la vie en rose

i said it was impossible ... without me!

[angelangeliques]

Name: Angelique Alexandre Age: Twenty-eight Occupation: Interior designer/Party planner Sexuality: Bisexual Pronouns: She/Her Currently Playing: La Vie en Rose by Edith Piaf Big Three: Capricorn sun, Aries moon, Leo rising

Headcanons:

The Alexandre family has been working for the same hotel since it has been established, working as their decorators for generations. With an eye for how to make a room look its very best, of course she followed in her family’s footsteps to a stable job that she knew would be there for her after design school. Though the current head of the hotel, Adam, is less than gentle, Angelique doesn’t really mind him. She’s got a sharp wit and knows how to command a room both visually and emotionally, leading her design team and an assistant to making the hotel look the best it can be.

Her relationship with Blaise is a complicated one. He was her very first and only love in her life, and it was likely the love she had for him that made their breakup so amicable. They were young, and Angelique wanted more for herself, to experience things and come back to the hotel and Adam’s business later on in life. The plan had always been to return eventually, which was what she’d been holding onto since her departure. In the meantime, Angelique went to design school, traveled a bit to gain inspiration, and dated around, though no one has quite captured her heart like Blaise did. Angelique is usually very direct with people, but she has a soft spot for the chef that she’s never held for anyone else before. She has prepared herself for it being strange, reuniting with him, but is actually quite terrified.

Angelique is a huge fan of HGTV. She would actively convince one of the Property Brothers to give up their wife/girlfriend if she could; she'd love a husband who could put together exactly what she designed. In truth, though, she would never date a contractor. Angelique needs someone who has some sort of artistic bone in their body.

Though she wants to redesign all the homes and apartments around Echo Isle, the space that needs the most re-decorating is Adam's. It's so old, empty, and could use the feeling of home. She’s been so focused on working on his hotel that his home could really benefit from a face-lift. Angelique knows that he wouldn’t go for it, but she can be convincing.

Christmas is Angelique's favorite holiday. The holly and ornaments around the town are her most favorite decorations; it is more special than she could ever come up with on her own. The classic feel of snow and joy is timeless, and Angelique can't help but fall in love with it. She makes sure to have time on her schedule to take decorating jobs so that she can get literally paid to get people in the spirit.

Afraid of heights. Doesn't know why, but Angelique cannot stand the thought of being put on a platform.

Wants to be a mother, but can't figure out who would be a suitable father and how she'd balance her professional aspirations with motherhood. Angelique also is too afraid that she’d be too particular and harsh with her child. In truth, she’s terrified of being a bad mother and giving her child too much trauma. Angelique has only ever considered Blaise as a suitable father for any child in her future, and with their breakup, she wouldn’t even entertain anyone else having a lifelong, genetic connection to her.

Interested in the McDuck mansion. She hasn't found a way inside yet to take a look, but Angelique is confident she can find a way. The architecture is stunning, and she’s sure that the inside must be just as beautiful. Old furniture pieces are some of her favorites to admire, much like the ones in the lobby at the hotel. 

Finds Cogsworth and Lumiere amateurs at running Adam’s fortune and hotel. They need a female to keep their amateur-level tendencies in check, which was mostly why she came back to work for him. After sharpening her skills elsewhere, it’s a nice change of pace to come back to where she started and rub in just how much better she’s gotten at her job.

Her best friend is Belle, as she finds her free spirit and creativity so enlightening. She doesn’t know what attracts the woman so much to Adam and his friends, since she could do much better for herself, but she won’t question it, as it keeps the brunette around. Angelique appreciates the wanderlust that Belle has, the sense of adventure she longs for that Angelique never did in her heart.

Designs weddings on the side. They're temporary, but Angelique knows they'll last forever in someone's mind. Plus, they're a quick way to earn some cash.

Had French parents, hence her use of the language from time to time. 

[blaiselumi]

//closed starter @angelangeliques

Blaise had anticipated that their paths would inevitably cross again. Since their last conversation at the party, where he had discreetly left early to avoid further commotion, Angelique had maintained a silence between them, and him with her. He hadn't found any words that he hadn't already expressed during their last conversation. So, when he spotted her passing by the restaurant as he smoked just outside the entrance, he immediately took his cigarette down, blew the smoke away, and observed her approaching. She moved with a light breeze tousling her blonde hair, and her boots clacked against the cobblestones. Blaise sensed it was about work, especially since Claude had informed him that they needed to discuss the menu and schedule. "Don't treat me like a stranger," he interjected swiftly, aware of Angelique's colder-than-winter demeanor. "I promise Claude that nothing will interfere with us, but it doesn't mean I'm okay with this setup," he admitted, his tone honest. "And I have something else to tell you," he added, placing the cigarette back between his lips.

