A sudden and weird meeting

(Natasha POV)

I am at my office working diligently. My husband dropped me off and said that he will pick me up once I am finished. The others who saw me getting off from my husband's bike were stunned.

My neighbor and best friend, Emily, asked me when we had a short break.

"Natasha, who was that guy you were with?" (Emily)

"Well, my boyfriend."

I told my husband that I want him to play both the role of my boyfriend and my husband. He agreed. Think of it as a payback for what he did.

He suddenly told me everything about him. Some parts were so shocking that I didn't want to believe it. But I know better than anyone that he doesn't lie. I listened to him and accepted him even though it will take some time to properly assimilate it.

"Aren't you married?" (Emily)

"Yeah."

I don't get it. What's Emily trying to get at?

"Are you having an affair?" (Emily)

"No. Why would I have an affair? He is my husband."

"Eh!! Didn't you say that your husband is a gloomy professor? What I saw was a dashing man." (Emily)

"Well, he is my husband. He thought that he should change his looks. And he bought that bike a few weeks ago."

"Another miss? If he was your boyfriend, I would have told you to break up with him and give me his number." (Emily)

"You sure have some guts. Asking me for my husband's number!"

I get annoyed at that. I didn't react like that. But nowadays, I feel insecure. I know that he used to look gloomy but after living with under the same roof for 6 years, I knew he was a very handsome man.

"So, why the sudden change? You used act so indifferent before." (Emily)

"Well, I made up with him."

"So, it's going well?" (Emily)

"Yeah. Last night was pretty exhausting. We both kinda got…"

"Stoooppp. I don't want to hear your bedroom stories. Gosh, where did that cool and levelheaded Natasha go?" (Emily)

Emily, her face bright red, stopped me from finishing my sentence.

"Well, we are trying for a baby."

"A baby? Are you ok with work?" (Emily)

"Yeah. I have been working for the past 11 years. I think it's about time I had a kid or two. I want a son but he says that he wants a daughter."

"Natasha, you sure have changed. In these few weeks, you have completely changed. Like a totally different person. I guess, love does change people. Even so, you were quite angry when you found him talking to another woman, weren't you?" (Emily)

"Ah…that was his sister. It was a misunderstanding between us."

"I guess, I should find someone quickly as well. Can't die alone, can I?" (Emily)

"Don't be so pessimistic. You will find someone better."

"Then divorce your husband so I can marry him." (Emily)

That hit a nerve.

"Emily, I know that you are joking. But don't make jokes like this anymore."

"Ok." She answered in a quiet tone. And back to work. When my shift ended, I texted him. He said that he will pick me up in 10 minutes.

"What are you doing?" (Emily)

"Waiting for him. He is coming to pick me up."

"In that bike of his. I wonder how much did it cost?" (Emily)

"Just know that it's around the same we both make in a month."

"That much! I guess he is rich." (Emily)

"We are well off."

I make small talks with Emily and come downstairs and wait by the road. Emily left saying she has some work. And he arrived after 2 minutes.

"Did you wait for long?" (Bruce)

"No. Let's go. Where are we meeting?"

"At a diner nearby. They are all here." (Bruce)

I get on the bike and put my helmet on. So I will meet with his younger brother, his girlfriend and his niece. This is the first time I am meeting anyone related to him.

He drove at a moderate speed and after 5 minutes, we stop at a diner. I often come here for lunch.

He leads me to a table where two people are seated. A guy in his 20's and a teenage girl.

Aren't we meeting 3 people?

"Natasha, I think you met him before as well but this time, let's do it properly. This is Henry Davis. My kind of younger brother." (Bruce)

Henry nodded. I nod as well. He said that Henry is bringing his girlfriend. All I see is a teenage girl and him.

"Henry, share some of your spiritual energy with your girlfriend as well. As long as she stays a spirit, Natasha can't see her." (Bruce)

Eh!? A spirit? After Bruce tells him, he holds the air and someone appears beside him. A girl. She is probably the same age as Henry. Where was she?

"Allow me to introduce you to my girlfriend, Noe." (Henry)

"Nice to meet you. I am Noe. Currently I am Henry's girlfriend and I am a spirit." (Noe)

She is certainly quirky. A spirit? Maybe something like a ghost.

"My name is Ruby. It's a pleasure make all of your acquaintances." (Ruby)

The teenager introduced herself.

"Well, I and Henry know you since you were born. Anyway, I will cut straight to the chase." (Bruce)

My husband is a lax man. He will do things at his own pace without rushing. But it seems that he is rushing this meeting.

He is sweating and so is Henry. Why are they both sweating? Are they nervous?

"First, we are telling you at our own risk. Once your father learns of this, my wife will probably become a widow and Henry will join his girlfriend. So let's do it as quickly as possible." (Bruce)

I look at him. Because his statement sounded like a joke. But his face was very serious. Is telling her about her mother is that risky? I look at Noe and she is holding Henry's hand.

"Wait a moment, why are you saying ominous things like that? Why would you two die?" (Ruby)

"Well, because your father would send us straight to hell if we tell you. That is a secret he has been nurturing for 18 years. We vowed that it would never be mentioned again. However, seeing him in his that sorry state, we couldn't help it." (Henry)

His sorry state? Well, what I was shown wasn't a normal human being at least. That was like a frail and weak doll.

"Your birth circumstances were kind of special. As you were born because of a sudden change." (Bruce)

"Yep. I still remember that day even though I was not more than 10. That stormy day when David's life changed for the worst. Well, both of us got wrapped up in it as well. Along with one other guy…" (Henry)

Henry didn't finish his story. He looks at Bruce.

