Chapter 25: Chapter 25

TOBY.

I had just finished taking a shower after having sometime with Yasmin when I started to hear back and forth bickering. I didn't need anyone to tell me that it would be none other than Yasmin and Ruby, I had to come out shirtless to see what was happening and immediately I did, Yasmin was quick to rush to my sides, "baby, the uglyduck has been saying all sorts to me in your absence." She reported, whining like baby.

I wasn't a fool and I knew that there was absolutely no way Ruby would win Yasmin in a verbal battle. She was always a mute so Yasmin telling me she had being abusing her was very unbelievable to me. But then, when Ruby turned back at us just when she had almost gotten into her room and spoke, I changed my mind.

"That reminds me, learn to keep your dog chained, housemate, especially untrained ones, nobody likes poop stinking around the house." She had said, sauntering into her room afterwards.

Both Yasmin and I were very shocked as we watched her figure dissappear. "Did... did you hear that? Toby, did you hear what that ugly pig said to me?" Yasmin asked.

"When exactly are you going to break up with her? When are you going to divorce her already? It had better be immediately after the election is done with because I can't stand this, I cannot!" She added, stomping her foot on the ground like a child that had been deprived of candies.

"Calm your nerves down, Yasmin. You have nothing to worry about at all. I don't even like her neither will I have anything to do with her, what are you scared of? I would never stoop so low to be with her at all. Do you not trust me?" I pacified.

"That's not the point, Toby. That's not the point at all! You... you people are going to be staying together, I'm literally like the third wheel. You aren't even promising me any future, nothing at all. You just want to keep me at the sides even while you're married to her and that isn't fair to me, at all."

She whined continously.

"Oh come on, Yasmin. I'm in your arms right now, am I not? Have you ever seen us show any form of affection to one another outside the public or a camera? And what do you want me to do? I've told you that this is just for a short period of time, I would definitely break up with her. It's just for while." I said again.

"Fine, let's say so. Now, I'm asking you how long will you be married to her for before you can divorce her, are we going to get married to eachother immediately you do that? Where am I in this, Toby? What's my fate?" Yasmin pestered further.

"It's a maximum of two years, Yasmin. Just two! And trust me when I say I would not even let it get to that two years, I would not cos I am already tired of been tied to her within the weeks we've been married. And yes, I will marry you right after. You are the one for me, Yasmin. You and no one else, it can never be her and you know that. I can't assure you better than that. She's absolutely nothing to me, nothing at all. There's no difference between her and the furnitures in this house, we are just housemates." I assured over and over as Yasmin finally broke into a huge grin at the same time that a knock sounded on the door.

Both Yasmin and I remained at our spot until we heard the knocks again. Yasmin was attempting to just go open the door while still in her dress but I decided to stop her and go instead and immediately I looked through the small TV that was hung at the entrance, I almost choked on my spit. It was my Father's face that came into light first and then followed by mother then Ruby's parents too.

What the actual fuck?

I ran back towards Yasmin as I began to drag her along to my bedroom to hide her somewhere while she kept asking questions. "Shut up, Yasmin! My parents are here, not just mine but my in laws too. So please, remain hidden." I whispered as I shoved her into the bathroom and locked the door amidst her protests.

RUBY.

I had just changed out of my outfit into something more comfy and had decided to make myself something to eat when I saw Toby rushing out of his room like he had just seen a ghost.

"Our parents are here." He whispered.

"Here where?"

"Here, right now, at the door." He said and I immediately stared at him in shock. "What? How? Why?" I asked.

Who decided that we should have this family gathering because it smelt like trouble to me. I have not been in the same location with them since I ran away and was caught again. I might have been acting all tough but I was scared being in the same space with all of them at once.

Toby stood beside me as we welcomed his parents first and then mine. My mother-in-law could not hide her disdain for me as usual and one look at me had my little newfound self-confidence crashing down. Who could blame her, the woman was gorgeous while I looked like something else, I wasn't even properly dressed since I wasn't expecting them. I had to put on a smile regardless of how I felt about the crowd, all this pretense suddenly gave me a headache.

Mrs. Daniels complained about everything and anything she could as she ignored her husband's glare.

" This room is too hot and stuffy."

"The wine is not adequately chilled."

And Lola seemed to agree with her each time. I could not sit for so long before I was back on my feet again as I was too busy reducing the heater and increasing it again, fetching more ice or simply dusting the chairs. Both Lola and Clara seemed to find pleasure in the little torture they could put me through.

All my running around allowed me to successfully evade my father, I saw a glimpse of the old caring father I once knew but I refuse to fall for it. He kept asking about my well-being every chance he had before Toby and his father drew him in again with conversations on business and politics. But I wasn't going to fall for his caring father act anymore, I dont care.

After dessert was eaten, My father clanged his fork against his drinking glass in a distinguished manner to get everyone's attention. "We are glad that the little incident that happened a few weeks ago was kept away from the public eye. Now I trust there will not be a repeat performance", he said looking strictly at everyone at the table before his eyes came to rest on Toby and I.

"Yes sir, it will be the last time any such thing happens", Tobi says, giving me a glare, one that I was quick to return.

"The opening of our new resort is this weekend and naturally everyone here must be present. Son, there are certain matters you will have to take care of so you and your wife will leave for the resort tomorrow while the rest of us will join you by Thursday or Friday".

"Sir, I have school, I don't think I would be able to make the trip till the weekend." I interrupted, just before I could stop myself.

"Ruby, your primary responsibility is your role as Toby's wife. Do not worry about your studies, I own the school." Mr Daniels said slowly like he is trying not to lose his temper.

I was not happy about the whole thing but I thought it best to keep mute before she attracted the wrath of a man whose own family feared him.

"And how have you two being faring? You look fatter, Ruby, are we expecting a baby soon?" Lola dropped with a smirk I didn't miss causing me to choke on my wine while Toby snickered.