Sixty Six

***Adonis***

I was glad I obeyed the voice that told me to go look for Ruby after Abby and I found her gone from the school’s entrance.

The man was gone too.

Though it seemed unlikely that we would get a hold of her especially after the sudden bomb the man had dropped, Abby and I jumped into my car and rushed towards her house.

We saw her from a distance, running as though she was being chased by a monster of her past that was denying her the right to exit her troubles.

I had no idea how I did it, but within a few seconds, the car was parked and Ruby was in my arms, letting all her tears out.
As she held onto my shirt dearly, my eyes closed instantly.

The feeling within me... It was as though I could suddenly feel her pain.

As she sniffled and wailed and randomly snorted, I found myself wincing quietly like I was in some sort of physical pain.

Well, one thing in me that was in pain was my heart and as I opened my eyes to stare into the space ahead, I recalled the time I had concluded that I was hardly capable of loving a person.

But there I was, sharing Ruby's pain in the little way I could.

As I ran my fingers through her hair as soothingly as possible, I faced Abby who looked absolutely worried.

"I don't think we should take her home," she said and I had to agree with her.

"I'll take her to my place," I replied, my arms still holding Ruby close to my chest- the only place I could offer as a refuge at that moment.

"But what do I tell her parents when they ask about her?" Abby asked. Her eyes darted towards Ruby who muttered something inaudible through her tears.

"Just tell them I took her to my place." I didn't miss the hesitation in Abby's eyes.
"Tell them this- I know they don't trust me or think I am meant to be around their daughter, but right now, she can't come home. I will take care of her and keep her safe, I promise."

"Too bad I don't have a notepad to put all that down," the lady replied with a rather listless tone in her voice.

"Just relay what you can remember."

Abby glanced in Ruby's direction once more. After a deep breath was released, she said, "She will be fine, right? It must be so hard for her."

"I will take good care of her."

Soon, Abby left and it was just Ruby and me.

The girl in my arms was quieter but I could tell she was still crying.
"Don't worry, Ruby, I will take good care of you," I said, not certain she heard me.

As I walked both of us towards my car, I pondered on my statement.
How on earth was I going to take good care of her?
I hardly found the process of consolation an easy thing.

All I know to do when someone is feeling down is to make them some tea whose piping hotness would make them swear so much, they would forget, for a moment, the pain they were in.

I doubt that technique would work in this situation. Besides, I do not wish to scald her tongue when she is in a different kind of pain.

Soon, I had her seated at the passenger seat. She seemed reluctant to let go of my shirt but I assured her once again that she was going to be fine. As soon as I closed the door, she buried her head in her palms like she was ashamed of something.

I soon entered the car and without a pause, I kicked the car to life and drove to my apartment which was thankfully not so far away.

~

The tires screeched loudly as I drove into the underground parking space. That sound pushed Ruby out of her state of quietness.

With swollen eyes, she looked in my direction.
"Are we at your place?"

My hands skillfully swerved the driving wheel as I found my parking space and positioned the car properly before turning off the engine.

Then, I faced Ruby whose lashes kept blinking without a particular rhythm, perhaps they did that to kick away some incoming tears.
With a small smile on my face, I reached for the back of her head and gave her a little pat.

"You are such a strong person, Ruby."

She scoffed. "Hardly. And I am not mature either, so don't say that."
Her voice sounded a little bit coarse, which hinted me to get her out of the car and into the apartment so she can have some proper rest.

"We should get you-"

"I know a way you can help me get my mind off this issue," she suddenly said and my stretched hand was withdrawn.

"What is that?"

"When we get upstairs, I'll let you know." The door on her side opened and she walked out on her own before I could offer some help.

Super curious about what she said, I rushed out of the car as well and followed her footsteps which were hurrying towards the elevator.

Once in front of my house, while making sure Ruby did not fall out of my sight, I entered my pin into the new door lock system I had gotten a few days ago.