[angelangeliques]

Angelique was avoiding Blaise like the plague. She really had no interest in hearing what excuse he had for why he'd treated her the way he had, especially since discovering that the woman who he'd left her for now was one of her only real friends at the restaurant. They hadn't had a reason to communicate directly, which left Angelique without a single thing to say to him. She could tell that he was holding himself back a bit, always seeming like he was ready to blurt something out at her like he had just now. Truthfully, Angelique had been heading into the restaurant to check the availability for a table of two of her own, but running into Blaise while looking as good as she did was simply an added bonus. The blonde kept her head down, hoping that he wouldn't say anything up until the moment that his request had been made. "I don't need to hear anything that you have to say," she replied in passing, swinging open the door to the restaurant to head inside and leave Blaise with his cigarette. Curiosity would not get the best of her, not as long as she could help it.

[morethandusting]

who: @angelangeliques where: fifi's apartment

This had been a day that was coming for quite some time but now that it had arrived she felt illprepared. Even though she'd gone through what she wanted to say in her head she expected it to go blank once she had to say it. Angelique had been kind enough to come over so that they may talk but Fifi knew she was unprepared for what conversation would be had that evening. The brunette looked across the table at her friend, a pang of guilt hitting her as she did. As much as she wanted for it to go well she knew there was a high chance that the blond would be upset. Rightfully so, as was she when she found out it was her that he'd run to that night; the girls having more in common than they even know. "I love this time of year but I'm quite ready for the dinner to be over with so that I may get back to my normal routine," she rattled off. With a heavy sigh, she changed their conversation from how work was going to the matter that she'd asked her to come here for. "Angelique, I must confess I have asked you to visit for more than our usual chats. There's something I cannot keep from you and I don't wish to keep it from you any longer."

[angelangeliques]

Angelique was making the noble attempt to not let anything that had happened between her and Blaise affect her work or any of the friendships she'd formed there. She knew that it was inevitably going to be a little awkward in the beginning, but she hoped that it wasn't going to affect her work life too negatively. At least things seemed to be kept the same between herself and some of the other employees, including his two best friends, and the girl who she'd befriended rather quickly. Angelique needed this desperately: a night away from anyone with testosterone to simply check in and see if the brunette had heard anything about what her ex was up to. "Almost, cherie," she reminded her as she tapped her wine glass to the other. With narrowed eyes, Angelique sat up a bit--she didn't think there was a reason for her to be here besides spending a night with a friend. "Oh?" she responded, admittedly a bit confused. What was so important that it had to be communicated like this? "Of course, is something wrong?"

[eveningstarwiishes]

A small, partially forced smile grew on her lips as she nodded her head ever so slightly at Angelique’s insistence that she still looked fine as well as her offer to help fix up the few flaws that were there. Likely running mascara and smudged eyeliners from the crying, even though she had worn waterproof everything - even the best of the best wasn’t completely immune to the damages of a crying session. “Thanks. You’re a real doll, you know that right,” she compliments, genuinely meaning it and not just using the expression sarcastically the way so many other women from the south might.

The smile falters though the moment that the other blonde says Blaise’s name as her heart drops instantly at the realization that Angelique could potentially be the woman that he had been talking about tonight. Or potentially not, she could still be just another girl he had on the side, much like Lottie was herself. Either way knowing now that her newfound friend had also in some way been burned by the same man only caused the ache in her chest to worsen, her pain now for both herself as well as Angelique. “Yes, it was Blaise. I take it you know him too?” It was a rhetorical question, as that much was already clear even as the tears continued to lightly fall down from Lottie’s eyes. “It seemed pretty clear he didn’t me, at least not as anythin’ serious.” shaking her head, she wiped at her face and pushed her shoulders back to both figuratively and literally stand a bit taller. “Angelique, if you’re the gal that he’s actually after, I gotta let ya know - he is not worth it. I bet anythin’ the only reason he broke it off with me was ‘cause I asked for more. If it weren’t for that, I really think he’d still be draggin’ me along. He might say you’re the only one he wants, but I wouldn’t believe it for a second.” Or at least, that was how it felt to her, considering Blaise had been more than happy to pull her aside for a quick potential hook up tonight, only ever pulling away or seeming like he regretted it when she had opened up about her own feelings.

[angelangeliques]

"I try," she quickly replied, returning the smile. Angelique had found it hard to make friends with her French background at times--there was a cultural disconnect that some people didn't understand the way Blaise did. He made her feel like she was back home in a way that she was now infuriated that he took away. But, with Lottie, it the southern charm that poured out of her surprisingly hadn't become as annoying as Angelique thought it might be. Instead, it was endearing, because she knew that the other blonde truly meant it instead of trying to be sugary sweet just for show.

Angelique nodded at her, knowing that the answer might change how she felt about her. Having a past with Blaise Lumiere had become a sort of branding that she was tired of having, but at least she would now be free from it. There were certain people in her life who she could not, and would not, hurt by settling for whatever halfhearted attention her ex wanted to give her while he continued to shop around. "I do know him, oui. We were together before I left the island for a while. It was serious, back then, but I needed to travel, to explore, and not hold myself back for anyone else." She took her friend's hand, giving another nod of her head in agreement at her sour sentiment toward the man. "I asked him for more, too, this time, but … I don't think it's me, Lottie. And even if it was, I couldn't do that to you. I asked him for an answer, and he couldn't give it to me, so I suspected it was you, but--if it's not you, then … I don't know. There has to be someone else," she wondered aloud. Angelique instinctively pulled the other girl into a hug, feeling the sort of bond with her now that only came from being hurt by the same person. "I'm so sorry, I would've warned you about him if I'd known he was trying to keep you around, too."

