Summary - Reader and Ruben have been in a friends with benefits situation for over three years now, with Reader eventually looking for something more serious. But what does Ruben want?

Enjoy!

"So what's Joshua up to?" Your friend Tina asked, as the two of you stood folding the newest collection of sweaters.

"My boyfriend?" You blushed.

After months of recollection to get back on track with your life, you were determined to put your past behind you and focus on your career at Ralph Lauren. Your colleagues even noticed the change in you and with each passing day you found yourself becoming more dedicated and committed to your job. You were always the first to arrive and the last to leave. You poured all your energy into creating exquisite displays and styling customers, making sure they walked out of the store feeling confident and satisfied.

As your career soared, so did your love life. You met Joshua, a kind and charming man who appreciated your passion for fashion. You shared an instant connection, and you found yourself falling for him. Your relationship was filled with laughter, support, and encouragement, serving as a stark contrast to the toxic dynamic you had experienced with Ruben.

"He's actually in town, looking for an apartment to rent."

"He's not staying with you?"

You shook your head. "Not yet. But I don't think it will be long before he does."

"Wow, so you and Ruben are really over?"

"Yes." You were quick to answer, ignoring the sudden jolt of your heart.

"Good for you."

Tina left you with the pile of sweaters to deal with a new client that just entered the shop. All though she was right that you and Ruben were truly over, you didn't care to mention the many text messages he still sent you, and how you read them all but never replied.

Ruben: I miss you. Let's meet up and talk soon, okay?

Ruben: Y/N, is there anyway I can fix what happened between us?

Ruben: Y/N, you up?

The messages would flood in during all hours of the day. Your theory for this was that Ruben would have his moments of weakness and think of you at random. In reality he probably had plenty of other women lining up outside of his bedroom door.

"Y/N, a little help please?"

You had been daydreaming, folding sweaters mechanically, when Tina came back, looking flushed and in need of your assistance.

"What's going on?" You frowned.

"You'll see." She said and practically pulled you with her to the front of the shop. There he stood....

"Ruben?"

After having been on your mind seconds ago.

"Y/N! I thought that this was where you worked." He grinned, that familiar grin of his, that you've worked so hard to forget.

"What are you doing here?" You frowned.

Tina hit you in the arm.

You winced. "Ouch."

"He's a costumer, Y/N."

She gave you a stern look, indicating that you should be treating Ruben like any other costumer.

"Of course." You said, bowing your head apologetically.

"I hope I didn't come in a bad time?" He said.

"Of course not." Tina waved, having already put on her best costumer service smile. You, on the other hand, struggled with that.

"What can we do for you today, Mr Dias?"

Ruben looked to you, flashing an amused smile. "I saw your new collection in the window." He said. "I thought, why not try it on?"

"All of it?" You spat.

Tina stepped in.

"Of course you can!"

Ruben smirked. "Great, how about we start with some of the plain whites?"

"Right this way Mr Dias."

Tina led him to the dressing rooms, snapping her fingers at you to prepare the mandatory tray of fruit that all costumers were offered during a fitting such as this one. Those kind of fitting usually lasted an hour though, with costumers trying on an outfit or two. If Ruben was going to try on a whole collection, how long would that take?

"Since when do you wear Ralph Lauren?"

It turned out to be a busy day at the shop. Tina left you to deal with Ruben as your costumer, since you "happened to know" all of his measurements already.

"Since when do you wear Saint Laurent perfume." He chuckled.

"Just answer my question Ruben, what are you doing here?"

"Shouldn't you be calling me Mr Dias?"

You rolled your eyes.

The two of you were confined to his dressing room, where you helped him roll up the sleeve to the shirt he was trying on.

"I came to see you of course?" He said, tilting his head a little, meeting your eyes.

"Is that so?" You muttered, too busy with fitting him into his clothes.

"How have you been , Y/N? I've missed you."

"Ruben please." You sighed.

"What?"

How could he do this to you, showing up out of the blue?

"I haven't seen you for months and now suddenly here you are?"

"Here I am." He shrugged.

"I've been trying so hard to forget about you and now..."

"With trying, you mean...not succeeding?" He raised a brow.

You rolled your eyes.

"Y/N, I'm just fucking with you. I just happened to be in the neighborhood."

"Really?"

