3- Unexpected Ride

— Perfect! I'll go get the car. Wait for me here in front of the restaurant. - Dante said, heading towards the parking lot.

Okay.

As Dante went to get the car, I pondered over the events that had just unfolded at the restaurant. Was I doing the right thing? It may not seem like it, but I am quite insecure about my choices. I know I need to improve my grades, but I'm taking a risk, risking my most precious possession, my heart.

Lost in thought, I didn't even notice when a black Sedan stopped in front of me.

— Shall we go? - Dante said, opening the window and waving at me.

— Hi? - I widened my already big eyes.

— What are you waiting for there on the sidewalk? Your prince has arrived. - He chuckled.

— Ugh... What do I have to put up with! You're more like a frog in a stolen carriage than a prince. - I said as I got into the car.

— Wow, I didn't know you adored me so much. - He feigned surprise.

— Oh yes, so much that I can't live without you anymore! Oh! Lord, what will I do with my sweet life now? - I put my hands on my face, dramatizing my words.

— You're a good actress.

— Thank you! - I replied, fastening my seatbelt. - Shall we?

— What's the address? So I can enter it in the GPS.

— Okay. - I gave him my address, and he smiled as if he was up to something.

— Now I have your address saved! It's magnificent because if you go back on your word, I know where to find you.

— That's exactly why I didn't want you to know my address! - I slapped my forehead with my hand.

— Relax, I won't just show up out of nowhere... Only when I have a reason! - He smiled, the corner of his lips curling.

— For someone who doesn't want to get involved with a student, you flirt quite well! - I said sarcastically.

— Don't jump to conclusions, I just said we can study, plan more meetings, evade curious eyes... Those sorts of things.

— Ahhh, well, we can do that in a café, which is more appropriate.

— No, we can do that in your apartment or my office, it's more private.

— In your office, then.

— What do you have hidden in your apartment?

— Well, I'm just not sociable. That's my little corner, and I don't like to share.

— That's why you don't have a boyfriend!

— Ugh, what? Why are you concerned about that?

— Me? Why would I be? - He feigned innocence. - Wow, how many buses do you take to get to college?

— Two.

— 40 minutes of travel. Do you do that every day?

— Yes, in the morning and at night when I return home. I have a part-time job that helps me cover the expenses of college, transportation, and my apartment rent.

— How do you manage to pay for all of that with a part-time job? - He asked, shocked.

— I received a scholarship for college, the transportation has a discount for being a student, and the rent isn't too expensive since it's far from the city center.

— Doesn't it become difficult to travel that distance every day?

— No, I listen to my music, contemplate life, and when I have work to do, I use that time to get started.

— And how do you have average grades if you're so dedicated? - He asked, incredulous.

— I don't have low grades, just average. I want to improve them.

— Ahh, I see. I thought you were below average in some subjects.

— No, but it's close.

— Why do you want to improve them? Is it because of the professors?

— No, it's because it will give me more opportunities to secure a better job in the future. It will be based on my academic record.

— I see. You know, I don't like the way they belittle you at college.

— I don't care, they're not going to give me a job, so when the time comes, it will be based on my effort and not through connections. I prefer it that way.

— That's great! In the future, let me know so I can hear about your journey towards self-realization.

— I'll consider your case. - I said with a smile.

— I can see that nothing will stop you in your pursuit of your dreams, right?

— Exactly! I will persist in everything I believe in. In the future, I may be in a different profession, but the experiences I've had and the knowledge I've gained will not be in vain.

— Absolutely. Knowledge is something that no one can take away from you.

— I agree, that's why I'm called antisocial. I prefer to study, research, and listen to my music rather than going out, drinking until I drop, and waking up not knowing my name.

— Those are phases, I believe that those who enjoy it will continue until they get tired, and those who don't find other ways to have fun, like watching movies, right?

— Yes, I enjoy that.

— I figured, it suits your profile. I have to admit, I've met few people like you.

— Really? Normally, that would be seen as a negative by my professors. - I said, laughing.

— Don't say that, my sister is similar to you in many aspects. You only surpass her in stubbornness and sharp tongue.

— Hmm. I didn't know you had a sister. - I said, surprised.

— Yes, her name is Deby.

— Are you close? - I asked curiously.

— I can see that I've piqued your curiosity about my personal life. - He smiled.

— Let it be clear, I'm naturally curious. That doesn't mean I'm interested in you.

— I see... But, to answer your question, yes, we get along very well. She doesn't like Lola, she'll freak out when I tell her what we're doing.

— I can imagine, who would like such a superficial and unpleasant woman? - I replied without thinking, looking out the car window, lost in thought.

