The Precious Ruby (The Precious Trilogy Book 1)

by C Renee

  “I can still remember the night my Aunt got the phone call because she was babysitting me at the time. We drove to the hospital and I was so young I didn’t know what was really happening, until we got to the waiting room and the doctor came out and spoke to my Aunt. She fell to the floor crying, I walked over to her and sank to my knees to give her hug. She held onto me like I was leaving her too. She told me that mom and dad went to heaven and that the angels are looking after them now. I guess being the only child I didn’t have anyone to talk to about it and my Aunt lost a sister. I can’t imagine what that feels like, so now I hate hospitals,”

  “Oh I’m so sorry Steph, I didn’t know your parents were gone and now I feel like a complete dick.” I leaned over to her and gave her a big hug. I felt her hic up, and right then I knew she was crying.

  “You don’t have to talk about them if you don’t want to, I understand,” I said when she calmed down.

  “No, no, it’s okay. I just really miss them at times, you know. I always see happy families and I miss that. I’ll never get that back and I wish I had of spent all the time I could with them.”

  “Oh, Steph, but you didn’t know what fate had in-store for them, and just think, you have two beautiful angels watching over you and not many people are that lucky, even though it is better for them to be here with you.” I rambled on feeling too awkward.

  “You’re right Lou, they are watching over me and I will make them so proud of me in the time to come. I will be the best version of myself. Thank you for reminding me of that,” she laughed to herself. I looked over at her confused.

  “I think it’s time to move on from this Debby downer, don’t you think? God I need a stiff drink.” She gets up off the floor and heads towards the mini fridge in the corner of the room and pulls out a bottle of vodka and lemon, what an odd mix.

  “This looks like an odd combo but once you’ve tried it, you won’t look back. To us being the bestest of best friends.”

  She handed me my drink and we clunked our plastic shot glasses and threw the drink back. Oh it burned but the lemon dulled it a little. Not bad.

  “Well Louise, the good news is that you don’t have to wear this cast for six weeks, but the bad news is you won’t be able to take the cast off for another two weeks. It seems the radius seems to be healing very well. I would like to see you again next week to check x-rays again and see if the cast can come off earlier. Just let the nurse know on your way out to schedule again. I wish you well.” I walk past Dr. Grim and he smirks towards Steph and me. He is a really creepy doctor and I wonder how the nurses put up with that.

  “I hope to see you again Steph, maybe after work hours?” Dr. Grim calls after us.

  “Ah, we shall see Doctor,” Steph yells back.

  We both start laughing when we reach the nurses desk. I scheduled my next appointment with the nurse and we head towards the hospitals exit doors.

  “Thank god we are out of there. I thought we would never leave. Now I think it’s time to hit LA Crush and get our drink on!” She walks to the car but I’m a bit hesitant.

  “I don’t really want to go Steph, I still have my cast on and I’m still worried Matt will approach at any time.” I get in the car and wait for her to say something.

  “Lou, I don’t think you need to worry about people making fun of your cast, it’s natural, and as for Matt, well that’s unknown, but this place is too crowded and I doubt he would do anything there.” She starts the car and pulls out of the parking lot.

  We drive for a couple of blocks until we reached an old building with red stained bricks. The ground level is nothing but windows everywhere and there are French doors that open leading into the beer garden and it is beautiful. The front yard is full of all kinds of flowers. You name it and they are there. It looks simply amazing. Oh, and the smell of food is divine; my mouth is watering by the time we reach inside.

  We get a booth at the back of the club and Steph gets the attention of the waiter to get our orders. We start off by ordering the bread sticks with a couple of different dipping sauces. My favorite is beetroot sauce while Steph orders the balsamic sauce. We order our first drinks for the night, Blue Crush Martini it’s one of my favorites.

