The bar was loud, the bass-heavy music vibrating through the walls as people danced and talked around Minnie. She had stopped dancing a while ago, her head swimming from the alcohol. Ellie, already tipsy, was still going strong, laughing and chatting with some guy who had been eyeing her all night. Minnie leaned against the wall, trying to steady herself as she looked around, barely aware of the chaotic scene around her. She was not a heavy drinker and in-fact, had never drank this much in her life.
Ellie stumbled back over to her, grinning. "I think... I think I'm done for tonight," she said, swaying slightly. "But you—" she pointed a finger at Minnie, "you're gonna be okay, right? Ethan's on his way."
Minnie nodded faintly, though she wasn't sure what was happening. Everything felt like it was moving in slow motion. Ellie pulled out her phone and dialed Ethan's number, slurring her words as she spoke to him.
"Hey, Ethan... uh, Ruby's, uh, in bad shape," Ellie said into the phone, her words jumbled. "You need to come get her."
Minnie barely registered the conversation, her mind foggy. Ellie ended the call, stuffed the phone in her pocket, and gave Minnie a tight hug.
"Don't worry. He'll be here soon," Ellie said with a smile before turning toward the man who had been waiting for her. "But I'm going with him, his name is Greg." she added, walking off with the guy, her arm looped through his.
Minnie stood there, her back to the cold brick wall of the bar. The music throbbed in her chest, the bass reverberating painfully in her skull. She tried to focus, but the world around her felt like it was spinning. She had no idea how long she stood there, waiting for Ethan, but it felt like forever.
Her thoughts were jumbled, and before she could collect herself, a group of men appeared out of the shadows by the sidewalk. Three of them. They were looking at her in a way that made her stomach tighten. She realized that Ellie had put her mask on for her and they probably thought she was a drunk prostitute.
One of them—slightly shorter but stockier than the others—stepped closer, his gaze appraising. "Hey, you lost, sweetheart?" he asked, his voice slow and deliberate.
Minnie's heart began to race, the alcohol making everything feel heavier. She shifted uncomfortably, her head spinning, and instinctively backed up against the wall, "Leave me alone… I'm waiting … for…someone." Her voice slurred.
"You okay?" the second one asked, his tone more amused than concerned. He was taller, lanky, and leaning in closer, his breath sour with cheap alcohol.
Minnie tried to steady herself, but her legs felt weak, and her hands were shaking. She opened her mouth to say something, but the words didn't come.
The third man stepped forward, grinning. "You should be careful out here, all alone," he said, taking another step toward her. "It's dangerous. How much for a night?"
Minnie took another step back, feeling cornered. She wasn't sure what to do. She could barely think straight, but she didn't want to get any closer to them. They were closing in, and she felt a sickening pressure in her chest.
Just then, a car pulled up to the curb with screeching tires. The headlights flooded the sidewalk, briefly blinding the men. They hesitated for a moment as a figure stepped out of the car.
"Hey," Ethan's voice cut through the night, sharp and commanding. His figure was solid and steady, a contrast to the chaos surrounding Minnie. His eyes scanned the scene in an instant, and before any of the men could react, Ethan was standing between them and Minnie, his body facing them, protective.
"What's going on here?" Ethan's voice was calm but firm, a low warning in his tone.
The men looked between each other, sizing Ethan up. The one who had first spoken to Minnie sneered, "None of your business, man. We're just talking to her."
Ethan didn't move. His gaze never wavered from the men. "You're scaring her. Walk away." His voice was low but firm, like he had dealt with this before.
The taller one scoffed, clearly not intimidated, but his voice was less certain now. "She's just drunk, man. Let her make her own choices."
Minnie took a shaky step toward Ethan, clutching his jacket for support.
"I'm gonna say it again," Ethan said, his words slow and deliberate, "Walk. Away."
There was a moment of tension before the men muttered under their breath and finally backed off, retreating into the shadows. Ethan didn't move until they were well out of sight, his eyes scanning the street, making sure they weren't coming back.
"Are you okay?" Ethan turned to Minnie, his voice softer now, concerned, "What are you doing here! You're too drunk to be out here like this. Where is your friend?"
Minnie looked up at him, her mind still cloudy, but something about his presence steadied her. She tried to nod, but it felt like her body wasn't quite listening. Her legs were shaking, and she felt like she might collapse. She could barely register the barrage of questions that he had thrown at her.
Ethan realised she was in no state to reply, he steadied her and held her shoulders. "Come on, let's get you out of here," he said, his tone gentle but insistent.
He led her to the car, helping her inside with care, as if she were fragile. As he drove, the silence between them was heavy, but Ethan kept glancing over at her, his concern palpable.
When they arrived at his place, he helped her out of the car, his hand on her back guiding her inside. Minnie barely registered the movement, her body a mix of exhaustion and drunken fog.
He sat her down gently on the couch, tucking a throw blanket around her shoulders as she leaned back, her eyelids fluttering, barely keeping herself awake.
Ethan moved around the living room, making sure everything was in order before walking back to her. His face was drawn with concern. "Minnie, what happened back there?" he asked, his voice quieter now. "I'm glad I got there when I did."
Minnie looked at him through half-lidded eyes. She wanted to tell him everything. The whole truth. To explain why she was like this, why she pushed him away sometimes, why she was constantly hiding behind a mask. But the words caught in her throat, her mind foggy from the alcohol, and the weight of the truth felt unbearable.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice fragile. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I didn't want you to see me like this."
Ethan knelt down in front of her, his expression softening. He reached out and gently cupped her face in his hands. "Hey, it's okay. You don't have to apologize. I'm just worried about you. I want to help. I want to know what's going on in that head of yours. But you need to trust me, Ruby. I can't fix anything if you keep pushing me away."
Her heart hammered in her chest. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. She couldn't. She couldn't tell him the truth, not now. Not when everything felt so fragile.
"I can't... I can't tell you everything," she said softly, her voice breaking. "I want to, Ethan. I really do. But I can't. Not yet." She wiped away a tear she hadn't realized had fallen. "I'm not who you think I am. And if you knew the truth… I don't know if you'd still want to be around."
Ethan's eyes softened, but there was a glimmer of confusion in them. "Ruby, no matter what, I'm not going anywhere. But I can't help you if you keep hiding from me."
"I'm sorry," she repeated, her voice barely a whisper. "I just... I just need more time."
Ethan nodded slowly, his thumb brushing across her cheek in a comforting gesture. Then, before he could stop himself, he leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
The moment his lips met her skin, for just a heartbeat, time stood still. Her skin was warm against his lips, and the soft scent of her hair filled his senses. He could feel the weight of her struggles, the tenderness she was hiding from him, and he wanted to take it all away.
But as he pulled back, he was hit with an overwhelming mix of emotions. Desire, certainly, but also the realization that this was complicated. Far more complicated than he'd allowed himself to acknowledge. He had feelings for her. He cared about Ruby—this version of her—but what did it mean for him when he still didn't know the full truth? And how would she ever trust him enough to share it?
The kiss, though innocent, had stirred something deeper inside him—a conflict he hadn't been prepared for.
"I'll be here when you're ready," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "But you need to take care of yourself first."
Minnie closed her eyes, feeling a strange warmth spread through her chest, a comfort she wasn't used to. She let herself believe his words for the moment.
Ethan helped her to the guest room, pulling the covers over her and making sure she was comfortable. As he tucked her in, he paused, looking down at her one last time.
"Goodnight, Ruby," he murmured softly, realising that she had drifted off into sleep. The urge to take off her mask crept onto him. But he pushed it away and walked out the room. He may not know her identity but he knew her. And for now that would suffice.