Ruby
The murmuring of people stopped after we pressed the trigger. The whole crowd went silent.
They all looked at Carter��the man, who kidnapped me and tried to rape me, who was now lying on a pool of blood. His brain was almost out.
I became numb as everyone started cheering, "All hail the Mafia Gladiolus King and Queen."
Vexon handed the gun back to the blonde.
A few mumbled, 'Sorry' including those women who were talking bad about us before we shot someone.
"Well, you both have earned our trust. We all are under you, boss and boss lady." Mane bowed and so did others, but my eyes were stuck on the dead body.
I killed a human.
Vexon grabbed my left hand and started rubbing it, "Your hand is cold. Are you okay, Gem?"
I didn't answer him. Rather, I stayed silent.
"Well, you all can start celebrating it. Our boss will announce the post of others later," Mane ended his speech and all stood up. They started eating-drinking whatever they wished, so did the other Bevines.
"Ruby..." I glanced at Vexon, who seemed very concerned. He wiped my unknown tears through his thumb. "You-" I pushed him away slightly before he could finish his sentence.
Grabbing the edges of my gown, I ran away from the ballroom.
___
I have killed someone.
I have killed someone.
I was sitting on the swing of our balcony. I wrapped my hands over my bended knees, gazing at the stars.
"I committed a crime, didn't I? I killed someone," I mumbled, warm liquid sprinkling out of my eyes.
"Gem..." Vexon called out, illuminating the fairy lights of the balcony.
I felt the swing dip, which meant he sat beside me. The swing was long enough for a couple.
He placed a hand on my shoulder and pulled me towards him. I didn't even try to move.
"It's okay," Vexon whispered and kissed my head. "Hey, lol. " He pulled my chin up, to face him. "Don't cry. It's okay."
Hearing him, I became more emotional than before. I wrapped my hands around his neck, placing my head on his chest. I thought I was being cuddly.
Vexon grabbed my waist and made me sit on his lap, which proved that not only I loved cuddles, but also he loved it too.
"I-I killed him...Vexon I��"
He prevented me from speaking by placing his index finger over my lips. "Hush. No more words."
When I stayed quiet, he heaved a sigh. "Listen, it was just a sacrifice we had to do, to prove that we were capable of the position. If we couldn't sacrifice a person, how would we protect our gang?" Vexon explained to me.
"If someone tries to hurt my family, of course, I will kill that person," I spoke up when he put his finger down.
"Exactly," he agreed. "Similarly, the gang, the Gladiolus, is our family. So we had to make a sacrifice to prove that we would do anything to keep our family safe."
"But isn't it a crime?"
He chortled. "Didn't you promise to support your king?" For some reason, his soothing words helped me to understand things.
This was my life here-on. I was the Mafia Gladiolus Queen. This was what God had stored for me and it was happening. I had to accept this and move on.
"Show me your thumb," Vexon said and grabbed my thumb. "Did it hurt?"
I shook my head.
"Liar," he mumbled under his breath and put a bandage, which I had no idea how he got. Maybe he bought it along with him. "I was so scared when you had cut your thumb," Vexon expressed himself.
"Don't you need a bandage for yourself as well? Put one on yours too," I said, but when I looked at his thumb, it was already bandaged.
"Mom did it," he exhaled, clearing my unspoken question.
We both were in that position, gazing at the stars, cuddling on the swing. "I liked your confession," I blurted out of nowhere.
He smirked at me. "Are you trying to say you like me?"
"No, I��" I stopped midway.
Do I like him?
I found his actions, words��cute. He was hot and handsome too. I liked his behavior��the lovable nature. He was always so concerned about me. I liked it when he was the only person who woke me up early in the morning. When my mom or Pearl used to wake me up, I would create havoc and argue with them. But with Vexon, I never argued. I would simply wake up each time he told me to.
Is this like?
"Leave it," Vexon spoke out in disappointment. "We have to go downstairs and announce the positions. Moreover, I need to sign the CEO papers as well because I am not the official CEO yet. Let's go."
When he pulled me out of his lap, at that instant moment, I felt empty. "Vexon, about that question, I-" he interrupted me.
"It's okay, Ruby. Let's go." Vexon walked away and I followed him like a lost puppy.
After we went back to the ballroom, everyone was busy with the celebration. Vexon headed towards Mane and Kace.
