Scarlett answered the call, her voice calm but tired.
" Hello."
" Did you already leave for your part-time job?" Ruby asked on the other end.
" Not yet," Scarlett replied. " I'm just heading toward the bus stop."
" Oh, okay. Are you busy?"
" No, not really. Why?" Scarlett asked, sensing something in Ruby's tone.
There was a little pause before Ruby spoke again, this time her voice bubbling with excitement.
" I'm so happy, Scarlett! "
Scarlett blinked, caught off guard.
" Why? What happened?"
Ruby giggled softly.
" He proposed to me today... My boyfriend asked me to marry him! "
Scarlett froze for a second, the phone still pressed to her ear. A wave of confusion washed over her. Marriage? They had barely known eachother for a month. It felt rushed - far too sudden for something as serious as a lifelong commitment. Scarlett's steps slowed unconsciously as a knot of unease settled in her chest. Something didn't feel right, but she couldn't find the words to explain why.
Scarlett hesitated for a moment before asking, " Why so soon, Ruby?"
Ruby laughed softly, still riding the high of excitement.
" I don't know... I just really like him, you know? It's intense. "
Scarlett hesitated for a moment before asking, " But would you really say yes so quickly? Just because you like him? "
" What do you mean? " Ruby sounded slightly confused.
Scarlett took a deep breath.
" You've known him for barely a month. How can you make such a judge life decision so fast? "
Ruby didn't even pause.
" What does time have to do with anything? Sometimes you just know. "
Scarlett's voice grew more cautious, laced with worry.
" What is he's not who you think he is, Ruby?" What if he's just pretending? How can you trust him so quickly? "
Ruby let out a small sigh, her voice turning a bit defensive.
" You're overthinking again. Not everyone is like that, Scarlett. There are still good people. "
Scarlett voice turned softer but firm.
" Maybe. But not everyone is good either. "
There was a pause, then Ruby replied curtly,
" That's enough, Scarlett. I know what's i'm doing. "
Scarlett blinked at a sudden coldness but forced a smile into her voice.
" Okay. You know best. If you're happy, then i'm happy for you.
As soon as the call ended, the buss arrived. Scarlett stepped in quietly, took a seat near window, and stared outside, lost in thought about Ruby. When the bus reached her stop, she got down silently.
As Scarlett walked toward her part-time job, something caught her eye across the street.
It was Ruby's boyfriend, Logan.
He hadn't noticed her - not yet. But Scarlett did. And for some reason, he looked... different. His body language the way he glanced around - it felt suspicious. Curious and unease, she slowed her pace and decided to follow him from a distance.
Moments later, her stomach sank.
He walked up to another girl - not Ruby - and wrapped his arms around her. The next thing she saw was a kiss, not on the cheek, not casual.
It was close, familiar, intimate.
And the worst part?
It was Vanessa . A girl from their own class.
Scarlett stopped in her tracks. Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag and a quiet storm building inside her.
Scarlett stood frozen behind a parked car, the voices just clear enough to hear.
" It's been a while since we spend time together, " Logan said, his voice slow as he linked into Vanessa.
Vanessa giggled softly, curling a finger through her hair.
" Mmm... Yeah. So, when are you planning to marry Ruby? "
"Working on it. She trusts me so much - it's almost cute. "
" She is such a fool. "
" Yeah, she is a fool. If she didn't have money, I'd never even look at her. "
" So... Is your little plan working? "
" Perfectly "
" What plan? "
" Once I marry Ruby, I'll get into her dad's company. And after that... I'll slowly take over everything. "
" Then we can finally live the way we deserve to, right? "
" Exactly. Once the company is in my hands, I'll push Ruby and her whole family aside. And we'll be free - rich and untouchable. "
" Then we'll have a grand wedding, just like I dreamed. "
" Alright, sweetheart, whatever you want, I'll make it happen. "
Scarlett stood in complete shock - her heart pounding, finger trembling. Everything Ruby believed in... was a lie.
She turned, her legs weak beneath her, and started to walk away quickly, her heart hammering in her chest.
But then -
A sudden noise.
Her shoe scraped against a loose metal lid on the side walk, and sharp clatter echoed in the quite street.
Logan' s head whipped around instantly.
" Who's there? " He barked his eyes narrowing.
Scarlett's pulse raced as she tried to disappear into the shadows. But it was too late.
" Hey! " Logan growled, striding forward with fast furious steps.
" Scarlett?! "
She tried to run, but Logan was faster - driven by panic and fury . He caught up with her near an alley and shoved her against the wall , eyes wild.
" You heard everything, didn't you? " He hissed.
Scarlett struggled, breathless, terrified.
" Ruby has to know the truth " she cried.
Logan' s face twisted into something cruel.
" No one will believe you. And after tonight... No one will head you either. "
Before she could react, he pushed her hard and everything blurred - her foot slipped, her body falling.
A sharp edge.
A scream swallowed by the silence.
And then - a splash.
Scarlett plunged into cold, rushing water.
The river carried her away into the dark, the night swallowing her whole.
Logan stood at the river's edge, his chest rising and falling as he stood into the dark waters below. The ripples had already begun to fade.
His phone buzzed in pocket.
It was Vanessa.
He answered, his voice flat.
" Yeah? "
" Logan, is everything okay? Did something happen? "
There was a pause.
Then he replied, emotionless.
" It's done. She's gone."
Vanessa's breath caught.
" Gone? You mean... Dead? "
Logan eyes remained fixed on the water.
" Yeah. Tossed her in. She won't be coming back. And now, there's no one left to interfere with our plan. "
Vanessa was silent for a moment, then whispered, " Good. No more threats. Just us. "
Logan hung up and turned away, walking back into the night as if nothing had happened.
But fate... has a way of twisting even perfect plans.
The water swallowed her whole... But whether it claimed her or cradled her, no one could tell.