Chapter 8: Ruby Rises

Claude was not happy with what he had just witnessed. He felt like an outsider. He always knew that Chris played the role of protective brother where Ruby was concerned, but recently Claude had an interesting talk with Leroy.

“I don’t want to interfere,” Leroy had said one afternoon when he and Claude met in the university cafeteria. “I just think that you should not be so trusting with Chris. That’s if you are serious about Ruby,” he had continued.

“I don’t understand,” Claude had responded.

“Well, I do have a strong feeling that Chris is waiting for an opportunity to move in on Ruby and snatch her up for himself,” Leroy had explained.

“Well, if that’s the case then I will keep a close watch on both of them,” Claude had declared. Privately he thought that Leroy might just still be a little bit sore after losing Ruby, especially since she was doing so well in her career lately. She was now performing with famous people.

“Then I would suggest that you spend less time traveling to France on your own,” Leroy had advised.

This afternoon Claude wondered whether Leroy perhaps knew about something which he, Claude was not aware of.

“Guys, I have to wash my hair and get it styled for tomorrow morning’s television interview,” Ruby announced.

So she was changing the subject, Claude thought. That could only be because she had something to hide.

“All right then. I have to go and work on my interview with a CEO of a textile company,” Claude responded.

Chris felt uncomfortable because he did not usually make announcements or appointments when he visited Ruby’s home.

“Oh is my apple tart about ready to come out of the oven?” Ruby’s mother asked as she marched into the kitchen. “Claude, are you leaving already? I thought you were going to wait for the tart?” Ruby’s mother asked in dismay.

“I just remembered that I have something urgent to go and do at home, Mrs. Sinclair,” Claude responded in a soft tone of voice.

Ruby and Chris both walked Claude out to his car. Once there, Ruby kissed him on the lips quickly, in an attempt to put his mind at ease. She needed him to know that she really did love him.

Chris remained a few steps behind them. “See you again soon, Claude!” he waved and turned around to head back to the kitchen.

So he could not even leave them to spend a few moments alone, Claude thought angrily as he drove away. That could only be because he was guarding his territory.

“Of course I did not want you to carry on with a subject which could lead to an argument between you and Chris,” Ruby explained to Claude when he called her later. “It would have been so embarrassing for him, because you know he never had romantic ideas about myself and him,” Ruby continued.

“Okay, maybe that’s how you see it, but how can he still not have a real girlfriend?” Claude protested. “It’s also not great for him to hang around you when I’m not around.”

“Claude, that’s hardly fair, because you knew that Chris and I were always just friends for practically our whole lives,” Ruby pointed out.

“Well, can’t you have a girl for a friend now that you have a boyfriend?” Claude asked.

“I don’t know where all this jealousy is coming from, all of a sudden, Claude,” Ruby responded. “Perhaps we should spend some time apart and sort ourselves out,” she announced.

“Oh, is that what all this has been leading up to?” Claude asked. “Did you guys set me up?”

“Now that’s just paranoid, Claude. You know how I feel about you, but this is all getting too emotional for me. I need to focus on my music,” she declared in a teary voice.

“All right then. Take all the time and space you need,” Claude said angrily. “Your music comes first, after all.” Claude then cut the call, before Ruby could say anything else.

Ruby threw herself onto her bed and cried her heart out. Why was Claude so angry and bitter? She could not handle hostility of any kind. This felt worse than what Zureicka had done because it really hurt.

*

Claude did not return Ruby’s calls until she gave up on trying to soothe his feelings. He would soon get over his injured feelings and insecurities, she thought. Meanwhile, she would focus on her studies and her practical examinations.

Chris knew that he was the only one who could bring Ruby and Claude back together, but did he really want that? he asked himself. Was this not perhaps the answer to his prayers and his wishes coming true?

“I hear Ruby and Claude are no longer an item?” Leroy had crept up behind Chris in the University library one afternoon and surprised him.

“How do you know about it if it’s not even a confirmed fact?” Chris asked irritably. He still had not gotten over the fact that Leroy had cheated on Ruby.

“It’s hard to keep something like that a secret,” Leroy continued.

“Now is that any of your business?” Chris asked. He turned to face Leroy squarely.

Leroy lifted his hands in playful surrender. “I only thought I was helping?” he laughed.

“Now what is that supposed to mean?” Chris asked with an interested expression on his face.

“Come on Chris, everyone knows that while you play the role of protective brother you are actually burning inside to hold Ruby in your arms passionately,” Leroy stated with a sneering grin on his face.

Chris drew back his elbow and punched Leroy firmly in the jaw. Leroy landed on his back, knocking a few books off the shelves.

“Out! Get out, the both of you!” the security guard shouted. "You will not be allowed back in here for the following six weeks,” he declared, as he took down their names, before letting them go.

Ruby was very embarrassed by this episode because other students were gossiping about her in the hallways of the university. It lasted for about two weeks.

Ruby then ran into Marion one afternoon, when Ruby was in town shopping.

"Hey there, Ruby," Marion greeted. "So, I hear you are doing well careerwise, but not with men?"

Ruby had ignored her and walked on. Girls lately were just full jealousy, Ruby thought to herself. It annoyed her so much that she decided to focus on her studies only and keep to herself until she graduated.

*

It was a cold day when Ruby landed at the airport. She had come to France all by herself after all. Claude had finally phoned her after he heard about her trip.

“Are you really going alone? Without me?” he had asked.

“Yes, Claude. I think it’s better that I found my own feet now,” Ruby had explained.

“I did not mean for you to go alone, Ruby. I really want us to go together,” Claude had continued.

“I was thinking that, with everything going on in our respective careers, that we should explore on our own a bit and see how we felt afterward,” Ruby said gently. “Let’s see how we really feel about each other. Perhaps we would be better off as friends, for now.”

“Alright, Ruby. I respect that. Go and try out your wings, but I will always be there if you need me,” Claude promised.

“I’m glad to hear that Claude,” Ruby declared. Take care and enjoy your fashion shows. I will look out for them.”

“Promise me that you will take care of yourself,” Claude asked.

“I promise Claude,” Ruby responded.

Paris was more beautiful than she had expected. Her temporary hotel room was warm, but also elegant. The view from the room was stunning. She was going to sing with a band of classical musicians for a year and share an apartment with a female member of the band. Then she could return home or further her career elsewhere.

On her second night there, her phone rang. Who could it be? Ruby wondered.

“Hello, Ruby. Do you mind coming down to meet me in the foyer?” It was Leroy’s voice. She could not believe it. Had he actually decided that he could follow her to Paris?