Ruby's bold confessions and the huge diamond ring on her finger took everyone by surprise.
For a split second, a deafening silence crashed over them, chilling and heavy as though a ghost had just walked by.
Then came the puzzled questions, the looks of disbelief, and finally rising anger with the majority of the family lashing out at Ruby.
"That's enough!" Mama Diana's sharp and commanding voice silenced everyone.
"You all should be ashamed for attacking our dear Ruby like that after everything this young man has put her through." She said pointing her walking stick at Derek. "Does any of you know what she has been through the previous night? The least you can do is let her come inside the house first and rest before you start bombarding her with questions and threats."
Everyone, including Ruby's parents, lowered their head, their faces, a mask of fury and shame.
"Ruby, my darling..." Mama Diana called softly, her tender gaze whipping to her angry granddaughter who seemed fired up for battle. "I trust you must be very tired. Why don't you go into the house and freshen up? I'll have your auntie prepare something nice for you to eat."
Ruby exhaled, her anger subsiding and a faint smile lighting up her eyes.
"Thank you, grandma."
"You're welcome my dear, now go." Mama Diana turned to Elena. "Follow your friend and make sure no one disturbs her."
"Okay, Grandma." Elena smiled and hurried after Ruby.
"But grandma..."
"Enough of your whining, Derek." Mama Diana cut him off silencing his protest. "You brought this upon yourself when you decided to cheat on your future wife. So man up and face the consequences of your action."
"I'm very sorry, Grandma." Derek kept his gaze lowered and his jaw clenched tight, as jealousy and rage tore at his heart.
"Now, listen very carefully." Mama Diana stressed. "...go home and wait until you hear from us. Do not call her. Do not text her. Do not accompany your parents to visit. Do not even go out there looking for trouble. Let the adults put their heads together and settle this amicably before it gets out of hand. When we are done, we will call you and Ruby together and see if we can save this relationship."
Derek nodded, even though his leg refused to budge. "Thank you, Grandma."
"Don't thank me, you punk." Mama Diana hissed and walked away, her walking cane tapping against the pavement like a warning gunshot.
"Dad, Mom, I'm really sorry for everything." Derek apologised again, his shoulder sagging in defeat.
"You heard my mother. Go home and wait for our call." Jonathan's disappointed gaze flickered to Raymond. "Take your friend home and make sure he stays out of trouble."
"I'll try my best, uncle." Raymond quietly led his friend to the car while the crowd outside the house slowly dispersed with a lingering question on their lips.
"Who did Ruby get married to?"
-
-
Meanwhile, in the peaceful countryside of Carlpole, the Treshvire extended family were preparing to have a customary quarterly family get together.
The entire extended Treshvire family, comprising grandparents, uncles, aunties, cousins, children and grandchildren, arrived in their number, their excited voices rising in the air.
Inside the magnificent kitchen, Ariella(Ella) – once a stunning redhead beauty in her prime, who had now aged with such regal elegance – moved effortlessly, supervising the activities of the servants, while assembling her special recipe for a traditional dish.
Just then, a maid hurried into the kitchen and announced cheerfully.
"Madam... Mrs Ivory and Mr Justin have both arrived."
"They have?!" Ella immediately stopped what she was doing, her eyes widened with excitement.
"Yes, madam."
"Awesome! You..." Ella pointed at one of the less busy servants in the kitchen. "....continue rolling this dough the way you've seen me do it, and slice these remaining vegetables medium-sized. But do not mix the batter if the dough finishes before I return. Leave that to me."
"Yes, madam." The maid bowed politely.
Then Ella hurried out of the kitchen after rinsing and drying her hands.
The expansive sitting room echoed with the thrill of family members who hadn't seen each other for a while.
Yvonne was happily chatting with her younger sister, while their respective husbands exchanged pleasantries, when Ella walked into the room.
"Ivory!" Ella called out to her, her voice subtle but sharp.
