Chapter seven Crossing Lines.
Monday came with a chill in the air and the calendar filled with meetings, Ruth no longer had the heart for. Her dinner took her downtown to the Gold Holdings where a boardroom full of executives awaited her insight on a proposed luxury acquisition in Italy. She nodded through the presentation, offered the expected commitment and kept her expression polished. But her thoughts drifted back to Harmony Center, to the warmth of the kids, and to Hayden.
After the meeting, she stepped into her office, shut the door, and stared out of the floor- to- ceiling indoors. The city stretched beneath her like a kingdom she was supposed to rule.
But it felt cold
Her assistant buzzed in. " Gerrand Langston is the lobby. Shall I send him up?
Ruth hesitated, then said, "Tell him I'm busy".
She sat down and pulled out her phone.
Everything about Gerrand Langston was irritating to Ruth. They met sometimes at the Gala night. Ruth was never interested in Gerrard even though he came from a wealthy background. They aren't connecting
Ruth was surprised that he came to pay her a visit in her office. She wasn't happy about that.
At this point, the only thing that matters to Ruth was Hayden, the Harmony center, and the kids. Hayden was the center of the affection, she wished she could see him always. The last time she set her eyes on him was at the Harmony center. She wants to see him over and over again. Their bonds were building strong and stronger day by day.
To Hayden
" would you be free for coffee sometime this week"?
I'll love to talk more- about the center, about your work. About everything
His reply came later
"Hayden, sure. I know a place that's not fancy, but the chairs are unbeatable. Tomorrow? 10am."
Ruth, "perfect".
The next morning, she found herself in a quiet part of the city she rarely visited. The cafe was a small family- run spot with mismatched chairs, the smell of the spices and bread wafting from the back. Hayden was already there, a mug in his hand and a notebook on the table.
He looked up and smiled," you came".
Of course," I did".
They ordered drinks, then sat by the window sunlight slanting in through the curtains.
"I admire what you are doing". She said after a moment. It's not glamorous. It's hard. But it's necessary. Hayden was a man of vision, whose aim is to be a light in the dark world. He began this in a little way and it is gradually moving like a wildfire.
Hayden leaned back." The world doesn't need more glamour, it needs people who actually care".
She studied him," How did you get here? From this system to this?
He shrugged." Anger first. Then music". who saw more in me than I saw myself. I decided I would do the same for someone else. Hayden believes that life is given to help. He has been helped, he wants to also become a help to people. There are a lot of people who desire to help, who desire to be lifted and supported. Some of the wealthy men undermine such people and face people of their level. A paused stretched between them
Comfortable charged
I think I've spent my life being looked at, "Ruth said, but not really seen".
" you make people feel seen", he replied faintly, "so do you Ruth, you don't just realize it yet".
They sat in silence, sipping chai, the weight of the unsaid things going through them. Something had shifted. A line had been crossed- one divided obligation from desire, performance from truth .
And it felt right.
As they stood to leave, Hayden looked at her,
"Careful. Keep coming around like this, and people might start thinking you're not just the billionaire's daughter anymore"
Ruth smiled, " Good. That's exactly what I want.
Ruth wants to live a simple, honest life. She isn't after the luxurious, glamorous lifestyle some billionaire's children live. She wants to be modest and live differently so that other billionaire's children should be.
Ruth's extraordinary love for Hayden is becoming obvious, and Hayden is also feeling it. They are gradually walking down the aisle. Their several meetings have always been productive, connective, and realistic. The love they have for themselves will change the myopic ones who do not believe in genuine love.
Outside, the city moved with its unusual noise and urgency but Ruth and Hayden walked without hurry. The wind picked up, tugging at each other's coats. He offered her his scarf with hesitation. She hesitated, then accepted
As they walked toward the subway entrance- his usual route- she felt the stark difference In their worlds. He noticed her glance.
" You have never taken the train, have you?
"Only once, with security"
He chuckled."We'll work on that".
They stood at the curb. He looked at her." I'll be glad you reached out".
"Me too". She paused. I feel like I'm waking up",
Hayden nodded." Then keep going. Don't go back to sleep". She watched him disappear down the subway steps. Part of her wanted to follow. Instead, stood there , scarf around her neck, heart beating in a rhythm she hadn't known she'd been missing. When she returned to her penthouse at night, she didn't go straight to her bedroom. Instead, she went to her mother's art studio, still untouched since Sunday.
She picked up a black canvas and began to paint - not from memory, not from duty, but from feeling. She painted Hayden. Not perfectly, not posed. Just as he was- in motion, in truth. By midnight, her hands were stained with color and heart was full. She has seen the love of her life today. She had spoken with Hayden and that's more better than any edible substance entering her mouth. For the first time, Ruth was no longer drifting through roles she did inherit. She was choosing her own story. And the chapter of her and Hayden had just begun.
The next morning, Leo called while she was in bed, curled up in one of her mother's old cardigans.
"Ruth, you've got a buzz going online".
"What kind of buzz, she asked?
He snorted…" You were spotted at that little cafe on 52nd with a guy who is very much not a Gold executive or Winton's son".
She sat up frowning and angry. " people need to mind their business".
" They won't. You know that".
" I don't Care".
There was a beat silence
Ruth is an influential daughter of a billionaire. She will be on people's watch. Her father is highly known in the city and country, wherever she goes will not be hidden.
" I hope that's true" , Leo said.
"Because Dad's going to Care"
Ruth leaned her head back against the headboard.
"Let him".
For the first time in her life she wasn't afraid of her family's disapproval and displeasure. She has made up her mind and there's nothing going to hold her back. This is the crossroad for her life and she is determined to cross it well. There will be nor sentiment or pretense, she will move on with her life until she gets to her sweet destination.
She has not become rebellious, but she has begun to understand what's meant to live by her values. What began as a simple coffee had now made waves. But she didn't regret it. She was very happy that the world has seen a new pattern from the child of a billionaire. The spread of it online does not perturb her, in fact it makes her more excited.
She opened her phone and looked at the message thread with Hayden.
One text stood out:
Hayden: You don't need to prove anything to anyone. You just need to be honest with yourself.
Ruth smiled
She was ready to see where honesty would take her.