When we are finished eating, Mekhi graciously declines dessert and I let him settle the bill without fussing. Mekhi holds my hand as we leave the diner and thanks the staff and other patrons again as they congratulate him once more. Outside the diner he wraps his arm around my shoulder and pull me close kissing me on the forehead. I smile and enjoy being in his embrace as we walk to his car. He unlocks his car doors and pulls my door open helping me into the car before getting in the car himself. I buckle my seatbelt as he starts the car and buckles himself in.
"Are you ready," he asks me holding my hand.
"As ready as I can possibly be," I say to him with a reassuring smile.
"Alright, remember…no pressure baby," he says kissing my hand.
"I know," I say to him tilting my head back and closing my eyes.
We drive for what feels like twenty minutes in comfortable silence. I am able relax my mind and try to prepare for whatever he may be throwing my way. Unless he's some secret serial killer or assassin I can't think of anything that could warrant me to be cautious. What if he has some secret love child out here that he wants to tell me about. With this thought I slightly open one eye and watch him out the side before closing it again.
'There's no way he'd have a child out here right? Good grief I hope to the heavens that's not what it is.' I begin to worry.
"What's up baby? Why are you taking peeks at me," he asks kissing the back of my hand.
"I know you told me not to worry and that there's no pressure but, I'm not sure I can handle you dropping a love child on me," I say anxiously and he immediately starts laughing.
'I can be one thousand percent sure that he doesn't have a love child.' I say to myself mentally wiping the sweat from my forehead.
"You really let your imagination run away with you on that one," he says.
"I'm just anxious! You've barely told me anything," I say in a huff.
"I'm sorry baby. We'll be there in a few more minutes just bear with me, okay," he says squeezing my hand reassuringly.
"Okay," I say and turn to look out the window and see that we're pulling up to a gated community.
"I'll tell you everything when we get inside," he says pulling up to a security booth and entering a number into a key pad.
"Okay," I say again as I watch the security guard give a short wave and the gates open.
We drive on a long tree lined driveway until we reach a strip of houses…no condos. As I look around there are four of them on each side of the street set up like town homes. He drives straight to the center where there's a ten story apartment building with an underground garage and that's where we're going. When we get to the underground garage he has to enter his credentials into a keypad before the gate is opened and we can continue. He parks in a spot near the elevator and cuts the engine.
"Are you ready," he asks taking off his seatbelt.
"Yes, I'll die from anxiety if I wait any longer," I say with an exasperated look and a wink.
"Alright, let's go," he says getting out of the car and walking around to my side to open my door for me.
"It'll be fine," I say as I place my hand in his not sure if I'm convincing him or myself.
We walk to the elevator and get on. Before the elevator can move he has to enter his credentials into yet another key pad. He takes no caution in blocking his security code from me but I don't pay attention to it out of respect for his privacy. The elevator stops at either the seventh or eighth floor when the doors open to a foyer. There's nothing there but a welcome mat and another door which I assume is the main entrance. We walk towards the door and Mekhi unlocks it and opens the door holding it open for me. I step inside and move no further until he pulls me into the living room.
"Welcome to my home away from home," he says pulling me onto the sofa next to him.
"This is nice, did your parents set this up for you," I ask unsure of what to think. All of the security check points and the gated community his parents must really worry about his safety.
"Not exactly, it's part of the deal of me being able to attend the university," he says.
"So the school set this up for you? I'm confused," I say actually confused.
"The thing is I don't know how to go about telling you this because it may be a little too soon, but I've already got my mind made up about you. I think the sooner you know will be better for the both of us before we get any deeper. It's barely been a week but, I know how I feel about you and where I want this to go. There are many things that I've been unsure about and my relationship with you isn't one of them. I'm not sure how you feel about me," he says pausing only to gauge my reaction.
"I have the same feelings for you," I say reassuringly wanting him to continue.
"Thank you, baby that really makes me happy. When I tell you this you can tell no one else, not even your parents…unless you decide to stay with me then they will be brought into the loop as well," he says waiting for my answer.
"I understand, everything we discuss today will stay between us," I say to him with my heart nervously drumming away in my ears.
"Okay, I know I told you that my parents are well known dentists and they are the best in their field…the truth is that the Johnsons are my aunt and uncle. My surname is actually Eason as in the famous Eason group incorporated. I came to be with the Johnsons when I was in middle school; I wanted to know what it felt like to have a normal life and after some time my parents allowed me stay with my mother's sister and her family. I still had to go to private schools and maintain my duties to my parents; I was able to experience what it's like for people to not know who I am or what my family does. Even my attending the University isn't a real thing; I have a deal to play on the school's basketball team as Mekhi Johnson, but I actually get web based interactive lessons from the prestigious college on the east coast. Basketball is just a passion of mine that I can't let go of, but I have to prepare to enter the family business and leave my own mark while doing the things I want to do. I'm choosing to tell you all of this because I believe you are it for me. I know we're young and there's so much more out there especially for you with me being two years your senior but, I believe in soul mates and fate and all of those things because being with you fills my soul. I know this is a lot to take in so just take your time and think about it," he says looking for my reply and I'm literally speechless.
