Chapter 22: Chapter 22

TOBY.

"Pull the dark clothes off her face." I commanded Ant, who was standing, looking around with pride.

He was probably feeling himself at this feat. He did as I instructed and I watched as Ruby squinted her eyes due to the sudden exposure to bright light. I had to restrict myself from slapping him so hard when I saw her blistered legs and face even when he said they did nothing to her and she must have gotten it when she was running from them.

Her chubby face was swollen and her lips looked so chapped. Her hair was sticking out in various directions and the smell that oozed from her made me squeeze my nose in disgust.

"Gosh, why would you even do this to yourself?" I let out.

After a long uncomfortable silence, she spoke, "where's she? Where's my kitten?"

I stared hard at her and then I laughed.

The first thing she dares to ask me about is a stupid cat? This girl will seriously be the end of me.

"I think living in a dirty ghetto area has turned your brain to dirt, Ruby. You ran away, put me through the stress of searching all over the country for you as silently as I can so as to avoid the media's attention and then you dare ask me about a damn cat?! Is it crack?" I spoke as calmly as ever even though anger boiled deep in my system, as hot as lava. It churned within, hungry for some destruction.

And you didn't fear for your life, what if you were kidnapped or worst killed? I added in my mind.

"Look, I already know what I'd be getting into when I summoned the courage to run away. I didn't have my passport or anything and I knew that I wouldn't be able to hide forever within the country. I knew that I'd be caught one day, you people own this country. So can you just give me the kitten and cut the bullshit?" I heard her voice let out.

To say I was shocked would be an understatement. Really? That's all she could say after doing all that?

"Are... are... Did you hit your head too hard? Did you eat something bad?" I stuttered, my voice higher than intended.

"Oh. Do I look mad? Well, maybe I am? I mean, living with a mad person for long can definitely make one act mad too, don't you think?" Ant and the other two bodyguards coughed as if they were being choked. It felt like they were only trying to stifle their laughters. I was enraged. I moved closer to where she was seated and stared long and hard at her, "what is your problem, Rubyduck! What the heck is your problem?"

"You are my problem, Toby! Nobody but you, cut the Mr nice bullshut and stop acting like you actually care about me cos you are not fooling anyone here but yourself. You told me to get a divorce, you told me that you would make my life hell if I don't and when I couldn't get it, I knew I had to escape you somehow, I can't take your taunting mean and arrogant self! I used to think I owe you something, you know. That I deserve all your harshness since I was the one who liked you right from time, but now, if there's anything I'm sure about, it's the fact that I was definitely stupid for even liking you at all. I mean, you're not even likable in any way. Your lips looks too big and your eyes look way too squinted. You don't even have any good attitude about you and there's absolutely nothing else you offer except your penis and money..." My men snickered again and I turned to give them a very harsh glare that shut their mouth up.

"I had five days to think. Five good days away from you, away from your toxicity, away from your bad energy. And I'm so grateful for that, cos I had the time to reason. I know that you think you're superior and all that but Toby, I don't even hate you. I pity you. Looking at the both of us right now, you're the most pathetic. Not me, Toby. Definitely not me. You can ask around."

I was speechless, utterly. She stared right into my eyes while she said all that, not even wavering for a second. What the hell happened within five days? Who unlocked her lips within five days?

Who the fuck gave her this confidence?

"Oh! What happened within five days, right? Do you want the truth?" She said as if she was a mind reader.

I found myself nodding.

She smiled. "Well, to be honest? Nothing. Nothing really happened."

I retreated and then Ant and I exchanged puzzled looks. Just when I was about to leave, she spoke again:

"By the way, I've decided to remain in this marriage as everyone wants, I can't get away from you people anyways so I've decided to be a big girl about this all instead of being a kid like you. Heres a paper that consists of things I need you to take note of if we are to live under the same roof as stupid husband and wife."

She said as she held out a long A4 paper that had typed words on it. I hesitated a bit before I then collected the paper from her and looked through.

'I, Toby Daniels, hereby agree to follow the outlined provisions below as a way to secure my arranged marriage to Ruby Coker. By failing to meet the provisions listed below, this marriage is subject to public humiliation.

The provisions of which I have agreed to are as follows:

1. I will not under any circumstance shout at Ruby for no just cause.

2. I vow to act nice ninety percent of the time in this marriage even out of the public eyes.

3. This should be an open marriage thus Ruby Coker has the right to have a lover or more as she sees fit.

4. Ruby Coker is not under any obligation to do any wifey duties for me. Things like cooking, and most especially bed duties will not be asked of her.

5. I will respect Ruby Coker's boundaries and space as much as I can as long as we live under the same roof.

6. I acknowledge that Ruby’s career is as important as mine, and that we both have equal right to be what ever we want to be.

7. I vow above all not to ever raise my hands on Ruby for any reason.

By signing below, I, Toby Daniels, agree to the aforementioned instructions and promise to keep it till we get divorced.

SIGNED ___________

"What do you even take me for that you'll ever think that I'll raise my hands on you, I'm not a monster." I let out immediately I finished reading it all.

"Well, I just added the last part for extra effect, who knows? No one can tell!" She shrugged nonchalantly.

"And what the heck is open marriage? We can't do that, we are celebrities, they'll find out." I said.

"Oh no, they won't, trust me. Not everybody is as stupid as you are. I'm human, I need love and cuddles too, so I of course need another man who will give that to me."

"You say that like any man would even want you, stop deceiving yourself!" I let out, giving her a disgusted look.

"Oh, wait and see then? Mr Toby Daniels, sign the darn paper." She retorted, giving me a bored look.

I did as she asked, I didn't even care about most of them, she can get hundred lovers if she wanted. After I had signed it, she snatched it from my hands and then held out her right hand for a handshake.

I reluctantly took it and then she grinned, "Nice to meet you, housemate." She said.