Ruby was awakened early in the morning by the sounds of things breaking and smashed to the ground. She drowsily walked to the source of noise while trying to gather her souls which were scattered in the dreamland.
When she came downstairs she was forced to witness the disaster that happened in the kitchen.
Ruby was dumbstruck and her eyes rounded like a ball. (☉_☉)
Oliver quicken his pace to hide the burnt pan and other pieces of evidence of black food to the corner of the kitchen. After he finished, he guiltily ran to take cover behind Noah.
Noah blankly stared at Ruby in disbelief. His pride was hurt from the failure.
They had been awake since dawn and went to look for food out of habit. Because in the alleyway, they had to scavenge food as early as possible so that nobody would know that the garbage cans were messed up by them and they wouldn't get beaten from it.
It had been that way for as long as they remembered. That's why their body moved before they know it.
The brothers sneakily searched inside the fridge and only found eggs, milk, and juice. So they thought, they could fry eggs for breakfast.
Noah, in particular, thought it was easy to do it as he had watched a lot of old ladies who opened stalls cook with their hands spinning fast on air.
However, the result was beyond his expectation. The eggs were burnt before he had the chance to flip it, and the pan was sticky from who knows what.
Not to mention, Oliver was circling him like an annoying bug that keeps making him lose concentration.
Noah dazedly watched the eggs turn black and charred like a piece of charcoal. He was speechless and embarrassed.
Ruby's mind slowly returned. Straightening her back, she pulled out a solemn expression card full of dignity.
"Tell me, what are you trying to do here?"
Oliver bravely answered, "... Breakfast."
"Can you cook?"
".. No."
Ruby momentarily paused before continuing with a more solemn yet kind of disappointed expression.
"Am I scary?"
"No...?"
"Then why didn't you ask me for help?"
Even if you ask them why the twins couldn't reply because first and foremost it was normal for them to work by themselves and they weren't used to being dependent on another person, especially Ruby.
Ruby wasn't scary or anything, but the thought of going to her and asking was truly a hard thing to accomplish.
Ruby guessed they were still holding back.
She was distressed. The kids were still too reserved, even though she had never portrayed herself as a strict adult. Noah and Oliver had no guts to talk back yet.
Maybe, the time given was too short.
Ruby led them to watch cartoons, whilst she would clean the kitchen and prepare a nutritious breakfast with limited ingredients.
She took a mental note to hire a helper.
Ruby played the Tom and Jerry cartoons and let them experience what it feels like to have a frenemy.
In case one day they got into a fight, they could make up without a problem just like how Tom and Jerry could still live side by side even though they can't stand the other.
Fortunately, there was some leftover bread. Ruby casually made a toast. She also cooked sunny-side-up eggs.
It was a simple and light breakfast but at least it was edible than what the twins made.
After filling her stomach, Ruby regained her bubbling energy.
"Uwaa, I felt awesome. Today is definitely my day!"
She swept her gaze at the twins and grinned, "Hurry and change your clothes. We are going to Heather's mansion."
Oliver's brows shot up in surprise, "Seriously?"
"Mhm. But you don't need to be nervous. It's a normal visit."
Noah nudged Oliver's arm, curling his lips coldly, "Will we meet that woman?"
Oliver's enthusiasm dampened. His will to take a walk washed away in cold water.
"I'm not going."
Ruby was initially eager to come back to that mansion and fight a new war. She had learned to think first before talking. Otherwise, she would regret it to death later on.
Her spirit was like a hot volcano, ready to redeem those mistakes.
However, at that moment she was reminded about Crystal.
She dismissively denied, "Crystal was staying at her own apartment. It's unlikely for her to come home. Let alone now that she has been expelled from the mansion."
Ruby sneered in disdain. Guy said Crystal was expelled, but if it was true there would be no resources for her to work on as the female lead was using Heather's family connection to firmly stay in the entertainment industry.
Rather than being expelled, it was more to letting Crystal gain her own foothold by secretly helping her in the dark. Giving the image of a hardworking actress.
"Either way, you shouldn't pay attention to her."
Ruby crouched down to match Noah and Oliver's eye level.
"Keep this in mind."
"I adopted you to be my family."
"You can be cocky, kind, wicked, humble, or whatever you want, I don't care."
Ruby smiled reassuredly, "You have me. I will take good care of you."
Noah and Oliver are her responsibility from the moment she chose to spread her wings, protecting them from the stormy rain.