The kiss...that intoxicating, sweet and dangerously addictive gesture was meant to be the perfect payback, for Derek's infidelity.
But in the heat of the moment, Ruby found herself craving more and desperate for his touch. She almost forgot to breathe as Kai's warm hand slowly coiled around her neck, pulling her closer and kissing her deeper.
Then came her father's roaring voice, booming like a thunder clap as he tried to yank the passenger car door open.
"Ruby, get out of the car this instant."
"Ruby!" Derek bellowed, running towards the car like a wounded lion, with a murderous intent. His bloodshot gaze narrowed at the stranger kissing his supposed wife, his fist clenched for battle.
"Ruby!" Agnes froze behind her husband, stunned to see her daughter in the arms of another man.
Ruby pulled away from Kai, her face completely flushed and her heart pounding from the adrenaline rush and a mixture of excitement and fear.
"I can come with you if you want." Kai offered, completely ignoring Derek, who was already by the side of his door banging the window, with the intent of breaking it.
"No... I've got this." A wicked smirk curled up Ruby's lips. "Unlock the car and leave once I'm out."
"As you wish, my lady."
The moment Kai pressed the automatic unlock button, both sides of the front door were forced open with Jonathan on Ruby's side and Derek on Kai's side.
The next set of events happened in a blur– with Jonathan's angry voice rising as he grabbed Ruby's wrist and pulled her out of the car while scolding her harshly.
On the other hand, Derek grabbed Kai by the throat and shoved him into the seat with his fist pulled backwards in readiness to disfigure his face.
"Derek stop!" Raymond came up from behind him.
"Kai!" Ruby called out, her eyes widened in alarm at the thought of Derek punching him.
But Kai easily dodged Derek's assault, twisting Derek's left hand around his throat and setting his jacket collar before launching a counterattack with deadly precision.
POW!
The punch landed squarely on Derek's jaw, sending him crashing backwards on Raymond before both of them tumbled over with a grunt.
"Ahh!"
Instantly everyone froze, their gasps rising in the air.
Their alarmed eyes flickered towards the stranger in the car, startled by his strength and the force of the impact, while wondering who he was.
Slamming his door shut, Kia lowered his gaze and winked at Ruby, blowing her a playful kiss which she returned with a charming smile, before he finally zoomed off.
"Oh my...what a hottie." Elena beamed from where she was standing. She was super thrilled to see her bestie taking charge of the situation instead of acting weak.
"You are dead, you hear me. Dead." Derek picked up a rock and threw it at the departing car while spitting out bloodied saliva.
"Get a grip on yourself, man." Raymond hissed, dusting the sand and dried leaves from both their clothes. "You should be more concerned about winning your wife back."
"Let go of me." Derek pulled his arm away from his best friend, enraged by the humiliating punch.
Picking up what was left of his trampled ego, he stormed over to Ruby, demanding an answer for her indecent behaviour.
"Who is the jerk you were kissing in the car Ruby? Are you cheating on me?"
In response to his question Ruby let out a mocking laughter.
"Cheating on you?! Really Derek? Is that the best you could come up with? Come on, you know me better than that. I don't hide in the dark like a thieving rat scrambling for trash. I go for only the juiciest and succulent meal, and I enjoy my feast in the open for everyone to see."
Ruby's words made Derek's jaw clench so tightly that his gum began to ache.
"Ruby that's enough. Stop embarrassing yourself." Jonathan chided but Ruby was not done airing her mind.
"And point of correction, that handsome deliciousness of a man is not a jerk. You are."
"Ruby!" Derek's hands clenched by his side.
"Watch your tone, Derek..." Jonathan stepped protectively in front of his daughter while glaring at his supposed son-in-law. "You are the one in the wrong here. I thought I told you to go back home and wait for my call?"
"But...dad, you can't expect me to stay home doing nothing when my wife is missing?" Derek's voice trembled with rage and jealousy.
"Your wife!" Ruby let out a dry mocking chuckle. "What stinking wife? When did we get married? Or do I look like Bailey to you?"
"Come on Ruby... You and I were supposed to be married yesterday."
"Yes and thankfully it didn't happen. So get lost." Ruby turned on her heels to leave but Derek quickly caught her by her right wrist.
"Please...my love."
"Get your dirty hands off me." Ruby wriggled her hand free, scowling at him.
"Derek, you should go." Agnes intervened, but Derek fell on his knees, not ready to take no for an answer.
"Mom, Dad, please let me just talk to her. I don't want to lose her."
Jonathan gritted his teeth and Agnes sighed
"Fine. Make it quick." Agnes said, massaging her husband's arms pleadingly.
Derek smiled in appreciation before turning to Ruby whose arms were folded across her chest.
"My love, I know I messed up big time. You have every right to be mad at me. You can even go ahead and hit me if you want to. I deserve all the slaps and punches."
Ruby scoffed, not sparing him a single glance.
"I'm a fool, Ruby. But I can't risk losing you. I know bringing that man here was to make me jealous and if you must know, it worked. Seeing you kiss him..." His heart constricted. "...made me feel like hanging myself. Now I understand how it feels and I know better. I can never live without you, Ruby. You are my star. Please, all I ask is for a second chance to be that better man. I'm ready to do whatever it takes to make you happy."
"Whatever it takes?" Ruby raised a brow, her eyes cold, devoid of any emotion.
"Yes, my love. Whatever it takes to win your heart back." Derek smiled, thinking she was considering giving a second chance.
"Don't, Ruby," Elena muttered under her breath, her heart pounding.
"Stand up," Ruby said softly and Agnes smiled.
"Thank you, my love." Derek slowly rose to his feet, beaming tenderly at her.
"Good... Now I want you to go home and forget about everything that happened yesterday. I understand you want to be with my cousin and you have my full blessing to continue with your relationship."
"No..." Derek shook his head as Ruby continued to speak.
"You and I can never be together again because I now belong to someone else." Her lips curled in a wicked grin as she flaunted her ring finger at his face.
"I am married."