Never Too Far Novel

“I’m fine,” Ruka answered quietly. She wondered if Ren’s feelings for her were just a figment of her imagination and would disappear sooner or later. At this point, she suddenly understood why he was so crazy about her—if he had to leave her for any reason, she would never fall for someone else ever again. Besides, no other man would ever steal her heart the way he had. Immediately, she grabbed his hand tightly, scared that everything was just a dream.

Ren felt confused by this because he could sense her sadness, yet he didn’t know why she felt that way. Did he do anything wrong? In the end, he could only pull her into a hug, allowing her to lean against him and rest.

After they arrived back at his house, he got out of the car first. Then, he used one hand to protect her head when she followed behind—an instinctive reaction borne out of his love for her. Soon, Elijah approached him and whispered, “Mr. Husson, everything is ready.”

Ren nodded. “Thank you for your hard work.”

“We’ll leave everything here then, Mr. Husson,” Elijah answered before getting into the car and leaving. After the entourage was gone, Ren and Ruka were left alone in the large garden; he held her hand and led her toward the hall.

She could feel his love for her as she followed him, her mouth unconsciously curling into a smile. As soon as they arrived in the doorway leading to the hall, she was stunned by the scene before her. They decorated it in a fresh yet romantic theme for a birthday party. Presents were laid out amongst the flowers and balloons, with a flower arrangement right by the wine, champagne, and dessert dishes on the table. Right in the center of that table was an unopened cake box.

Her love for him surged as she took in everything, and she immediately turned to give him a tight hug. “Thank you.”

Ren wrapped his arms around her waist and smiled, enjoying her voluntary act of intimacy. As for Ruka, she felt really touched because he had done so much for her.

“Do you want to eat the cake or unwrap the presents first?” he asked her lovingly.

She shook her head as she continued hugging him. “For now, let me hug you for a bit.”

He leaned down and pressed a kiss into her hair. He had assigned Elijah to set up everything back home in the afternoon with plans of surprising her after their date, but he hadn’t expected it to be interrupted. Thank God this surprise had successfully made up for it.

Ren teasingly blew into her ear. “What? Are you planning to unwrap me like your presents?”

Ruka blushed furiously and let him go. She didn’t have the courage for that! “I wouldn’t dare!”

“I dare you to.” The man smiled at her, eyes half-closed. She couldn’t help placing her hands on his shoulders and getting on her tiptoes to press a kiss into his dimples. It had been something she had always wanted to do.

The kiss made his smile wider, dimples becoming more pronounced. She smiled in satisfaction at this and retreated. “I think we’ll have the cake first. Let’s blow the candles and make a wish.”

“Sure!” Ren nodded and walked toward the table as she opened the cake box. The cake was about six inches in diameter, just enough for the two of them. She immediately fell in love with the heart-shaped cake, pulling out her phone to take pictures before putting in the card saying ‘Happy 24th!’ and lighting the candles.

He moved beside Ruka to switch off the overhead light, leaving the wall lamps to create a romantic and intimate atmosphere. Her heart sped up as he approached her, placing her hand in his. “Let’s make a wish and blow the candles together.”

He shook his head and declined her offer. “It’s your birthday.”

She obeyed, breathing in deeply as she fluttered her eyes shut. Then, finally, she pressed her palms together and made a wish.

Ruka didn’t hesitate to make her wish because she only wanted one thing—to be with him. She blushed and looked toward Ren when she was done, and he immediately knew what she had wished for. It seemed that he didn’t need to worry about her reciprocating his feelings because it was already mutual.

She bent down to blow out the candles while he lit some scented candles and placed them off to one side. The flickering flames made the atmosphere seem more intimate as she took a knife, cut the first slice of cake, and served it to him on a plate. “Here, you can eat it first.”

He accepted the plate and sat beside her as he ate. She cut herself another slice thoughtfully, then said, “We didn’t make Elijah stay for some cake.”

Ren stopped eating and said irritatedly, “You seem to think an awful lot about him.”

Ruka hunched her shoulders. He’s so good at being jealous, huh? I talked about his assistant twice, and now he’s resentful?

