WHEN THE DEVIL MEETS (BOOK1)

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 32

RUI

I was glad that my father had houses in New York, one of my favorite places to visit. The moment we stepped inside, I felt a sense of familiarity and comfort wash over me. The house was a haven of white, as if it had been carved from a pearl. The large glass doors and windows invited the sunlight in, making the whole place feel like a bright dream.

After we settled in, I decided to check my phone. There were missed calls from Ruvik, Taylor, and, of course, my dad. I immediately dialed my father's number and assured him that we had arrived safely. His voice on the other end was filled with warmth and relief.

Next, I attempted to call Taylor, but she didn't pick up. It was a bit strange, but I guessed she must be busy with something.

Just as I was about to call Ruvik, my phone betrayed me by shutting down due to a dead battery. I sighed in frustration and decided to make the most of it. I put my phone on charging and changed into my swimsuit and headed for the pool.

The day was warm, and the cold water would be the perfect way to relax and recharge. With a gleeful heart, I took a running start and leaped into the welcoming pool, the shock of cold water awakening every sense in me. It was a moment of pure bliss, a taste of my happiness, and I cherished it.
Dressed in my light yellow summer dress and white sneakers, I left my hair down, feeling both excited and nervous about the upcoming book event. This event was special - it was all about me, no other authors in sight. The thought of facing a room full of eager readers had my heart pounding.

Sensing my anxiety, Ryuk, my trusty friend, flashed me a reassuring grin. "Relax, cowboy," he quipped, "they're here just for you because they love your work." I nodded, took a deep breath, and we stepped out of the car.

We entered through a side door, avoiding the throng of people outside. I took my seat, with Ryuk settling in beside me. Fans started to arrive one after the other, seeking my autograph, snapping pictures, creating TikToks and Instagram Reels, and collecting signatures on my book merchandise. My nerves from earlier had given way to a deep sense of happiness, seeing the smiles on my fans' faces. They showered me with gifts and cards, and I couldn't have been more grateful.

As the hours passed, it was already evening, yet the line of people waiting to meet me showed no sign of dwindling. I had gone over my allotted time by an additional half-hour because I just didn't want the event to end. Finally, after an extra hour, it seemed like the last person was approaching.

Just as I was about to rise, a familiar voice, one I recognized all too well, spoke up. "Madam Troublemaker, can I get your autograph?" My heart skipped a beat; it couldn't be real. The voice was unmistakable, but it wasn't supposed to be here. Ryuk, clearly exasperated, let out a sigh of frustration. I looked up and found myself locking eyes with those piercing yellow irises—it was Ruvik.

He approached me with an air of nonchalance, saying, "Good, I'm not late." Surprise and confusion swirled within me. "How... why... and what are you doing here?" I stammered. Ryuk couldn't resist adding, "A dog always comes to their master."

Ruvik, with obvious irritation, snapped back, "Shut up, Kitty Cat." Ryuk seemed ready to retort, but Ruvik turned his attention to me. "I came here to meet my favorite author," he stated.

I couldn't help but be incredulous. "You do realize there are no other authors here; this is solely my event," I pointed out. Ruvik sighed dramatically and produced a small paper bag, extracting a single white rose and handing it to me. I accepted it, surprised, and asked, "How did you know white roses are my favorite?"

Ruvik, in an overly dramatic fashion, replied, "Because they are my favorite." I could sense the tension building between Ruvik and Ryuk; it was clear they didn't get along. Ryuk couldn't hold back any longer and remarked, "What a gentleman, didn't even bother with a bouquet, just a single flower, huh?"