章 17: Chapter Seventeen
He opened the door carefully
"Where's Ruby?" He asked Straight
"Ruby? I've not seen her at work today so I was about going to her office. Is she not around'' Janet asked but Richard instead angrily scattered his hair and punched the wall with his fist.
"Sir, is there a problem?" Janet inquired once again
"That dumb Valerie came to my office and did something bad to her" he replied.
"What" Janet replied in shock
"I wasn't in the office, that's why it happened that way. She must be very angry with me at the moment, I just want to see her and plead on my knees" Richard said remorsefully.
"Where could she have gone? "Janet wondered aloud while Richard stormed out of her office
"Why must such an unpleasant thing occur now?" Janet wondered, dialling Ruby's number but she wasn't responding.
Richard didn't bother to make use of the elevator, because he was searching for Ruby. He searched the entire floor but she was nowhere to be found so he got down and looked outside the company completely but it was futile
He stood frustrated and wondered what to do next then suddenly he hurried into the office and carried the bag he threw down earlier. It was actually a brand new phone he bought for Ruby so he kept it on the table and sighed heavily untill he sighted some strands of hair on the floor
"Her hair" he thought
"So Valerie actually removed part of it" and with that he banged his hand on the table and left his office again to her's
He got to her table and saw her phone with her hand bag
"Where could she be, home? No she definitely won't go home like that" he thought as Janet appeared
"No wonder she's not picking" Janet said, staring at the phone on her desk.
"Do you perhaps have an idea of where she could be?" He asked
"No, at all Sir because something of this nature has never happened before" she replied and he sighed.
Meanwhile, Ruby actually collected the jacket of another female staff to cover her torn shirt before boarding a bus.
She wept inside the bus and stayed in it everywhere it went, not bothering to come down
"It's painful" she kept thinking
"I'm not even in a relationship with him yet and all of these is happening so what if I agree to date him and Valerie called me cheap, Am I really cheap?" Ruby thought again, cleaning the tears that was coming out of her nose as she cried.
She was in the bus till late night until the driver jolted her back
"This one na last junction aunty" the bus driver said when he got to the last bus station then she struggled to come out of the bus and began trekking grudgingly, not having a destination in mind
She got to a church and sat, staring at the sculpture of Jesus and holy Mary then she remembered when her parents were still alive, they will come to the church together even when her mum was passing through a difficult phase, she would come to the church and cry and the Lord will console her.
"I miss them, I miss you mum I miss you dad" she thought and started crying again
" I don't merit any hardship again, I don't deserve any stress again, I've endured enough why me again" she wept bitterly.
She wept for almost an hour at the church before heading home and the walk back home took almost an hour. When she arrived home, she saw someone standing in front of the house and without doubt it was Richard. He looked at her and called
"Ruby"
She ran in before he could say another word. She banged the door and stayed behind it but he kept calling and pleading.
"Ruby, please I'm sorry i'm ready to plead on my knees Just permit me to see your face" he pleaded and tears came out of her eyes again.
"I assure you that this won't happen again, I really promise Ruby just open this door" he pleaded but Ruby kept mute still
" Ruby, I love you a lot so please don't do this to me" he said
Ruby was aware already so she wasn't surprised when he said it she was just not finding it easy to open the door and hug him instantly
"I love you very much Ruby, just tell me anything and I'll do it as long as it's for you please don't turn a deaf ear to my plea" he continued begging.
" Go home Richard, I really don't want to see you" she said even though it hurts her to say that.
Richard kept quiet after what she said to him so decided to leave. When Ruby was sure that he has left, she decide to go in as well but she sighted Janet by the door.
"I just got back home now from where I went in search of you. Ruby, what's wrong with you?" Janet asked
" What do you mean?"
" Why did you chase him away? Don't you want to see him? For crying out loud what happened was not his fault and yet he was apologetic so what else do you want?"
" You won't understand" Ruby answered and lay on the bed, covering her head entirely with the duvet.
"This is really not the best Ruby" Janet sighed
When Richard went back home, he felt really sick because the migraine started again. It's happening more frequently recently, but maybe because of what transpired today it became worse.
"Boss, we've prepared dinner already" his maids said
*I'm fine" he replied weakly, slowly climbing upstairs then it occurred to them that the migraine has started again
That's what he's always good at, trying to conceal his pains even when it's obvious. When he got to his room, he went straight to the bathroom and poured water on his head hoping it will subside but it only aggravated the migraine.
He left the bathroom and came back to the bedroom, wiping the water from his hair with difficulty before falling on the bed with a very high temperature.
Albert came to Richards' house with the intention of apologizing again then he saw pacing about worried in the living room
"Where's my brother?" he asked
"He's in his room but he doesn't look well sir"
"That God damn migraine again. Why does he always decline going to the hospital" Albert mumured as he climbed upstairs..
He entered his room and saw him on the bed terribly shivering and sweating at the same time
"You're just as stubborn as this migraine" Albert said but Richard found it difficult to even open his mouth to utter a word. Albert went to the bathroom and got a towel and water in a bowl and began massaging the damp towel gently on all parts of his face to reduce his high temperature.
When he finally placed it on his forehead he carried the water to dispose only to came back and Richard was already fast asleep
"Big bro" Albert said with a smile as he sat beside him and saw his bare legs showing under the duvet then he covered him properly with it and sighed
"I wonder when this migraine will leave you, but I pray you don't detest me for a very long period because of what I did" he thought.
