C2 Poet's carnation

"Amelie." She heard come from those voluminous lips. "Are you okay? Keep breathing..."

But in the poor entertainment agent's ears it was only her name that resonated in that deep, caramelized voice.

"Hey..." The hand still holding the handkerchief snapped a couple of times in front of her face. "Amelie, are you still with me, do we need to call a doctor?"

Wow.

It was like hearing sweet honey slowly pouring out.

Doctor?

"I'm fine!" She exclaimed a little too loud and high pitched.

Blight! You're working! Get a grip!

"I'm fine." She cleared her throat. "I... I don't know what came over me."

Trying to regain her posture, she tried again to stand up.

But, again, the tight embrace that held her didn't budge.

"Are you sure you can stand up?" the woman asked in a worried tone.

And Amelie was having a very hard time understanding how the brunette went from absurdly attractive to absurdly sweet in tenths of a second.

Focus!

"Yeah, yeah!" She asserted with more encouragement. "I'm peachy, I swear."

The brunette raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

And before Amelie continued to stupidly admire every movement on her face, she felt her body rise into the air.

Out of pure instinct, letting out a startled yelp, she clung to the brunette's neck in a hug, to keep her balance.

Quite the strength!

The young woman laughed softly, vibrating the torso Amelie clung to.

"Sorry!" She said with a smile. "I should have warned you."

Carefully she bent down to put Amelie's legs on the carpet, unintentionally bringing Amelie's face close to her neck.

And Amelie, who was breathing as she always did, couldn't help but take in the scent.

Orange...

Cinnamon...

Honey...

And... Something else.

The brunette pulled herself upright before Amelie could figure out the last scent, frustrating her a bit.

She withdrew her arm from under her knees and also the embrace on her shoulders, still holding her by her arms as she steadied her.

"All right?" she asked again.

Amelie, who was doing her best not to show the boiling hotbed of emotions that was gripping her, nodded.

"You sure?" She confirmed as she lightly stroked the chestnut's arms.

Amelie swallowed hard.

"I'm fine." She said at last with a sigh.

Finally, the brunette released her.

And Amelie was annoyed with herself for how quickly she missed the contact.

What's happening to me?

"Miss Blight?" her secretary, who had a glass of water with her, interjected. "What happened, do you need me to call a doctor?"

"No, no, no!" she stated vehemently, waving her hands. "I just... I just lost strength for a second, I think I got up too quickly."

"Are you sure?" the clerk asked again. "Maybe you should go home..."

"She' s better now Charlie." The brunette interjected, taking the glass of water in her hand. "There's no need to push her any further."

Charlie?

Who was this woman who spoke so confidently to her secretary within minutes of meeting her?

Young Charlene, a short woman with Asian features and pearly skin looked expectantly at her boss.

"I'm fine Charlie." The agent confirmed. "You can go now."

Dubitatively, the petite woman followed in her own footsteps and exited the office.

As the door closed, Amelie regained her posture and her role as a professional agent for Hexide records.

"I'm very sorry about the incident, Miss Noceda." She began as she checked that her attire continued to be impeccable, smoothing out the baggy gray below-the-knee skirt that matched her gray plaid blazer over an understated white cotton blouse. "If you'd like to take seat-"

"Here." Interrupted the young woman handing her the glass of water. "Drink it all."

Amelie looked at the glass for a couple of moments, and it was only then that she realized how dry her throat was.

"Thank you." She said simply as she took the glass.

Thereupon, she drained its contents as gracefully as her avid thirst would allow.

Finishing the contents of the glass, she sighed and set it down on the desk.

"Now." The brunette continued, leaning closer. "Do you want to tell me what happened?"

Amelie looked at her for an instant.

An instant that lengthened as she could finally see her full body.

The tan-skinned woman was extraordinarily tall, almost a head taller than Amelie herself, her build was obviously athletic, if the broad back and stocky shoulders that had supported her gave any clue, her attire was bizarre, but at the same time, ideal for the occasion it merited, a black baseball shirt emblazoned with the New York Yankees logo, open over an orange strappy crop top that matched the beanie, tight, dark, frayed pants that boasted rips at the knees and thighs, with chains hanging from the pockets, and Jordans with orange and black accents completed the outfit.

