Al's POV
He exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his neck before giving me a pointed look. "Sir, just go sit on the couch if you want to relax."
"Okay, first of all, stop calling me 'sir.' It makes me feel old," I said with a chuckle, moving toward the couch anyway.
He raised an eyebrow. "That's weird."
"What is?" I asked as I got comfortable.
"First, you're acting too casual with me," he said, his gaze scrutinizing. "Do you act like this with your previous secretaries?"
I hesitated. "…No."
"Exactly," he said, as if proving a point. "And now you're telling me not to call you 'sir.'"
He had a point.
"Yeah, I get what you're saying, but it just doesn't feel right," I admitted, exhaling. "I'm only twenty-three. It just so happened that my dad died early, and I had to take over everything…"
The words lingered in the air for a moment.
"Oh," he said quietly, his expression softening. "I'm sorry."
I nodded. "It's fine. It's just how things turned out."
A beat of silence passed before he spoke again. "What should I call you, then?"
"Just call me by my name," I said simply. "Al."
He seemed to test it out in his head before nodding. "Okay, Al."
There was something strangely comforting about hearing him say it.
"I totally understand you," he continued, a small smile forming. "I can be your friend. Just call me by my name as well"
The words hit differently than I expected. My chest warmed with something close to relief.
"Yeah," I said, my voice filled with a quiet excitement. "That's what I was thinking, too."
"Ruby" I said making him look at me in disbelief yet smiled at the end
For the longest time, I'd been buried under responsibilities, forced into a world where everyone around me was older, experienced, and intimidating. I had no one my age to truly talk to, no one to just… be normal with. I only had Shadow, but he's not always here.
Now, for the first time in a long while, I could finally act my age again.
I suddenly woke up with a light tap on my shoulder.
"Al..." A deep yet gentle voice called my name. "Alaric, wake up."
The familiar scent hit me before I could fully open my eyes—Ruby. I blinked, adjusting to the dim light of the office. It took me a second to realize that I had fallen asleep on the couch. My shoes were off, my tie was loosened, and a blanket had been draped over me. A warm feeling spread through my chest.
"Did you do this?" I asked, looking up at him. He gave a small nod, and my heart melted. That was so sweet of him.
"What time is it?" I asked groggily, rubbing my eyes.
"It's 7 in the evening already," he replied casually. My eyes widened in shock.
"Really?!" I bolted upright. "So how long have I been sleeping?"
"I don't know. You've been out since 2," he said with a small chuckle. "I should've left by 5, but I waited until you woke up."
I stared at him. "So you waited for two hours? Seriously?"
He shrugged. "Yeah, I wanted to wake you, but I didn't know how. I didn't want to get stomped on by a grumpy boss."
I laughed softly. "I'm sorry," I said, shaking my head as I stretched. "You really didn't have to wait for me."
"Yeah, I know," he smirked. "But I still did."
His scent lingered in the air as he helped me fix my tie. It was intoxicating—comforting in a way I couldn't explain. What was happening to me?
"But I had to wake you up eventually... I wasn't about to wait another two hours," he added with a chuckle.
"Thank you for waiting for me," I murmured as I finally straightened up. He gave me a look, one eyebrow raised.
"Let's go get dinner," I suggested, brushing my fingers through my hair.
He shook his head. "Nah, I'll just cook at home."
"No. Let's go somewhere," I insisted. "Don't worry, it's on me."
He looked uncertain. "You really don't have to—"
"Yes, I don't, but I insist," I cut him off, determined.
He let out a sigh, clearly reluctant. "Okay... but—"
"No buts," I warned playfully. "I hate when someone disapproves of me."
He raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright."
We stepped into the elevator, and as it began descending, he hesitated before speaking again. "Can you press one? I don't have a car."
I turned to him in disbelief. "Are you kidding me? Of course, I'm giving you a ride! I'm not about to let you take public transportation. What were you even thinking?"
