Chapter 49 Surprise
CHAPTER 49
Surprise.
Ruby nodded slowly. “Okay.” She didn’t push further this time. Instead, she leaned her head back and looked out the window.
After a few minutes, Leo spoke again.
“Did you go to the cafe?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
Ruby smiled faintly. “I wanted to come home.”
Leo glanced at her again. “Because of me?”
She didn’t answer immediately.
Then, softly— “Maybe.”
Leo didn’t respond, but the slight shift in his expression didn’t go unnoticed. The car continued moving steadily down the road. The sky had turned a soft orange, fading slowly into evening.
After a while, Ruby spoke again. “Jane says she wants to meet you.”
Leo raised an eyebrow. “Does she?”
“And Victor too.”
Leo scoffed lightly. “I’m not interested in Victor.”
Ruby laughed. “I figured.”
Leo smirked. “He talks too much.”
“You barely know him.”
“I’ve seen enough.”
Ruby shook her head, smiling. “You’re still jealous.”
“I’m observant.”
She turned toward him, amused. “There’s a difference?”
“Yes.”
She laughed again, the sound filling the car. Leo glanced at her once more. And for a moment, everything felt… easy.
Back at the house, the evening settled in quietly. This time, the silence didn’t feel empty. It felt like something was building. Something unspoken, but understood. As they stepped inside together, Ruby looked around briefly.
“It feels different today,” she said.
Leo closed the door behind them. “How?”
She thought for a moment. “Less lonely.”
Leo looked at her. Then, without saying anything, he reached for her hand and looked deeped into her eyes.
Ruby’s breath caught slightly and she didn’t pull away.
Not even when he let go a moment later.
Because now, she knew—
Whatever was growing between them… wasn’t one-sided.
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The weekend arrived with a calm, unhurried kind of morning. For the first time in days, there were no early classes, no rushing through schedules, no distant tension lingering in the air. The house felt softer, quieter—like it was finally breathing.
Ruby stood by the window in her room, watching the sunlight stretch across the garden. The golden light touched everything gently, making the world outside look warm and inviting.
She hugged her arms lightly, lost in thought.
A soft knock came at the door. “Come in,” she said. The door opened, and Leo stepped inside. Ruby turned, slightly surprised.
“You’re here,” she said.
Leo raised an eyebrow. “Where else would I be?”
She smiled faintly. “Busy, working disappearing early like usual.”
Leo walked further into the room, his expression calm but carrying a hint of something different.
“Not today.”
Ruby tilted her head. “Not today?”
He shook his head. “I cleared my schedule.”
That caught her attention. “For what?”
Instead of answering, Leo simply said,
“Get dressed.”
Ruby blinked. “What?”
“Something comfortable.”
She narrowed her eyes slightly. “Leo…”
“Yes?”
“Where are we going?”
He smirked faintly. “It’s a surprise.”
Ruby folded her arms. “I don’t like surprises.”
“That’s a lie.”
She tried to argue—But she couldn’t.
A small smile betrayed her. “Fine,” she said. “But if I don’t like it—”
“You will.”
She shook her head, laughing softly. “Give me a few minutes.”
About an hour later, they were on the road. The city slowly faded behind them, replaced by open roads, stretches of greenery, and the occasional roadside stalls.
Ruby sat in the passenger seat, watching everything pass by with growing curiosity.
“Are you going to tell me now?” she asked.
“No.”
She sighed dramatically. “You’re enjoying this too much.”
“Maybe.”
Ruby leaned her head against the window. “Is it far?”
“Not too far.”
The air felt different the further they drove it became lighter and fresher. Then, after a while, Ruby noticed something. The faint scent of salt in the air.
Her eyes widened slightly. “Leo…”
He didn’t respond.
She turned to him. “Is that—”
A few more minutes passed and then she saw it.
The ocean. Stretching endlessly under the bright sky, waves rolling gently toward the shore.
Ruby gasped softly. “You brought me to the beach?”
Leo glanced at her. “You don’t like it?”
“I love it.” Her voice carried pure excitement.
The car slowed as they approached the beachfront. The sound of waves became clearer, louder, blending with the cries of distant seabirds. Ruby stepped out of the car the moment they parked. The breeze hit her instantly, lifting her hair and brushing softly against her skin. She closed her eyes for a second, taking it all in.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered.
Leo watched her quietly. For a moment, he didn’t look at the ocean his eyes where all on her as and the way her face lit up.
“You’ve never been?” he asked.
Ruby shook her head. “No… not like this.”
She turned toward him, smiling. “Thank you.”
Leo nodded slightly. “Come on.”
They walked along the shoreline, their footsteps sinking lightly into the soft sand. The water shimmered under the sunlight, endless and calming. Ruby slipped off her sandals and held them in her hand, letting her feet touch the cool sand. She laughed softly when the waves brushed against her toes.
“It’s cold!”
Leo chuckled. “You’ll get used to it.”
She turned toward him. “Come here.”
“I’m fine here.”
“Leo.”
“Fine…” He sighed and stepped closer.
The next wave rolled in, splashing lightly against both of them.
Ruby laughed again. “You see?”
Leo shook his head, but there was a faint smile on his lips.
They spent hours walking and talking sometimes just standing side by side, watching the horizon. For once, there were no distractions no business calls orinterruptions. Just the sound of the ocean and each other.
As the sun began to set, the sky turned into a mix of orange, pink, and gold. Ruby sat on the sand, hugging her knees as she watched the view.
“It’s perfect,” she said softly.
Leo sat beside her. “Yes.”
She glanced at him. “Was this really a surprise?”
He nodded. “Why?”
Leo was quiet for a moment.
Then—
“You needed a break.”
Ruby’s expression softened. “So did you.”
He didn’t deny it.
After a while, Leo stood up.
“Come on.”
“Where are we going now?”
“You’ll see.”
Ruby groaned lightly but followed him. They walked a short distance away from the main beach area toward a quieter section lined with modern buildings.
Leo stopped in front of one. Ruby looked up. It was a sleek beachfront apartment, with large glass windows reflecting the fading sunlight.
She turned to him, surprised.
“Leo…”
He took out a key. “We’re staying here tonight.”
Her eyes widened. “For real?”
He nodded.
Ruby laughed in disbelief. “You planned all this?”
“Yes.”
She shook her head, smiling brightly. “You’re full of surprises.”
They stepped inside.