She was able to notice more than her clothes, of course, the chiseled abs were being very difficult to ignore, as well as the black stone that decorated her navel, on her left collarbone, in elegant calligraphy and watercolors, the word "Roy" was written and on the right, in the same design, was the word "Cami", in addition, on the front of her left shoulder, under what was covering the baseball shirt, she was able to distinguish a "Bichit"...

And... from the neckline of her crop top there was another pattern that particularly caught her attention, but she couldn't quite make it out...

So she observed it attentively.

The woman was the clearest image of urban style.

A style that was not Amelie's taste at all.

So why...

"Are you taking your time to answer or are you enjoying the view?" The brunette interrupted the silence with a sly smile. "Whatever it is, I can wait, preciosa."

Amelie breathed in with surprise, not only at being caught red-handed, but because the brunette had flattered her without warning.

" I-now." She began in a shaky voice, then cleared her throat. "I told you, I just got up too fast."

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." She answered back empathetically, stepping closer as she fiddled with her hands awkwardly. "But I know a panic attack when I see one."

It was interesting to see such a... sullen looking person act so shyly.

She drew trust from her.

Amelie sighed for the umpteenth time.

"Just... Some family issues, it's nothing serious." That was a half-truth. "I just ended up collapsing because of other stuff I have to take care of as well."

"Charlie's idea isn't bad at all." The brunette went on. "I have no problem with rescheduling for another day if you'd rather rest."

Gosh.

Why was she talking to her like they'd known each other their whole lives?

And why did she find it so... Nice?

The idea of a break sounded tempting.

But Amelie needed this contract signed as soon as possible.

"That won't be necessary Miss Noceda-"

"Lola." The brunette interjected soothingly. "NC Lola, and Lola for the folks."

"Lola." Amelie conceded secretly enjoying how the name rolled off her tongue. "I'm perfectly fine, we can begin our meeting just fine."

"Have you eaten already?" Lola asked.

Did she just ignore what I said?

Clearly it's not all about appearances...

"Miss- Lola, I know it's mostly my fault, and I'm truly sorry, but we have an itinerary to keep to and-"

"How much time could you spare?" The brunette asked with a beaming smile.

Amelie grimaced in disbelief.

Which she quickly hid since she was working.

"The time intended for your interview is about 60 minutes." She replied trying to disguise her annoyance.

Lola smiled lazily and cocked her head to the side.

"And have you had lunch yet?"

Amelie sighed calmly.

Very VERY calmly.

"Yes M-Lola, I already had lunch."

But her stomach decided this was the best time to make a fool of her, as it grumbled loudly and outrageously for the first time in her 24 years.

The laugh Lola let out was adorable and that didn't help the obvious blush that stained the pale skin of her face.

"You should eat something, you just literally passed out." The brunette told her as she moved a little closer. "A friend just opened a cafe right down the street! It's nearby, we can have lunch there and talk about the contract terms! What do you think?"

Amelie looked at her with shock and panic.

The singer's exuberant confidence wasn't helping her calm her emotions.

This was professional, she needed to keep it that way.

Calm down Blight, this isn't the first time this had happened.

"I don't think it's a good idea, as I already told you, we have an itinerary to keep to and-"

"What are you going to do after your meeting with me?" she continued lightly.

Amelie stifled a huff.

"I'd really appreciate it if you'd stop interrupting me."

The brunette took another step forward.

"Okay, I promise to stop interrupting you if you tell me what's next on your schedule."

Her smile was impassive, Amelie was starting to think her face must actually hurt.

The auburn folded her arms in annoyance.

She could lie...

"After this meeting..."

The dark eyes glowed with illusion and tenderness.

Get a grip!

"It's my lunch break." She concluded.

THAT WAS JUST WHAT YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO NOT SAY!

Lola did the impossible and smiled even wider.

"There! We have our meeting and you get to eat too, so you have more free time! Let's go, my treat!"

No, no, no, no, no!

"I'm not allowed to take the documents out of building." She excused herself.

The brunette cocked her head to one side, still smiling.

"Don't you have them digital?" she asked placing her hands on either side of the auburn, on top of the desk.

Amelie leaned her body back against the piece of furniture, pulling back a little as she could sense the brunette's body heat.

"I-I do, b-but,"

"What is it?" The ever-smiling woman asked. "We're just going to give them a scan, then we can come back and sign whatever we need to."

