Alexis' POV
"It's a small place but I assure you, they make mouth-watering meals,"
Quinn winked, just as we got to the place and he slid the glass door open, letting me in before following behind me. With his hand holding mine, he led me to a booth beside the window, giving us a view of the busy morning streets, and also giving us more privacy from the rest of the cafe.
A waiter approached us to take our orders as soon as we were seated. A moment later, he returned with our meals and two mugs of coffee, and we dug in while making small conversation.
"They really make mouth-watering meals," I complimented, smiling with a mouthful of food. "You seem to know amazing places to get good food," I added with a raised brow.
"I tend to eat out a lot, especially on days when I have very busy schedules,"
Speaking of busy schedules, I was once again reminded that the man didn't only own a gym but was the sole proprietor and founder of a well-known NGO.
"You know, I didn't really see this part of you from the start," I confessed, taking a pause to swallow what was in my mouth and taking a sip from my coffee. He raised a perfectly shaped brow at me, waiting for me to expatiate more.
"I mean, one look at you, and all of your amazing tattoos, you seem like a regular gym instructor and just a bodybuilder, with no serious commitments," my words had him chuckling.
"Everyone thinks that at first until they actually meet me, and is it bad that I like to keep the serious and more committed aspect of my life private?"
"No, no. Not at all. In Fact, I like that about you,"
"Yeah?"
"Mmhmm," I nodded. "It shows you're humble and you do all you do, not for the recognition and praises, but because it comes from deep within you. I love that you have a great sense of humanity and although you shouldn't have to worry about the problems and living conditions of these people, you care so much that you take out time to help them get a comfortable life," by the time I was done, his eyes were staring into me, with an expression I couldn't fathom etched on his face.
"I do it because I was once in that situation and I know how hard it can be to make ends meet. I mean, I didn't have it easy growing up,"
"I… I'm sorry to hear that," I reached for his hand across the table, squeezing it softly, but he rewarded me with a dazzling smile.
"It's fine, Alexis. It's in the past now and somehow I'm grateful I passed through that cause it helped shape me, and it also made me extremely grateful for having my mom with me at all times. I cherish that woman a lot because if it had come to giving a limb just to see me happy, she'd do it without second thoughts,"
"Awww, that's sweet. A momma's boy," I teased and I saw his smile widen, twin spots of pink appearing on his cheeks.
Who knew blushing could look so good on a man?
"I just adore her a lot. She was all I had while growing up until she met my stepdad. And again, after our experience, I didn't want such for any other woman. Hence, it motivated me to start up The Elevated Women's Society, although it wasn't initially part of my plans. At first, I was all about bodybuilding and yoga,"
"I badly want to say I'm so proud of you," I muttered in a cheerful voice, with a wide smile on my face, and he smiled back.
"I hope I'm not taking much out of your daily routine? I mean, you always rush home after classes so I assume you have a very busy schedule?"
"Not at all," I responded, taking a sip from my coffee, before realizing my mistake. Now, he'd know I was avoiding him. "It's just, I..."
"Was running away from me," he completed for me and I was silent, with no excuse. "But you do have a schedule or something?"
"I'm a fresh college graduate," I responded, happy for the change of topic.
"Oh wow, that's nice. So do you have any plans or are you still trying to settle into the reality of being out of school?"
"Ummm…" I glanced away from him, wringing my fingers together, but he reached for my hands, taking them in his.
"It's okay, love. You don't have to be nervous. I know it's a lot to think of after school and you shouldn't be in a hurry to figure it out. Go at your own pace and achieve your goals. It's your life and you do not have to let the standards of the world deprive you of enjoying it,"
"Thank you," I offered him a smile, appreciating his understanding. "It really seems overwhelming. I literally just got out with a degree in design but I don't know where to go from there. Of course, I had a few plans while I was still in school but I guess my plans are changing, and maybe I need to plan again? I don't know and I'm yet to conclude but I'm glad I attended the conference the other day. It shed a lot of light on how to handle this issue and there were a few opportunities that the speakers mentioned. So at this point, I think I just need to sit my ass down and figure out the best approach."
"Interesting. Personally, I think you've got half of it figured out already. I mean you know the paths awaiting you and you made a very brilliant decision by attending that conference. So now you're left with the last part of deciding what you want and what you're passionate about then follow the paths that'll lead you to it,"
"You manage to inspire me every single time we talk and I can't explain how much it means to me," I confessed, smiling at him sincerely.
"Honey, I'm proud of you and you're a very intelligent woman. I know it from how passionate you are about making the right decision, but then, don't be too hard on yourself. Sometimes, we figure out what we want from making mistakes, and what we've always seen as the right decision might not necessarily be it. So for now, take a chill pill and do what makes you happy at the moment. You can always change directions later," he squeezed my hand and I nodded in response, knowing he was right.
"Thank you,"
"You're always welcome, love,"
With that, we switched directions, talking about our time and experience in college and how much things have changed from when he was still a scholar and how they are now. I was so lost in him that I'd forgotten I wasn't supposed to spend so much time with him. The conversation was going on well, and we soon switched to how much we partied during our time in school and I wasn't even shocked to hear he was a party animal, more like the life of the party.
"Speaking of parties," he started, after I told him I stopped partying to focus on school since I got easily distracted, which was partly the truth but he didn't have to know that. "I have a dinner party to attend and I need a date. How'd you like to be inducted into the party world again?" he winked at me, and although I was already shaking my head in refusal, he wouldn't take that for an answer. "I want you as my date, Alexis. I love spending time with you, and not some other woman that would be more concerned with appearances and making the tabloids as my associate, rather enjoying the evening with me,"
"Speaking from experience, I see," I teased, smiling.
He exhaled a gush of air.
"You have no idea, and please, save me so I don't have to pass through that again," he pouted, making poppy eyes at me. He looked so cute that I couldn't even refuse, but then again, I couldn't accept. It was obvious I was getting lost in him, but not so lost that my brain cells were no longer functioning and that, I was grateful for.
"I wasn't expecting this. Can I reconsider it without you trying to get my pity to influence my response?"
"Ouch…" he dropped his act. "That's a low blow but yeah, you have time. It's still two weeks away, so think all you want love,"
"Thank you,"