07

Ruby’s phone ringtone rang louder than any siren. Mia groaned and whined a little when the sound disturbed her sleep. Mia had stayed back at Ruby’s apartment as she did not want to leave Ruby alone. Mia knew that her friend would definitely drown herself in the pool of her miseries if she was left alone. And Mia did not want to risk it. Now, especially because she is carrying a baby.

“Ruby, your phone is ringing. It might explode soon,” Mia said in her hoarse voice. Ruby sat on the bed and looked for her phone. She found it under the blanket which was laying half on the bed and the other on the floor.

Ruby received the phone call which was from an unknown number, “Hello?”

“Hello. Am I speaking to Miss Ruby Bakers?” a familiar voice came. Ruby blinked her eyes and even looked at the phone screen wondering if she was hearing correctly.

“Yes. It is me. And who are you?” she asked, wanting to confirm if her guess was right.

“You are dumber than I thought. Don’t you remember my voice?” The man said, making Ruby roll her eyes. She sighed and spoke, “What is it, Mr Rich Man?”

Luke chuckled before speaking, “Oh, now you remember me.”

“Ugh, just tell me why have you called me? And where the hell did you get my phone number? Don’t tell me you stalked me,” Ruby said, sounding annoyed.

“Woah.. Hold your horses. I did not stalk you. I have no reason to do so. And I got your phone number from the hospital. And for heaven’s sake control your damn tempur. I don’t want my child to inherit it from you,” Luke replied.

“Excuse me, it is my child as well,” Ruby said in an aloud tone.

“Fine, fine. It is our child. Happy? Now listen, I have something to discuss with you. Can you please come to the Regency hotel?” Luke asked, trying to stay calm.

Ruby thought about it a little. She wondered if it was safe to meet him. She also thinks about what might be his intention for asking her to meet. Did he want her to terminate the baby? But earlier his tone sounded like he was a little affectionate towards the unborn baby.

“Why? Why should I meet you?” She asked nervously. But Luke spoke in a calm tone, “I want to discuss something about our baby. And it can’t be talked on the phone. So, please let us meet and talk. Okay?”

Ruby bit her lips, thinking what to do, “Um.. fine. What time?”

"10:30 sharp. Don't be late because I don't like tardiness," with that, Luke disconnected the phone call. Ruby sighed and laid back on the bed.

"Who was it?" Mia asked, turning to face Ruby. Ruby replied, "Luke Sawyer."

Mia did not understand what her friend said, "Why would Luke Sawyer call you?"

"Baby daddy," was all Ruby said. Mia was up from the sleeping position and she now sat on the bed with a dazed look on her face. She understood what Ruby's words meant but she simply could not understand how?

"You mean to say that Luke Sawyer, the multi billionaire CEO is your baby's daddy?" Mia tried to phrase a proper sentence that could tell her everything. Ruby nodded her head, "Yeah, he is the baby daddy."

Mia still held the dazed look, "I seriously can't believe this. How are the possibilities of you bumping into him and swearing at him just a few weeks ago and now you are carrying his baby?"

"I know right. Life has yet again proved to be a bitch to me," Ruby said with a sad tone.

By now Mia had gotten back to her senses, "What did he want anyway?"

"I have no idea what he wants. But he asked me to meet him at the Regency hotel. He said he wants to talk about our baby but did not mention anything."

Mia nodded her head in understanding, "It is only right that you two should talk face to face about the baby. Meet him and talk. Although I can't wait to hear what plans he has for the baby."

"I am curious about it too. Maybe a little nervous as well but don't know for what," Ruby said. Mia could understand why Ruby felt so anxious about the situation. She thought of cheering up Ruby a little, "Now, come on, get your ass out of the bed. And I am going to choose your dress and give you makeup for this auspicious meeting."

Ruby did not forget to scoff at her friend's reference to the meet up as an auspicious meeting. She got off the bed and followed Mia's instructions.

It was almost 10:30 when Ruby reached the Regency hotel. She walked to the reception in a slow and steady motion. She was not sure where to find Luke in this big hotel. Mia had told her that Luke’s company owned this hotel and they mostly used it to host their business partners.

Ruby reached the reception and looked at the reception, “Uh.. I am here to meet Luke Sawyer.”