" I-I..."

It was then that she realized that the taller woman had cornered her.

Literally.

Feeling her cheeks burn and unable to keep a hint of panic from her voice, she said:

"C-can you step back a little, please?"

Lola frowned, only to widen her eyes in surprise an instant later as she realized the position she had pushed the agent into.

Her toasted skin burst into crimson to then jump half a meter backwards.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" She said in panic waving her hands in front of herself. "I didn't realize, I swear, I' m so embarrassed!"

Amelie sighed with relief, relaxing her body at last.

Awkward silence ensued for several seconds as they both tried to regain their composure.

Finally, after those torturous moments, Lola cleared her throat.

"Sorry... I, uh... I really didn't mean to corner you like that..." She coughed. "Do you, uh, want to go to the cafe?"

" Yeah, right!" Amelie hurried, desperate to get out of that awkward situation. " Let's go!"

She grabbed her purse and slipped a tablet into it, then hurried her pace out of her office.

Lola followed her silently.

It was when she reached the elevator that she realized.

THIS IS PRECISELY WHAT I WANTED TO AVOID!

Now all her colleagues would see her leaving the building with a client!

WITH HER FIRST CLIENT!

"How are you feeling?" Lola asked breaking the silence as they entered the elevator.

Dizzy and overwhelmed.

"I'm just fine, in fact, we can still go back!" she suggested forlornly.

The brunette snorted.

"Nope, I absolutely refuse! You need to eat, I'd hate for you to pass out again, those things don't get ignored." She watched the auburn closely. "Have you eaten anything at least today? It's not that usual to faint from a panic attack if what happened to you wasn't serious..."

Amelie averted her gaze.

"Of course I have eaten!" It was unbelievable how easily she lied.

"Oh yeah?" Lola said with a smile. "What did you eat?"

"I had a green salad and an apple this morning." She lied again.

It was her usual breakfast, so it didn't denote anything odd.

But Lola looked at her in horror.

"Just that?"

"Also a black coffee."

" That' s all?!"

Amelie frowned.

"What's wrong with it?"

"It' s eleven in the morning and you've only eaten vegetables and fruit! That's why you passed out too!"

" That' s what I regularly eat!" the shorter woman claimed as the doors opened on the first floor.

The brunette looked at her with concern.

She didn't comment on it, but that explained the girl's slenderness.

"Are you a vegetarian?" she asked.

"No, I just watch my figure." She said crossing her arms. "I would think you'd understand about that."

"Oh~?" the brunette replied honeyly as they walked down the hallway. "Why would you think that?"

Amelie blushed slightly.

"You don't get the abs you've got by eating junk." She muttered.

Lola laughed softly.

"It's more from exercise than from a diet." She said proudly.

"Is it? What have you ever eaten..." She paused her pace and talk and rubbed her head.

Lola stopped immediately.

"You okay?"

Amelie straightened right away, wishing not to draw attention to herself at all.

"Yes!" She affirmed vehemently. "Just a little twinge."

But as she took a step, her body went sideways, being immediately caught by the brunette.

"Woah!" She said grabbing her again in an iron grip. "You're definitely not well! Amelie, I think if we should go to a doctor."

We?

"No, I'm fine really! It's just..." She sighed in annoyance. "Ugh! I haven't had any breakfast, I just drank coffee."

Lola frowned with concern and a bit of annoyance.

Amelie kept excusing herself.

"I was running late this morning and couldn't eat breakfast, I just need to eat something, really."

"Amelie? Are you feeling okay?"

Oh no.

The one speaking was Hyeronimus Bump, the CEO of Hexide records.

Her boss.

Amelie paled as she noticed they were getting attention from her office mates.

"It's okay Mr. Bump." Lola replied at Amelie's speechlessness. " She skipped breakfast and is feeling a little under the weather, we' re going to a cafe down the street to get her something to eat."

The imposing man, barely taller than Lola, with long black hair, and hazel eyes, or well, at least the one that wasn't covered by a leather patch, boasted a look of concern.

"And who are you young lady?"

"Lola Noceda! Lola to folks and NC Lola to the studio, it's a pleasure to meet you in person!"

The brunette extended her left hand while the other remained clasped to the one who would be her agent.

The man smiled enthusiastically.

