To the Love of My Life

Maya tried hard to maintain her composure, giving Ruby a shallow smile and forcedly showing a hint of joy in her eyes, “Ruby, what a coincidence running into you here.”

Whenever Ruby saw Maya’s expression before, she really thought Maya was happy to see her. Today, however, something about it seemed false and hypocritical. Ruby curved her lips without revealing her thoughts, “Are you here for work?”

“Yes, I came with some friends.” Maya hesitated for a moment and asked, “And you? Are you here with friends too?”

Ruby didn’t feel embarrassed at all. She candidly shook her head and replied, “No, I work here.”

Misunderstanding in Maya’s eyes didn’t escape Ruby’s notice. Ruby continued to smile warmly and added two words, “Playing piano.”

“I see.” Maya swallowed her saliva and said, “Ruby, I haven’t seen you for a while. How have you been? I know you and Mr. Burton broke off the engagement, are you alright? You even cut your hair short. Is it because of Mr. Burton’s issue, and you’re very upset?”

Maya asked a series of questions, seemingly concerned about Ruby, who didn’t feel like answering. Ruby only replied politely, “I’m doing fine.”

Without waiting for Maya to continue, Ruby added, “It’s getting late, and I have to work now. Let’s talk another day.”

“Another day.”

Ruby gave a little smile without saying anything, then turned around and left the rest room.

The real reason she cut her hair short was not any kind of emotional severance; it was just that she was pregnant and wanted washing her hair to be more convenient.

The shallow smile on Maya’s face lasted until Ruby’s figure completely disappeared from sight. Then it slowly faded, and a trace of coldness appeared in her eyes.

After touching up her makeup, Maya stepped out of the bathroom gracefully wearing her ten-centimeter high heels. As she walked through the clubhouse lobby, she saw Ruby wearing an elegant champagne-colored dress, sitting gracefully in front of the piano with a smile, her fingertips dancing, and the flowing melody filling the entire room.

No wonder that day… Steve stopped at the door and then turned to leave. It turned out… he had known all along that the piano player was Ruby!

–

As Maya had guessed, Steve’s recent frequent visits to Gardenia Clubhouse were indeed because of Ruby.

Although he knew Ruby had broken up with him, and there were no more possibilities between them, he couldn’t control himself from coming to see her since the day he unexpectedly discovered her workplace.

Only, Ruby never knew that he was watching her.

He knew she started work at 2 PM, so he arrived at Gardenia Clubhouse nearly every day at 1 PM. He specially chose a private room with a perfect view of the hall. Sometimes he discussed business, sometimes he sat alone inside for several hours, staring straight at the ruby outside playing the piano. Only when she finished work and left would he follow her and, just like their first encounter, follow her home all the way.