As Ruby was going, she didn't notice a pair of eyes watching her intently. Ethan was surprised. He had heard about Ruby's face, but this was the first time he saw it even though he lived with her in the same house. He secretly admired Ruby for her courage and couldn't help but think that Ruby had truly changed. But, as usual, he didn't have time to meddle in her affairs. He had always been cold and distant towards Ruby. He doesn't even remember the last time they exchanged common pleasantries. Whenever his mom and sister were bullying Ruby, he remained indifferent and only stepped in when it was becoming too much.
Soon, it was closing time, and parents came for their wards. Ruby stood on front of the gate, and her face fell upon seeing a familiar face. Mrs Layla Evans, her stepmother. Ruby's expression was like she had been wrong. Sincerely speaking, she was so tired. Whenever her stepmother came to pick them up after school, she would have to go home by herself. They didn't spare her a glance as Christabel and Ethan entered the car with their mom showering them with kisses, love, and attention. Watching the car speed away, she sighed again and turned to walk away, but there was a pang in her heart as she thought of her mother. Where was she? Did she not really want her again? What of her elder brother did he also not want her. But he had promised her on countless times that he would protect her. Was that all fake.
" Aaaaah," she slapped herself and scolded herself
" Are are insane Ruby. They dont care about you, so why think about them? "
With that mindset, she continued to walk, but after barely 10 steps, her eyes suddenly lit up as she spotted a red motorcycle nearby. She smiled happily and ran to the motorcycle. Although there was no one on the motorcycle, she sat on it happily.
As she was savoring her moment, she heard a familiar deep voice
" Excuse me, child, what are you doing on my motorcycle?"
Ruby smiled brightly but said coldly
" Point of correction, I am not a child "
The person chuckled and said in amusement
" Oh really, it seems I don't have to worry about you again. You seem so capable.
Ruby swiftly jumped off the motorcycle and rushed to the person who hugged him and said coquettishly
" No,no, Uncle Gary, you still have to worry about me. You just don't know how much I've missed you .
Gary smiled and ruffled her hair, then said
" Uncle also missed you so much. Let's go grab something. What do you want?
Ruby leaped in joy and said
" Yeah, I want ice cream,"
Surprisingly, in front of Gary, Ruby behaved like a child she is. Few people had seen this sweet side of her. The rumors about her were all bad, and none of them painted her good. Gary said
" Put on the helmet and sit on the motorcycle."
Ruby gladly did as she was told. She felt today was her lucky day. It has been a long time since she last saw Gary, and she missed him so much. Now she was glad that Layla came to pick up her children. Now, she could find a convincing excuse on why she is going to be late.
Gary sat on the motorcycle with Ruby in front of him, and he drove with speed on the road. He stopped by a food stall across the road and got down with her. They sat down at a very secluded corner, and Gary told Ruby to buy whatever she wanted. Ruby was instantly thrilled and began buying almost every portion of food in the food store with a large amount of meat. Gary chuckled at her silliness. He knew very well that Ruby had great appetite and loved meat a lot. Ruby sat on a chair facing the Gary whose back was facing the wall and slowly took off her mask. Gary stared intently at her face with conflicted emotions but said nothing. Once Ruby was sure no one would see her face, she quickly began to eat. Gary bought only vegetable salad and ate it quietly. Seeing her eat only the meat over and over, Gary frowned and said sternly
" Young lady, you better eat some food and vegetables. What's it with the meat "
Then he added in a teasing tone
" Look at how you are gobbling on the meat like some pig who has been starving for days,"
Ruby pouted her mouth as if she had been wronged and said tearfully
" Oh, you are a bad uncle. The little chance you get you go around calling me a pig. Do I really look like a pig to you? "
Gary smiled and continued teasing her
" Of course you are one slim pig, I know. All you need is more meat and fats than you would become a fat pig. "
Ruby frowned and was about to argue when she suddenly thought of something and smirked
" Oh, uncle, that isn't going to work on me again. Believe me, I almost fell for it. I will still eat the meat. "
Gary sighed helplessly. He knew this wouldn't work. He asked
" But why gobble on the meat. We could wrap it up, and then you would eat it in the house. You definitely can't finish all of these "
Ruby snapped
" Hell no, those witches never want to see me happy. They would find all ways and means to destroy the meat. Today, in particular, I have no strength for fighting, so Uncle Gary, please, let me enjoy for now. "
That made Gary quiet. He knew Ruby had a hard time in the house, and he felt stupid for reminding Ruby of unpleasant memories. He sighed again and asked
" So what about your surgery, any progress?"
Ruby slapped her forehead dramatically and said
" Oh, Uncle Gary, if you hadn't mentioned it now, I would have long forgotten about that surgery. That man with the pathetic title as a father had his wife successfully brainwashed him, so I guess I would be living with this forever. "
Gary's face darkened as he asked
" Did he really say that?"
Ruby smiled sadly and said
" Actions speak louder than words. Besides, I personally overheard them. Everything is so clear. in fact, I would have been shocked to the bones if he agreed to help. "
Gary felt sad for Ruby. He quickly assured her
" Don't worry about that man. Uncle Gary is here, and I will have that face fixed for you. "
Ruby giggled and said
" Of course, Uncle Gary is here. I need no worries. "
Right after saying that, he buried her head back in her food. Gary thought to himself. Maybe he had been too harsh on her, forcing her to stand on her own fight back. She looked carefree but he knew she was really sad inside. As he was lost in his thoughts, he heard Ruby's voice
" Hey uncle, didn't you say we would eat ice cream. where is it.
Gary answered
" it would be here any moment from now,"
Ruby nodded and continued with her food.
Then Gary continued by putting a smart phone on the table
" Ruby here,"
Ruby saw the phone and stared at him in confusion
" Huh, what does this mean, uncle?"
" I know you were caught while making a call to me on your nanny's phone. that is probably why we haven't been in contact with each other. my contact is already stored on it. Call me if you need anything. "
Gary said with an assuring smile. Ruby's face beamed with joy as she said
" Oh my God, phone phone, I have my personal phone. Uncle Gary, have you ever thought of how amazing you are. literally, you are the best "
Gary smiled. seeing Ruby happy made him also happy