"Where the hell do you think you are coming from?" Derek growled in a repressed voice the moment Ruby walked into her office, his slightly bruised face twisted in fury.
"And who let you into my office?" Ruby fired back, disgusted at the sight of him.
Derek slowly walked up to her, his gaze narrowed at her as he scrutinized her from head to toe, sniffing her for any sign of a man's cologne.
"You didn't answer my question, Ruby. Where have you been for the past three hours? This is almost noon and you are just strolling into the office."
"And what if I am?" Ruby poked him on the chest, her eyes cold and narrowed in slits. "What gives you the right to question me? Who made you the boss of me? It seems you've forgotten that we both own this company together and I do not work for you."
Derek chuckled bitterly. 'If only she knew?' He straightened out his jacket while holding her angry gaze.
"Ruby..."
"Get out of my office right now." Ruby pointed to the door, cutting him off.
"Not until we address the issue of your many fake lovers."
"NOW...Derek!" Ruby boomed between clenched teeth, her whole body trembling.
Derek held her shimmering gaze for a few, seeing nothing but pain, anger and something darker. He exhaled, softening his gaze as he whispered.
"I was out of line. I'm sorry."
"OUT!" Ruby bellowed, her trembling voice cracking under the weight of her suppressed rage.
Derek could see tears welling in the corners of her eyes. He immediately regretted confronting her and left her office, slamming the door behind him, causing the hinges to rattle in protest.
Ruby sank into the closest seat, her entire body shaking as tears of betrayal and rage streamed down her flushed cheeks.
"No Ruby..." She angrily wiped her tears with the back of her hand. "... You are stronger than this. You can't let him get to you. You've got this." She inhaled and exhaled to steady her breathing.
After applying a little powder to her face to conceal her pain, she picked up her intercom and dialled her personal assistant's number.
"In my office, right now." She hung up and waited patiently, while going through her schedule for the day.
A knock on her door, followed by a soft creaking sound, forced Ruby to look up.
Gail slowly stepped into the office, her head lowered and her hand trembling on the doorknob. "You sent for me ma'am."
"Close the door," Ruby said coldly and Gail nodded.
But before Ruby could say anything, Gail immediately fell on her knees and clasped her hands pleading.
"Please don't fire me, ma'am. I swear I tried keeping the boss out, but he threatened to take my job, and I had no choice but to let him in." She begged, already in tears.
Ruby exhaled, leaning back in her seat as she stared at her most loyal employees keenly, her expression softening.
"I wasn't planning on firing you, Gail. So stand up and take a seat."
"Thank you, Miss Ruby. I'm very sorry for..."
"Shh... Just sit down and listen attentively."
Gail slowly stood up and perched on the edge of the seat opposite her boss.
"I don't have to remind you who brought you into this company." Ruby started slowly, her voice firm. "It wasn't Derek but me. So I won't appreciate you flaunting my orders. You can either choose to stand by me, or I can have you reassigned and get someone more loyal."
"I will stand by you, Miss Ruby. I swear on my mother's grave." Gail vowed, her eyes filled with determination.
"Good." Ruby smiled softly. "Now this is what I want you to do. Have the keys to this office changed and hand them over to me. I wouldn't want to put you in this situation again."
"Okay, ma'am."
"And concerning the Acharya birthday party, have it cancelled. I won't be attending." Ruby said, her mind already made up.
"About that, ma'am, t...there might be a p...problem." Gail stuttered.
"What problem?" Ruby's brow furrowed.
"While you are yet to show up, Mr Derek took all your official calls here in your office."
"He did what?" Ruby's brows pulled together.
"Yes ma'am. I know I'm not supposed to do this but I tapped into your calls and listened to his conversations."
Ruby's fist clenched. "Who did he talk to and what did they say?"
"He received a call from one Francesca from the Acharya Estate confirming your invitation as a couple to the birthday event. Mr Derek said you were his wife and that you two would be attending the event tonight. And from what I heard, turning down such an invite from an elite party might be bad for your reputation and that of this company."
Ruby gritted her teeth, her nails digging into her skin as she thought of a million possible ways to slap Derek hard in the face. She looked up at Gail and observed her eyes twitching as if she had something more to say.
"Is there something else you'd like to tell me?" She spat out.
"Nn.....no ma'am....I mean...." Gail adjusted the collar of her blouse, beads of sweat gathering on her forehead as she thought of how to present her secret findings without getting into trouble.
"Gail!" Ruby stood up and joined her on the other side of the table. "If there's something else you found out, you need to tell me."
"Miss Ruby, I don't want you to see me as a worthless spy."
"You are not." Ruby sat opposite her, taking her hands. "Talk to me. Your secret is safe with me."
"Okay..." Gail exhaled through her mouth. "While Mr Derek was in your office, I suspected he was up to no good. So, I planted one of my phones in your office so I could listen to his conversation. I don't know who he was talking to over the phone. But I think Mr Derek is trying to take full control of this company."
"What?!" Ruby froze in her seat, her jaw dropping.
"But I don't have any proof," Gail whispered.
Ruby nodded, her hands suddenly trembling.
Ever since they started the company together, she had left everything about management and legal issues of the company in Derek's hands. She simply handles the operation while Derek handles the paperwork.
But with this ongoing rift between them, would Derek stoop so low to take everything away from her that they both built together?
"Miss Ruby, I think you should tread cautiously and gather more information and evidence before you act. But I promise I'll keep my ear down and monitor Mr Derek for you."
Ruby nodded her head, forcing a smile.
"Do you want me to get you a cup of coffee or juice before we start working?"
"Water," Ruby whispered, her body still shaking as she looked up to Gail. "Water will be fine."