Ruby

"Uh..."

Her response surprised me, I won't lie. I was expecting her to claim that it was all a misunderstanding. A little part of me wanted to hear that Bryan was being accused wrongly.

But then...

"Ruby I-"

I pulled Celery's hand. "Let's go somewhere else. We can't discuss this here."

She nodded understandably, wiped off the wetness on her cheeks, and followed my lead as I searched for a space where we could talk without the chance of being eavesdropped on.

After a while, a fairly large space where cleaning supplies were stored appealed to me to be a safe enough place and after peeping out of the door to make sure no one had their eyes in our direction, I closed the door.

"Okay, Caitlin. Talk to me. What do you know?"

It is quite weird how I ceased calling her Celery. But I didn't mind. Caitlin is her name at the end of the day.

"Uh..." Making sure we weren't having eye contact, Caitlin began to dig her manicured fingers into the skin of her left hand. I could tell that she was trying to ignite pain, so after a little wince, I reached out and released her from the repetitive torture.

"Sorry, it is a habit," she gently apologised.

"It is fine. Just gather yourself and let me know when you are ready. "

" I am ready, it's just that this scenario is not one I could have ever imagined." She let out a small chuckle. "We are like oil and water."

" I guess. But oil and water try to mix sometimes so this is not so terrible," I said.

She smiled, licked her lower lip swiftly, and said, "About Bryan... There is more to him."

"What do you mean?"

"He has my father on a leash. He controls my father right now. "

My eyes didn't fail to express how surprising that piece of information was but I didn't interrupt her. Soon, Caitlin was taking small paces.

"Bryan has his hand on some crazy secrets about my Dad and he uses that to control him. He uses that opportunity to cover his dirty tracks. That's why he can never be apprehended no matter how gruesome the crime he commits."

" That is sick. How are you living if you wake up every time in such terrible shackles? "

Her strides came to a pause and she let out a heavy breath. " I guess... " Her arms crossed and she gave a small shrug while her upper teeth tortured the flesh of her lip. "I guess I have gotten used to it."

"You shouldn't get used to such things, Caitlin. They will eat you up in the worst way."

" I know." She laughed softly, but I could read the pain in her gentle chuckle.

That made me feel sorry for her. I felt sorry that she was carrying the burden of her father at a time when she should be discovering herself, when she should be creating a path for a great future.

But one thing that confuses me is how she managed to act high and mighty in school when she was going through such a hard time.

But then, I guess people try to escape reality in different ways. Perhaps acting like a bitch was her own way of escaping her pain.

That is a shitty way. But it is still a way.

"You must be wondering how I could be so... intimate with my father." Caitlin suddenly dropped and I recalled the crazy moment that led us to the point of talking to each other... in a room filled with mops and whatnot.

"Actually," my smile was fake, "I try not to think about that moment. It was quite a scene. "

" Oh. I shouldn't delve into that then. "

I shook my head without hesitation. " Please don't."

"Well... Bryan isn't an easy target. You should know that much. I think you should let him be. His punishment will naturally come eventually. Without a doubt, karma will prevail."

" And that will be when? When he dies?" My scoff was loud. And I displayed great disbelief at her statement. "So he kills a few people, cut short their life, but he is allowed to live a nice life because punishment has to come his way naturally? "

Caitlin looked lost for words, her eyes blinked with great confusion.

" If that's how you see this situation, you are quite disappointing. There is no such thing as nature serving punishment to evil-doers. That's bull shit. "

" There is no hope when it comes to this issue. Bryan has-"

" He is still a human with flaws. Stop making him sound like some space lord that will continue to hold your life in his palms."

As I reached out and held both sides of her shoulders, she let out a shaky breath which made me feel more sorry for her.

"Trust me, if you put your whole being into it, that punishment you speak of, Bryan can get it as soon as possible and you will get your life back. But-"

" It won't be easy," she completed my words.

" It won't be easy. But is anything ever easy in life?"

Her face indicated she was pondering on my last statement and seconds later, her face lit up a little. "Ruby, I am jealous of how mature you sound."

" Oh, trust me, I am hardly mature. Anyway..." I took a step back and watched as she took a look at something on her phone. "We have to do something about Bryan. We need to find some evidence against him. Do you think you can work something out?"

She nodded. " He lives with us, it will be easy."

" Be careful though."

" Thank you, Ruby," she said and I returned the appreciative smile in her eyes.

" We should leave, we are super late for the first period."

Caitlin's laughter followed as I made to open the door.

"I am not concerned about things like that. I can always skip a few classes. What I need to do right now is to go to the restroom and make sure I look more like myself."

My head slightly turning in her direction, I said, "Your look right now is surprising, but I think you look pretty. Pretty and original."

" Oh." Her tone was soft, and she almost looked shy.

I nodded and was soon opening the door but as I stepped outside, I met Clara right in front of the door, her head buried in the phone in her hand.

"Clara?" I wasn't certain what to make of her presence there.

"Hi there," Cara eagerly greeted and Caitlin snickered behind me before she walked away, leaving Clara and me.

"Oh..." Clara's eyes which were following Caitlin's figure landed back in mine. "Did I interrupt something?"

"Is that even a question?"

A confused smile landed on her lips. " Why do you sound pissed?"

"Do you care to explain why you are here?"

" Why? Is there something you are hiding?"

I scoffed as it occurred to me that Abby was right. There is something off about Clara.

"It's fine, Ruby," she continued, her hands doing some weird gesticulation. "We all have secrets, it's part of the fun we get to have as living beings."

" Uh..." My eyes darted to the side. "Okay?"

" I mean, it is okay to like girls. If that's what works for you, I won't judge."

My jaws dropped. That was what she was thinking?

Well, she did see Caitlin and I walk out of the room together. But really?