'OH MY GOD! When he said he had something to tell me this is not what crossed my mind! He's some wealthy family's heir and my parents are upper middle class citizens. No wonder he can pay for everything with no job his money is endless. How does no one know who he is? Maybe his family has covered everything up so no one would be able to find out who he is. This is a lot to think about! The question at hand is whether or not I want to stay with him knowing all of this information. I'm studying to be a school teacher there's nothing I can add to his situation. What should I do?' I think to myself frantically as I try to maintain my composure outwardly.
"Wow, this is a lot to think about…is there anything to drink," I ask him needing a little bit of space to think.
"Yeah, I can get you something. Is there anything you want specifically," he asks.
"No, water is fine with me. Thank you," I say to him.
"Okay," he says and he stands and walks off in the direction of what I assume is the kitchen.
'Do I want to be with him? YES! How can I be with him as a school teacher? Is that good enough for his family? Is it good enough for me to stay with him? Should I change my field of study? What should I do?'
"Thank you," I say as he hands me a bottle of water. I open it up and take a refreshing sip.
"You're welcome," he says sitting next to me.
"Are you sure it's appropriate for you to be with me," I ask him before giving him my answer.
"Of course, being with you is my decision. It's not like you're a random girl from a random family who is pursuing me," he says confidently.
"But I am a random girl from a random family. You're like royalty and I'm just a little bit above average," I say to him in a matter of fact way.
"No, your mother is a well-known real estate agent and your father owns a chain of very successful restaurants. Your family background has nothing to do with why I want to be with you but it's not something to be brushed aside either," he says placing his hand on my shoulder.
"What about my wanting to be a teacher? That doesn't fit in with you or what you will be doing in the future. How will your family accept a career choice like that," I ask him.
"Being with me doesn't mean you have to give up on the things you want to do and accomplish. I'll be there always supporting you. Being a teacher may not be ideal, but that's your dream and my family will accept you as long as you are my choice," he says placating me.
"Hmmm, I still need to think about it. I really enjoy being with you and I believe you're it for me as well this is just a lot of information to process and take in," I say still trying to wrap my head around all of this.
"As long as you think about it, that's all I ask of you," he says pulling me into his embrace.
"This is some heavy stuff for a Thursday," I say trying to make light of the situation.
"Yeah, I know. I just wanted to be honest and up front with you before we went any further," he says.
"So, no secret love child," I ask him playfully.
"No, no secret love child," he responds with a chuckle.
"What about my parents? What do I tell them," I ask him needing to know if I have to withhold this secret from them. It's a heavy load for me bear by myself.
"It depends on what you decide. If you decide to be with me I will tell them myself and arrange a meeting with our parents so that we're all on the same page. If you choose not to be with me then I really hope that you would keep this all to yourself or at least tell only the people that you trust," he says.
"So that's it? There's no in between," I ask him.
"Unfortunately there can be no in between. I know what I want and if you wanted to end this and remain friends I'm afraid I would constantly push my boundaries until one of us end up hating the other," he says and I understand that the source of his maturity is his upbringing and having to make decisions that he has to be content with even if it costs him.
"I understand…are we still meeting your friends," I ask him remembering his words from earlier.
"If you're still feeling up to it we can still go and meet the guys," he says rubbing small circles in my back.
"I would still like to meet them if it's alright with you," I say looking at him with sincerity.
"Yeah, it's fine with me," he says hopeful.
"Okay, are they coming here," I ask him.
"No, we'll meet them at the campus. I just wanted to bring you here so that I can talk to you in privacy without running the risk of anyone over hearing us," he says.
"Oh okay," I say looking around and realizing how spacious his place is. It's nice and handsomely decorated; it's very modern to say the least. The lighting is all natural and his furniture is all grey toned with pops of color from accent pieces and paintings hanging on the walls.
"Did you want me to show you around," he asks with excitement lighting his eyes.
"Umm, not today. Next time for sure," I say to him.
"Okay, are you ready to leave," he asks standing to stretch.
"Yeah, we can leave," I say and he helps me up.
"I really hope you choose to stay with me," he says holding my hand pulling me into a deep pleading kiss.
"You will have an answer soon enough, I just need some time to process all of this. I won't leave you waiting for long," I say as I'm catching my breath from his kissing assault.
"I understand. No pressure," he says and with that we leave his place.