Ruby
"Vexon could be back anytime," I mumbled to myself, pacing in the living room near the entrance.
I was waiting for him to get home so that we could eat dinner together. Newana was at work as well, so I had played with Everley the whole day.
"What is your problem, kid? I told you to get lost!"
My head snapped in the direction of the voice.
Nafeesa was there, scolding Everley. Nafeesa's stomach had grown very large and round. She was six months pregnant, after all.
I rushed towards them.
"What's wrong?" I asked Nafeesa.
Nafeesa rolled her eyes before glaring at me. "This kid was disturbing me. Why are you even here in my presence, Ruby? I don't want you to endanger me or my child. Get lost!"
"Don't talk to my mom like that!" Everley protested.
I pulled Everley towards me. "No, baby, don't talk like that." I said, "Now tell me. Why were you disturbing her?"
She answered sweetly, "I wasn't disturbing her, Mom. I was just trying to feel my new brother or sister kicking."
My eyes softened at her sweet words.
"I told you, Everley, this child will have nothing to do with you!" Nafeesa shouted at her, making me flinch at the sudden outburst.
I pushed Everley behind me, glaring at Nafeesa. I spat out, "I am still the old Ruby, Nafeesa. Don't mess with me or my child. She is just a kid trying to love her own brother or sister."
"I don't care. She is just my step-daughter, whom I hate the most."
I was about to respond to Nafeesa but Newana beat me to it. "And you are the biggest witch in this entire country. I must say, you look fat like an elephant," Newana said as she entered the house. She handed her bag to one of the maids and approached us.
"I don't look fat!" Nafeesa exclaimed, fuming with anger
"Sure you don't," I replied sarcastically.
"Boss lady, it's time for your medicine," Maya informed me out of nowhere.
The three of us glared at her. Maya set the glass of water and pills on the table and backed away slowly, cowering at our stares.
Maya was only doing her job but it was annoying. I knew she was just following Vexon's order.
"Newana, I can't even stand the sight of you," Nafeesa spat out bitterly.
Newana chuckled. "How can you even face me after you stole my husband?"
Nafeesa's nose flared in anger. "I didn't. You lost him because you failed to please him, which I gladly did."
Newana went to pull out her gun from the holster, but I held her hand.
"Okay, that's enough," I said. "Everley, go to your room. Wait there until I come to get you."
Everley nodded. As she was about to walk away, Nafeesa grabbed her hand and started screaming, "Where do you think you are going? This is all because of you!"
Everley tried to wriggle out of Nafeesa's grip, but she held her too tight. My heart ached at the sight of her in pain. Newana tried to pull Nafeesa away while I attempted to save Everley.
When Newana pulled Nafeesa, she pushed Everley. Without a second thought, I grabbed Everley's arm before she could knock over the glass Maya had left on the table. My hand hit the glass instead and it fell to the floor, shattering into pieces. I hissed at the feeling something pricking my foot.
"Eve, are you okay?" I asked her. She was crying as she shook her head and tried to hug me. "Don't come near me. There are broken glass pieces everywhere," I said, pushing her hands away, "Go to your room."
Everley dashed upstairs within a few seconds. I looked at Newana, who was holding Nafeesa by the hair. It looked as if she was going to pull it all out.
"How dare you!" Newana spoke aloud.
"Newana, stop it! She's pregnant for God's sake!" I said, trying to free Nafeesa, even though my foot was bleeding. However, Newana's grip was very strong.
"What the hell is going on?" Vexon's voice echoed through the hall. My body went still at the sound of Vexon's voice. Vexon was standing there, as handsome as ever. "Newana, leave her alone," he ordered.
Newana instantly released Nafeesa and sighed.
"I did not come here to watch Catfight," said Vexon, his voice lingering with disappointment.
"You all are��" Nafeesa started, but was cut off by Newana.
"Generous. I know. We have provided you with free housing, food, and everything else you could ask for. We love helping those in need."
Nafeesa stomped her feet in anger and marched away. Newana followed in pursuit of annoying her furthermore.
"Boss lady, would you please move to the side? I need to clean up the broken glass and the blood," Maya requested me, appearing all of a sudden.
I glared at her and she smiled. She knew the mention of blood would pique Vexon's interest. I moved and sat on the couch, trying not to squeal in pain. I felt the piece of glass press further into my foot.
"Blood?" Vexon asked looking at me, but I avoided his eyes and started playing with my hair.
"Yes, boss. She��" I interrupted her.
"You are dismissed, Maya."
She was about to leave, but Vexon changed his mind and called her out, saying, "Actually, Maya, tell me what happened first."
I scowled, which made Maya gulp. She was stuck between the boss and the boss lady; that should teach her a lesson.
"I�� Boss...boss lady got hurt," Maya blurted out. She was terrified of upsetting him. Quickly, she grabbed the cleaning supplies and ran off.
Oh, great!
"How can you be so irresponsible?" Vexon snapped at me, moving closer to the couch. "Where are you hurt? Show me."
I looked at my foot.
He kneeled down and took a look at it. Instantly, I melted at his touch. I missed his foot massages.
"Get me the damn first aid box!" he hollered in the mansion.
A staff member ran and handed him the box. Vexon started tending to my wound, mumbling some incoherent words. So he does still care for me, I thought. Maybe he still loves me.
Maybe I succeeded today. Maybe I brought all of his emotions back.
"I better warn Newana not to��" he stopped midway as if realization struck him. He shortly let my foot down then, without hesitating, and he walked away. Vexon didn't even look back.
When I looked at my wound, it was bandaged properly. I stood up and let out the tears that had formed up in my eyes. Just when I thought Vexon was opening himself up again, he decided to run away.
I was still the criminal who killed his mother. I wished I could run back to the time when everything was perfect.
Suddenly, the feeling of a cold metal blade against my throat jolted me out of my thoughts. Someone whispered, "You are back. Now, I am going to send you to my mother."
