Ruby
"Cat's here too," I heard another soft yet elegant voice coming from the main door of the Bevine mansion, as that voice repeated Kace's words.
"God! Give me patience," Vexon murmured but I didn't fail to hear him.
Why was he getting triggered about a cat? I mean, a cat was a cat. Why was he so serious about it?
Two blonde women entered the mansion, one had curly hair and the other had straight hair. Their pale skin complimented their caramel eyes.
One was wearing a white dress, which reached up to her mid-thigh. The other woman wore a long cream color dress. Both of them were beautiful.
But where was the cat?
"Hello, the Bevines and Vex," the woman with straight blond spoke in a flirtatious tone, eyeing Vexon as if he was the dinner. I was positive that it was not Newana, with the way she was behaving.
"I'm not sorry for being late." The woman who I assume was Newana, shot her fake smile. It was clearly visible that it was her fake smile by the way she batted her eyelashes.
"Where is Everley?" Kace asked. I guess Everley was their daughter, whom I was so eager to see.
"She's at my mom's place. She will be there for a month as it is Summer vacation. Remember?" Newana said as she pulled a chair to sit beside Kace. The other girl saw the vacant place beside Vexon and didn't hesitate to pull that chair for herself.
Once they were settled, I spoke, "Can we eat now? I'm starving." The meet and greet could be done later on.
Newana's eyes snapped at me, as she let out, "You must be Ruby."
I smiled. "Yeah."
"Well, Ruby, let me officially introduce you all, and then, we can eat," Vanera said, taking a sip of water, "This is Newana, Kace's wife. Newana, this is Ruby, Vexon's wife. You met Pearl so you know her."
Newana fake smile remained plastered on her face ever since she entered.
"And this is Newana's younger sister. Catherine Murphy," introduced Vanera, as I looked at the woman sitting next to Vexon.
I smiled looking at Catherine. She exactly smiled the way Newana did. Fake smiles ran in their bloodline, I guess.
Wait, was she, the cat? No wonder why, Vexon begged patience from God.
Soon everyone started eating in peace, until Catherine decided to break the silence, "Well, Vex. Is it only the temperature or it's you?"
I sighed before pouring white sauce on my pasta. Out of all people, why did she have to flirt with Vexon?
"Tell me," Catherine insisted.
I looked at Vexon, only to find his grip tightening over the fork. Poor fork.
"What?" Vexon asked in annoyance. Everyone was listening to their conversation while eating.
There was one new thing I found about the Bevines. They never talk while eating, which was a good manner. Pearl and I shared eye contact, trying to control ourselves from bursting into laughter, seeing Vexon's condition.
"Is it only the temperature or you? Because both of you are hot," Catherine whispered, but it was audible due to the silence. Her flirting dialogues sucked.
"Maybe it's the stove," Orson retorted.
At this moment, I kept looking at my pasta. I knew, if I looked at Cason or Pearl, I would burst into laughter including them.
Catherine let out, "Wrong, Orsy Baby."
Orson choked on his food, hearing the nickname. "It's Orson," he corrected her, with a glare.
But she just dismissed it with her hand and turned towards Vexon once again. "So, Vex. You're married now," Catherine stated as if not believing herself.
Oh hello, here is his wife, sitting right next to him.
"Yes. I hoped that you would stop flirting with me. But now I understand why people say, not to hope," Vexon mumbled, creating pin drop silence. His remark was cold enough to make Catherine quiet, which seemed impressive to me.
I broke the silence when I told Cason, "Pass me the chocolate shake, please." I was a chocolate-lover, and Pearl arranged it for me because she was well aware of my taste.
Cason glanced at me with his blue orbs, while handing me the shake. We tried not to burst into laughter, which Pearl happened to notice. The next thing we knew was, we burst into fits of laughter.
Kace suppressed his smile because Newana was glaring at us. "Are you laughing at my sister?"
"Nuh," Pearl said innocently, covering her laugh with a cough.
"Ugh! Vex, do something," Catherine whined making Vexon drop the fork. Our attention shifted to him.
"Here's the thing Catherine, go and flirt with Cason. I'm married now. Stop this," he said loud and clear before taking another fork from the spoon stand which was on the table.
"Hey! Why are you dragging me in between? You assh-" Cason paused when he saw Vanera glaring at him. "Stop dragging me," he whispered.
"Does it look like I built muscles to drag you?" Vexon retorted, resulting in Cason rolling his eyes. They still had that fight going on.