[morethandusting]

꙳ ꙳ ꙳

At first, she thought of her date and if somehow, somehow her friend had found out about it all. Fifi froze as if she'd been caught but as Angelique kept talking she relaxed again. It was becoming more and more apparent that she was in a sticky situation that she hadn't even created. Still, she had to take some fault as Fifi had been the one who learned the truth from Blaise and still decided to join him that evening. This was part of what she signed up for when attending with her ex-boyfriend. Now she felt like she was even keeping some of that from Angelique, only hoping the man confessed before she would. "Says you! The most beautiful woman I ever laid my eyes on," Fifi replied, motioning to her friend as she twirled. "It looks like you two threw the party of the year, perhaps even the century." A laugh between them was necessary, especially if the night continued how Fifi feared it might. That's another reason why drinks were an excellent idea. "You read my mind," she said with a smile, looping her arm with her friends as they headed towards the bar. "Besides, you deserve it after all your hard work."

[angelangeliques]

Angelique playfully rolled her eyes at her friend at the compliment, as though to brush it off. It was a shame that she looked so good and the person who she'd put in effort for didn't care about it. At least Fifi and Lottie agreed; they mattered more to her, anyway. "I'll agree with that until we plan the next one. There's no point in throwing parties unless the people enjoy themselves more each time." With her arm in Fifi's, they headed toward the bar, where Angeilque simply slipped behind the counter without second thought. The bartenders knew her by now; she'd been the one to hire them, after all. "Something strong," she mumbled to herself, before simply taking a bottle of tequila and glasses for the two of them. "Do you think men will ever get better with age? I've waited too long for them to still be this foolish, don't you agree? Especially when this is supposed to be mine and Lottie's night, not anyone else's. Some people don't know how to let anyone else have the spotlight for even a minute," Angelique rambled as she pulled Fifi in the other direction, headed toward the balcony.

[blaiselumi]

Blaise suppressed a sigh, biting his lip as he cast his gaze downward. He recognized the delicate nature of his words, understanding that any response he gave might only make matters worse. However, Angelique had explicitly requested honesty, a request he felt compelled to honor. With a deep breath, he met her gaze, fully prepared to confront the evident anger seen across her eyes. "Yes," he replied, his sigh a subtle acknowledgment of the weight of his admission. Summoning the courage to be forthright, he continued, "I am in love with someone else, Angelique." His tone carried a sense of conviction, as he finally accepted his own faults.

The confession hung in the air, and he bit his lip once more, a visible sign of the internal struggle he faced. "I never stopped loving her." His expression betrayed a mix of regret and acceptance, as he grappled with the consequences of his actions. This time, he was more resolute, recognizing the need to own up to a significant mistake. "If you're going to be angry with me, I accept it," he declared, his apology sincere and unguarded. "But that's the truth, and I deeply regret not realizing it sooner." In his admission, he revealed a sense of remorse, understanding the hurt he had caused to two women who he knew deserved better.

[angelangeliques]

It was a slap in the face. Angelique recalled every time she'd seen him since they'd reconnected: every word, each kiss, and, most embarrassingly, her suggestion to get back together blurring into the same lie. She was a fool to believe that his hesitation simply meant that he needed more time to decide what he wanted when, instead, it was an indication of his heart belonging to someone else. Though her throat tightened with the threat of tears, Angelique would not let him see her cry. She'd re-opened a chapter of her life that was better left closed, and it had been her own fault. To give him the satisfaction of believing that she was sad was a piece of her dignity she would hold onto for dear life.

It was the girl who he'd left to come get her, the same one she'd namely asked him about the last time they'd been together. As what felt like a slap turned into a full punch to the gut, Angelique took a small step forward to inflict the same pain she was feeling onto Blaise as her hand hit his cheek. Her hand buzzed with the sting for a moment as she realized what she'd done: her body had moved faster than her mind could, leaving her in just as much shock as Blaise stood in. As a waiter passed, she took a glass of champagne off his tray, the coolness soothing her grip. Angelique took a step back, her expression emotionless as she watched Blaise grip his face. "Do not speak to me or Lottie again, do you understand? We're finished."

[blaiselumi]

Blaise was taken aback when the cold liquid hit his face, jolting him out of his daze. Her piercing blue eyes were locked onto him, and he realized he had made a colossal mistake—although he wasn't entirely sure in what way. "I, I don't…" he stammered, lost for words. Blaise struggled to find an explanation, unsure of whether one was even needed. He wanted to ask how she found out about his involvement with Lottie, but that seemed like the wrong question to ask at this point.

"I'm sorry, okay?" he began, trying to clarify, though he knew an apology might not suffice. "I don't know. I wanted to try it with her, but it didn't work out, and I'm sorry I didn't end it sooner," he explained, hoping to convey his genuine sincerity. "I'm really sorry, Angelique. I swear I didn't mean for any of this to happen."

