"Yes." Donna looked up at Elena suspiciously. "Or is there anything more that I should know?"
"Something like what?" Elena answered almost immediately, heightening Donna's suspicion.
"Come on Ellie..." Donna pulled her closer to herself, looking into her eyes. "I know Ruby doesn't keep anything away from you. So spill it. Tell Auntie Donna every little detail. I promise, your secret is safe with me."
"There is nothing to tell, Aunt Donna, except that your son betrayed my best friend", Ellie answered, her wide eyes feigning the calm innocence of a dove.
"Ellie..." Donna frowned.
"It's the painful truth. And I'm also guessing you already know that Ruby was banished by her father still because of your son."
Donna sighed, letting go of Elena's hand and shaking her head. "I do. Agnes told me everything."
"Everything?!" Elena asked, wondering if Agnes had spilt the beans about Ruby's pregnancy.
"Yes." Donna's gaze lowered.
"Oh..." Elena eased herself onto the nearest couch, her throat suddenly feeling dry. "...what did she say?"
"Agnes told me how Ruby refused to divorce that stranger she married out of spite, leading to Jonathan's rage and harsh decisions. And this is all Derek's fault. If he hadn't cheated on Ruby..." Donna choked on her words, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"There is no day I don't blame myself for what happened. Ruby has sacrificed so much to let a leech like her cousin still Derek from her. That is why I need to make it right." Donna looked up pleadingly. "I need to reconcile Ruby with her parents and with my son. But I can't do this alone. I need your help to achieve my goal. Please help me, Ellie. Help me by telling me where Ruby is."
"But..."
"Please, my dear." Donna cut her off, attempting to go on her knee but Elena stopped her.
"I'm sorry, Aunt Donna, but I don't know where she is." Elena stood her ground unmoved by Donna's pleas.
"Fine, if you don't know where she is, can you at least call her on the phone and invite her over to dinner. She has not been taking my calls and I know she's avoiding me. But I also know she will come over if you invite her."
"And what happens when she comes around and finds you here? You want me to lose my friendship over your shameless son who broke her heart." Elena could barely contain her disgust.
"I haven't asked you to betray your friend, Elena." Donna snapped harshly, a mixture of anger and frustration rising in her tone. "Don't make me sound like a monster."
"I never say that, Aunt Donna." Elena turned her face away, her brows knitted in fury.
"I wasn't born yesterday, you know. I know you and your friend hate me right now." Donna broke down in tears. "Agnes wouldn't even visit me like she used to."
Elena let out a sigh as she turned to face Donna. "I'm sorry, Aunt Donna. I'm just angry. But I shouldn't lash out at you. Irrespective of what Derek did or how much I despise him right now, I still hold you in the highest regard as my friend's favourite aunt. But please, don't ask me to betray Ruby's trust in me...because my loyalty to her will always come first, even if it means standing against you."
Donna let out a weary sigh and sank back into the couch. She thought briefly before looking up at Elena, her mind made up.
"Can I at least stay here for one week. I don't want to go over to Derek's place without resolving his conflict with Ruby and I don't want to lodge in a hotel."
Elena nodded slowly. "Very well, you may stay only on one condition."
Donna frowned. "I'm listening."
"Derek is never to set foot into my house, because the moment he does, I'm afraid you'll be leaving with him."
"That's fine by me." Donna smiled faintly.
"Very well, I'll take your things to the room and go make dinner for us. I'm sure you're famished."
"Thank you, my dear."
Elena forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes as she dragged Donna's suitcase into her bedroom. She quickly cleared all of Ruby's belongings and carefully placed them out of sight. Then she paused briefly, contemplating her next plan of action, before retrieving a contact card she had collected from Ruby for emergency cases like this.
-
-
Ruby sat gloomily at the Kels Cafe, resting her chin on her folded arm, staring at her blank phone screen, waiting for Elena's call. Her feet were hurting and her waist ached from all the sitting.
Her eyes shimmered with threatening tears as she recalled her past inseparable relationship with Donna.
People always mistook her for Donna's biological daughter due to their enviable closeness.
Thinking about the way she had to run away and hide from her second mother, crippled Ruby's heart.
"I'm sorry, Mom." She whispered, tears moistening her eyes.
Just then, a familiar cologne hit her sensitive nostrils, forcing her to look up. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she whispered breathlessly.
"Kai?!"
"Hello, beautiful." Kai walked up to her table, a subtle smile etched across his face.
He was looking effortlessly handsome and breathtaking in a simple yet stylish denim shirt layered over a crisp white T-shirt, paired with sleek black skinny pants and finished off with casual sneakers.
His eyes were hidden behind a black aviator glass that gave him the finishing look of a hot supermodel, and for a minute, Ruby forgot to breathe.
"May I sit down?" Kai requested smoothly, snapping Ruby out of her trance.
Ruby's eyes instinctively scanned her surroundings, and her stomach dropped.
Only moments ago, the place had been buzzing with conversations and clattering dishes. Now, it was deserted.
The only people present were the two of them and the cafe owner, who seemed suspiciously absorbed in whatever he was doing behind the counter.
"Ruby..." Kai's voice softened, almost coaxing.
Her brows knitted as she gestured around them. "Did you do this?" she asked, her tone edged with surprise and unease.
"Yes," He admitted without hesitation. "I wanted you to feel at ease and to know we could speak freely without prying ears."
Ruby swallowed hard, her pulse quickening. "That's... unnerving," she whispered, still staring at the empty tables. "How did you know I was here? Did Stan inform you? Are you spying on me through him?"