Chapter 4 COUSIN DATE

~ RUBY INGRID ~

“Good aftie!!“ I screamed as soon as I entered the apartment. Annaliese was already in the living room with books and food on the table, her things were scattered on the floor and her messy bun just made her even cuter!

“Psh, don’t smile at me like that. You’re so creepy.“ She sneered and continue reading her books.

I can’t just let all the positive vibe flow through me, I need to give my cousin some since she’s always stressed from school and work. I went to her side and quietly sat on the couch. Even if I don’t look at her I know she’s following all my movements and thinking how crazy I am and that I’m a psycho.

“Geez, couz, please stay away from me. I don’t want to fight with you right now.“ She insisted but I am so in the mood to date my cousin.

“Say, couz. Why don’t we take a break and go out for a date, hmm?“ I wiggled my brows teasingly, hoping that she’ll take a break from her studies and have fun with me. “Come on, my treat.“

Her head instantly popped up when she heard what I added, “okay, wait. I’ll just change some clothes.“ I squinted my eyes but she was quick to ignore me and went to her room.

As I was left in the living area, I tried to look at what she was studying and shook my head when I saw a scrapbook, all about vampires and mates. I can’t even understand some of it because it was mostly written in strange words. I’m still amazed at how she was able to study this kind of thing.

“Uh-oh, don’t tell me you’re into vampires now?“ She appeared behind me, pretty fast but I guess I’m just too occupied.

“Hah, no way. You know, couz, to see is to believe is more accurate than reading those folk tales. You haven’t even seen one.“ I’m just trying to annoy her and it actually works. “Kidding,“ I added with a peace sign. The last thing I want to do was to edge her patience with my unfiltered mouth and free-spirited self, so I decided not to ruin her fantasy about those fanged-bat-like creatures.

“When the time comes and I saw one, even just one of them, I’ll tell them to suck your blood until you’re fully bloodless.“ She smiled creepily and her laugh’s made her more scary. She has the laugh of a goat and hyena at the same time. What a talent. “So, where are we going?“

We went out of our apartment building and walk toward the nearest restaurant. My salary was supposed to be our monthly budget but since I already had a new job, I’ll be giving this up and treat my lovely cousin.

The one and only, Annaliese Morgan.

“Here, let’s order some food first, then we’ll go to the mall and buy your needs and some groceries.“ She gave a questioning look, probably startled at my sudden action since this is the first I’m doing this. “You’re getting weirder every... single... day.“

I just puckered my lips and acted to kiss her but she slammed her palm on my face, leading me to have a glimpse of her ring finger. “Wait...“ I heard her hand and my mouth widen in amusement. “We have the same ring!? Oh, what gemstone is that? An amber?“ I asked, it was of yellow color that shines when the light hit it.

“It’s citrine.“ She answer shortly so I wondered if she was also the one who gave this ring to me.

“Couz,“ she instantly raised a brow. “Were you the one who gave this to me? I just end up seeing this earlier and I can’t remember buying something like this.“ I’m curious where the heck this rings are coming from.

“No, of course not! I can’t even afford my own groceries!“ We both fell to silence when the waiter came to serve our orders. We’re seated in front of each other so I can clearly see how her brows would sometimes furrowed. Her forehead will wrinkle and her lips would often pout as if she was also thinking the same as I am. “I got this from a stranger, she said she wants to give to me, I just had this earlier when I got out of our apartment.“ She said in a low voice and exaggeratedly, both of us sigh at the same time.

“I don’t even know when I got this ring. I woke up from a very weird dream this morning and just woke up with this ring, curled on my finger.“

Another pause entered between us, the hair on my nape rose as I felt someone’s intensifying stares. I roamed my eyes around the place. Everything looks strange and unfamiliar, the strange feeling I was having earlier just went chilling all over my body that it almost made my breath heavy.

“Annaliese.“

“Ruby.“ We called each other at the same time, her forehead was filled with bullets if sweats and her breath is uneven. “I think we should go back home, I kinda feel sick.“ She stated with a weak voice and it worries me. I think she’s really not feeling better because of her pale lips and slightly trembling arms.

“Okay, stay here first. I’ll just take our order out so we can eat it at home.“ I asked for some waiter and it didn’t take long when we’re both ready to go out. I can still the staring but unlike earlier, it’s already comfortable and safe so I gently hugged Annaliese’s arm and helping her walk properly. “Do you have a fever? Do you want me to take you to the hospital?“

The restaurant was three blocks away from us so we easily got home safely. Our apartment is at the third floor of the whole building but we were stopped on our track when an old woman suddenly appeared from nowhere.

