Love In Full Bloom

Chapter Nineteen

MARIAM'S POV

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Miguel's serious tone caught me off guard.

"We need to rehearse our presentation for Monday, considering your struggles with public speaking. You need to be prepared."

I raised an eyebrow, thinking he'd lost his mind. I'd already planned my day, and last-minute rehearsals weren't on the agenda.

The timing was terrible. "I have things to attend to right now, but don't worry, I'll come prepared," I said, meeting his gaze firmly.

Miguel's gaze lingered on mine, as if searching for reassurance.

"I'm not just talking about being prepared, I'm talking about acing it. We can't afford to mess up."

I nodded, feeling a surge of determination. "I know, I'll make sure I'm ready." Miguel nodded, seeming to accept my promise. "Good, let's meet up tomorrow afternoon to go over again."

"Wait, I have commitments tomorrow and Sunday too. Why exactly do you want to meet when I said I'll come prepared?" I asked, frustration creeping into my voice.

Miguel's expression turned stern.

"What are you doing on Sunday? Church, yes, but after that? We need to rehearse before the presentation. Choose a day that works." His tone was firm, but laced with annoyance.

I hesitated, weighing my options.

'I've got work tomorrow and Sunday,' I thought but I couldn't bring myself to say.

Instead, I sighed heavily, deciding to sacrifice my planned downtime.

"Fine, let's rehearse now," I said, resignation creeping into my voice. Leadership responsibilities had never appealed to me, partly because of the sacrifices they'd demand. Now, I was face-to-face with that reality.

Miguel's gaze lingered on me before he spoke, "I've got work to do, so let's do this at my house. Is that okay with you?" I met his gaze, my expression questioning, as I considered the unexpected suggestion.

I eyed him warily, unsure if I should trust him. We barely knew each other, and the thought of going to his house made me uneasy. What if he stays alone and had ulterior motives?

Miguel's calm demeanor seemed to contradict my fears as he asked again, "Is that okay with you?" His gentle tone put me at ease, but only slightly.

I hesitated, weighing my options. His gaze locked onto mine, patient and expectant.

"Yeah, it's fine," I said finally, trying to sound confident.

Miguel nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Great, let's go," he said, turning away from me and striding towards the stairs with confident ease.

I watched him walk, his steps steady and firm, as if he owned the place. His deliberate pace seemed to command the space around him.

As he reached the stairs, he turned around, his eyebrow arching slightly as he noticed I wasn't following. I hastened my pace, catching up to him as he waited. Together, we descended the stairs, and I absently adjusted the jacket, my eyes flicking to him briefly before returning to the steps.

We reached the parking lot quickly, and I scanned the area, half-expecting to see his motorcycle. Memories of our last ride still lingered, and the thought of climbing back on didn't thrill me.

But as I looked around, I realized it wasn't there. Instead, the sleek lines of a black Audi R8 V10 Plus caught my eye, parked nearby.

My eyes widened as I spotted the Audi R8 V10 Plus - my dream car. I'd recognize it anywhere, thanks to Christian Grey's iconic ride in the Fifty Shades series.

I was so captivated by the car's sleek design that I didn't even notice Miguel approaching it, let alone opening the door with the keys in hand. It wasn't until he cleared his throat that I snapped out of my car-induced trance.

Miguel's amused smile caught my attention as I snapped out of my trance. "Like the car?" he asked, his voice laced with humor. I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I nodded enthusiastically.

"It's my dream car," I admitted, trying to sound casual.

Miguel chuckled and gestured towards the open door. "Well, now's your chance to make that dream a reality. Get in."

I looked at him, surprised, and asked, "This is your car?" My tone was a mix of curiosity and disbelief.

"What do you think?" he asked, dangling the keys in front of him, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes.

I approached him, my gaze flicking between his face and the keys, half-expecting him to reveal it belonged to a friend – a convenient borrowing arrangement to impress unsuspecting girls. Given his laid-back demeanor, owning such an expensive car seemed out of character.

"Well?" he prompted, his eyes sparkling with amusement as I hesitated. I raised an eyebrow, still trying to read him. "It's... stunning," I said finally, trying to sound nonchalant despite my growing curiosity. "But I have to ask, is it yours?" My tone was casual, but my gaze was piercing, searching for any hint of deception.

Miguel's smile grew wider as he nodded, "Yeah, it's mine." He seemed to enjoy the surprise on my face.

I observed him and the car simultaneously, my mind racing with possibilities.

I was torn between believing him and wondering if it was a loaner or a rental. My eyes darted between him and the sleek vehicle, trying to read the story behind his ownership.

"Get in, Mariam. Time's ticking," he said, amusement dancing in his eyes as he gestured toward the open door of the car. His smile was infectious, and I couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement.

I slid into the passenger seat, the inside sleek and modern, with soft leather seats and a dashboard that gleamed like polished chrome. I squealed with excitement as I settled in, running my hands over the luxurious interior. Miguel chuckled and closed the door behind me, then rounded the car to get into the driver's seat.

"Buckle up," he said with a grin, starting the engine.

I obliged, and the V10 roared to life.

As I looked around, I marveled at the car's sleek interior – the dashboard was trimmed in rich walnut wood, the seats were wrapped in supple leather, and the instrument cluster glowed with a soft blue light.

Miguel pulled out of the parking lot and approached the university gate. As we drove onto the main road, I couldn't help but sneak glances at Miguel, who was focused on the road. My eyes wandered back to the car's interior, and I thought with excitement, 'This is really happening – I'm sitting in this incredible car!' If Miguel had kidnapped me, I wouldn't have minded; I was living my dream. The drive was smooth, and the hum of the engine was almost soothing.