"Ah, you're our new prospect! It's a pleasure! I must admit that your songs impressed me miss! I hope we can make great projects in the future!"

"Nothing would please me more sir!"

The man then turned to Amelie.

"Amelie, why didn't you have breakfast?" he asked with an almost fatherly tone.

Amelie hesitated.

"Uh... My alarm didn't go off this morning, I was running late, so I decided to come straight over."

The man frowned.

"Please don't do that again, I can understand an incident, and I don't want anyone to have health problems because of work, I'd rather you be late than pass out in the office. okay?"

Amelie sighed resignedly and nodded slowly.

"Excellent, now... Where did they say you' re going?" the man asked, stroking his chin.

"A friend just opened a cafe very near here!" Lola replied.

"Oh! The Colombian down the street!"

"That's the one!" Lola confirmed. "Cali Caffe."

The man's face brightened.

"Oh, I've been wanting to go all week and haven't had the chance!" she clasped her hands together hopefully. "Could you please bring me something for lunch? I still have some work to do."

"Sure!" Lola replied immediately, not allowing Amelie to interject. "What would you like?"

"Oh, any drink is fine as long as it has coffee, and anything to eat too!" A beep coming from the director's smartwatch interrupted him, the man looked at the device and clicked his teeth. "Excuse me, I have to get back to work."

The man started to walk away heading for the main office.

"After I get my lunch take the rest of the day Amelie." He turned to look at her firmly. "That's an order."

Amelie relaxed her shoulders.

"Yes sir."

The director continued on his way.

"Well..." Lola said a moment later. "Let's get going then."

She stepped forward trying to take Amelie with her.

But the auburn resisted.

"Uh..." She said with confusion. "You can let go now."

Again, the brunette offered her a wide smile.

"I don't think so."

Amelie frowned, still confused.

What?

"Let go of me." She said firmly.

"No." The brunette repeated. "You're weakened, I'm not letting go."

This time, Amelie was annoyed.

"Let go!" She said pushing the taller, and to her misfortune, stronger woman. "Lola!"

"Nope." The brunette reconfirmed echoing the "p". "Now, lean on me, we have to get to the cafe."

"I'm perfectly capable of walking by myself! Let go of me!"

"You think that, but I don't, and your face is too pretty to hit the ground, so I won't."

Amelie blushed up to her ears and her heart fluttered in panic as she heard some giggles around her.

"This is totally inappropriate! Get off me!"

Lola grimaced in discomfort and seemed to think for a few seconds.

Then the smile returned to her face.

But it wasn't the same affable smile she' d been flashing her all morning.

It was much... Darker, as if she was going to play mischief.

The brunette tightened her arm around her and leaned down until she rested her mouth close to her ear.

Amelie froze.

"Look, you have two choices." She whispered soothingly, causing a shiver to run down the auburn's spine. "Either you lean on me until we get to the cafe, or I''ll carry you in my arms, so what will it be?"

Amelie was sure she was blushing down to her shoulders.

She was making a fool of her in the office!

"N-n-n-n-none!" She managed to utter at last in a choked voice. "Let go of me! People are staring!"

Lola laughed gleefully.

"And they're gonna stare even more." She whispered again in her ear as she brought her opposite arm to the inside of the agent's knees.

Amelie's soul escaped from her body as she felt her pulling her up.

"Okay okay okay!" she whispered loudly. " I-I'm leaning on you, but please don't lift me!"

Still within earshot, Lola let out soft giggles.

Lovely.

AGH!

The brunette's hand rested on and secured on her shoulder, while with the other, she guided Amelie's hand around her waist.

Just so her fingertips stopped touching the fabric of the Yankees shirt to feel the toasty skin's softness and the rigidity of her abdomen underneath.

Amelie swallowed hard.

It's only a few steps, keep calm.

" Let's move!" She told her in a sweet voice, then took the first step.

Tightening her grip again, Amelie realized that the best way to keep up, was to lean her weight on the taller woman.

As they exited the building she could see Scarlet, the receptionist, cover her mouth with her hands trying to hide a giant grin.

Amelie grunted in annoyance as they walked outside.

"Are you okay?" Lola asked pulling her even closer to herself.

"Yes!" Amelie was starting to get annoyed with her way of speaking around that woman. "I just remembered something."

"Your family's situation?" She asked him empathetically. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, but I can listen if you need to talk."

