Chapter 2 Two

The next two days were hell on earth for Ruby. She was detained in a small, cold cell in the police station.

Ruby had no idea if her mother had survived because the surgery had been delayed. Ruby beat herself up. She should be anywhere but here.

She had not even given her brother a proper burial yet. Her helplessness was evident and she could do nothing about it.

Ruby had no visitors as she had always been a loner. Her family was all she had and even that had been taken from her.

Her mind kept replaying the moment Brad Carrington had called the police. She couldn't believe how quickly her life had changed and for the worse.

On the third day, she was finally released. Tom Hastings, a kind-hearted teacher from her college, had come to bail her out.

Ruby had met Mr Hastings during one of her late-night study sessions at the library and they had become relatively close ever since. She also had private classes with him every Saturday and Sunday.

He heard about her situation after asking around as she missed their usual private lessons twice and without explanation.

"Ruby, are you okay? Walk slowly." Tom said, his voice filled with concern as he led her out of the police station.

Ruby nodded weakly, but the truth was, she was far from okay. She felt broken and defeated.

The weight of her mother's condition, her brother's death, and her debt to Brad Carrington was making her lose her mind.

"Thank you, Mr Hastings," she murmured. "I really don't know what could have happened to me if you had not come to bail me out. I really don't know how to repay you. Thank You so much, Sir."

"Don't worry about it," Tom replied gently. "Just take care of yourself and your mother. I made the down payment for your mother's surgery. She should be out of the surgery room soon. Let us go to the hospital for now, we'll figure out the rest later."

Ruby felt a sliver of hope "You are God-sent, Mr Hastings. Thank you, Thank you so much. I will definitely repay you". Ruby said finally crying tears of joy for the first time in a while.

But this joy was only temporary. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and when she checked it, her heart sank.

It was a message from Brad Carrington, : *This is Brad Carrington. Meet me at my office immediately. We have unfinished business.*

Ruby felt drained of her little joy instantly. She knew she had no choice but to face him. This debt was what landed her in jail in the first place so she couldn't afford to ignore it.

"Mr Hastings, please, could you drop me off at the Carrington Group Headquarters? I have some issues to sort there urgently." she asked, sounding tired.

"What about your mum? She seems more urgent to me" Tom replied, looking surprised and demanding more explanation with his facial expression.

"I promise I'll explain later, Sir. I just have to get there now." She said while moving towards his car slowly.

She arrived at the Carrington headquarters and was met with a spotless lobby. It had marble floors and was decorated minimally but still screamed wealth.

Ruby felt out of place in her worn-out dirty jeans and faded blouse. Her shoes made her seem even more impoverished as it was filthy.

She felt unwelcome as every employee of the company looked down on her. There were murmurs and even laughter aimed at making her feel insecure or a fool of herself. But she was used to this.

She had never been someone who got the attention of people attractively or positively. She wasn't new to this kind of scenario.

She was escorted to Brad's office on the top floor by a receptionist who had an unpleasant look.

The office was just as spotless and outstanding as the rest of the building. The walls were lined with expensive artwork, and a massive office desk sat in the centre of the room.

Brad was seated behind it, his dark eyes locking onto Ruby as she entered.

He was dressed flawlessly in a tailored suit, his posture relaxed but commanding. There was no trace of kindliness in his appearance.

"Miss Ruby Rivers," he said casually. "I would offer you a seat but I don't think you'll need one"

Ruby stood upright, her hands were clasped tightly behind her back, her heart pounding in her chest.

"I assume you know why you're here," Brad continued, his voice without emotion.

Ruby nodded,her throat too tight to speak. She couldn't help but think that she was waiting for another sort of punishment from this man sitting in front of her.

Brad leaned back in his chair. "You owe me, Miss Ruby."

He continued "You endangered my life and my daughter's life days ago. My car also sustained significant damage because of your carelessness. Naturally, I would sue you for every penny, but given your...circumstances, I'm willing to offer you a choice."

Ruby's heart skipped a beat. "Choice?" she mumurmed, her voice low but high enough for Brad to hear..

"Yes." Brad's tone was stern, as if he were negotiating a business deal. "You'll work for me until the debt is paid off. I'm currently in need of a nanny for my daughter, Rose."

Given your circumstances, I don't believe you have any other choice but to accept. The position requires someone who is unoccupied, and I assume that you are." He said sternly

Ruby was terrified of this offer. A nanny? She wasn't qualified to take care of a child, let alone the child of a man like Brad Carrington.

But she didn't have any other options. She was drowning in debt, and she couldn't afford to anger Brad any further.

"I... I'm still in school," Ruby stuttered, trying to find some way out of this situation. "And I work at a diner to pay for my classes and living expenses. I can't..."

Brad cut her off with a dismissive wave of his hand. "You'll live in the Carrington mansion. Your education can continue depending on your ability to multitask , but your other job will have to go."

He continued "As you are being employed by me, though you are not entitled to any payments as you are working off your debt. I would be offering an employee benefit which in this case would be making sure that your mother's medical bills are covered while you are here. But in return, you will always be at my disposal. Do you understand?"

The words hit Ruby. He was offering to pay for her mother's surgery, something she wanted more than anything at this point, but at what cost?

Living in the same house as the man who had her arrested and seemed villainous felt like a deal with the devil.

But as much as she wanted to refuse, she knew she couldn't. Her mother's life was on the line, and she couldn't let her fear get in the way.

"I... I'll do it," Ruby whispered, her voice trembling.

Brad nodded and chuckled viciously, "It was never up to you anyways but I am glad we both agree. You'll move in immediately. My driver will take you to your apartment to collect your things. Once you're settled, you'll begin your duties."

"Sir... I.. would love to visit my mum at the hospital first before going home to pack my things." Ruby stuttered, scared that he would refuse her request.

Brad stared straight at her and with a cold tone and hint of mockery replied "uhm.. I don't think you understand, Ruby. You will always have to do as I say and I just said that my driver would be escorting you to your house and back to mine. Did I stutter?"

"No, Sir. I am... sorry, Sir." Ruby stammered. "I just..."

Brad interrupted her saying "If I do say so myself, you'll not be seeing your mum anytime soon unless I am very pleased with your services. You just have to trust that she is in safe hands"

He continued " Don't disappoint me, Ruby. You may leave now. My driver is waiting by the reception office on the ground floor."

Ruby swallowed hard, her hands shaking "I won't. Okay Sir." she promised, though she wasn't sure how she would manage it.

She was stepping into a world she didn't belong in, with a man who seemed determined to break her spirit.

Brad didn't respond. He simply turned his attention to the stack of papers on his desk, dismissing her as if she were nothing more than an inconvenience.

Ruby left the office feeling like she had just sold her soul, but she had no other choice. Her mother's life depended on it.