"Oh dear!" Mrs Perez clutched her chest, as though she was about to pass out. She turned to her friends and politely excused them from the table before turning to the disgruntled couple.
"Ruby, I'm so sorry.... I didn't know."
"It's fine." Ruby forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes. She could feel Derek's murderous gaze boring a hole through her skull, but she couldn't care less.
"I know I'm not a marriage counsellor or family, but you two are like my children. So...is it okay if I ask what happened, Derek?" Mrs Perez asked softly.
Derek clenched and unclenched his fist to stifle his rage before replying.
"Mrs Perez..."
"Julie." She corrected calmly.
"Julie..." Derek faked a smile. "Please accept my sincere apologies. I never meant to misguide you or lie to you about Ruby and me."
"Apology accepted." Mrs Perez's gaze momentarily flickered to Ruby before focusing on Derek.
"Ruby and I have been inseparable for years. Aside from being my lover ànd business partner, she's my best friend and I couldn't bear to tell our clients that we were having some misunderstanding."
Ruby smiled bitterly at Derek's attempt at playing the victim.
"This whole misunderstanding is all my fault. But I can promise you that we are working hard to resolve the issue." He concluded, meeting Ruby's gaze.
Mrs Perez observed the cold tension between the couple and said.
"If you don't mind, I have a friend who is a very good marriage counsellor. I could arrange a section with all expenses paid. You just have to pay her a visit. You'll be glad you did."
"With all due respect, Julie, there will be no need for that," Ruby intervened, wearing a professional look. "Thank you for everything you've done for our company. But let me reassure you that, irrespective of our differences, Derek and I are still devoted to taking Drubick Edges to greater heights with your support. We don't have to be a couple to work perfectly as business partners. Right, Derek." She flashed him a sideways glance.
"Sh...sure." Derek gazed with a suppressed chuckle. "I'm just like Ruby said, we are dedicated to giving you only the best. But I promise you Julie, I will do everything within my power to win this beautiful woman's heart back."
"Aww!" Mrs Perez smiled. "You have my one hundred support in this, Derek. I will hate to see you split, especially with the business plans I have for your company."
"Thank you so much for your vote of trust." Derek smiled, smoothing out his hair. "We promise, we won't disappoint you."
"Good." Mrs Perez cleared her throat. "Now back to the reason why I invited you both. I have gone through your earlier business proposal and I thought it was ingenious. So instead of one million dollars, I decided to add an extra million as a wedding gift making it two million dollars worth of investment."
"Ah!" Both Ruby and Derek gasped, their eyes widening in surprise.
"And that is not all." Mrs Perez continued. "I spoke to a few of my husband's friends, and one of them is willing to invest the sum of ten million dollars into your company."
"Oh my goodness!" Derek's jaw dropped at the amount of money.
Ruby stared in shock, her mind already spinning with a list of ingenious product development and innovation that could be incorporated into the company with such a huge investment.
"But here is the catch." Mrs Perez's tone was cautious. "He doesn't know you two are separated. He has invited you both as a couple to his grandmother's birthday, taking place tomorrow evening at the Grand Marina Estate." She opened her handbag and brought out a golden invitation card which she handed to Ruby.
"This is beautiful," Ruby whispered, admiring the card before handing it over to Derek.
"I don't know how to say this without sounding insensitive..." Mrs Perez said apologetically. "....but you both have to attend this birthday party. I don't want you to miss out on this golden opportunity. Meeting with the Acharya might just be the business breakthrough you're both looking for. Business moguls, celebrities and socialites of all calibres will be in attendance. You could even use this opportunity to display one of your ingenious creative designs, Ruby. It will be a great platform to advertise your brand."
"You are right." Ruby sighed, her chest tightening with a blend of guilt and anger.
"Thank you for this great opportunity, Julie. Ruby and I will get back to you on a decision this evening." Derek said beaming like someone who had won a lottery ticket.
"Good, and I hope it is a positive response, but no pressure." Mrs Perez grinned playfully.
Ruby chuckled softly and Derek felt his heart leap for joy at another rare opportunity to revive his relationship.
"So... enough talk of business talk and let's have ourselves a feast.." Mrs Perez signalled the waiters over.
-
-
Seated at a secluded table and pretending to be engrossed in a business magazine, Kai's expression was a mixture of anger and disgust as he listened to the ongoing conversation three tables away from where he was.
The thought of this so-called rich woman pressuring Ruby to accompany her ex to the Acharya matriarch's birthday, all for the sake of a peanut, felt like a slap across his face.
And worst of all, Ruby was already considering that option.
'What was ten million dollars compared to her peace of mind?' Kai thought, his hand balling into a fist.
It wouldn't take him anything to invest five hundred million or even a billion into Ruby's company if she wanted it.
Picking up his phone, he dialled his assistant's number.
"Tucker, are my parents still attending the Acharya's birthday party tomorrow evening?"
"Yes, sir." A male voice replied polluted.
Kai's expression darkened.
"Get me a solo invitation and also contact Bryan jewellery. I need one of their best-matched diamond piece with complementary accessories. Have them sent to my wife through Stans."
"Yes, sir."
Kai paused briefly before adding. "Tucker, also get yourself an invitation and a very nice suit for the event. Spare no expense."
"Thank you, sir."
Kai hung up and signalled one of the waiters to his table.
"Have Mrs Julie Perez's bill and those of her guests added to my account."
"Yes, sir." The waiter nodded.
"Keep this anonymous and give yourself a good tip." Kai stood up and quietly exited the garden like he had never been there.
-
-
After spending almost thirty minutes picking on her food without actually eating, Ruby stood up and thanked Mrs Perez again for the invitation before exiting the garden with Derek following behind her like an obedient school boy.
"Would you like me to drop you off at the office?" Derek whispered softly.
"No need. My ride is already waiting outside." Ruby replied, the word 'ride' feeling a bit awkward on her lips.
A frown flashed across Derek's eyes and quickly disappeared.
"It's fine, we could talk after work today."
"I'm not going back to the office," Ruby replied checking her time. "It's already late, and I have to go grocery shopping before heading home."
"You mean Ellie's house?" Derek raised a brow.
Ruby paused, mid-step, her eyes darkening as she looked at Derek. "Ellie's home is now my home. Get that into your thick skull."
"Fine..." Derek raised both hands up. "Whatever makes you happy. Let's just not fight."
"Who said anything about fighting?" Ruby rolled her eyes and continued on her path, making her way towards her sleek car, which had already pulled up in front of the building.
"Welcome back ma'am." Stan bowed politely, as he opened the rear door.
"Ma'am?" Derek scoffed under his breath, irritated by the sight of the arrogant-looking driver. "How about tomorrow's invitation?" He said waving the card. "We need to give Mrs Perez a response this evening."
"Tell her we will be there." Ruby climbed into the car and Stan closed the door before Derek could say anything.
"Are you daft? Can't you see we're still talking?" Derek barked at Stan but the latter simply ignored him as he got behind the wheel, forcing Derek to step backwards as the car pulled out.