Life From Your Lips (Ruby Rose fanfic)

TWENTY (Ruby POV)

"You look beautiful, babe..." Iselen looks up and smiles shyly, rubbing her black skirt with her hand to smooth wrinkles on her thighs nervously. It's raining in London and the grey sky is turning darker this evening but we're protected inside the car while Tim is taking at look at the alley, checking if everything is all right.

"You think so? I've tried to look as dull as possible because I don't want to draw attention, I'm supposed to be your assistant today."

"Well, let me tell you that you've failed miserably, Meri," I can't help chuckling, my eyes rake all over her body from head to toe till stopping on her neck where the silver anhk shines under the light of the nearest lamppost. "That sober black suit without embellishments is making your pale skin and delicate facial features stand out."

"Seriously?" Iselen cuts me off, worried, leaning forward to be able to look at her reflection in the rearview mirror and I chuckle again.

"Babe, even if you were wearing a potato sack, you'd stand out... you're stunning..."

"You say that because you love me," my assistant answers staring at me angrily. "Girls used to ignore me when I was in college and the few guys who dared to ask me out on a date... I wasn't interested in them... I was very shy and a mess flirting."

"Stupid and blind, all of them..." I whisper grazing her cheek with my knuckles.

"I was also a fashion disgrace... unlike you. It shouldn't work..." I raise an eyebrow, staring at her confused while she shakes her head. "A charcoal grey pinstriped suit, a matching dark shirt and a silk tie printed with flowers in pink and blue shades... It shouldn't work. It never looks good when people wear strips and flowers at the same time and yet, here you are looking fabulous like a top model... awfully handsome." I lean my elbow on the door and rub my chin with my fingertips while clenching my jaw and winking at her, teasing her. "Stop it... I'm already crazy for you, you don't need to seduce me..." My precious girl laughs amused and I smile satisfied when I realize that I managed to soothe her anxiety, distracting her mind from our problem.

"I'm happy wandering around Egypt with my cargo pants and a T-shirt, I don't wear clothes like these, usually... Lesbian chic, they call it. But I know how to do it, of course, and ordered a couple of good pantsuits to a prestigious tailor in Savile Row. Inspector Tréville told me to look like an aristocrat and that's what I'm trying to do... I'm even wearing my maternal grandfather's signet ring." I take a look at the heavy gold jewel shinning on my hand, it's too big for my ring finger so I'm wearing it on my index, but it makes it look more modern, matching my other rings. I never liked my dad's Rolex watch, it's too flashy and I prefer to keep it in the safe, but I'm here to show off my wealth today.

"You'll be Rose Campbell tonight," Iselen whispers and I nod, running my fingers through my hair one more time to check if it's slicked back perfectly. "I didn't know your mum was Scottish."

"The clan Campbell is one of the most powerful in the Highlands and the Duke of Argyll is the leader. My mum was his distant cousin, very distant, but close enough to impress these idiot, shady art dealers. The truth is that the family is massive, with lot of minor branches, there're members of the clan Campbell working in politics, business, diplomacy, art, they're married to members of the highest class or moved to United States and Australia where they run successful businesses... They can't be sure which type of Campbell I am but they do know I have lot of money and good contacts, this is why they sent me an invitation... Tim is coming back... Finally, it's getting late..."

The tall and strong guy walks slowly not letting the light rain bother him, he opens the car door and sits down behind the wheel looking around nonstop, monitoring streets, building doors and windows. One minute later, he turns around to look at us between the front seats, frowning before nodding reluctantly. Tim turns the engine and lights on and drives slowly towards the spot where a security guard is waiting for us to guide us to the gallery where the artifacts are displayed, at least, that's what the invitation card says.