The Forbidden One

Mother-Figure |E|

EDITED

Albert

Dad hurried out the door without saying a word to us but he did peck Ruby's cheek before he drove off. They think I didn't see that but I did.

"What the hell was that?" I ask, once Ruby entered the house. She made her way into the kitchen to start lunch and I followed her. "What was what, Albert?"

"That peck on the cheek," I say as a matter of factly. "Are you guys together?"

She sighs and gestures for me to take a seat. "Nicolas and I have restored our feelings and were testing it out, I gave him another chance. I don't want you to tell Evangeline yet. She doesn't know anything so please keep this between us?"

Why wouldn't they say anything? "I won't say a word," I smile. I'm glad they found each other again, I'm glad they're giving it another try but I can't help but worry that Dad will treat Ruby the same way he did before. "I actually already see you as a mother," I admit. "You always watch out for me the way you do for Ev."

Ruby smiles brightly. "That's so sweet! I see you as a son, too."

"So," I joke. "You're my mother-figure?"

She laughs, wholeheartedly. "I suppose I am, Albert." She meets my eyes, "I suppose I am."