RubyI never thought it was possible for one to feel greatly at peace after sleeping. And I don't know if it is sensible to say that the sleep I just had was too sweet. My eyes were still shut because I wanted to go back into that slumber world and just dream away.But Abby's and Jake's voices kept interrupting my attempt, so I gave up. But my eyes stayed closed."I know you are awake, Ruby. I saw your hand move." Abby's stern voice made me smile inwardly.Then, I recalled the man that was with me before I fell asleep. Desperate to check if he was still in the room, I opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was the ceiling. Before I could turn my face to the side, two peering faces hovered over me and I wore a pout on my lips in reaction."Good to see you looking like yourself, Ruby," Abby commented while Jake helped me sit up. "Hmm." I ran my hands through my hair as I tried to stifle a loud yawn. "For how long was I asleep?""Dude, I have no idea. I am just glad you have got your
RubyThree days later, the school was wearing a different look in preparation for Maddison's memorial. I actually didn't think my mother would approach the principal to express her displeasure, but she did. And the principal who we hardly see around listened to my mother.Investigations were put on hold and no classes were held after eleven o'clock. And that was weird because you'd expect that there would be no class on a day like this.But then, I am glad the memorial service gets to happen. It is the least that could be done for the departed soul.Since Abby and I are part of the school decorating team, we were assigned to give a different touch to the open grounds behind our school.The view is quite nice. One would be able to see the city ahead at night and that guarantees a beautiful view. "Is that a piano?" Abby queried as she got off the ladder that she had earlier climbed so that she could put up the banner made for the occasion.I looked behind me and behold, a grand piano w
RubyWith fear within me, I walked toward my Mom who was still trying to decipher the issue on ground. Everywhere was already chaotic as murmurs filled the air and all eyes fell on me. But that didn't bother me. The woman in front of me is more important."Mom.." I carefully called after I found my stance in front of her."What is going on, Ruby? What is this?" She pushed the paper in her hand toward my face and I sighed. I didn't want her to find out in such a way.In fact, I didn't want her to find out at all."Mom...""What is this supposed to be?" Her forehead creased as she took another unbelieving look at the contents of the flier. "A naked you?" "I-""This is not how you look naked," she protested, her frown getting deeper. "I am sure of it.""You know what I look like naked?""I am your mother, of course, I do. That is not the point here. " She quickly changed the topic before I could ask the question that instantly entered my mind. "Why is this happening, Ruby? Is somethin
Ruby"Is that so?" I heard my Dad calmly yet authoritatively ask. He then took a deep sigh and shifted in the leather seat of the BMW model he had gotten the previous year. "Good. At least we know who the traitor is."My head turned to the side and my eyes captured the entrance to our house. My mind then traveled to the unexpected turn of events, playing right from the moment my parents hinted that they had something planned for me. True to her word, Mom took me to the closest mall and had me try gown after gown without slipping a word about what was going on.After choosing a red, low turtle neck, knee length, and a smooth-feeling gown that Abby would call sexy, Mom dragged me to a beauty salon and made sure I sat through the whole process.Trust me, I hated every moment.The fact that I had to sit for so long, the incessant chattering around me, the hands in my hair, the eyes staring at my face, I hated it all because I felt uneasy.But the result, I like. In Mom's words, I look l
Ruby"What?"The murmurs increased as the woman's statement made no sense as seconds passed.My father, Dominic Powers, is the father of her child?The aged man that was querying the teary woman looked at my Dad who was sipping wine from the glass cup in his hand as if a woman didn't just accuse him of something outrageous, something my mother mustn't hear. "Are you certain of what you are saying, woman?" the elderly man asked again and the woman nodded so firmly, my heart broke in reaction.Just when I was about to walk up to my father and ask him if it was true, he resumed his majestic steps and walked to where the crowd was. After pushing his way through and having his steps stop just in front of the fuming woman, his hands went into his pockets."Dominic Powers?" The tone of his voice and his question killed the noise in the hall and made my curiosity rise even more. "Yes, that man wants to ruin my daughter's life."I scoffed unbelievably. What was that? Does she even know the p
RubyI don't remember a time when I was so tense. It was as though I was about to step onto a huge stage to face a large and intimidating crowd. I felt like I was about to do something that would ridicule me.But, my father's words at the party came to me and that reminder lashed at the ridiculous thoughts I was having.Clutching hard, the handle of my personalized tote bag that Abby made for me for last year's Christmas, I let out a huge puff of air and resumed my intent to walk past the glass entrance of the school building."Hello there."My chest banged hard at that voice, my whole body felt so strange, like it was hypnotised."Mr. Klaus," I carefully said as I turned my head slightly to face the tall man who was dressed like he came out of a fashion magazine. Well, he always dresses like that. He might as well be on every cover of magazines women love to feast their eyes on. "How are you doing?" he asked. "Uh?" I blinked hard after I realised that I was already picturing him i