The next morning, Richard woke up feeling better as he stretched himself and remembered last night
"Albert" he called before he rose up from the bed and went downstairs to the living room
"Is Albert still here?" He asked
"No sir, he left early this morning" The maids replied and he sighed
" Breakfast is served sir" one of the maids said to him
" I'm not famished so I'm not interested" he replied sharply before going back to his room.
He had his bath and prepared for work within some minutes and left the house, hoping to see her at least at work but when he arrived, he met her absence. Sadness filled his heart as he sat on her chair.
"I miss you Ruby" He said, placing his head on her table then a reminder beeped on his phone and when he checked, He had nine appointments.
"Not today" he said and cancelled eight out of it leaving the remaining one which was a meeting with the board members.
He went to his office and sat, thinking about Ruby, her lips, the curves on her hips, the smile, the way she speaks gently and all those thoughts accumulated which made him fall helplessly in love with her and now he's missing her greatly.
He smiled sadly and rested his head on his table before taking out his phone to call her number again but she wasn't responding so he decided to send her a text message.
*I miss you Ruby" he forwarded it to her then he kept his phone and proceeded to the meeting room. He met Albert by the door as he was about entering with Janet behind him. They paused and stared at each other for a moment
"How are you feeling now?" Albert asked
"It's none of your business" Richard replied tactlessly before entering and Albert followed suit. The board members were already settled then Richard and Albert sat beside each other
"Welcome Mr Richard Peak and Mr Albert Peak" the members greeted and they both responded with a bow
"So the reason for this appointment is to notify you of a successful news before notifying the public"
" What is that?" Richard asked
" The potentials of this company increased a lot since last week and it has drawn the attention of other large companies who are interested in being partners with Peak Empire. As it is, this company has received official recognition. Even in China, the biggest company over there is interested in partnership regarding the Virony contract"
"You mean the Virony contract? Albert asked
"Yes, the Virony contract now belongs to this empire and the biggest empire in China" The co-ordinator announced.
" This is really unbelievable!" Albert said
"And the most important news is that this empire is now among the top five in China" the co-ordinator said
" My God! " Albert exclaimed happily but all the while, Richard was lost
" Mr Richard" They called unanimously
"Mr Richard" the co-ordinator called but was still absent minded until Albert touched him
"Bro" Albert called and then Richard responded
"Yes? so what's this gathering all about?" Richard asked obliviously while the the board members exchanged glances at each other
"Could it be that there is a problem between him and Ruby?" Albert wondered.
In the evening, Ruby smiled widely when she saw the news on concerning Peak empire
"My God, this is so outstanding" she exclaimed happily
Richard has called her several btimes today but she kept ignoring it. She saw the message too and hissed but didn't respond
"I can't face him yet, I don't even know what to say to him" she thought and immediately Janet entered the house with lots of packages
"Come on let's celebrate Ruby, our company went higher so our salaries will be increased soon!" Janet shouted, dumping the things she brought on the bed
Ruby happily took a box of pizza and was about opening it when she remembered Richard again so she kept it
"I'm not in the mood"
"Not today, we are definitely going to celebrate this" Janet said, changing her outfit. Immediately she was done, she grabbed Ruby's hands bringing her down from the bed and eventually out of the house
"Where are we headed?" Ruby asked
"To celebrate" Janet answered and winked
They arrived at an eatery not far from the house and ordered something to eat and drink even though Ruby ate and drank just little.
"You're so dull thereby, making everything so boring" Janet said
"I'm sorry but i can't help it" Ruby replied..
"Oveecome your fears, that's the best way, if you keep running away like this, you'll get addicted to always running away and believe me, the result is always not palatable. You've always been bold so why act like a weakling? I know you love your boss as well so to hell with Valerie and go for him" Janet encouraged
" I really wish I'm as courageous as that" she replied and Janet stood up
"It seems like my words were in vain. Let's just go back home because you are making me feel sleepy" Janet said so Ruby stood up and they left the restaurant. When they arrived home, they saw Richard waiting in front of the house for them. Ruby wanted to run away when she saw Richard but Janet pushed her towards him
"Don't you dare step an inch" Janet warned untill Richard called
"Ruby" he called, moving closer and Janet went inside immediately.
Richard embraced Ruby passionately but fear couldn't let Ruby reciprocate so she gradually disengaged from him
"Ruby, I'm really sorry. Just find it in your heart to pardon me and I promise such act won't ever repeat itself. I've missed you a lot" Richard said touching her face but she moved away from him again
Seeing how she reacted, he immediately went on his knees
"Just tell me you've forgiven me already Ruby, I seriously need it, just tell me that you are not upset with me any longer" Richard pleaded still on his knees
" Please get up Richard" Ruby said not able to look at him and he stood
" The truth is I don't really feel the same way you do towards me" she lied.
"Ruby please reconsider"
"I'm sorry but that's the truth. I don't love you she said and ran inside immediately with tears in her eyes.
"I thought I just told you to face your fears Ruby oh my God. Ruby is strong and not weak but this, is not the Ruby I know so quit acting like this because it's very annoying. Valerie is no longer his fiance anymore, it's you that he want because he loves you. For crying out loud, this man cares for you and I'm certain you feel the same way about him so Ruby, don't make me detest you. I know it's your decision to make but listen we are friends and I can't allow you to tread the wrong path so please, don't lose Richard or else you will regret it" Janet warned shutting the door at her face.
They didn't speak to each other again until the next day. Ruby didn't sleep a wink at night as she cried, recalling all that had happened.
"Did I say hurtful words to him and am i really becoming a weakling?" she asked herself.
Early the next day, Janet left to work without uttering a word to Ruby and Ruby also prepared herself sluggishly to work afterwards.
Richard smiled after he dropped the call he just received.
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