The Charming Redhead Lady

chapter 37

It was Jenny's wedding and Dauph, as Ruby's boyfriend, was invited as well. He wanted to go, but the only thing hesistating him was the bowtie. It was pink!! Typical Ruby, he mused with a smile to himself. She wanted to amuse herself at her sister's wedding, at the expence of the men involved. The white suit looked good on him, and he had to give them their credit on designing.

Jack and Jenny were married at a local chapel, and said their vows together. They looked so in love and happy with each other, showing of the years they spent together and away from each other which helped in building their love up through patience. Dauph wished to be able to feel what they were feeling right now. After the mass there was a small ceremony which was done near the beach to congratulate the newlyweds.

Dauph was sitting there on the table for family and close friends, but he was nervous and fidgeting, so much that Sheena, who was sitting near him noticed. "What's up Dauph? You look nervous." They had gotten to being friends during Ruby's disappearance and after that. He shook his head and smiled at her. He couldn't tell her. He couldn't afford to let it slip.
Later, when he saw Ruby on the middle of the dancing floor dancing with her sister, he stood up and followed her there with purposeful strides. Reaching her, he took her hand, and with another hand produced a small red velvet box. He got on one knee and looked at her in the eyes. "Ruby, i know we did not have years to get to know each other, but I knew from the moment I saw you that you were the one for me. Will you please have mercy on me and marry me?"

Everyone stopped what they were doing to watch Dauph get on his knee to propose. It was a surprise, no one had been expecting it.

♢♢♢

Ruby was shocked with it, that she did not say anything at first. Everyone was looking at her expectantly, waiting for her answer. When her mind came back, she drew back her hand. "Dauph...this is so sudden.." He was looking at her with his heart on his sleeve, and Ruby did not want to disappoint him, but she had to, for both of their goods. "Dauph, I love you too,and forever is what I want for us, but-but I think it's too soon. I want to explore more what we have, I want to be absolutely sure of what I want. I'm sorry." Dauph was disappointed, but he stood up, and went to kiss her cheek before hugging her close. "It's okay, I understand. I had a feeling you would say just that. It was worth a try right? So that the next time I will know exactly how to do it." They both chuckled, still unsure of each other now.

♢♢♢

Three years later...

Ruby had plans to have dinner with Dauph today. It was her birthday today and he promised her dinner at a surprise place, and she was very excited. She had been rejecting his proposals each year, but now she felt that she was ready to accept it. So maybe she would be lucky and he will propose again this time, she mused to herself, drawing hearts on her notebook with a pencil.
Throughout work today she had not been able to stay still, waiting for the time to reach to leave to home for the day. After graduating she got a job at a large company which dealt with interior design, and she loved her job. She still painted at every opportunity she got, and soon her paintings became a local celebrity. She chose to use an alias in the paintings, so that she could have as normal a life as possible, and all the profits generated from the paintings were donated to a local orphanage. Immediately after the clock turned five, she rushed out of her office and went to her beloved boutique, where she carefully chose the perfect dress for the occasion. Reaching her apartment she took a bath and carefully made her hair and face. When the clock turned seven o'clock, her doorbell rang. She opened the door and found an unfamiliar man standing there. He had on a white suit. "Good evening ma'am. Are you ready?" "Yeah..but You are..?" He smiled at her. "I'm a chauffeur, and I was instructed to pick you up by Mr Smith." He produced a bouquet of red roses. Ruby smiled as she took them and inhaled their scent. They were her favorites. "He told me to give you those,"he said with a smile. There was a card in them, with Dauph's penmanship.