Bound By Blood Torn By Desire

Chapter 2

RUBY

The image of the man approaching became clearer. Her heart skipped a beat. She struggled to cover up. It was too late, he had already seen it all.

“Stanley?” she exclaimed.

Ruby was jolted. She stood speechless, her heart fluttering. She couldn't help but stare at him, taking in his captivating eyes, his noticeable Adam's apple and defined abs that were visible through his form-fitting round neck shirt.

“Falling for me already?” he asked.

She was momentarily taken aback. She bit her lips in regret. She has been caught yet the second time.

“No”. She defended .

“Wh….why would I fall for you?” She stammered.

At that moment, Ruby wished the ground would open and swallow her. She couldn't look straight into his eyes. She was afraid her heart would explode given the fast rate at which it was beating.

Ruby wouldn't like to lose to him. She gathered courage and spoke up.

“Why are you here? And why haven't you dressed up?”

“You didn't know?” Stanley asked, giving her a surprise gaze.

“Know what”? Ruby asked inquiringly.

"The party has been…“Canceled?” Ruby interrupted."

"Thank you, Jesus. I knew something would..."

“Why would the party be canceled?” Stanley cut in, laughing scornfully.

“ The party was just moved by an hour. "

“Why?” Ruby asked, disappointed. She had been praying to cancel the dinner party, the wedding, everything so she could live her life…

“I wouldn't know. It was decided by the higher-ups”.

“Why did you barge into my room?” Ruby protested.

“I didn't. I knocked”.

“Did I give you the permission to come inside?” Ruby questioned further.

"But you didn't complain immediately when I came in. You seemed to like it," Stanley said, laughing sheepishly.

“Besides, we will already be married by this time tomorrow, so, I don't need a reason to come here.”

“ Really? “ Ruby fumed, ready to explode.

“Really”. Stanley answered softly. She stood speechless, captivated by his soft response, which made it impossible for her to question further.

"I know I'm hot, I hear that a lot, but please close your mouth, Ruby." It has been open for too long. Stanley said, looking serious.

She was totally embarrassed. She covered her face with her hands, trying not to look at Stanley, who was already feeling like a prince.

“God!! My ego has been bruised.”

“ How can I be like this when I'm already in a messy situation? " Ruby thought.

Her thoughts were, however, interrupted by the sound of the door. Stanley had already left the room. It was now Margie standing in front of her.

“Why haven't you dressed up?” she asked impatiently.

“I'm waiting for Lily,” Ruby said.

"Are you a kid? If Lily isn't here, you can't put on a dress yourself?" Margie asked, already getting furious.

“ Anyway, Lily has been called for an emergency situation at home. She won't be able to make it tonight. "

"What?" Ruby was flabbergasted by the news.

She immediately felt sick in her stomach. Her only supporter has gone. She began to get more scared as she wondered how she would get through the night without her best friend.

She was afraid of how long she would be in the midst of the beasts. No one to cheer her up. She desperately wished the night would pass as fast as possible even though she wasn't ready for what would be happening the next morning.

It was now time for the party. Ruby was already done dressing up and had joined the rest of the family and the bridesmaids.

Stanley took her by her hand and walked her to the hall. There was a loud applause as they entered the hall. Ruby looked totally lost. The faces of the guests were so strange. She couldn't recognize many of them.

She was weary of the guests, especially those from her parent’s side. They could be as dangerous as her parents.

She immediately wished Lily was with her. She would have at least felt a little happy and assured that she wasn't alone.

Stanley, noticing her expression, whispered into her ears, “I know you were forced to do this, but can't you at least pretend to be happy just for today and tomorrow? You look terrible right now”.

“Don't tell me what to do,” Ruby snapped back at Stanley.

As they took their seat, Ruby sighted Clara from across their table where the bridesmaids were seated.

Their eyes met and Clara gave her a disgusted look. Ruby looked away, wondering how Lily managed to get her to be among her bridesmaids.

Ruby’s mind was filled with thoughts about the whole drama that happened that night.

The thoughts probably kept her busy till the party ended.

Everyone retired to their respective rooms. Ruby laid flat on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. She was replaying everything that happened.

She picked up her phone to call Lily. She dialed her number, it went through, and she picked up almost immediately.

“Hello, Lily. How are you? I heard you rushed home because of an emergency. What happened?” Ruby asked, her voice filled with concern.

“Ruby, I'm so sorry I couldn't be there for the dinner party. My dad slumped and was rushed to the hospital, but he is okay now,” Lily explained.

"Oh, thank God. Are you okay?"

“Sure, I am. I will be available as early as possible to prepare for your wedding,” Lily assured Ruby.

"Thank you so much, Lily. What would I have done without you? Oh! About that Clara girl, where did you stumble upon her?" Ruby asked curiously and continued. "She was abroad the last time I checked."

"Oh! That girl? I heard she was coming here to meet her aunt. Who is she, by the way?" Lily asked.

Ruby hesitated to answer the question. Clara reminded her of her life with her birth parents before their death. Their death had caused a huge scar in her heart.

"Are you okay?" Lily asked when she noticed her hesitation.

"It's okay, you don't have to answer the question," said Lily, worried that she had caused Ruby to remember her past trauma.

“It's alright, Lily. My adoptive parents insult me with the trauma regularly anyway”.

“Clara was my closest friend in elementary school.” She started.

“Our families were also really close then. That was how we became very close friends, but later had our fall-outs due to a disagreement that happened between my parents and hers. And also, they always thought we were proud because our financial status was completely different”. Ruby concluded.

“Wow. No wonder she was so hostile towards you at the party”. Lily said in realization.

"Is she here for good?" Ruby asked, worried that she might have to continue seeing her till God knows when.

“No. She said she would be going back next month,” Lily said.

“Oh! Thank God”. Ruby heaved a sigh of relief as she hoped never to see Clara again.

She ended the call with Lily and a deep sleep swept her off.

Ruby was jerked awake by the noisy slam of the door. She was startled for a minute, but soon gained composure when she realized it was Lily.

“Wakie Wakie, it's your wedding. Congratulations”. Lily said happily with a bright smile.

“Oh please! It's not like I even want the wedding,” Ruby said, frowning.

“Still. Just put on a smile. You know people are watching you”.

“Don't even get me started about how the guests were all over me at the party. It was so awkward and disgusting,” Ruby said irritably.

"Don't mind them. I'm here for you. Now let's get ready."

Lily's phone rang, and she rushed outside to pick up the call.

Ruby was soon dressed in a white flowing gown with a beautiful veil, and holding a bouquet of flowers. She felt anxious and she had trouble breathing. She felt as if she would die, but she held back as much as possible.

The door jerked open. “Lily is nowhere to be found,” someone informed, struggling to catch breath.