Ruby

No words exchanged, my Father and I walked into the bungalow. After assuring myself that it would be useless to take a brief rest in the living room, I made for my room but my father's voice stopped my intended motion.

"Why do I get the feeling that you are lying to me?"

A shiver ran down my spine as I turned to face him. It would be rich to think so, but I think there is a possibility that he knows who Adonis is. But, my father knows or not, I was not ready to tell my Dad with my mouth who Adonis Klaus is to me.

"Dad..." I bit into my lip and my eyes darted elsewhere, a motion that ensued the moment he took a step closer to me.

"I am going to investigate him. You know that already. So, Ruby, it will be wise if you let me know what the deal is. Because if I find out that there's something nasty going on, it is going to get difficult not only for you but for all of us."

A particular word of his didn't sit right with me.

"What do you mean by difficult?"

My Dad crossed his arms. "I can tell you are dating that man and based on my guts, he is bad news. And if he is indeed bad news, God only knows how that might affect all of us."

As I listened to my father express his feeling about the whole thing, I felt tempted for a second to scream out the fact that Adonis is my teacher, an ex-gangster, and the man that I can't seem to get out of my head.

I didn't.

Those facts could not leave my mouth at all.

So, all I said to my father was, "I hope you don't find something nasty about Adonis. I'll be in my room."

"Not a word about this to your Mother, okay?"

"Why?" I asked with a small frown. As far as I know, they hardly keep things from each other.

"She is pregnant, Ruby. You don't want to stress her."

I gave a quick nod, waved at him, and walked to my room. As I shut the door, my back slammed against the wooden furniture and I found myself finally recovering from the earlier shock.

Who would have thought my Dad would show up at such a time? What was he even doing there? Was he tailing me? Has he been tailing me?

Perhaps I am overthinking things and he was just there for a quick meal.

I scoffed.

I know my father. He is more of a ′send my secretary to get me lunch' kind of man.

So, that left me with the tailing option.

But, if by chance he has been tailing me, it would be ridiculous that he is asking me about Adonis. Surely, he would have checked everything that needed to be checked.

So, except my Dad is trying to mess with me, he probably was not tailing me.

A groan escaped me as my brain sent a signal that my overthinking was becoming unbearable, so I chastised myself, loosened Adonis's jacket from my waist, walked towards the bathroom, and mentally prepared myself for a long time under the shower.

~

After close to an hour of having cool water running from my head to my toe, I left the bathroom feeling fresh and less burdened.

As I walked towards my wardrobe, my eyes landed on my laundry basket where one of my panties managed to protrude from the cluster of garments.

It was the SpongeBob panties.

Before I knew it, a smile grew on my lips. The moment Adonis and I shared in the store crept into my mind. Adonis sure knows how to drive me crazy within a short time. Honestly, a few seconds were all he needed to make me crazy. Even his freaking scent makes me yearn for him.

God! I freaking miss him!

Maybe that's why I keep having sexual tension-filled dreams.

I failed to take my eyes off my undergarment, so my mind decided to replay the moment Adonis got on his knees and placed his tempting lips on my vagina.

The image triggered something in me and, with Adonis's fine face etched in my mind, I closed my eyes. I brought my right hand towards my left arm and slowly traced my skin.

From my fingertips to my shoulder area, I provoked the feeling of pleasure and by the time my fingers the wetness on the side of my neck, my breathing was on its way to becoming distorted.

My fingers were already making their way to my ear, and I could feel the hairs in that region beneath my touch and while I reached and played with my earlobe, my other hand began to caress my other arm.

All this I still did while picturing Adonis.

In fact, at a point, it felt as though he was really there and doing those things to me. I could picture him slowly pushing me towards the bed while his hand worked on taking off my towel.

Gosh, I could even picture his large hands roaming my expectant body.

The way I keep wanting him more and more is absolutely crazy.

I was about to do more when the voices of my mother and Zion reached the corridor. It would be rather embarrassing if one of them were to walk in while I had a look of desire on my face.

Soon, I was dressed comfortably and while I took a second to decide what to do with my life, I heard a knock on my door.

"You can come in," I said, my legs walking towards the desk in my room.

"Hello, Baby," my mom greeted softly and closed the door. "I am sorry I haven't checked up on you in a while. I have been very busy."

I sat on the plastic chair and faced her.

"I understand, Mom. It is fine, really."

She sighed hard after a smile grew on her lips. She sat on the edge of my bed and once our eyes were evenly locked, she reached for my hand and said, "I heard about that Clara girl. I can't believe anyone would want to hurt you in such a way."

"Well, the world is uglier than we think it is, so some things shouldn't be so surprising."

"How are you feeling about everything?"

