For the Camera

7. It's Our Honeymoon.

RUBY.

I woke up with excruciating back pain, the result of sleeping on the cold marble floor. Tears welled up in my eyes as I still couldn't comprehend how I ended up in this situation. I couldn't help but wonder if this was just the beginning of a much larger ordeal.

"Why did you allow yourself to sleep on the floor, you fool?" My inner voice taunted me.

That voice was right this time. Why didn't I refuse? I felt foolish for unquestioningly following his commands. Yet, I didn't stand up for myself.

"And why are you sitting there as if you've just run a marathon? Get up this instant! We're going back home!" Toby's voice boomed, sending shivers down my spine. Did he swallow a megaphone? Does he ever speak calmly?

At that moment, I felt like a cheap maid. He was treating me as such, and the most painful part was how obediently I obeyed his every command without questioning him. It made me feel incredibly stupid.

"Yes! And idiotic too," my inner voice chimed in.

But then, I couldn't help but think that he had the right to be angry. It seemed like he was simply frustrated with everything and taking it out on me. I allowed him to vent because I couldn't shout back while he shouted at me. After all, I barged into his life without his consent.

"That was the most foolish defence ever. Just admit that you're stupid, Ruby. Or that you still want him to reciprocate your feelings," my mind scolded me.

Wait, was I making excuses for his behaviour? Oh, Ruby, you're such an i***t! I never wanted any of this. We both deserve to be angry, not just him. He can't continue treating me like this!

"Why are we going back home? Isn't this supposed to be a two-week vacation? It's our honeymoon, remember? Why should we rush back home? And why do you have to raise your voice every single time?" I finally mustered the courage to question him, and surprisingly, it wasn't as difficult as I had imagined.

"Wow, what gives you the audacity to question me? Who do you think you are? Let me make something clear to you. You need to understand the rules of this... this marriage or whatever. Rule number one, the most important rule, is that you do as I say without grumbling or questioning. Rule number two, you have no right to speak to me unless I initiate the conversation. And rule number three, stay out of my way, just stay away! If you disobey any of these rules, you'll see a side of Toby Daniels you never imagined... Now, let me repeat myself: get up this instant, WE ARE GOING HOME, OR I WILL LEAVE YOU HERE!" he thundered.

I hurriedly got up and rushed into the bathroom, fighting back the urge to cry. I felt utterly pathetic. If he had a darker side than the one I had known for years, I wanted no part in provoking it. This side of him was already unbearable. I just hoped he wouldn't push me to the breaking point because even for my patient self, there is a limit to what I can endure.

Hours later, we arrived at the sprawling Daniels' estate. Surprisingly, neither of Toby's parents questioned his abrupt return from what was supposed to be our honeymoon. It seemed as if they had anticipated it all along.

"Master, your mother requests your presence in the dining hall," a young lady said respectfully to Toby, bowing her head.

I had to roll my eyes at her first word. Master? Seriously? Were we in the 1800s? Will this place ever cease to amuse me?

"Get lost, I'll come when I feel like it!" Toby snapped at the young lady.

"But... she threatened to fire me if you don't follow me right now... sir?" the lady stammered.

"You know what? Consider yourself fired! You're dismissed!" he shouted, causing the lady to rush out of the room in tears.

This household was filled with monsters. How could both the mother and son put that poor girl in such a difficult position? These people were truly evil. And I was married to a monster. I decided to give it a shot and see if I could reason with him. A girl could always hope, right?

"That was incredibly harsh, Toby. The girl did nothing to deserve such sheer wickedness," I said.

"Oh really? I'm so sorry... not!!! Who are you to correct me? Those maids are worth more than you could ever be! So don't even try to speak up, your opinion is not needed!" Toby snapped at me before storming out of the room, slamming the door with great force.

I sighed. This marriage was going to be unbearable.

Fifteen minutes later, we were seated at the grand dining table of the Daniels' mansion, surrounded by an extravagant feast that could easily satisfy twenty people. The chairs around the enormous table numbered over fifteen. When I first entered the room, I thought I had wandered into the wrong place—it resembled more of a conference room than a dining room.

