"Dad just asked me to go to Huang's family Christmas party this Friday night." But she rejected as she don't feel like meeting Marcus and Lilian there. She had heard from Aunt Geneva that he's in a relationship with Lilian and they have been living together for the past three months.
Then the memories of them together come back. She sounds like an idiot herself if she keeps on denying that there's northing between those two of them. But she's built a life for herself in City-A with a great guy that's waiting for her. But she can't shove down her feelings for Marcus too since they have been together so long. Sometimes her pained heart still screams his name. Maybe it was a mistake coming back.
"Ruby, I understand you're not in good terms with Marcus and Lilian, but at least go pay your respect to the Huang elders. They treat you like their own daughter last time." Father Tang said and she nodded. "I will think about it." Mother Tang told her it's rude for her not paying them a respect since she back in City-X and they really missed her. But Ruby frowned as she walk passed them, trotting up the stairs like a baby deer.
"Honey, I missed you." She text Lucas in States. He had fly back to be with his family the same day as me. "Hi sunshine, I missed you too. How everythings over there?" He asked texting back. "I'm not happy. Dad told me to visit Huang's family and attend their party this Friday but I don't want anything to with them anymore. I wish you're here." She text back, regretting Lucas offered earlier.
"Then, don't go. You don't have to pleased anyone. Just tell your parents your reason. They will understand." Lucas text back. After texting for around an hour, they bid goodbye as Lucas need to assists his father on something. "Are you going to the party, oh my glorious one?" Aunt Geneva scoffed. "Oh! I don't know yet. Can I not go...?" She rolled her eyes and went to her room where she couldn't bother be anymore.
After few days of accompanying her parents and Aunt Geneva visiting most their relatives, she finally have a peace of mind. She'd dragged herself reading and browsing through her phone in her bedroom. Her bedroom's still the same, nothing changed since she stepped out that day.
Later that evening, after dinner, she received a guest. "Ruby dear, someone's here and wants to talk to you." Her mom yelled from downstairs. She rushed down to see who it was. "Hello.. Ruby." Marcus addressed. She looked away and asked coldly. "Why did you come?" He didn't answer, he just stared at her wordlessly.
"I'm here because you received an invitation from my parents, Father and Mother Huang. And I have some things to discuss with you too." Marcus said in his no nonsense voice. "Ruby, are you still angry with me?" He asked again. "There is no room for me to be angry or regrets in my life." Ruby answered sincerely.
In that brief moment of eye contact, Ruby saw many complicated emotions that swirled in his eyes. After awhile, she excused herself and went to shower. Inside the bathroom, the memory rolled out as quickly as the water run cold. She got up, reaching for her towel and wrapping it around her. The bath hadn't done much to ease the ache in her heart, but at least it had calmed her down. She walked back to her bedroom, putting on her lacy pyjamas before slipping onto her robe.
She fell on the bed staring up at the ceiling. Turmoil filled her mind as she reached for her phone, going through the text messages Lucas had send her. None of them were important than him so she text him back. She told him everythings, that she wasn't quiet ready to face anyone from the Huang just yet. She later felt asleep.
It's Friday... tonight 7.00pm the Huang's Christmas party!! While having breakfast, Aunt Geneva spoke out. "Sweetheart, I know what you're thinking and going to the Huang's brings back bad memories but just showed your face for a few minutes. If you really had a hard times there, I personally send you back, ok. After all, Father and Mother kept asking about your wellbeing." Ruby figure at least if Aunt Geneva's with her, she would be alright so she nodded.. yes!
Later in the afternoon, around 5.00pm, she received a call from Lucas. "Sunshine, can you come to the Hotel Vin. I have just arrived City-X." Lucas said and I was stunned. "What....? You in City-X? How...?" She got up, changed and told Aunt Geneva, she will be meeting a friend before she rushed out of the house. She assured her, she will be at the Huangs tonight but she might be slightly late.
She drove to the hotel Lucas had mentioned. It took her thirty minutes drive and upon her arrival, she saw Lucas waiting at the hotel entrance. She hurried to him and hugged him. She was shocked to see him there. Lucas hugged and kissed her back. Just then, she noticed three other guys standing next to him. All of them busted out laughing. Lucas tensed a little when they started to introduce themselves.
"Hey sexy, I'm James Hwang, this is Aaron Yung and that's Dennis Poon. By the way, your name is Ruby, right?" The one standing closest to Lucas purred.
"Hi.. Yes, my names Ruby. Nice to meet all of you." I purr trying not to laugh.