  I look around the room, trying to see if I remember any faces since the last time I was in town but I don’t see anyone I know. The place is dimly lit, with bodies crowding high tables in the middle of the room, and a few people are sitting at the bar laughing and chatting to their friends. The vibe of the club is picking up considering its seven o’clock on a Friday night. I have a feeling it’s going to be packed soon. Soft music is playing in the background and people have started swaying to the beat. I resume eating the bread sticks, order another martini, and as I watch the waiter going to the bar to get them for us, I spot a familiar face. My eyes do a double take on this guy. He has dark brown hair, cut short but styled messy, he’s wearing a gray dress shirt but I can’t see anything else because the table is blocking my view. I study his face, the line of his jaw, which is perfectly defined. His mouth is amazing with full pink lips, and when he leans in close to the woman sitting next to him his smile is to die for. Perfectly straight white teeth, his broad smile is noticeable but oh, when he laughs, I have to close my legs from the pulse starting to take place; it is something out of this world.

  I study his features a little while longer but when I’m about to turn back to Steph, he looks up, notices me from across the room and smiles. I could die right on the spot. Those green eyes, even from this far away, I can tell they are like nothing I have ever seen before. It’s like he can see straight into my soul. Delayed reaction but, I think I’ve seen those eyes before and I can’t put my finger on where. He turns away and continues talking to his lady friend without missing a beat while I’m over here being a hot mess.

  “What has gotten you all hot and bothered Lou,” Steph asks leaning over the table to take my temperature but I push her hand away.

  “God, I’m fine, just haven’t been out in a very long time and I feel intimidated. It doesn’t help that I have this ugly cast on. It feels like everyone in this room is staring at me. Can we go home soon?” Hopefully she doesn’t pick up that I’ve just eye fucked the guy across the room. Well, that’s what I think we were doing, I don’t even know anymore.

  I wake with a start, my body is covered in sweat and I look down at myself and notice my PJ’s aren’t on anymore. I’m only wearing panties. When did that happen? I feel disgusting from the night before after having too many shots and the countless martinis I had with Steph.

  Argh, I’m so hungry but the thought of food makes me want to vomit my guts up.

  I pull the thick blanket over my head, praying for this badass headache to pack its bags and leave. I think back to what I can remember from last night, lots of shots, dancing, laughing and the group of guys that came to the table wanting to show us a good time but I didn’t want any of them. I wanted the green-eyed hottie. Now that I think of him, I can’t seem to shake this feeling like I’ve seen him before last night and that he’s seen me too.

  “Lou, are you getting out of bed yet? Stop being so lazy,” Steph yells from the lounge room. Jesus why is she even awake?

  I mumble a “Yeah,” and I roll out of bed, put on some clothes before heading out of my room, not keen at all for today.

  I stumble on my way towards the kitchen when the smell of bacon hits my nose I can feel my mouth watering. I think I’ll try eating to settle my empty stomach.

  “So, last night was fun wasn’t it,” Steph asks with a raised eyebrow.

  “Um, yeah it was alright. Not my finest of moments but yeah, I wouldn’t mind doing it maybe once a month or something. I felt really uncomfortable about my cast.”

  I take a seat at the table when she pulls two plates from the top right cupboard above to the stove. She grabs the frying pan and places the bacon and eggs on the plate. Sunny side up, she remembers my favorite breakfast, there’s even avocado. I could kiss
her right now as there’s even a glass of orange juice on the table near the plate of food. I don’t give it much thought before I’m devouring this delicious food.

  “Why are you dressed like that?” I asked Steph around a mouthful full of food. That’s when I noticed she’s wearing black skinny jeans, a pale blue tank top with a long black cardigan, her hair curled and pulled back into a messy ponytail, and she’s wearing little to no make-up.

  “Well, I thought today we could go shopping for you, to buy things for your room that you need, new clothes for work and whatever else you want to buy. I have little savings account set aside for when the day you came back. It was a just in case stash.” She smiles.

  I honestly have the greatest best friend in the whole wide world.

  “Steph, you didn’t have to do that, honestly. I have savings from the waitressing gig I had because I wasn’t allowed to spend anything, so I have a little stash myself.” I gave her a smirk around the cup of juice before I took a long drink.

