Saphyr and Rubi

Saphyr Ramirez looked at his watch for the fifth time and saw that it was already 48 minutes after six. His coffee brown eyes squinted at how late it has gone from the agreed schedule of his blind date. She's awfully late. He thought to himself.   "Are you ready to order now, sir?" For the third time, the waiter inquired. He looked at him and smiled courteously. "Just give me a bottle of Gewurztraminer." "OK, sir," the waiter replied and took off. He was becoming anxious while sitting inside Maharlika, a fancy restaurant in Manila that not only serves exquisite international cuisine, but also provides an astonishing view of the sunset in Manila Bay. His anxiety isn't caused by the tardiness of his date though, but because of the muddled stares of a bevy on his left side. They apparently are wondering how a 6'0 guy with a built frame and whose jet black hair styled in a side quiff—all in all, someone gorgeous—seemed going to be ditched by a woman.  The wine he ordered was served, and he poured himself half a glass. His patience had gone down along with the sunken sun in the horizon. He disliked how this was going. He wouldn't have been here in the first place if it wasn't for the company's "Requirement." Suspensus, the company where he works, is nowhere near the word "legal."  It is an entity that operates underground and financially gains from illicit services; most particularly, when talking about assassination. The company's clients are typically politicians and business tycoons who wish to get rid of their rivals or those they find troublesome. If someone wants to put a threat six feet under the ground, Suspensus is one call away; well, if the price is right, of course. Saphyr is what one would call a professional hitman. He is a fatal medium who'll give clients satisfaction. He started in this business ever since he was sixteen years old, and his first victim was a pedophilic homeroom teacher. Though he was an amateur back then, he managed to slit his throat. For almost fourteen years, he enshrouded his conscience for it won't do him any good in the path he chose to walk. Whatever large lump of money he received, he isn't happy. Whatever recognition he gained for his finesse, he can't be contented. Nevertheless, this is the way he has survived, and he isn't sulking about it. Saphyr contemplated over the profile of his supposed-to-be date. Onix, his co-worker in Suspensus and also a hitman, suggested to him a 25 year-old woman named Rubi Mendiola. Though he has still not met her in person, she is said to be a demure and old-fashioned Filipina who works as a junior high school teacher.  She is looking forward to settle down with any man who'd take interest in her since she isn't that much of an attraction. He couldn't care less of what she is like or how she looks, he needs a wife as the company requires him to do so. Unfortunately, this Rubi Mendiola has the gall to shame him. He clenched his teeth, put a bill on the table and stood to leave that instant. Just as he was already a few inches away from the table that he reserved for two, a woman with an average build makes her way through the entrance of Maharlika.   He confirmed that she really isn't that much of a looker.  Her dark brown hair which is braided to the side matches with the color of her irises that makes her pupils seem obscure behind her trivex glasses. She was wearing a floral long sleeved top matched with a red skirt that reached below her knees. She looked a really inappropriate match for the man who wore a navy blue Gucci Monacco two piece suit and the one who waited for her.   Rubi responded to a gaze from some direction and spotted a handsome guy looking straight to her. Though his look was unnerving, she smiled to him and approached him. "You must be Mr. Saphyr Ramirez," she cordially started, not really successful in concealing her nervousness. He gave her a grim expression before he replied. "You're late, Rubi Mendiola. Very late." Both of them settled themselves. Saphyr turned out too annoyed to start a conversation, while Rubi continued to fidget in her seat. "Again, I-I apologize. I couldn't really help it. One of my grade 7 students had a stomach ache and I couldn't possibly leave him alone because his parents were still at work. That's why I had to accompany him until they came to fetch him," she explained, trying to sound as convincing as possible. He didn't respond anything but he just kept staring at her rigidly. This made her outrageously intimidated.  The waiter came with the food that Saphyr randomly picked. "Ma'am, sir, here's your Herb-crusted lamb rack with brown rice," the waiter presented as he placed it on their table. Somehow, the waiter's intervention and the food before them brought a little change of flavor in the atmosphere. As soon as the waiter left them alone, the intimidation came back along with the awkward silence that Rubi dreaded to break but couldn't find the voice to. She lost the urge to talk when she noticed that her date was keenly observing her entirety. She suddenly felt conscious. She felt bare through the sharpness of his stare. Her flaws may be too apparent like her dry hair and pale skin. This guy is totally giving her the chills. "So you're a highschool teacher?" He finally decided to talk to her. Though surprised, she chose to reply with all the enthusiasm that she could muster towards him. "Yes, I am. What about you? What do you do for work?" Her smile instantly faded when he obviously evaded her question, totally disregarding her personal inquiry. "Who are your parents and where are they?" It was then Saphyr's turn to wonder when Rubi seemed stunned about the question. She managed to answer him, "They were killed when I was still 12 years old. A burglar shot them dead when they resisted." He couldn't really care less. "I'm sorry to hear that. So, you're living all alone now?" "I guess I am. I don't really know several of my relatives," she replied. "What about you? Who are your parents and where are they?" Instead again of answering her question, he just muttered something under his breath which was impossible for her to hear. "Pardon?" She asked. Saphyr didn't bother to reply, for he was searching for something inside the pocket of his suit. She, on the other hand, chose to excuse his rudeness, since she has already concluded that he is really a handful.  He then took out a red velvet ring box and gently placed it in front of her on the table. It startled her that she raised a brow in confusion. "Let's get married," he said. It looked like he garnered all the casualness in the universe when he said that to her. She, whatsoever, was so taken aback because she couldn't make out the entire current context. "W-What? This is all too sudden. We barely know each other," she protested. "You have to marry me, because I told you so," he authoritatively told her. "Besides, no one's going to take interest in you but me," he added. She wanted to slap him right there and then, but was forced to dismiss the thought when he opened the ring box, pulled out the 14 karat white and yellow gold diamond solitaire ring, and knelt on one knee in front of her. The gesture made her too shocked that she is at loss for words. "Marry me," he declared while holding the ring upfront. All the people in the restaurant already have their eyes on them which made Rubi feel more uneasy. They both heard the cheers from around them. "Could you please not do this? This is embarrassing," she half-heartedly said because deep down inside, she is too overwhelmed by his proposal.  The crowd encouragement had prodded her to smile. She couldn't contain her excitement anymore. Never had she expected in her life that a man as gorgeous as the one kneeling in front of her right now was seriously asking her for marriage. A week ago, she was sure she'll decide to be an old maid after a guy shamed her in front of a dazzling belle. All her days of misery and singleness were coming to an end. Bohoo! to the guy who totally blew her off. She will now have a way more handsome specimen as her husband. "Well," she blushed, "If you're so insistent, fine, I'll marry you." Saphyr smirked inwardly. This woman will now be a cover up for him. He is surely going to manipulate her life in the most clandestine way possible that she won't even notice it. Rubi, who is completely incognizant of the kind of predicament she has put herself into, is happily wearing the engagement ring he gave her. I'm finally going to get married. I'm not going to be an old maid! She thought. I'm finally getting married. Great, I'll appear as a normal citizen like the company wants me to be. He thought.