Chapter five

Ray did call her.Ruby didn't actually expect his call until one Friday afternoon when an unknown number popped up on the face of her phone.

"Who could this be?She said as she answered the call.

"Hello.She said.

"Hi,Ruby.Ray said from the other end.

A few minutes chat with him had made his voice so familiar.She could even recognize it hearing it from a distance.

"Hi Ray, how are you doing?She replied sweetly.

"I'm fine thank you, and you?

"Doing great.

"Hey, when are you free today?

"6:00 pm.

I'll come pick you up at seven so we can have dinner together.Is that alright?

"That's fine by me.I'll be expecting you.

"Bye.He said softly.

"Bye.She replied calmly.

By 6:00 pm, Ray shut down his laptop and closed it.He switched off the lights and went to the elevator.He came out of the elevator,went to his car and started the engine.He drove to his house and had a change of clothes which consisted of a red top, white trousers and white sneakers.Then he wore gold framed glasses and a gold wristwatch.He walked back to his car and started the engine.Then he checked his phone for the address Ruby sent to him earlier.He shifted his gear,pressed his foot on the accelerator and began to drive.As he drove,he was feeling nervous.He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and composed himself on the chair.He stopped by a flower shop to get a bouquet of red roses before finally arriving at the front of Ruby's apartment.

As he stepped down from the car,he saw Ruby dressed in a red dinner gown with gold heels and a red lipstick.Merely looking at her,Ray already had the urge to kiss her,but he controlled himself and walked towards her.

"Hi.He greeted.

Emerald eyes looked to his direction.

"Oh hi Ray.She said with a smile.

"Hello angel.He said softly.

The word made Ruby's cheeks turn pink.She looked away in embarrassment.

"Can we get into the car now?He asked when she regained her composure.

"Yeah sure.She replied still under the weight of embarrassment.

He led her to the car and opened the passenger door for her.She went in and he went through the other side,opened the door,and slid into the driver's seat, started the engine and drove off.

His heart began to race again.What do I tell her?What do I ask her about?How do I begin a conversation?.He searched and searched for what to say until he finally gave up.

The ride was a quiet one until they got to their to their destination.He switched off the engine,opened the door and went through the other side to open the door for her.She stepped out.Then he took his hand out to hers.She grasped it softly and they smiled at each other.

They went into the restaurant and went to a seat.A waitress came and greeted them.

"Good evening sir and ma'am.She greeted.

"Good evening.They both greeted.

"What may I offer you both on the house?

"I think some wine would be better while we check our menu and decide what to eat.

"Which wine would you prefer, sir?She asked Ray.

"Red wine for me .He replied.

"And you too ma'am.She directed her face to Ruby 

"I think some fruit wine would be okay.

"Alright.said the waitress as she took their orders.I'll be back with your wine while you two select what you want from the menu.She said as she left.

"So,what are you picking?Ray asked her.

"I'm not sure yet.Ruby replied.How about you?

"I'm picking the chicken nuggets with fruit salad.

"Hmm,nice choice.I think I'll go for it.She said with a smile.

The waitress came back with their wines and took their orders then went back for their main meal.

"So,tell me about you.Ruby asked.

"Nothing about much about me really.Ray replied.My parents are rich,I schooled at Harvard university,got a bachelor's degree,had first class,went to business school and finally settled down to establish the Ray's and Co organization limited.

"Wait,so you are the CEO of Ray's and Co organization limited? She asked with a surprised look.

"Yeah.

O my God. She said in surprise and he laughed.

"I don't believe it. She said open-mouthed.

"I'm serious. He replied still chuckling.So what about you? He asked.

"Well,I schooled at Oxford university,had a degree in mass communication,worked at A Jazeera for a while before moving to CNN where I am presently working.

"So you're in the press?He asked.

"Ruby Anderson at your service. She said and he laughed.

"You are so funny. He commented.

"Thank you . She blushed.

"So what happened in you r last relationship? He asked.

"Actually,I never had a boyfriend.

"You're kidding me. He said in surprise.

"Seriously,I never had one.

"Why?

"Well,I would say it's because of work. I'm always on air and I never have free time for myself. So that's why I never even thought of even having a boyfriend. How about you?

"Well I actually had one. Ray said.

"So,what happened?

"It's kinda a long story.

"Do you wanna share it? She asked.

Ray countenance dropped and he sighed."It's okay if you don't wanna share it. She said with an understanding look.

"No,no. It's actually alright. Well her name is Rosetta, we dated for almost four months until I caught her cheating on me.

"Awwn,so sorry to hear that. It must have really hurt you bad.

"It did actually.

"I'm so sorry.

"That's alright.

At that same time,the waitress brought their meals and served them. They began to eat.

Amidst eating, they chatted and talked about interesting things. And soon,Ray began to feel a swell of love for her. Then the waitress brought their deserts and they began to chat again.

When desert was over,Ray paid their bills and the two went out of the restaurant to see a display of fireworks in the sky. They looked at each other lovingly and then switched their faces to the fireworks and smiled at it.

After watching the fireworks,Ray led her to the car and opened the door for her. She looked at him for a moment,moved closer to him and before he could process anything,she was kissing him.

He kissed her back and soon the kiss was over.She entered the car,he closed the door for her and leaned on the car ruminating what just happened.He regained his senses,went to the other side of the car,opened the door and began to drive to Ruby's home.

When they got to the front of the apartment,he looked at her and smiled at her. She smiled back. Then he said softly,

"Thank you, Ruby.

"Thank you,Ray. She replied warmly.

Then,they kissed again and she got down from his car and waved him good night. He reciprocated and reversed down the street.

She stared at his car until he was out of sight and went into her apartment.