“Oh, I see.”
He sounded disappointed, or was that all in her imagination?
“I've seen the house and I love it. When can I start decorating it? I have lots of ideas.”
"Whenever you have the time to, but bear in mind that you'll be getting many wedding gifts, so sort out the gift registry first and then begin to put the house together."
Ruth had almost forgotten about the gift registry. What kind of things should she choose for people who had money? Lucas was going to have to help her.
"I don't know what to expect from rich people, what they're willing to buy, and what they're not. You'll have to come with me and pick out the stuff, I'm not doing it alone."
“You can do it with my mother and sister. You're getting along fine now, aren't you?”
Far from it. Ruth knew that the two women didn't like her at all, likely because Lucas took her part in everything and ignored them. He's really playing the role of a good husband, but he's also getting me into trouble with them. What would happen once they were married? Nothing good, that's for sure. I'm just going to have to ignore them as much as possible.
“No, I would rather pick the items on the gift registry with you, no one else, alright? We're the ones who are going to live together, not them. Clear a space in your diary and let me know.”
Lucas raised his eyebrows. “Wow, so bossy. Is this what I have to look forward to once we're married?”
"There will be no need to be bossy once we're married because we'll both have what we want and will be free to live our lives as we see fit. It'll only be the occasional family gathering, right? You rich people like your evening get-togethers, the whole she-bang. I can just imagine you sipping champagne, wearing designer clothes, the men talking about their next great big deal, the women about their shopping sprees and handsome pool boys."
Ruth laughed about it, not really meaning it. It was the kind of stuff that happened in the soaps she used to love to watch with her mother, but she was sure that there was more to affluent people than that.
"You rich people? That sounds quite prejudiced, Ronnie. I'm surprised at you."
Hands in pockets, Lucas stood in his suit, legs wide apart. He looks every bit the male that I would usually go for, only he's too good-looking for me, I know my limits. And yet here she was, getting married to him. Life really is funny, isn't it? I thought that I'd never get married after George left me, but I find myself house hunting with basically a stranger, I'm going to be his wife in less than a month, and to top it all off the man is a billionaire. This is crazy.
“Hey, what are you smiling at? Do you think that it's acceptable to be prejudiced because you're black?”
Ruth didn't realize that she'd been smiling, but hearing Lucas' words killed her grin as efficiently as water on fire.
“Is that what you think? That I believe that I can be prejudiced because I'm black?”
“It sure looks like it. You got angry when my mother and sister said something that you didn't like, but when you just stereotyped rich people, it was okay. You even smiled about it, Veronica. Whether it's about race, money, or anything else, judging someone based on a stereotype is wrong.”
He really has taken this the wrong way, hasn't he? Maybe she'd been a bit too crass about it all, but she really hadn't meant it. We don't know each other at all, do we? Lucas looked far more serious than she'd ever seen him; she really had put her foot in it.
“What I said was a joke, Lucas, I didn't mean anything by it. You see, my mother and I used to watch soaps on TV about the lives of wealthy people, and we would always joke about it. I didn't mean to insult you, I apologize for that.”
He nodded his head slightly. “Alright, apology accepted. Soaps? I didn't take you as a soap-opera junkie.”
“Not anymore, but when my mother was still alive it was our favorite thing to do during the evening. We would make a big bowl of buttery popcorn, get a bunch of gummies and chocolate, and wash it down with ginger beer.”
Ruth smiled at the memory. She would walk dogs after school, babysit kids, or any other little job to earn money to treat her mother to these evenings. They couldn't afford all the good stuff, just the cheap sweets that she would buy from shops looking to get rid of their old stock. Sometimes, when her mother had a little extra, they would get their favorite Chinese take-out and gorge themselves silly on spicy noodles, spring rolls, dumplings, and joke around with their fortune cookies. Those were the good days, tough but simple and loving. I would give everything to have that back again, if only to spend it with my mother. Ruth's life may not have been easy, but her mother's love had kept her going, making her reach for greater heights long after she'd died. A hole in her heart had developed after her mother had died, one that would never be filled again. Mama, would you approve of me getting married for anything but love? Ruth already knew the answer to that.
“All that sugar? How did you manage to keep slim?”
"I was never still for long. My mother taught me the value of hard work and avoiding idleness. I've had a job since I was sixteen, and before then, I would do little chores for neighbors like running errands for them or helping their kids with their homework."
“Oh, so you were something of a genius?”
She snorted. "Not at all, but I was a hard worker, and I got by alright."
Ruth continued to wander from room to room, with Lucas following behind her. Thinking about her mother had made her question her reasons for getting married. I'm helping him get what is rightfully his, but my reasons don't justify my actions. So what if people considered her to be the jilted ex? It was only her pride that had been hurt, and she hadn't been the one to do wrong, that was all on George. Now I'm pledging to spend an indeterminate amount of years with a man that I don't know. Mama, I don't think that you would have been happy at all, in fact, you would have talked me out of it. But now I feel that it's too late to back out of this deal, even though I haven't signed anything yet. Mama, I'm really sorry, this isn't what you wanted for your only child, I know that. He's a good man though, and he's going out of his way to make me feel comfortable about it all, he even stood up for me when his mother and sister had a go at me. Not even George did that when his mother insulted me, and we're both black! She didn't think that I was good enough for her son. I guess she believes that this Tally woman is. Well, good riddance to that! But now I've gone from one difficult mother-in-law to another, and I don't even love Lucas! What am I thinking?
