CHAPTER 33

He couldn’t believe how silly this girl was, how could she give him such an answer? Didn’t she respect her life enough that she was willing to do whatever her parents put on her?
“I see.”
“Why do you ask so?” Janet asked.
“I am not okay with any of this at all. Unlike you, I have a woman that I love so dearly that I will go to the end of the world for her. I am willing to do anything for her and if she knows that I have been meeting you like this then there will be hell to pay,” he told her sipping his wine.
“I didn’t know about that. Is it that serious? Even if it is, I doubt if your parents will agree to that. They have already arranged for us to marry after all.”
“I know they did that but that won’t change the way I feel or think about her. I have loved only one woman in my entire life and that is her alone. If I can’t marry her or be with her, I won’t be with anyone else. So, I am telling you peacefully how I feel and I hope that you won’t take it to heart. It will be wise for you to find someone you love and someone who will love you back in return,” he told her and saw the hurt look in her eyes.
“I never thought I would hear this from you especially after everything we went through. We played together for crying out loud. Why are you doing this t me?” she asked her face full of fury.
“I know that I am hurting you by saying all these but it’s better that I be honest with you now than to play with you and cause you a lot of pain in the future,” he said.
“Is it Ruby?” she asked him and he was caught off guard.
He didn’t know what to say at all. He loved Ruby but to let outsiders knows about the way he feels for his sister then he would be doomed.
“Yes, it’s her.”
“But she is your sister, how can you indulge yourself in such a dangerous relationship?”
“It might be for you but for me it’s everything. To me, she is like a mother I lost at a very young age, a sister I never had and a lover. She means the world to me and I will go to any length just to be with her. Because you were once a friend of mine, I’m telling you this. I can’t be with you and I hope that you will respect this decision of mine. If it’s possible, I would appreciate it if you cancel the engagement. I wouldn’t want this to be a hustle,” he said looking at her.
Janet took a deep breath and she looked at him with hate in her eyes. At this point he didn’t care whether she would erupt like a volcano to tell his parents. It was time for him to come clean to his parents anyway. He wasn’t going to sneak around anymore. He wanted to date her publicly and show her to the world that she was his.
“I think I will take my leave,” Janet said as she stood up.
He didn’t stand up with her, he had nothing to say to her or apologize for. He just hoped that she will think like an adult and cancel the whole thing before it gets messy.
He checked his watch and realized that it was nearly time for Ruby’s flight to arrive. Since Janet was gone, he would drive at a safe speed limit to the airport and pick his girlfriend. He couldn’t wait to see her and confess all of his sins. It was better to confess them first than for her to find out from another person.
He paid for the bill and left the restaurant. He opened the door to his black Corvette and settled himself in the driver’s seat. He inserted his key, switched on the ignition and drove away. He couldn’t wait to see that beautiful, gorgeous and scary face of hers.
***
Harvey stared at Ruby who was fast asleep. It had been a hectic week for her. After she returned from the summit, she had two exams to write so she had been busy studying day and night. She was now sleeping soundly since it was weekend and there was no exam until the next Tuesday.
He checked his watch and it was around seven in the morning. He kissed her lightly on her forehead before crawling out of her bed. He went to her bathroom first and he washed his face before leaving for his own. He instructed the maids to not disturb Ruby since she needed her beauty sleep.
He took his shower, changed into casual jeans and a t-shirt before going down to the dining where breakfast awaited him. When he arrived he was alone. His breakfast was served and he ate it peacefully.
When he was done, he met Grace who asked him to join her. He didn’t know what she wanted to talk about but he was nervous. He just couldn’t tell her about his feelings towards Ruby.
“Come and sit down, child,” she said and he sat next to her on the couch.
“Do you want to talk to me about something?” he asked her.
“Yes, I am a bit worried about something. I walked into Ruby’s room earlier and I saw you two together,” she said with concern in her eyes.
“I entered her room earlier in the morning. I was worried about her, she had not been sleeping well,” he confessed.
“I know and at first I wasn’t worried about it. You two have always been close since you first met but I just wanted to tell you that you are both adults now and you will be engaging to someone else. I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to us if that time comes. It is time for you two to start behaving like adults you are,” she told him and he could tell that she meant well.
“I do understand what you are talking about,” he said in a low note.
“I have been meaning to ask you about something for a while now but I don’t know if it appropriate or not.”
“Please, go ahead and ask.”
“I know Ruby is your step sister and you two are related because of my marriage to your father. Do you see her only as your sister or there is something more?” Grace asked and hit the nail on the head.