“Very well, proceed according to your timeline.”
“Excellent. I look forward to a smooth collaboration,” Stella affirmed, packing away her notebook.
“The decision to move forward will depend on the quality of your initial sketch,” Eloise remarked nonchalantly.
Stella furrowed her brow, sensing an odd undertone in Eloise’s words.
However, before she could probe further, Eloise had already signaled for the waiter.
The waiter entered, cradling a bottle of brandy.
Eloise accepted it gracefully and dismissed him with a nod.
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Pouring a glass for each of them, Eloise raised her glass, a seemingly warm smile curling her lips.
“Since we’ve arrived at a tentative agreement, would you care to toast to a fruitful collaboration?”
Something about Eloise’s smile unsettled Stella, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. Choosing to set aside her reservations, Stella lifted her glass.
“To a successful partnership,” Stella declared, raising her glass.
In a show of good faith, Stella downed her glass in one swift motion.
The brandy was harsh, and she coughed as she set the glass back on the table, quickly covering her mouth.
“My apologies,” she said.
“It appears you enjoy the brandy,” Eloise remarked as she refilled Stella’s glass.
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“This bottle was specially chosen by Dulce. Unique in both age and flavor. Since you seem to like it, why not have another?”
Her intention was obvious.
Caught in a bind, Stella felt unable to decline the generosity extended in Dulce’s name.
She reluctantly took another sip, finishing her second glass.
Her cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink as she felt the effects of the alcohol.
“It’s getting late. I should be going.” Eloise rose from her seat without having sipped even a drop of her own wine.
Stella, somewhat disconcerted but polite, escorted her out.
Once Eloise’s car vanished into the distance, Stella stepped out of the restaurant. A wave of dizziness washed over her, making her feet feel as though they were floating.
She grabbed a nearby pillar, shaking her head to clear her mind.