Ruby"Ruby Powers, are you planning to stand there all day?" Mrs. Cook's firm voice whipped me out of my temporary trance.I was still finding it hard to get that Adonis man out of my head."Oh..." My eyes met the multiple eyes staring at me. " I am sorry I am late, " I hurriedly said before she decides to give me an F-minus for lack of morals."Just go and have your seat."My head ducked a bit as I walked towards the only available desk which was way at the back, but luckily behind Jake's.After I settled, Jake's face literally almost smeared against mine. "How are you doing?" he whispered and his eyes narrowed as though daring me to lie."We'll talk later, Jake." I briefly looked ahead. "Mrs. Cook mustn't be given a reason to deduct non-existent marks."Jake smiled, nodded, and shifted properly to face the ongoing class. But as he turned, I noticed the large bandage that secured a spot on his right jaw and I wondered if he got injured somewhere.Well, I'll just add that to a list o
Ruby"What?" Abby angrily asked and I scoffed.Where does Mr. Bounce think he is? A set for a Telenovela series?"What kind of request is that? Why would-"This time, I stopped Abby from displaying the anger she had within her."Well..." Mr. Bounce made sure to lock his eyes with Jake who was presently clenching hard, the arm of the chair he was seated in. "What do you say? Would you be stupid enough to go to jail? Do you perhaps have certain principles that-""I'll do it. "" What? Jake, no. " I found myself blurting out, my feet already a step closer to Jake."You will?" My ears picked up Celery's mocking chuckle and my angry fists came back. Jake's jaw seemed to dance a bit, his tight hold on the arm of the chair brought out a clear outline of his veins. He seemed like a very different person at that moment."I will do as you say under a condition," his thick voice continued."Oh..." Mr. Bounce was without a doubt amused. "This is interesting." The man then assumed a serious postu
AdonisI resisted the urge to smile as I studied her face the moment she closed her eyes. My arms crossed and I let out a shuddering breath. I was slowly being pulled into some kind of trance, I needed to remind myself that I was not dreaming.I needed to remind myself that I should be alert, and waiting to hear her response, but I couldn’t help myself.Apart from a few times when I managed to send one of the men to check up on her, I had no particular idea of what she looked like in person. Definitely, the pictures sent did no justice to how beautifully grown she was.My head tilted as I observed her entire face. Her lips kept twitching as she delved into her thoughts. Her forehead wore some kind of frown and I realized once again how selfish it was of me to suddenly show up and ask her to choose from painful options. Options that make my heart ache as well.But I have no choice. I had to do it that way. Hopefully, she chooses to…“I have an answer,” I heard her blurt out, her soft v
RubyStepping out of the airport, my bag rolling with me as I walked towards the taxi I had flagged down, it hit me more that I was back in Manhattan on my way to see my parents and… him. And my mind became more confused.Thankfully, it was the mid-semester period and we have a one-week break which I will extend to a three-week holiday because I seriously need the break.Soon, the taxi moved and began the long journey that would lead me home.And towards Adonis Klaus.Two weeks after our unexpected reunion, I finally contacted Adonis, telling him I had an answer for him.I sounded so determined that I already had an answer but as the moving car sped and allowed some cool breeze to come my way, as I rested in the seat some more, I realised that my heart was still confused.Of course, I want to be with Adonis, I wish for nothing more. But thinking about the present only is such a short-sighted and risky thing. There is a strong need to think about how any decision I take would affect m
RubyThree years.I have been waiting for three years.Time flew past so fast while I was waiting for Adonis to show up in front of me again. While I managed to go on with my life, I always paused for some seconds to see if he was anywhere around me.He never was neither were there traces of him in his two homes.I graduated high school, took a year break before heading to the university to find out what appeals to me the most in life and now, that I am finally in the university, I am still waiting for him.At first, all I wanted was just to see if he was alive. I placed my hopes on the numerous searches embarked on by the police but, after a while, everything was futile. I watched the cops pack their bags and give up on searching for the man whose existence had become a mystery. Occasionally, I felt anger towards Adonis Klaus, but I always managed to cloud that anger with my need to see him alive.But, as three years passed, I felt anger and many more emotions. Some days I hate him,
