Brides and Rubies

Chapter 1 - Blood Red Proposal

September 11th, 2021

It was another normal Sunday in the Tankthrust Penthouse. Donovan was keeping an eye on intruders, making sure no one would break in. Bobby, who moved in with us a month ago, went out to do terrorist things. And me and Bryce were cuddling in her bed like a normal couple would usually do.

A few minutes later, we heard Bobby kick the door wide open, almost breaking it. Bryce and I jumped, startled. "Bobby! You scared the hell out of us!" I heard Bryce slightly yell. "It's not my fault! I just got back from attempting to take over Earth. Me and my servants Suck and Swallow were brainstorming ideas for our nuclear bomb. It's going to be sick!!" Bobby said as he proudly smirked, clenching his clawed fists. "Well, could you not try breaking the door please??" Bobby paused and sighed. "Fine."

"Thank you, Bobby." She muttered quietly, pulling me back down into her bed while holding me in a soft, tight cuddle. Bobby sighed again and mumbled "Lovebirds." as he walked into his room.

Moments after that, Bryce spoke up. "Hey, babe?" I perked up to look at her. "Hm? What is it?" She smiled at me. "I have a surprise for you after dinner. I can't wait for you to see it!" She said happily as she gave me a gentle squeeze. "If you can't wait, you can tell me the surprise if you want to. I won't mind. It'll still be special."

Bryce looked up at me. "But then it wouldn't be a surprise anymore, would it, baby? Just wait until dinner is over. It'll be worth it." She smirked, nuzzled my nose, and gave me a quick kiss on the lips as she buried her head in my neck. I chuckled. "Alright." She mumbled cheekily. " Alright. Good. Thank you, darling."

About an hour later, Donovan was cooking dinner and called us in since it was ready. "Dinner is ready, boss." Bryce and I got up from the bed. "We'll be right there, Donovan! Go ahead and serve yourself!" I walked to the nightstand to look for a hair tie since I didn't want to get food in my hair. I don't know why but there was a ring doodle which looked like it was drawn by Bobby. What was that supposed to mean?

Bryce called me over to the table to come and eat. Luckily, I found a hair tie so I was able to head over to the table. Bobby exited his room and we all sat down to eat. Donovan cooked us a delicious steak with a salad as a side. Bobby wasn't really a salad guy so of course he wouldn't eat and leave the plate on the table.

A few minutes after we digested, Bryce looked up at me and smiled cheekily. "Do you want to see the surprise, baby?" Oh right. The surprise. What could it be? Maybe the sticky note I found earlier had to do with that?

I nodded, eager to see what it was. My excitement was taking over, so was Bryce's excitement. She gently dragged out of the kitchen, out of the house, and took me to a small pretty street nextdoor. "This is probably really exaggerated, more exaggerated than me." She chuckled. I smiled slightly. The street was really pretty, the sky was a variety of colors, and we both looked really nice. I wondered and wondered. What on earth could it be?

"The sky looks beautiful doesn't it?" She looks at me, her dark brown eyes, glistening in the set sunlight. "It does." She looks down at her pocket, seeming nervous. "I know it's a little bit late... but.. I would like to ask something of you..." My eyebrow raised. I let her speak.

"Layla, you are the most gorgeous person I have ever met in my life. Your smile would light up any other room if it wanted to, your eyes are always beaming, and I love you more than I will ever love myself." Aww. What a wholesome speech! This was the woman I fell in love with. But, that wasn't all. She grabbed something from her pocket and got down on one knee. Oh my god... was she...?

"Layla Glandale, will you marry me?"

My eyes widened. I immediately got closer to her and gave her the tightest hug I have ever given. "Yes!" Bryce's smile got larger as she hugged me back. She seemed genuinely happy. I haven't seen her so happy in such a long time, especially with what happened in her childhood. "I love you, Layla." She said sweetly as she held me tightly.

"I love you too."

September 13th, 2021

Two days after Bryce proposed, it was nighttime, about midnight I suppose. I couldn't sleep because I had a lot of trouble. But then, I heard a knock on the door. It was probably Donovan. He would usually come back at this time since he had other side jobs. So I get out of bed and went to open the door. Bryce slowly groaned because she moved in her sleep. Poor Brycie. She needs a lot of sleep.

The knock got louder and louder as I got closer. When I opened the door, I saw two people.

They weren't Donovan...

Then all I saw was pitch black.