Expensive Wine

"You actually forgot, didn't you?" He asked, raising a questioning brow at me, and I nodded slowly.

"Yes I did, but thankfully you've reminded me," I said while staring at him closely.

He narrowed his gaze. "Why? When do you plan to hand it over to me?"

"Not completely sure, but I'm still thinking about it." I really hoped that he would change the line of discussion because I was starting to feel a bit comfortable with his closeness and this conversation was only bringing back that noxious feeling.

He must've noticed it because he smiled charmingly at me. "I'll give you time then, you just have to use it wisely." He advised, but I knew quite well that it was more of a reminder of what I got myself into and also to remind me that I really had no choice but to follow the agreement.

I only smiled back at him to not look like I was actually nervous. It suddenly became silent and his eyes were locked with mine. He slightly leaned down towards me and I became rigid subconsciously.

It took me a moment to realize he was reaching out for the bottle of drink. He grabbed it and poured more into my glass cup and his as well.

"I hope you like it," he muttered with a smile.

"Hmm?" I looked around, feeling embarrassed by my reaction. I actually thought he was about to kiss me, and it surprised me a bit because I didn't attempt to avoid it.

"I said I hope you like the drink," he repeated, saying it louder for me to hear.

"Ermm sure, it's nice," I said, passing an awkward smile.

"I'm glad you actually like it. Do you know any expensive wine that you might want to try?"

I blinked my eyes, completely dumbfounded by his words. Expensive wine? What? Did he forget so soon that I came from nothing?

"I… I don't have any expensive drinks that I'd like to try."

"What about any drink at all?" He asked as he looked perplexed.

"I really don't have one," I shook my head.

He seemed thoughtful. "That's unexpected," he looked at me, a bit skeptical. "I actually have a few that I'd love for you to try, but that would be whenever you're ready to," he replied.

"I'd love to try them now, actually," I'd do anything to leave this hot room called the dining room. I just wanted to get a bit far from him because I was so nervous after that attempt of him getting the bottle.

"Are you certain?"

"Yes, I'm certain," I replied almost immediately, earning a long stare from him.

"Alright then," he replied as he stood up, reaching out his hand for me to grasp.

The moment I placed my hand on his and how he gently held on it, I felt like he should keep holding my hand in his.

He led the way towards his basement. And then we walked into a big room.

The room was dark, and I could barely comprehend what was in it until I felt him move, and the light came on, revealing a spacious room with shelves filled with bottles of wines.

"Wow, this is nice, actually nicer than I expected." I had to admit.

"I'm glad you like it that much. So, where do you want to start from?"

Looking back at the shelves, I found it hard to pick the direction. "I really don't know, how about you show me?"

"I'll do the honor then. If you don't mind," he walked ahead while pulling me with him.

He got to one of the shelves, and he pulled out a drink. "This is actually a collection I got when I attended my client's birthday party." He opened the bottle just when I really thought that we'll just be admiring the drink and then putting them back where they belonged because they looked perfectly fine that way.

I just felt like the drink was too expensive to taste, especially since they were qualified enough to be in his basement.

He brought the glass cup he brought with him. Then he poured in patiently inside before passing the cup to me.

I creased my brows slightly at him.

"Have a taste," he reassured me. I hesitantly took the cup and took a sip of the drink, and I couldn't stop my eyes from betraying me as they widened in surprise.

"How does it taste?" He asked while trying to read my expression.

"It tastes… Wow," I know that wasn't an actual word, but I had no idea on how to reply. I needed a better reply that would explain how I felt in a matured way, as I felt the need to look more elegant for no reason. This man was making me do this and never would.

"It tastes great," I said, hoping I sounded just the way I needed to.

"Domaine Leroy Musigny Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits, France. It's a nice drink and a great one, like you said," he put the bottle back and moved to the next one.

He pulled it and poured it in as well. "What about this?"

Putting it on my lips, I took a taste and it was also incredible. "It's nice, I think I like both drinks."

He smiled a bit. "You can't be too sure. Besides, we have more to go." He said, but I panicked a little as he moved to the next bottle. Was he actually planning on drinking from these whole bottles? Of course not.

He was amazed by the way he kept saying their names without checking to confirm, only proving how much he knew.

"Are you tired?"

"No, are you?" I asked back. We basically just started, but that didn't mean I would drink from the entire bottle.

"Wow, I love this," I said without realizing I said it out loud.

He looked shocked. "Really?" I nodded. "How does it taste?"

"Manly," I could just feel that masculinity.

"It's actually my favorite," he walked closer to me while his gaze was stuck on me. "Can I ask you something?" He unexpectedly whispered.