Either way, I don't have time for her.

"Thanks for the word of advice, Clara. I need to go to class now."

I flashed her a smile that was a hundred percent fake and soon rushed out of that area which was one of the secluded parts of the school.

When I finally got to the familiar corridors where I was very likely to meet a teacher who would serve me some warning for not being in class, I let out a sigh of relief.

Clara really creeped me out back there.

Deciding not to make something dramatic out of that situation I shrugged off the feeling of being ripped off my privacy and began to make my way to my first class.

~

Hours later, I was back in the comfort of my father's house. As I gave in to the tiredness in my knees and tossed my bag to the nearest couch, my eyes went back to staring at my phone which was in the process of dialling Jake's number.

Jake did not show up in school at all. And since it was unusual of him, I could not help but worry. But he was making things worse by not replying to my messages or picking up my calls.

"Ruby, you are back." My mother's voice dragged me out of my concerns and with a smile on my lips, I leaned forward to receive her incoming kiss. Before I knew it, she pulled her elbow and began to drag me towards the kitchen.

My incessant staring at the phone didn't make me realise I was now sitting down in the kitchen until my father's voice dragged me out of my seriousness.

"Ruby, we have to talk."

"Dad." The phone was instantly faced down on the island and my full attention fell on my parents. "What's up?"

Mom dropped a plate of chocolate cake in front of me and caressed my hair a bit before she went to sit beside my Dad.

"We have two things to talk about," she started.

"Oh, really?" Since I had no idea what the two topics could be, I postponed eating the cake till after the discussion was over.

"Yes." My dad cleared his throat. "First, my cop friend Dave was able to trace the person that uploaded those images of you."

" Really?" That information brightened my soul. If by chance it was Bryan's handiwork, perhaps that will be a way to keep him away for a while.

"Yes." My Dad nodded and smiled gently while he observed my excitement.

"So..." I strummed the marble top. "...who is it?"

"You'll find out tomorrow."

"Ow, really?" He nodded and I couldn't help but frown a bit.

" Dave will arrive with some cops tomorrow to make the arrest so you will find out then."

Well, one thing is certain, the next day sounds like a drama-filled day already.

Sighing as I gave in to the decision, I said, "That is fine. I can be more assured now. So, what's the second thing?"

They both shared a look and that roused my curiosity. "Ruby..."

This time my mother did the talking. "It is about the state of your health."

"Am I finally getting a response to my many questions?" I asked and they both nodded. "Well, it is about time. So what is it? It is nothing serious right?"

" Ruby..." The heaviness in my Dad's voice dissuaded my excitement.

" It... It is nothing serious, right?" My voice carried caution and I hoped that I wouldn't dread their response.

"Ruby, there's a small problem with your... heart." My Mom replied to me while my father shifted his gaze elsewhere.

My eyes narrowed, and I said, "Well, that explains the crazy clenching in my chest, but is that the news?"

"Your heart is growing weak, Ruby, and-"

" M...My heart is growing weak?" My soul felt drained instantly. That is not the kind of news you would hope to hear after a stressful day at school.

My Mom reached out and grabbed my hand. "I know it sounds like a lot but once you start taking medications regularly, coupled with frequent check-ups, you will be fine in no time."

" Is that all I have to do? Take a couple of drugs? Will that ensure my quick recovery?"

" Yes, it will," my Dad joined the conversation again. "Just- Just trust us, Ruby, this will be over soon."

"Okay. But why does it seem like you are hiding something else from me?"

Mom chuckled. " What? No way. We were just worried you wouldn't take the whole health news well."

" Oh." I watched their expressions closely. There was something they were hiding but I didn't push it.

"In that case, as long as I'll be fine at the end of the day, it is all fine."

My phone chimed and I reached for it hoping it was a message from Jake.

It wasn't.

It was from a strange number which turned out to be Mr. Klaus who, according to the message, was in front of our house waiting for me.

Wait a minute...

"Ruby? Are you okay?"

Did the message say he was waiting in front of the house?

"Ruby?" Mom called again.

"Uh... guys, I have to go meet Abby and talk about..." I got up, my eyes still staring at the message in disbelief. "We have to talk about uh..."

"Sure, make sure you are back in time though," Mom foiled my attempt to lie.

And after I threw a quick kiss in their direction, I was outside, and true to his words, Adonis Klaus was outside the house, hair all done, clothes looking very sleek even though it was just a tee shirt and sweatpants.

He really does make basic things look hot.

Like a thief, I closed the door gently and rushed towards the man. With haste, I dragged him to a region I was certain my parents' eyes wouldn't reach.

"How on earth did you find out where I live?" My surprise filled my voice.

" Hello to you too." He released his hand from my hold and stood straight. " And to answer your question, I have my ways of finding things out and since I will be protecting you with all my might, knowing where you live is an advantage."

I frowned at him. "Whatever. But what are you doing here then? And why do you look so..."

My eyes wandered to his face again and it baffled me once more how gorgeous he was.

"Fine? Gorgeous?" He grinned.

"Oh please."

He let out a hearty chuckle as I rolled my eyes.

"I am here to take you out on a date," Adonis dropped in response to my earlier question.

And, my head snapped in his direction. "A date? Why a date?"

"Uh..." He brought his thumb to his lower lip. With a sleek move, he swiped his finger over the flesh of his lip and I couldn't help but follow the motion.

"Because we are both dressed for it?" he asked.

"But-"

"No buts, Ruby. Don't find excuses. " I opened my mouth to argue but he was already pulling my hand and his legs were already moving backward.

"Excuses will hinder you from experiencing something good. So... "

A small yank and I was standing next to him, his eyes boring into mine with a smile tucked within them. "Let's go on a date and I repeat, no excuses."