The thought of changing the lock came to me after Ruby and her friend stayed over. When I left them all alone, I felt restless and I just had to do something that would put my mind at rest in the near future.

Ruby went in first and after a quick look around and after a brief moment of gratitude because my nosy neighbours weren't around for the weekend, I went in.

I was met with a shock.

Not exactly a shock.

I wouldn't call the feeling I get when someone I like suddenly kisses me, a shock, but I was taken aback.

Ruby pulled me by my arms and urged me to return the hunger in her kisses. She pulled me closer the next second by placing her hands on my waist.

As her buttocks hit the back of the nearest couch, I nearly fell on top of her and I quickly retracted my lips.

"Adonis, please..." Her reddened eyes begged me like it was supposed to be the last satisfying meal she was meant to have.

"What are you trying to do, Ruby?" I asked concernedly.

"I'm trying to get rid of the pain." Her eyelashes flickered incessantly, her knees kept dancing, she seemed uneasy.
"Please, just-"

"What?"

"Just fuck me or something, please." The plea in her eyes was something else. I could barely see the innocent girl I have been with for the last couple of weeks. She looked so hungry and angry and somewhat anxious.

I had no time to act surprised. All I needed to do at that moment was snap her out of the illusion her pain was creating.
I stepped out of her desperate hold and said, "You need to get some sleep, Ruby."

"But, Adonis," she was able to reach for my shirt once again, "just this once, please."

"No, Ruby."

"Why?" She looked like she was going to cry again.

"Because I won't let you make a stupid mistake."

"I am not making a mistake, I know what I want."

"You will regret it."

"But-"

"Ruby..." I moved closer to her and grabbed her by the arms in a gentle manner. "Listen to me, you will regret it if I give you what you are asking for. Besides, I don't want to fuck you."

"You don't?" Her voice cracked.

"No." Her sad, wandering eyes made me sigh. "I don't want to just slam you on my bed and do things to you."
My heart pounded as I found myself about to say some words I have never said before.
"I want to take you on a journey. I want to make you feel like you are more than special. I want to fucking wake up every morning and send tingles down your spine with just my bare touch.

Every time crazy things keep happening around you, all I want to do is take you in my arms and-"

I shuddered uncontrollably as her shimmering eyes showed that she was calmer. She was attentive and I suddenly felt like a bright spotlight was on me.

"Ruby Powers, I want to do things to you, nice things, crazy things, cheesy things. I want to make love to you, I want to kiss you every time I see you. So, Ruby, I don't want to just fuck you, I want to love you.

You make me want to do that much."

"Adonis..." she whispered as my little speech ended.

"You also make me say weird things like that," I muttered.

"Adonis." Her lips formed a pout as her eyes became doe-like. "I had no idea you felt that way."

I think I used up all my energy on that little speech. My head felt dizzy for a while.

"Ruby, you need to sleep."

"Wait, let's talk about-"

"We'll talk later, right now, you need to sleep." I was already pushing her towards the bedroom. "You look and sound so tired. When you wake up, I will make you a meal and then we can talk about whatever."

"Okay," she replied with a meek voice.

"You are not going to cry, are you?"

"No." I could hear the tears in her voice.

"Do you want me to hold you while you sleep?"

"Yes." She sniffled.

"Don't worry," I smiled as I opened the door to the bedroom, "I won't let go of you."

"You mustn't." Her voice sounded sort of funny as it mixed with her silent sobbing. While it sounded thicker, her voice had this weird vibration as she spoke, her shoulders kept dancing as well.

"If I make that a promise, will you be more assured?" She nodded.
"Okay then." I placed my hands on her shoulders, walked forward a bit, and said into her ear, "I promise you, I won't let go of you tonight, tomorrow, or any other day."

My words must have delighted her. As I helped her onto the bed, she kept wearing a particular smile.
A smile that kept me smiling till I fell asleep next to her.


~~

**AUTHOR'S NOTE**

*Do you know that you can read other works from the author, Lola Ben on GoodNovel?*
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