To think that for years, only three people dined at this table, and now it would be four until Toby and I moved out. I had to remind myself that this family wasn't royalty but simply incredibly wealthy.

The only sound in the room was the clattering of silverware and plates. We all ate in silence, an excruciating silence for me. I couldn't shake the feeling of not belonging in this family, and the way their eyes bored into me only intensified that sentiment. I was the centre of attention.

"So, Ruby, how are you feeling about this union? I imagine you're on cloud nine," Mrs Daniels broke the uncomfortable silence with an equally uncomfortable question.

"Well, I suppose that's how I'm expected to feel, right?" I shrugged, trying to mask my true emotions.

"What do you mean 'supposed to'? That's exactly what you should be feeling, especially after having my son all to yourself for the night. Many ladies would kill to be in your shoes!" Mrs Daniels snapped, her glare piercing into me.

So, they get to decide how I should feel too? And what alone time was she even referring to? I slept on the cold floor!

"Cut the girl some slack, Clara. She's new to all of this, to everything. Don't intimidate her," Mr Daniels interjected with a surprisingly sweet tone, though his stern expression made me question if I had heard correctly.

"By the way, I hope you two 'did the do.' I'm looking forward to having little Toby and little Ruby as soon as possible," Mr Daniels remarked.

Could this conversation get any stranger? Little Toby and little Ruby, seriously?

Toby and I exchanged looks of sheer shock.

"I don't want a little Ruby, but I'd welcome a little Toby anytime. I don't want any of my grandchildren looking as hideous as you," Mrs Daniels remarked, wearing a smug expression. I chose to ignore her comment, as I had no retort to offer anyway.

"But sir... I still have a long way to go. I have many ambitions for myself, and getting pregnant is not a priority right now," I replied, feeling a growing sense of paranoia.

"Oh, come on... can't anyone recognize humour anymore? I was only joking. Sooner or later, it's expected for both of you to have children, so don't delay it for too long," Mr Daniels chuckled at his joke, though I didn't find it amusing, I managed to force a smile. Toby, on the other hand, continued to frown.

The dinner concluded after an hour, and as I made my way to the bedroom, I overheard whispers from some of the maids. Intrigued by being the subject of discussion, I paused to listen.

"Have you met her yet? She's so nice," one voice said.

"Toby doesn't deserve her. I can only imagine what he'll do to her if she annoys him," an older voice responded.

"I know, right?! He should have married that mean lady. They're a perfect match," the previous voice added.

"What?! I'm glad he didn't... we would have one more person to terrorize us in this house, you know. And maybe, just maybe, Lady Ruby will change him. Who knows?" the older voice replied.

"Change? That's not even possible. Once a monster, always a monster," the other voice disagreed.

Unable to contain my amusement, I chuckled, making them aware of my presence. I walked toward them as they trembled in fear.

"We are so sorry, ma'am. We were wrong to talk about you. Please, forgive us," the older lady pleaded, both of them dropping to their knees in fear.

"You haven't offended me. Please, get up. That was one of the nicest things anyone has ever said about me. Thank you," I reassured them.

They stood up happily. "Oh, thank you, ma'am. Your kindness is so amazing and out of this world," the younger maid expressed gratefully.

"You're welcome. What are your names?" I inquired, eager to establish a friendship. Having some companions in this vast house shouldn't be an issue, right?

"You can call me Mary, and she's Sarah," the older one answered on behalf of both of them.

"Oh no, I can't call you by name. You're much older than me. How about I just call you Mama?" I suggested.

"No, it's fine, ma'am. The whole house addresses us by our names, regardless of age," she replied.

"I'm not ready to join them in doing that. I'm not comfortable with it. I'll call you Mama, please," I insisted.

"Okay, ma'am," she acquiesced.

"Now, one more thing, please stop with all the 'ma'am.' It's unnecessary," I requested, and both of them looked taken aback.

"What? We can't do that, ma'am. How are we supposed to address you?" Sarah asked.

"Just call me Ruby," I replied with a smile.