"Really." He nodded. "I've got an event in the evening and thought I might as well try on some outfits when I have someone who can give me their employee discount."

"Who, me?'

He shrugged.

You burst out laughing. "Ruben I'm not giving you no discount."

"Why not? Because I'm rich? I'm sure that counts as discrimination at this day and age."

You laughed again, throwing your head back. "Ruben, what do you know of any form of discrimination? At best I bet your mom didn't let you have dessert before eating your vegetables."

"Hey?" He frowned. "Don't talk about my Mamãe." He nudged your arm that held onto his sleeve.

"I'm sorry Ruben, but you have to admit, you're not the on to talk."

He muttered something inaudible under his breath.

Your hand left his sleeve and went to the buttons on his chest, his large pecs resting underneath the palm of your hands.

"Like this right, that's how you like it?"

You unhooked two of his buttons, avoiding eye contact at all cost.

"One more." He whispered.

You raised your head, a big mistake. You were now looking deeply into his eyes.

"One more should do it." Ruben winked.

You lowered your gaze, hiding you flushed expression, staring blankly into his chest.

"Y/N, I..."

"Ruben don't. "

His hands had gone rest on both sides of your waist a long time ago. You left them there because the rush that flooded your veins when they did felt so good, but also so wrong.

"Y/N, I..."

"I said, don't...say another word Ruben. Not a single word."

You were afraid that if he did, if he said something to win you back, you'd be too weak to resist him and jump into his arms right there and then.

"Okay, I won't say anything."

"You just did."

The pressure on your waist increased as Ruben moved his hands upwards, caressing your ribs.

"I just wanted you to know that I made a mistake and that I want you back."

You looked up, meeting his soft expression with a frown.

"I want us to try again Y/N, I want you to be my girlfriend."

"Um...what?"

He bent down, his large frame already towering over you. The kiss came as a surprise, but you quickly made yourself familiar with his lips. Soon Ruben had you pressed to the dressing room wall, a hand up your skirt. You were drowning in his kisses, deep and laced with a lustful wanting.

"Y/N, I think you should..."

Tina pulled the dressing room curtains and gasped. You and Ruben managed to pull away from each other, but not fast enough to avoid your colleague from seeing the explicit show that you had just put on.

"Tina, I can..."

She put up a hand, silencing you.

"But I..."

She shook her head, with an expression of terror. "Joshua is here."

"What!" Quickly, you wiped your lips and straightened your skirt.

"He says he brought you lunch." Her gaze shifted over your shoulder to where Ruben stood. "But I guess you're not so hungry anymore?"

"Who's here?" Ruben frowned.

"Fuck me." You sighed.

The universe seemed to revel in finding new ways to torment you. Just when you thought that you had your shit together. "There you are!"

Your eyes widened as you beheld your boyfriend Joshua's familiar form striding in. His humble gaze connected with yours, however, somthing shifted in his expression as you approached him with something, or should you say someone, walking closely behind you.

You turned, noticing Ruben. His gaze intensified, a mixture of curiosity and envy dancing within his piercing eyes.

"Joshua, what are you doing here?" You said.

"Lunch break?" He said holdingup a briwn paperbag. He approached you, planting a swift kiss upon your already plump lips.

"Oh, well I..."

You had been too busy dealing with Ruben all day that you had forgotten that you and Joshua were supposed to meet up for lunch.

"Are you busy with a costumer? Don't worry I'll wait."

"Oh...okay."

Ruben made his way over to the cash register, a predatory glint in his eyes. You weren't sure of which items he had decided to buy, since he had barely finished trying on the new collection.

"Joshua?" He chuckled, low enough so that only the two of you could hear

"Yes, he's my boyfriend." You muttured.

Ruben's eyes widened, a hint of a smile on his lips.

You scanned the clothes that he had brought forward, a sweater and two pairs of pantaloons.

"That'll be 699£." You said.

Ruben pulled out his wallet without saying a word, swiping his credit card, paying for his items.

"Your receipt?"

He looked down on your outstretched hand, offering him the piece of paper.

"Keep it." He winked.

Ruben left the store without acknowledging Joshua, without even throwing him a second glance.

"So..." Tina said, standing by, observing all of your drama unfold. "I guess you're going off to have lunch?"

You nodded, tossing Ruben's receipt in the trash. "I'll be back in an hour."