Pushing the trolley down the aisle, Sienna stopped to pick up a box. Today was the perfect day for groceries, and she wanted some precooked options for emergencies.

Though Brian was God sent but, she didn’t want to burden him. He deserved a day off once a week.

The store was almost empty except for an old man who was there to buy fruits. She was too busy reading the labels of cereal boxes when a voice behind her made her freeze.

"So, are you done destroying me, or is there anything else you’re planning to do?"

Sienna swallowed as she placed the box back on the aisle. For a brief moment, she tried to catch her breath, and then she picked up another carton and placed it in the trolley.

Calm down, Sia.

When she turned around, she had managed a small smile on her lips, "So... you really think everything revolves around you, Mr. Tom Blackwell?"

Sia was expecting their paths to cross. He might go crazy if he knew that Ruby asked for her help.

But it looked like he was there for a different reason. Sienna had snatched two business deals right under his nose, and it was hard for him to digest it.

Tom chuckled and stepped closer. Too close. Sienna moved back until her back was glued to the aisle.

Tom leaned in, his eyes kept scanning her face as if he wanted to look into her soul, "I never noticed my sister-in-law had such beautiful eyes," He murmured with genuine shock, and all Sienna wanted to do was spit on his face.

"Now you know about my beautiful eyes, how about you give me some space?" She asked with a fake smile.

His hand lifted, and as she tried to side step, his finger brushed against her cheek, "You’re soft," His voice dropped to a whisper.

Sienna stiffened. The simple touch made her skin crawl. The man who once tried to abuse her outside Joe’s surfaced in her mind.

"Don’t!" She warned him sharply, turning her face away, "Keep your hands to yourself."

Being a bastard, Tom didn’t move back. If anything, he leaned in more, a smirk pulling at his lips, "Ahan. Or what, madam boss?"

Sienna glanced around, "I’m warning you, Tom!" She hissed, "Step back!"

I can easily kill you, Tom. But before that, you need to suffer.

The man only smiled wider, thinking it was a bluff.

"Why running away when I can give you a lot more. Hunter has nothing, my love," Sienna felt disgusted when he gazed at her lips.

That was it.

Before he could say another word, her hand raised, connecting with his cheek.

Smack!

The sound echoed in the quiet store as Tom’s head snapped to a side. For a second, even he looked surprised. Sienna didn’t wait.

She watched him coldly as she side-stepped, "I hope you won’t let me remind you in the future not to come closer, or I can do worse."

When he slowly turned back, Sienna felt satisfaction as she saw his red cheek. Her palm itched to slap his other cheek too, so that both sides would match.

"Try that again!" She said, boldly looking into his eyes, "and next time I won’t stop at a slap."

Holding her trolley, she walked past him. She could feel his eyes burning her back, but she didn’t make the mistake of turning around and looking at him.

She had to be more careful in the future because Tom wasn’t the kind of man who would take a slap and walk away quietly.

***

Living in this dinky apartment, where she had been living with Hunter in her past life, was not an easy task.

The only good thing about this apartment was that she could breathe in peace. No one would lock her in the bathroom during her period. After all, she earned this apartment after letting that director fuck her.

Standing near the small kitchen counter, stirring instant coffee in a chipped mug. The place smelled slightly damp, but Ruby had gotten used to it.

She had just taken a sip of her coffee when there was a knock at the door. Her fingers tightened on the cup handle.

Nobody knew that she lived here. Except for Gabriel, the director.

There was another knock, louder this time.

"Who is it?" She asked, trying to mask the tremor in her voice. As expected, there was no answer. The door didn’t even have a peephole.

Inhaling a long breath, she pulled the door open.

"Y...you?" Her eyes widened as she immediately tried to shut the door in panic. But Tom was faster to slip his boot into the gap, blocking it, "Easy, bitch," He pushed the door open.

Ruby stumbled back as he came inside, "How did you..." She trailed off.

Tom’s eyes were busy moving around the apartment, taking in its poor condition, then he looked at her, "You fell this low?" He asked her in amusement.

"What do you want?"

"I’m not here for myself, Ruby. I’m here for you."

Ruby frowned in confusion. Tom glanced around again, "I can offer you a better apartment."

Ruby was not a fool. She knew Tom wanted something in return.

His sharp gaze settled on her, "You need to do something for me," Ruby didn’t want to say yes.

She didn’t want to trust this man.

"Get into, Siahun Constructions." He said casually, making her stomach drop. Papa gave her the same job.

He asked her to keep an eye on Sienna and look for any weaknesses that can be used against her. Tom didn’t know that.

But here he was with the same job offer.

He didn’t wait for her response as he walked closer, "I need eyes inside that company. All the details. Their projects. Bids. Deals. Who they meet. Everything."

Ruby stared at him, trying to understand it better, "You want me to spy?" She didn’t tell him that Sienna had already promised her a job there.

"If you want a better life," He gestured towards the cracked walls, "Better than this one? Take the deal, Ruby."

Ruby tried to hide the smile spreading on her lips. This life was, at last, about to get better. Tom and Papa were willing to pay her for keeping an eye on Sia.

Tom was checking his phone when she spoke, "Fine. I’m ready."

Tom raised his eyes to watch her. Ruby was grinning ear to ear, "I’m ready to do your dirty little tasks. Just keep the money coming if you want something valuable."

Tom slipped his phone back into his pocket, the corner of his lips quirked up, "Good girl. Keep me updated."