Ruby St. Clair's POV

It's been two days since our sudden trip to Italy and having this weird meeting with Roman's good friend—a prince, no less. But I couldn't help but remember that old fellow the way he stared at me and the way I caught him glancing discreetly in my direction when he thought I was not aware of him throughout that night.

I tried to ignore the uneasiness I was feeling that night and stopped myself from confronting him and demanding what was supposed to be the problem since I had a feeling that the woman he claimed to have similar eyes as I left him and probably broke his heart.

Well, I have no business with whatever happened to him in the past with that woman. Thankfully, I probably not see him again in my life. I shook my head, there's no reason to revisit my encounter with that Italian prince now we're back in New York and back to our bizarre set-up. I was almost done with preparing breakfast when my mobile phone sounded in my pocket.

I fished it out and looked at the screen. I slightly frowned when I saw that my early caller was none other than my grandfather. Wiping my hand on the clean towel on the counter I slid my finger on the screen to take the phone call. "Good morning, Granddad."

"I am beyond grateful and relieved that you still know your poor old granddad, lassie." I heard my grandfather's opening remarks on the other end of the line. "I fear at night while I lay in my bed that my favorite granddaughter has forgotten that I am still alive."

I rolled my eyes at his dramatic speech as I leaned on the marble counter. "What's with the morning speech, Gran? Let's save the chase and get on with the business. Shoot."

I heard him pretend to sigh. "How cold, my dear. It must be the cold New York weather that is making you cold towards your granddad."

"Granddad..." I gave him a warning, rubbing my forehead. I had this kind of conversation with him. The way he would dance around the subject until you finally let your guard down before pouncing and aiming for a kill. We've played this many times in the past. "...if this is just a social call I'm busy right now I will call you later. I will hang up this phone."

"Wait!"

I raised an eyebrow and allowed myself to smile slightly. Now that caught him from his toying around with me. "Yes, Gran?"

I heard him take a deep breath. I could almost see the change in his demeanor in his Upper East Side mansion right at this moment. "Since your return, I barely see you, lass. It is as if you didn't come home at all I miss you."

Now he's playing with my conscience. This sly old fox, I mused affectionately. No wonder he's so successful in the business world he knew how to play his cards well. I shook my head ruefully, pushing away the wayward hair off my face. "Didn't you ask me a favor? I quite busy these days working."

"Yes, I remember. And I will be always grateful to you for this favor soon." Daniel St. Clair reflected thoughtfully. "That reminds me of the reason why I called, my sweet darling. I am hosting a family dinner party tomorrow at the estate in Hamptons all of your sisters will be coming and I will not take no for an answer from you, young lady."

A frown was marked on my eyebrows. "Why so sudden, Gran?"

I heard him exhale a heavy sigh. "This is not all of sudden as you put it, Ruru." He said bringing up the childhood pet name he had for me. "This is long way overdue. We should have this family dinner the moment you arrive but your old granddad is busy with the empire and among other things."

"So you are not busy now?" I inquired dryly, staring at the state-of-the-art kitchen. There was still no sign of Roman thank goodness.

"No," He replied with laughter in his voice. "So, can I expect you tomorrow night? I know that it's still weekdays but I am hoping you could come. Everyone will come including your hardnosed older sister Sapphire. I successfully managed to remove her bum away from her office chair even for one night for her to be with her family once in a while."

As if, anyone can say no to him. It was my turn to heave a sigh I was reluctant to come since I was not at ease to be around them with my little secret I was keeping from them. Besides, what were my chances that Emerald would not jest me or worse start to drop hints about Roman? What if Granddad's sharp mind would pick up little clues and learn that I am already married?

I silently groaned. That would be a complete disaster!

"Granddad..."

"I hope you are not thinking of refusing me I will be truly hurt if you turn me down, my child." He interrupted me with a warning in his tone.

What else can I do but say yes? I knew when I was cornered by my sly grandfather and I think this was also a good opportunity to be away from Roman since we've been inseparable since I moved in with him. "Nope. I am not going to refuse your invitation, Gran. Expect me tomorrow night."

"Perfect!" I could hear the triumph in my grandfather's voice. "It's a deal. I will be expecting you tomorrow. Oh, before I forget, lass. You know that your granddad is a very modern man, right?"

My instincts immediately told me to raise my guard as I stood straight in my position. "Yes?"

"Well rumors reach my ears that one more reason why you're not visiting me lately is that you move out from your twin's flat and move in with a man, is that true?"

