The Rubys

6| b r e a k

Saturday | 6:24 a.m.

The mighty glass and steel structure of fifty-two floors rose high up like a needle piercing through the sky. The Blitz, one of Manhattan's most expensive luxury condominiums, towered over downtown Manhattan overlooking the Hudson River and the bustling city beneath couldn't look anymore inferior.

Rey had moved out of her family's mansion right after finishing high school two years ago, with an excuse to be near to the university she was attending. That wasn't a lie, but it also wasn't the entire truth. The desire to stop sharing the same roof with her family was so enticing that she had moved out immediately once the opportunity gave.

After the little episode on the hospital roof, Kaden drove Rey back to her apartment. The drive back home was short and filled with comfortable silence that Rey was craving for since three in the morning.

A valet opened the door of the passenger seat and Rey climbed out of the car onto the cobblestone pavement. Kaden gave his car key to the valet, though he seemed quite reluctant about it. He loved his car dearly as though he had actually given birth to the monstrous vehicle that could go up to the speed of 420 kilometers per hour. And for the first two weeks after buying the car, he had always gushed about it as though it was the love of his life.

But Rey didn't blame him. It was the first car he bought with the money he actually worked hard for, though his job might not be the most legal in the world, and not to mention, the safest.

Rey walked into the grand lobby without waiting for Kaden. He had invited himself for breakfast at her place, and since Rey didn't want to be alone, she had agreed, but by coming to terms that he would be cooking.

"Good morning, Miss Ruby," Andy, the boy from the front desk, greeted her.

"Good morning to you too," Rey smiled back at the boy who wasn't much older than her. Andy was a college dropout with a mob of wild copper curls and freckles that dotted most of his rosy cheeks. With a kindhearted face and an equally friendly smile, Rey had always found it easy to joke around with him.

"Back so early on a Saturday morning, I see," he commented lightly but Rey caught the glint of amusement in his eyes.

Rey shook her head, chuckling softly. It seemed he hadn't heard the news yet. "It's been a hectic Saturday morning, what can I say?"

A toothy grin spread across Andy's face but faltered immediately when his eyes darted behind her. Kaden strolled in through the revolving glass doors, a scowl plastered across his handsome face. His sharp gunmetal eyes took a brief glance at Andy who flinched at the passing gaze and Rey couldn't help but felt bad for him. Kaden was a scary man after all.

"H-have a ni-nice day," Andy stuttered behind them as they walked towards the row of elevators lining the marble wall.

Once the metal doors shut close, Rey pinched Kaden's arm while he punched the button to the top floor. He yelped before grimacing at Rey. "What's that for?"

"You know what's that for," Rey glared at her best friend. "Can't you at least not scare Andy with that stupid face of yours?"

Kaden rolled his eyes. "I could care less about the feelings of a mere bellboy."

Rey huffed out her irritation and muttered lowly under her breath, "Such a meanie."

If Kaden heard what she said, he didn't react to it.

The elevator came to a stop with a loud ding. The doors opened to a wide hallway with a large stylish steel door at the end of the hall. Rey punched in the code and let themselves in.