Five

Ruby

“Who on earth does that woman think she is?” 

Okay. Maybe it was no argument, but there was no mistaking how furious my Dad was at that moment and it would be for a reason I could easily guess. 

“Dominic, she didn’t do anything to her," Mom cajoled, her voice a bit tired.

“But she went to meet her at her school. Why?”

I could picture my Dad tossing his suit somewhere he won’t remember.

Then, I could see my mom folding her arms after running her hand through her hair.

“Because she is her mother, Dom. Let’s just wait for-”

“Diane doesn’t deserve to be her mother and you know that. Don’t tell me you have forgotten what happened with the whole Samantha thing.”

Samantha. 

I frowned. I do remember Mom having a friend named Samantha who took me in at a certain time. Well that was until…

“Dominic, don’t.”

My frown deepened at the tone of my mother's voice. And then my head started to calculate things. Unlike her other friend, David who checks on us once in a while with his wife and kids, I have not seen this Samantha person in years. And judging by the way Mom’s voice suddenly weighed down, I had to wonder if she was dead.

“Sorry,” he gruffly apologized. “We need to ensure Diane doesn’t come around Ruby. She could do worse things than she did back then.”

“My thoughts exactly,” came her response.

And I knew I had to go in at that moment before my Dad chooses to organise a crazy plan. Within a second, I was facing the living room where the two were now sharing a kiss.

I had no words.

My eyes just blinked and my mind wondered; how did they go from discussing my issue to kissing? 

“Uh… Hey guys.”

“Ruby… hmm.” Mom shoved Dad aside and came towards me, her lips clamped. When she got to where I was, she held me by my shoulders and asked, “How are you, baby?”

“I am fine, Mom.” My mind was still trying to debate whether to comment on the scene I just saw or if I should just take it as the universe taunting a very single me. “Dad, you are around.”

I chose the latter.

“Ruby…” He bored his serious gaze into me. “What did Diane want from you?”

“Dom! Why should that be the first question you’d ask her?” Mom reprimanded him and I almost smiled because I knew he wouldn’t listen, he’ll just ask the question again.

“It’s fine, Mom. Hey Dad,” I decided to initiate the greeting as I walked toward him. Surprisingly, he had one of his occasional kisses for me and he pulled me closer to plant a warm, fatherly kiss on my forehead. 

“Hey, Ruby. How have you been?”

“Fine.” I shrugged and he questioned me with his searching eyes. “And, about Diane, she said she had been looking all over for me but she didn’t say why.”

“You must have been startled.”

A replay of how knotted I felt at that moment flew by and I sighed.

“I am fine, Dad.”

“We should make sure she doesn’t come around you.”

“How?”

“I was thinking of getting a form of security for you.”

My eyes narrowed instantly. There is no way on earth I would let that happen.

“No, Dad,” I said strongly. As though it was my first time standing my ground with him, my father frowned, his eyes wearing a mix of concern and authority.

“Ruby…” he started. “You need protection now that people know you are my daughter. And I am not just talking about securing you from Diane, I have rivals who would play dirty and want to hurt you.” His hands reached for my shoulders. “It is for your good to have a guard around.”

“No!” He looked even more surprised. “It is hard enough to have people stare at me and now you want to complicate it and have people follow me around like I am about to be attacked by terrorists?”

“Ruby…” Mom concernedly butted in. “Are you having a hard time in school?”

“No. It’s just that the looks I have been getting are making me uncomfortable and all. I just want things to be back to normal soon, so getting a bodyguard won’t work for me.”

“But isn’t your safety more important than how people stare at you? Diane never looked after you for the nineteen years you have been alive, so trust me when I say that she is going to do something that will endanger you.”

“Dad…” I whined. I knew he wouldn’t agree at once.

“Dominic, it is fine. I am sure we can come up with an idea that would guarantee everyone’s safety and happiness,” Mom said and I couldn’t help but love her more. “So let’s forget about getting a guard for her.”

“But-” Mom looked his way and he sighed. “If things get worse, we will do things my way.”

“Okay, Dad.” I grinned. “Don’t worry, I will be fine. I will survive this change.”

“I know you will,” said the wonderful woman beside me as her hand ran soothingly along my back. “Would you like some milk and cookies?” Gladdened by her question, I made a babyish face, and nodded frantically.

“I don’t get milk and cookies?” Dad asked.

“No. You get something else.” She winked and I sensed the flirting spirit that passed. And since I was not ready to get taunted again, I quickly found my way to my room.

~

After four and a half hours of sleep, I was at my desk, my numerous assignments sprawled before me. And since I had no idea where to start, I grabbed my phone and decided to message Abby. 

After ten minutes of doing nothing but alternating between staring at my phone and blankly checking the Chemistry textbook in front of me, I called Abby’s number.

She didn’t pick up, so I called Jake.

‘Hey you,’ he sounded different, like he had been using his energy to do something.

“Hi. I am bored.”

‘Do you want to watch me work out?’ he suggested swiftly. ‘You can cheer me on as I do my push-ups.’

I chuckled. “Why would you need me to cheer you?”

‘I just want to help you feel less bored. Anyway, are you good?’

“Depends.”

‘Everything has changed so fast, hasn’t it?’ I replied in affirmative, my head nodded too. ‘I hope that doesn’t mean you’ll be exposed to danger though. We’ll all go nuts if something happens to you.’

His words made me smile.

“I hope nothing crazy happens. I pray my real mother showing up is the limit. My dad mentioned something about some of his business rivals playing dirty games. He is worried they’ll target me.”

‘Let’s hope they don’t. And if they do, I will make them regret laying their hands on my girl.’ A giggle could not be helped. ‘I know how strong you are Ruby, you’ll survive whatever crazy thing it is that’s coming your way.’

“Thanks, Jake.”

‘Are you certain you don’t want to watch me work out? I am quite a sight.’ He quickly changed the topic.

“Ugh… puh-lease. You can ask Abby though.”

‘She’ll chase me off,’ Jake simply said and I could already see the brunette screaming at a half-naked Jake to get off her phone.

Man, that girl definitely likes him. She either doesn’t realize it or she’s just good at pretending. But I should study Jake too and see if he likes her. 

Or… I could just stylishly ask him.

“Jake?” A loud noise followed- it sounded like it came from a motorbike. And since the noise hindered our conversation, Jake had to hang up and I was left with myself and my assignments.

Well, I could as well start them.

‘Oh Dominic.’

Like a deer about to be hunted, I became alert and my eyes narrowed dramatically at what my ears just picked up.

'Hmm, yes Dom.’

My eyes widened. My parents are… doing it.

Don’t they realize they have two kids in the house? And why-?

‘Grace…’

I suddenly felt like shrinking. Or maybe ripping my ears off. It was just felt so wrong that I could hear them. And I can not even complain or shout at them to shut up.

My hands on my ears as I tried to block out the noise, I scanned the room for my headset. Then, the door opened and Zion walked in quietly.

“Hey Zee.” Did he hear them too? Of course he would have, it’s a small house.

“Ruby?” He sat on the edge of my bed as gently as possible and stared right at me. “Why is Mummy shouting Daddy’s name?”