[angelangeliques]

With clear confusion on his face, Angelique felt not a shred of guilt for jolting him with the splash of champagne. It didn't matter how she knew the other woman, or how she found out what he'd done, but that it had happened in the first place. Not only had he led her to believe that perhaps they could get back to where they'd been before, but he let Lottie believe the same. Lottie had told her that he felt so strongly about someone else, leading to her own break with him, but somehow, Angelique doubted that that woman was her.

"It's not even me, is it? You told her you had feelings for someone else." She knew him better than any person she'd ever let in her life, and she also knew what being loved by Blaise Lumiere felt like. What she'd felt years ago was doubtless, while lately, Angelique had been consumed with the worry that she was making a fool of herself for trying. "Be honest with me, or I swear, you'll be soaked with an entire bottle," Angelique demanded, taking a step toward him. "There's someone else, too, isn't there?

[eveningstarwiishes]

“Does it look that bad?” was the first question out of her lips the moment Angelique came over and took in her likely disheveled appearance. Or well, disheveled from the heiress’s point of view - a bit of smeared mascara and tear streaks might as well be a screaming cry for help as far as Lottie was concerned. It was rare for her to ever let her guard down long enough to be seen like this. But thankfully it was only her date and event planner seeing her like this, meaning if her ruined makeup really was as bad as she was picturing it to be, Angelique would help her take care of it. It was just girl code, really. You don’t let another sister in distress drown without throwing out a life vest for her. And the other blonde seemed exactly like the type of woman to honor that unspoken rule.

Sighing softly, there was the briefest of hesitations before Lottie owned up to everything that had just gone down. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust the other woman, of course she did, but admitting how she had been so obviously and heartlessly rejected by the man she had been pursuing for months was just embarrassing. It’s not the type of story she really wants to share. But the same overwhelming feeling that had urged her to confess to Blaise in the first place had her spilling her guts once more to Angelique this time. “I’ve been seein’ this guy, just casually, for awhile now. And I really liked him. I kept thinkin’ maybe things would change and we could bee more than just you know, fuck buddies or whatever he would want to call it. And he kept on givin’ me signs like maybe he wanted more too - or at least, I thought they had been signs. He took me on a nice fancy date, brought me his cookin’ flowers and everything, and then tonight he pulled me aside and we started kissin’” she paused to sniffle a bit as she got to this particular part of her story. “I don’t know what came over me, but I just told him everythin’ - that I liked him, that I wanted to be with him, I mean practically everythin’ and he… He told me he liked someone else.” Turning to look out over the courtyard, Lottie glared into the distance as she realized just what that truly meant. “All this time - we’ve been hookin’ up for months, Angelique, and the whole damn time he’s been pursuin’ and goin’ after someone else while I’ve just been his little play thing on the side.”

[angelangeliques]

Angelique immediately shook her head, an attempt to relieve her anxiety with little hesitation. "Nothing that a little makeup remover won't fix. You still look magnifique," she insisted, truly meaning the words. She wasn't sure there was anything the other blonde could do that would make her look bad, per se. Angelique always kept an emergency kit on hand for situations like this when she was in charge of planning--it had started as a small pouch, but had expanded into a whole tote over years of learning to expect the unexpected. "Don't worry about that. You'll look good as new when we go inside."

What concerned her more, though, was finding out just who this mystery man was who hurt her heart so badly. Angelique had a strange, sinking feeling that it could be a certain notorious bachelor, but tried her best not to jump to the conclusion that it was a particular French man. There was no indication that it would be Blaise from the first half of the story, not until she mentioned flowers, and, more importantly, cooking. There was only one man in her past who had ever done exactly that for her, and it was the same one who had been oddly noncommittal with her just a few weeks ago. "I could be completely wrong here, but the man you're talking about ... is his name Blaise?" Angelique asked slowly, delaying the question and its answer. "Either way, Lottie, I'm so sorry, that's--it's terrible. No one deserves to be treated that way, especially not you." She gave her a sad, apologetic hint of a smile before giving her shoulder a light squeeze. "A man like that will never know what he wants. He'll always be leaving a trail of regret behind him."

[eveningstarwiishes]

closed starter for @angelangeliques location: halloween ball

Running away wasn’t something Lottie La Bouff did - it simply wasn’t in her nature, no matter how messy of a situation she might find herself stuck in. But right now? After being rejected by the man she’d been hoping to find something serious with down the line and feeling that pain what seemed like almost ten times stronger than she normally might, the blonde needed a break. She wasn’t ditching the party completely, no that would only make the situation even worse. And she refused to let any man have that much control over her that they could completely ruin the night she’d worked so hard to plan. She was simply just getting some air on one of the otherwise empty balconies that so many people have been avoiding due to the chill in the wind. Her back remained pointed at the glass door looking out onto the balcony, ensuring no one saw the tears that were slowly but surely streaming down her face.