"Look, we have our boss lady here," Cason teased after spotting me.
"Damn! Your speech was awesome, Ruby, so was your bravery. I mean��wow," Kendrik complimented me, to which I smiled. It was getting harder than before to walk with these heels. My leg started aching a little.
"Yes and��" as Pearl was about to speak, I cut her off.
"Traitor," I mumbled, which was only audible for her and Newana to hear as they were closer to me.
Newana chuckled.
"I'm so sorry, Ruby. I never knew you were unprepared. I mean, you knew about all the ceremonies then why��"
Not letting Pearl finish her sentence, I stormed towards Vanera. She didn't tell me about that ceremony, so I had to ask her. Vanera was pouring wine in her glass.
I called out, "Mom."
Vanera stopped pouring the wine and took the glass on her hand. "Yes, dear?"
"Why would you do that?" I asked, sternly.
"Do what?"
"Why didn't you tell me about any of the ceremonies?" I questioned her.
Vanera took a sip of her drink. "It slipped my mind, I guess."
I raised my eyebrows. "What? How can it slip your mind��"
"Welcome to the Mafia Gladiolus, Ruby," she said, giving me a smile and walked away.
Did she really forget about that?
"Attention everyone! Boss is gonna announce the post of everyone now." Mane grabbed our attention.
Leaving the place I was standing, I sat with Orson and Pearl.
"I'm going to leave after this announcement. Are you still angry with me, baby sis?" Pearl whined.
I pouted at her and glanced at Vexon, who motioned me to come on stage.
Geez. What will I do there? Just stand and watch people watching me?
"Do I really need to go there?" I asked Orson.
"It's unnecessary. I don't know why Vexon called you," he replied to me.
I heaved a sigh and approached Vexon, who intertwined our hands. Again I could hear a few 'aww's.
"Why did you call me? Orson said it was not necessary," I whispered to him.
"How can I function without you now, my queen?" He winked at me.
I was awestruck at his reply. I could feel my cheeks heating up.
Did he call me just for sticking with him? He needed to stop being cute.
"So, I, as the boss, announce Mysa Graphis, Beckham Bends, Kace Bevine as the executives of the Gladiolus," Vexon announced, making everyone clap.
However, my eyes fell on my family.
My family. It sounded weird, but I was a Bevine, and they were my family now. When I saw Newana scowl, I couldn't help but smile a little. What was her problem?
"Cason Bevine is the Advisor of the Gladiolus." As soon as Vexon said that, Cason jumped in excitement. My legs were hurting like hell for standing for a long time. I peeked at Vexon, who was busy announcing the positions of others.
"And last, but not the least. Mane Cands is my left-hand man." Everyone cheered and clapped. "I gave him this post because he is capable of it. He was always there for me and looked in my absence. I want you all to know that I do justice. Mane got this post because he deserved it. My brothers got their position according to their ability. So no one can say that I did any partiality," Vexon explained.
I was really proud of him.
"That would be all. Others remain in their old positions," Vexon ended the announcement at last.
I couldn't feel my legs!
"Congratulations all. We are ending the ceremony here," Mane declared, and with that, everyone stood up and a few started leaving.
"Congratulations, Mane!" I said to him with a smile.
He grinned. "Aye aye, thanks, boss lady."
"Won't you congratulate us?" Cason asked and I stuck my tongue out at him. He laughed it off. "Whatever you want, boss lady," he said and sauntered away.
I looked at the blonde. "Congratulations, Baker?"
The blonde laughed and Vexon, who was now beside me, chuckled.
"It's Beckham, boss lady," he corrected me.
I bit my lip before speaking, "I'm so sorry. I suck at remembering names."
"Yeah, I know," Vexon agreed which made me glare at him, suppressing my smile. I remembered the first day I met him, I messed up with his name and he was so angry. "Whatever," I replied curtly and went to the red-haired girl.
"Hey, Mysa. Congratulations!" I hugged her, without giving her a chance to respond. After the hug, she nodded curtly, suppressing her smile. "So, how does it feel now?"
"Before the hug or after?" She raised an eyebrow at me, amusingly.
"Both."
"Awful and weird," Mysa replied. "Hey, give me that wine." She followed the waiter, leaving me alone.