Ruby“Did you hear that Bryan was arrested? Even Mr. Grassi! I wonder what the deal is with this school.” My ears caught the loud whispering from one of the girls who were in front of me as I dragged my feet sadly out of the last class for the day.Well, it wasn’t exactly the last period in school, but for me, who was already tired of the talks about Mr. Klaus resigning and how they miss him, I was already done with school for the day, I just wanted to go stay in a lonely place.All I want to do now is stare into the air and pray fervently for Adonis’s return.I might seem hopeless for banking on the idea that Adonis is still alive. Given the fact that it has been almost two weeks since the incident and no traces of him being has been found, my prayers seem useless.But, at the same time, traces of him being dead were yet to be found. Unlike others, evidence in form of pieces of burnt body parts belonging to Adonis has not been found.Yes, they are yet to fully get rid of the rubble,
Ruby This time, I slept for a longer period. I could tell that much as I grudgingly sat up. I was rubbing some sleep remnants off my eyes, when I felt a hand on my head, its fingers pushing back the strands of my hair in a very loving way. I know that touch! With happiness instantly overriding the sadness that had followed me into my long sleep, I fully opened my eyes and smiled widely at the man whose eyes watched me with affection. My throat felt heavy and tears threatened to come again. My eyes squinted and my forehead creased while I tried not to break into another bout of tears. But I was just so happy to see him. I was so glad that he came back to me. I was glad that my bad thoughts didn't come to pass after all. Filled with more and more emotions as seconds went by, I held onto his hand which sent soothing waves down my spine “Adonis…” I called him, my voice cracked as I couldn’t disguise the tears anymore. “Hey, Peanut.” His other hand leaned against my cheek and I rest
RubyWhile some men tended to Mark Lumber’s injury which didn’t have a good look, old man Matt circled the three hostages that were in the room. I was back on the chair, tied down as well. Adonis and Jake had been forced to kneel and some men were placed behind them. Those men watched the duo keenly as did their guns which were pointed at their heads.I sighed hard as my health situation got even worse. At intervals, my body shook, due to fear and the terrible state of my headache. At that point, my system had gotten used to the loud banging but that didn’t mean I wasn’t in pain.I was trying so hard to hide it but my entire body felt like it had been hit with a huge rock.“Where on earth are the fools that went to get the ropes?” Matt hollered as his annoying footsteps came to a halt and his eyes fell furiously on the entrance which was now destroyed thanks to the earlier exchange of bullets. “I need to make sure that these bastards don’t escape. Especially Adonis."”I’m sure they ar
Ruby I woke up from my long sleep and had a tight grip restricting my wrists and ankles. It was hard for me to move, my entire body felt like it had been pulled into sudden stillness.I finally opened my eyes which I closed to ignore the crazy headache I was still having. It had magnified its effect, and my head was practically about to burst at that point. My opened eyes made me fully aware of the dangerous situation I was in. While my nose tried to get rid of the yucky smell the strange building was oozing, I saw the number of men that were guarding the entrance that led to where I was. The strong, weapon-carrying men looked so unforgiving, it would be hard for any uninvited individual to make his way in or out peacefully.And… it would be harder for me to plot a possible escape.I sighed, my mouth feeling somewhat heavy as my entire soul felt like breaking down and crying.As I took another look around the tall building, the rusting machines surrounding me and especially at the u
AdonisIt was a Saturday evening.That meant it was a busy evening in the den. The wild party I walked into told me two things. One, a certain part of the gang wasn’t aware of the plan that involved taking Ruby. Two, the longer I stay in that environment, the more likely I was to attain an unforgivable height of anger- The kind of anger that could make one turn into a complete beast, with all sides of the face drawn into ugly wrinkles, with a voice coarser than sand, and with energy so negative, the world could turn to chaos.I don't want to be that angry. All I want to do is get the possible location of Mark Lumber or whoever the fuck kidnapped her. Then, I can spring into action.So, I hurried my steps towards the executive lounge of the hideout. As usual, the executive lounge was where the real party was always happening. There was hardly any noise but you can tell each person is having fun, one way or the other.As my eyes scanned the entire span of the room, I noticed Maximus
RubyIt happened too fast.One second, I was adjusting the towel covering my wet body while I stared at the food Adonis made for me. The next moment, glass shattered around me and these hefty men dragged me out of the apartment, ignoring my cries.It seemed like the building was empty as well. The people that heard my shouts were the security men who were mere souls in front of the tall, angry-looking men.Looking down at my chest as the jeep raced some more towards the highway, I let out a sigh. I then noticed that one of the men seated beside me had his eyes glued to my body."Listen," I started talking, my eyes furiously eyeing the pervert beside me, "I did as you said, I have not made noise since you guys kidnapped me.""We did not...""Get me some clothes before someone eye-rapes me." The tone of my voice was intentionally raised on the last statement, and my head tilted slightly towards the man on my right. The man seated beside the quiet driver let out a sigh. His hand rubbed