Chapter nine
Dario fumed in anger as he sat in his car heading for the bar or maybe Ronnie place, he wasn't so sure yet but he needed comfort and the only way to get that comfort was drinking till he was dead drunk or talking to his brother.
His jaw clenched as the event of what happened not too long ago flashed in his head, he shook it not wanting to remember it. He wondered why he still trust Aaron Wellington after so much betrayal, the guy was hardly the best friend he knew ten years ago. Ten years ago, there were no secrets between them but right now the secrets between them was as big as mount Galilee and he dreads wanting to know them, scared what he believed all this years was a lie.
He ran his hands through his hair in frustration and cursed sharply under his breath. He caught Leo worried gaze through the driver's side mirror. He scowled at him and continued to curse. He was frustrated because he couldn't go to a bar in daylight seeing as it would destroy his reputation and he couldn't go see Ronnie because Catherine is back in town and meeting Catherine is like meeting Caitlin.
Dario rested his head as he tried to think of something that would take his mind of the meeting with Aaron. A certain auburn haired woman flashed through his mind, his wife though it was by contract it still felt so good to call her that. He thought about going back to the house to see her but he talked himself out of it, he dreads coming face to face with the spawn of Mason and Caitlin and he doesn't think a woman who he neglected for almost four days after forcing her to move into his house and not even once going home would want to entertain him enough to keep his mind from wandering.
He was about to tell Leo to turn the car around and head back to the office, his second home when he caught sight of a small girl in a light brown pigtail skipping down the street with her head bumping up and down as she sang maybe a nursery rhyme, he didn't fail to notice the cast on her left hand. He watched as she halted and bent down to try and tie her shoe lace then she winced as she strained her casted left hand immediately he felt a great sense of protection towards her.
"Leo stop the car" he ordered and caught Leo surprised look like he wanted to question his order but he stopped the car.
Dario stepped outside and walked up to the cute little girl who was oblivious to his presence.
He softened his voice so he wouldn't scare her away " hey"
Ruby snapped her head to the stranger who didn't seem like a stranger to her, she had seen him somewhere but couldn't place where. She wasn't startled by his voice cause she had already seen his shadow before he spoke to her. She blinked her eyes twice wondering what an elegantly dressed man was doing in front of her.
Dario was shocked, shock was an understatement he was dumbfounded, he had expected the little girl to be startled from the sudden voice and at least back away from him seeing as his a stranger but she didn't. She stood her ground like nothing feared her, it reminded him of Diane. He admired it but was pissed at her guardian or parent for leaving her alone knowing she could be kidnapped.
He crouched down to her level and his eyes met with a familiar brown eyes. "What are you doing?"
"Tie. Shoo lace" she pointed at her pink shoe.
He nodded understanding that she wants to tie her shoe lace, it was cute that she pronounced shoe as shoo. He got to work and tied the lace thanking God he actually learnt how to tie one when Theo was growing up.
"Tanchu" she beamed with joy.
He nodded " thank you not tanchu" he corrected
She scrunched her face at him and then decided to try out what he said "tha_thank you" she grinned when she noticed the light smile that grazed the man's face in approval.
"Thank you" she repeated again but clearly this time. "Rwuby" she stretched her hand out for a hand shake. She had always seen her momma do it and say her name and then the other person replies.
Dario smile never wavered as he took her tiny hand that was stretched out and shook it. "Dario"
She looked at him in a scrutinising gaze as she opened her mouth to talk " I've seen you"
He shook his head at her " no you haven't"
She didn't look convinced a bit. She was sure she had seen him somewhere.
"Maybe a magazine" he offered.
"Wha is a ma-azin" she asked curiously.
He chuckled and picked her up in his arms making sure he didn't touch or add pressure on her casted arm. "It's a book with a paper cover that contains lots of stories and pictures. A ma-ga-zine"
"Ma-ga-zine, Magazine" she repeated
"So where's your mom?"
"Momma home"
He scrunched his brows in confusion "and your dad"
She shook her head. "No"
Maybe her dad was dead"How did you get here?"
"Oncle Jay"
"And where is uncle Jay?"
She looked behind him and sighted Jay worried face as he talked to people on the side of the road showing them something in his wallet.
"Oncle Jay" she screamed so loud that Dario had to cover his ear with his other hand.
Jason was so glad when he heard that sweet voice. He immediately turned to see her on a man's hand as she waved with great enthusiasm and laughter he missed. He thought she was being kidnapped. He immediately ran up to them and was about to punch the son of a bitch when he came face to face with Dario Simpson.
"Oncle Jay" Ruby hand was out wanting Jay to take her from Dario's arm.
Jason took her immediately, kissing her forehead and checking for any bruise on her body.
" You scared me munchkin, I was so worried"
"Wawied? " She looked confused
Jason nodded and then turned to Dario with wary eyes. He knew Dario wouldn't harm Ruby, he just hated the fact Dario had something he couldn't get.
"What in the hell where you doing with my kid" he fumed.
Dario snickered. " Your kid? Your kid?! Same one you left to roam the streets. What if she strayed away from the side of the road and was knocked down by a car!! Some guardian you are" he uttered with sneer.
Jason felt guilty but he wasn't going to give this overpriced buffoon the pleasure of seeing it, he had to hit back where it would hurt the most.
"A kettle calling a pot black" Jason started earning a small curious look from Dario he decided to explain further, to rile him up. " You can't even take care of the kid under your roof, you're always away not caring if he wants you by his side and not those stupid nannies who are after your wealth you send to him. Some parent you are" Jason countered.
Leo watched the exchange between his boss and Jason. He didn't want to step in seeing as his just a driver but he knew Jason, he knew Jason was an annoying prick and any moment from now Dario would snap and want to unleash hell on him, he would love to see Jason face Dario's wrath but he had to intervene because of the pigtail girl.
He knew within this few minutes of Dario conversing with the kid, Dario had come to care and probably love the kid. First atom of care and happiness coming from Dario after Caitlin's death was because of the kid. He didn't want the kid to ever see Dario other side, it would make her scared of him and it would crush Dario leaving him to bear the anger.
"Sir" he called as he stood by Dario eyeing Jason briefly.
Dario snapped his angry gaze to Leo wondering why he just disturbed him from beating this guy, whoever he is to as pulp.
"Your brother Ronnie is on the line" Leo stated.
Dario eyed Leo suspiciously as there was no phone on his hand and he was sure his phone was in his pantsuit pocket. He even checked it to be sure, he wanted to find out why Leo decided to lie to him. He turned heading back to his car when Ruby called out for him.
"Dawio!"
He stopped on his track and turned to face her smiling
"Are you leaving?" She questioned with a pout.
He nodded.
"Bye" she said and turned her face away from his.
He was unhappy. He didn't like departing from her, he wanted to take her home to his house as his kid but she was not his to begin with. He was also scared that if she was with him, he would mess it up just like he did with Dennis. He is too broken to take care of himself talk more of a kid.