“Hey, what are you thinking about that's making you frown so much? Is it about what happened earlier? Don't worry about it, okay? It's water under the bridge.”
Ruth stopped walking. "It's not that. I'm just thinking about this step that we're about to take. We'll be fooling a lot of people, Lucas, and I know that it's a bit too late to be saying this, but I'm not comfortable with doing that."
"So, what are you saying?"
His voice had an edge of panic to it, so she put her hand on his arm, wanting to put his mind at ease.
“Don't worry, I'm not about to back out or anything, it's just that all of this doesn't sit well on my conscience. I never thought that I'd see myself getting married to a man for the sake of my pride.”
Lucas took her hands in his. "Then don't think of it in that way, Ronnie. You're helping me out here, and I promise to make you happy and give you everything that a husband can possibly give his wife. I will respect you, treat you well, we can even become good friends. What else can I say to you to put your mind at ease?"
"You're a good person, Lucas, that much I do know. It's not fair that you have to get married to me just to get what's rightfully yours. The thing is, you say all of this now, but what happens when you fall in love? How will you explain to that woman that you never married me for love but for business? Won't she think the worst of you?"
“I could ask you the same thing, you know. I suppose that I should let you know now that I don't believe in love, so I can guarantee you that I won't fall in
love with any woman. And you?”
She smiled sadly. “I doubt that I'll love again, and that's the truth. Love hurts when the other person doesn't love you as much as you love them. I don't want to go through that kind of experience again.”
“Okay, now that we have both sworn ourselves off love, can we make a pact?”
She lifted an eyebrow. “A pact? That sounds very middle school-like. Plus, we hardly know each other, it's not like we're great friends or anything.”
"You're a cool chick, Ronnie, I can see myself being good friends with you. I think that we're more alike than you may think, and because of that, I believe that our business deal will work out well. I want us to make a pact that we will always remain honest with each other to avoid any misunderstandings that can expose our deal. We'll respect each other. I will treat you as my wife in everything but that.”
Ruth blushed. She knew exactly what that was.
"Also," he continued. "If one of us decides that they want out, then we will do it in a way that suits us both and not cause any scandal. I want to protect both our reputations, not just mine. Deal?"
Ruth rolled her eyes. “Why am I always making deals with you?”
He shrugged, grinning. "It's how our relationship started in the first place, I think it only right that we continue with it. I, Lucas Ross, promise to do all that I have said to the best of my abilities."
Lucas held out his hand. This guy and his deals. I guess that it's time to give him my real name before we go any further.
“Alright. I, Ruth Matthews, promise to do the same.”
Lucas' eyes widened. “Ruth Matthews? But your name is Veronica Beaumont—isn't it”
"That's only my professional name, Lucas. Now that we're getting married, it's time that you knew my real name."
His eyes narrowed. “Do I have to be worried? Are you running away from the law or something.”
She laughed. “Nothing like that, I swear.” Ruth sobered. “I guess you could say that I'm running away from my past.”
Ruth opened up to Lucas then, telling him a part of herself that she hadn't been able to share with George. The odd thing was that she found it easier to talk to Lucas than she imagined. Not once did he appear to judge her. She even told him about how George's wife had tricked her into doing her nursery.
“You're kidding! Did you tell her where to go?”
"Nah, I've decided to go through with the project for the sake of professionalism. So, you don't think any less of me after all I've told you?"
“No, what kind of person do you think I am? I commend you for making something of yourself from nothing, you should be proud of that.”
Ruth felt a great weight slide off her shoulders. She hadn't felt this light in years! It was amazing what telling the truth could do for you. A bit of worry crept back in when she thought about the ceremony.
“But what about our vows? The marriage can only be legal if I use my real name. What do we tell everyone once they find out my real name?”
“Nothing at all, we don't owe them an explanations.”
Somehow, Ruth didn't think that would go down so well with his family.
Chapter 6
Lucas adjusted his tie, not quite believing that his wedding day had arrived.
“Ronnie probably feels the same way. Maybe I should give her a call?”
Not that he thought that she would back out, she'd given him her word and he trusted her. But if he was feeling jittery, she had to be as well.
“We're both taking such a big step, tying ourselves to each other without the scent of love in the air.”
It suited him well. After all, he didn't believe in the mushy emotion that had people acting like fools. He thought to grab his phone when a knock sounded at his door.
“Yeah? Who is it?”
“It's Rogers, sir. A man here says that he wants to speak to you.”
Everyone wants to speak to me, it doesn't mean that I'll do it. It's probably some reporter looking for an exclusive interview.
“What's his name, Rogers?”