At the click of the door opening, Lottie took a deep breath and steeled herself, her shoulders tensing visibly. “Just one moment, sugar. I’ll be right on back in. Just need a bit of a breather, that’s all,” she promises to whoever it may be coming out to see her. Thankfully she managed to keep her voice steady enough that she hoped the stranger would simply accept her word and move along without realizing the minor distress she was in. But it seemed like she couldn’t quite be lucky enough for that as the sound of heels clicking against the ground moving towards her indicated the new visitor wasn’t going anywhere any time soon. “Really, I’m fine,” she insists one last time before glancing over and seeing that with Angelique. In an instant Lottie knew her facade was about to be seen right through.

[angelangeliques]

Asking the other blonde with whom she'd planned the party to be her date was a no-brainer to Angelique. With Blaise unable to make up his mind about what he wanted, she wasn't going to chase him for his heart back. If it was meant to be, it'd come back to her. Besides, she was far too busy to be chasing after a man when she had the biggest party of the year to plan. Letting down Lottie's big dreams for the most extravagant thing the town had ever seen wasn't an option, especially when she had a blank check to work with. With the night finally there, Angelique had been rushing around the hotel all morning trying to put the finishing touches on it. It wasn't until everyone was there and dancing that she finally felt like she could relax.

Except, she couldn't find her date. Shamelessly, Angelique went around the hotel in search of the other blonde, determined to track her down. Maybe she'd found someone to canoodle with off in an empty room, or was taking care of a guest. With knocks on bathroom doors leading her nowhere, she tried outdoors, finding a familiar silhouette of a dress on a balcony. "Lottie?" she called out, ignoring her request to wait. "I've been looking for you, is everything--" Angelique stopped herself short, immediately seeing the smudged mascara. "Oh, what happened, cherie? I should've brought a bottle out here with me," she mumbled before sliding an arm around the other girl's shoulders.

[blaiselumi]

//closed starter @angelangeliques

There was something about the atmosphere, and perhaps the drinks he had, that further lowered his already minimal inhibitions. Blaise initially intended to congratulate Lottie for hosting a nice party, especially given the unique nature of their relationship. However, one thing led to another, and he ended up left alone in an alleyway after Lottie stormed out in tears. Blaise wiped his lips, feeling a sense of remorse for his own confession, but it had to happen sooner or later, he knew he had to make things right. Upsetting the host of the party was no small feat, and Blaise attempted to drown out Lottie's confessions of her feelings for him with more cocktails. This was exactly what Claude had warned him about, and it had come to pass. As he downed another glass, he continued his search, even though he was growing drunk by the minute.

Opening another door that led to what seemed to be a lobby, he locked eyes with another blonde. He could tell from her expression that something was wrong. "Angelique," he greeted her, acknowledging her presence. He couldn't bring himself to admit what he was doing. Everything was a mess. "I was just looking for someone. I'll…" He cleared his throat. "We can talk later."

[angelangeliques]

Angelique had had quite enough of her ex's antics for one night. It could've been argued that she had actually wanted to see more of him, but that was before he hadn't asked her to the ball yet, just days before. Instead, she'd unknowingly taken one of the girls who he'd been seeing, finding it to be the greatest irony the universe had ever provided her. How many other women he'd been talking to in the time when they'd been reconciling, she didn't know, but Angelique felt suddenly foolish for thinking she had been the only one. Some things never changed, and Blaise Lumiere's womanizing ways just happened to be one of them.

This wasn't about her now, though, but instead, the other blonde who he'd hurt. She now considered Lottie a friend, and to think that Blaise had hurt her so deeply infuriated her. Angelique hadn't even been looking for him when the door opened and presented a sullen-looking Blaise on the other side. Without even a word, the remaining contents of her champagne flute were thrown onto his suit before she could take a new one from the tray passing them. "You're looking for Lottie, aren't you? Je t'emmerde, Blaise. You haven't changed a bit. I can't believe you ever let me think otherwise."

[morethandusting]

who: @angelangeliques where: lottie's halloween masquerade party

This was the first time seeing Angelique since finding out she had been the woman Blaise went to see, driving the final nail into their coffin. Now that the mystery girl's identity was revealed she wasn't certain how to look at her friend. Of course, she still knew that she wanted to maintain their friendship but once they both had the truth things might change. It was clear Blaise hadn't filled her in entirely since Angelique was the one to approach her with open arms and a perfect smile. "You look absolutely beautiful," she greeted her followed by a hug. "Did you have a hand in this? I could notice your decorating anywhere." After working together on projects recently they had become quite in tune with how the other worked, though she hadn't heard about this during that time. "Quite the venue too. I've met Lottie before and she's just the sweetest southern belle, don't you think?"

[angelangeliques]

It had been a more tumultuous night than Angelique had anticipated for it to be, but she was a professional. That involved putting on her best smile sometimes and grinning and bearing it, which was exactly what she did when she saw Fifi approaching her in the hallway. "Bonjour, c'est belle! My god, you look stunning," she gushed, giving a twirl of her own dress after pulling away. "Oui, that would be me. She asked me a few weeks ago to help her with this, and I had the most beautiful template to work with. She's become a good friend." With her new glass of champagne that hadn't wound up on Blaise almost finished, Angelique looped her arm in her friend's and headed toward the ballroom. "I could use a drink, what do you think? It's been a more stressful evening than I thought it'd be."

