Ruby
When I opened my eyes, I jolted up. My eyes scanned my surroundings. Immediately, a gasp escaped my lips when I saw that the room looked familiar.
It was our bedroom; nothing was changed in the room.
Someone had kidnapped me, but I had no idea who it was.
How did I end up here?
I picked up one of the yellow emoticon pillows. These are still here, I thought. He had left everything in its place. Getting up from the bed, I went to the closet room.
All my clothes were there; nothing had even been touched.
Why was I even here? Did Vexon save me?
"Mom!" I heard from a familiar and sweet angelic voice. I turned around and saw the little munchkin running towards me with a huge grin on her face.
I held her in my arms and felt my eyes getting stingy with tears. "How are you, Eve?" I inquired.
She snuggled into my neck, saying, "I am fine now." I caressed her hair. "Are you going to stay with me now?" she asked, but I couldn't respond as I was trying to control my tears.
I wish I knew why I was here in the first place.
"Ev, go to your room. I need to talk with her," a deep, husky voice said from behind them.
My heartbeat fastened when I heard him. Slowly, I glanced at him. Everything in the room had stayed the same, but he had completely changed; he had stubble. He looked nothing like my old Vexon.
Everything about him screamed danger now.
Only one thing about him had stayed the same. His hair. At least he had kept that the way it was. I loved his brown hair.
Everley gave me a sad look as I put her down and she ran towards the door.
Vexon's blue eyes seemed cold when it pierced through my grey ones. It sent shivers down my spine.
"Don't jump to conclusions," Vexon said, putting his hands in the pockets of his ocean blue suit.
"What do you mean?" I asked in horror. "Why am I here? Are you going to kill m��" he interrupted me.
"No. One of the enemies of the Gladiolus really kidnapped you. Newana rescued you and brought you here."
I sighed and shook my head. Why would Newana rescue me? I thought. Even if she did, why would she keep me in this room?
Couldn't I just go back to Mrs. Nivekle?
"We have to stay as a couple for a week. Otherwise, the Nivekles won't sign the contract and we will face a huge loss in Gladiolus," Vexon explained.
The Nivekles? Was this a plan of Tyran and Weena Nivekle?
Arching an eyebrow, I let out, "What makes you think I would agree to this after everything that has happened to me?"
"I knew you would ask that. You are still the queen. The Gladiolus rescued you even after you hid away for six months and then you were actually kidnapped. Be thankful," with that, he got out of the room.
I bit my lower lip, watching him until he disappeared. He was still so attractive. His stubble made him look hotter than before.
___
I left the room after freshening up wearing a green tank top and jeans. I headed to Newana's room, avoiding all the awkward gazes from the staff.
When I reached her room, I only poked my head in at first, opening the door slightly.
Newana narrowed her eyes and deadpanned, "You are not allowed to enter."
Avoiding her, I stepped into her room.
"I said��" I pulled Newana into a hug before she could say anything else.
She was taken aback at the sudden movement, but she returned my hug.
"I missed your annoying self," she muttered, making me smile.
After we broke apart, we sat on the couch and started talking. She even offered me a cup of coffee.
"So, why am I here, and what has happened?" I asked Newana.
She started telling me about what had happened after I had left and what it did to Vexon. I couldn't control my tears while listening to her describing it.
Newana explained that Nafeesa was pregnant and Kace had to marry her. Newana divorced him but didn't leave the mansion yet because it would destroy Everley. So Newana started focusing all her time on the Mafia Iris, the Mafia Gladiolus, and her daughter, Everley.
It kind of shocked me to know that Newana was also running a gang, but it made sense. No wonder why, Newana was able to train me so well.
Cason couldn't do his job properly, so his duties were given to Newana, and the duties included being the Advisor of the Gladiolus and the CTO in Bevines' Armament Company.
Cason and Keya were sent to Italy to handle the Gladiolus base there. It has been found that the enemies started increasing because Vexon has killed innumerable people without any second thought.
"Vexon is miserable. He has become very cold. He is always working and barely comes home. He doesn't even hesitate to kill anyone now," Newana spoke up, "Only you can bring our previous Vexon back. That's why we brought you here."
I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion and breathed out, "What do you mean? Vexon told me that the Nivekles won't sign the deal until the king and the queen are together."
She chuckled. "That was a lie. I knew the Gladiolus meant everything to him now and he would go to any lengths to save it. The Nivekles are helping us to unite the two of you and bring the previous loving Vexon back."
So the Nivekles did plan all of these.
"That's like deceiving Vexon, Newana," I told her.
"No. Ruby, the Gladiolus is in a worse situation. Everyone is too afraid to even speak in front of Vexon. There is no unity left and everything is divided. Vexon can't control his anger. He has changed. The only solution is to bring him back, and you can do it. Only you." She put her hand on me, waiting for my response.
"I don't know," I said hesitantly. "Today he talked to me like one of his enemies. If I was the previous Ruby who was afraid of weapons and violence, I would have been dead by now."
"That's why you can fix him. Please, Ruby. We need our queen," she said in an attempt to reassure me. "You can bring him back."
I thought for a while before answering, "Fine, I'll do it." Immediately, a smile took over her lips and I asked her, "How did you find me anyway?"
"Long story short, I talked with Weena Nivekle who revealed your location to me, and then Mane and I went there only to find you were kidnapped. So we rescued you and brought you back."
I nodded hearing her but immediately frowned when a thought came into my mind. I mumbled, "The Gladiolus hates me. Even the staff."
"It's because you killed their previous queen, but they need you now. They can't risk losing their king," answered Newana.
I nodded once again.
That's why I am here, I thought. I only have a week before the Nivekles sign the deal.
"Don't worry, I will do everything possible to bring the previous Vexon back," I said to Newana, feeling slightly confident and happy to see Vexon once again.
I took your heart with me when I left, didn't I? Now I have come out of hiding to return it to you. Even if you don't want it, I will force you to accept it. Your Ruby is back in your life. I can't change anything that happened that night, but I can change the future, Vexon Bevine.