  “Okay, whatever money we use, we are going shopping today whether you like it or not. I miss the shopping trips with my Gal.” She gets up, carries her dishes to the dishwasher and packs it before returning to her room to get ready.

  I groan on my way to my room to get ready myself, and wish this hangover will evaporate fast.

  We have been in and out of ten different shops before I start groaning from the pain my feet are causing me. I don’t miss shopping with Steph, she literally runs your feet off but I’m so happy with what I bought today. The last shop we go to before we call it quits is the lingerie shop. Steph insisted that I get a few matching bras and panty sets for ‘just in case’ I get lucky in the next week or so. Ha, not likely.

  She convinced me to try on matching pairs in all different colors. First, we started off with black and got thumbs up. The green pair makes me look like I’ve rolled in a snotty green patch and that’s a big no. Then I try on a peachy, pinky color and I fell in love. Looking at my reflection I don’t even recognize the girl who’s staring back. I’ve filled out my curves again thanks to Steph and her yummy pastas and getting back into my running routine. My hair has thickened out, falling in soft brown waves down past my breasts, my lips are pink and plump, and my breasts are full and round. I love my tits. I think they are the perfect size. My curves are toned with the right amount of soft spots, my legs are toned and athletic looking, and my round ass looks great in a G-string. The next pair I try on is a red pair and I’m convinced I look like the devil ready to strike my next prey. The red pair makes me look badass, I totally love them. Finally I’ve purchased at least five pairs of matching lingerie and it’s safe to say, I’m happy.

  Monday morning rolls around too fast, I don’t want the weekend too end but I’m way too excited to start my job at the firm, I get to carpool with Steph, hopefully have my lunches with her and of course after work drinks will probably become a routine now.

  I’m getting ready when I hear a faint knock on my bedroom door and Steph pushes it open.

  “Hey, are you nearly ready? I have to head in a little earlier for this meeting I have to attend. Apparently it’s about this charity function we are having next Friday night with all the big corporate partners and sponsors.” She walks over to the mirror and checks her make up one last time before she turns and looks at what I’m wearing for my first day. I’ve got my hair neatly curled and pulled down to the one side, a red blouse with no jacket because it’s not cold enough to wear it, and black suit pants with my new four-inch red pumps. Yeah, I fell in love with them as soon as I saw them.

  She nods her head in approval, “Oh and Lou, breakfast is in a bag on the table. We need to leave in five minutes.” She walks back out and I hear her going to the kitchen to grab her breakfast and lunch bags.

  I do a final check of myself in the mirror before I grab my handbag and walk towards the kitchen.

  “Coming,” I yell with my breakfast and lunch in one hand and my handbag in the other. I wish we could eat before we leave. Oh well there is always tomorrow morning.

  We pull up just outside the building we work in and we get out Steph’s car when the breath is knocked from my lungs.

  “Wow. That’s the building we are working in?”

  It’s 30 stories high with the building logo Finance Funding at the top in bold black letters. Yep that’s the building.

  “You will love it, it’s very modern inside and I’m pretty sure you’ll have your own office, and fingers crossed, you’ll have a view like me.”

  Steph and I walk inside and stride past reception, our heels click on the black tiled floor. Everything is modern yet classic and the color theme is black and white. I like it. It reminds me of the black and white movies I enjoy watching from time to time. We make our way towards the elevators and Steph presses level fifteen. “This is your level, I’ll get you settled before I head to level twenty-six where my office is and the meeting is being held. Relax Lou, you will love it.” She gives my hand a little squeeze to emphasis her words.

  The elevator bell chimes when it reaches level fifteen. We exit the metal box and I’m welcomed with the scent of roses and it smells amazing. The Receptionist looks friendly enough with her golden glasses and the brightest red hair I’ve ever seen. She smiles up at me as I pass her.

  “Good morning Sally, this is Louise, she is starting today and she is nervous, so please make her feel welcome!”

