Chapter 6

Friday. It was the day everyone longed for… a prelude to a two-day rest, an end of a new beginning.

Friday nights were something else. Bars were packed, restaurants were booked, streets were filled with cars… and somewhere in the busy life of New York City, Ross was struggling to get to 10th corner 42nd before 8pm.

"Ray?" he said as soon as the person answered his call from the cell phone.

"Oh hey!" she greeted.

"I'm so sorry. It's traffic everywhere and I'm already along 42nd."

"No problem Ross, I'm not even done fixing up yet."

He smiled at the thought of her getting ready and wondered what more beauty that would bring. "Great." He gladly said and turned off his cell.

His heart was pumping fast… nearing to palpitation. He could feel his sweat forming on his forehead and on his palms. A strange feeling was coming over him: Nervousness… and it could kill.

As soon as he got to Ray's friend's apartment, Ross saw her approach him. He was glad she hadn't forgotten him or his car even.

He willfully went down and opened the passenger's door for her, but before that, he paused in amazement and looked at her from head to toe.

She wore an old rose, knee length, spaghetti-strapped dress that hugged every corner of her figure. Its cowl neck glamorously exposed her cleavage. Her hair was slightly curled, making her look ever-so-enchanting; her make-up was almost non-existent, one would think she was naturally blushed; and the exquisiteness of her eyes were emphasized with the mascara she wore and her grayish-silver eye shadow.

Rachel had to clear her throat to finally get his attention.

"Hi," he greeted in amazement. She, once again, took his breath away.

"Hi," Rachel smiled.

Ross could hardly believe himself. She was different from the girl he remembered from last Saturday… his past thoughts didn't do justice to her gorgeousness. She was so much more than…

"Ross?" Rachel woke him up from his daze once more.

"I'm sorry," he shyly apologized, "I- I just- I don't know how to put your beauty into words."

She grinned at him with her cheeks reddening at that very second.

"Please," he gestured her to enter his beamer.

On the way back to the driver's seat, Ross tried to shake his astonishment away. It was embarrassing… him staring at her like a watched pot... but he couldn't help it.

The car ride was quiet. Occasionally, Ross would glance at her and smile. She, in return, would glance and smile as well. When they finally reached Central Park, Rachel cocked her eyebrow and asked, "What are we doing here?"

Ross grinned and replied, "You'll find out." He took her coat and draped it on her.

Rachel followed him as he took her hand and led her to the zoo of Central Park. From the 5th avenue entrance, they followed a trail of candles until they reached a candlelit dinner table set for two in front of the aquariums.

"Wow." She gasped. "How did you do this?"

"Pulled some strings," he replied. Inside that simple reply was an agonizing morning wherein he had to beg his friend who was the supervising manager to allow him to have his romantic night. In exchange, he'd have to arrange his turf- the planetarium- for his friend's anniversary dinner.

Ross pulled her chair and made her sit, then sat down across her.

A waiter approached them and poured red wine in their glasses.

"Ross, honestly I'm surprised you're not dating anyone." She began.

'If only you knew' he thought to himself. "Should I throw that question back to you?" he smirked.

"I have a different story. I was actually dating someone recently but… I caught him cheating on me with my best friend." Rachel took a sip from her wine.

Smiling at the thought, he said "My story's not far from yours."

"You know what's funny, I feel so comfortable talking to you… and I don't even know you!" Rachel chuckled.

He charmingly bit his lip and raised his eyebrow, "Well maybe because we don't need to know each other so well to be this way."

She took a deep breath and gazed at him.

Her gaze was so strong it made him quiver.

Their moment was interrupted when the waiter served their appetizers.

"Have you gotten any call backs from your job interviews?" With the little amount of how much they knew about each other, Ross still enjoyed every conversation he had with her.

Rachel nodded her head, "One. It's from a fashion company, 'Fortunata Fashions,' but they haven't given me a job description yet. I'm meeting with them next week."

"You're really serious about working, huh?"

"Well, as much as doing nothing sounds great," she chuckled, "I'd rather do something. Besides, once I get out of my parents' house, I'll have to fend for myself. They can't support me forever anyway. It would be unfair." She smiled.

Ross smiled back. He went through that after college as well, wanting to be independent and all. "It will all be worth it anyway," he replied.

They walked around Central Park after dinner… and for almost two hours, they talked, laughed and flirted with the stars above them, the serene sound of nature surrounding them.

"I had a great time, Ross." Rachel smiled at him.

He stopped walking to gaze at her. He tucked in a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.

They couldn't ask for a more romantic setting.

Ross really couldn't help himself… in front of him was beautiful woman. He slowly cupped her face and set his lips on hers. Slowly but passionately he kissed her, while his hands ran down from her cheeks to her neck, then eventually to her shoulders.

They broke apart, little by little, savoring the hypnotic moment thereupon.

He felt her heart race with his… Ross kissed her once more, this time more passionate, letting his tongue sensually meet with hers. To his satisfaction, she gladly replied.

Once they parted, they were both breathless.

"Ray," he took a deep breath to calm himself down, "I- I…" He didn't know what to say but he knew he had to say something.

Rachel initiated it again. Within seconds of trying to talk, he found himself making out with her once more.

He finally stepped back and broke the kiss. She bit her lip, looking unsure of what to do.

Ross grinned at her cuteness, cupped her face and kissed her again. And this time, he gave her the type of kiss dozens of women ranted about, and it left her wanting for more.

Sex... a word that had many connotations… even for two people engaged in it.

Ross sadly looked at the sleeping figure beside him. After having such a wonderful dinner in Central Park, they headed to a three-star hotel and passionately made love.

'Had sex,' Ross corrected himself as he though of the phrase made love.

Rachel looked so peaceful in slumber, and he was afraid staring at her would wake her up. He felt so different towards her, unlike the many women he slept with who he knew meant nothing to him but casual. Not even Emily, the woman he was dating for more than a month, made him feel that way… and it kept him thinking for hours.

He didn't know what to do… and he felt fear the most. Carol was the only woman he gave himself completely to, and since then, he developed a trauma of loving another. When Rachel entered his life, all those familiar feelings came back. He didn't even know her, and already, she was slowly filling that long-vacated heart of his…

He was terrified.

With love came pain, and Ross didn't think he was prepared for the deceiving package of falling in love. As much as he didn't want to, he had to leave.

He leaned over to kiss her forehead and whispered, "I'm sorry." Slowly, he slid himself out of the bed, picked up his clothes on the floor and silently wore them. He took one last glance at her to admire her beauty, and sadly left the hotel room.

Thank you so much for reviewing the past five chapters! Hopefully, I'll be able to answer the question of why Ross and Rachel don't recognize each other in the next chapter :)

Reviews:)