My Brilliant Idea

I chose this place for dinner—it was a quaint café nestled in the heart of the college town. As we stepped inside, the lively chatter of students and locals filled the space, infusing the whole place with an irresistible energy. Laughter echoed off the walls, adding vibrancy to our dinner.

The welcoming aroma was nothing short of heavenly good: freshly brewed coffee wafted rich and bold, mingling with the warm, enticing scent of freshly baked bread. It was a sensory symphony that immediately captivated our senses, drawing us into the cozy embrace of the café.

The café itself was a picture of rustic charm, with its weathered wooden tables and mismatched chairs adding to its allure. Soft ambient lighting casted a gentle glow throughout the space, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere perfect for a romantic dinner for two.

As the evening progressed, the café took on a magical quality, with soft candlelight flickering on the tables and the faint hum of conversation adding to the sense of intimacy. Outside, the town buzzed with life, but within these walls, time seemed to slow down. We sat at a small table by the window, enveloped in the café's enchanting ambiance.

He sat across from me, seeming a bit uneasy, occasionally stealing glances in my direction but mostly keeping his gaze fixed on things outside of me. Meanwhile, I was completely oblivious to my surroundings, my focus locked entirely on him.

He wasn't like a typical professor; his hair wasn't disheveled—instead, it was of moderate length, neither too short nor too long, easy to manage yet not unkempt. His features, while not conventionally handsome, exuded a unique charm. Despite being an academic, he emitted an air of humility, a simple elegance that might not dazzle those around him, but certainly captivated me sitting across from him.

In that moment, in the quiet ambiance of the café, we sat across from each other, and I found myself drawn to his complexity, intrigued by the contradictions that made him up.

When he decided to break the silence between us, he finally met my gaze, no longer avoiding eye contact as he did the first time we met. His sincere eyes emitted a warmth and intelligence that had drawn me in since the moment we reunited in the classroom.

"Do you come here often?" He broke the silence between us.

"Oh, um, I heard they have the best bread in town here." Actually, I had only been here twice, but twice counts as often, right? At least more than once. "I thought it would be a nice place for us to chat."

As we perused the menu, I noticed he was like a child, drawn to the pictures before checking out the actual menu. Did he not realize that the photos on the menu were merely for display, with a success rate of about ninety-nine percent not resembling the actual dish?

When the food arrived, my thoughts drifted to the real reason I had asked him out—I wanted to get to know him better. In conversation, I learned about the reason he came to this city; it was because his mentor had invited him, and he saw no reason to refuse. He had moved here alone because he no longer had any family, and most importantly, he hadn't found accommodation yet. He was looking for a place he could afford, which would take some time. This detail sparked a brilliant idea in my mind instantly.

"I'm actually looking for a roommate, are you interested?" 

"Really?" 

"Yeah, it's a two-bedroom apartment, the rent is affordable for someone like me, a student. You're a professor, so it should work for you too." 

"Ryan, aren't you from this city too?" 

"I... yeah, but my family wants me to be independent, what can I do? So, are you interested?" 

"I am! Can I go take a look after dinner?" 

"Huh?" 

"Is that not okay? Is it inconvenient?" 

"No, why would it be? After dinner sounds good, take your time." 

I might have sounded convincing because he seemed genuinely interested. Watching his excited expression, I found myself split between admiring the beauty in his enthusiasm and racking my brains on how to turn a two-bedroom apartment into reality. It wasn't particularly difficult—I could simply take out my phone, send a message, and have Ethan, our family butler to arrange everything. However, accomplishing it all within the span of a dinner seemed to burden the old man with a task more complex than anticipated.

Our conversation flowed smoothly and naturally, accompanied by the enjoyment of delicious food. The initial awkwardness gradually dissipated, replaced by a sense of camaraderie and connection. I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building within me. The prospect of sharing a living space with him filled me with excitement. It was a step into the unknown, a leap of faith into a future that held infinite possibilities.

And as we prepared to leave the café, I couldn't shake the feeling that our meeting had marked the beginning of something extraordinary—a journey of friendship, companionship, and perhaps even something more.