"A bit confused yet glad." I looked down at my hands. "I am glad she didn't get the chance to hurt me more than she did."

Mum held my hand tighter. "And, I am glad you are strong enough to get through this."

"Thank you for thinking I am strong."

She shook her head firmly.

"Don't thank me. I am stating the obvious. Ruby..." She shifted a bit so that our knees were almost touching. "... even though I wasn't in the picture at the beginning of your life, the few years I have spent with you have displayed unfavourable situations for you. You have gone through some nasty things. And, my heart breaks when I think about those things.

But do you know what consoles me? The fact that you never let those things weigh you down. I love how ready you are to refuse the effect those happenings could have on your life."

"You make me sound like a powerful person."

"You are a powerful person, my beautiful daughter. For the nineteen years you have lived, you have displayed great strength."

My mother had earlier placed her hand on my left cheek and I placed one of my hands on hers, the warmth being exchanged making me feel good... and loved.

"I am not always strong you know," I said after some seconds of silence. "I feel helpless sometimes."

"That's why you have your father and me, even Zion. We are here to help you whenever you don't feel strong enough. It is okay to feel confused or weak. I think that we find our best strength after we have tasted a bit of weakness. Because we constantly try to ensure that we don't feel as shitty as we used to be, that's when we fight as hard as possible to stay strong."

I nodded in agreement. "I have a question."

"Do ask," she replied as her touch on my cheek relaxed.

"How would you feel if you find out that I am romantically involved with a man eight or nine older than me?"

She frowned instantly. "Are you involved with a man that is that much older than you?"

"That's not the answer, Mom. Please just answer my question."

"Okay..." Her head ducked as she seemed to stitch her response in her head. "As long as the man is not married and as long as being with him won't question your safety, I'd not mind."

"Hmm," I murmured.

"Is something going on that I should know about?" she asked.

"Uh... no. That is a question Abby once asked me and I got curious about how you'd react if I fall in love with a man way older than me."

"Ruby..." Her voice was endearing. "Do not rush into matters that involve the heart. Always be sure to tread carefully, okay?"

"Alright. Why do you say so though?" I asked.

A small groan came from her as she managed to get up. Once upright, she ruffled my hair, looked down at me, and said, "You are at the age where love seems very simple. But it is never simple, so be careful."

"Okay, Mom. Thank you."

"You are welcome. Oh," she stopped to turn in my direction before her feet could reach the door, "Zion ate the chocolate cake I got for you yesterday. Sorry."

"He had better get me another one," I said with false anger in my voice and that made Mom chuckle.

"I will make sure he does. Take care, Ruby."

"And you too. Make sure you rest a lot, the baby needs it as much as you do."

She smiled and walked out of the room.

Since it was certain that it would be useless to try to do any school work at that moment, I approached my bed for a quick sleep. I reached for my window blinds to adjust them but that was when a sight caught my eye.

Just under a tree, a tall figure stood, legs crossed, sight looking furiously directed at the environment ahead.

It was Adonis no doubt.

I was planning to keep my eyes on him for a while when his head swung in my direction.

My heart skipped a beat and I raised my right hand in an attempt to wave but I soon figured that he couldn't see me.

Sleep already a forgotten thing, I got off my bed, got rid of the band holding my semi-wet hair up, checked, and made sure my face was not looking weird. And the next minute, I was in the living room.

"Where are you rushing to, Ruby?" my Mom's voice stopped me.

"Uh... I have to see Jake. It has been a while since I talked to him."

"It has been a while since I saw him as well. Did you guys fight?"

"Something like that."

"Go and patch things up with him then," she said, her hands waving me out of the room.

Soon, my legs were approaching the back of our house and I was crossing to the other side of the street where the huge tree that stood taller than most houses around was located.

And there he was, eyes still looking focused. It seemed like he was looking out for something or someone.

"Are you looking for me?" I asked softly once I was in front of me.

His eyes briefly widened in surprise.

"Actually..." He faced me with seriousness all over his face. "... yes."

"You should have called me." I reached for his hand.

"Sometimes observing from a distance is enough for one's heart. I get to see your smile from afar and appreciate how beautiful you are even more."

As my insides went all mushy, my lips grew a wider smile.

"You have a way with words, Adonis. But I know you weren't watching me."

"I was doing my job of protecting you. These days seem to grow more and more dangerous."

"I am glad." I took a step closer to him. Our eyes connected and time seemed to drag. My entire body failed to respect the normal functionality of a human body and I drowned in his presence more and more. "I am glad I have you to protect me," I whispered and one of his hands ran through my hair, introducing more jeopardy into my system. Only, it was a delightful jeopardy.

"Ruby..." I responded with a hum. "... how would you love to go on another date with me?"

An evening with Adonis Klaus? Yes, please.

"I would love to."