— I liked her, and that was my mistake. I've lost faith in relationships, and right now, I feel lost. The women I've met so far are all like Lola and only want to get close to take advantage of me being well-known.

— I understand, that's why you set all of this up, right?

— Yes.

— But if I'm photographed with you by a paparazzi, and it ends up in the media, won't that be a problem?

For a moment, I saw confusion in his eyes. It took him a few seconds to respond.

— If that happens, so be it. In public, we'll pretend to be a couple.

— Whaaaat? - I couldn't help but shout.

— Are you worried about appearing in the media, with a man of my stature and talent? What's your problem? - He asked, furrowing his brow.

— I'm totally against it. I don't want to put myself at risk.

— What would you be risking?

For a moment, I thought about telling him the "truth." But the truth was more complicated than it seemed. Would the "truth" be accepted by him as a valid reason? So, I felt insecure and didn't respond.

— Aren't you going to answer me? Present a good argument for not pretending in front of the media?

— Well, one reason is that I don't want to expose myself. It would affect my career.

— How would it interfere? I don't understand.

— I would be offered jobs just for dating you. I don't want that. - The real reason was that I was protecting my heart. The more time I spent with him, the less secure my heart would be.

— And would that be a bad thing?

— Yes, I want to go on my journey and build my career without riding on someone else's coattails. I want recognition and merit for my own efforts.

Dante was impressed by the student in front of him. It was admirable how she thought. How could people not see that?

— I understand, but it's a risk we'll have to take. Listen, if that happens and you don't want a particular job, talk to me. I'll try my best to help you in any way I can. I don't want to involve you in controversies or ruin your reputation.

Oh, Lord, why me? How will I resist this? Plan B, Kyra? Think.

— The more I think about it, the more I want to give up.

— There's no turning back now. We were seen at the restaurant, and by now, everyone in my company, clients, shareholders, knows about Lola's dismissal and that I was accompanied by a beautiful lady at the restaurant.

— Yeah, there's no turning back. How did I get myself into this? - I said, frustrated, placing my hand on my forehead, shaking it from side to side in a negative manner.

— Because of your grades? - He said sarcastically.

— Ahh, and I don't know where you got the "beautiful lady" from, but thank you.

— You really don't realize how beautiful you are, do you?

When he said that, right away, I blushed with embarrassment. Rejecting guys at college was easy (despite hardly having suitors), but men like this, who have goals and don't give up easily, were a drag, a drag that could become addictive. "Hiiii, Kyraaaa, I'm your conscience, and I'm telling you: run for the hills, this won't end well, your heart will be destrooooyed..." I shook my head again to avoid listening to my conscience.

— I'll take that as a yes. - Dante said.

— I'm not like the other girls. I don't like luxury, I'm simple, and I don't have money to splurge around.

— I know, but your features can't change. Clothes and makeup just enhance your beauty.

— Are you saying that just to convince me to help you, right? - I said, smiling.

— Of course not. You caught my attention more during the lecture than your friend, whom the professors say is intelligent and beautiful.

— I see...

— Well, when we met, I wanted to know your name, introduced myself, and didn't really care to get to know your friend. I guarantee that if I made the same proposition to her, she wouldn't refuse. But I liked your personality, how honest you were, and your appearance.

— Well, since when would a brunette, with brown eyes, 5'6" tall, get more attention than a blonde with a stunning figure and green eyes?

— It's a matter of taste, my dear. That profile you described about yourself, in my eyes, isn't bad. But you shouldn't put yourself down because of it. I understand that most men would be enchanted by your friend's beauty, but not all men are the same.

— Oh, speaking of which, Lola is a blue-eyed blonde with a sculpted body. - I burst out laughing.

— It's not fair to judge me based on one failed relationship.

— Well, I don't know, I don't know your other exes. - I said with a victorious air.

— You don't even want to know, it's all downhill from there.

— I can imagine!

— We've arrived! - the GPS said.

— Where do I park?

— You can make a U-turn and drop me off in front of the "Jardim das Flores" building, number 70.

Jardim das Flores was a simple building, with 5 floors, all light yellow with glass windows and white awnings.

— Which floor is yours?

— I'm on the 5th floor, apartment 501. - I said without thinking.

— Does your apartment have an elevator?

— No, only stairs.

— Can I come up?

— Why do you want to come up?

— Won't you offer me a cup of tea?

No.

— If I don't come up today, I'll come up tomorrow to finalize the agreement.

— What agreement? - I asked.

— Rental girlfriend. - He said, winking at me.