Page 15 of Julian's Curse

“Would you like a drink?” an older waiter, dressed in a stylish French waitstaff uniform interrupted us, drawing my attention away from the beautiful surprise. He had a distinguished air about him, with silvering hair neatly combed back and a neatly trimmed mustache that added to his refined appearance. His calm, steady movements reflected years of experience, and the warmth in his eyes suggested a genuine desire to make his guests feel welcome.

“Please, a glass of Malbec,” I quickly decided. Julian followed suit by choosing another red wine from the list. I couldn’t help but feel like he was trying hard for everything to be perfect. We shared perfectionistic tendencies, except I’d lately been embracing more of authenticity. They weren’t necessarily mutually exclusive, though. Perfect authenticity turned easily into art, as my mom used to say.

The waiter jotted down a few notes and then vanished into the back. The candle on the table flickered gently in the cool air.

“Thank you,” I looked at Julian, while he helped me in my seat. “The setting is absolutely gorgeous,” I remarked, taking in the elegance of the surroundings.

“It’s nothing, Lucie.” His eyes shone like molten silver, but there was something different about them today—an unusual confidence. I liked it, and attributed it to his recent new Lamborghini purchase. The custom white Aventador had been his childhood dream, a seemingly impossible wish for a little boy growing up in scarcity and abuse, turning into reality. He had to turn into a billionaire to finally justify such an expense without guilt. It was a milestone, and I felt honored to be part of it.

“It’s more than just a car. It’s part of my story.” He’d said to me earlier.

I knew the tales behind his scars. Yeah, it was most definitely the new car, I thought.

“Are you excited for Dubai?” I asked, eager to fuel the flame of his success. The resort was about to become a monumental return on his investment.

“Not as excited as I should be because you’re not coming.” He flashed me a brilliant smile. It would always be my favorite feature of his. It reached his eyes, which sparkled with genuine warmth. Aside from his communication skills, I’d identified it as the one reason why he’d gotten so ahead in life.

But he didn’t need to remind me. Days apart could feel like weeks apart at a time.

“You know what they say. Absence makes the heart grow fonder…” I reminded him of this well-worn cliché.

“My heart grows fonder when you’re in my bed,” he objected.

I narrowed my gaze. “How about we make up for it all tonight?” I suggested playfully.

“Let’s not sleep then,” he sent me a mischievous grin.

A blush crept up my cheeks. Could our passionate relationship be any better? No, it couldn’t. It transcended anything I’d ever felt or experienced with anyone. He leaned in closer, his lips just inches from mine, making my breath catch. But then, as if caught by some sudden thought, he straightened and gave me a knowing look. “Will you excuse me?” Julian suddenly stood up.

“Go ahead,” I nodded, figuring he probably needed to use the bathroom after our long walk. He gave me a lingering smile before heading off, his departure leaving a quiet space between us. I let my thoughts wander before the waitress showed up with our two glasses of wine. I didn’t wait for Julian to return before taking a sip. A warm glow spread through me, much like a wave of relief. Everything seemed less of a problem on the 12thfloor of Mister A’s, while I was on a fabulous date with the best-looking man alive, it wasn’t just my tipsy opinion either. SoberEsquirehad backed me up on this one, declaring him a heartthrob in one of their polls. It was the one time I actually agreed with a superficial survey like that.

I took my phone out to snap a photo of the stunning view, then noticed I’d received a new message.

What did James say?It was Val. She typically didn’t care much about this kind of stuff, so it surprised me that she was so invested. My phone dinged as she sent a link.James Stone Hints at Mystery Ex-Girlfriend Behind His Latest Music,the headline read.

Not yet, work was cray today.I typed.I found out Amanda is selling her company.

You better act fast baby girl, before this gets out of control.She seemed so focused on James that she didn’t even comment on the fact I was about to potentially lose my job.

Okay, maybe the 12th floor couldn’t save me from everything. Unless I planned to toss my phone over the edge. I mighthave considered it, but then I remembered how it also fed my dopamine addiction. Like everyone else my age, I couldn’t stay away from my phone for too long.

“Everything okay?” Julian reappeared, seemingly noticing my sudden frustration.

“Yeah, everything’s perfect,” I convinced us both, determined not to let the memory of an ex ruin our special day. “I’m just trying to decide on something from the menu.” I pulled the booklet closer. “I’m tempted to order a steak with you,” knowing full well what he’d choose. However, among my New Year’s resolutions, still lingering in the back of my mind, was to eat less red meat. I felt guilty for the animals and the planet, so I decided I’d exercise some restraint this time.

I quickly scanned the menu for fish options, but most were cooked, except for an appetizer called Bluefin Tuna Tiradito. It was an easy first choice; I always gravitated toward raw fish when I had the chance. “You know I’ll have the Tuna appetizer as the main,” I concluded the decision-making process. “And yes, let’s do a side of truffle fries.”

The waiter returned just in time to overhear our conversation and take our order.

What a contrast to my diet a year ago, when I was on a tight budget and could barely afford anything beyond simple meals from Grocery Outlet. I’d never stop being grateful for my change of luck. I’d made some bold decisions to get to where I was now, but still, I couldn’t take any of it for granted.

“I’ll go with the ribeye,” Julian thanked the waitress while she grabbed both of our menus. “Medium done, please.”

It was a balmy night, so we didn’t even need the heat lamps around us. Still, they brought a pleasant warmth to the experience.

“Maybe instead of going to Tahiti, Lucie, we could take a weekend trip to visit your Gram.” He proposed. “I’d love to see more of your home again.”

I grinned. “You know you can always convince me to join you on a trip like that.”

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