Chapter 3 Three

Ruby

Right. I do have another mother; the one who birthed me.

How could I forget the woman who didn't, for once, treat me like a daughter during the few times she managed to be around my dad and me?

My gaze hardened, I walked out of her grip and said, "You are not my mother. My mother is probably at her office working."

"Yes," she snorted. "That babysitter." The look of disgust on her face made me want to kick some sense into her. "I am sure she has bad-mouthed me. You know nothing about how vile she is."

My mind could only imagine what bad thing she was about to say about my mother. And my curiosity got the best of me.

"What do you mean?"

The tall woman wore a small smile and moved closer as though she had secrets she aimed to present to me.

"Do you know why I am not with your father? That woman stole him from me. She seduced him when I wasn't around."

Still wearing a fake surprise look, which encouraged her to talk more, I asked, "Really?"

"Look at me..." She beat her chest lightly. "I was a good mother to you, and I would still be with you if not for that woman who brainwashed your father."

"A good mother?" It would have been fun to watch her go on about how she was so good, but I had a class to attend, and so did Abby, who was watching the exchange in front of her as silently as she could. "Miss Diane..." Her eyes darkened. "I don't need you in my life."

"What?! But I am your mother! Do you know how long I have searched for you? If not for that tabloid that revealed your details, I'd still be searching relentlessly."

Of course, that article.

I licked my lower lip to contain how sickening her presence was.

With laziness in my tone, I gave her my response. "Do you think I don't remember how you treated me? How do you expect me to welcome you after you took pleasure in coming and leaving as you wished?"

"No, you've got it wrong. I-"

"Then, you find it so convenient to stand in front of me now and badmouth the woman who has taken care of me all these years? You should be ashamed, ma'am."

"But I am your mother. I-"

"You gave birth to me?" I guessed her last statement, and I scoffed. "From what I recall, you never once acted like a mother. So you have no right to stand here and expect me to act like everything is fine."

The little strength with which I was using to speak to her was getting dimmer as seconds passed. And then it finally hit me- I have two mothers.

"So, you are telling me off?" she scorned. "I guess you have your father's attitude after all."

An uncomfortable heat wrapped around me.

But I still managed a sarcastic smile and said, "Maybe I am like my father. And maybe I should call him right now and tell him who came looking for me in school. I am sure he'll be elated."

Diane did not miss the bitterness in my voice, so she just nodded and began to take small steps back. "Very well then. But know this, Ruby... The fact that I am your mother is just the tip of the iceberg. There are a lot of things you still don't know."

"Please..." I was beginning to feel stuffed. "Leave." I dropped the box in my hand and rested my hands on my kneecaps for a minute while my ears picked up the clicking of Diane's heels departing.

"Ruby?" Abby placed her hand on my back, her voice laced with worry. As I eventually stood straight and told her I was fine, she shook her head in disagreement. "You look pale. Do you want to go sit at our spot?"

I was sort of relieved that she did not question me about what just happened. Perhaps she understood that I needed to take things one step after another.

"That sounds good. But you are late for class," I said as my eyes swept through the surroundings and noticed the pizza bus had left. It took its loud music with it. " Don't worry, I'll go to the spot alone."

"Are you sure?" Abby asked, and I nodded and handed her the box. "I'll see you later."

We soon parted ways, and I made for a quiet spot just beside the main school building where Jake, Abby, and I usually study.

But someone was already there. Two people, actually. And they both seemed to be engaged in a heated conversation.

One of them, a young-looking man who wore a lot of bling around his neck, sensed my arrival and said something to the taller guy with dark hair, who quickly relaxed how he pinned the younger man against the wall.

This taller man shifted his gaze to me, and with a frown, he studied me just as I studied the handsome roughness of his face. I also noted his eyes... because there was something about them that I couldn't help but find intriguing. Maybe their colour, which seemed quite ethereal.

And his lips...

I would have kept staring if the man hadn't looked away.

Well, I did keep staring as he walked away, his broad shoulders swinging with an enviable swag, leaving me to wonder if they were doing something shady. Or if they were lovers.

Quickly deciding that was none of my business, I soon realised I should be in class before Mrs. Cook decides to mark me absent for the rest of the term.

(break)

As I stepped into our house, I met my mother in the living room, sitting freely. She seemed tired, but her current state revealed how beautiful she is even when stressed. No wonder my father fell in love with her while she was babysitting me.

"Hey Mum," I quietly greeted and sat on the white couch next to her.

"You are back. How are you?" Her eyes opened, and she flashed me a smile while her hand reached to cover mine.

"I'm good." I took off my backpack. "How was work today?"

"Oh, you know the usual... a lot of paperwork here and there. I'm glad I will be having a break soon."

I nodded in agreement. She does need a break.

"I met someone today." A pause followed. "She said she is my real mother."

She instantly sat up. "What? Who?"

"Diane."

"Oh, my God. Why would she-?" Her worried eyes darted at me. "What did she say to you?"

Shrugging, I replied, "She just said she had been looking for me for some time."

"Anything else?" I shook my head, and I had to wonder if there really was something else I shouldn't know. "How are you feeling baby?" Mum seemed more relaxed and I had to suspect something was being hidden.

"I was taken aback. But I'm fine now."

"Aww, my little girl," she cooed and pulled me into a huge hug, her hand running through my back. "I am so glad you are fine." I relaxed into her hold and failed to hold back my smile.

Her hug is the best.

"Can I get a hug too?" The tiny voice of my ever-cute brother asked and I looked his way. His full black hair danced as he approached us with those curious eyes of his.

"Hey Zee," I greeted him and he smiled. "How is my favourite boy?"

He climbed into Mum's lap and gave an inaudible response.

Typical of him.

"Look at you two... You are both so cute," Mum said, her eyes darting between my brother and me lovingly. "Alright, bring it in."

"Family hug?" asked the little one, and as my wonderful woman nodded, he squealed happily and dragged her into a hug. Then she did the same to me.

And I enjoyed that simple company.

Without a doubt, they are people I love with all my heart. And I certainly wasn't going to let people like Diane ruin such a good thing.