Isabel decided to put down the worry in her heart and asked."What is it?"
Gael clicked a file and showed her the drawings of phoenixes."I talked with,Liana Jones,you probably know her,we came up with this design for the brand."
"This is amazing."
"Well,it's not finalizied yet.Liana will add a few other touches and I wanted to listen to your opinion,after all you are the boss.The shoot will obviously be my responsibility and I've thought of a few good names that fit the images of your product.They're extremely professional and are clean people so there won't be any trouble."
Isabel exitedly looked at the label designs and finally a smiled bloomed on her face.Gael stared at it a bit and got reminded of the time they were together,she would smile like this after he would surprise her.At least that smile hadn't faded with everything she had experienced.
"I love them all.Since I'm going to need a few label designs depending on the types of wines.Theres a special label design."
Gael took a sip of the wine."Hit me."
"I want a label with a rose."then Isabel started explaining."My grandfather,when he was young tried a different way,using my grandmothers favourite type of grapes to make a special wine for her.He dedicated that wine to my grandmother during their wedding and named it Rosana,after her.I want two roses on the label one representing each.I also decided to add a bit of my touch to it.Smell the wine."
Gael smelled the wine and looked at her shockingly,while Isabel smiled at him.
"It has a faint rose smell."
"Indeed it does."
"But how?"
"The wine was kept in a special rosewood barrel.I ordered one specifically to try if it would work and it did not dissapoint.Gael you and me are the first to try Rosana.I dedicate this to you partner."she toasted and then downed the glass.
Gael was speechless. "No,this is the love token your grandfather dedicated to your grandmother.This thing is like Ricci familys heirloom.An outsider like me-"
"Shush!How can you be considered an outsider?Nonno considered you part of the family and you deny your family like this,tsk,tsk,tsk!Shame Gael Laurier! Vergogna!"
The fact that she started yelling italian words at him,while he didn't know a single word of it,gave Gael the confidence to say that Isabel was finally drunk.But he didn't care.He also downed his glass and started to fill both of their empty glasses.They had been through a lot lately and had been working hard.They deserved to let go at least for a few hours.
Nonno Ricci really new his business and had made a strong wine for nonna Ricci.With just a few glasses,Isabel was already looking at the ceiling dazedly.Meanwhile Gael who usually would finish bottles and still be standing,after drinking the rest that Isabel had left,together with the other bottle Isabel had left aside,he had started laughing for no reason and having an expression like a fool.If sobber Gael saw himself get this drunk with only a bottle and a half,he would punch himself for the shame.
Gael saw the woman staring at the celeing with no reaction and started laughing while nudging her.
"Why do you look so stupid?Hey,move!Get up!Don't ruin the mood."
Isabel turned her face and looked at him without moving.
"I don't wanna!And who looks stupid?Check yourself on the mirror before talking." her face scrunched slightly.Gael wasn't angry and just laughed.
"You look so cute right now!"
Isabel froze and looked at hime with her eyes wide open.When was the last time she heard that compliment used for children,10 years maybe 12,but inside she felt really warm and sweet.Then Gael looked at her weirdly.
"Why so shocked?You've always been cute.When was the last time somebody said something good to you?Didn't James-" he remebered and went silent.Isabel continued for him.
"…No…He didn't…He would say a few words rarely and looking back at it…"she paused and looked at the ceiling again "It was only when he got something from me."
Gael didn't know what to say and gently stroked her hair.Isabel didn't avoid him,she was desperate for every speck of affection anyone would show her.Though she was born loved and adored,none of them lasted and they were taken cruelly away from her.
"I'll say good words to you!I'll be there to remind you what you really are.A beautiful,strong,intelligent woman,full of elegance and grace,that also has a gentle,sweet,kind and cute side."Isabel got up and stared at him face to face.They could feel eachothers breath,the smell of wine,with a hint of roses.
The usually sharp emerald eyes,were opened wide and covered with a thin layer of water.The gentle,warm light was reflected,making them shine like real emeralds under the sun.They hadn't changed Gael thought.They were the same as many years ago.No matter how many things they had been through and no matter how many ugly things they had seen,those eyes were still honest,still had a hint of innocence and still carried the same desire to be loved.
The golden eyes looking down at her,seemed like the glowing sun to Isabel.They still looked at her with patience,gentleness and care.They had always been there for her even during her darkest time.Isabel was never a greedy person that would ask for more and would always be thankful for what she had.She had always been scared that if she asked for more,it would be taken away from her.The same had also been with James.Even though she wanted to be spoiled and loved like Hannah was by Gael,she didn't dare think of asking for more.It was enough for her as long as it didn't disappear.
But now someone,was giving her love and not asking for anything in return.Warmth surfaced from deep within her heart and spread all over her body.
Maybe it was the mood,maybe the old feelings that had been reminisced,or maybe the wine,but Gael had the urge to ravish the plump bow shaped lips.That cherry color,glistening under the light was getting more and more inviting.
Gael's face kept getting closer and closer and his gaze more and more in a trance,while Isabel was also looking at him her getting dizzier and dizzier.
Gael soon met a warm wet touch with his lips.Seeing that there was no reaction,he quickly went all out.
Their breaths getting hotter and tangled.Both of them hadn't forgotten eachother and new how to cooperate well with the person in front.The kiss wasn't mainly full of lust,but carried love,gentleness and comfort.
After finally breaking appart.Gael was still cupping her cheeks and staring at down at Isabel,while she was holding the hand on her cheek and panting lightly.They stared at eachother for a while.Suddenly Gael started laughing exitedly like a fool,followed by Isabel who also laughed like one.
"Wow,heheheh!Whew!"
After they calmed down Isabel spoke up.
"Gael…"
"I know,it's too soon for now."
"Let's finish what we have now first and then,let's decide what we'll do next."
"Don't worry!I can wait and you're right we need to sort all of our feelings first.I don't wanna lose you forever." Gael smiled and took her in his arms.
Being in his arms,Isabel felt the huge sense of security she had missed for years.For now,she wasn't alone anymore.
They stood like that,holding eachother for the whole night,slowly drifting to a sweet sleept.This time they didn't need sleeping pills to sleep comfortably.