Chapter Eight.
By Wednesday morning, the buzz had grown louder. The tabloids had picked up the photo-Ruth Maxwell, daughter of a global magnate, Maxwell Kelvin, sipping chai across from an unidentified man in a humble cafe on a 52nd street. The headline screamed," Heiress in the Hood: New Romance or New Rebellion.
Speculation ran wild
At Gold holdings, whispers echoed down the marble hallways. Everyone had seen it online, No one could keep to himself or herself. The spread went very fast like the speed of light. A lot of imagination was going on in the minds of people. Assistants paused, mid- conversation as Ruth passed, and even the most seasoned executives preferred silence over eye contact. Her presence had become both headline and rumor
The executives and staff were also afraid to speak a word to her In her presence. Of course you wouldn't dare it. Too many questions were going round the minds of executives but they had no answers to the questions.
Maxwell Kelvin sat at the head of the table, his hands folded, his jaw tight. Veronica, poised with her usual elegance, pretended to renew reports.
" Care to explain why you are on the cover of Elite Edge with some street musician? Maxwell's tone was low, dangerous. Ruth met her gaze, her voice even.
" Hayden is not a street musician, he's a leader at Harmony Center. He helps kids, no one else sees".
Veronica scoffed," So this is another one of your causes. Like your mother's? Art, emotions, sympathy for the poor- Ruth honestly".
Veronica let out a soft, desire laugh", so now you are throwing away your reputation for some cause? Just like your mother. She had that stubborn fantasy.
Ruth's eyes change."This isn't charity. It's real life. And it is about fantasy, it's about reality. Something none of us has seen to live In anymore".
And unlike you, he doesn't pretend to care- he actually does".
" you're a Gold," Maxwell snapped.
" you carry a name that shapes industries. You carry a name that opens doors. What you do reflects on this family, and this company. Do you really want to trade for a man who can't even afford valet parking? "I want to stop living someone else's version of what matters, Ruth said." Hayden may not have money but he has purpose, integrity. Something we haven't talked about in this family for a long time".Maxwell said with his voice high and his face full of anger.
" I wouldn't want to continue with this," he ended.
" you are making decisions with your emotions", that will lead to regret. Veronica warned.
"No," Ruth said, rising from her chair, her spine straightening. " Then maybe this family needs a reflection check. I'm finally making my decision with my conscience.
Without a word, she walked out- heels checking against the polished floor like the beat of war drum.
That evening, Ruth did something she hadn't done in years. She drove herself. No security detail. No private driver. Just her behind the wheel of a modest through the city toward the place where things finally felt real.
Harmony Center was alive with energy, Children laughed in classrooms, teens rehearsed music pieces, volunteers busted in and possibility. The noise of the music seemed high, every student and child busy with one thing or the other. The kids were so intentional with what they were doing. They have totally yielded to the music training, all of them want to make impacts with music.
Hayden stood by the music room, speaking with Marcus, the lanky boy who led Saturday guitar sessions. He glanced up as she entered. His expression softened.
"You okay"? He asked, his voice quiet under the hum of activity.
"I will be", She replied,"eventually".
They stood shoulder to shoulder watching Marcus attempt to teach a complicated chord progression to two frustrated students.
"I'm assuming they saw the pictures, " Hayden said without looking at her.
" They did. My father accused you of being a street musician. Veronica called you a cause. My father also thinks you are a bad influence. They think I have lost my mind
Hayden finally turned," Have you"?
Ruth met his eyes, her voice steady. " No", I think for the first time, I've actually found it. Ruth was angry that her father insulted Hayden. She wasn't happy at all. She wished she could end it all. She doesn't know why she is being tired in the name of " a billionaire's daughter". She can't make her own choice , she sees herself being controlled by her father's wealth. She wants to live real life.
Hayden's gaze held hers," that's a dangerous place to be, Ruth. Not everyone wants you to know who you are".
I'm done asking permission".
After a long time, he reached her hand- hesitant, careful- and she let him take it.
"You're sure about this"? He asked.
She nodded. "I'm not the girl they're trying to protect. I'm not the brand they're trying to sell. I'm just me…"
A pause
"And you're exactly who I want to be
around with".
"I want to be real with myself- with you- with everything.
A long beat passed.
" Then let's be real," he said.
They left the room together and joined the kids for rehearsal. Ruth picked up a tambourine. Hayden passed her sheet music. Marcus grinned and started drumming. The laughter came easily.
Outside the world still is pun in scandals. Inside, Ruth finally felt still. She has made her decision basnight, her conscience. The love for purity, chastity, integrity matters to her not money. She had peace with Hayden because of who he was. She was not to compromise her stand and decision for anything.
She joined them in music sessions, and she was very happy to be with them. She sang, played the guitar and played musical instruments. She has certainly found peace.
They worked side by side in the small supply, the scent of old paper vanishing all round. No titles. No cameras. Just two people quietly doing something that mattered. True love has made Ruth willingly become part of Hayden and all that he does. She was ready to give in her own quota and also support in all ways. She broke the silence. " My parents are afraid of you".
Really he said with a smile", fear means change is coming".
Ruth looked at him, her voice softer. I've lived my whole life protected from the world. But the more I'm out here-, the more I realize I wasn't protected. I was being kept numb".
Ruth has discovered another faction of love which is better and truer. A life that is free from corruption, hatred, vendetta, lies. A life where everyone is seen as one. A life where money is not the reason for existence. A life where integrity should be upheld rather than silver and Gold. A life where purpose should be valued more riches.
He looked at her, seriously now.
"You're not dumb anymore".
'No', she said. I'm wide awake.
They stood still for a moment stretching between them. Then he gently took her hands.
She said," I love you for everything", " you have changed my world".
"Thank you for coming into my life. Hayden replied, " I'm glad you see me differently".
Later that night, after the center had quieted and the children had gone. Ruth and Hayden sat alone under a string of dim lights. The city's skyline shimmered in the distance.
" I used to think success meant skyscrapers and red carpets, " Ruth
said. "But now, I think it's this. Breathing. Choosing. Being where you're needed.
Hayden leaned back in his hands
"Then you have already succeeded".
She turned to him, her voice vulnerable. "I'm scared of what comes next. My father will retaliate. Veronica will spin the game more. They will dig into your past.
They will find it." Hayden said calmly, I'm not spotless. I've made mistakes. But I'm surprised worse than gossip".
" I don't care about spotlessness", she said , I care about truth. And about you".
A paused stretched between them, filled only by the rustle of wind and the distant sound of a passing train. He looked at her, seriously." Then let's make a promise", she blinked. "What kind"? She asked.
" That we keep showing up. No matter how messy it gets. We show up for the kids , for each other, for ourselves.
Ruth held out her pinky. "Deal".
He laughed and linked his with hers. And under that simple rooftop sky, she felt something deep In her bones. She was exactly where she belonged. She has found her priceless man.
This wasn't an escape. It was a homecoming.