"Ella!" Ivory abandoned her elder sister as she rushed towards her favourite sister-in-law, arm open wide.
They both embraced each other warmly while giggling like teenagers.
"Look at you!" Ivory pulled away, her glimmering eyes scanning Ella from head to toe. "You look so amazing, like you haven't even aged a bit."
Ella chuckled softly. "Thanks, darling, and so do you. Tell me, how was your trip?"
"Exhausting....but I'm so happy to be back home."
"Hello, beautiful." Justin came up to them beaming.
"Hey Justin." Ella welcomed a brief peck on the cheek. "Looking good."
"Thanks, dearie. You too."
Ella beamed. "By the way, congratulations on your revolutionary invention of the Module PTX Aqua launch. Leon and I were just talking about your ingenious work a few days back. You are such a genius."
"You flatter me Ella, but thanks."
Ella craned her neck behind the couple as if expecting to see someone else come through the foyer.
"If you are looking for Becca, then I'm sorry to disappoint you. That young mischievous missy bolted on us at the last minute, claiming she had a live audition to attend." Ivory explained with an exaggerated sigh.
"Ugh!" Ella pouted. "I was hoping to see her. So she'll miss the family feast."
"Not at all. She promised to join us later in the evening." Ivory reassured her.
"Oh, splendid?"
"What about my brother?" Ivory gaze flickered upwards to the stairs.
"He is with Maxwell in the study."
"Discussing stock prices, politics or economic jargon." Ivory rolled her eyes.
"You know your brother." Ella hummed, laughing.
"I'll go say hi to them." Justin excused the ladies while Ella led Ivory toward Yvonne, who was already feeling left out.
"Sorry we left you all by yourself, sis." Ella fondly stroked Yvonne's chin before taking a seat beside her.
"It's fine my dear. How is the Elawalu Roti coming along? I can already perceive the delicious aroma from here and I've been salivating."
"No way... You are making Nana's recipe!" Ivory eyes widened in excitement.
"What better way to celebrate family than to share Nana's delicious recipe with the kids?" Ella beamed proudly.
"Aww....thank you, Ella. Nana will be so happy wherever she is seeing that you are carrying on the family tradition." Yvonne whispered in silent reverence.
"Yes," Ivory muttered, her eyes shimmering with tears.
"I feel closer to her every single time I make the recipe." Ella fondly stroked the heart amulet hanging down her neck.
All three women embraced tenderly before entertaining themselves with the treat on the table amid exciting gossip.
"By the way, where is Kai? I saw his twin brother and Korra. But I haven't seen him anywhere?" Ivory asked innocently.
"Haven't you heard? Kai is on a love quest." Yvonne hinted, her eyes brimming with mischief.
"A love quest?" Ivory arched her brow. "Are you trying to say that my Kai is seeing someone and I don't know about it?"
"Keep your voices down." Ella signalled with her hands while scanning around to ensure Kaleb was nowhere in sight. "This is meant to be a secret. He hasn't said anything to anyone yet."
"So how can you be so sure?" Ivory folded her hand in disbelief.
"Because I overheard him and Kaleb discussing about her," Ella whispered.
"When?" Ivory raised her brow.
"A week ago. I accidentally stumbled into their discussion, and they suddenly went radio silent. But after sniffing around Kaleb for a few days, I finally found out that Kai went to see her, yesterday. And I have a feeling they spent the night together."
"This is awesome news!" Ivory clapped her hands. "For a moment there, I was afraid Kai would end up single due to his disinterest in women."
"Me too." Yvonne chuckled. "So have you found out anything about the girl or where she is from?"
"All I've been able to get out of Kaleb so far is a single name and he has refused to divulge any more information." Ella frowned, wishing she could make her second son talk.
"So what's her name?"
Yvonne and Ivory chorused at the same time chuckling.
"Ruby..." Ella cooed dreamingly. "Her name is Ruby."
"Ruby!" Yvonne and Ivory echoed, glancing at each other, their phone already in their hands to make more enquiries.