Restless

"So you believe that you bring bad luck to other people?"

"Maybe, if one or two people say it. Maybe it won't make any difference. But if almost everyone I know in my life says that I'm unlucky, I think it's true."

"You look down on yourself too much, Ruby! I'm sure you just haven't found someone who is truly meant for you."

"Or maybe I wasn't destined for anyone from the start. My mother just experienced bitterness in her life and marrying my father actually made her life even more miserable."

Damian sighed, he didn't expect Ruby to be so pessimistic about her life. Honestly, he didn't know what reaction he should show now, considering it had been so long since they had been separated. Even though they used to be very close, they met again after a long time. It feels awkward.

"So you're single now?"

"Why do you ask that? Don't tell me you also want to sign up to be my future boyfriend like Aiden!"

"Aiden is want to be your boyfriend?"

"I don't understand what he really wants to say. He said that he wanted me to be his mate or something, I don't really understand. What's clear is that he wants me to be his girlfriend."

"Mate? He wants you to be his mate? He said that?"

"Why? It does sound a little strange because he uses words that are not often used, it sounds like a male animal looking for a female to mate with, it sounds like that and-"

"Mate?" Damian muttered while thinking. Ruby stopped what she was saying and turned to Damian who was sitting beside her.

"Damian, what's wrong?"

"No, nothing. It's already afternoon, are you hungry? How about we have dinner first?"

"About your mother earlier, do you still hold a grudge against my father? Moreover, even now my father still hasn't been found."

"I already said that I don't blame you. Actually, I know that since the first time I met you, your life has been filled with sadness. It wouldn't be fair if you had to bear the sins of your parents. Therefore, I beg you to just forget it, okay?"

***

Damian stopped the car in the front yard of Ruby's house. They had spent almost all my time, going around the city to see the places they had visited in high school and chatting about all the things they had done during their school days.

"Thank you for treating me to dinner. Today was really fun!"

"No need to thank me, I'm happy that you're back in this city. Are you planning to stay for a long time?"

"I'm still not sure. The plan was for me to return to this city to meet my father after I thought he might be able to accept me again. But it turns out that he's not here and maybe I should go back to where I was."

"Which city did you live in before returning to this city?"

"So far from this city, I live in Knoxville in Tennessee."

"Knoxville?"

"At first I lived with my mother, but she decided to move to Pittsburgh, but I refused to move with her. To be honest, I'm very tired of constantly moving and having to adjust to a new place. Moreover, now I feel that I'm too old to follow where my mother goes."

"You're right, I think it's time for you to take your own path in life away from your mother's shadow."

"You think so?"

"Yeah, I hope I can help you if you need help."

"You're very kind to me, Damian. To be honest, I feel embarrassed because I have to bother you today. But, I'm really grateful because I'm really happy."

"Thank goodness you're happy."

"Okay, then see you tomorrow?" Ruby said as she opened the car door.

"Ruby, hmm...wait!" Damian tried to stop Ruby by holding her hand.

"You want to say something?"

"No, I'm sorry! See you?" Damian looked nervous and it made Ruby almost laugh.

"I thought you wanted to say something. Alright, see you?" Ruby said as she stepped out and waved her hand.

"Bye?" Henry smiled gently and he couldn't hide his anxiety.

"Bye?"

"Hmm...are you free tomorrow?"

"I'm always free, Damian! I don't work and I don't have any friends here."

"Want to go on a trip again? I'll take you to the place you want to go."

"How about taking Jake and Aiden too? It would be fun if they could come too. But Henry, I don't think it's necessary. But since he's your cousin, maybe you would consider taking him too and I'll take Barbara, maybe she'll want to come too."

"Okay, I'll try to tell you them. Good night?"

"Good night?"

Damian started to drive his car, but when Ruby realized that she was alone in the house where Damian's mother was murdered, she started to feel afraid.

"D-Damian, wait...!" She quickly called Damian before Damian got further away.

Realizing that Ruby was calling him and even trying to chase him, Damian immediately stopped the car. Ruby hurriedly approached his car with a pale face even though she wasn't really alone here.

"What's wrong?"

"T-that, I-I'm actually scared if I have to be alone in this house."

***