My heart sank to the soles of my feet. I paled at his words as cold sweats started to form on my forehead. "W-where did you hear that story?"

There was a long pause from the other line. For a moment I assumed that the phone call was disconnected when Daniel spoke again in an innocent tone I didn't buy. "A friend of mine casually mentioned it to me the other day."

I glared darkly. Emerald, I thought heatedly. Did that woman betray me and sell me to our grandfather? When I see that woman I will wring that pretty neck of hers. She will be wearing a neck brace in her next photo shoot, I swear!

"Lass? Are you still there?"

Trying to calm my nerves. I swallowed hard as I tried not to show emotions in my voice in case Granddad was just testing me. "Yes, I'm still here. Who is this 'friend' of yours who couldn't mind his own damn business?"

"Oh, you don't probably know him." He said casually. "He is just a business associate in the past? Why do you want to know him? Are you denying that you're currently living with a man?"

It was on the tip of my tongue to contradict but I decided to test the waters maybe he would oppose my association with this man and do something about it... "So what if I am? What are you going to do? Are you going to forbid me?"

I was hopeful that he would refute my actions and do something about it but my expectation was shuttered by his answer. "Oh, no. Goodness, you're old enough to be responsible for your actions. Now that we're in this subject I might as well as extend my invitation to this mystery man and bring him over for tomorrow's dinner."

My mouth hung open. "I thought you said that it's only an intimate family dinner? Why are you inviting him? And for the record, Gran. I am not yet confirming the rumors you heard."

"Oh, Ruru. It's me your granddad you are talking to I already did my little research."

I rolled my eyes. I knew when I was beaten. "Then why are you still asking me if the gossips you heard are true if you already knew."

"I just want to hear it from you firsthand." He said affectionately as raw emotion in his voice was visible. "He's someone special to you so I want to meet him."

It was on the tip of my tongue to disagree with but I stopped myself I didn't want him questioning even further about my relationship with Roman or why I bothered to live with him in the first place. "I'll ask if he's busy."

"I know he will make time to meet the family of his girl..." Daniel announced arrogantly. "...that is he has clean intention towards you he will bother to meet your poor old grandfather in his humble home."

"Jeez. There was nothing humble in your estate, Gran." I commented dryly. "If there's one thing in your estate do to people that is to intimidate them."

My grandfather laughed heartily. "That's no way to talk to your grandfather, Ruby. You wounded my fragile ego."

I saw Roman coming out from the living room. He is already dressed for the office. "I'm hanging up now. I will talk to you later." I didn't wait for Daniel's answer and disconnected the phone call. I slid back my mobile device into the rear pocket of my jeans.

"Who is that?" Roman asked curiously, closing the distance between us. I stilled myself as he lifted my face with his thumb for a quick peck on the lips. "Good morning, Red."

"You should not do that so casually." I gave him a disapproving look, as he pulled a chair from the table and sat in it.

"Do not do what?" He inquired nonchalantly, helping himself to the food on the table. He stacked pancakes on his plate and drizzled them with maple syrup.

I sat on the chair next to him, pouring our glasses with orange juice. "Kissing me whenever you want it's unhealthy and unhygienic."

He eyed me questioningly as he was about to take the first bite of his food. I almost laughed at his innocent face. "Since when kissing become unhygienic, mi amor?"

"I just think so," I replied, taking a bite of the pancakes on my plate. "What if I haven't brushed my teeth yet? Don't you feel gross at the thought of kissing someone who still has morning breath?" I made a face at the thought.

"I don't care as long as it's your lips I am kissing."

I couldn't help the heat spread through my cheeks. I knew he was just saying that to poke fun at me and make me uncomfortable.

He grinned at me, he's handsome when he's smiling like that but I was not going to tell him that. "What? No harsh comeback?"

"I'm not in the mood."

"Who's on the phone a while ago?" He repeated his question.

I sighed and recalled my conversation with Granddad. My kept secrets were probably on the brink of coming out in the open. "It's Granddad."

"What does he want?"

I looked at him with troubled eyes. I was still debating if I would tell him the truth or not. I decided to be honest with him. "He's inviting me for a family dinner tomorrow night and he wants you to come—that is if you are not busy."

"I'm not busy." He said almost immediately. I couldn't miss the way his eyes lit with glee. "I have no plans for tomorrow night."

My heart sank at his reply. Praying reverently that I could survive the dinner tomorrow night without hindrance. I certainly hope so.