Blinding tears fell down Ruby's misty eyes as she ran as fast as her legs could carry her, kicking off her heels while ignoring everyone's pleading calls.
She didn't know where she was going as she ran out of the church, holding up her wedding gown, her heart breaking with every revelation.
All she wanted to do right now was get as far away as possible from everyone and everything.
As if on cue, a black sleek sports car pulled up in front of her, forcing her to halt.
Ruby's brow furrowed, thinking it was one of Derek's overseas friends.
But the moment her teary eyes met his, smiling genuinely and beckoning her to get into the car, she instantly knew there was no other place you would rather be than with him.
"Come with me, beautiful." Kia popped his head from the driver's door, while revving the car's engine, promising her the thrill of a lifetime.
"Ruby!" Her parents' and family's voices echo behind her, each one of them running to stop her.
Without giving it a second thought, Ruby quickly got into the car, gathering her flowing wedding gown in her hands.
"Ruby, don't you dare," Jonathan growled, his threatening gaze narrowing at her.
But she slammed the door shut before he could reach the car, and it sped off into the sunset.
"Quickly someone should stop them." Augustine turned to one of his son's friends who quickly dashed off to get a car.
"Who is that man who took my wife?" Derek demanded angrily, a flicker of jealousy glinting in his eyes.
"What stinking wife?" Elena spat out in disgust, wishing she could unleash her own brand of justice on the cheating scum.
"Elena," Derek growled threateningly.
"Shut up, you shameless fool." Augustine barked at his son. "It is your fault that Ruby has run away. You'd better pray nothing happens to my daughter-in-law."
"You are such a disappointment, Derek. I can't believe you would cheat on my daughter after everything you've both been through together." Agnes seethed with fury.
"This is no time to quarrel amongst ourselves." Jonathan tried to calm the brewing tension even though he could barely stand his supposed son-in-law at the moment. "My daughter is out there, heartbroken and distressed. We need to find her and bring her home." He turned to Elena.
"Do you know that man who took your friend?"
"No uncle." Elena shook her head. "I've never seen his face before."
"Oh god... Our daughter has been kidnapped." Agnes raised an alarm, clutching her chest like a woman who had just lost her only child.
"Don't be ridiculous, woman." Jonathan snapped at his wife, his anger rising. "I remembered seeing that face inside the church. He was a guest, and your daughter seemed to recognise him."
"Is there a way we could reach her?" Augustine came up to his friend, who simply shook his head sadly.
"No... she didn't leave with anything–not even a single cent."
Just then, another car pulled to a stop in front of the family.
"Derek, get in." His friend called out to him and Derek got into the car without question.
"Make sure you bring my daughter home," Agnes shouted as the car sped up in the same direction Kai's car went.
Jonathan turned to the rest of the worried family. "Let's all return home and Derek to return. If there is one thing I know, Ruby always comes back home."
-
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Kai drove for hours into the night, his worried gaze occasionally drifting to the beautiful lady seated by his side, who had refused to say a single word to him.
Every one of his attempts to console her had been met with a brick wall, which seemed to grow stronger and thicker by the second.
Except for her sniffing and silent sobs, her broken gaze remained transfixed on the side window, her tears streaked face partially illuminated by the soft glow of the passing street light.
After almost four hours of driving, he pulled over at a peaceful beach resort, known for its tantalizing seafood.
Keeping the engine running, he turned his full attention to the pretty damsel, still looking captivating in her wedding dress, a wild idea spinning in his head.
"How would you like to get married tonight?" Kai asked out of the blue and immediately got the reaction he was waiting for.
"Are you out of your freaking mind?" Ruby whipped her head sideways to face him, anger rising in her raspy voice.
"No..." Kai smiled, his deep husky voice wrapping around Ruby like an octopus tentacle caressing its mate.
"We are both dressed for the occasion." Kai gestured at their outfit. "We might as well tie the knot. Marry me, Ruby Angelo."
"You are crazy." Ruby spat out.
"I know." Kai's smile deepened.
"Does this look like a joke to you?" Ruby narrowed her gaze at him, her heart constricting with bitterness. "Do I look funny?"
"Not at all my dear. On the contrary, you look stunning." Kai meant every word as he held her angry gaze.
"You know what, I'm not going to sit here and give you the pleasure of watching me crack. Thanks for coming to my rescue. I can take it from here." Ruby made an attempt to unbuckle her seat belt but Kai beat her to it, helping her remove the seat belt gently.
"What are you afraid of..." He whispered, his voice smooth as silk, as his fingers gently stroked her bare skin, sending an electrifying shiver down her spine.
"Don't you want to get back at that jerk for humiliating you today?"
"By marrying you?" Ruby scoffed.
"Yes," Kai smirked. "You make the rules. You decide how this relationship would go. I won't ask for anything in return, except for a chance to show that jerk what he has lost."
Ruby stared into Kai's deep blue eyes which seemed to sparkle with a bewitching glint that had her temporarily spell bound. Her eyes unintentionally flickered to his full, sexy lips, and memories from that sinfully delicious night flashed across her mind, causing her body to stiffen.
Kai smirked as their eyes locked again, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"Look at it this way. Your ex-lover would be expecting you to be the good girl and forgive him for your family's sake. He would expect you to come back crying to him. What if you returned home already married? It will be the perfect payback for his infidelity."
"And what do you stand to gain in all of this?" Ruby sneered.
"Your company, your smiles and your feistiness. But like I said earlier, we are doing this on your terms."
"You make a juicy offer. But I still don't trust you. I don't even know you or how you found me." Ruby eyed him suspiciously.
"My bad." Kai sat up, his right hand outstretched towards her. "I'm Kai Treshvire, the CEO of Treshvire Fashion and an art enthusiast."
"You mean like the Treshvire Fashion, formerly managed by the legendary Leon Treshvire, known for his famous luxury brand and functional design?!" Ruby's eyes widened in shock.
"Hmm... You seem to know a lot about my dad." Kai's smirk deepened. "But yes. That's me. So, is that a yes to my offer?"
"How did you find me?" Ruby refused to take his hand, still not trusting him.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you that I've been searching for you since that faithful night we met."
"Why?!" Ruby raised a brow.
"Well, for starters, you left without even telling me your name." Kai slowly brought down his hand, his back leaning on the sea. "When I woke up and realised that you were gone, I thought I must have sucked so badly that you couldn't wait to get away from me."
"No..." Ruby's face turned beet red with embarrassment as more scenes of the night unfolded in her head as if she were watching a porn movie. "I...don't think you were....bad." She averted his gaze. "I just...you what, it doesn't matter. Even if I had slept with a thousand men, it won't change the fact that all men are scum." She hissed.
Kai chuckled, seeing that feisty side come to life.
"So is that a yes to my proposal?" He offered his hand again, smirking devilishly at her. "No paparazzi. No annoying friends or family. No jerks with disgusting secrets. Just you and me. Your terms and conditions. You are the boss and you call the shots. We could get our marriage certificate by tomorrow morning.
For the first time since Bailey's heartbreaking revelation, a smile slowly crept up Ruby's face as she accepted Kai's hand.
"Fine, let's get married."