[blaiselumi]

Blaise's lips curled into a smile as he looked at her, appreciating the thoughtful question. He knew the answer, but he also understood it might not be the answer everyone wanted to hear. He chuckled softly and shook his head. "Because it was wrong," he replied, addressing the question of why he didn't come to her when he left his apartment. "She was my girlfriend then, and you were not," he stated simply, as if that were sufficient justification for his actions. "If you were my girlfriend now, I wouldn't do that again. I wouldn't have wanted to hurt you like that," he explained, acknowledging that he had learned from Belle's repeated advice. Despite his affectionate nature, he now recognized the importance of understanding certain boundaries.

Feeling the effects of the wine beginning to set in, he leaned his head against the wall, mirroring her as she rested her head on his shoulder. "So, no, I won't leave if she calls me," he continued though he felt a moment of hesitation in his voice. Would he not leave? He still wasn't quite sure. Blaise's smile growing slightly mischievous, "but… we're not together, right?" Blaise wasn't sure what Angelique wanted or if she wanted a relationship with him. Sure, they had shared flirtatious moments, and she had stayed at his place for a time, but beyond that, he wasn't entirely sure.

[angelangeliques]

"But you must've hurt her, leaving like that, even if you didn't make it all the way," Angelique pointed out. Though she didn't even know who the other girl was, she still felt for her, a wave of guilt washing over her as she thought of how she'd contributed to their downfall. Even though she had no knowledge of Blaise dating someone else, she was still part of the reason they weren't together today. All Angelique had ever wanted for both of them was happiness, even if they couldn't find it with each other. It was why she had to leave to travel, to find contentment in herself before seeking it in someone else for a lifetime.

As much as she wanted to believe him, Angelique knew, even with the wine in her veins, that she couldn't be entirely sure that he wouldn't pull the same stunt on her until it actually happened. Blaise could promise her the world, and still take it away in a moment, even if he didn't mean to. Though he had the best of intentions, Angelique had learned that his actions sometimes fell short of mirroring his words. "Not right now, no," she confirmed, "but I never say never." Despite all her doubts, matters of the heart were ones where her judgement fell just short of logic. Angelique tilted her head, gazing up at him. "You'd have to be certain. I don't want half of your heart, Blaise, or even anything short of all of it," she insisted, knowing it was what she deserved.

[eveningstarwiishes]

There was a reason Lottie had never gotten involved in business nor did she ever really have any say or input in anything that happened in any of the hotels around the world, and the fact that she hadn’t thought of some kind of deal like that before was just further proof that the business world simply wasn’t for her. “Yes! Yes, yes, yes! Big Daddy will love that,” she eagerly agrees, already beyond excited to extend the idea to her father. Of course she would give Angelique all the credit - but even still, she knew the man was going to be proud of her for being a part of the decision to bring in even more money for the hotel than it already normally made. “I hadn’t even thought of actually tryin’ to get the hotel involved outside of just hostin’ the event.”

Her smile softened as she took in the other blonde’s compliment regarding her friendship with Tiana. Anyone that knew her for even more than just a day was likely well aware how much the girl meant to Lottie, so it wasn’t really all that surprising when Angelique picks up on how important the friendship they share is to her. “We’ve been friends for as long as I can remember. Practically babies, really. Her mama used to design my dresses for me as a little girl,” she explains, even though the friendship went so much deeper than just that simple connection. But now wasn’t the time to really get into it all, even if the blonde could indeed spend hours just rambling on about her best friend. Standing up from her seat, she held a hand out to offer assistance to the other woman with a grin. “To the ballroom! I want this to be the best ball this island’s ever seen. I want everyone to be so impressed they try to book flights to New Orleans to get a real taste of it all.”

[angelangeliques]

"Well, that's what I'm here for," she pointed out, glad that her suggestion had gotten the other blonde even more excited. Getting on the good side of a big hotel owner was a more than perfect set up for success: the two could plan and host events in the kind of partnership that Angelique had always hoped for. Adam wasn't the biggest on all the glamour that she'd been begging him for, but Lottie was on the exact same page. Maybe doing something this large scale would open his eyes to see what he could do with the restaurant and the estate, too. Something told her that they hadn't thrown parties there in years.

Taking Lottie's helping hand with a grin, Angelique clutched her notebook to her chest as she stood, ready to see the rest of the hotel. She could tell that updates would be coming in the next few years, if her father was a smart businessman. "You know, I happen to split time between event planning and interior design, if you're ever looking to change things up around here. It's a beautiful hotel, don't get me wrong, but you seem like the kind of mademoiselle who understands the trends," she said, planting the seed for the future. "I know, I think people around here are beginning to stir, with the borders being closed. I'm sure we'll all be traveling once things open back up. I'd like to go back to France, visit my parents," Angelique mused, attention split between Lottie and taking in the beauty of the hotel.

