Ultra-Rare Cognac

Three months.

It’s been three months since I gave Nicholai a second chance. And since that day, he never failed to make me feel special and loved.

Every day he sent and fetched me to work. Eating breakfast before going to work and eating dinner after work became our daily routine. On weekends, since it’s my day off, we were in the apartment watching movies. And sometimes we traveled.

It's Friday, and Nicholai accompanied me again to work. We were walking side by side. Even if my apartment was just close to the office, he never failed to walk me there.

Sometimes I wondered, did he quit working?

Hmmm. I frowned at him.

“It’s been a couple of months since you’re doing this. Aren’t you working, Nic? ” I asked out of curiosity.

He chuckled, then glanced at me.

"It's been three months, but you just asked now," he replied with a smile.

“Why? Can't I just be curious? ” raised eyebrows, I said.

“Now you are curious about me. I love that.”

I blushed suddenly at what he said. Tss! He’s making me piss. Lots more to say; why can he just answer my question. Tsk!

"Just answer it, will you?" annoyed, I told him.

"Yes, ma'am.” He chuckled. “If you are really curious, well… of course I am working. I manage my company online. My assistant will email me the documents that I need to read and sign. I also sign it online. The Internet works wonders.”

“Isn’t that a bit of a hassle? How about if there’s a meeting that needs your presence?”

“My assistant will attend. If it’s really important, I attend via video call,” he said.

"You can go home if you want," I said while turning my face in the other direction.

I flinched when he suddenly grabbed my hand and caught my eye. I tried not to look into his eyes. It was as if I was going to faint from the fast beating of my heart.

“Please look at me,” he begged, which made me look into his eyes that were looking at me like I was his everything. My heartbeat quickened even more. “I’m not going anywhere, Denima. I’ll stay here and win you back. That’s my priority, and that’s more important than those meetings. ”

“Okay. If you said so." I cocked my head on the side and bit my lower lip.

Fuck, Denima. You’re such a crimp!

***

Nicholai and I were eating dinner at Hawksworth Restaurant. The restaurant was voted to be the best in Vancouver. They actually deserve the title.

I don’t know why I wanted to go to the bar tonight. At least once, I never tried the bar here in Vancouver. But tonight, I felt like doing it and wanted to drink.

“Let’s go bar hopping tonight,” I said to Nicholai after we were done eating. He had already paid the bill, so we were good to go.

He turned to me after rubbing the edge of his lip.

"I don't think that's a good idea," he said thoughtfully.

I raised an eyebrow at him. “It's the weekend. No work tomorrow. I want to drink. If you don't want to, I'll go alone.” I was about to stand up when he took my hand

“You want to drink? Then let’s drink here. They have their bar. If you don’t know, Hawksworth restaurant is cocktail heaven as they said,” he said and then stood up. “Let’s go,” he added and then intertwined his hands with mine, and we both walked to where the bar was located.

The elegant room of the bar was exceptional. It features the distinct and eye-catching “Big Love Diamond Dust” by British artist Damien Hirst, alongside a striking handcrafted ceiling paired with vintage leather banquettes and a Spanish granite bar.

“Wow! I didn't know they had a bar. I’ve never been here, ” I said when we were finally inside.

I never tried the restaurant’s cocktail. I only ate here once. That was when we were having a dinner meeting. And it’s been a while.

“Their cocktails are the best. They even serve the Ultra-Rare $30,000 Cognac. The Louis XIII Rare Cask 42.6,” Nicholai said, which made me look at him.

“For real? You gotta be kidding me.”

“Yep. Do you want to try? They serve a shot for $1600,” he said, smirking.

“I want to, but for $1600 per shot? No thanks, Nicholai. I’m rich, but I won’t spend 80,000 pesos for just a drink. That’s too much.”

Hell no! But… Ugh! I’m curious what it tastes like! Damn it!

He winked at me and then pulled me towards the bar counter.

“Two shots of The Louis XIII Rare Cask 42.6 for us, please,” Nicholai ordered at the bartender the moment we sat on the stool in front of the counter.

I smiled at the bartender and said to wait for a while.

“Nicholai! We can just order a different one, okay? $1600 per shot glass? That’s too expensive!” I whispered to him.

“Nah! We’re already here, so we better try it,” he insisted as if the price was just like a coin.

"Is there a change of order, sir?" the bartender asked.

“Nope. The same one, please. Thank you,” Nicholai confirmed.

"Coming right up, sir," the bartender replied and turned his back on us to get the drink.

So, in the end, we really got each shot of it, and Nicholai paid for us. Shit! He just paid $3200 for two shots! But when I tasted the drink, shit sherlock! It was all worth it!

“You are crazy,” I said to him, still holding the shot glass in my hand.

“Yeah. Crazy for you.”

I was able to order a new cocktail because of his pickup line. Damn it!

I ordered a couple of shots of different cocktails before I called it a night. Nicholai didn’t drink again. He didn’t want to get drunk because he would take me home.

Nicholai hailed a cab for us. He was still holding my hand even if we were already in the backseat.

"You're drunk."

I raised an eyebrow at what he said.

"I'm not."

I’m not really drunk, just a bit tipsy. I love their cocktails. The best from the others that I tasted.

We arrived in no time. We got inside my apartment, and he helped me remove my stiletto.

“You’re going to be okay. It’s already late, so I’ll leave now. Thank you for tonight, Cris,” he said kindly, as the gentleman as he was.

He was about to open the door when I held his hand, stopping him. Confused, he looked at my hand and then at my face.

I didn’t know what was happening to me. But looking at Nicholai’s lips made me thirsty. I swallowed hard.

"Kiss me," I said directly, widening Nicholai's eyes.

I think I'm going crazy. I know I’m not drunk. But Fuck! My crazy mind told me that I would regret it if I didn't kiss him tonight.

He shook his head and stared at me seriously. “You’re drunk. Don’t say things that will make you regret later.”

"I'm not drunk, Nic," I said firmly.

“Yes, you are. Please. I don’t want to make another mistake that will end up losing you again, Cris. Not happening,” he said with difficulty.

What he said frustrated me more. As crazy as I was, a brilliant idea popped out in my mind that would eventually make him give in.

"I will reject you when you do not kiss me—-"

Before I could finish what I was about to say, I heard him curse, and the next thing that I knew, he was already kissing me as if his life depended on it.