Donned in a V neck midi sheath dress that accentuated her hour glass curve, Ruby gracefully made her way into the Blooming Rose garden, wearing a captivating smile.
Heads turned and eyes shimmered with admiration as she made her way to the exclusive section of the garden, where Derek was already waiting by the entrance.
"You are late?" Derek politely extended his right hand like a true gentleman, while shamelessly admiring her.
"By two minutes." Ruby replied softly, without taking his hand. "Shall we." She walked past him.
Derek was forced to follow behind her while faking a smile. "About the lipstick...."
"Not interested." Ruby cut him off, her smile broadening at the sight of their client seated amongst her rich friends.."Let's try and focus on the business at hand and make sure to clear the misconception. Okay?" She whispered, casting him a subtle glance.
"Certainly, my love." Derek leaned closer and whispered as Mrs Perez stood up to welcome them. "You look ravishing by the way. I hope we can have dinner together afterwards." He said smoothly creating the illusion of a beautiful couple as he stroked a loose strand of her hair.
Ruby's smile didn't waver as she replied. "Only in your dreams and please keep your hands to yourself."
"Oh my...look at you two. Perfect as always." Mrs Perez, a sophisticated mature woman with greying blonde hair stepped forward to receive them. "Mr and Mrs Bishop. Am I correct?" She asked proudly.
"No..."
"Yes..." Derek pulled Ruby arm, laughing feverishly. "We are grateful for all your support ma'am."
"Just call me Julie, silly and give me a warm hug." Mrs Perez pulled both of them towards her, giving Derek the opportunity to wrap his right arm around Ruby's waist. "Thank you for honoring my invitation."
"You're most welcome, Julie." Ruby replied calmly while flashing Derek a warning stare as she forced his hand off her quietly.
"And how are your parents especially Mrs..."
"Donna." Ruby chest tightened with guilt.
"Yes... The one who came visiting during your wedding preparation. Your mother-in-law, right?"
"She's fine?" Derek answered for Ruby and Mrs Perez raised her brow.
"I was talking to your wife, young man."
"Forgive me, Julie. You know how we couple finish each other's sentences. Right honey." Derek smiled pleading, blinking twice.
Ruby chuckled softly without giving a response.
"Hmm...." Mrs Perez eyed the couple suspiciously. "...I won't argue with a natural charmer. Come... let me introduce you to my friends. They could be your potential future investors if you play your cards right."
"We will." Derek replied almost immediately, before whispering a thank you at Ruby's direction.
Ruby fist clench but she decided to let it slide.
"Ladies..." Mrs Perez called the attention of her chatting socialite friends. "...I would like you all to meet the brand owners of Drubick Egdes and my favorite young couple of all, Mr and Mrs Bishop."
"Hello..." The first woman raised her wine glass while admiring Ruby's gown.
"It's nice to finally meet you two." The second woman gave Ruby a one over judgemental look, accessing her cheap accessories.
"Such a handsome gentleman. You should be my gym instructor." The third woman shamelessly admired Derek.
"Please join us, Mr and Mrs Bishop." The fourth woman gestured to two empty seats opposite them.
"Thank you."
Both Ruby and Derek chorused before taking their seat.
"Would you like some red wine or maybe champagne?" Mrs Perez offered signaling a male waiter to their table.
"Certainly. Ruby and I will have one of your best red wine, please." Derek spoke up.
"Water will be just fine." Ruby countered and all women on the table except Mrs Perez burst out laughing.
"What century are you from?"
"Don't tell me you're afraid of a little wine."
"You can't blame her. Probably she's used to apple juice and lemonade."
"Or are you pregnant?"
Ruby face paled in both guilt and embarassment at the women's taunting remarks.
"Of course she's not pregnant." Derek face twisted with slight fury enraged by the last woman's careless words. He was tempted to say that Ruby was still a virgin but one look at her cold gaze was enough to silence him.
"There's no need to explain yourself, Derek. Ruby is free to have whatever she pleases." Mrs. Perez frowned, casting her friends a look of disapproval.
"Pay no attention to them, honey." She said stroking Ruby's arm. "Unlike you, who works to earns a living, these girls are only skilled at spending their wealthy husbands' fortunes. So they can drink all manner of liquor without care."
A ripple of laughter circled around the table.
"Well, someone has to keep the money moving, and someone has to enjoy it," one of the women said with a shrug, flashing her diamond bracelet.
Ruby smiled faintly, "A fruit juice will do just fine."
"Excellent choice." Mrs Perez clapped her hand. "So before we get into the business of the day, I would like to first apologize for not making it down to the wedding. I know how much you wanted me to attend and I was sad when I couldn't get in touch with you. But I saw all the beautiful pictures your husband sent me. You were looking so radiant."
"Pictures?" Ruby looked at Derek, while he gave a nervous chuckle, his eyes silently begging her to stay calm.
"Yes... Although I was expecting to see pictures of you two together after the wedding."
"We are working towards that. So about the business proposal, Ruby and I have made a list of..."
"How was the honeymoon vacation?" One of Mrs Perez friends asked casually foiling Derek's attempts to change the topic. "My friend told me you guys spent it at BayPalm island."
"I heard their local cuisine is to die for." The second friend added.
"Lester and I are even planning to go there for our wedding vows renewal." The third friend said proudly. "And did you guys get see the corpse flowers. I heard it bloomed on the island three days ago."
"Yeah...It was all over social media." The first woman beamed. "Some couple were even caught making out by the fountain area."
"Could it be you two?" The third woman winked at them.
"We never visited island, alright." Ruby blurted out, unable to take one more infuriating comment from the annoying women. "We never went on any honeymoon."
"What?!"
All four women chorused in unison, while exchanging stunned glances.
Even Mrs. Perez's brows shot up in surprise as she asked.
"What do you mean, Ruby? Derek told me you both had a great time at the island. Or is there something I'm missing?"
"Ruby..." Derek reached out to touch her but she withdrew her hands, flashing him a cold glare.
"You had your chance, to clear the misunderstanding. Julie deserves to know the truth."
"What truth?" Mrs Perez raised a brow, the crease on her forehead deepening.
"Julie, I'm very sorry for what I'm about to say. Derek and I..."
"Ruby for goodness sake, please..." Derek snapped at her in a slightly raised voice, causing some head to turn in their direction.
"Derek and I never married over the weekend. We broke up." Ruby completed her statement holding Derek narrowed glares as silent gasps rippled across the table.