-I Had A Dream-

Chapter 3: A part of truth

The sun was already setting on the horizon and bathing the sky in a bright orange-red. They had settled on the beach with his arm around her waist and her head on his shoulder. They were quiet, just listening to the sound of the sea and thinking. Well, Ruby at least. She hoped inwardly that they wouldn't talk about their future together. She was afraid of telling him the truth, and especially of disappointing him and Sophie again. However, she also knew that if she just stayed here without further ado, there would be great trouble. The thought of what would happen then made her heart heavy. Actually she didn't want to think about it, but the fear brought tears to her eyes and she tried to hold them back. He felt himself start to stroke her hip and give her a gentle kiss on the head. His closeness made her feel safe and she wanted to bury herself on his shoulder.
How long are you going to stay ?
That was the first words in a while. His voice was gentle, almost cautious, and she could feel that he put his arm closer around her as if he were afraid that she would jump up and run away. She didn't want to answer and sighed deeply.
A couple of days. I...it's complicated but...I can't stay longer.
She knew it didn't sound like much that she was happy to be here. She closed her eyes, trying to hold her tears back and and the urge to disappear into a hole.
A couple of days ? Are you going on tour again or...why do you have to go ? I was hoping you would stay longer.
He buried his face in her hair for a few minutes.
It's been so long since I had you with me, after all, and I've waited long enough to be with you again.
It remained silent for a while again.
I know.
Her voice was trembling.
But things have changed. We have changed. The words almost got stuck in her throat and she took a deep breath.
There is someone waiting for me at home. She felt his grip loosen a little when she finished. She knew she must have hurt him. For the second time. Or how many times she had already. She looked at him, his gaze aching her heart.
You...you...have someone ? Your boyfriend ? Or are you...married ?
The words were difficult for him, without question. But she nodded.
Married. Since a long time. It's complicated. But I have to go back...I'm sorry.
He looked at her, she could see the pain in his eyes, but he tried not to show it. His hands were now on his lap.
Okay. Then...I don't want to stop you from going back to him. I congratulate you. May I ask...how long has it been ?
Her thoughts were lost in the memories of the time when she came home and her parents introduced her to the man she was to marry. Who she didn't know, who was almost twenty years older and still should be her husband. She remembered Donna.  Her sweet little girl back then, for which she had done everything. And as they had to leave their old home.
Fernando nudged her a little and she was thrown back into reality. She chewed her lips while her gaze wandered over the sea.
A year after you left. That's where I met him.  And a few months after that we got married. She felt his confused look, but he said nothing. She knew herself that it had been naive and foolish to marry this man, but at that time she had no other choice. She wanted to tell him all about it, but she was too afraid before what would happen then. The two sat for a while until he just got up and walked back towards the hotel without asking if she wanted to come. Ruby watched him go with the urge to cry and the pain in her heart  that seemed to stick her firmly to the floor.

Ruby had been up most of the night, like the night before. Knowing that she had hurt him again was hell. But she didn't want to lie to him, at some point she would have had to tell him one way or another why she had left. When she sat down at the breakfast table with her family the next morning, she felt like an alien. She said nothing, not even when Fernando joined them. Not next to her, though. Tanya was the first to comment.
Well, the two lovebirds aren't chirping our ears full ?
Her words weren't derisive, but she wanted to provoke Ruby. Ruby poked at her food, she didn't mean to say anything. Not in front of Sophie. But she of all people was the one who answered it.
Are you thinking about what you want to do next ? Hey, Mr Cienfuegos...why don't you show my grandma the island ? That could be a nice trip.
Sophie sounded happy as she always did, and Ruby smiled a little for her sake when her gaze met Sophie's. Fernando sighed deeply and Ruby stiffened as he answered.
I think your grandmother should decide that. I don't want to get too close to her, I want her to feel comfortable here.
He sounded friendly and smiled a little, but Ruby knew exactly how difficult it was for him. Sophie cocked her head.
Did I miss something ?
Fernando raised an eyebrow and looked at Ruby briefly.
Better ask your grandmother. I think it would be better if she told you why she wanted to go.
It was quiet. Ruby felt her heart pound and was afraid that the others would hear. Sophie looked at her so long that she tried to answer.
I...I wanted...it's complicated my darling. I thought...
She couldn't make a clear sentence, but Fernando got it to the point.
She is married and would like to go back home. Perhaps there she is thinking about how to proceed. And I don't want to stop her.
She could hear the astonished gasps of the others. Nobody thought about food anymore, all eyes were on Ruby. She felt the warmth of malaise creep into her face and turn her cheeks red. Rosie spoke first.
I can't believe it. The famous and rich Sheridan is married and is actually flirting with our hotel manager.
She clicked her tongue a few times.
And now she wants to leave her family again.
Ruby suddenly felt the anger rise inside her. Nobody here knew what her life really was like. What she had been through all these years, why she was here in the first place. She got up, her hands clinging to the table. 
You have no idea !,
she exclaimed loudly.
Nobody here should think that I want to leave my family ! I love Sophie, everything and everyone here and goddamn it I love being here. But I have to go and nobody here could ever understand !
Everyone stared at her, and it took Ruby a while to realize she was crying.
I'm sorry.,
she whispered softly and finally moved away from the others.