Their small argument was cut off with Catherine's voice, "Cason is handsome, I know. But you're more handsome!"
Indeed, Vexon was. But he's my husband.
When no new words were exchanged amongst anyone, I looked to find out all the eyes on me.
Did I say it aloud?
"You did," Cason whispered.
I averted my gaze. I really needed to carry a wall with me all the time so that I could bang my head anytime I wanted.
"Ah, well. So, Pearly and Kendrik. How come you guys are back so soon from your long honeymoon?" I asked them, making them the center of attention.
"Don't even ask," Kendrik murmured, earning a glare of Pearl.
"Well, Ruby. It's just that after hearing about your marriage, Kendrik couldn't stop himself. He tried to come at that very moment. But I had to explain that you guys were on a honeymoon. Yet, he didn't agree. So we just stayed four days for our honeymoon and returned here." Kendrik choked on his drink, hearing the story Pearl narrated.
I narrowed my eyes in suspicion. "Really?" I asked Kendrik. He hesitated and looked at his wife. Pearl was giving the threatening look which I was very familiar with. "Pearly?"
"Yes?" She gave an oversweet smile. "Oh, as I was saying, he-" I interrupted her.
"I want Kendrik to tell the story since he was the one eager to come back."
Pearl scowled at me, but I returned her over-sweet smile. "Well, tell them, baby." She looked at Kendrik.
"Stop irritating me," Vexon breathed out to Catherine, which I happened to hear.
"Poor guy," I mumbled.
"You are enjoying this, aren't you?" he said almost in an inaudible tone.
"More than I enjoy High School Musical," I replied but kept my eyes on Kendrik and Pearl. High School Musical was my favorite movie. I could watch it all the time, and never get bored.
"So," Kendrik cleared his throat and decided to speak, "We were in Miami when we got to know about Vexon's deed. I was so angry and wanted to shoot him." He glared at Vexon and I knew that part was true.
He continued, "But Pearl stopped me. I was eager to meet you and apologize for his deeds. I dragged Pearl here. She tried to calm me down, but I didn't budge. I was determined to reach here before you and Vexon were back. So, she had no choice but to agree. In fact, I was the one who forced mom to call Vexon and tell him to return home." He took a sip of water from his glass. "That's the story," he completed.
I chuckled.
The story he told, some part of it was true while most of the parts weren't. I knew Pearl. She dragged him here and created a ruckus.
But weren't they supposed to move to another place? Why were they in the Bevine mansion then?
"I have finished eating. Goodnight." Vanera wiped her mouth with a handkerchief. "Don't bother Vexon and Ruby for tonight. They just got here and they are tired," with that, she got up and walked away to her room.
"Cason, you're swapping seats with me!" Vexon almost jumped from his chair, invisible smoke coming from his ears.
"Eh? No way in hell." Cason got up and their glaring contest started.
"Let's go, Cat. They are immature," Newana broke the silence. "And you, I'm gonna talk to you late," she said to me and I gave her a polite smile, watching them walk away as well.
Why was Newana acting like that?
"Did you do your homework, Orson?" Kace asked him and he shook his head.
"Let me help you then," Kace let out and went to Orson's room, leaving me, Kendrik, Pearl, and two animals to create chaos.
"Stop them," Pearl said to Kendrik and he smirked.
"I love the way they are arguing. It's entertaining. In fact, I am going to join them once the quarrel gets into a physical fight."
"Kendrik," her stern voice made him sigh.
"Fine!" He went towards his brothers.
"Why are you here, Pearly?" I asked. I knew those three Bevine brothers would take forever to stop. So I took this as an opportunity to speak with Pearl.
"What do you mean?" She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.
"You both were about to move to Newfoundland. Then why are you guys in Toronto?" I asked.
"Why? Aren't you happy seeing us here?"
"You clearly know what I mean, Pearly. I know that you are here for a reason."
She laughed at my words. "Indeed. But you will find it soon. Can't escape now, can you?" She patted my shoulder and smirked. "I sugar you bone to bone, my baby sister."
I stood there dumbstruck.
"Guys stop!" Pearl announced, stopping the brothers at once. "Come on, Kendrik! Let's go. And Cason, off to your room. Now!" she ordered and made her way out.
The dining room was empty now except me, Vexon, and the maids who started cleaning the table.
"Gem, let's go." Vexon held my right hand in his and started to walk.
I tried to match his pace, but my mind was occupied with only one thought. Pearly knew it. She just challenged me. How will I escape now?
