Chapter 6 - In Action

WYATT

She was so beautiful.

No.

She is always beautiful, whether now or years ago when I first met her. It seemed all these years did not change her beauty at all. And if it was, it merely added more. She is beautiful but in a more mature way.

However, her beauty wasn't the only thing I loved about Ruby. She is a fantastic woman with a caring and loving personality. And I knew she would be a good mother someday, which I finally witnessed.

"Are you going to see her leaving like that?"

Kevin's question rang in my head as the memory of yesterday's event kept flashing like a movie. From the moment he first brought me to the daycare center, I met my son for the first time and saw the mother of my son till I had to let Ruby go after my attempt to fix everything failed.

I sighed as I leaned my head on the chair. Ruby refused to listen to me, not even let me finish my explanation. I knew the incident hurt her deeply, and whatever excuses I had, it wouldn't make sense. I was drugged, and Tina took advantage of me to make it look like we were sleeping together. It wasn't a Hollywood movie!

But, of course, her rejection didn't shake me. I had determined. I was going to chase her no matter what. And that determination brought me to the front of Ruby's store.

My lips twitched into a smile when I read Ruby's name above the main door. It's her dream to open a bakery since she loves baking. The same reason brought her to study it professionally, and I promised her to open one someday. A promise I couldn't keep.

I took a deep breath to shove away the anger rising from my own thoughts. Ruby did now, and I was proud of her. As my promise, I would find a way to make it happen.

I had to.

With that determination, I opened the door. I was instantly welcomed in a medium space with one main counter displaying all cakes and cookies, a coffee machine, and a cashier. There was no table for customers to enjoy sweets. It was disappointing because I had no reason to watch Ruby working.

"Morning, sir. What can I help you?" The lady at the counter greeted me as I arrived at the place.

Before uttering my intention, I looked at the display to see what I could order. Or should I do it right away?

"They all look delicious. Can the owner give me a recommendation?" In the end, I chose to the point.

"I-Im sorry, sir?" She looked surprised. Of course. I asked for a specific person.

"I want the owner to help me decide which cookies I should buy," I repeated, not a question but a clear statement.

"You mean Ruby? Do you know her?"

"Yes. Ruby. I know her very well."

"Are you her friend?" She kept asking.

"Hm. Kind of. Or better say, we're soulmates." I would definitely be getting scolded for doing this. But whatever. She left me no choice.

Another surprise and I almost chuckled at that. I couldn't wait to see my beloved ex-wife pouting from my actions.

"Oh, okay. Can you wait here? I'll ask her out."

I just nodded before she left the counter to report my arrival to Ruby. I didn't have to wait long because Ruby's figure appeared a minute later. "Morning, love." I welcomed her the way I used to greet her when we were together.

"What are you doing here?" To which she replied in annoyance. It seemed it was the only expression she had now whenever I was around.

"Didn't your employee report I needed help deciding what to buy. All your cookies are tempting me, Ruby." Just like you. However, I didn't say that loud as I had already spotted hones on her head.

"Are you kidding me? Get out. Find another store. You're not welcome here." She snapped. Her hand pointed at the doorway, clearly ushering me to leave.

I might be crazy, but I found her amusing. It was always better to get her angry than ignore me. At least, she responded to me. Right?

"I'm your customer." Surely, I wouldn't give up. If it was merely this, I could handle it. It was way easier compared to the years without her and not knowing about my son.

"Go, Wyatt. Or I'll call the police."

I exhaled heavily, trying to be dramatic. If I am stubborn, then Ruby is as well. That was why we didn't look for each other after the divorce. "Fine. Let's call the police and see what I'll say."

"What will you say?"

"Everything." I shrugged. "You, me, and Austin." I actually didn't want to do this. I preferred to solve this matter as quietly as possible without anyone knowing, especially my family, as I knew they loved Ruby and always wanted a child from us. They didn't mind where Ruby was from as long she proved she deserved to be my wife, which she did. And then, when she was gone, I didn't have the desire to build a family anymore.

Ruby was a bit shaken, but she kept rejecting me. "Dont bluffing. It doesn't scare me."

I didn't answer right away and instead stared at her hazel eyes. "Try me, Ruby, and we'll see what happens. You're well aware of what I'm capable of." This time, I used a serious tone to let her know I wasn't joking.

Silence and seeing the horror on her expression, she understood everything, including the fact that I knew about Austin, and announced it to the world. My family would definitely be joyful hearing about this.

But it could wait. I needed to correct my mistake first. I had to atone for all the years I was absent from their life.

"I guess it's time to order," I said again, but there was no response from her. "So which one will you recommend?"

She huffed but began striding her way in my direction and stopped in front of the cashier so I could see her closer. "I dont have a recommendation."

Only if she could be civil, everything would be perfect.

"I'm a customer, Ruby. Is this how you treat your customer?"

She rolled her eyes before continuing to talk in her you-should-go-away tone. "What do you like, sir? If you like chocolate, we have classic cookies. It's our best-selling cookies. Or you can try other flavors too like double chocolate, red velvet, lotus, and others."

"Hm. Do you have brownies?" I asked another thing, though the display shows brownies as well.

"Yes."

"Brownies or cookies. What do you think?" Yeah, I knew. It was a silly question. Still, I asked to prolong our interaction.

Ruby took a deep breath and closed their eyes as if to suppress anger and not snap at me. "It depends on your preference. Both cake and cookies are worth trying."

"You know what I like. But, okay. I will take the cake. The red velvet. I want two. One for you and one for me to enjoy while waiting for you working at the cafe there."

"What?"

"And I don't take a no. It's a customer order."