No risk, no Merlot...

Pushing the heavy door, Lisa threw a glance at everything around her and smiled. There were almost no people and that made the place even comfier. Taking off the soaked raincoat and wasting no time, she approached the bar counter with a confident step. After making her order, the girl started looking around, seeking a place to crash. Lisa chose a small table by the window that had a nice view of the gulf. Taking her powder box, she looked in her mirror. She quickly started tending to her hair, trying to make it look like it was before, lucky for her makeup remained almost perfect. When Lisa was finally satisfied with the result, she put her mirror back in her bag and started looking into the window.

Several minutes later she had her order brought to her. It was a glass of Merlot. Thanking the waiter, she took off her shoes and sat down in a cosy chair. The girl managed to relax, she felt comfortable here and meanwhile something unbelievable started brewing outside. A real storm started to blow, the rain never stopped and the wind kept getting stronger. She was fortunate to avoid all that, or her hair wouldn’t be the only messy thing.

The raging atmosphere outside and the tranquillity inside were like two different worlds, separated only by a thin glass. Taking her drink, Lisa squinted and inhaled its aroma, and mysteriously smiled. It was an incredible smell, taking her back years ago. Taking a small sip, she felt this semi-sweet drink entering through her receptors and spreading all over her body, lending a pleasant fruity flavour. She opened her eyes and yawned. The memory was both old and fresh. It was the time when she was still young and naive when she first started to know life... It was the time when she believed in love at first sight... It was the time when she met Him... when she met Ben. Everything changed since then... Only semi-sweet Merlot tasted the same. The taste of wine, as its smell never changed.

#

Distant memories were interrupted by the girl's thirst. Her glass was empty. Lisa stood up reluctantly and went towards the counter asking for a repeat. She decided to wait for her glass right there and stood there shifting from foot to foot.

Suddenly the girl felt that somebody was looking at her. She turned around and caught the gaze of a man nearby. Not looking away, he moved a glass of whiskey to his lips and took a sip with a mysterious smile. Lisa took her glass, and went straight for her table, intentionally moving like on the podium. On her was she stopped for a second and turned around. The girl looked back at the same “ill-mannered” bloke, who openly stared at her. He never moved his eyes away from her. She felt embarrassed and moved quickly, without any showing off back to her table. Lisa didn’t understand why he was constantly staring at her like that, It’s probably just an uncultured impudent, even though handsome, as she has noticed.

It was getting dark outside, street lights were lit and the storm started to calm down a little. Still feeling the stranger’s gaze, Lisa turned and looked at him again. He looked straight at her, at her legs, to be precise, at her bare feet, to be even more precise. Lisa burst out laughing, she finally got what this stranger stared at her like that. Because she forgot to put her shoes back on when she went to order again. Lisa only imagined what in mush have looked like. Such an elegant woman, all dressed up and walking around barefoot. She took her glass, raised it, winked to a stranger, and took another sip of her favourite Merlot. This time it had different tastes. She managed to catch that intense citrus bouquet mixed with nuts and vanilla. Sitting on her legs, Lisa dived into her memories again.

#

She will always remember her first date with him. It was so romantic and fabulous. It was a warm July evening. Ben took her to a place, where he’d show her something amazing. This place was a “local” bridge which everybody called special. Because it wasn’t only just a structure, it was a miracle of architecture that united two towns. A place, that was somewhat a ticket to another world. Leading Lisa to the centre of a bridge, he hugged her and whispered something in her ear. She remembered his words to this day. Then, on the bridge, Ben told her that this place was special, just like her.

After that, he took his backpack off and took started getting a blanket, grapes and some sweets and of course a bottle of Merlot... No other way without it. Ben didn’t even forget about glasses. Popping up the bottle, he apologized for not bringing the red wine. He wanted to, but then he changed his mind at the last second, this wine was special, after all. Thanks to that particular drink, he met her, and the guy couldn’t help but buy that one. Lisa listened to him and thought how big of a romantic he was... and she liked it.

