Protagonist! Please Stay Away from Me 2!-Chapter 24: Can the Original Track Be Changed?

I sat back on the couch and muted the TV, the faint static of the screen fading into silence. Evening had settled quietly over the mansion — that soft, golden hour slipping into dusk, when the city outside hummed with distant life but the room felt like an island.

"Sharon, how are you feeling?" Ruby’s voice came from beside me, calm but laced with humour. She was sitting cross-legged, hair still a little messy from earlier, a teasing glint in her eyes.

I sighed and dropped my head against the cushion. "My whole body is aching. It’s your fault."

Ruby raised a brow, mock-offended. "Mine? I seem to recall you being the one full of energy. You were very enthusiastic during sex... when I was the one doing all the work."

I felt the heat crawl up my cheeks. "It’s during sex," I corrected quietly, eyes narrowing but mouth curving into a small smile. "Now, it’s over."

She laughed softly, leaning back. "Over for you, maybe. I could go another round."

"God, Ruby, you’re insatiable," I muttered, hugging a pillow to my chest. The fabric still smelled faintly of her — warm, faintly floral, something that made my chest tighten. "I’m serious, I can barely move. My thighs are screaming."

"Poor baby," she crooned, shifting closer until her knee brushed mine. "Want me to massage them?"

I gave her a look — suspicious but tempted. "That’s just an excuse to start something again."

"And if it is?" Her tone was playful, but her eyes softened. Ruby had that way of mixing care and trouble, always making the air between us tremble with unspoken things.

I leaned against her shoulder. The warmth of her skin seeped through me, quieting the ache bit by bit. "You’re impossible."

"Maybe. But you like impossible." Ruby’s hand came up to gently stroke my hair, fingers slipping through the strands, slow and affectionate. "You act all flustered now, but during sex, you—"

"Don’t," I interrupted, half-whining, burying my face against her. "I’m embarrassed enough."

Ruby’s laughter was gentle this time. "You’re adorable when you’re shy, you know that?"

"I think you enjoy teasing me more than anything."

"Not more than loving you," she murmured. The teasing edge faded from her voice, and I felt her hand settle on mine, still. Just that — quiet and warm.

I shook my head as I pushed her away. "Ruby, it’s time to be serious. I think it would be better if I tell you about the plan right now," I said. My words were full of seriousness, reflecting the seriousness in my eyes.

Ruby nodded, "Fine, Sharon. Tell me."

"Before I start, can you tell me about your previous work experience?" I asked her.’

She replied, "I used to keep the world on track. Remove the unnecessary elements through some methods."

I put the pillow beside me. "So, no one change the original track?" I asked her.

Original track?

The Bureau was the one that decides this ’original’ track. Everything works according to them. But if someone has so much control... why don’t change it? Amongst them, I am pretty sure that someone can change the track. I mean, everyone can’t be satisfied, right?

Ruby took a deep breath before nodding. "Yes, the track can be changed," she answered.

A smile blossomed on my face.

Bingo!

I knew it.

"The Bureau likes to change the track of some specific worlds, right?" I asked.

There must be some worlds that The Bureau has changed.

Ruby’s eyes turned downcast. With a sad look, she replied, "They do... like they did with mine."

I rubbed my thumb over the back of her hand. Leaning on her shoulder, I whispered, "I am sorry for making you recall these sad memories."

"It’s fine, Sharon. I will answer your every question. Now, don’t feel any regret—don’t be sad for me," Ruby smiled softly. "I will not be angry at you."

"Really?"

"Yes."

I smirked, tilting my head just enough to catch Ruby’s gaze. "You really like me too much, don’t you?"

"Too much?" she echoed, the corner of her mouth twitching before she leaned in. The couch’s leather creaked softly under her weight. She kissed the back of my neck, a light, slow touch that sent a warm shiver crawling down my spine.

"Do you want to find out?" she whispered, her breath brushing over my skin like silk.

My heart skipped, heat rising all the way to my ears. "Ruby..." I breathed, half warning, half plea. She was impossible. Always one sentence away from turning an ordinary conversation into something tangled and dangerous.

I twisted around and pushed at her shoulder, crimson colouring my cheeks. "Can we be serious for a minute?" I hissed.

Ruby blinked, expression softening only momentarily before mischief crept back in. "Of course, I am serious, honey."

"You don’t look serious at all!" I snapped, though it didn’t come out as harsh as I wanted. My voice broke halfway, betrayal by nerves more than frustration.

She straightened a little, pressing her lips together like she was fighting back a laugh. "Oh, come on, Sharon, don’t be angry. I’m sorry~" she sing-songed, stretching the word with exaggerated sweetness.

I crossed my arms. "You’re mocking me."

"No," she said quickly, but her grin gave her away. "You just look so adorable when you’re annoyed. I can’t help it."

I groaned, covering my face with both hands. "You are impossible."

"And yet, here you are, still stuck with me," she teased, leaning closer again. "I must be doing something right."

I peeked at her through my fingers. "You drive me insane."

"Good. Then we’re even." She chuckled, reaching out to gently peel my hands from my face. Her touch was careful now, the earlier playfulness softening into something calmer, realer. "Hey. I didn’t mean to upset you."

My shoulders dropped as I sighed. "You didn’t. I just... sometimes I wish you’d stop making everything a flirt."

Ruby’s smile gentled. "I’ll try," she murmured, thumb tracing small circles on the back of my hand. "But with you, it’s hard not to."

I laughed, "You will never learn, will you? Also, stop playing with my hand."

"Nope."