I was focused on the email I was typing that I didn't hear Nayel's office door open and close behind me. He walked over to me, resting his hands on my desk making me look at him.
"You're coming over to mine tonight, I'm cooking for you" Nayel states simply, moving his head looking around to see if anyone was watching us.
I furrow my eyebrows, "What?"
"That is my version of a date, I don't like going out and socializing I like staying in and getting intimate and really getting to know the other person" Nayel shrugs.
"What are you talking about? What's going on? Didn't we just have an argument a couple of hours ago?" I say softly not wanting to raise my voice.
"You wanted a date so you're getting a date" Nayel makes a face as if I'm supposed to understand what this sudden gesture means, "Now you don't need to go out with other guys when I'm giving you the complete package," Nayel says and before I could utter another word he walks back into his office.
What just happened?
....
"You're a strange man you know that?" I say looking over at Nayel whose eyes were fixated on the road.
"So I've been told" Nayel smirks without looking over at me, his hand that was resting on my knee moves a little higher.
Nayel turns the steering wheel pulling into the parking lot of his apartment. Nayel being the rich self-made lawyer/ businessman he is lived in Lower Manhattan near Soho. He lives in this apartment complex called One Vandam and from what I've seen in advertisements, they were hella expensive lets just say that.
I stood in front of this beautiful building that was glowing with all the city lights, Nayel locks his car and grabbed my hand like it's the most normal thing in the world making me get butterflies, "Mine's Penthouse B, so the one in the middle" Nayel points as he starts walking us towards the building.
I don't really have plenty of wealthy friends nor do I roam around in upper-class gossip girl circles so I was in complete awe the minute we stepped into his penthouse. It's exactly like I was in a movie, the house, the view was absolutely splendid.
For the past 2 years, I thought about the type of place Nayel would live in and surprisingly this place was not what I was expecting. Yeah, I expected him to live in an expensive luxury house but the decor of the place seems so sophisticated. Unlike most dude apartments, his place was spotless which is such a turn-on. It is very posh.
Nayel takes his coat off and sets it on the couch, folding his sleeves and then heading to the kitchen while I took all of it in, admiring his house and him. Nayel Jefferson in his natural setting.
"Is it the right time to ask for a raise?" I asked walking into the kitchen.
"Depends on what you're willing to do tonight" Nayel smirks making my cheeks heat up.
"Shut up" I mumble, Nayel chuckles walking to me handing me a glass of white wine, "enjoy" He grins as he returns back to preparing his meal.
I take a seat on one of the kitchen stools and admire him. This man is so handsome, successful, rich and he cooks? Why is he interested in a girl like me when he could have literally anyone he wanted. I bite my lower lip as I admire his back muscles in his tight shirt as he chopped something on the board.
"Is there anything at all you can't do?" I ask.
Nayel chuckles, without turning around he speaks, "I'm pretty much good at everything"
"When did you learn to cook?" I ask.
"I've always enjoyed cooking since I was a child, it's a nice solitude activity. After high school, when I went off to college was when I started learning more things" Nayel shrugs, putting chopped onions into a pot.
"You really don't like people do you?" I tease him.
Nayel laughs, his head falling back, he looks so attractive when he laughs I don't know how to explain it, "I guess you could say that" He turns around and gives me a smile making my insides feel all warm and tingly.
....
Nayel bites his lower lip as he stares at me intently while I take a bite of the Pesto Lasagna. My mouth tingles, literally as I swallow the bite, my eyes closing for a second, "Oh my wow" I say.
"Good?" Nayel asks hesitantly, his eyes on my eyes than running up and down my face. I don't think I've ever seen Nayel this underconfident.
"Absolutely divine," I say with my mouth full causing Nayel to smile, "Seriously, this is 5-star restaurant-worthy," I say finishing my bite.
"Why thank you" Nayel shrugs picking up his fork and taking a bite from his own plate.
"So when was the last date you had?" I ask looking over at him.
Nayel squints, looking at the ceiling thinking, "It's been a while, I can't really recall"
"So dating isn't your thing?" I ask, wondering, wanting to know more about him.
"Well" Nayel tilts his head, "Not been a priority lately"
"Why?" I ask.
Nayel sighs, "I don't know, just a ton of work that I'm not really willing to put in right now" What does that mean? Does he only want a casual fling? I mean I don't even know what I want but still why am I even here then?
"What about you?" Nayel takes a bite, "When was your last date?"
"Hmm a few months ago with Winston," I say sheepishly and I see a look of rage pass by Nayel's face.
"Oh right," he spats coldly.
"I always took you as the guy who doesn't do serious relationships, just sleeps around casually" I shrug.
Nayel stares at me in amusement, "Wow, Maria" Nayel laughs, "so you think I'm a player?"
"Well" I tilt my head, "You've always been an asshole so I just assumed maybe fuck boy too?" I grin at him.
"I'm disappointed, did not take you to be one of those judgemental people," Nayel pouts making me smile.
"Umm Sorry?" I joke causing him to laugh, giving me butterflies in my stomach all over again.