Ruby
"Boss lady, the boss has sent this dress for you," Maya informed me and gently placed the dress on the bed.
I rolled my eyes and returned my gaze over the book I was studying. "Tell your boss to come here and meet me," I ordered her, and she left spontaneously.
Since this morning I hadn't seen Vexon in my field of vision. I had a feeling that he was avoiding me; the thought itself was ravaging. I was well aware he was at home as today was the reception, but what could be the reason he wasn't showing up in our bedroom even for once?
A light knock on the door broke my thoughts as Maya spoke up, standing near the door frame, "Boss lady, the boss says that he is still busy." It was the third time that Vexon made the same excuse.
I clenched my fist. Vexon could send my breakfast, my shoes, and my dress, but he was too busy to walk up to our room and grace me with his irritating presence. That guy wasn't fooling me.
"Is he still in the study?" I asked, and Maya nodded. I placed my book on the bedside table and stood up, straightening my dress. If he wasn't coming to me, I would go to him myself.
As I was leisurely making my way towards the study room, I wondered why Vexon didn't tell me anything about last night's attack. Just at that time, a possibility crossed my mind. What if he got injured and doesn't want me to know and worry?
Immediately, I picked up my pace and barged into the study room, without bothering to knock.
"Yes, Kendrik. Don't worry. Everything is fine. As you know, today is the reception. I will talk to you lat��" Vexon stopped midway when his eyes fell on me, standing on the door frame, my eyes shooting daggers at him. "Don't cut the call. I forgot to tell you about the important news I received from Mom..." he trailed off and was about to walk past me.
I raised my hand and blocked his path, letting out, "Don't you dare avoid me."
"It's an import��" I cut off in between his lies. It was clear he was trying to escape me.
"What could be more important than your wife?" I took his phone and placed it on my ears. "Kendrik, we can talk later."
"Uh...sure," Kendrik mumbled and cut the call. I pulled him inside the room, closing the door behind us, and threw the phone on the table.
"Why are you avoiding me?" I questioned and crossed my arms over my chest.
He answered, "I'm busy."
I narrowed my eyes at him. He gulped and tried to walk away from my clutches before I roughly grabbed his arm and made him stay still where he was. A look of pain crossed his face for a split second, confirming my earlier suspicion. My eyes darted towards his hand where I spotted a little white fiber sticking out from under his sleeves. Without any hesitation, I rolled up his sleeve and discovered that his whole forearm was neatly wrapped in a bandage.
"What the hell?" All the composure that I had started seeping away as panic sunk in. "Vexon, how did this..." My throat felt tight all of a sudden. He was hurt, and I had no idea about it. "You went there and got hurt, didn't you? Why didn't you tell me sooner? You're the king for God's sake! You should have been more cautious and��" He cut me off by placing his index finger on my lips.
"Hush. It's okay. It's just a small wound," he tried to assure me into oblivion. There was no way he wouldn't tell me if it was just a small injury.
"Yeah, right. That's why you have a freaking bandage wrapped around your forearm," I deadpanned.
He sighed, letting his shoulders slump down.
"Seriously, Vexon," I grunted, a frown forming on my face as I kept looking for any other injuries over his body.
"There isn't any other injury," he told me. I eyed him for a second, checking if he was telling the truth.
I sighed.
"How about we sit on the couch instead of standing here and talking?" I nodded at his words.
___
My eyes trailed over the luscious curves of my body that were visible through a fitted red gown that hugged me perfectly. I wore black stilettos, hoping I wouldn't look like a dwarf, standing beside Vexon.
I positioned myself to take a selfie and was about to hit the button when the door clicked and Vexon entered the room. His graceful image was captured on the phone with me.
I turned around to get a good look at him. He was wearing a tux, his hair disheveled. He looked so handsome.
Stop ogling, Ruby.
Why? He is my husband and I have a right to ogle.
Vexon cleared his throat, "Your ogling is creeping me out. No doubt I look good." He smirked and ran a hand through his hair.
I let out a sigh, wondering why he was becoming so full of himself these days.
"How do I look?" I asked, approaching him. He scanned me from head to toe, thinking as if he was trying to solve the hardest mathematical problem of his life. "Well?" I asked impatiently.
