The Charming Redhead Lady

chapter 24

Dauph drove away from town. It was a road Ruby had never taken before. They drove for about an hour before he took a branching road to the right, which looked like it was not frequently used.

"Um..are you trying to kidnap me and kill me? This spot is lonely enough for me to be found sooner." Dauph laughed a rich laugh that touched Ruby's heart. It was pure masculine, and deep from the heart. "Well maybe. Though if your family takes the reigns, you'd be found in no time."
After a few minutes, he said,"we're here." Ruby had been busy looking at him that she hadn't  taken care to observe her surroundings. Now she took a look outside. The sight she saw took her breath away. She opened the door and got out.

^^*^^

It was an estate of some kind. Greenery was every where, and the area was also filled with plenty of beautiful wild flowers. Turning around, she gasped.
"Dauph, is that a castle?" Dauph had gone out of the car, watching her excitement with amusement. "Yep it is. You told me you were having difficulty doing your assignment, so I thought that bringing you here might inspire you, rack up your designer in you." His hands were in his pockets, a sign of nervousness. He was staring intently at Ruby. He looked cute. She did not bother to answer. She ran up to him, and with her arms around his neck, stood up on tiptoes and kissed him senseless.

^^*^^

Dauph gave her a tour of the place. The castle was over 200 years old, but it looked intact and pristine, maybe due to constant care showered on it. It was the oldest building in the area, and Ruby couldn't understand why she hadn't visited it earlier. The building was full of designs, constant maintainance blending together modern and old interior designs brought in a unique look. She had fished her notebook earlier, and jotted down everything of importance. It would be a spectacular addition in her non-existence assignment.

They stayed there for about an hour, before deciding to retire for the day. On the way back, they were in a companiable silence, each lost on their own thoughts. Ruby was finding a better way to thank him. "Dauph.." Dauph grunted as an answer to that he was listening, turning briefly at her to give her a smile before returning his eyes in the road. "I...I just wanted to say thank you for today. I really enjoyed myself." Dauph's answer was to reach out for her hand and squeezed it. "By the way, how do you know so much about the place?"Ruby asked curiously. "We used to come here alot with my family when I was younger. My family are crazy about historical stuff, so we visited alot."

Ruby sat there, picturing a young Dauph. She chuckled to herself imagining him on his younger days. He must have been adorable, she thought to herself, looking up at him when she was sure he wasn't watching her.

^^*^^

Ruby was having a girl bonding time with Sheena three days later. They were in Ruby's apartment watching movies and generally gossiping. Sheena turned to her. "So...are you and Dauph dating now?" Ruby turned to her friend with a shocked expression. "What? No!!" Sheena rolled her eyes. "Until now?" Ruby groaned, her face covered by her hands. "We are not an item!" Sheena leaned to her friend, a serious look on her face. "Have you kissed?" Ruby could feel herself blushing. She groaned, covering her face with a pillow. "I guessed right!! And by that exaggerated blush and shame on your face, it looks like you to have shared more than a kiss."
"Sheena!!"
"What? I'm just stating the obvious." Sheena took a French frie and popped it in her mouth.
"Okay, seriously speaking, are you two dating or not?" Ruby thought for a while. "Well if you ask it that way...we hang out sometimes, he acts caring to me..." Sheena looked at her. "But?" "But, he....he hasn't popped the question yet." Sheena looked at her as if she had grown an extra head. "So is that what you are worried about?" She nodded. "Girl you are not letting Derrick's shitty memory to ruin this." She held up her hand when Ruby started to protest. "Don't even think of denying it. You may act as if it's no big deal but deep inside you are scared of another Derrick. Am i wrong?" Ruby was saved when the phone rang.

^^*^^

She picked the phone up. "Hello." It was silent on the other side, even though Ruby could hear someone breathing. "Hello. Who is this?" Ruby heard another intake of breath, before the other side talked. "Am I...am i talking to Ruby?" It was a feminine voice that Ruby had never heard, and she usually was good with identifying the voices of people she knew. "Yes it's Ruby speaking. Who is this?" "There is no need of such a hurry. You will know me eventually." The voice was sugary sweet but lethal. The kind of voice that made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. The other side continued talking. "If you want to know me, come and meet me on the adress I will tell you." Ruby rolled her eyes. "Look, whoever you are, I'm not interested in knowing you. So just don't count on it." The person on the other side laughed, a kind of tinkling laugh. "Ooh, but you should come. Especially if it is something that concerns someone you know."

Okay, this was now totally weird and getting out of control.

"What person?" She laughed again. "Now we are talking. It concerns a person called Dauph. And I'm sure you will come. 321 Simphox street near the studio. There is a cafe there. Eight o'clock sharp. Don't be late. I hate tardiness." Then she added," and oh, don't worry about your safety. I won't harm you....yet." Ruby heard the click of a disconnected phone. The phone call made her wary. What about Dauph? Is he okay? She picked her phone and punched his numbers. At the third ring he picked up. "Hey there...what a suprise. Are you okay?" Ruby nearly let out a relieved sigh. "I'm okay, I just....um...kind of... missed you." "I miss you too. I'm in the middle of a meeting, I'll call you later." Ruby hanged up, and turning she found Sheena standing looking at her with a suggestive knowing smirk on her face.
Ruby felt her face burning up.

"What?" Sheena gave a shrugg. "Nothing. I'm just figuring out, how talking about someone made someone missed to the extent of running to be called." Ruby face palmed herself. "Sheena, it's not that..." Sheena raised her hand to silence her, amusement obvious on her face. "No need to start explaining to me Ruby, and tumble  further in your talk of shame. Mom just called." She talked the last sentence with a scrunched up face. "She says she is feeling faint. And as much as I love that old lady, I know it's just her drama so that I cannot sleepover here with you." She rolled her eyes. "I can't believe she is pulling me away from this again, and she had promised to let me sleep here with you." Sheena moved closer and gave Ruby a kiss on the cheek. "Anyway, I still have to go to her. See you tomorrow." Ruby escorted her and called a cab for her. But her thoughts were still on the call. If Dauph is fine, what might it be about? She checked her watch.

Quarter past seven.

She had exactly forty five minutes to decide if she is going or not. And something in her gut told her she was going to go, and she was really going to regret going to see the mysterious person.

^^*^^

If you were Ruby, would you go or not? Will you ignore the person?

As usual, please don't forget to vote, share and comment on the chapter!! Tchaoo!