I wasn't sure how to feel when my phone buzzed with Femi's message:
I'll pick you up at Lia's at six. Dress elegantly. Nothing over the top...just you.
I spent the afternoon deciding what "elegantly" meant, finally settling on a soft emerald wrap dress that hugged my waist but fell gracefully at my knees. Nude heels. Minimal jewelry. Subtle makeup—something I'd never wear outside special occasions. My heart raced with nerves and excitement.
When the sleek black car pulled up outside Lia's apartment, I felt my stomach tighten. The door opened, and there he was: Femi Caldwell, calm and commanding, waiting like he had always been part of a world I only glimpsed in magazines.
"You look…" He didn't finish. Just gestured toward me with a quiet appreciation that made me blush.
"Thank you," I whispered, slipping into the leather seat.
The drive was smooth, the city lights reflecting softly on the car's polished surfaces. I watched in silence, my mind spinning with anticipation.
The venue took my breath away the moment we pulled up. A boutique wine-tasting lounge tucked into the corner of the city's most exclusive district, with warm golden lights spilling onto polished marble floors. Plush velvet chairs, tables set with fine crystal glasses, and soft piano music in the background. The air smelled… expensive. A rich, earthy scent that hinted at leather, polished wood, and something almost intangible—money, power, and elegance.
I inhaled, letting it settle into me. "It's… beautiful," I murmured.
Femi smiled at me from across the car. "I thought you'd like it."
Inside, I was introduced to his friends: Alex, flamboyant with tattoos peeking from his crisp shirt sleeves and stylish braids perfectly in place; Prince, dapper and calm, his engagement ring catching the soft lighting; and Frank, tall and warm, speaking with a smooth accent that piqued my curiosity about which country he could be from. Frank's beautiful wife sat beside him, laughing with ease, her elegance effortless.
"Morayo," Femi said softly. "Meet the people I've told you about."
I extended my hand to each, and they welcomed me with friendly smiles. The ease with which they interacted made me feel… not out of place, just new.
We were seated at a small corner table, glasses already waiting. Femi ordered a tasting flight of the finest wines they offered, explaining each one with soft, easy authority. I listened, captivated—not just by the wine, but by the way he carried himself, the quiet confidence that made the world bend a little around him.
"You'll like this one," he said, sliding a glass toward me. "It has a hint of blackberry and oak. Complex, but not overpowering."
I swirled the wine, taking a tentative sip. My eyes widened slightly. "It's… incredible. I've never tasted anything like this."
"That's why I brought you here," he said. "I wanted you to see a different side of life. One that's not just surviving, but… appreciating."
I glanced around, taking it all in. The soft glow of chandeliers. The subtle perfume of wealth and refinement. The laughter of people who didn't rush, didn't worry, just existed beautifully in the moment. I felt…worry, and. Curious. Amazed.
As the evening went on, I found myself relaxing, leaning into conversation with Alex, laughing at Prince's witty observations, and even exchanging polite jokes with Frank and his wife. Femi sat beside me, guiding subtly, letting me shine without ever drawing attention away from me.
I realized, quietly, that this wasn't just a date. It was a lesson. In elegance. In patience. In what it felt like to be seen and valueImpatience.pectation.
And somehow, amidst the fine wine, soft music, and rich scent of the lounge, I began to understand why I felt drawn to him.
Femi Caldwell wasn't loud, and he didn't need to be. The quiet, measured way he moved through the world—and now through mine—was intoxicating in a way I wasn't sure I'd ever recover from.