It was dark already, the wind got colder and Ben took off his jacket and put it on Lisa’s shoulders. And to keep her even warmer, he hugged her, and they sat like that on the bridge, enjoying the beauty of a night town. What a breathtaking sight it was. It was dark everywhere, only thousands of tiny town lights kept the town and everything around it lit. That place, that atmosphere was perfect for a kiss. Ben carefully removed the hair from her face, and running his hand on Lisa’s cheek, leaned to her and kissed her. His lips were as sweet as... And soft like the smell of this drink. She responded to his kisses, and just couldn’t get enough of them. She started feeling lightheaded, and couldn’t be sure why-whether it was his passionate kisses or the bottle of Merlot. Anyways, she didn’t have enough. She was thirsty and she wanted more and more... More wine and his kisses.

That night was a turning point. It was the beginning... their beginning... of their relationship. Many things have changed in her life, including her tastes. She started drinking white wine instead of the red one, for every time she felt that taste, she felt his lips and it seemed that Ben was always near. She stopped reading the news during breakfast. She preferred looking into his void-deep grey eyes that pulled her in like the tornado. She started to sleep less and wake up earlier. She didn’t have much of a choice with him. She stopped worrying about little things. He was in all her thought. She felt in love with those sleepless nights. She was crazy about his perfume. She was intoxicated with his smile. Lisa has changed... She fell in love, she bloomed and she started to live.

And then... Then everything vanished in one day, stopped existing like it was never there before. Ben left no trace as he disappeared in the air like a ghost. One day he was just gone. The only thing was left after He was a broken heart and a bottle of an accursed Merlot, that was lonely placed on the glass table in the dining room. Their relationship was like a match, which bursts so brightly, burns brightly, and then quickly fades. It was in this case too.

Liz felt a tear coming down her cheek. Licking her dry lips, she wiped that solitary tear with her hand. But very carefully, her makeup was still there.

After Ben disappeared, everything in her life had changed. Liz quit her firm, where she had worked and where she had met Ben. She stopped going to places where she went together with him. It wasn’t enough though, she moved to another town, to start anew. She managed to do that. Everything around her turned 360. She felt better. New surroundings, many responsibilities, better opportunities... She had no time for memories.

But today something went wrong. Today was the anniversary since He disappeared. Five whole years. For this long time, she hadn’t tasted her favourite drink, fearing that the taste will bring her both pleasant and hurtful memories. But today she couldn’t help herself, to go through all the again... even if it’s only memories now.

‘That’s for you...’

‘I’m sorry, but I didn’t order anything else.’

‘That is correct... You did not, but that gentleman over there ordered this for you.’ The waiter stood beside her, with a suspicious smile.

‘The one sitting nearby?’

‘That is him.’

‘You know what... Tell this gentleman, that I don’t take any drinks from strangers.’

‘I see. Will do.’

The waiter went to that stranger and, actively gesticulating, said something. Lisa looked at them and smiled from time to time. The man listened, stood up and went somewhere. Lisa shrugged in disappointment and turned to the window. Seeing that it’s quick dark outside, she looked at her watch and yawned. It was a late hour, and she had to wake up early tomorrow. She only put on her shoes, and suddenly felt somebody standing beside her. Lisa looked up and saw that handsome stranger. He held a bottle of her “ex” favourite white wine. He shrugged helplessly and smiled.

‘Good evening... I was informed that you don’t take any drinks from strangers. So, I’ve decided to take a risk. Who doesn’t risk, doesn’t drink champagne.’

‘Merlot, in our case.’ Lisa smiled. She already started to like him. It seems that this evening may yet continue. ‘Well, you may try... Take a risk.’

‘My name’s Benjamin, but you can call me Ben.’

Lisa raised her eyebrows in surprise and looked closely at a handsome, standing in front of her.

‘A pleasure to meet you, Ben. My name’s Lisa. Well, your risk is justified.’

Pointing at an empty chair in front of her, she wondered whether it was a coincidence, or maybe fate. But then again Lisa never believed in coincidences.