CHAPTER 38

He looked at his kids as they sat opposite to him, he didn’t know where to begin.
“We are sorry dad,” Harvey apologized.
“There is no need for you to apologize to me son. It’s not your fault but mine. I’m sorry it led to this,” he said sipping his whiskey again.
“We are very sorry. You can scold us, if you want to,” Ruby said and he smiled at her.
Ruby was always different and stubborn but she makes things happen. She was more competent than his son, he was very proud of her and to be honest he wouldn’t mind having her as his daughter in law even when she was already his daughter.
“So, what are your plans?” he asked his son and he looked at him and then at Ruby.
“What do you mean dad?” Harvey asked.
“I heard that you are dating Ruby here, so I want to hear it from your own mouth what you plan to do with her,” Henry explained further and looked at his son once more.
Harvey looked at Ruby and he saw the way he was looking at her. He could see love in his son’s eyes for Ruby. If he became the cause of their separation then he will never be able to forgive himself. There was no doubt that his son was head over heels for Ruby.
“I want to marry her and have a family with her. I want to spend the rest of my life with her, with your permission of cause,” his son made his intentions clear and he couldn’t be prouder to see the way he turned out to be.
He averted his eyes from Harvey to Ruby who was staring at Harvey with her eyes showing shock. It seemed as if they have never talked about this before and he just let everything spill just like that.
“I can see that came as a surprise to you my dear,” he said directing his words at Ruby who just shook her head in response.
“I really mean it dad and I am ready to face whatever consequences that may arise because of this decision,” Harvey said and he turned his eyes on him once again.
“I have heard you and I will think about it. For now, I need you both to concentrate on your exams and if you happen to fail any single one of them then you might as well forget about all this,” he warned them and he saw them smiling.
His children were good at school and he trusted them a lot. They have never embarrassed him before especially when it comes to their academics.
“We won’t let you down,” Harvey said and turned his gaze towards Ruby.
“Okay, you may leave my study now and return to your studies. On your way out, call Grace for me,” he said.
“Okay dad. Goodnight,” Harvey said as he stands up.
“Goodnight dad,” Ruby said as she joined Harvey.
He watched as the children exited his study and he just shook his head. If he was like any other normal father, he would have reprimanded them and made sure that this taboo stops immediately.
His wife came into the study and she closed the door behind her. She walked towards him and she sat on one of the chairs right in front of him.
“I just saw the kids, they look relieved. You didn’t scold them, did you?”
“No, I didn’t. I just couldn’t. I was so busy making money that I forgot to look after my children. They found solace in one another and I can’t bear to break that bond that they share,” he confessed and saw his wife smiling.
“I thought so when I realized it this morning. I was speechless; I didn’t know whether to scold or what. I guess we have to bear with this for now but there is still one problem,” Grace said.
“What is it?” he asked her.
“It’s about the Wilsons; we arranged this in the first place. Harvey told me he came clean to Janet but I think we should sit down with the parents and talk things out like adults,” Grace said with her face full of concern.
He understood her very well, she hated complications and she had always been a straightforward person. He had always loved that about her.
“I will set up a meeting with the father tomorrow and talk things out. These kids they don’t know what they got themselves into. Once the press learns about this, it will become a field day,” Henry said sipping his whiskey.
“Tell me about it. So, what did the kids say?”
“Harvey wants to marry Ruby.”
“What, is it that serious? I guess we will be having grandkids very soon,” his wife said laughing. How could she be so humorous at a moment like this?
“No grandkids at this moment. They are both kids and I will not allow them to do that just yet. Let’s deal with the matter one at a time and see where it takes us.”
“Okay, my love. It’s already late. Finish what you are doing and join me to bed, I miss you,” she said in her seducing tone.
He grinned and stood up. He walked towards her and she stood up. He embraced his lovely wife in a hug while smelling that lovely jasmine scent in her hair.
“I miss you too. Let’s go to bed and deal with our children in the morning,” he said as he led her out of the study.
***
Janet Wilson sat in the club drinking her third glass of margarita; she was bored but above all heartbroken. She couldn’t just let it sink that the guy she had loved for so many years could just dump her for his sister.
She was beautiful and younger than Ruby and yet Harvey chose Ruby over her. How could he tell her that he wasn’t in love with her but with his step sister?