Rude Ruby

07: 7 Minutes in Hell

Watch your thoughts, they become your words:    07   Seven Minutes in Hell

I stood there, watching him pick up his belongings from the floor, feeling uncertain about what to do next after pushing him so hard.

He then sighed and looked at me. "In my office, Sinclair."

I gulped.

He seemed more demanding than requesting as he took the lead, and I felt like a mannequin that had suddenly come to life, obediently following his command.

I felt torn, but I held on until we reached his office. His authority felt over-
whelming, pressing down on me along with my emotions.

The cold air only made the tension worse. Like suffocating me to death.

Death.

One word I've been avoiding since I arrived in this part of the world.

"Ruby," he called, giving me a puzzled look as I remained standing by the door. "Come in, sit."

I sat on the single sofa, tense, watching Sir Pedran's strange movements as he made tea for me. No one had offered me food or drink until now, so his actions felt unsettling-who serves a guest without even asking what they'd like? The sharp clink of the spoon against the cup echoed painfully in my ears.

"A bit of chamomile-it's calming," he said, removing his coat to reveal an unbuttoned waistcoat.

He loosened his tie too, clearly uncomfortable with anything tight around his neck. I stayed quiet, noticing his awkward attempts to unwind.

And why on earth is he adjusting himself like that? Is he trying to look good for me? It does seem strange, doesn't it?

"I don't drink tea," I interrupted his busy preparations. He turned, unsettled by my refusal.

"Well, I... I thought a warm cup might..." He stammered, struggling for words. I raised an eyebrow, watching him flounder.

"It's usually polite to ask someone's preferences first," I said with a slight grin. "Especially a stranger's."

He blushed, embarrassed. "You're absolutely right; that was rude of me. But you're not exactly a stranger-you're my student!"

With a sigh, he sank into his desk chair, resting his hands on a stack of papers.
And all of a sudden, bigla na lang nagbago ang kanyang mukha ng ganun kabilis. Na para bang mag kung anong sumanib sa katawan niya para mangilabot ako ng ganito.

I don't usually get scared of people, except for a certain someone. And seeing this shift, I'm getting hints that I should be scared for my life.

Mas lalo lang akong nawalan ng gana na gawin ang kaniyang seatwork. My sharp perception cut through the foolish facade he wore over his aging face. Hindi na ako magugulat sa sasabihin niya, pero hindi ko maitanggi ang kaba na nararamdaman ko.

My instincts never betrayed me. Not this fucking time.

"I don't care for your sharp tongue, Sinclair," he scowled. "And that nonsense you said about brains? It's foolish talk."

"I don't waste time with idle chatter, Mr. Pedran. Only a few can understand my ideas, but soon, they'll change how people think." I held my ground. "I wasn't sorted into Ravenclaw just for books. A sharp mind sees through facades..."

His fake smile dropped, his expression turning dark. "Don't you dare show such insolence, Rubianna-"

I stood up, cutting him off and heading for the door, exhausted. "You invited honesty by showing me who you really are. I didn't flaunt it."