Ruby
The whole mansion was filled with nothing but the sound of sobs. No one uttered a single word.
That day, Vexon got home and really checked my phone. After watching the video, he proved my innocence. Everyone apologized to me, but that didn't make me forget how all of them treated me.
Today was Orson's funeral, and everyone was mourning. Vexon was not even present there.
I tried talking to him, but he shut himself down. He had closed up everything and curled himself in a ball.
"Call Vexon. They are taking away Orson's body," Newana whispered to me all of a sudden.
I nodded and made my way towards our bedroom. Vexon was sitting in the swing of our balcony with an emotionless face. It pained me to see him like that.
I sat next to him. He felt my presence and decided to ignore it. So I placed my hand on his shoulder.
"Vexon," I started, taking his hand in mine, "They are taking his body." He tried to pull his hand away from me but I held it tighter than before. "Vexon, please. Talk to me. Your silence is killing me. Express yourself. You can even cry and��"
Suddenly, Vexon pulled me in a tight hug. "Orson betrayed us. My own little brother hated us. He even framed you. He..." I felt hot tears on my shoulder, understanding that he was crying.
I bit my lip to stop myself from weeping. I had to stay strong for him, so I stroked his back, trying to comfort him.
"Hey, it was destiny. Orson doesn't hate you. He just had grudges," I whispered, trying to console him.
"But I lost him, forever." I stayed quiet hearing Vexon, not knowing what to say, but he uttered, "I am sorry for not trusting you."
"You trust me a lot, Vexon. That's why when everyone blamed me, you stood by my side." Deciding it was the right time to confess my love, I started saying, "Vexon, I lo��"
"Vexon and Ruby." We heard Nafeesa's voice. "Come down. They are taking the body."
I glanced at Nafeesa, who looked pale. I didn't tell the truth about her and Kace's relationship to Newana or anyone else yet.
Vexon got up, looking at me.
I was tired of crying so much, but the loss of Orson would still make me cry. I needed to wash my face so that I didn't look weak. After all, I had to be strong for Vexon, so I told him, "You go with Nafeesa. I will be there in a minute."
He nodded and followed Nafeesa while I entered the washroom. I washed my face thoroughly and wiped it with a towel.
As soon as I got out of the washroom, my eyes grew bigger in horror.
Vanera was there, holding me at gunpoint. "You!" she shouted, making me flinch. She looked miserable. Her makeup was smudged, while her eyes looked screamed danger. "Because of you, my Orson is dead, Ruby. It's all your fault. You are responsible for it," she spoke in a deadly voice, immediately fastening my heartbeat.
I have never seen Vanera like this. God! I needed to calm her down, otherwise, she might end up shooting me.
"No, Mom, I didn't do anything. Calm down, please. We can sit and talk about it. Please put the gun down," I breathed out.
She let out a humorless chuckle, putting the muzzle on my forehead now. "What are you? My therapist?"
"Mom, please��"
Sparing one last glare at me, Vanera pressed the trigger. I knew there was no way of me escaping from her wrath after all she was a Mafia leader for a long time.
Preparing myself to die, I closed my eyes and thought of Vexon.
Is this the end of me?
___
"Ruby. I am asking you for the last time. Did you kill my mom?" Vexon held my wrists tightly, not letting any scope for me to escape.
Others were placing Vanera's dead body in the coffin.
I replayed the scene in my mind, and I trembled at the thought. "It was for self-defense," I said, having no other option.
Vexon clenched his jaw, tightening his grip over my wrists.
"Tell me you didn't," he whispered, almost in a pleading tone; as if he wanted me to say something which I couldn't. So I averted my gaze. He gritted his teeth in anger and pushed me towards Newana. "Lock her up for now!"
Then Vexon turned towards the Gladiolus members near Vanera's coffin. He cleared his throat and said, "I, Vexon Bevine, the King Of Gladiolus, announce that Ruby Bevine will be executed by me tonight." As soon as he let those words out, I looked at him with my horrible state. He would really kill me.
He believed it. Everyone believed it.
That was what I wanted.
Everyone believes that I killed my mother-in-law.
I remained silent as Newana took me to a room. She demanded, "Tell the truth." A tear slipped from Newana's eyes.
I gave a sad smile. "Wow. You are crying because of me. That's something new and unbelievable," I joked with tears flowing through my eyes.
Abruptly, she hugged me tightly and mumbled, "Please tell the truth. I know you didn't kill her. Ruby, you will get executed if you don't tell the truth. You still have time. Tell me what happened. I am sure I can convince Vexon."
I patted her back, and said to her, "Take care of Vexon and Everley. Also, yourself."
Newana looked at me in disappointment. "Ruby..."
Avoiding her, I sat on the wooden chair and said sternly, "You can tie me."
Newana waited for a few minutes, hoping I would say something. When she understood I wouldn't open my mouth, she sighed and did her work. After she left, locking the door properly, I waited in silence for the time to come when I would be executed.
It was better to die than to live a life full of complications. And getting killed by Vexon would help me get a peaceful death.
Dying in the hands of my love. This seems so peaceful.
I let out my tears, remembering all the precious moments I spent with Vexon. I would never forget the times I was with him. I got to know what was the real meaning of love. Vexon taught me how it felt to love someone, to face problems. He was the perfect person with one flaw, ruling the Mafia. But that flaw of him turned into one of my favorites.
After waiting for a while, it was time for my execution. I heard the door click, and when I looked there, Vexon walked into the room.
His eyes were as dark as it could be. "Why did you do this?" Like the last time, his voice didn't waver. It was confident and was burning with hatred.
I didn't open my mouth, while Vexon started untying me. "Where did I go wrong? Oh, yes, the only mistake I made was loving you," he spat out bitterly. His gaze could turn me to ashes. I felt someone was ripping my heart off my chest.
"I thought it was the best mistake, but you made it the worst one. You are the love of the Mafia King, and you will remain that forever. Come what may," he whispered and instantly placed his lips on mine.
Like every time, the kiss wasn't warm. It was aggressive and passionate. He started exploring my mouth. I kissed him back, our tongues fighting with each other.
Unknowingly, tears sprinkled from both of our eyes.
This will be our last kiss. After that, I will be dead, I thought. I couldn't even confess my love for him.
After we broke apart from the kiss, Vexon spoke, "You know why I never wanted to leave you even after I married you forcefully?"
I waited for him to speak. With every passing second, my heart was shattering into pieces.
"That's because I always hoped that we would be together forever. However, our forever was very short-lived. But, I guess life is unpredictable, huh? You will leave this world, taking my every emotion with you. I don't know what will happen to me after that."
"I am sorry..." I apologized in a timid tone, not knowing what else to say.
Biting his lip hard, to make it bleed, Vexon put the muzzle of his gun on my forehead. The cold metal sent shivers down my body. I have never felt so much helpless before.
"Only if a sorry could heal everything, I would have accepted it. If my sorry could bring my mother back, I would have gladly accepted your apology, Gem. But it's my bad luck." I whimpered hearing his words as he further spoke, "You are taking my every last emotion with you, remember that. This is the last time I will be saying this. I love you, Mrs. Ruby Bevine."
With that, Vexon rested his finger on the trigger. I replayed every sweet memory of my life in my mind, remembering the tender moments I shared with Vexon.
Everything would end here; the love of the Mafia King would cease to exist.
I couldn't confess verbally.
I love you, my Satan.
The muzzle of the gun was still on my forehead, and I knew this was the end of everything. I closed my eyes when I saw Vexon slowly pressing the trigger. Soon, I heard the familiar sound of the gunshot.
Bang!