Right, Amity.

With all the commotion Lola had given her, she'd forgotten about her little sister.

The auburn sighed.

"It's no big deal... Just... My little sister's having some trouble at school."

Lola arched an eyebrow.

"It must be complicated if that gave you a panic attack."

"I don't know..." Amelie sighed again. "I think... I think she might have a crush..."

Lola snorted.

"And what's the problem with that?"

Amelie glared at her.

Lola responded by showing her her free hand innocently.

"Sorry, sorry!" Then she lowered her voice tone. "What's wrong with it, she's too young?"

"No, she's fifteen."

"Then what are you so worried about, did she fall in love with someone bad?"

"Who said anything about love?!" She rebutted as they continued walking down the sidewalk.

"Woah." Lola exclaimed almost laughing. "Relax, it's just a manner of speaking, does she like someone bad?"

Amelie regained her composure and inadvertently began to fiddle with Lola's shirt.

"I don't think so... More like, I don't think my parents would like the idea, it seems like an impossible relationship to me and... I know what she's like, she's never been through this before... I'm afraid she'll get hurt."

Lola cocked her head curiously.

"Why would it be impossible?"

Amelie pondered.

Because it's a sin.

That was the simplest answer.

But she wasn't sure Lola would agree with her.

And she didn't want to come off as a homophobe to her first client.

Because she wasn't!

It's just...

God's law is God's law.

"It's... Complicated."

"Hmmm..." Lola mused returning her gaze to the front.

But Amelie could feel her slowly stroking her shoulder with her thumb.

And it was conflicting how comforting she found it.

"You don't have to tell me more if you don't feel comfortable." She told her after a couple of steps. "But... The heart doesn't choose... It just happens... That's how we learn to live, by stumbling... And if your little sister stumbles... You can only help her up and try to teach her not to fall again."

The brunette pulled Amelie closer to keep them from colliding with a rushing executive.

"I have a little sister, too." She continued. "And she doesn't always listen to me, but I can't intrude too much, because then I wouldn't let her live on her own, and that's not right, because I'm not going to be with her all the time and she needs to know how to solve her problems on her own... So I just try to be with her whenever she needs me, the rest... It will be up to her to learn how to figure it out on her own."

Amelie watched the face of the woman she had just met all along, her annoying attractiveness not distracting her enough to ignore the wisdom of her words.

And her voice... Somehow it soothed the turmoil in her gut.

"Besides..." Lola interrupted the silence again. "I trust her, she's smart and knows how to take care of herself, and if your little sister is half as smart as you, she'll know her way out of trouble."

Amelie smiled warmly.

"And how do you know I'm smart?" She questioned mockingly. "You met me by passing out in an office fifteen minutes ago."

Lola laughed loudly, vibrating her body under Amelie's hands.

"It was an interesting first impression, really!" She said as she stilled her laughter. "But I don't think the best entertainment company in the world would hire unintelligent people, especially if those people appreciate my music."

Amelie looked at her arching an eyebrow.

"I haven't heard your music yet."

Lola gasped in surprise.

"You haven't?"

"No." Amelie continued. "It's a branch policy, Director Bump does his best to assign us to artists we haven't heard before, so that we have fresh judgment when we hear them for the first time."

"Hmmm..." Lola mused. "Then I guess your intelligence remains to be seen."

Amelie laughed, surprising herself.

"Thank you." She mused. "I was having a pretty bad day... I think you're just who I needed to listen to."

Lola blushed slightly and laughed softly.

Did I just flirt with her?

"Well, I thought this was the best day of my life because I was finally getting signed to a record label, but I'm starting to think it might be for another reason."

DID SHE JUST FLIRT WITH ME?!

Oh no.

Ohnononononononono.

"Here we are!" the brunette announced, pointing to a small cafe with cheerful colors and flowers nearby.

Cali Caffe, Colombian in New York.

They approached the door, where Lola finally let go of her, so she could open the door.

How can you be cold in the middle of the hot summer?

She was ashamed of the relief she felt when the brunette wrapped her back into her embrace.

"Come on linda." She told him walking again.

" QUE' LO QUE NICO!" She heard her yell to the young tanned man behind the bar.

"Hey Lolita!" the young man replied lifting the bar to exit. "Bien o qué!"

Oh, wow.

Spanish.

Fin C2.