Hopeful and Hopeless

Two.

"I like to be surrounded by splendid things." - Freddie Mercury

Monday, March 5th, 2018

AS MUCH AS THIS NIGHT is very magical, I've never been one for parties. Continuously socialising with people is extremely tiring and I have no idea how some people do this all the time all while enjoying themselves. I excuse myself from my conversation with Willa and Julian, making my way towards the pop-up bar.

"Just one champagne please," I ask the bartender and he nods curtly, pulling out a champagne bottle. As he begins to pour it, I lean back on the bench, looking around my brand new café, making sure everyone is having a good idea. The faint jazz music is drowned out by all of the chatter and buzz of the guests. I feel someone's presence next to me but I continue to gaze around the crowd.

"Quite the party you've got going on here." The presence speaks and I perk up, turning to them. I'm shocked to be faced with a chin, my eyes follow upwards and I am met with the mystery man's face. He's tall, very tall. Or maybe I'm just very short. I'm probably just short. That's so not fair. I'm wearing heels and everything.

"Unfortunately, I can only take credit for a little bit of it," I reply, studying his facial features. He has very nice hair. Like abnormally nice hair, the type that you just want to run your hands through, constantly. His bulky arms are folded across his chest as he leans back on the bar. A pair of round-rimmed glasses sits on his nose perfectly. Wow, I'm glad I didn't wear my glasses otherwise we would've clashed.

"Well, this is your café, right? You've got to at least take credit for that." He looks around in awe and I smile, also looking around.

"Okay, I'll take that," I admit with a chuckle, turning back to the guy. He is still looking around and I take notice of his sharp jawline. All of his facial features are especially sharp and defined, matching his poised demeanour. "I'm Emilie," I say and he looks back at me, grinning.

"Oh, I know. You're the talk of the night." He keeps his grin intact and I blush slightly. I'm glad he can't see my rosy cheeks with this very dim lighting. "I'm Lukas or Luke. I have to be honest. I was going to buy you a drink, but you beat me to it." He gestures to my drink. Ah so cliche, it happens to the best of us.

"That's awfully presumptuous of you to think that I would want you to buy me a drink." I tease him, keeping my eyes on the party in front of us. He stays quiet for a few moments, obviously not used to being rejected.

"Not going to lie, that usually works." He finally replies and I let out a chuckle.

"I'm a tough shell to crack Lukas, I apologise." I turn to face him again, noticing that he's

"Well, it's a good thing I like a challenge." He grins playfully and there is a hint of something in his eyes that causes a ruckus of butterflies to come to life in my stomach.

Not sure how to reply, I decided to retreat. "It really was lovely meeting you Lukas. But, I should probably get back to mingling." I put my empty glass down on the bar, giving him a little nod before sauntering off.

I catch Willa's attention very quickly and she shuffles over to me. Her blonde hair is slightly falling out of its bun at the top of her head, "You will not guess who came." She rambles urgently and I stare at her, completely concerned. I open my mouth to tell her that I won't be able to guess but she very quickly cuts me off, "Joseph Berkeley." She states as if I'm supposed to know who he is.

I look at her expectantly, shaking my head.

"Joseph Berkeley, headmaster of Berkeley University, which is currently the highest ranked University in the country. Does that ring a bell to you?" She questions expectantly and my eyes widen. Why would someone so supposedly important want to come to my café opening? What is he getting out of it? "He's over there with his wife and his son is somewhere here too," She points to the corner of the room where a man stands tall, next to his equally as tall wife. His hair is dark and slicked back, whereas her hair is light and sits at her shoulders neatly. "Come on, we should introduce ourselves." She links our arms and leads me away.