I was walking everywhere in this ballroom with a hope to spot Kace. He was the only person whom I couldn't congratulate yet. I wanted to do so. I thought I would ask Newana, but she was busy as well.
"Hey, won't you congratulate me, boss lady?" a flirtatious tone spoke all of a sudden.
I jumped a little and turned around to find a brunette man almost of our age was in front of me now, with a cute smile on his face. But he was nowhere near Vexon.
Why the hell was I comparing him with Vexon? What was wrong with me?
"Well, congratulations?" with that, I tried to run away but he held my wrist. He wasn't there when Vexon announced names. I swear, I didn't see him.
"Don't you want to know my name?"
"Depends. Are you an important person?" He was taken aback at my response. As if he didn't expect it at all. Not as if I care.
"Ruby, I'm��" Pearl stopped midway, looking at our direction. She glanced at me and then back at the brunette, who left my wrist.
"Is everything okay?" Pearl asked and I nodded.
"Let's go," I said to her, without gazing back at that brunette.
___
"We're leaving now," Pearl said to me as we all were standing at the door of the Bevine mansion. I didn't let a tear slip my eyes. Not like I would notice, but I tried to control it.
I was strong, and I wanted to show it to Pearl. At least she would be less worried about me.
"As I said, we will stay in touch, okay?" she said, tears streaming out of her eyes when she hugged me tightly.
I hummed in response.
They took goodbyes from everyone else. I and Vexon were the last one. Kendrik was talking to Vexon until he saw us.
"Pearl, baby give me a chance to speak to her as well," Kendrik said, making me laugh slightly.
Pearl released me from the hug. "Vexon has our numbers, okay? Bye." she sobbed and went to Vexon.
Kendrik approached me. "Hey, boss lady." I chuckled and hugged him. He was like my elder brother. "Take care of yourself and Vexon. As a king, he needs you in every step. Just resolve the problems you both have and Gladiolus's future will shine brightly. Work together, eh?" he explained and I hummed in response.
"Bye, sister." He patted my head and went towards Pearl. They both left the Bevine mansion, hand in hand as we watched them from behind, feeling sad. But what Kendrik did was for his love.
Love.
It was the word I never believed. I mean, I believed it but I didn't know what it was or how it felt to be in love.
How can a person even fall in love? How will that person understand that he or she is in love? It was beyond my understanding.
I walked towards the elevator, with Vexon following me. We both entered our bedroom, getting out of the elevator.
"I'm so tired. I can't feel my legs!" I hollered and sat on the bed. I was taking off my black stilettos.
Vexon chortled. "Who told you to wear that then?"
I arched an eyebrow. "Excuse me? Do you want me to wear slippers with the gown? Moreover, I would look like a minion standing next to you, without heels."
"Is it my fault that you're short?" He arched an eyebrow, a teasing look glinting on his face to which I glared.
"I am not short! You're tall," I protested.
"Yeah, right," Vexon deadpanned. He was in front of the mirror, playing with his hair.
"You're being mean, King." I walked towards the dressing table to keep my earrings and watch.
"Oh, really?" All of a sudden, Vexon pulled me closer, placing his hand on my waist.
I tried to wriggle out, but couldn't compete with his strength. Our closeness always forced my heart to run a marathon.
"You know, I was angry at first when you let others throw insults on us," he said, looking deeply into my eyes.
I averted my gaze. "I'm sorry. I was so scared and confused. I��" I stopped explaining when he leaned towards me.
I was literally running out of air. All of a sudden, I felt Vexon's soft lips on my left cheek, which melted me.
"But you made me proud by your bravery. And I'm glad to have you as my wife. You see, I never make bad choices," he whispered sexily, to which my whole body aroused all of a sudden.
"I��I need to change. I'm tired," with that excuse, I slightly pushed him and ran towards the washroom.
What did just happen?
I was feeling butterflies dancing in my stomach.
Shrug it off, Ruby!
Shaking my head, I changed into my shorts and freshened up. I applied ointment to my legs but the pain didn't stop.
Getting out of the washroom, I saw Vexon already changed clothes.
"Where did you change?" I asked, laying on the bed. I took the remote and started watching 'Friends'.
"I went to Cason's room since you take forever. And guess what? You did." He took a seat beside me.
I rolled my eyes and continued watching. Every time I tried to move my legs, I hissed in pain. Oh, the agony!
Vexon got up to do God knows what. I kept my eyes glued to the television.