“I think there’s too much cake, and it will be a waste if we don’t finish it,” she explained weakly.

“Fine, just waste it then,” he replied darkly. Only one man should be here with Ruka celebrating her birthday, and that man was him.

She blinked once, knowing she couldn’t continue angering him. Therefore, she slowly enjoyed the cake bit by bit, feeling happy as she tasted the sweet cream. However, she had gotten some of it on one corner of her mouth, and when she turned to Ren, his gaze became darker at the sight. She realized it immediately and licked it off, making his breath catch.

Didn’t she know how dangerous that act was?

He stretched out a hand and held Ruka’s head in place as he leaned toward her. He did not give her any time to react before kissing her. It was punishing, and he felt himself drown in the sweetness of her mouth, which mingled with the taste of the cream, and he only released her when he felt her smear some cream on his face.

Ruka was dazed from the kiss but then burst out laughing when she saw the cream on his face. When the man wiped cream on her face in retaliation, she widened her eyes challengingly and swept some cream off the cake. She was about to reciprocate when he caught her wrist and sucked the cream off her fingers.

She felt her heart flutter at the action. How could he—

Ren smiled and praised, “It’s so sweet!”

She thought she might become insane from this. She had been playing around, yet now she was utterly out of her depth. She withdrew her hand immediately, still feeling the fading heat of her tongue on her fingers. He realized that he must have scared her and said immediately, “Alright, that’s enough. Go have a bath so you can open the presents.”

She handed him a tissue. “You too!”

“Okay!” He nodded. “You can go first.”

As Ruka couldn’t eat any longer, she rose to her feet and went for a bath upstairs. If she didn’t leave, her heart might leap out of her chest. Yet, despite that, she was so happy she felt like flying, unable to think of anything else except him and his overflowing affection for her.

When she had finished with her bath, she went downstairs. She wore a long white dress and a cardigan, and she looked as beautiful as a fae with her loose hair and pale skin.

Since Ren wasn’t in the living room, she settled on the couch and picked up one bouquet to smell the light fragrance. It smelt very much like love and happiness.

Ruka looked at the presents on the table, not knowing where to even begin. When she heard the sound of footsteps from the stairs, she looked up and saw Ren in casual clothing—a dark sweater and beige pants. The clothes made him look softer, yet he retained his usual steely demeanor.

She waited for him to sit beside her before sighing. “Why did you prepare so many presents? I only need one from you!”

He reached for one and handed it to her. “Open it and see.”

She couldn’t help being attracted by the pastel blue wrapping. It was her favorite color; he must have taken her preferences to heart. Then, when she finally unwrapped the gift, she found a pretty pastel blue beaded handbag. Even though there weren’t any brand logos on it, it was evident from the beautiful craftsmanship that it was handmade.

“It’s gorgeous. I love it.” She held it out to admire it under the light.

Ren took a ring box from his pocket and gave it to her. “Open this one.”

Ruka’s breath caught. Is he giving me a ring?

He placed it in her palm, and she bit her lip as she opened it. A shiny open diamond ring with a simple, elegant design lay inside, which looked vintage yet stylish. Before she could react, he took it and placed it on her right middle finger. It was a perfect fit, making her blink in surprise. How did he know the size of her finger?

Just then, he pulled out another ring from his pocket and wore it on his left middle finger. Although the rings differed in size, their similarity made it known that it was clearly a couple’s ring.

These were matching rings for couples. At that realization, she blushed harder, and she couldn’t believe they were at that stage already.

“Did you choose them?” Ruka asked shyly.

“Yes.” Ren nodded. It had been the most important gift to him, a promise to tie them together so no one could ever separate them again.

“Do not remove it without my permission,” he continued in a low voice.

She nodded obediently. “Okay.”

The other presents were some necessities she might need, but she had already received the most important gift, which was his heart.

It was soon 11.30PM, and she concealed a yawn. She had experienced a shock today, and it had worn her out.

“Let’s go to bed!” He must have seen how tired she was and led her upstairs. She bit her lip again, wondering with a racing heart if he meant to let her sleep in his bedroom or hers.

