0.1 | No Exit from Deception ?

0.21 | A Shocking Secret With Some Homespun Lemon Flavored Pancakes

"Yes. He's my son," she answered meekly. "But what are you doing here in my room? I don't talk to anybody. I hate people. I've locked myself in this room for twenty years. Don't disturb me. Go away." A tear glided down her eyes and she immediately turned her back on her, so that Ruby would not be able to notice her.

At this sight, Ruby couldn't control herself and crashed her body into hers. Giving her a back hug, she uttered, "But I'm no stranger. You know what? I've never seen my birth giver. And suddenly, I feel like she would've been just like you. So warm. Please don't turn your back on me?"

Joseph's mother turned around and rubbed her tears. "You don't have a mother. Then from now on consider me as one."

After a few hours, Ruby grabbed her hands. She was facing Stephanie Holden and bringing her closer to the staircase. "Just take small steps, and you are there."

"El, This is scary. I can't do this-" she said in a shrilled tone. At the same time, her eyes stared every corner of the lobby.

"I don't want to hear this. You are coming down with me. It's your home. Nobody can stop you from roaming around," Ruby said a wide smile lit on her face.

After a while, Mrs Holden made her way down through the passage and invaded the kitchen. She gaped at everything and her one hand never left Ruby's. "Ahh . . . the kitchen looks beautiful."

"It's all yours," Ruby said and swiftly let go of her hand.

Mrs Holden tiptoed and seized a pink and black patterned storage jar and mumbled, "So adorable."

Ruby leaned against the wall and freed Stephanie to wander in her world. Now she knew where Sarah used to take the food plates- it was for Joseph's mother. Ruby exhaled and trudged forward as she grabbed a pan and opened the fridge to get some lemons.

"No, I'm going to make some utterly delicious lemon-flavored pancakes for you. Please have a seat."

***

A few moments later, Ruby cleaned the table before placing the plates, and Stephanie had gone to the washroom near the staircase. Just then the doorbell rang and Ruby greeted Joseph.

"Oh, I can smell some lemon, is it a lemon tart?"

"Umm no, pancakes."

"Wow. I'll be back."

As Joseph ran to his room, Stephanie came from the other end. Ruby breathed in before forcing a smile at Stephanie. She could sense the ensuing seismic waves of the earthquake. God save her!

Just as Ruby was about to put a piece of the pancake, she heard Joseph shouting and his footsteps falling closer and closer. "Ruby! Did you go through my ward--"

Ruby spun around as she jerked up from the seat. Joseph couldn't take his eyes off his mother; his black eyes retraced their path to Ruby's horrified face.

"Joseph I-I---"

A loud slap stung her cheek and she gasped.

Word count - 1672

a/n; So how was the (around) 65 years old surprise.
Why didn't Joseph share this info with Ruby?
And the unforgettable slap