"We're alone now and you can speak honestly…did you enjoy yourself today," Mekhi asks draping his arm across my shoulders and pulling me close.
"I did, it was an eventful day and I got to meet and spend time with your mother," I answer with a small smile.
"Yes, my mother. I hope she was nice," he says.
"She was, she just wants to protect you. She did agree to meet my parents so I guess I passed the
test," I say triumphantly.
"I know, her love can be overbearing at times. You don't have to take everything she said to heart or change anything," he says to me.
"I know and understand her thought process. I think she just wants me to be able to compete and withstand anything that comes my way and should our relationship last that means potential marriage partners. While my background is permissible my pursuing a teaching career is a disadvantage to me. Learning how to run my parents' businesses and being able to assist you in yours not only benefits me but you as well. If anyone comes along and tried to shake my position it would be hard to do so because I would have fortified myself," I say understanding what she's asking
of me. Not saying that I'm unworthy of her son, but whether I can withstand the things that will surely come my way entering his world.
"You got all that from one afternoon with her," he says surprised.
"She said it in so many words unless my mind is running away with me because all of those books I've read where the female lead has to undergo all of these different tasks to stay with the male lead. Who then wavers in his support for her because of some old flame, his family's insistence, or multiple instances of misunderstanding," I say to him with a smile and sense of superiority.
"Uh huh, I want to say that your mind is running away with you. You do have a point but one thing," he says leaving his statement hanging between us.
"Which is," I say waiting for him to answer.
"That you have me so it doesn't matter to me whether you do those things or not. I'm going to choose you in any circumstance, if you decide to learn the family business and pull a double major then I will support you. I just want you to make the decision that is best for you and what you want to do," he says smoothly.
"I know I don't have to do those things but talking to your mother has made me feel like I've been selfish in not wanting to learn how to run my parents' businesses. Even if I don't want to run them I should know the ins and outs of what they do. What if my siblings all decide that they don't want to run the business, we could pay someone to do it for us but how would we know that they're being honest and are actually helping us and not hurting us. I think this is what I want to do and it's not for you but me," I say to him confidently.
"If that is what you decide then I'll support you and help you as much as I can," he says clearly proud.
"Then I'll be counting on you to keep your word," I say happily trying to keep myself from yawning.
"Alright, come and close your eyes. We have had a long day and have some time before we get home," he says and I lay my head against his chest listening to his powerful heartbeat.
"You know sometimes it feels like I've stepped inside of a dream," I say to him with a yawn.
"Why do you say that," he asks stroking my hair.
"Because my boyfriend is some rich guy parading around as someone else. I slapped someone that trampled on my pride and I met your mother. You've taken me to this mall and I don't even want to know how much money you've spent not to mention your security guards. And on top of it all I'm happy…it just seems surreal to me," I say to him quietly.
"But it is real," he says as I listen to his voice rumble in my ear.
"I know, it just seems like so much for my freshman year of college," I say to him.
"Yeah, I can imagine. Next year will be my last and only your second," he says reminding me of the gap between us.
"What will happen when you leave," I ask biting my lip.
"I don't think I will be able to completely leave but I will have to fully join my father at the company," he says.
"Is that the disagreement between you and your father," I ask him wondering if he will answer my question.
"It's part of it," he says after some hesitation.
"Whatever it is, I'm sure you will work through it," I say not daring to probe further.
"He wants me to quit basketball and quickly finish my classes so that I can move on to my career. Honestly I could have finished my classes by the end of this semester and graduated a year early but I didn't want to give up basketball just yet then you came across my vision and now I just can't find myself rushing through university just to spend my days working," he says with a sad smile.
"So you're hanging around for basketball…and me," I ask him.
"Essentially yes," he answers honestly.
"You don't have to put the plans for your life on hold for me. I can understand the position you're in plus our relationship is still new enough to put aside and focus on your career. Sure playing basketball at this level is a one-time thing but maybe the company needs your help," I say trying to make sense of the problem. My heart aches at the thought of having to table the relationship but business comes first and I'm not selfish enough to get in the way of that.
"It's too late for me to finish school this year as we are in the middle of the last semester and I don't plan on going to classes through the summer to appease him. I'm not shirking my responsibilities just to be with you, I have already made up my mind and intend to follow it through. Whether I go to work in the company this year or next really makes no difference. Being with you just further confirmed my plans to stay at the University for another year, don't think it's a matter of leaving you that will be solved because it won't," he says a little frustrated.
"I'm just trying to help," I say in a low voice.
"I know, but this is about me controlling my life versus my father. I know he means well but he honestly has too much to think about if he's worried about this one year and I'm not going to table this relationship whether I stay or leave," he says firmly.
"What does he think about our relationship then," I ask him.
"Honestly, he's hoping I'm just passing time with you. He wants me to take going to work in the company more seriously, in which I do, I just won't make it the center of my life," he says shaking his head.
"Oh, I guess I will have to work hard," I say trying not to let his words hurt my feelings.
"It doesn't matter. What he says or thinks doesn't matter to me," he says kissing my forehead.
"But he's your father, he only wants the best for you," I say closing my eyes.
"I know he does, but I am a man. I can determine that for myself, he can't just decide things for me," he says.
"What will you do," I ask him.
"Continue developing my company and letting the results speak for itself," he answers smoothly.
"Oh, I didn't expect that to be your answer," I say surprised looking at him.
"You always praise me for being capable, is there anything I can't do," he says with a chuckle.
"You're right! Where do you find the time? You have so much going on, you have to be exhausted," I say to him a little perplexed.
"There's always time to work," he says confidently.
"I need to hurry and become more capable so that I can keep up with you," I say determined to ascend to new heights.
"It's whatever you want to do, now close your eyes for a little bit," he says and I lay my head against his chest once again.
"Am I going to your house," I ask closing my eyes.
"Of course unless you want to go home," he says easily voice rumbling in my ear.
"No, your place is fine," I say to him and allow the drowsiness to take over and carry me to sleep.