When they arrived at her bedroom door, she stopped and withdrew her hand from his. “Goodnight.”

He paused to look at her, his gaze clouded over as he sighed softly. “Goodnight.”

When she turned to open the door, he asked, “Will you be cold sleeping alone?”

She understood at once, shaking her head firmly. “Nope. I have air conditioning.”

He laughed out loud. “Is it as warm as I am?”

She thought internally, It’s much safer than him, that’s for sure.

your safety, I think it’s better for you if we don’t sleep together.” She wasn’t

considerate. Why don’t you think of a way to

quickly and slid through the gap before peeking out. “Well, I can’t help you.

her with a hurt expression but didn’t force the issue.

been through a lot today, so she lay down and slept, still feeling happy. However, that didn’t last since

She moved closer in curiosity, and soon she could make them out. The elderly Mr. and Mrs. Husson was there, together with Scarlet, Walter, and her parents. Still, she

It was Ren.

you destroy your future because of

You can’t be together,” said

joy. You can’t destroy our family honor,”

was so shocked she fell onto the floor, then covered her face in

him,” shouted Ruka. She could see Ren’s worried face as

name. After her eyes snapped open and she found herself drenched in cold sweat, then she realized it was just a nightmare. She breathed harshly through her nose, with tears still lingering at

love with him because losing him had felt so

was still sleeping when a phone call woke her up.

father and I are now at the airport. Can you come back in the afternoon to help us clean up the house?” The

opened her eyes immediately, astonished. “Mom, are you back? Why didn’t

you a surprise, so we didn’t tell you.” Claire laughed.

Ruka replied with

enough, and I feel awful about it.” Claire must be calling for a cab, as she sounded frantic. “We have

home first. I’ll be there in the afternoon,”

prepare something good for dinner.” Claire hung up as

laughing at herself since she had refused to move in back then, but now she felt attached to this place. Nevertheless, she had no choice as her parents had taken a rare vacation to come home. So, she had to spend more time with them. As her gaze laid at the ring

packed her clothes into her luggage before going downstairs, wondering if Ren needed to work on weekends.

morning,” she replied

might be in the gym,” said the

was still home! Otherwise, she

other side of the glass to see Ren doing pushups, hands pressed against the floor and body taut with strength. His workout shorts revealed his perfectly muscled thighs, and she could probably see the veins all over his body from

mouth felt parched as her eyes wandered back, unable to stop herself

the doorway with a smile. “Why are you hiding? Come in if you want to

so she walked determinedly into the gym. She felt tiny in her flip-flops as she stood before him. Since the

them. She tried to lift one, but it refused to yield and stayed where it was. She felt

yourself if you can’t do it.” He smiled in amusement as he

“I can do it. Just

your muscles if you push

she moved on to the treadmill while Ren watched on the side. Soon, she was a little out of breath. It seemed that working out didn’t suit her after all. She also lost her balance in

wrapped them around her waist in a tight embrace. She could smell his sweat, yet she found the

back. I have to leave this afternoon,” she said as she raised her head to

down at her.

with cleaning the house. I’ll

her go either, yet he still sighed while

other often?”Ruka asked anxiously, worried that his position wouldn’t give them the chance to meet

reassured. Ruka knew how lucky she had

nodded. She knew she couldn’t be too demanding,

hold her, rubbing his chin against her hair, then kissing her forehead. Finally, she wrapped her arms around

heart race. He placed one hand around her waist and the other on her cheek, leaning down to

soft look. She raised her head to meet his gaze. She could feel her world

is on Christmas Eve. Make sure

purpose, “What if I forgot to

it, you’ll be the present for me to unwrap.” He emphasized the last word, making

the way the man’s eyes glimmered in amusement and anticipation even though he was outwardly threatening her.

blushed, and her heart thumped wildly in

her mother, pressing her to come home. Probably too embarrassed that I’m holed up at Ren’s place, Ruka assumed with a coy smile. She couldn’t imagine how her parents might

and she hated that she could not

passed Ruka the tray. Thereafter, Ruka

on the door, and the man replied

pushed the door open. Ren was going through documents, and when he looked up to see that she had brought him tea, a small smile tugged on his lips. “You must be thirsty! Have some tea,” she said

a ginger sip. Following that, he stretched out an arm and pulled Ruka onto his lap. She nuzzled into his embrace and

to leave me, huh?” Ren

him, Ruka nodded glumly and hummed in

a text when you miss me, and I’ll be right over,” he

to his work. “Work hard.

