The Traps of the Black Swan

154

It wasn't out of his expectation, Lisa had expected that reaction from Ruby Jane, in fact, he had anticipated far worse. Hence he had sternly asked the man to be in the car by promising to give him a glimpse of Ruby Jane.

If he knew she had arranged so much for him, he wouldn't have even agreed to let that man step in his car. He had thought he could call her out or take her out for a walk for him to see but everything ruined.

He couldn't believe he spoiled every date plan of hers unthinkingly, unknowingly. He didn't only cancel, in return he hurt her repeatedly yet she stood watching nothing but him.

This time, she wasn't just unhappy but broken-hearted that she desperately concealed behind her poker face.

His patience didn't waver a bit and tried again without reaching for her, "Hear me out once." He insisted, trying to calm her.

'Hear you out?' She thought and chuckled self mockingly. She felt wronged, let down, and also compelled. Shouldn't he ask her first? Talk to her once? She would have really heard him without losing her patience.

"Hear you what? Hear you say that you unintentionally revealed that I am unfortunately alive?" She asked unemotionally which was stabbing him straight in the heart.

Ruby Jane continued to ask without glancing at the man who looked at her with mixed emotions that mainly filled with longing and shock.

"Or do you want me to hear you apologize for deceiving me that none knows about me?"

"Ruby Jane..." He called, helplessly.

He is aware she was trying to vent her anger but she looked more hurt than hurting him for bringing that situation to her.

"Or will you tell me how fun it was to play me dumb?" She continued trying her best to get angry at him but she just couldn't.

The more she tried to taunt him, her eyes stung, tears threatened to roll down, her lips trembled by seeing him controlling himself from rushing up to her, seeing him regret, seeing him hurt.

She was angry at him but couldn't show it, she was broken but neither she wanted to be weak nor show her real emotions.

Like an iron hutch was building around her, she felt like being caged, taking away all her freedom to express herself.

Ruby Jane glanced at the man who eagerly wanted her speck of attention but she didn't want to see him, much less talk.

Lisa went closer to her and cupped her face. Before he could speak, the man uttered heartbrokenly, "Jennie..."

It was more like a whisper but both heard it. Lisa quickly diverted her attention before she could lashes out at the man, "Look at me."

Ruby Jane ignored as though she didn't hear the man address her 'Jennie'. She mused looking at Lisa without shrugging him off, "Do you know? I still believe whatever you did was because of me and for my good."

Lisa pressed his lips to a thin line. He knew she would understand, hearing him or without the need for words but he didn't want her to look lifeless facing him.

He tried to trace a silver line of expression but he felt like he was holding a lifeless doll that had no earthly feelings.

Ruby Jane continued, "Whether you hid it or you told him or brought him here, I still believe you didn't want to hurt me."

Lisa felt his throat dry. He was the last person she could think of hurting her but he was repeatedly making her suffer. He embraced her hoping she could calm down.

Another voice again sounded, "Jennie..."

Ignoring the voice, Ruby Jane didn't evade Lisa and didn't return the hug. Her mind was in complex protest that her brain didn't bother releasing oxytocin.