Ruby
"What do you want?" I shot an angry glare to the brunette standing in front of me.
He twitched his lips before answering, "Depends. The way you asked if I was an important person, during the coronation, that was intimidating."
I pulled my arm away from his touch.
He was the person who grabbed my wrist during the coronation and asked if I wouldn't like to know his name. That flirty toned guy.
I retorted, "Too bad for you."
"By the way, I am River Brown, owner of the Browns' Armament Company," he introduced himself. "An old friend of Vexon Bevine."
I swear I saw his eyes darken at the mention of Vexon's name before it was replaced with a smile.
He was giving me a bad vibe. If he was an old friend of Vexon, why was he here? What did he want from me? My mind told me to run, so I decided to barge into the study room where Vexon was. At least, I knew I would be safe with him.
As I turned towards the door and was about to open it, I tripped over my long dress. I instinctively placed my hands on the door for support. But due to my luck, the door, which I thought was closed, was slightly open, so before I knew it, I was lying flatly on the floor of the study.
"Let's shift it tonight at the same place, at 1 AM and��" Vexon stopped talking over the phone and turned his attention in my direction due to the sudden thud. He instantly cut the call and crouched to help me get up. "What the hell are you doing on the floor?"
"I am cleaning it with my dress." Sarcasm dripped from my voice at his silly question. He made me sit on one of the chairs while glaring at my direction, or should I say, at something behind me.
I followed his gaze, only to find him shooting daggers at River who was trying to suppress his laughter near the door frame.
"River Brown," Vexon let out in an intimidating voice, "What are you doing upstairs?"
River was still standing at the entrance of the door. I frowned due to the ache in my whole body caused by my embarrassing fall. At that time, Orson and Cason were looking at something over their phones, near the door.
"Nice to meet you too, Vexon Bevine. You still remember me, don't you?" River said, entering the study room.
"Of course, you're the CEO of the Browns'. Why wouldn't I recognize you?" Vexon replied and glanced at me when I let out a groan.
Here I was dying out of pain, and my husband was catching up with his so-called old friend. I spoke up, "If you keep that up, I think I'm going d��"
"Don't complete it," Vexon warned sternly and added, "Let me take you to the room." Before I could protest, I was picked up in his arms. Even though I was flustered, I slid my arms around his neck and hid my face in his chest.
"I'll meet you downstairs," Vexon told River and walked out of the room, not before sparing a last glance at him.
"Desperate much?" Cason teased. I was glad that my head was buried in his chest, otherwise, I would have had to see their disturbing glances.
"Says the one who just got out of his room with Keya behind," Orson retorted.
"Get lost." Vexon frowned and walked past them.
"Boss did the pla��oops...wrong timing," Mane mumbled.
I wanted the earth to swallow me before anyone got to see my red tomato-like face. It was so embarrassing.
"Vexon, I am going to teach Ruby how to fire the guns to-" I clutched Vexon's blazer tighter, hearing the voice of the last person I wanted to see right then. "Geez. How creepy!" Newana went back the way she came from.
"Either walk faster or let me down," I whispered to Vexon, and he chuckled.
"I'm enjoying this."
I narrowed my eyes at him in disbelief and uttered, "You're crazy!"
___
"River Brown was at the coronation, Vexon. I swear!" I said for the umpteenth time, but Vexon refused to believe me.
The reception ended sooner than I had expected, and now we were in our bedroom with Vexon massaging my legs.
"How can you be sure?" he asked.
"Because he tried to flirt with me," with my reply, his fingers froze up. I gulped, knowing what was coming.
"And you are telling me this now? Seriously, Ruby?" he raised his voice slightly, anger clearly visible on his handsome face.
"I��no, wait. That was nothing though. Chill. It was a long time ago!" I tried to explain.
He gave me a sharp look and asked, "And what were you doing with him today then?"
If I told him what River actually told me, Vexon would not hesitate to cut him into pieces before feeding it to the dogs.
"He was just introducing himself," I lied.
"How did you fall?" He diverted the topic, although he got the hint that I wasn't telling him the entire truth.
I told him about the process of my pitiful fall, adding dramatic effects, finally concluding with, "Why would you do that to me?" I wiped my fake tears.
He twitched his lips to suppress his smile and started massaging my feet again. Then he stroked my head, and I closed my eyes, letting the sleep overtake me. Vexon planted a small kiss on my forehead and mumbled, "Good night, my love."
___
VEXON
"There is no River Brown in the guest list, boss," Mane informed me.
"How's that possible? Ruby told me, and she wouldn't lie to me. That bastard even flirted with her!" I clenched my fist.
Mane sighed and said, "She probably said that to make you jealous."
"She can't possibly just say that to make me jealous. She is not that crazy, Mane." I had complete faith in Ruby. "Just check it again. Maybe he changed his name or something."
Mane shook his head in denial. "No, boss. There were no extra invites."
I ran a hand through my hair in frustration.
It's not possible. There is something we are missing.
"What about the shipment? Any news?" I asked and glanced at my wristwatch which read quarter past one.
"None," Mane replied.
We were in the study right now. After Ruby fell asleep, I left the bedroom and called Mane to meet me in the study room.
After a few minutes, Mane received a call. He glanced at me and nodded his head.
I understood his signal. There was another attack at the port. It was a set up for the Aconites. Only I and Mane were aware of this plan.
We were sure now that we had a traitor among us, who heard me when I was talking in the study.
But who could that possibly be?
River Brown?
