Chapter 34: Chapter 34

TOBY.

"Aiden leaves this Island at this very moment," I said, expecting my words to stand. I didn't even understand why I cared, it had to be the fact that this could turn into a whole mess. A huge scandal. I wouldn't let it even though a voice in me was screaming hypocrite.

"Aiden stays." She challenged.

"Just think for a moment, what if this leaks? The scandal would be terrible for us all, it's best if he leaves."

"If Aiden leaves then she leaves too," Ruby said as she pointed a finger at Yasmin.

"I'm going nowhere," Yasmin said.

"That's fine but Aiden stays too," Ruby replied firmly.

"Yasmin staying has nothing to do with Aiden leaving," I said, realizing that I sounded stupid and hypocritical but not caring.

"It has everything to do with Aiden leaving. You seem to have forgotten about our agreement, I have ery right just like you have to do this." She replied.

"Maybe I should just go," Aiden said, he had seen the glare I was sending his way and decided to do the right thing by leaving, good for him, else I'd really kill him.

"No! You have every right to be here." Ruby said as she reached for his hand, my chest heaved at the sight of that little action, what was wrong with me, I didn't know, at least lot yet but I wouldn't take this so I rose from my seat and pulled Yasmin aside to a corner of the room.

"I think you should leave," I said when we were at a far enough distance that we could not be heard from the table.

"I came all the way here for you and you are driving me away because of her? Just because your cousin is here with her? Do you not see her game plan, she's only trying to get even with you and you're all furious about it, you are totally falling into the trap she laid for you, for us." Yasmin said, getting teary-eyed.

"Look, I just have a bad feeling about this whole thing, I can smell another scandal brewing, that's why I am asking you to leave, Yasmin. My dad will be so pissed if shit happens." I told her.

"So it's not because of her or because you're jealous or anything like that?"

"Of course not!" I rushed out, hating even the idea of it. "Why would you even think such a thing?" I said.

"You have to promise me that you won't let her seduce you, that's her plan but absolutely nothing can happen between the both of you."

"How can she seduce me, have you seen her?" I asked, letting out a huff.

"I can't hear a promise." She persisted.

"I promise! Would you leave now?"

"You mean like now?" She asked again, eyes widened in surprise.

"Yes, right now,, I'll have the jet waiting on the both of you."

"It's settled, Yasmin and Aiden leave tonight," I said after we rejoined them at the table.

"I have other business to attend to in town, I can't just leave." Aiden protested.

"And why am I not aware of this other business?" I asked. He had lied because he could not form any excuse. So he was that crazy about Ruby to follow us to Hawaii under the pretence of business, did he think I was stupid? He liked Ruby and it was so obvious.

"You mean now?" He asked on seeing that I was still standing.

"Yes," I answered curtly, still fiddling with my phone.

"Alright, bro." He said as he stood to his feet.

"A car is waiting for you both out back."

As Yasmin hugged me goodbye, I distractingly watched as Aiden held Ruby too close for way too long. Even after Yasmin pulled away from me they still held each other and whispered goodbyes were exchanged between them.

"Now, dinner was a burst," Ruby said after she waved at Aiden from the elevator door till the moment they were shut close.

"We can still have dinner," I said and I watched her contemplate whether to stay or leave. "There is no harm in us sharing a meal, all this food would go to waste if we just leave and you must be hungry," I said as I tried to convince her to stay and eat with me. I was relieved when she dropped her purse beside her and took her seat again.

"Jealousy looks odd on you, doesn't suit you one bit." She said casually breaking the silence we had been sharing while we ate.

"What do you mean?" I was confused.

"The little show you put on with Aiden." She said with a little chuckle.

"Who said I was jealous?"

"Me! It was very obvious." She said pointing at herself before throwing her head back in laughter.

"I was not jealous," I said, trying to convince myself as well.

"I hear you, it might not be jealousy but you want to eat your cake and have it at the same time. That's what happened." She said as she threw me a glare.

"I had to be the sensible one here. I suggest we make the best of the situation, go for all these activities planned out for us and take some Instagram-worthy pics to boost our image. Hashtag couple goals, right?"

"I was going to go for most of those activities without you anyway, so it's fine."

"Way to wound a man's ego, you make it sound like hanging out with me is such a burden."

"You're not the best company, you should know that." She said, dryly.

"You have got to be kidding me, I am excellent company." I insisted.

"Prove it."

"Okay, let's strike a deal then, we'll take a break from annoying each other starting from now and for the remaining of this trip so we can genuinely have a nice time, get amazing footage and I can prove to you that I am great company."

She pretended to think for a moment before she stretched her hand out, "it's a deal." I took her surprisingly soft and dainty hand in mine and gave it a firm shake. "Deal." The first few minutes after our deal was weird because all we ever did was get on each other's nerves but after the awkward silence came surprisingly civil conversation.

"Chocolate cake was my best friend growing up right after Sapphire." She said after our desserts were placed in front of us. We both ordered the same thing, a decadent-looking piece of chocolate cake with chocolate ganache running down the sides and a cherry on top.

"Food must have been your best friend," I said taking a fork full of cake and almost moaning at how delicious it was. Ruby did not stop herself, she let out a sultry moan after she took her first bite. I had to remind myself she was moaning because of cake because a certain part of my anatomy started to get excited at the sound she let out.

She glared at me before she said, "food was a comfort and boy did it show." She said sadly.

"Tough childhood huh?"

"Stop acting like you aren't a part of half of that childhood, duh. You literally made my life hell, dimwit but whatever, How was your own childhood anyways?"

"Oops, I forgot." I lied then continued, "the thing is everybody expects people like us to have these amazing childhoods but it's not always the case." I paused and took another piece of cake, " I never lacked for anything material but my parents were always fighting so much, it gave me a headache." What I don't add is the story of the lost little boy who longed for his father's approval.

"To the sad little children, we were," Ruby said as she raised her wine glass towards me.

"I didn't say I was sad but I'll drink to that." I said clinking my glass against hers.