The “Rise of Ruby” trailer was finally out. It became the top search news. Just as the Netizens had expected, it was mind-blowing.
The thrills, the suspense, the action, and the perfection of the characters were all there. The movie solely gained popularity because of Tatiana’s character.
“This is a miracle. Congratulations, Tatiana. I can’t imagine how this movie is going to blow people’s minds. I’m anticipating!” Catelyn said over the video call.
Tatiana chuckled, her face blooming with happiness. Her recent days were some of the happiest of her life.
“Thanks, Cat. Gosh! I’ve missed you so much. How’s the little one over there?” Tatiana asked with a sweet smile. She watched as Catelyn stood up on her screen, revealing the baby’s face.
Her grandson was indeed beautiful. It reminded her of when she had Dylan.
Her son was everything to her. She would risk everything and her life to protect him. After talking to Catelyn, Tatiana sighed.
Tomorrow, she would be getting married to Cassius King.
“My dream man,” her heart whispered, and she smiled. She stood up to find Cassius. The man was lying on the grass, staring at the evening stars with Dylan sleeping on top of him.
Tatiana lay beside him, and he looked at her and smiled.
“What are you thinking?” she asked, and Cassius’s eyes nervously shifted. She had never seen him nervous before.
“You,” he whispered, and she smiled.
“Me too. I’m pretty nervous, but I can’t wait.”
“Me too,” he drew her close and kissed her head. His second hand caressed their little son’s back, and they both stared at the sky.
This is the life she had always dreamt of, and she was never going to let anyone take it from her.
However, it felt strange.
—
Jolene got home, tired from the day’s activities. With Tatiana’s trailer out, she was going to be really busy these days.
As she stepped into her room, it felt empty.
“Rowan?” She called lightly. Her father was nowhere in sight.
“Rowan!” She called louder this time, and yet, no response.
Was he gone again? Jolene knew she shouldn’t have trusted him. She sighed and went to her room to freshen up. She decided to go out and eat dinner. Her eyes met her father walking back in with some plastic bags.
“Hey, kiddo. Sorry you didn’t meet me earlier. I thought I’d buy groceries-”
“Groceries?” Jolene frowned. “Where did you get the money?” She moved closer.
“I… I… saw that your fridge was empty and mostly you eat outside or order food. So I thought of preparing dinner tonight…”
“That was not my question,” Jolene snapped and watched the man swallow.
“I… I saw a credit card on the TV shelf… and-”
“What? That-” she paused and took a deep breath. “How much did you spend? How did you even know my password?”
“I spent $350, I promise. And for the password… it’s your birthday. I remember how you love that day so much, so I guessed right…”
“Shit! God, Rowan!” Jolene snapped. “You do not touch my stuff unless I ask you to…”
“I’m sorry, I was just trying to help. I wanted to make a good meal for you, your favorite. I’m sorry.”
This man even remembered her birthday and her favorite meal? She was going crazy from the many emotions that surged through her.
“Stop acting like my father. You’re not! And I’m just helping you because I have a good heart. Sooner or later, you’re going to find a way to leave,” Jolene snapped, and her heart clenched when the man’s face contorted into a sad expression.
“I’m sorry. I really am,” he whispered, his eyes tearing up.
“I’m going out to eat dinner. You can go ahead and make one yourself,” Jolene said coldly and left the house.
She sniffed, trying to prevent herself from crying, and when she couldn’t hold it, she parked on the side of the road and cried.
She kept crying until a hand knocked on her window. Her eyes met a man with his face covered. He seemed a bit familiar.
“How can I help you?” she rasped after wiping her tears and rolling down the window.
“If you’re going to cry, go and cry in your house,” the man stated, and Jolene frowned.
“How is that your business?” She realized the words sounded familiar. “You’re the guy who almost killed me with your car. Are you stalking me?”
“And you’re the woman crying on the side of a dangerous road. Are you planning to die?”
Jolene clenched her jaw, thinking the man meant harm to her. She grabbed pepper spray and sprayed it in his face.
“Fuck!” He cursed, and Jolene quickly drove off.
—
“She pepper-sprayed you… haha! Fuck, you look like shit, man!” Hudson laughed as Jaxon managed to treat his eyes. Though it still stung a little.
“She is quite aggressive for a cute lady,” Jaxon mumbled.
“She is Idol’s assistant. What do you expect?” Hudson chuckled.
Jaxon’s smile dropped as his mind drifted to Tatiana. His face turned serious as he stood.
“I’m leaving,” he stated.
“Already?” Hudson frowned.
“Yeah,” Jaxon put on his jacket and mask.
“What about our outing? Aight, we drinking again?”
“Go out with Indigo. I saw the way you stared at her.” Jaxon winked, and Hudson swallowed.
As Jaxon left, Indigo’s message popped up on Hudson’s phone.
~Can we talk?~
Hudson sighed and mumbled, “She is driving me crazy.”
—
Jaxon’s car halted at Cassius’s mansion. He removed his shades and mask and was greeted by the guards. Jaxon had visited here many times a year ago, so every maid and security guard knew him.
He was like a second master.
“Mister Jaxon,” Butler Conrad greeted with a huge smile.
“Aye, old man. Do you miss me?” Jaxon grinned.
“Tssk… I sure do.”
“Where’s my brother?” Jaxon sometimes referred to Cassius as his brother.
“He went out for some busi-”
“Dylan!” A woman’s voice reached the ears of the two men.
A woman in Cassius’s mansion? Well, that’s a surprise because Cassius was strict about that. She must be special.
“That motherfucker didn’t tell me he wasn’t single. Who’s Dylan?” Jaxon faced Butler Conrad.
At first, Butler Conrad hesitated but answered since Jaxon was no stranger.
“Master’s son.”
Jaxon’s eyes widened. Cassius had a child?
“Wow! That’s a huge shock!” he almost exclaimed. A smile flashed on his lips. “So tell me, are they married?”
“Uhh… no.”
“But are they going to? I’ve missed parties, especially weddings.”
Butler Conrad didn’t reply.
‘Cassius definitely plans to marry her,’ Jaxon declared. He knew Cassius well enough to know that.
It was at that moment that Cassius stepped in.
“Jaxon?” He called in surprise.
“Talk of the devil,” Jaxon scoffed.
“Where are we going, Mother?” Dylan’s voice sounded.
“The park, Dylan. Your father and I are going somewhere tomorrow. You’d stay good with Uncle Conrad, okay?”
Slowly, Jaxon turned his head to her, and his smile slowly dropped.
His face paled as he watched the woman and child descend the stairs. He thought he was mistaken at first, but he wasn’t.
The woman Cassius planned to marry came from the home he despised to the core.
Tatiana Wallington!!??
Jaxon’s eyes turned cold as he muttered, “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me…”