"You look gorgeous, but something is missing." He twitched his brows, chewing on his lips as he inspected me. I felt a blush creeping onto my cheeks at his shameless gaze.
"Stop that," I mumbled out.
"Come," he said and held my hand.
I noticed that the white fabric wasn't sticking out anymore, so I asked, "Where is your bandage?"
"I have unwrapped it now for the occasion," he explained.
I sighed and made a mental note to apply ointments on his wound tonight.
Vexon made me stand in front of the mirror once again and pulled something out of his pocket. As my eyes were wandering around, all of a sudden, I felt cold metal on my neck. I averted my gaze to the mirror, only to find him putting a silver pendant around my neck.
'V' was written on the pendant. It was beautiful, and it suited my dress perfectly as well.
"I am marking you mine, hereon, Gem. You are handcuffed with me, forever," he whispered into my ear, making butterflies erupt in my stomach.
I couldn't stop the grin taking over my face before I turned around and placed my lips on his, which he was waiting for eagerly.
I was glad that the evening started with a tender moment of ours. I just hoped everything went well.
After that, it was our time to go to the ballroom, where the reception was supposed to take place. I left the room before Vexon to look for Vanera since I hadn't seen the whole day when I saw Keya on the way. She looked unbelievably beautiful with the navy blue dress on her and her hair left open over her shoulders, while mine was tied into a bun.
"Hey, Keya," I called her out with a smile.
She rushed to me and held my hand with her clamped ones and said, "I'm so freaking nervous, Ruby."
I sighed and squeezed her hand, assuring her, "I also want to go back to bed and sleep and eat. Socializing with people is too much effort, yet here I am."
A smile cracked on her lips as she playfully rolled her eyes and said, "You and your laziness."
We were chatting on our way to the ballroom when we encountered Nafeesa on the path, who was looking like a humiliation. She was decked up like a barbie doll, wearing a flowy light pink gown and a blond wig.
I was about to laugh at her appearance, but Keya pinched me.
"Oh, you guys! Thank God, I found you. I was on my way. Let's go to the ballroom together, yeah?"
My eyes grew wider in terror, hearing her proposal, so I immediately objected, "No. The daughters-in-law were supposed to enter together. We need to look for Newana."
"Come on. Let the three sisters enter, and we can��" I cut off Nafeesa in between her words.
"Not everything can go your way, Nafeesa. Move. We need to find Newana."
I wouldn't do such a silly thing even if Vexon hadn't told the three of us to enter together.
"Are you swarming around in search of me?" I narrowed my eyes at the owner of that sharp voice, standing in front of us, wearing an elegant black dress with a diamond chain decorating her neck. It was Newana.
Keya sighed, and Newana glanced over our appearance and raised an eyebrow when her eyes fell on my pendant.
"I knew he would be the possessive type of guy. 'Marking you as mine.' How annoying," Newana retorted.
I looked at her in amusement. How did she guess what Vexon told me? One thing about Newana that I was sure of now, she could read people well.
Afterward, we headed towards the ballroom. As soon as we started descending down the stairs, all the cameras focused on us.
"Mrs. Bevine! Mrs. Bevine!"
They were hollering. Only God knew which Bevine they were calling out. Ignoring them, I looked for my husband. When our eyes met, we both smiled at each other, his heart-warming smile seething courage within me.
"Mrs. Newana Bevine, can you explain why there are four daughters-in-law?"
I furrowed my eyebrows, clearly confused by their question
"There's only three of us," Newana curtly answered.
"Then who is that behind you?"
The three of us shared a look and glanced over our shoulder at Nafeesa, who was standing behind us, meaning she got down behind our backs.
"I..." Nafeesa hesitated, trying to act naive. I gritted my teeth watching her drama.
"Whom are you married to, Mrs. Bevine?"
Nafeesa bashfully shifted her gaze to her hand, fidgeting uncomfortably as if she was actually a Bevine.
I knew her plan very well. She was doing it on purpose. Attention seeker.
"She's not married to anyone," I answered the reporters.
"Then who's she, Mrs. Ruby Bevine?"
