Ruby
I was unable to sleep that night. I wanted to talk to mom. I wanted to tell Vexon to call mom, but I was afraid that he would forbid it.
After the awkward yet comforting hug with him, he helped me to plop down back on the bed and half laid beside me, caressing my forehead. I tried to stop him, but he just glared at me and said a line, 'My wish, my wife.'
I would be lying if I said it didn't feel weird, but it was comforting.
I opened my eyes, only to find him sleeping, with his hand still on my forehead. Slowly, I got up and placed the blanket over him.
Let him drown in sleep. He spent his few hours just to make me sleep even though he knew he had to go to his office at 6 a.m. tomorrow. I heard it while he was talking with Mane on the phone earlier.
I decided to stay on the balcony and watch the stars for a while. Opening the curtains and the glass door behind it, I entered the balcony.
I sat on the swing after turning the fairy lights on. I gazed at the dark sky, glowing silver with the stars and the moon.
The sun deceives the sky every night, to share its light with other countries. During the sky's dark phase, stars and the moon support it.
But why does the sky continue to give a chance to the sun?
You aren't making any sense, Ruby.
I avoided the inner voice.
Life changes direction like sea waves. I was so happy with Pearl's marriage. In fact, I was the most excited person at that whole wedding. But look at where I was right now.
Mom... Why did she do this?
I know mom has a reason. But why would she push me in this meaningless life, knowing this was the type of life I never wanted?
I felt the glass door open, knowing it was Vexon, I didn't turn. He was a light sleeper. He hesitantly came towards me, stepping lightly.
He placed his iPhone in front of me, making me furrow my eyebrows in confusion. I asked, "What?"
He answered, "Your mom called."
I took his phone from his hand as fast as I could and placed it to my ear. I could hear deep breathing from the other side of the phone. I knew this was my mom.
"Mom," I spoke, but it was silent on the other side of the phone. Soon, the sobbing of mom filled the silence.
"Rubiline," Mom managed to say in between her sobs. Rubiline, the nickname I was dying to hear from her mouth. "Rubiline..."
"Mom..." My voice began to crack.
"I'll be inside the room," Vexon said, noticing that I needed space. He closed the balcony door, letting me know that he was out of the balcony.
"How��how are you?" I asked. I didn't even realize I was crying until I felt the saltwater touch my lips.
"I am fine, honey. How are you?"
"Not fine, Mom," I answered honestly.
"Why? What happened? Are they not treating you well? Is Vexon mistreating you? If he does, I swear honey, I will��" I interrupted her agitated voice.
"Mom, it's okay. I'm fine and everyone is treating me well here. I even have Pearly here," I assured her.
"Then what's wrong?" she questioned.
"It's just... I miss you a lot. I am not comfortable here. Having Pearly here makes no difference. She is always supporting the Bevines. I feel like leaving everything here and just running in your arms," I cried out.
"Oh, honey. I am so sorry."
"Mom, why didn't you call me earlier?"
"I did, but then I thought that you were busy living your new life, and��" I interrupted her.
"What? When did you call me? I wasn't ever informed that you called me."
Why didn't Vexon inform me earlier?
"No, I called Vexon for the first time today," she said, clearing my confusion. But she didn't know that she created more in my mind. Whom did she call then? And why wasn't I informed? "Ruby? Are you there?" mom snapped me out of my trance.
"Yeah..."
"Listen, honey, we will meet soon, okay? Once everything falls into place."
"Mom, why did you do this?" I asked her, sudden anger engulfing me.
No matter how much anger I felt at her, my mom was my mom. Even if I say I would never talk to her, I always ended up running back in her arms.
"What?" she let out. I knew she was trying to pretend.
"Why did you make Vexon marry me? Why did you tell them that I was pretending?" I asked her in a serious tone.
She shrugged it off. "Honey, I'll talk to you some other time, eh? I'm busy with my boutique. Bye and take care, love. Goodnight," with that, the line went dead.
Why did she avoid that topic? Why did she hesitate to call me earlier? Even if she did call me, then who? She said that she called Vexon for the first time. Then...
That's when my mind shifted to the day I got married to Vexon.
'I know what breaks your heart.' Mom used our code word, which she used whenever we were in danger and had no choice.
I gasped. How could I forget about this clue? I thought Vexon forced her. But if he did, why wouldn't he let me talk with my mom?
He could have just told her not to try to contact me. But then again, maybe he was trying to impress me.
I wiped my tears, as I got up from the swing and went back to the room. He was sitting on the bed, waiting for me. His eyes fell on me and he asked, "Are you okay?" His words held so much concern, but I doubt that now.
I nodded.
He stood up and approached me. His hands touched my cheeks. "Then what's this?" He wiped my tears which I never noticed. I did wipe my tears while entering the room.
I shoved his hands away. "I just talked to my mom. So crying is totally normal." I went towards the bed and laid down. I took the emoticon pillow and closed my eyes. "Don't worry. I'm fine now as I had a talk with mom," I mumbled because I knew he was still standing there watching me.
He sighed and put the blanket over me. Then he slept beside me, more like close to me. I stiffened when he placed a hand on my stomach. "I am there for you. Forever and always."
I couldn't respond. I felt as if my whole body was suddenly paralyzed, including my mouth. I didn't dare to open my eyes, not realizing when I fell into a deep peaceful slumber.
