THE END IS JUST THE BEGINNING

We advise that you listen to: Con La Brisa by Foudeqush & Ludwig Goransson

August 2026, Age 28

Violet walked along the bright city of Lima Peru. Her bag was full of spices and foods for her head chef position later tonight. She smiled vividly fixing her sunglasses. People filled the streets but this time she enjoyed the attention.

"Granny I told you after my month here I'm going to be in Cuba for a minute," Violet told her grandmother over the phone.

The signal was a bit weak but she could hear her grandmother's loud voice, "Chile, you better make time to come see me!"

"Yeah, how am I here before you?" Oakley called out eating a plate of soul food in the background.

Violet stopped in her tracks, "What?"

Her grandmother smiled, "Your boyfriend makes time to come see me while he's here in Miami."

"So this is why you wouldn't text me back?" Violet entered her apartment locking the door behind her.

Oakley smiled taking the phone, "You know state time is different than Peru time."

"Actually it's about the same time." Violet snickered fanning herself as she overlooked the city from her balcony.

"Fine, I just wanted to surprise you."

"I know. I appreciate you checking in on her for me. Are you still flying out to Romania?" Violet asked.

She used to get sad when she was left alone but now she enjoyed her solitude. Both of them were busy but that never stopped them from seeing each other. Oakley smiled, "Yeah, I got an early flight."

"I think I can fly out next week and meet you." Violet thought since she hadn't seen him since June.

"We'll talk about it."

Violet playfully rolled her eyes. She knew something was up with him and she didn't like it. He was sneaking around, "Okay. I love you."

Later, Violet's balcony door sat open. The salty breeze sent chills down her spine. Music filled the streets and the spicy smells of her cooking could be smelled a few doors down. Violet furrowed her eyebrows as she tasted one of her recipes.

A knock on her yellow door sounded. She turned off the burner moving her food. She had on one of Oakley's tee shirts. It still smelled like him. Violet gasped seeing him look up from the floor.

She jumped into his arms, "ay dios mio."

He laughed hugging her tightly, "I see you picked up Spanish."

Violet giggled pulling him inside, "Sorry. I've been speaking Spanish since I got here."

Oakley's eyes twinkled as he watched her rant about her latest recipes at her apprenticeship. He was so proud of her. If anything he thought she was the smartest girl in the world, "It's okay. I wanted to surprise you."

Violet pulled him down on the couch straddling him. She hugged him again enjoying the physical touch, "I knew something was up. You weren't going to Romania?"

He shook his head no, "Nah. It's cool if I stay here for two weeks before I head to Tokyo?"

"Of course." She whispered kissing his lips.

Oakley held her waist pulling her close, "I wanted to ask you something."

Violet pecked his lips, "What is it?"

Violet moved off of him as he dug around in his hoodie pocket. Oakley pulled out a red velvet box. It creaked open revealing a diamond ring. It wasn't flashy, that wasn't her style. But it was bold and beautiful.

"Marry me." He whispered watching her expression.

Violet felt tears prick her eyes, "No fucking way."

"Listen, I know we've been going in circles our whole lives. But these past few years being with you fully, I've learned so much about us and myself. Violet, you make me better. I enjoyed watching you grow and find yourself. If you don't want to get married we don't have to. I can even take the ring back."

She shushed him, "I'll marry you."

He laughed in relief taking the ring out of the box and sliding it on his finger. Violet's hand shook as she held it up. It sparkled even in the dim apartment, "I thought you were gonna say no."

"I would never. I'm done running." She told him eyeing the ring again.

"I'm glad."

Violet watched as he pulled out his phone snapping a picture. Her hand with the ring was at the forefront. They were in the back cheesing like school kids. He smiled holding her hand. His finger lightly traced the ring. She wasn't going anywhere.

Oakley hit the post button on the picture. The caption read, she's as cold as ice but for me, she melted into my heart. It reminded her of the song named after her, so many years ago. Violet snickered, "I'm deading this Ruby shit."

"What?"

Violet traced his face tattoo, "It's time for me to reclaim the name. I'm no longer that fifteen-year-old girl who was fighting the world."

"I know and I'm proud of you babe."

"I love you forever and always," Violet told him running a hand through his curls.

Oakley flashed her an infamous smile. The one that she fell in love with as a teen. Their experiences flashed through her mind for a split second.

And in that moment she realized that she had finally healed from her past traumas. And from now on she'd live her life to the fullest with the best person by her side.

"Forever and always." He responded kissing her lips.

Dear Diary,

My last entry. I finally figured it out. This whole time I was entitled to what the world had in store for me. I just kept taking and taking, all while people took from me.

But now I know that I had to fight back. I had to go for what I wanted. Through the trials and tribulations I could've still been that teenage girl stuck on London. Using her pain as an excuse to create more pain.

Ruby lasted a good while but now Violet Ruby Diamant is here to stay...

Authors Note:

Ugh i loved this story so much! Thank you to everyone that finished it! Ruby is a story about how I felt a lot of the time as a teenager.

But I'm here to tell you that you can always overcome the hardships of life AND find love in that. There's beauty at the end of struggle. 💋

Vote & comment: I wanna hear all the tea!