Chapter Four: Going Back To New Zealand

I woke up as early as 5am in the morning, I already packed my boxes all night. The anticipation I felt was so great that I wished I could be parachuted to New Zealand.

I spent ten minutes with my little son, he was still sleeping, I knew he would miss me greatly. But I will try hard to visit the states, to see him once in a while.

“Ruby? Are you ready?” Charlotte asked, as opened the door. She helped me drag a suitcase, and saw me plant kisses on Kelvin’s forehead.

“I will miss him. I can’t help it, I feel like I’ve done him wrong, Charly.” Tears slipped out of my eyes. I tried to stand up only to see his soft baby hand still clasping onto my fingers.

“Baby, mommy knows she is wrong to leave like this, but mommy promises to come back once in a while.” I whispered in a soft voice.

“Don’t worry Ruby, I will take care of him. Though he isn’t my child. I guess I’ve enjoyed the joy of motherhood too because Kelvin existed.” Charlotte muttered, suddenly feeling sentimental.

I laughed, “Sure he would be a good boy for mom’s sake.” I kissed him once more, bidding him goodbye and grabbed the other suitcase and left alongside Charlotte.

My flight was around 7a.m.

The procedure was swift, before I could enter, I heard a cracked voice, “Ruby.” Charlotte hugged me tightly from behind for a while before she let go of me.

“Promise me that you would take care of yourself?, please? We’ve been through thick and thin, no matter what, just hang in there ok?” It looked like she would cry any moment from now.

Charlotte is weak hearted at times and she cares too greatly.

“I won’t, I have a son who needs me, would I dare go seek death?” I chuckled, laughing it off and easing her emotions.

“Hmn. I trust you will be safe. Update me when you get there.” I nodded in acquiescence.

“Flight 2 will leave in twenty minutes!”

I heard the flight attendants announced. I gave Charlotte a quick peck on her cheeks and boarded the plane.

The plane arrived in the evening, as it was mid February and the air was so cold in New Zealand.

“I’m back home.” I dragged my suitcases and hailed a taxi.

After giving him the address, I was driven to the villa site.

Even with a house this big, I could only get a small room, like though I was a maid. I swallowed the sudden discomfort I felt and got out of the car, paid the bills and dragged my suitcases into the villa mansion.

The security stationed outside the gates saw me, their eyes only held surprised but none bothered to help me with it.

They always made me feel like I don’t belong here. I stopped at the gate and waited for them to open the gates. I briefly looked them over, the two guards have aged compared to five years ago.

“Chase, open the gates.” I tried to control my temper. I know I’m temperamental, but I didn’t want to ruin the slight feeling of happiness I had when boarding the plane this morning.

“We need to inform the young miss Sharon first, Master Morgen has kept her in charge.” Chase announced with indifference.

I laughed, suddenly feeling lost. Is that why they were looking as if they didn't recognize me, or are they trying to hurt me with words?

What do they mean that they have to notify Sharon before I could enter?

A car drove with speed from outside towards where I stood, I instantly stepped to the sideline, with the car hitting one of my suitcases. With a loud thud, my suitcase fell.

I had an ominous feeling, Sharon exited the car, wearing big sunglasses. She smirked and walked towards me.

“What do we have here? The running hedge dog decided to come back?” I ignored her, picked up my suitcase on the floor and walked forward.

“Wanna play dumb?” She mocked.

“You have to grow up Sharon, if that filthy car of yours hits me, even if I have to turn into a ghost, I won’t let you go.” My eyes flashed with ruthlessness.

“Oh. I’m so scared. You can’t even afford that car, look carefully, it’s a Lamborghini, you can’t and will never be able to afford it.” Her bitchy voice sounded like a crow talking.

I walked, collided with her shoulders, one of my suitcases hitting her knees and she let out a yelp.

“Careful, or you would have a sore knee for a week.” I smirked, who doesn’t know I’m a jinx?

“Fucking cursed witch!!” Her shrill voice came from behind.

Chase already opened the gates, so I didn’t pay attention to any of them and walked into the villa.

I saw mom’s haggard look the minute she descended the stairs.

“Ruby.” Her voice was laced with coldness, but it didn’t hide her weariness.

“Mom!” I rushed forward and burrowed into her embrace.

She seemed embarrassed for some reason, but I didn’t care, I missed her, I missed my mom.

“Get her a cup of chilled juice.” She ordered a maid, who did as she was ordered.

In fear she handed me a glass of juice minutes later.

I only drank half a cup, before mother dragged me towards her room and locked it after we both entered.

“I need your help Ruby. Mom is in big trouble.” She sounded so worried and scared.

“Mom, what is the problem?” I was skeptical, still holding the glass tightly in my hand.

“I made a big mistake three months ago. I borrowed seventy million dollars from your father’s company and promised to pay back this month. I accidentally invested in a scam business.”

Shock drilled inside me. “ You did what??” I was scared out of my wits. “Don’t tell me you’ve lost such a big amount of money??” There were question marks hovering over my head.

“Your father’s business is not doing well because of your mother's stupidity, help mom out ok?” She paused, allowing the information to sink in. “None of my friends agreed to lend me a huge sum of money. Last week, your father mentioned divorce, he hasn’t been talking to me since then.” My heart ached, but I didn’t understand one thing.

“Mom, I don’t even have such a huge amount of money, if I had, I wouldn’t hesitate to help you.” I said with uttermost sincerity.

“I know. The McCall’s needed a bride for their son, he offered to help me pay after proper negotiations yesterday, stating that if I could let one of my daughters marry his eldest grandson, he would help.” The urgency in her tone, like though she couldn’t wait to sell me for seventy million dollars.

My fingers clasping the glass cup trembled. My nose feel stuffy.

“You need to help mom save her marriage! It is the only reason I’m alive! Please Ruby, help mom just this once.”

I chuckled drily, it turned out that this was what happened.

“You have two daughters, mom. Sharon and I. But you decided to call me all the way from the United States because of this?” My voice held incredulity.

“Sharon is nearly at her peak in her career, I don’t want to ruin her life.” She spoke with seriousness.

I couldn’t help but feel helpless.

“Mom, what about me? How can you bear to discard me like this?”

“You have to Ruby. That way you will get recognized as the daughter of the Morgan’s.” Her final words were cold and I laughed as tears slipped out of my eyes.