TOBY.
"Don't leave the house just yet," my father said when I got up to leave. I was short of words at his comment about Yasmin's pregnancy so I just decided to leave." Your wife would be here by morning so wait for her, you'll go home together," he explained.
On my way downstairs I met my mother, she quickly rushed toward me and embraced me in a hug." Hope your father wasn't too hard on you because of that promiscuous pair, to think she's pregnant for him."
"Mum, stop spreading rumours," I scolded.
"But they were caught together, red-handed."
"Whatever but the baby is mine."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am."
"Then why am I the last to find out about me becoming a grandma?"
"Maybe if you and dad spoke you would have found out sooner."
"Your dad knew?"
"Yea, weeks ago."
"How could you do that to me, I'm never speaking to you again," she said dramatically, walking ahead of me quickly.
"Mum…Mum… Mum," I called after her but she kept walking. I ran after her and hugged her from behind, "Dad found out on his own because he is always snooping into everybody's business and I didn't tell you because I was not so thrilled about the whole situation," I explained.
"Who wouldn't be thrilled to have a mini version of you? Boy or girl, I just pray the baby looks exactly like you," she said without turning around and I knew I was forgiven.
"What would you like to eat? You look famished," she said walking toward the kitchen and that statement confirmed that I was forgiven. She couldn't stay mad at me for long. She spent the rest of the night fussing over me until I retired to my old room. I showered and found a pair of pyjamas to sleep in. I drift off to sleep with thoughts of what Ruby could be thinking to run off with Aiden like that. She couldn't have been thinking of running off with my child. She was going to come back right?
"Your father said to call for you, he is waiting in his study," a maid said. She was standing at the foot of my bed wringing her apron in her hands. She had opened my thick curtains, allowing sunlight into the room and successfully waking me. I scratch my eyes with one hand and gesture for her to leave with the other before I lift them both above my head and stretch. I catch her eyes on my toned chest before she scurries out of the room and smirks.
"This is exactly how you ended up in this situation," I whispered to myself, referring to how Yasmin and Ruby both ended up pregnant. I picked up my night shirt from where I had discarded it when the weather got hot last night. I headed for the bathroom and took my time brushing my teeth and taking my bath. I knew my father was waiting for me but I didn't care. It was the weekend and I was going to move at my own pace. I found a t-shirt to wear and some joggers before strolling to my father's study. It was honestly more like his home office at this point.
"I knew it, I just knew it was you bloody Daniels. First, your son does this to me then you do the same. This is kidnapping. How can you even treat a pregnant woman like this? I just hope my child is okay." I opened the door to my father's study and heard Ruby rant. She was having a whole one-sided monologue as my father's goons untied her. She flexed her hands and stretched her legs when the ties finally came free. She sat up straight and folded her arms to cover up herself but only succeeded in pushing her cleavage up, she was still wearing her pyjamas. A silk shirt with matching shorts. I studied her, my eyes lingering on her breast that looked even full and her now protruding belly. She hissed when she noticed my eyes on her.
"Let's skip the formalities," my father said, waving off my greetings. "Aiden, I'll address you first," he said to Aiden who had just been untied. He had his head bowed but he looked up at my father's words.
"The seventh commandment says thou shall not covet your neighbour's wife but what have you been doing. Biting the hand that feeds you is a lowlife thing to do but I'll forgive you just this once. Won't you say thank you?"
"Thank you, sir," he mumbled.
"You will resume on the Newport we are building in India by Monday. Your flight leaves tonight."
"Thank you, sir."
"Isn't it benevolent of me to reward your betrayal with a promotion," he said looking Aiden in the eye. He nodded," use your words."
"Yes, sir."
"Good, you can leave now."
Aiden moves to stand up but Ruby puts a hand on him, stopping him. "Who do you think controls people's lives like you are some good?" She challenged my father.
"Just let it go," he whispered to her.
"No, you can't let him treat you like this," she insisted. He pushed her hand and exited the room with his tail between his legs like a wounded dog.
"Bravo! What a show," my father clapped. I was proud of Ruby as she stood her ground and glared at him. "Now unto you, we will try to clean up your show of shame as much as we possible but you must be on your best behaviour from now on. The next time you bring shame to the Daniels name I will take serious measures."
"Well, I don't want to be a Daniels anymore, I want a divorce," she said definitely. Her declaration shocked me and I waited for my father's reaction.
"That's impossible," my father laughed.
"I'll take you to court, I'll be free from your family," she said bitterly.
"Stop throwing tantrums and speak to your father about it, he'll tell you there's nothing you can do about this marriage but be a good little wife. Any other choice will leave your family desolate and you miserable." I saw her countenance fall before she stood up and left the room. Anger welled up in me at how my father broke her spirit.
"Now the ball is in your court, take her home and keep her pacified." How the hell was I supposed to do that? "From today you start working from home."
"You want me to be home all day with her? I can't do that."
"You can and you will stay at home with your pregnant wife. You will not let her out of your sight." The whole situation got me wondering what was so important about Ruby.