[blaiselumi]

"You seemed to enjoy it. Honestly, I would do the same," he admitted, and to some extent, that's exactly what he had done. His true passion lay in his cooking, and over the years, he had remained loyal to that pursuit. Blaise aspired to achieve worldwide recognition, striving for perfection in his culinary creations. Sometimes, he couldn't help but wonder what might have happened if he hadn't been cursed. Would he have his own restaurant by now? Could they have expanded with his own menu? These were questions that plagued his mind, although they seemed futile to dwell upon. At present, he was restricted, and he wasn't quite certain how long that limitation would exist. Blaise took another sip from the same bottle, thoroughly savoring Kit Charming's exquisite wine. He remained silent as she spoke, agreeing wholeheartedly that dwelling on regrets over a situation beyond their control was unproductive.

Yet, a thought lingered in his mind, and it was a moment when he had to make a choice. "The day you called me," he cleared his throat, almost as if he were explaining himself, "I had a girlfriend back then." His gaze was fixed on the vast cellar, one hand on the wine and the other resting on her thigh. "And we broke up because I left for you." Angelique didn't know that he had actually left, because he never reached her. He had been stuck in the middle of the road, utterly confused. For the longest time, he had grown accustomed to having Angelique in his life, and hearing her voice again felt almost like a routine. However, something was holding Blaise back, perhaps someone else, his heart betraying the habits of his own mind. "But I never got to reach you," he added, taking another gulp of wine and licking his lips as the taste lingered.

Her next statement caught him off guard, and he looked at her, searching for clarity in her eyes. Did she actually want to rekindle their relationship, or was it just the champagne talking? Blaise wasn't one to overanalyze such matters. He was well aware that since her return, he had been guilty of flirting with her, as he often did. Pushing it beyond that risked another farewell. He smirked and followed it with a laugh. "Who says you don't?" he quipped, handing her the bottle back.

[angelangeliques]

"You should," she answered immediately, giving him a hopeful nod. Though she was doubtful that he would ever leave his kitchen, Angelique knew that it would not only expand his palette, but give him a more refined taste of the world itself. Knowing why certain cultures had the customs they did, why they cooked a certain way, it all brought so much more beauty to the most mundane things. It had made her more joyful, in a way, and appreciative of how things were on the island that were unique to it. Now that she'd seen what she'd wanted to, she could see just how special where she grew up really was.

If she had the wine in her own hand, Angelique might've dropped it at what he said next. Not that she could blame him for dating other people while she was away, but she hadn't known that he'd been seeing someone precisely the moment she came back. She hadn't even meant to break the two up; all she wanted was some company upon her return, and she'd promised Blaise when she'd left that she would call him when she'd gotten back. "You left her, and found yourself halfway between us?" she asked quietly, trying to see the picture more clearly through her confusion. "Why didn't you stay? Or, I suppose, the better question is why didn't you come?"

Angelique took the bottle out of his hands now, needing some of the wine herself. Now that she'd been told all of this new information, it was no longer a matter of wanting a future with him, but of knowing whether she could have it. "How will I know you won't do the same to me the next time she calls you?" she asked carefully, the champagne clouding the fear of the question.

[angelangeliques]

Angelique scribbled on her notepad as the other blonde spoke, silently wishing she would slow down a tad so she could clearly hear what she was saying. Blaise's accent was one she had grown used to after her parents had close to the same, and Claude's was a classic British, but the southern American wasn't one she'd been around often. Still, she could tell that Lottie was excited about this ballroom of hers, which was really all that she needed to know. Having a space was the most crucial part to throwing a party like this, which was exactly why Kit's had been so successful. "I'd love to see it, once we're done chatting here," she noted lifting her head to take in the lobby once more.

Though she loved being able to give Blaise business, a specific catering request was easy to accommodate. Angelique had been to Tiana's before, but she hadn't realized that the two were so close. "Are you two friends, or just love her food? That's not a problem at all--I work with the people over at Les Trois Comperes, so I usually recommend there, but Tiana's can absolutely be done." With no budget and lots of inspiration, this was shaping up to be of her most exciting parties to plan yet. "We're going to have so much fun with this one, I can tell. I'd love your help: with parties like these, I just like to be here to know how to make your vision a reality. I know the photographers, the decorators ... all the vendors who can take the pictures you show me and bring them to life. Sonne bien--sound good?"

[eveningstarwiishes]

“Oh, of course! I can show ya the whole hotel if you want - see if maybe any other rooms could be used as well. But I’m thinkin’ mainly just stickin’ with the ballroom, yeah,” she agrees, grinning bright and practically vibrating in excitement over all of this. Lottie had known she was going to throw the event whether Angelique wanted to help or not, but it was all going to run so much smoother with the other blonde working with her. They could really throw the biggest and bestest halloween bash this island’s ever seen.

