Monica P.O.V
Charles took me to Campus best restaurant, the campus’s prime spot. Luckily for us, there weren’t many people there and I didn’t know how I would feel if we had several curious gazes trailing us about. I realized most students would be studying and I felt a pang of guilt that I wasn’t anywhere near my books right then.
“I really need to study,” I said nervously.
“But we just got here.” He looked shocked.
“I know but I have a lot to cover.” I shrugged.
“I understand I won’t take your time.” He smiled and gestured for some service from the waiter.
When we were served, I’d chosen to have a bottle of soft drink and pizza. I waited for him to begin because I had no idea what to say. ‘
“You really don’t talk much do you?”
I shrugged and shook my head.
“I see,” He smiled slightly. “I was wondering if you thought about what I said.”
It suddenly became difficult to swallow. I coughed and spluttered before I grabbed my drink to take a sip.
“Wow, never knew I had that effect.” Isaac chuckled.
“It’s not you…” I began.
“It’s me,” He wrinkled his eyebrows. “Sounds like a breakup line. We haven’t even started… yet.”
I cracked a small smile and bit my lip to hold in my laughter.
“I don’t think I’ve heard you laugh before.”
My smile became dim when I remembered my roommate saying that a long time ago but I was sure I had made progress since then.
“Sorry, did I offend you?” He asked.
“No, I just remembered something.”
“So, back to my question,” He said. “You may be very beautiful but you can’t distract me from the purpose for which this meeting is holding.”
I froze and lost my voice somewhere in the back of my throat. It wasn’t often that I was called beautiful. Ryan did a long time ago but it was meaningless to me now.
“Did you think about what I said, about giving me a chance, getting to know me?”
I cleared my throat before I spoke. “I did.”
“And…?” He looked like he very much depended on my answer.
I hoped I was about to say the right thing. Meeting Ryan was a disaster for me but Charles had shown none of the traits Ryan exhibited. But then again, Ryan had been the perfect gentleman too at some point in time. Charles claimed to have given up on his former ways but I still knew next to nothing about him. However, in order to discover more about him, I had to give him a chance, get to know him better. God, please let this be the right decision. I prayed silently.
“I thought about it and I don’t judge you based on your past. I think there is more to you than meets the eye and I want to discover it if you’ll let me.”
The way his eyes lit up warmed me up from inside and I knew I had made the right choice.
“You have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that.” He took in a deep breath. “Frankly, I was scared of rejection. I know that not many people would want to associate themselves with me, not after knowing about my past. My cousin only tolerates me because we’re blood-related. Do you want to know a secret?”
I leaned closer at the almost-shy look he had in his eyes. “I’m all ears,” I whispered.
“Before I met you, I told you I met some people who helped me out right?”
“Yes.” I nodded.
“They were Christians and they convinced me to give life another shot but to do things differently this time around. I made a promise to myself and God that if I should find someone, anyone who could accept me the way I am, I’d never go back to my old ways.”
“I had no idea…” I trailed off at the realization of just how much had been hanging on my decision.
“I know and that’s why I’m going to treasure our… friendship.” He hesitated like that wasn’t the word he planned to use but I let it slide.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you something.” I started.
“Yeah?”
“You told me that you nearly died twice in one day, how did that happen?”
“That’s a day I wish I could forget,” He sighed. “I was ambushed by a rival cult gang that wanted to overthrow THE REDs on campus. Back then, I was pompous and sometimes careless because I thought I was invincible. My right-hand man then warned me but I couldn’t be bothered.”
“Your right-hand man was his name Leo by any chance.”
“Yes, why?” He looked shocked for the second time that day.
I gasped lightly but brushed it off. “Um, nothing. I just figured since I heard rumours that he’s the current leader, he must have been your right-hand man back then.”
“Oh alright,” He said but his eyes still held curiosity. “Well, that fateful day, I was challenged on campus and decided to fight back. I didn’t know it was all a trap. I gathered a handful of my men to fight with me, Ryan was one of them and we met the other gang some distance from the campus.
We were outnumbered and it was an ambush. I ordered the rest of my men to get away from danger and single-handedly fought the rivals off but they were too many. I was beaten and stabbed several times.
.
.
.
....