After a few minutes, I felt a hand on my bare legs. I was about to jump, but Vexon stopped me, "It's me, Gem." I looked at him. He was holding a gel in his hand. "Let me apply this on your legs and massage it. You will feel better."
I was about to protest, but he did this thing with his eyes. Like, his eyes were holding eagerness��expectancy.
Having no choice, I agreed, "Okay."
He gave me a grin and started applying the gel on my bare legs and gently massaged it.
At the thought of Vexon massaging my bare legs, heat rushed to my cheeks. I couldn't move an inch. I pretended to look at the television, but I was secretly watching him.
He was so caring. Were there any good qualities left that I needed in him as a husband?
God did make my worst fear come true. But He kept all the qualities I wished for my husband in Vexon.
"What kind of laugh is this?" Vexon asked, bringing me out of my trance. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. He sensed it and pointed on the screen. "This woman with curly hair, long face, and a weird laugh."
I burst into a fit of laughter, noticing who he was pointing on. It was Janice from the show Friends.
"That's her nature," I answered, still laughing.
Vexon had a disgusting look plastered on his face. "I would commit suicide if I had her laugh." I laughed more at his remark, but his next comment made me silent. "Your laugh is something I would die for." He stared at me, intensely.
Where does he keep so much of his affection?
"Massage it properly," I ordered, changing the topic.
He shook his head with a cute smile. "Yes, boss lady."
___
"Hey, get up. I have got something for you." I rubbed my sleepy eyes and rolled on the bed, hearing Vexon's voice. "How long will you sleep, Snorlax? Come on." He poked my forehead.
"What?" I asked groggily.
"Look, what's here finally." He held a box in front of my eyes. The box was wrapped with a light-colored paper, which looked nice. I looked at it and then back at a happy Vexon. "It's a gift for you. Open it," he urged. He was more excited than me.
Lazily, I took the box in my hand. I was opening it slowly, with drowsy eyes.
"You're a slowpoke, " he mumbled, getting impatient.
I unwrapped only to see a white box. When I opened it, my eyes widened at that instant. It was a brand new iPhone.
"You��I��" I was lost on words. I couldn't say anything further due to the surprise.
"See? This is what I was waiting for. I wanted to give you the latest model. And you being you, misunderstood me as usual," He said, his voice lingering with disappointment.
I lowered my gaze, feeling ashamed.
Why do I always misunderstand him?
He took my old phone, just to give me the latest one. Whereas, I was grieving over my old phone, thinking he would never give me one because he didn't trust me.
But I was wrong. He trusted me so much even though I tried to run away.
Doesn't Vexon ever think whether I will try to run away again or not?
"Here is my phone. You can add all the contacts from here. The password is 147001." He handed me his phone.
I looked at him in confusion. "Why did you change your password?"
"I am now a Mafia King. I can't keep easy passwords. Previous passwords we're just for fun," he told me while a gush of guilt ran over me because I used his honesty to open the emergency door. I broke his trust.
"Vexon, about the escape thing. I tried to run away, but I was about to return, and��" he interrupted me.
"I know."
"I��wait, what? You know?"
"Yes, I know Ruby."
I was dumbstruck at his response. "How��when?"
He heaved a sigh. "I knew you would try to run away. So I planted a tracker on your wedding ring. I could track you through my phone and MacBook. I just needed to know who kidnapped you, thus it took some time to rescue you."
I opened my mouth and closed it, having no words to say.
"I heard my MacBook beep, which meant you left the territory. But I avoided it at first and trust me, I still regret it. If I didn't avoid that beeping sound, you wouldn't be kidnapped." His face fell as he said each word.
I felt a knife stabbing my heart.
"But what can I do? I had a gut feeling that you wouldn't run away. But then again, who wouldn't if one was forced into a marriage?"
I remained silent and he continued, "You know, what hurts, Ruby? I have never wished for anything since childhood. I was mom's favorite so she always used to give me all kinds of stuff. But this one time, I wished for a girl to love me, to reciprocate my feelings and she just pushes me away all the time. Aren't I a human? I mean, I get hurt too."
I averted my gaze when he looked so hurt. I felt a tear slid through my eyes. I was so bad. I was hurting a person, who just wished something for himself just for once, and I couldn't even give him that.
What kind of a person am I?