At the question of whether or not she was friends with Tiana or just a fan of the food, Lottie’s entire face lit up just like it always does whenever she’s given the chance to talk about her best friend. There was no in this world she was as proud of as her Tia, and bragging about her came as easily as breathing. “Tia’s my best friend. We moved here together from New Orleans back in college and when she decided to stay here to build her restaurant, well I wasn’t about to go leavin’ her all alone.” Now normally if a planner had a suggestion for their event, Lottie liked to take it into serious consideration and perhaps if Angelique had mentioned any other restaurant she might have thought about making them a secondary caterer… But as it was, the blonde wanted nothing to do with Blaise’s place of work - not for an event like this. The last thing she needed was for things to get messy before the night even came around. “Oh this is so excitin’ - we are gonna host the greatest halloween party anyone ‘round here’s ever seen.”

[angelangeliques]

It was as though a lightbulb went off for Angelique: she could see the vision so clearly, just how she was going to make this the most profitable she could for the other blonde. "You could offer a special for those attending the party and staying the night," she suggested, lifting her head for her notepad for a second as the idea swirled in her head. "Then, have an exclusive brunch menu the next morning, for the start of the holiday season." Angelique wasn't sure the exact logistics yet, but that was a problem for later. Getting the ideas into the open was the whole purpose of this meeting.

The way Lottie spoke about her best friend was much like the way she'd seen Blaise, Claude, and Adam speak of each other: friends from childhood who had remained special through the test of time. "That's incredible, how close the bond between the two of you must be to have gone such lengths for each other." Angelique hadn't really found a best friend, not even now as an adult. It was worth a shot, though, getting more dinners with Fifi and perhaps growing a friendship with Lottie after Halloween. "I don't doubt it. You make my job very easy with the sky being the limit," Angelique admitted with a laugh. "Should we go see the ballroom?"

[morethandusting]

꙳ ꙳ ꙳

Once their glasses chimed Fifi brought it to her lips to drink in celebration. They had connected from the get-go and it was a relief to know that she was still able to exist normally since the curse. So far she thought she'd been getting by unnoticed or at least the fact that she'd get lost at the drop of a hat was. Angelique handled all of their navigation which made it easy for the brunette to follow behind. "Of course you have," she chuckled. Fifi should've known that the blonde had tasted everything here, having recently been slacking herself. There once was a time she visited often and now it was more irregular. "What's your favorite thing on the menu?" Everyone had a bias but she wanted to hear Angelique's as one's taste in food said much to who they were. As her friend continued to speak the acknowledgement of the change in flavor caught her off guard. The brunette was now going to be responsible for hiding another secret besides her own. "You think so? Hm, perhaps it's because they've started to get made by other hands over the years, no? Like a book after being translated will never be exactly the same as the original, perhaps it's the same concept with food," Fifi suggested, knitting her eyebrows together as if to think. "I enjoy it all the same, especially after a glass of wine." The brunette laughed and hoped that the conversation shifted naturally away from the food, specifically the irregularities as of late.

[angelangeliques]

Pondering the question as she scanned the menu, Angelique hummed to herself in thought for a moment. "I think the croque monsieur, though there was this quiche once that Blaise made for me that was absolutely magnifique," she wondered aloud. Those were the days when she would sit around the restaurant and test out all of the new recipes that were close to making the cut of the menu. There were a few that didn't pass the chef's test but were personal favorites that she'd beg him to keep making just for her. That was years ago, though; Angelique wondered if he even remembered how to make them now. "Well, that's exactly why they hire kitchen staff who can emulate precisely what the recipe says, non?" It was strange, and not what she'd expect from someone who took such pride in their food as Blaise did, but perhaps it was just the result of so much time being away. "That is true. The wine never changes; it's all been sitting here aging since I left, I bet," she agreed with a laugh. "So, what have you been up to since before we met? Have you always worked here?"

[morethandusting]

꙳ ꙳ ꙳

It had been nice to make a friend on her own, this one she felt as though was actually hers. That didn't mean she hadn't already assumed her ex-boyfriend had made a pass at her but she kept any of that curiosity to herself. Fifi didn't want to know too much, fearing the answer might be the very thing she was worried about. The less she knew about that the better, at least for the time being. For now, she had a friend and one that she desperately needed. It also just so happened they were an excellent team when doing projects together. "It has to be done by next week, they said that was the absolute latest after all," she said, knowing she shouldn't be worrying about work right now. "But that is a next week problem." Fifi always enjoyed making things a later problem when possible. Tonight they were able to enjoy themselves after a long day, the rest would get figured out when they were back on the clock. "You read my mind, I was looking at the clafoutis already. It would be perfect to share and I could even order a cup of coffee, c'est parfait."

[angelangeliques]

"To next week," she agreed, tapping her glass to Fifi's once more with a grin. With how many men worked in construction, the brunette's company was a welcomed change to what Angelique was used to. Perhaps one day she'd become something of a designer herself, if she wanted it. Angelique had been set on disliking her in the beginning, thinking that maybe she'd had her eyes on Blaise, too, but it seemed that her fears had been unfounded so far. "Fantastique. Whatever you'd like, I've tried everything here many times." Though, something had changed since she'd been here last, beyond the design changes she'd implemented. "Am I dreaming, or has the food changed, over the years? I don't know what it is, but the things I'd tried when Blaise started to develop them--they're just so different now, I don't know why. Not in a bad way, but … je ne se quois," she rambled, hoping that Fifi would understand.