“Malcolm Matthew. He says he's Ms. Beaumont's father.”
Lucas' hand went to his mouth. Her father? He was the last person that Ruth would want to see. She'd told him all about her father, the way he'd abandoned her and her mother and married another woman. What would she do if she knew that her father had come to see her on her wedding day? He would have to deal with this on his own, he couldn't let her be worried over this.
“Bring him in, I'll speak to him.”
“Sure boss, I'll get him.”
Lucas drew his fingers through his hair, wondering what the man could want after all these years. He better not be here to hurt her or he'll have me to deal with. Lucas had become quite protective of Ruth ever since hearing about her life story. She'd gone through so much, built herself up, given herself a new identity all on her own. He didn't know of any woman who had done what she had, and she was only in her early thirties. Ruth was just different from any woman he'd ever met and he genuinely enjoyed being around her. She'd become a good friend and confidante in the short two months they'd known each other, and he actually liked telling her about his day at work whenever they got together to finalize wedding details. He was looking forward to them living under the same roof once the wedding was over. Lucas would have had her move in earlier, but she still had some old-fashioned views about that sort of thing. It wasn't like they were going to share the same room or anything, but she'd insisted on staying at her place until the wedding. They were going to have a two-week honeymoon for appearances' sake, and then it would be back to the real world soon after. Ruth had mentioned wanting to go to St. John one day, so he'd secretly organized a honeymoon there, planning everything from water sports to hikes. It was the least that he could do for the woman who'd given up her freedom to help him. He was the one who stood to gain the most out of the business deal, but he'd selfishly capitalized on the fact that people would no longer pity her, leaving out the fact that people would soon forget about her situation in favor of some new gossip. Once Ruth had realized this truth, she still hadn't backed out of their deal, signing it just a week ago.
“Weirdly enough, I'm not feeling nervous because I'm marrying her, but more so for what people might say once they hear her real name.”
Although Lucas had downplayed it when they'd spoken about it, he'd thought about it more than he would have admitted to Ruth. His family would immediately become suspicious of her, and knowing his mother and sister, they might want to interrogate her.
“I'll be having none of that, not if I can help it.”
He knew that they didn't approve of her already, what more would happen once they found out about her background? Lucas wasn't phased by it, but they would be. He wasn't like his family who believed that the invisible line that divided the affluent from the rest of the world should remain immovable. He believed that everyone was equal, money or not.
“Besides, Ruth is far more interesting than the women I've dated in the past.”
Maureen had actually tried to set him up with one of her friends last month, a disrespectful move that had angered him. Ruth hadn't said much about it, but he'd fought with his sister, nearly kicking her out of the wedding if not for Ruth's interference.
“She can thank her lucky stars that I have a wife who is caring and not spiteful like her and her Malibu Barbie friends.”
Lucas went to the door when he heard the second knock, opening it to find a man who he immediately picked out as Ruth's father.
“Mr. Matthew?”
The man smiled. “Yeah, did Ruthie tell you about me?”
I don't like the look of this man, he's here for something. No one abandons their child and then turns up years later at their wedding.
“Yeah, she told me something about you. Come in.”
Lucas noticed how the man's eyes looked around the room, taking everything in as though he were categorizing items. Is he trying to guess how much
everything is?
“So, what can I do for you, Mr. Matthew? Why are you here to see me?”
"Please, call me Malcolm. After all, you'll be my son-in-law in a matter of a few hours."
“Okay, Malcolm it is. Would you like something to drink?”
Lucas walked to the drink's cabinet, getting out a bottle of whiskey. The man's eyes bulged slightly when he saw the label.
“Only drink the good stuff, hey? Sure, I'd like some.”
Lucas handed him the drink, not caring to drink anything himself. He needed to keep his wits about him, who knew what this man wanted. Malcolm smacked his lips together as he took a sip, clearly enjoying the drink.
“Can't remember when I last had something this good. Of course, you're a wealthy man, Mr. Ross. My daughter did well by marrying you.”
“I'm the lucky one.”
"Yes, yes, you are. Funny, I don't remember you asking my permission to marry my daughter."
“It's difficult to track down an absent father. How long has it been since you've seen your daughter? Twenty years?”
He saw a flicker of irritation in the man's eyes before he hid it behind polite interest.
“Be that as it may, there should be some... compensation for being her father. I mean, you wouldn't be marrying her if not for me.”
Lucas narrowed his eyes at the man. So, this is the game he wants to play. He doesn't care a thing about his daughter, he's looking for his next meal ticket.
“Okay, let's not beat around the bush, alright? You want money, don't you? Why should I give it to you?”
"Imagine how I felt when I found out that the well-known interior designer, Veronica Beaumont, is none other than my daughter Ruthie. From what I've heard, she claims that her family is in Europe, that she even studied in Europe! Can you believe that? I doubt that my daughter has ever been to Europe, what would people say once they find out that she's been lying all this time? I imagine that her reputation would suffer, she would be known as a liar. As her husband, you wouldn't want that, would you?"
Ruth and Lucas Page 6