"You remember him, don't you, Bruce? The other guy who was older than all of us?" (Henry)

"Ahhh….yes, that guy. Where is he nowadays? I haven't met him since my marriage." (Bruce)

Henry was going to say something but he looks at the roadside window and freezes. Bruce noticed something as well and he looks in the same direction.

"Henry, am I seeing what you are seeing or is it a lie?" (Bruce)

"No. If your reaction is correct then we are seeing the right thing. Isn't that him?" (Henry)

Henry points at a person outside on the sidewalk. I look as well. The person in question looks to be a homeless person from his attire. And his eyes are covered. He even has a stick in his hand. Isn't that some random homeless blind guy?

"Let's go and confirm it. It won't be good if he leaves. After all, the only one who can save us from David is him." (Bruce)

Bruce and Henry hurriedly leaves and we can see him talking to the blind guy. All of us are looking at them but Ruby sighed.

"Don't worry, everything will be okay." (Noe)

"Thank you. This is the first time I am this nervous. Never knew that knowing about my mother would be this dangerous." (Ruby)

"But isn't it kind of thrilling? Knowing about your mother for the first time in your life!"

"I don't know. For the most part, my father has never let me feel the absence of a mother. He is so good at being my father that I am not even interested in other guys." (Ruby)

Her statement about her father, can be very good or very bad. It goes both ways.

"Still, why did you father never tell you about your mother?" (Noe)

"He probably has his reasons. Besides, he told me once that he will tell me everything when I become independent." (Ruby)

"So, it's not like he would never tell you, it's just that he was waiting for the right moment."

I try to say that to reassure her. There are many things she can think of. I don't want her to think wrongly of her parents.

And they are back. Both of them are kind of showing a relieved face.

"What happened? You two look relieved."

"Well, we won't have to die even if David finds out. Good thing we found Harry!" (Bruce)

My husband certainly is showing a happy face. Henry is the same way.

They take their seats again.

"Ahem…so let's begin. First, Ruby, do know that your father and us have been to different world." (Bruce)

"As in, like those teleportation stories that are popular nowadays?" (Ruby)

"Yes. We three no four were suddenly transported to another world. And you hail from that world. David became a father in that world." (Bruce)

So Ruby was literally born in another world. Is that why her father couldn't tell her?

"If I was born in another world, what happened to my mother?" (Ruby)

"The answer is a bit different than what you are expecting. Be prepared. When we were sent to another world, we were given a mission. If successful, we would have been given many rewards. However, that didn't come to pass.

David, fell in love. The woman who would later give birth to you, became David's crush. He fell head over heels for her. It was kind of annoying. Anyway, the day we would finally depart to complete our mission came.

We departed. But something unexpected happened. Your mother, had someone else she loved. It wasn't David.

We were supposed to kill the demon king of terror. And she fell in love with that very demon king.

David was heartbroken. But he didn't say anything. He just wished for her happiness. We all did our best to hide them from the gods. And she conceived you, Ruby. David became good friends with the demon king.

We all were like a family. David swore that he would become your godfather. And you were born. David gave you your name. However, misfortune struck. The gods found out.

Your parents were killed. You were only 3 months old. David did his best to protect you. In the end, we all took the brunt.

The gods cursed us. And sent us back to this world. David, took you with him and raised you to be his daughter. Although.."

Bruce stopped. I am looking at him with eyes wide. Noe is the same. Henry has bitter face. And the most shocked is Ruby.

Her beautiful face is distorted. A dark shadow of gloom is covering her face.

"Although what?" (Ruby)

She asks in a heavy tone. She has listened to most of it. Why not the rest?

"The curse David got was a harassment from gods. His curse is that his daughter would become his wife. Meaning, you would marry David someday." (Bruce)

It blew my mind. That's something that I can't even think of. Ruby is silent.

"David did his best to raise you as his daughter. And he plans on disappearing from this world before that curse actually happens. Us telling you is speeding up the curse." (Henry)

Henry gave a follow up after Bruce.

"Bruce, is that all true?"

"Every last word of it. It really happened." (Bruce)

"I see. That's why father has been acting distant lately. He is worried that something might happen." (Ruby)

"That and you probably remind him of your mother. You are a spitting image of your mother. For him, it must be painful. Looking at the same face as your unrequited dead love can be painful." (Henry)

"Ruby, how about you go home? Your dad might notice something. Besides, we guys are having a night out tonight." (Bruce)

"What? Who are you having night out with?"

I can't but ask. When did this happen?

"When we were talking to Harry, he said that we should go drinking tonight. It has been 7 years since we last saw each other. So, it'll be a good chance to catch up. We will talk David as well about this curse issue." (Bruce)

In the end, Ruby went home with a gloomy face. Knowing all of this at her age can be a burden. Especially when your father turns out to be someone you would marry someday.

"Still, how did Harry become blind?" (Henry)

"We will find out. Natasha, I will probably be home late tonight." (Bruce)

"Okay. But don't collapse while drinking."

I know that he won't do anything strange. He is an honest person after all. So, I will trust him. Seems like, Henry is done talking to Noe.

"Then Bruce, see you tonight." (Harry)

He said and they left. Noe is hovering over his body.

It was a weird conversation with lots of information and it will affect a lot of people as well. I hope that everything turns out well. It's still evening. We went home and at 9, Bruce left for the night out.