The receptionist scoffed directly at Ruby’s face, “Are you sure you are here to meet Mr Sawyer? Because I am sure he does not meet girls like you.” The receptionist traced her eyes on Ruby’s attire from top to bottom.

Ruby had worn her best outfit and she was looking decent enough but the receptionist knew Ruby was wearing clothes that cost barely anything.

This was not the first time Ruby has been humiliated. So, she had the perfect answer for the receptionist. “I am cent percent sure I am here to meet Luke Sawyer. You can call him and confirm it yourself. And don’t worry I will put in some good words for you when I meet him.” Before the receptionist could speak anything, the two ladies heard a familiar voice.

“Ruby,” they turned towards the voice. Luke came their way. Ruby could not deny that Luke looked handsome and sexy in a suit.

“Your receptionist has some doubts about me coming here to meet you,” Ruby said in the attitude that Luke is aware of. He could help but smirk at her attitude.

“You better treat her properly, Ms Adams,” Luke warned the receptionist before pulling Ruby inside the hotel. Ruby looked around the hotel. And she had to agree that the ambience and the interior was marvellous. She had never seen anything this great in her life.

Luke guided her to an open sitting area. There were snacks arranged for them. Ruby was impressed by his treatment of her today. But she still could not think of why he wanted to meet her.

“Please have a seat,” Luke told her, taking a seat opposite to her. Ruby sat down and looked around the area. The garden was beautiful.

“This is a beautiful hotel. I have never seen anything this beautiful,” Ruby said. Luke hummed in response, “Thanks. This was built by my grandfather when I was still a kid.”

“Wow… such an interesting taste your grandfather had,” Ruby said.

“So, shall we get right into the talk?” Luke asked. He could not wait to talk to her about his plan. Ruby nodded her head and grabbed a cookie.

“Well, I have a proposition for you,”

“What proposition? What kind of?” Ruby asked impatiently. Luke sighed, “Listen to it with some patience.”

Ruby looked into Luke’s eyes and said, “Fine, I will stay silent until you complete talking.”

Luke resumed his talk, “So, the proposition. Firstly, I am sorry for invading your privacy. I had my personal investigator look into you because I wanted to know what kind of person is carrying my child.” Ruby stayed silent. She understood his words and she was slightly glad that he was being honest with her. Seeing her silence, Luke continued to speak, “I hope you won’t get rid of the baby. It is our first baby and I am sure it will become the biggest regret of our lives later if we get rid of it now.”

Ruby was taking in all of his words silent as she had told. Luke continued, “I promise to take care of all the expenses of the baby and the baby will have legal status as a member of the Sawyer family. And I also will support you financially as long as you are the mother of our child.”

Luke looked at Ruby for a response now. She chewed on the rest of the cookie and asked, “What is the catch in this?” Luke chuckled, leaning back. He was actually impressed by her intelligence.

“You are an intelligent one,” he commented. “Do you think I could have survived alone for this long in this world without being intelligent?”

Luke nodded his head in acknowledgement, “Pretty right.”

“So, what is the catch?” Ruby repeated her question.

“I want you to pretend like my girlfriend. At least until I inherit my father’s company entirely. I don’t know if you understand this. But there are people who want to see me crumble down. But I don’t want to give them any chance. I have to inherit the company because it belongs to me.”

Although Ruby could not understand who those people might be, she got the idea of it. Owning the largest oil and refinery company was not all that easy. 

While the young parents were discussing the matter, the lift stopped and an old man exited it. He was followed by his secretary. The old man did not miss the people that were in the garden. His curiosity picked. So, he walked towards them.

“Who is this beautiful lady?” The old man asked.

Luke and Ruby immediately turned towards the voice. They quickly got off from their seats. Luke took the initiative to speak, “This is my father, David Sawyer.”

This was enough for Ruby to understand everything. She did not know what she was thinking. She understood Luke’s words. And she knew it was the best option she had in order to save herself and the baby. She assumed they could negotiate any terms later. So, she said, “Hello, uncle. I am Ruby Baker, Luke’s girlfriend.”

A smile spread across Luke’s face when he heard those words. It was visible that she had agreed to his proposition. Everything was set for him now. He has a girlfriend and his first baby on the way. And it was just a matter of time that he inherited the company. Why would his father deny it when Luke has succeeded in making his legacy strong.