For the Camera

20. I don't Care.

TOBY.

"Sir, we haven't been able to locate her, sir," announced Chike, my favourite and long-time bodyguard, as he stood in front of me.

I gave Chike the nickname "Ant," not because of his small stature, but because of his incredible strength. You know those ants that can carry several times their body weight? If you haven't seen it, check it out on the Discovery Channel or something—it's amazing!

But let's get back to Chike. He's as agile as an Olympic gymnast. Sometimes I wonder how much stronger he would be if he were a bit taller, but I love him just the way he is. He has been a great friend, bodyguard, confidant, and even a father figure when my own father refused to step up. There's hardly anything that Ant doesn't know about me or the Daniels family as a whole—the secrets, the lies, the crimes, and more.

However, I wasn't in the mood to be friendly with him. Burning rage coursed through my body like a deadly poison, demanding release in the form of unwarranted violence.

I was furious. Furious as flies trapped in a jar. And Ruby was the cause of this madness. Why wasn't she thinking about her safety? She could get hurt, kidnapped, or even worse—killed. What was she thinking? I asked her for a divorce, not for her to run away. I wasn't even that cruel to her. She was just as mean to me. We both hate each other, and that's expected. Why did she have to run away and leave me, leave us in this predicament?

We've been working so hard to ensure that the press doesn't find out. It would be disastrous for us, not to mention the potential harm she could face!

Ugh! Why am I so fixated on her safety? I shouldn't even care—I don't care! She can get hurt for all I care, considering she's foolish enough to think running away is the solution.

"What do you mean you couldn't find her? Are you suggesting that she's smarter than all of you? She's still in this country! The same country we're in! How have you not found her after four whole days? Four days, Ant! It's absurd!" I snapped, slamming my hand on the table.

"What about her phone and debit card? Have you checked her transactions? Have you investigated her bank statements? She must be surviving somehow," I added, attempting to calm myself.

"We've done all that, sir. Her phone has been turned off, as we know. The last time she used her debit card was in this vicinity, the same day she fled. Her bank statement showed a withdrawal of money on that day, and since then, there have been no further transactions. We've searched every corner of this state and even neighbouring ones, but we haven't found any trace of her. I have contacts in every area, even far away, just in case," replied Ant.

Ant had a very deep voice, the kind that could turn heads whenever he spoke. It had a rich, velvety tone. He spoke as if he held the world in his hands, his experience evident. He reminded me of a stormy day.

"I don't care where you search—psychiatric hospitals, mortuaries, underground! Just find my wife and bring her back to me! I'm giving you twenty-four hours to do that, or else I'll replace all of you with people who need this job!" I threatened.

"Yes, sir," he responded before leaving.

I let out a sigh as he walked away. My dad, mom, and Ruby's parents entered the room shortly after.

"Any updates?" Mr Coker asked as soon as he saw me.

"Oh, please! We wouldn't be going through this ordeal if you had handled your daughter more sensibly!" My dad snapped at him.

"Oh, really?! Do you think she would have run away if your son hadn't treated her so poorly? Instead of being a loving husband, he bullies her!" Mr. Coker retorted.

"And so what? She's his wife, and how he treats her is nobody's business! Clara has endured worse and she never ran away, not even once!" Dad challenged once again.

"It baffles me that you think every woman should be as submissive as your wife! Like father, like son! Your messed-up family pretending to be the epitome of family goals for the public. I can't handle it!" Mrs. Coker chimed in.

"I would watch my words if I were you, woman!" Dad snapped.

"Oh, please! I'm not Clara or Ruby, whom you can shout at without consequences. You shout at me, and I'll shout right back! Ask my husband!" Mrs. Coker retorted.

"Toby, I know you feel like she intruded into your life, but can't you show her a little kindness? I thought I raised you better," my mom finally spoke, her voice filled with sadness.

"Mom... Mom, that's not it. Ruby can be... troublesome. It's like she enjoys taunting and irritating me. I've stopped being mean to her; now she's the one doing it, not me," I defended myself. Mr. Coker glared at me.

"Um... okay, maybe we both treat each other poorly, but I was the meaner one?" I added.

"I don't care about all this, Toby! Find your wife and learn to keep her under control, tame her! This eloping nonsense must not tarnish my reputation, Toby! It must not! And until you find her, don't consider yourself the president of Daniels' Conglomerates. If you can't lead in your own home, you definitely can't lead an entire conglomerate. Until you learn that, you're unemployed!" Dad threatened, as usual, before storming out, leaving me to sigh.

She could be injured or, even worse, dead, and all my dad cares about is his reputation. Why am I even surprised?

Afterwards, Mr Coker and his wife left the room. My mom remained seated.

At that moment, Sapphire entered the room, skipping in. She wore a soft, satin-like greenish-blue gown, short and loose. The dress had a semi-circular high collar made of silk-like material. She walked with the grace of an acrobat, her straight blonde hair swaying in the breeze. Her heels made a clicking sound on the marble tiles as she confidently entered the room. I felt anger surge through me once again. This attractive girl was available, and yet my dad insisted on me marrying the less attractive sister.

"Good evening, ma'am. And you, Toby! What is this I hear about my sister is missing?" she questioned, giving me looks that I couldn't quite decipher.

"She's not missing. She eloped. Those are two different things," I retorted, trying hard to avoid staring at her chest.

"She eloped? Why would she do that? What happened between you two?" she asked, glaring at me.

"I don't know. She's just crazy like that," I shrugged.

"Really! I'll call her, and she'll tell me what happened and where she is. It better be a good reason, or else I'll hold you responsible!" she threatened.

I chuckled—what?—finding her threat somewhat amusing because we all knew she wouldn't do anything to me. She eyed me suspiciously before storming out of the room.

"By the way, you look beautiful!" I called after her before returning to my serious demeanour.

"Rubyduck, where are you?" I whispered to myself, using the old nickname I had given her back in high school.