  “Hi Louise,” the shy girl squeaks back.

  We walk past a few offices with people behind big desks already busy typing away at their computers.

  At the end of the hall is an empty office with an identical desk to the ones I saw and Steph points to the door.

  “Okay, this is you Miss Carter. Oh Lou, you’ll do amazing.” She comes in for a hug and I embrace her back. I told myself I wouldn’t cry on my first day, so I pull her back and smile.

  “Go on, head to your meeting before you are late and they have no choice but to fire my ass because I’ve held you back.” I gave her a light push. I watch her walk to the elevators and once she’s reached them, we both wave goodbye.

  I look at the label on the door and it reads, ‘Louise Carter, Project Accountant’. I like it. I finally have a purpose in life again.

  By lunchtime, I’ve had my neighboring colleagues come in and out introducing themselves. I can’t remember who goes by what name by the end of the day but I do say goodbye to Sally who hides behind her computer and murmurs a goodbye.

  By the middle of the week, I have convinced myself that I am totally in love with my new job and I never want to leave.

  Going to work with Steph and planning the same lunch times is tricky but we manage it at least three times a week. We head out to drinks every second or third night with people from my floor or Steph’s floor.

  I have made many friends but my favorite person on my floor is Nick, he is gay and a breath of fresh air.

  His office is two doors down from me, but if he had it his way, he would either be next door or share my office. He is always the first one there and the last one to leave, he says that he loves his job and doesn’t want to meet anyone anytime soon. Nick is handsome with his blonde curly hair, dashing blue eyes and a light beard. He is six foot two and smells divine. His clothes have no creases or wrinkles, even after sitting in a chair for six hours. If he weren’t gay, I would think about jumping his bones.

  Why are the good ones gay?

  The firm I work for is an investment corporation, the biggest in LA besides Knight Enterprises. We get clients from over the world coming to meetings here or through Skype over the Internet, but once the contracts are drawn up they must sign them in person. So in this job I get to meet many people from over the world.

  On Wednesday I’ve gotten my first project deal with a small business opening up on the outskirts of LA. The couple wants to open up a fresh produce store. It’s perfect for people who live out that way and have to travel a long way to get to local towns and I’m v
ery impressed with landing that deal. Sure it wasn’t a big deal but it was something and that means my first week didn’t go so bad.

  My office is decorated with things I’ve brought in from home like photo frames of my family and I purchased stationary items for my office such as penholders, folder racks, staples, post-it-notes and highlighters.

  I’ve brought a white vase to hold my roses I picked up yesterday. I think I’m going to buy flowers every week so my office feels inviting.

  Steph walks into my office just as I was about pack up and head to lunch. She smiles at me when she takes a seat across from where I’m sitting.

  “Lou, we need to go shopping again. I know it isn’t your favorite thing to do but I completely spaced about next Friday. I think we should get the shopping done this week so we don’t have to stress about it at the last minute” She looks ready to pass out.

  “What is next Friday again?” I ask.

  “You know that meeting I was telling you about on Monday where there is a fundraiser function? Well I want you to come be my date. There will be plenty of filthy rich, delicious men and even low ranks of yummy men. You have to come and going shopping for gowns is a must. The big names from this firm will be attending and I can’t show up alone. Will you come?” She asks as she looks up at me with puppy dog eyes and pouts.

  “Okay fine, I’ll come with you, but one condition. I want you to come to the Doctors again to see if I can get this cast off before the fundraiser. Oh, and please don’t make me regret my decision.” I smirk. She knows I’ll totally come to check out the scenery.

  The rest of the week went the same, I met with clients who wanted us to invest in their small business and I had to write a list of Pros and Cons of why we should invest in them. Once the final decision was made I then had to draw up contracts for those clients to sign, but before I got the clients back in, I had to hand the contracts into my boss Henry to finalize everything. He seemed happy with my progress and said that he didn’t need to check off on anymore of my contracts. I could jump with glee I feel so giddy.