Ren insisted as he wanted to drop her home

quickly shook her head. “No, your fleet of cars draws far too

this.” With that, Ren signed his name on the

and she quickly grabbed a piece of blank paper

elegant autograph and laughed, saying, “I promise I’ll treasure this always.” She thought she might be the very first fan to have the vice president’s signature on

happily as she

Ruka was not hungry. She found herself thinking about how hard it would be for

home looking all scrawny, or your parents would file for abuse,” Ren chided good-naturedly as he heaped

and said, “Don’t worry about it. I bet they’re more

he had to take cold showers because of her presence here. If anything, she was the reason he had caught a cold after all these

their meal. Ruka looked torn; she wanted to stay, but

Elijah there, he did not say much to her. “Remember to take good care of

replied, her solemn gaze locking with

her once she had settled in the backseat. Elijah then started the car, but he did not step

he turned around and saw that the both of them were not speaking at all but merely watched one another with reluctance with eyes that were filled

to indicate that

glistening in her eyes. She did not want Ren to see her so

road. Ruka sighed. She knew that she could no longer see Ren from this distance, but something compelled

will not hesitate

concern for her. Returning the favor,

has always been a gentle person,” Elijah replied

pursed her lips to keep her laughter from bursting out. She thought about how

nestled in the center of town, and they

time Ruka arrived, and her parents had put up fairy lights that ran along the edge of the roof

looks heavy! You should have asked

fine. A friend of mine dropped me off

some last-minute New Year’s shopping later. Some of our relatives and friends

Ruka nodded. “Okay.”

been in a while, which made it harder for Claire and Robert to imagine how lonely things would get if she

gathered at the Singeds’ place for dinner. In the midst of the celebration, the grown-ups were more concerned about when the young ones would settle down. Ruka’s aunt, Vanya, in particular, had four children—three daughters and a son. For a while, Vanya had quite the load on her

two other daughters catching up to their mid-twenties, Vanya was anxious to see them married off. Her efforts continued tonight at

someone at the moment,

waved her hand frantically. “Oh, no, Aunt Vanya, I don’t feel like putting myself out there

not like the idea of having her daughter see anyone unless it was a truly nice young man who had the

Ruka’s always been pretty, and I’m sure she’ll blossom in the years

Ruka lowered her gaze, and for some reason, Ren’s silhouette surfaced in her mind.

she needs someone who can really care for

Ruka’s phone buzzed with a new message, and she glanced at it to see that it was from Ren. ‘What

table, then quickly replied, ‘Family dinner.

taken,’

‘I can’t,’ she objected.

of it,’

read this, and she buried this happy secret in the midst of

already past 10.00PM, and as she lay restlessly in bed, she thought about all the warm and happy memories she had

had gone from that to missing him even though they had only been apart for less than a day. Now, the idea of being together with him did not seem half

bother him

while they were strolling around while window shopping. She zoomed in on the photos and memorized his features through her screen. Gradually, a blush crept up her cheeks, and a strange heat

into the covers, blushing madly, and decided that it was dangerous

after a weekend’s worth of rest, but lightning struck when she walked into the office and realized that the results of their

her name on the list, and her heart plunged to her stomach when she saw that she had failed. She wasn’t sure if Victoria’s outward dislike toward her was the sole cause of this, or if the results were based on actual discrepancies

passed!” Michelle exclaimed happily, clapping her hands over her mouth in

caught the uneasy look on Ruka’s face, and she called out bluntly, “Hey, Ruka. Please tell me you’ve passed! This is just the first assessment,

everyone turned to look at her. Caspian was the only one who showed her any sympathy while the rest eyed her condescendingly. They were all thinking that this was what she deserved for pulling strings to get into the department. In any case, the assessment only proved that she had no right to be here