Stefani's pov
"Ms. Cammery," I started and she raised her hand brushing me off.
"Please, it's Carter," she smiled warmly.
Although she is young looking- almost my age, there's a strong sense of maturity in her. It's even in her voice- thick and soothing like honey.
"Carter... not to be rude, but you look really young," I decided to speak my mind and she chuckled as she sipped on her tea.
"You're one to be talking, might I add," she retorted in a way that wasn't harsh- but subtle and playful.
She reminds me of Lana with her humor and presence.
"Hmmm," she stared out the window with buzzing streets with cars going at a walking pace and horns faintly honking.
Today was cloudy, not too much; but just enough to bring out the yellow in the taxi cabs.
"You can speak freely," i gestured and she softly smiled meeting my eyes.
"I'm assuming you want something and I contribute as a benefiting factor," I met and held her gaze.. not a lot of musicians know about business and it's relationship entertainment.
"So much for sugar coating," I softly scoffed and sipped on my coffee making her chuckle.
"I like my conversations the way I like my bourbon- straight," she shrugged and slipped out a flask from her bag and poured some of it in her drink.
I found myself shaking my head and chuckling and Carter's eyes lit up with curiosity.
"Might I ask?" She grinned.
"You remind me of someone so much to the point- it just makes me laugh at how closely identical in character you two are," I admitted.
"Alcoholic?" She scoffed.
"Workaholic too," and she chuckled.
"Who knows, the world is just as small as it is big. I am adopted after all, who's to say me and your friend are not related?" She lifted her flask before taking a sip and putting it away.
"You're right, who's to say... but I can say this; your brand. The mark you've created here in the streets of New York. Despite all its buzzing, your craft draws all attention your way," I started to go into the pitch with a flattering reveal.
"Hmmmm, so I've heard," she took a sip of her drink and stared out the window with all the traffic.
She briefly averted her attention back to me, "what do you want from me and how do I benefit?" She tilted her head.
"I wanted to be subtle," I fought the urge to chuckle but she laughed freely.
"No need to fluff. I need a platform to expand my brand and content in order to increase me and my team's income, but that too requires cash flow. I'm assuming you want to buy and take ownership," she hit the nail right in its head.
"How about a partnership?" I reasoned and her eyes flickered.
"Normally investors want the max amount of possible profit, what's your angle?" She smirked trying to get a read.
"I actually have a liking towards you," I admitted.
"So you're taking 75% and I take the 25% remaining of this deal?" She leaned back and her blonde curls effortlessly followed her movements.
"I said I like you. You're taking 80% and im taking 20%" I scoffed.
"Ms. Edwards, you might be the worst investor by far," she shook her head smiling and I chuckled.
"I don't need the money, really. I almost have everything I want in life, I just need something to do to pass time with the appropriate income," I confessed.
"Last I heard, getting ready to be running a Fortune 500 company should be enough work- I may be young but you're 19. I listen in on the news sometime," she reasoned with a light shrug.
"That's what you heard," I slipped up I was completely in the moment with someone who shared the same charisma as me.
"You said almost everything... enlighten me," she readjusted her white collar and sleeves to her button up.
Her veins are completely shredded.
What the hell does sh-
"I play piano," she broke my thoughts.
"I'm on the low with a rather scandalous situation in my household," I tried to fluff the situation.
"Women can do that sort of thing," she caught me eye.
"What makes you think a woman is involved?" I cocked a brow at her and she smiled all too knowingly when she took a brief glance at her phone as it went off.
"What do you have to convince me that there isn't?" She smirked and a woman rushed towards her from behind covering her eyes.
She had an elegant black dress with a beige trench coat. Her blonde hair was neatly pulled back into a bun as her red scarf tickled my client's nose.
"I thought I said I'd bring you something back," Carter found the woman's face through her curls and kissed her cheek tenderly.
"Ohhhh but I thought you'd might be in need of a good surprise," the woman sighed.
"I hate surprises and you know this- this is the investor I told you about earlier? Edwards, meet my wife, Eleanora, " she gestured the woman to step from behind her as their hands still remained intertwined as she waltz around the chair.
"Please, Stefani," I stood up to shake her hand.
"I didn't mean to intrude," the woman bowed her head embarrassed brushing the fly always.
"No need to apologize..." I took a look at the two for a brief moment and every few seconds they'd share a longing look.
"How long have you been married?" I settled back in.
"We eloped actually," Eleanora smiled reminiscent of the thought.
"Not into big weddings I assume?" I took a sip of my somewhat hot coffee. At this rate, I'm just socializing for the hell of it.
"More like, even if we were into them, we still couldn't do one. It'll raise too much attention," Eleanora seems to have taken a pleasure in answering my questions.
Carter looks deep in thought with whatever it was.
"I was her mentee as she mentored me in the fine arts of New York's Youth symphony orchestra program. A public wedding with a reputation such as ours, can be quite damaging. We're eloped- for now," she smirked at her last response.
"So you know a thing or two about scandals," I chuckled and I caught Carter's eye as she chuckled too.
"I'm proud to say so. Are you seeking advice?" she reached for her lover's hand and stroked the top of palm with her thumb.
She didn't even spare a glance and she was smirking already knowing she had struck something in me.
"If you ask me, keep doing what you're doing. But, don't. Rush," her eyes burned with such a warning.
"I'm sure you'd know a thing a two about rushing," Eleanora teased making Carter roll her eyes with a sincere smile.
"I've had a pretty good conductor in my upbringing," she shrugged.
"I'll get us cab. Stefani," Eleanora excused herself and nodded before leaving.
Her fingers lingered on Carter's shoulder as they slowly glided off the further she walked... they madly in love. It's clear as day, they are obsessed with one another- even if they were to keep themselves at bay, it's the little things they do that reveal exactly how inseparable they are.
"What you have us beautiful," I started again and Carter started to pack her things.
I stood up abruptly trying to keep her in tact but-
"I'm assuming what you're in pursuit of is just as beautiful. My personal contact information. I don't need a sales pitch to be convinced, something tells me our business relation will form into a friendship. A rather good investment on my end," she handed me her card.
"A rather promising one for both parties," i asserted her a look.
"And do give my congrats to the fiancé for the engagement!" She turned her slightly to call back.
"They announced the engagement months ago," i churned my face.
I thought she listened to the news- or however else she kept up the daily events.
"Must you be so vague? You bore me," the corner of her eyes flashed as I watched the end of her lips curled into a smirk before she left the cafe.
"Hey!" I chased after her and grabbed her forearm.
"Ms. Edwards, you should know, I could read you a mile out. Only one thing could drive a human being to disregard an investment such as yours and that's love. I may be a musician, but even I can hear the melodies that reside in your true desires; for the love of god, whatever it is that you're doing for that woman- and I know you know which woman I'm referring to... be sure to let her understand what exactly you're putting on the line to ensure a permanent spot in her life. I'll be hearing from you," she snatched her arm away from me leaving me speechless..
Who exactly is she?