"It's hot. Try it," he said convincing her to take it. Perry knew she would need something to rely on to clear her head, so she had gone to get herself some coffee.
He was in joy and crazily out of his mind because he had been wanting to see her.
Phoenix stared at the cup of coffee in his hand for what seemed like eternity.
What should she do?
This was the first time somebody from the opposite sex was being this affectionate in her eyes, apart from her father, who showed two sides every day.
She also didn't like to take other people's things.
"Here," Perry nudged her to take it.
"Be careful, it's hot." He warned her to use some tissue to help contain the steam and keep it from escaping.
"Thanks," she murmured to herself.
Perry did hear her, making the corners of his lips curve up.
She gently placed the straw into it and took a sip, letting the refreshing liquid flow into her mouth.
Perry watched her lips as she sipped the fluid, feeling a warm sensation inside. He decided not to turn on the air conditioner since it was already cold outside. Gently, he quietly stepped out to avoid causing any more discomfort.
He breathed out a sigh of relief after getting out of his car and leaned against the door as a guard.
Phoenix got out of the car after taking half of the coffee. It was not her preference, but she had to accept it.
She was good to go.
But how was she going to go with this man?
She knew him to be one of the wealthiest young men in the city by his status as CEO of Stylish. They had never met before, and the crazy thing was that Willmar had set her up.
She too came out of the car. She made up her mind to apologise to him about Willmar, though he was familiar with her.
And she had to go to her place.
"I'm really sorry for what Willmar has caused," she said, out of mind, not sparing him a glance.
Perry, who was in his own world, came to realisation. He stared down at her. They were almost the same height.
"No need, I came here with a friend but he ditched me as well. I guess we are even."
Phoenix looked up and met his gaze. She tried to allow herself to be a little bit okay.
But she was not okay.
"Just imagine me as Willmar," he stated.
"I'm trying," she admitted.
"Just like I said before, be yourself. I'm not a maniac okay." Perry too tried.
Phoenix joined him to lean against the car.
"I'm not used to new places and people. It's mostly me and I always feel okay," she managed to tell him something about herself.
She held onto her cell phone like a shy teenager who was struggling to explain things to somebody.
"How is it that you don't feel secure at different places and with other people? It seems like you don't want others to know you." He whispered into the air.
"You're a very smart lady, independent and well-adorned. What hinders you from being with others?" Perry said directly in her face.
He was driving at something, and he had to stop.
"It's me," Phoenix didn't mind saying something to him in return.
"It's just me. I feel like I'm the only one and yeah, I'm the only one." She glared at him with a soft face.
She never let her guard down, and she wasn't going to.
She just felt like talking.
She didn't realise it until Willmar left her with this man.
She could tell that he had a soft heart and would patiently like to know her.
"Give me your address." He changed the topic.
"It's just a thirty-minute drive from here."
Phoenix, too, didn't mind him changing his words and replied to him.
"It's on thirty-seven street," she gave him her address. She eagerly waited to see what he would do next.
Perry nodded his head and stared into the empty space.
"You're lonely on the inside and on the outside as well. But you have hidden your emotions and lived without care." He blurted out.
"You don't care about how people see you and don't give them a chance to get to know you as well."
Was he predicting her or what?
"Please," she begged him.
"I love to be me. That's all."
"Come on," he led her into the car again and closed the door. He then joined her.
He was not finished with his admission.
"Why is it like you're blaming me for something I've no idea of?" She asked after he fastened her seatbelt.
Well, she wouldn't do it.
"Does Willmar approach you like this every day?" He also asked ignoring her question.
Phoenix was calm. She was her best self at the moment.
Perry hit the ignition button and moved them out of the place.
"Why are you trying to mimic Willmar?" It just dawned on her that Willmar used to behave this way when she was tired of her.
She would even destroy her fridge and get her a new one with food and not her clay products.
"You sound just like her," she told him. Perry smiled, satisfied with his act.
"I guess she made you come to 'All Night's', and you chose to obey her." He said in a mocking tone.
"Yeah, I wanted to shake some things off."
"Did it work out?" She gave him a nod.
"I like your latest design," he switched to work.
"How come I never knew or saw you before, and after whenever a new design popped up. I even thought you were a man."
Phoenix looked forward onto the road ahead. Yeah, she had known people thought her to be a male figure.
Somebody who is ruthless and has no concern for anybody.
She didn't care and made them think anyhow and talk shit. Anna had alerted her and still she did nothing about it.
Upon that, too, she threatened Phoebe and her family not to disclose anything to the public.
"If I'm not to see you as Willmar, I don't think you would have liked me at all." She told him.
"But I am my best self and also in the mood because somebody has got an explanation to give."
They had reached Phoenix's and she was ready to come out.
"Do you live around here?" She asked not giving a damn about his guesses.
"Eighteenth street," he replied.