9| Cloud Nine.

Ruby.

I woke up with a great back pain, sleeping on the cold marble floors did that to me. I cried myself to sleep, I still couldn't believe that such a thing could happen to me, I couldn't help but wonder if that was just a tip of the iceberg.

"Why did you sleep on the floor, fool?" My subconscious mocked me.
That voice was right this time. Why did I not refuse? I also did feel stupid for just letting him command me like that, yet I didn't do anything.

"And why are you sitting there acting as if you just ran a marathon? Get the hell up! We are going back home!" That was Toby's scary voice.
Did he swallow a speaker? I mean does he ever speak calmly?

I suddenly felt like a cheap maid, he was definitely treating me like one and the most painful part of it all was the way I obeyed each and every command of his before questioning him, doesn't that make me so stupid?

'Yes! And idiotic too'

But then I couldn't help but feel like he had all the right in this world to be angry. I felt like he was just annoyed at everything and taking it out on me, I would let him have that because I want to help him ease his pain for a while. I practically just barged into his life.

'That was the stupidest defense ever. Just say you're stupid, Ruby. Or that you still want him to like you back.'

Wait, was I actually making excuses for his actions right now? Oh Ruby, you're such an idiot! I didn't actually want this too, at all!

"Why are we going back home? Isn't this supposed to be two weeks vacation? It's our honeymoon, remember?" I finally summoned the courage to question him and guess what, it wasn't that hard but the way he stared at me as if I suddenly grew two horns on my head scared the shit out of me.

"Wow, just what makes you think that you could actually question me? Who do you think you are? I think I need to set some things straight for you. You need to know my rules in this ... this marriage or whatever. Number one rule which is the most important is that you do as I say without as much as a grumbling or questioning. Two, you don't have any right to even speak to me unless I do so first and three, don't cross my path, just don't! You disobey any of these rules and you see the other side of Toby Daniels... now, I'm going to repeat myself, get the hell up, WE ARE GOING HOME!" He thundered.

I scurried up and rushed into the bathroom feeling the great urge to cry, I was so pathetic. If he actually had another worst side other than the one I've known for years, I definitely do not want to provoke him into showing me that side. This side of him was worst enough.

The way he clenched his fists while talking angrily was so scary, I felt like he would actually hit me. The thing about Toby's dark past was that he had anger issues sometimes ago that resulted in a lot of scandals for him before he went for therapy and they made us all believe that he was better but I doubted that.

Hours later, we arrived at the Daniels' Classy home. None of his parents even questioned him as to why he had to be back on such short notice when he was supposed to be enjoying his honeymoon with his wife. It was as if they both expected it.

"Master, your mom seeks your presence at the dinning hall." A young lady said politely to Toby all the while bowing her head.

I rolled my eyes at her first word, master? Really? Was this the 1800s now? Will this place even cease to amuse me?

"Get yourself out of here, I'll come when I feel like!" Toby snapped at the lady.

"But... she threatened to get me fired if you don't follow me right now.. sir?"

"You know what? I'm firing you already! You're fired!" He shouted as the lady ran out of the room sobbing.

This household was filled with monsters, really. How could both mother and son put the poor girl in such a tight situation? These people are evil.  And I'm married to a monster. I tried my luck to see if I could knock some sense into him, a girl could always hope, right?

"That's was so harsh, Toby. The poor girl did absolutely nothing to warrant such pure wickedness." I said.

"Oh really? I'm so sorry... not!!! Who are you to even correct me? Those maids worth way more than you do! So don't even bring the wifey material in, your opinion wasn't needed!" Toby snapped at me as he stormed out of the room banging the door with so much force.

I sighed.
This marriage was going to be unbearable!


Fifteen minutes later, we were all seated at the Daniels' fancy dinning table filled with all sorts of luxurious meal that could feed over twenty people to satisfaction. The chairs surrounding the large table were over fifteen. When I walked into the room at first, I thought I had lost my way because the dining room looked more like a conference room.

To think that just three people ate at this table for years, which was now four till Toby and I move out. I had to keep reminding myself that this family wasn't a royal family but a family that was just way too rich.

The sound that could be heard in the room was only the clacking of forks and plates. We all ate in silence which was an agonizing one for me. I couldn't help but feel like I didn't fit into the family, the way their eyes was drilling a hole into my skull didn't help matters at all. I was the center of attention.

"So Ruby, how are you feeling about this union, I suppose you're on cloud nine right now?" Mrs Daniels broke the uncomfortable silence with an uncomfortable question.

"Well, I suppose that's how I'm supposed to feel?" I shrugged.

"What do you mean supposed to? That is what you should definitely feel, especially after having my son all to yourself for the night? Many ladies would kill to be in your shoes!" Mrs Daniels snapped glaring at me.

So they decide what I should feel too? And what alone time was she even talking about? I slept on the fucking cold floor!

"Cut the poor girl some slack, Clara. She's new to everything, all of these. Don't scare her." Mr Daniels said in a sweet voice that so contradicts his stone face, I had to blink twice to be actually sure if that came out of his mouth.

"Meanwhile. I hope you kids did the do, I'm expecting a little Toby and little Ruby as soon as soon possible." Mr Daniels said.

Could this conversation get any wierder? Little Toby and little Ruby, really?

Toby and I looked as shocked as ever.

"I don't want a little Ruby but I'd love a little Toby anytime. I don't want any of my grandchildren looking as hideous as you." Mrs Daniels remarked wearing a smug face. I simply ignored her, it was not like I had any comeback anyways.

"But sir... I still have a long way to go. I have lots of ambitions for myself. Getting pregnant is not a priority for me right now." I said getting paranoid.

"Oh come on... can't anyone recognise humour anymore? I'm only kidding. And sooner or later, it's expected of both of you to give birth so don't draw it for too long." Mr Daniels said laughing at his own joke, I didn't find it funny but I managed to smile.
Toby kept on frowning.

The dinner came to an end after an hour. I was on my way to the bedroom when I heard whispers from some maids, I was interested because I was the topic of discussion.

"Have you met her yet? She's so nice." a voice said.

"Toby definitely doesn't deserve her, I can only imagine want he'll do to her if she annoys him." An older voice said.

"I know right?! He should have just gotten married to that mean lady. They fit each other so well." The previous voice said.

"What?! I'm glad he didn't... we would have one more person to terrorize us in this house, you know. And maybe, just maybe Lady Ruby will change him. Who knows?" The older voice replied.

"Change? That's not even possible. Once a monster, always a monster." The other voice disagreed.

I couldn't help but chuckle at what she said thus making them aware of my presence, I walked towards them as they shivered in fear.

"We are so sorry ma'am. We are so wrong to even talk about you. Please, forgive us." The older lady said as they both dropped to their knees in fear.

"You haven't offended me, please. Get up on your feet, that was one of the nicest things anyone has ever said about me, thank you."

They stood up happily.
"Oh thank you ma'am. Your kindness is so amazing and out of this world." the younger maid said.

"You're welcome. What are your names?" I asked wanting to be close to them, having some friends in this big house shouldn't be a problem, right?

"You can call me Zainab and she's Sarah." The older one answered for both of them.

"Oh no. I can't call you by name, you're so older than me. How about I just called you Mama?"

"No, it's fine ma'am. The whole house calls us by our names no matter how old we are." She said.

"I'm not ready to join them in doing that. I'm not comfortable with it. I'll call you mama, please." I repeated.

"Ok ma'am ." She heeded.

"Now one more thing, stop all the ma'am thing, please. It's so unnecessary." They both looked shocked.

"What? We can't do that ma'am. How are we supposed to address you?" Sarah asked.

"Just call me Ruby."