"She's my cousin, staying temporarily until she has earned enough money to find an apartment," I replied confidently.
"Okay. Can you please tell us why did-"
"You will be given time to ask questions. Please excuse us," Vexon interfered and grabbed my hand before starting to walk away. I flashed the paparazzi with a small smile and followed Vexon.
"You look so tempting," Vexon mumbled, and I kept quiet, not knowing what I should reply exactly. "I want to tell you something. When I announce to the people about us, I'll��"
"Boss, it's time for your announcement. Sir Cason is already waiting for you," Mane informed him, and Vexon nodded before following him.
Everything was arranged like a press conference in the middle. The paparazzi were surrounding the four of us and asking nonsensical questions like always did. Fortunately, Vexon and Cason answered them all.
"Mrs. Ruby Bevine, a question for you. Why did you marry Mr. Vexon Become? Was it for his status?"
I clenched my fist in anger. Out of all the shitty questions, they had to ask me that. I managed to put on a fake smile, holding Vexon's hand, making him stay at his place as he was about to get up.
I answered curtly, "No."
"Then do you love him?"
I was dumbstruck at this question. I wanted to smack those reporters.
Love... I didn't even know what love was. I liked Vexon. I cared for him. But love? What did that word even mean?
"Yo��" I squeezed Vexon's hand before he could speak.
"I got this," I murmured, assuring him. I cleared my throat and started, "Have you fallen in love yourself? Do you know what it means?"
The reporters averted their gaze.
I further spoke, "Then why are you asking me a question even when you don't know the meaning of? And about me marrying Vexon; it's because I care about him. Our bonding is of affection. I got a best friend and husband, all in one. He's the only partner I need in my life. Why won't I marry him? Give me one good reason."
The reporters mumbled a 'sorry' and started asking questions to Keya. I glanced at Vexon, he had a proud smile on his face, which made me smile contagiously.
"So, Mr. Vexon Bevine, why didn't you tell us about it earlier?"
"The situation was complicated, so we had to conceal the fact. But after a while, I released the news to the paparazzi that, I and Cason, we got married to our loved ones. Today, I wanted to answer the questions you had in your mind. I hope you got them. Enjoy the reception," Vexon declared through the mic. "Gem, I have important work to do. I will meet you later," with that, he went away.
I started getting concerned. What kind of important work was he talking about? What was more important to him than our reception?
I gave the reporters a small smile and got up with Keya and Cason.
"What important work does he have?" Cason asked me.
I rolled my eyes. "As if I know."
"What's that different colored drink?" Keya pointed to the red wine, curiosity glinting in her brown eyes.
Cason smirked. "Why don't we taste and find it out ourselves?" They went away, leaving me alone.
I started looking for Vanera. On the way, I found Orson who complimented, "Ruby, you look like a princess."
I playfully pulled his cheeks in response before asking, "Where is Mom?"
"Talking with Mrs. Gerund," he replied, and I nodded, moving forward in search of my mom and mother-in-law.
"Excuse me, are you looking for someone, dear?" I was startled when I heard the familiar motherly voice.
"Mom!" I squealed and threw myself in her arms. My eyes stung with tears, but I held them back for the sake of not spoiling the make-up.
"Baby, how are you? You look like a grown-up. I'm so proud of you," She complimented when I pulled apart.
"And you look young. What's the secret, Mom?" I asked mischievously. She was wearing a pretty light green full sleeve gown with her hair let down.
"I'm glad you both met," Vanera chimed in. "By the way, I was searching for you, Ruby," with that, Vanera pulled me into a hug.
"Why didn't you meet me after you got back?" I questioned, putting a hand on my hip.
"I was busy with the reception arrangements. Ruby, dear, what work does Vexon have?"
I shrugged my shoulders in response. "He didn't tell me."
"Well then go and drag him downstairs. What can be more important than his own reception party?" she encouraged me. "Go!"
"Fine!" I said and made my way to the study.
I really needed a bike in this house to travel from one room to another. So tiring!
I was about to knock on the study, but a hand grasped mine.
"What the freaking he��" I stopped midway my eyes landed on that flirty brunette.
