it a few moments later. Not that he’d say anything. That was far too mature for the likes of the inebriated Elijah to handle at that moment in time. 

However, the next part caused his brows to furrow, his back instantly slamming against the wall under what he could only assume was all of her weight. She was tiny after all, but my god, was she strong, he thought. He was once again looking down at her, the room spinning more and more with each passing second. Fuck, he really was going to be sick. 

Only a few seconds passed before the remains of his stomach flushed the floor, heaving and choking on his own spit. He really hated being sick, it was something he’d never been able to deal with, but yet, here he was doubling over while only a few meters away, separated by only a wall and a door, madness and chaos descended upon those who didn’t have some kind of guardian angel. If that’s what you could call her.

Once the dramatics were over, he straightened himself up, wiping the excess sweat that had formed on his forehead, and took a second to breathe. In and out, he reminded himself. That last shot had sent him over the edge. Maybe next time, if an impending raid was about to take place, he might think twice; but he was no god, and could not know of such proclivities. 

‘‘Wait—’‘ realisation set in, furrowing his brows yet again, looking to her with confusion and an almost childish wonder. What did she mean by next part? He looked left and then right, before he zoned in on her. ‘‘What do you mean the next part?’‘ He asked slowly and steadily. Probably the most combative he’d been all night. 

‘‘A punch? Who the fuck do you have me fighting? Is it your ex? I’m not your bodyguard.’‘ He was reeling off words. Honestly, he wasn’t thinking. The nerves were setting in. Yes, the boy could fight, and his father had made damn sure he could protect himself and others should there ever come a time. But in this state?

He might fucking miss. 

‘‘You better be fucking with me.’‘ 

-

There was never was much appeal to the nightclub scene for here. The dark, the flickering lights, the smoke, the sweat lingering in the air, the hungry yet dead eyes looking for anyone to fuck. It was simply a place for others to hide, to pretend they are someone else for a night, wake up in a bed and move on with their days. Why do all that when any place would offer just the same? A pity excuse, that’s what it was.

Ruby scoffed at his words. The jerk always had a mouth on him, something that he used so easily on the people that were around him. They always changed, she noticed. Not too many stayed, and it didn’t feel as if they were the kind of people who would take a bullet for him. It was another thing she had once wondered. For a man like him, why wasn’t there a person he trusted? Even his father had a group of sheep that followed his every order as if God himself had given the order. If Elijah had any brain to him, he’d at least have pretended. Even if he didn’t care for another person, having someone as bait next to him would make some things run just that much smoother. 

But it wasn’t something she was going to meddle in. 

“If you didn’t get in my way, I wouldn’t have to breathe the same air as you, ever.” 

His words didn’t mean shit to her, nor did she want anything from him at all. All Ruby was doing, was taking orders, fulfilling her job and making sure things ran smoothly. How long would he have lasted if she wasn’t there to save his ass? Perhaps one of these days she was just going to leave him there, maybe he’d learn to fend for himself. “Fuck off.” She muttered, still listening to the outside. 

Now, there were more crushing sounds coming from the inside, some screams and soon, the bullets followed. Shot to the ceiling, no doubt. They had less time.

The sound of throwing up made her turn her head away from him, disgust painting her features in seconds. At least he didn’t feel embarrassed about it. Once he was done, she removed her hand from his hair, now turning his face towards her. “So pretty, yet such a waste.” Her voice had no tone in it, no feeling. Just an observer offering a passing moment. Ruby put his chin between her fingers, her eyes meeting his to check if he had taken any drugs, to see if the pupils were too big. She needed to know if he would be able to get away or would he continue to stumble. 

Maybe if her life had turned out a different way, she’d have cared. She’d have developed a sense of loyalty that wasn’t purely based on the instinct to survive. She’d have had friends, she may even have gone to places like these to forget some of the things in her life. 

Maybe.

“What? You think you’d be able to get away just like that?” She took a step back, rolling her shoulders back for a moment. “I can’t run away, nor can I return without a scratch.” Although his comment made one side of her corner lift into a smirk. “If I ever needed someone to beat up, you would be the last person I’d call.” Ruby didn’t need anyone. Those who knew her better, knew it would simply have been better to get away from her. Those who have nothing to lose become those who others feared the most. 

“Elijah Kim. I need you to beat me up.”