14

14

Anna straightened her posture, her chin held high, and without a word, she turned on her heel and walked away. Each step was confident and deliberate, her head held high as she moved through the crowd, leaving Michael to stew in his own humiliation. The room remained silent as she exited, her presence commanding respect, the strength of her actions speaking louder than any words could have.

Michael burned with anger, he brought out his phone and dialed a number. " hello, find out who's funding Anna's businesses. Now!" He said on the phone and hung up the call. He stormed off.

****

Anna re-entered the winery, her heart still racing from the confrontation with Michael. The adrenaline was slowly ebbing away, leaving her feeling slightly unsettled. She scanned the room for Xavier, but he was nowhere to be seen. A growing sense of unease settled over her as she searched the crowded venue, her earlier confidence wavering.

After a few minutes of fruitless searching, Anna decided to call him. She quickly pulled out her phone, her fingers trembling slightly as she dialed his number. It rang twice before Xavier's familiar voice answered.

"Anna," Xavier said, his tone calm but with an edge of urgency. "I had to rush off for something important. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to tell you. I'm at home now."

Relief washed over her at hearing his voice, but it was quickly replaced by concern. "Is everything okay?" she asked, trying to keep the worry out of her voice.

"Everything's fine," Xavier reassured her, though his tone was firm. "But I need you to come home right away. We'll talk more when you get here."

Anna's mind raced with questions, but she knew better than to press him over the phone. "Okay, I'll be there as soon as I can," she said, her voice steady despite the swirling thoughts in her head.

She hung up, her resolve hardening. Whatever was going on, she knew she needed to be with Xavier. With one last glance around the winery, she left for home.

Anna got home and found Xavier already seated on the cushion waiting for her.

"Hey. You're back, sorry I couldn't wait for you. What took you do long? I searched all over for you." Xavier said. Anna dropped her bag and breathed out of tiredness.

"I don't think the ozan winery deals can work out. Guess what! Michael is buying it." She responded with so much anger.

"I swear he's so desperate for new business right now. Anyways, enough about him. Go get ready, I have a surprise for you." Xavier smiled as he tucked a string of hair behind her ear. Anna smiled.

"You know I don't like surprises." She giggled. "You hit 1 million views in two days, that's a big deal." Xavier responded.

"Okay, give me 5 minutes." Anna said and rushed off upstairs to her room.

****

Their car packed outside the restaurant as they walked in. As Anna entered the big, fancy restaurant, she was immediately struck by the opulence of the place. The restaurant exuded luxury, with its soaring ceilings adorned with crystal chandeliers that cast a warm, inviting glow over the entire space. The walls were lined with polished marble and rich, dark wood panels, giving the room a timeless elegance. 

The floor was a gleaming expanse of intricately patterned tiles, leading the eye toward the center of the room, where a grand, circular staircase spiraled upward to a private balcony for VIP guests. Plush, velvet drapes in deep shades of burgundy framed large windows that offered a stunning view of the city skyline, the lights twinkling like stars against the night sky.

Each table was set with crisp white linens, sparkling glassware, and silver cutlery, arranged with meticulous precision. The centerpiece of every table was a delicate arrangement of fresh flowers, adding a touch of color and fragrance to the sophisticated ambiance. The chairs were upholstered in soft, luxurious fabric, ensuring that every guest dined in comfort.

Around the room, waitstaff moved with quiet efficiency, dressed in immaculate black and white uniforms, offering impeccable service with a discreet presence. The air was filled with the subtle aromas of gourmet dishes being prepared in the open kitchen, where chefs worked diligently behind a glass partition, showcasing their culinary expertise.

A gentle strains of live piano music floated through the air, adding to the refined atmosphere. The overall effect was one of understated grandeur, a place where every detail had been carefully considered to create an unforgettable dining experience.

Xavier pulled the chair and she sat down. Smiles plastered on her face. There was just desserts on the table for the both of them.

"Starting with desert?" She asked with a smile adjusting her dress.

"Yeah, I thought I'd like to celebrate. Indulge first…you know." He responded and she shrugged. Just then, the waiter walked to them "Good evening sir, madam. What do I offer you." He asked with a polite smile.

"We'll take your nicest bottle of champagne." Xavier said sharply. "We will have it up right away." He responded and left. Xavier made to talk, Anna quickly scooped some dessert on her index finger and plastered it on his nose playfully.

"What are you doing?" Xavier asked and laughed loudly. "You're surprising me, knowing fully well that I don't like surprises…." She was still talking when Xavier rubbed the dessert on her nose as well. They laughed together and he cleaned it up with his salver. 

"So, I haven't seen you smile like this since we were kids." Xavier said.

"Mmhmm, maybe that's because you've been in Europe for the past ten years." Anna smiled and Xavier reciprocated.

Anna looked around the room in confusion "That reminds me, Why is there no one else in this restaurant?" She asked in confusion. "Well, that's because it's yours…." Xavier responded smiling at her.

"What?" She exclaimed in shock. "Yeah, surprise!" He said happily. Her breath caught in her throat. For a moment, she was completely speechless, her mind struggling to comprehend the enormity of what he had just said. Her eyes widened in shock, and she stared at Xavier, searching his face to see if he was serious.

Her heart began to race, a mix of disbelief and overwhelming emotion flooding her senses. The room around her seemed to blur, her focus solely on Xavier and the words that had just changed everything. She felt a lump forming in her throat as tears welled up in her eyes, the reality of his gift sinking in.

"You... you're giving me this restaurant?" she finally managed to ask, her voice barely above a whisper, tinged with awe and incredulity.

Xavier nodded, his expression warm and sincere. "Yes, Anna. It's yours. You've earned it."

Anna's hand flew to her mouth, covering it as a soft gasp escaped her lips. Her other hand trembled slightly as she reached out to touch Xavier's arm, needing to feel something solid to ground her in this surreal moment. Her eyes shimmered with tears, a mix of gratitude, joy, and overwhelming pride filling her chest.

"Xavier, I... I don't know what to say," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. A single tear slipped down her cheek, and she quickly brushed it away, a radiant smile breaking through the shock. "Thank you. I can't believe this... it's everything I've ever dreamed of."

She looked around the restaurant with new eyes, realizing that it was no longer just a beautiful space—it was now a reflection of her passion, her hard work, and the faith Xavier had in her.