He chuckled. "Okay."
As soon as the doors opened, I guided him towards my car. I unlocked it and opened the door for him, making sure he got in before walking around to the driver's seat.
The ride was quiet. Too quiet. He barely spoke, just staring out the window as if lost in thought.
I stole a few glances at him. What was he thinking about?
When we finally arrived at the restaurant, he looked at the building, eyebrows furrowing. "Is this where we're eating?"
I smirked. "Why do you think I parked here?"
He rolled his eyes. "Shut up."
I led him inside, and the staff greeted me warmly. Of course, they knew me.
This was my restaurant, after all—one I had built in my second year as CEO.
My love for food had turned into a business, and I had ensured that only the best chefs worked here.
As we sat down, he hesitantly flipped through the menu. "These are all expensive," he muttered. "I feel like I'm suffocating."
"Don't worry, I got it," I reassured him.
I could tell he was only going to order one thing out of politeness, so I went ahead and ordered more for him. His eyes widened when the dishes started arriving, but he had no choice but to eat.
I watched him as he ate, the way his brows knitted together in surprise every time he took a bite. He was clearly enjoying the food, even if he wouldn't admit it.
"So?" I asked, resting my chin on my hand.
He swallowed and gave me a small nod. "It's really good."
"Told you," I grinned.
As we finished eating, I leaned back in my chair, watching Ruby with amusement as he wiped his mouth, clearly stuffed. He tried to hide it, but the satisfied look in his eyes betrayed him.
"You liked the food," I pointed out, smirking.
He huffed, setting his napkin down. "Obviously. It was great."
I grinned. "Told you. My restaurant only serves the best."
He raised an eyebrow. "Wait—this place is yours?"
I nodded casually, sipping the last of my drink. "Opened it a couple of years ago. I figured, why not turn my love for food into a business?"
His eyes flickered with something—impressed, maybe. But instead of commenting, he just shook his head with a small smile and stretched in his seat.
"You ready to go?" I asked.
"Yeah, let's get out of here before I pass out from all this food."
We left the restaurant, and I made sure to open the car door for him this time, shooting him a smug look as he hesitated before getting in. The drive was quiet at first, but it wasn't the kind of silence that felt awkward. It was the kind that felt… comfortable.
Still, something about it bothered me. He had been acting differently since earlier, quieter, lost in thought. I stole a glance at him as I drove, catching the way he was staring out the window, lost in his own world.
"You okay?" I finally asked.
He blinked and turned to me. "Huh? Yeah. Just thinking."
"About?"
He hesitated, then sighed. "Nothing important."
That was a lie. I could see it in his eyes. But I let it go—for now.
Eventually, we pulled up in front of his apartment complex. I frowned as I took in the place. It wasn't terrible, but it was definitely not the safest area in the city. The building looked old, the dim street lights barely illuminating the cracked sidewalk.
Ruby noticed my expression and scoffed. "Don't start."
"I didn't say anything," I defended.
"You didn't have to." He grabbed his bag and unbuckled his seatbelt. "I know it's not a fancy penthouse, but it's what I can afford."
I sighed. "That's not what I was thinking."
He gave me a pointed look.
"Okay, maybe it was," I admitted. "But it's not about judgment, it's about safety. This place doesn't exactly scream 'secure.'"
"I can take care of myself, Al," he said firmly, then hesitated. "But… thanks for the concern."
I watched as he opened the door and stepped out. Before he closed it, he paused and looked back at me.
"Thanks for tonight," he said softly. "For everything."
For some reason, the way he said it made my chest tighten.
"Anytime," I said. "Get inside safe."
He nodded and shut the door. I stayed parked until I saw him disappear into the building, making sure he got in okay before finally driving off.
As I made my way home, my thoughts wandered.
Something about Rubeus Midnightwalker intrigued me in ways I couldn't explain.
And for the first time in a long time, I actually wanted to figure it out.