berkeleys​:
From experience alone, Pilar Vercio demands for an entire schedule wiped clean, rather than an hour gap between meetings. Their talks is the stuff of vivid Californian dreams, stretching from a late afternoon well into the mid-nights. Several glasses of wine were too few. But he’s happy to hang the politician coat up, and indulge with her.Â
It’s still political, of course — words and paychecks still count, no matter how good the Bordeaux. But between the man and the image, she would always appreciate Julian’s most authentic self. Or — as much as he can manage it, anyway.Â
“I’m sorry for making you wait,” he says, and takes her hand. “Camilla just realized that if she pouts, then I won’t leave the house.” The older his daughter grows, the more daring she becomes. “You look stunning.” A timely kiss, to the back of Pilar’s knuckles. “Well, you can have as many as you won’t. So long as you don’t judge me for what I choose to have.” Quip, and a laugh. “How’s their Bourbon?”Â
-
“ Haven’t I told you ? You have to sneak out the back once they hit a certain age . I’ve began to put both Nathaniel and Kendall to sleep — or at least try to occupy them the best way that I can — before making my grand escape . “ She chuckled , placing one of the empty shrimp shells back onto the tray of ice . The ambience was intimate - one would say a little too intimate for the conversation the two were set to have . Blame Pilar — she’s a woman of dramatics and honestly , the lounge had a mobster or ... gangster like feel . Meetings off the record sort of place .Â
“ Their bourbon’s quite good actually and honestly , an old - fashioned sounds quite good right about now ... “ She lifted her hand to gently wave over a near-by server . “ I’m sure you’d like one too . Or are you gonna take yours neat on-the-rocks ? “ Pilar asked with a knowing tone , a quick smile forming . “ Just don’t drink too much , Gov’na . We have business to discuss tonight . “Â










