My Most Precious One(111)

“I’m not very good at speeches.” I swallowed hard. “So please don’t judge me too harshly.” I picked up a glass of red wine that my bartender had prepared for me. “Most of you know that I had a dream of becoming an archaeologist. I remember saying it since I was young and could hardly even say the word. I studied hard and went to school thinking the end goal was near. Only to realize that time slipped away and I no longer could achieve that dream I so thought was made for me. I stand here before you to tell you that dreams don’t always come true but sometimes we stumble on ones we never thought of. That’s what happened to me and so here I am finally finding what was really meant for me. Thank you so much for coming, enjoy the wine, because after today it won’t be free anymore. A girl’s got to pay her bills.”

I raised my glass, everyone laughed and clapped. I felt tears as I continued to look onto Lukas. Another dream dashed.

I found my way back down and went to my office to compose myself. Damn I wasn’t prepared to see him. I thought I was ready but I wasn’t. I slowly made my way to my desk and sat down on my chair. I could hear all the commotion outside but I needed more time. I picked up the small remote control to the sound system I had installed and pressed play. Lenny Kravitz’s voice began to croon as his song I Belong To You played.

Once the song ended I found my resolve and stepped outside. I walked up to one of the waitresses and asked her to bring me a specific wine I wanted. I saw Lukas in the corner with Kaci, I guess she did come. I was happy to see her, despite our fights. I knew we loved each other beyond measure. She thought only of me and was the only one who always told me when I acted like an ass. I walked over to them and Kaci nearly fell over.

“I’m so fucken happy for you.” She said smiling, “it’s so you.” She shook her head as she looked around.

“Thank you.” I said as I pulled her into a hug. Audrey had come up to me and told me that my table was ready. I nodded and I guess Kaci got the clue.

“I think I heard Roxi call me.” She said as she pointed to where Roxi was.

“Really?” Lukas asked. “Her voice carries. I highly doubt she called you.” He smirked, and my heart winched.

“Fuck off Lukas.” Kaci play smacked him on the arm and left. I felt a twinge of jealous, but let it go just as quickly.

“I have a table ready if you don’t mind joining me?” I asked anxiously.

“Of course.” He smiled again.

I made my way to the back of the bar to a more private booth. On the way there my parents nodded their heads to Lukas and he nodded back, I guess the awkwardness wasn’t just on my part. We finally made it and I sat down across from him, making sure that I was a good distance away. Audrey brought over the bottle of wine I had asked for with some cheeses and a charcuterie platter. She presented the wine like I had taught her.

“This is a Romanée-Conti, one of our most expensive wines. It’s a Pinot Noir. It has a strong bouquet of flowers mixed with scent of cherry. An example of the truest kinds of wine every made.” She finished by showing Lukas and I the bottle. I nodded for her to open it.

She slowly uncorked it and began to pour only a little in my glass so that I could taste. I nodded signaling it was good. She then poured it into Lukas glass and then mine.

“Will you like anything else?” She asked.

“No Audrey thank you.” I waited till she left so that I could look at Lukas, his eyes as blue as ever as he watched me carefully.

“I bought this wine with you in mind.” I admitted.

“It’s exactly you. Strong, powerful and fucken rich in flavor, not to mention the hefty price tag.” I laughed a little.

The heavy tension was almost unbearable. He picked up his glass and drank it. I watched as his swallowed it slowly enjoying the flavors. His neck was slightly exposed. I looked down not wanting to look like I was hungry for him.

“It’s good.” He put his glass down.

“I’m glad you like it.” I hardly had the will to look up but I made myself. I finally found who I was and I wasn’t going to cower away again.

“It’s a beautiful bar Alexia. I’m glad you found what you wanted.” He said softly. I could feel those fucken tears come but I willed them to stay at bay.

“Thank you.” I reached for my glass and drank letting the rich flavors entice my palate. I slowly placed the glass down.

“I wanted to say sorry.” I said ruefully.

“You said you were sorry already.” He said in a serious tone.

“Yeah but at least I wanted to say it to you face to face. You deserved that much.” I gave him a ghost of a smile.