Chapter 10 : If You Make a Mistake, You Have to Apologize 1

This morning, Amber prepared coconut cakes and arranged them in a basket for her daughter to deliver as an apology to Paula for climbing over the fence yesterday. Ruby dressed herself with care, choosing a sleeveless white lace top and a cream-colored skirt that brushed just below her knees.

“Putting the desserts in boxes… Mom, can you really do it alone? Will you finish in time?” Ruby was still worried about her mother, who hadn’t finished packing yet.

“Of course, Ruby. The customers are schedul ed to pick up the snacks at ten o’clock, so there’s plenty of time. Besides, you’ve been up helping me since early morning. Hurry up, mid-morning is perfect for a dessert.”

“Then I’ll go first.” Ruby carried the basket and walked out the front door. She stopped and rang the doorbell at Paula’s house.

Because the housekeeper was still away, Theo answered the door. The young man froze momentarily before recognizing the person standing outside his house.

“Is that you, Ruby?”

“Theo.” Ruby looked a little confused. Theo had changed a lot over the past seven years. She never imagined that the lanky, thin young man of the past would become a muscular, handsome man with such charm.

“Speechless, are you, Ruby?” The one being stared at smiled secretly at her reaction. Of course, anyone would be stunned to look at him like this.

“Oh, hello, Theo.” Ruby quickly raised her hand to greet him. She had been so stunned that she had been a little rude.

“Why are you here?” Theo stood in the way, as if he didn’t want her to enter his house.

“I came to apologize for yesterday. Please let me see Paula, Theo.” She tried not to get upset at this moment. Theo leaned in closer and pouted at her.

“No.”

“Theo! I’m not here to see you, I’m here to see Paula.”

“Oh? Are you here to see my mother or Chris?”

“Who I’m here to see is none of your business. I’m definitely not here for you.”

“Ruby, this is my house. I’m not letting you in.”

“It’s Paula and Chris’s house. Theo, you don’t have the ability to build a house this big anyway.” Ruby had lost her patience with him. Ever since they were young, he had always opposed her in everything. She couldn’t understand why she disliked him so much.

“You dare scold me, Ruby? You haven’t changed a bit—still the same, with no respect for me at all.”

“If you acted properly, Theo, how could I not respect you?”

“Ruby!”

“Ouch! Let go of me, Theo!” Ruby was grabbed by the arm and pushed away from the front of the house.

“Get out! Go back to your own house! Leave the way you came. No one in this house welcomes you, Ruby.”

“Theo!”

“Go back to your house. Just go!” Theo waved her away as if she were something dangerous. Ruby lingered at the doorstep, clutching the basket. He guarded the entrance, poised to block her if she advanced. The more he forbade her, the more determined she became. Ruby peered into the house, then raised her hand to stifle a laugh.

“Paula! Are you home? I’m Ruby! I came to see you! My mother sent these snacks for you! Are you home? Theo won’t let me in!”

“Hey! Ruby!” Theo ran up to her and quickly pressed his palm over her mouth to stop her loud shouting.

“Ouch!” Ruby bit Theo’s hand, forcing him to let go, and then she shoved him away with full strength.

“Ruby!” Theo watched in anger as the girl holding the basket ran into the house. His hand hurt too. Ruby, that little rascal.

Having cleaned the house once before, Ruby knew where the living room was. Seeing Paula sitting with Chris, she quickly raised her hand to greet them both.

“Hello, Paula, Chris.”

“Sit down, Ruby. I was wondering what all the shouting was about out front.”

“Mom!” Theo ran after her, holding the spot where he had been bitten. Everyone looked at Ruby and Theo, their minds filled with questions.

“So Ruby’s yelling was all because of you, Theo?” Paula narrowed her eyes on her youngest son. Theo looked at the source of the trouble that had gotten him scolded, then walked over to sit beside his mother.

“I didn’t do it, Mom. I just asked why she was here, that’s all.”

“Just that? Then why did Ruby shout like that? I don’t believe you.”

“Mom, I’m telling the truth.”

What a liar. Ruby wanted to laugh out loud, but she still felt cautious around the homeowner. She glanced at Chris and saw that he was already looking at her.

“So, what brings you here?” Chris asked first, his tone rather curt.

“Paula.” Ruby turned to the older woman instead, pretending to ignore Chris’s question.

“Well, Ruby, what is it? Do you bring something?”

“I… I want to apologize for yesterday.”

“Apologize for what? I haven’t heard anything about it.” Ruby heard that and looked at Chris. Had he not told his mother yet? But since she had come to apologize, she had to do it.

“I… I want to apologize for climbing over Paula’s fence yesterday to retrieve the ball.”

“Ruby, you actually climbed over my wall?” Theo shouted at her, clearly intending to embarrass her.

“I didn’t see any cars parked outside, so I thought no one was home.”

“But I was home, Mom,” Chris spoke up.

“Oh, you were home? Then why didn’t you open the door for Ruby?”

“Chris isn’t at fault, Paula. It’s my fault for not ringing the doorbell. I thought no one was home, so I took the liberty of climbing over the fence.”

“But when she tried to climb back, she couldn’t, and I had to escort her to the door,” Chris added, making her feel worse.

“Next time, don’t do that, Ruby. You might fall and break a leg,” Paula warned kindly.

“I’m sorry, Paula. I won’t dare to do that again,” Ruby apologized, promising sincerely.

“And what’s in that basket?”

“Oh, they’re freshly made coconut cake. My mother asked me to bring them for you,” she said, sliding the basket toward Paula.

“They look so delicious, Chris. Look, you’re going to like them for sure. Amber’s baking is well-known.” Paula opened the basket and slid it toward her eldest son.

“Since Ruby’s here today, stay and chat with me first. It’s the weekend; I’m not going anywhere.”