Lupin the Third: The Del Monte Ruby

Chapter 2

Later that night, alone in her room, Ruby laid curled up on her bed. With the Lupin doll tucked under one arm, she texted her friends.

R: It's awful! Antony is insisting on throwing me a party, but he wants it to be a debutante ball!

R: It's so medieval! But when I told him, he just lectured me about looking for 'future prospects.' It's like he wants to marry me off!

A: Seriously? Is that even legal nowadays? 🤯

R: I don't know. But this is definitely gonna be the worst birthday ever! 😭

K: Yeah. That sounds totally sus. Though... what if, at this party, you met some rich stud who like totally fell for you on the spot?

K: Like a handsome guy who would make sure you were set for life? It might not be all that bad, would it? 😜

R: Yeah, right! Anyone my B.I.L. approves of has gotta be a total scumbag. 🤮 

R: I don't think you realize just how terrible this is! It's just an excuse for him to hobnob with the elite! This isn't for me at all! I'm turning 18! This was supposed to be special!

K: Shame he's so yummy. It'd make it easier to despise him if he were a total scug. But you're right. This is a damn travesty! We gotta do something to get you outta this!

R: You can have him, then. Anyway, don't bother. It's pretty much sealed in stone.

Just as Ruby sent her last text, there came a knock at the door. Ruby quickly deactivated the screen and stuffed the phone under her pillow. The door opened.

"Ruby?"

Ruby pretended to be asleep.

"I know you're faking."

The light came on and Ruby rolled over to gaze up at her sister. There was a strong family resemblance, but for the fact that Diana Del Monte was taller, blonde, and curvier. At 25, Diana was eight years older than Ruby, and that much younger than her husband.

"We need to talk," said Diana.

"I don't wanna talk," said Ruby, rolling onto her side and putting her back to her sister.

"Nevertheless," said Diana, pulling up a chair from Ruby's desk to bedside. "I think you owe Antony an apology."

"For what?!"

"He's going out of his way to throw you a lavish birthday party, and you were terribly rude to him."

"Me??? You think he's doing this for me???" Ruby leapt out of bed and snatched a paper off her desk. "Look at this guest list," she said, thrusting it in her sister's face. "There's not a single person I know on it! And he's already made out all the invitations. He never even asked me! This is just an excuse for a bunch of rich snobs to get together and talk shop. This isn't for me at all!"

"That's not true, Ruby," Diana insisted. "Yes, he's inviting a lot of important business people, but he's doing it for you – so that you'll have the same opportunities that I have."

"What opportunities? I don't want this!" said Ruby, gesticulating wildly around her. "And why are you always sticking up for him?!"

"He's my husband."

"Well, I'm your sister!" shouted Ruby.

"I know. And I love you both. And that's why it hurts me to see you two not getting along," said Diana. "Look," she said rising from her seat and placing a hand on Ruby's shoulder. "You and I, maybe we can go out and do a girl thing for your birthday. But just try and make things right with him. I'm sure if you give this party a chance, you might even enjoy it."