“Do you have... A twin, perhaps?“ She asked, mot knowing whom she was talking to. Annaliese and I shared a curious look before returning it back to the old lady, only to feel goosebumps when her eyes met mine. “Do you have a twin sister? I think I saw her walking out of here after you, at the end when you were abducted.“

My mind stopped spinning and couldn’t believe that this woman knows about my dream.

“What do you mean?“ My words almost shaken, I’m still holding Annaliese’s arm so I can feel her tugging me to go inside with her. “You know about my dream?“ I asked again, wanted to figure out if everything was true.

“Ruby, let’s go!“

I wasn’t able to hear what she was trying to say but the last word I could think off was ’Amber’. I opened our apartment door and both of us parted on our way to our own room.

I tilted my head multiple times, looking at my ring and trying to remember what happened that night. I want to know what everything was all about, or if that dream of mine has a message for me.

“But what about the twin?“ My head became heavy and clouded so I couldn’t get track of my time. I unknowingly slept and woke up with the sound of the floor squeaking.

With still unopened eyes I tried to listen at the sound purposefully. I knew it wasn’t Annaliese, I know exactly how her footsteps sounded like and it was too light.

“Couz?“ I called in a whisper when the footsteps stopped in front if my room’s door. “Annaliese.“ I calmed myself and forced my mind to think that it was my cousin. My heart wanting to get out of my rib cage and was erratically pumping faster as my doorknob started moving.

It was harsh and banging. The sound began to louden and I couldn’t help but to hide under my blanket. “Please, get out.“ I tightly closed my eyes and bit my finger to stop the shivering of my lips.

It wasn’t a human. I know it—

“Ahhhh!“

“Ruby, wake up!“

I felt someone slap me on my cheeks, waking me up from my nightmare. “Oh, god!“ I inhaled some air and felt like I’ve been suffocated for hours. “Oh my god,“ Annaliese who’s standing next to my bed was giving me a confuse look. I can still feel her heavy palm on my cheeks but it wasn’t my deal here.

“You’ve been talking to someone in your sleep. What happened?“ Her weirded out look turned into a worry and helped me breath normally.

“Someone was opening my door, it doesn’t feel like human, I think it’s something non-existing.“ I’m still gasping for air when her hands stopped from rubbing my back.

It’s like she’s dumbfounded, her eyes were circled and her mouth hang open as if I just said something tremendous.

“You’re still a virgin, are you?“ She suddenly asked and then it was my turn to stilled. “I mean, you haven’t had any intercourse with anyone, yet? Cause, what if you just made out with a vampire and now he can’t leave you alone so he’s following you even in your dreams!?“ She held both of my shoulders and sat on my lap while looking at my face intently, trying to read what’s running on my mind.

And if ever she reads what’s on my mind, I want to say that she’s a freaking crazy goddess!

But admittedly, that kind of scared me off. What if my dream was really true? What if I was abducted and I was... raped!? No! Fuck, no! I won’t let that happen! No! No! No!

“H-How would I know if... I’m not a virgin anymore?“ I stuttered with my question and her eyes widened even more. “Hey, that’s not what I meant.“ I pouted, I know she’s thinking of one night stand and I will never do it. I have a goal where my husband will be the first one to have me.

“Do you feel sick? Like pregnant thing sick?“

My face crumpled but still think of what I have been feeling lately. “How would I know if I’m feeling the pregnant thing sick? I haven’t been pregnant ever since.“ I answered innocently, only to receive another slap from her. “What the heck was that!?“ I was surprised at what she did and I think my brain moved because of that hard slap.

“Just to wake you up, I think you’re still sleeping.“ I just glared at her and pushed her off my lap. “Are you okay now?“ She tried to help me get up but I acted to slap her too so she quickly let go of me.

“Seriously? After slapping me two times you’ll ask if I’m okay? Do you want me to shot you and ask if you’re okay!?“ She just answered me with sneer and storm off of my room without closing my door. “Ugh! What did I do wrong for me to receive this kind of cousin?“

I fixed my bed and lousily looked for my phone. I opened it even if I’m not literally expecting something. Only to be bombarded with a lot of messages coming from an unknown number.

“Excuse me, Miss Ruby, may I remind you that you’ll be starting your job now and it’s near noon break—“

I stopped from reading the latest text message and realized that all of it came from my boss! Shoot, I’m doomed!

I let go of everything I have in hand and abruptly went to the bathroom. “Shit! Shit! Shit!“ I just accurately cusses in cursive and run through Annaliese who’s already at the kitchen, giving me dagger looks for cursing. “Sorry, my dear!“

Now, this is a great way to start my first day at work.