Accidental fun

“Sir? You have a letter.” Arthur tried and failed to get his employer’s attention as he walked in.

“Sir!” he ran behind Ethan who was quickly making his way into his room.

“Now Ethan is that any way to ignore your own butler?” A female voice stopped Ethan in his tracks.

“Oh god no.” he thought to himself before swivelling around to find a middle-aged woman standing with a curt smile.

“Mom?” He mumbled, more aghast than surprised as she walked over and hugged him.

“Oh my baby. How are you?” She smiled. Ethan hesitantly hugged him back. His mother, Marlena Lockwood, had left the country on a cruise nearly a year ago and had vowed not to reappear for the entirety of her retirement. If she was here, it meant that she wanted something.

“Now, where is Amanda?” Marlena smiled brightly waiting for her daughter-in-law to appear.

“Uhm, right. I couldn’t get a message through to you.” He sighed, scratching the back of his head, “Uhm mom. Amanda and I are getting a divorce…”

His mother gasped as dramatically as he knew she would, “Divorce?! Why Ethan! Oh, I raised you better than this why would you leave her? She-“

“She cheated on me with Hunter.” He stated simply.

The silence that took over the room was nearly suffocating.

“With… With Hunter” She frowned, her hand nearly trembling at the thought of her older son doing such a thing, “You must be mistaken.”

“I… I um, saw them together.” Ethan looked away finding it too intense to look into her eyes,“ I’m sorry. I know I’ve disappointed you by divorcing her.”

“ I want to talk to Hunter. Today. Arthur tell him I have come home and ask him to meet us for dinner today with Amanda. We will sort this out.”

“Mom…” Ethan tried to reason but he knew it was a losing battle. Once Marlena had made up her mind, there was no reasoning she would listen to.

Ethan looked at Arthur who passed him an understanding look.

And indeed, his mother did it. She arranged a dinner at Ethan’s house.

“I am so saddened to hear of what has happened.” His mother spoke as they all sat around the dining room table, “Amanda and Hunter…. How could you.”

Amanda opened her mouth to say something but Hunter had the decency to stop her. The older son, he looked similar to his brother. They both had dark wavy hair and were tall but Hunter was softer. One could look at him and tell that he had never lifted a finger in his life.

“ I didn’t expect this but… I want some reconciliation from this. Ethan, Hunter is your brother. You cannot ignore him for the rest of your life. “

“I can try.” Ethan pointed out.

“Ethan… please. I know the best way for us to reconcile and start the path to healing.” She said with a face full of peace.

Ethan and Hunter glared at each other from across the table… not very peaceful if you ask the author.

“We should all live together.” She proposed.

The table was in an uproar, with voices of disbelief echoing from every direction.

“this is my house and I won’t have a cheating-“ Ethan began but the rest of the words won’t be recounted as they are inappropriate… but you can guess them.

“Ethan…. This is my house. And I am your mother. SILENCE!” She yelled and then when silence was obtained, she was happy again.

Marlena sat down and began to chow down on her dinner as the rest of the table sat, stewing in anger.

Ethan pulled out his phone and began to text someone on the pretext of it being a work-related topic. While he was fuming inside and hating his life, Minnie was having the time of her life. With the money in her hand she had just paid off every debt she had ever had and was doing something that she hadn’t done in years. Shopping.

As Ellie took her around to clothing stores, she tried on clothes just for the fun of it and by the end of the day had nearly swapped out her entire wardrobe. A small part of it belonged to Ruby. It was filled with sexy short dresses, masks and heels.

The rest of the closet was the opposite. Smart sophisticated clothes that showcased her true nature. Smart and capable. She even upgraded her glasses.

“You look stunning in everything! I should leave law and become a fashion designer!” Ellie chuckled as Minnie modelled all her new clothes, “I’ve never seen you smile this much!”

“I… It’s been a long time since I’ve had this much fun and not cared about money.”

“So are you going to quit being Ruby when he gives you this job?” Ellie asked.

“Probably yeah…” Minnie nodded, although a part of her would miss meeting Ethan as Ruby. She knew meeting him as herself would never be the same. He would be guarded and Stoic. Him opening up to her was only reserved for Ruby.

“Ooh that soured your mouth a tad didn’t it?” Ellie narrowed her eyes, realizing what Minnie would miss about being Ruby, “you could still be Ruby you know…”

“Oh come on, why would I stand at street corners when I am earning this much.” She scoffed at the idea.

“I mean, just for him. He could call you and you could answer.” Ellie shrugged. Although Minnie entertained the idea, she stayed silent.

“Think about it,” Ellie smiled as she stood up from their new bed, “I’m going to get us some dinner My treat. Chinese sound good?”

“Sounds good.” Minnie smiled and then noticed a buzz on her phone.

As soon as she saw who it was a smile crossed her face.

“I’ll even pay for this conversation but I need to lighten my mood. What are you up to?” The text message from Ethan read.

“I bought myself some new clothes.”  She replied.

“Ah spoiling yourself I see.” His text read, “good. I’m glad. Tell me the truth, should I stop wearing suits?”

Chuckling at the silliness of his question, she lay on her bed that had clothes scattered all over it and texted him like a schoolgirl.

She didn’t ask for pay after all.