Chapter Text
After sharing an intimate morning with Alice for the first time, Carmen enjoyed lunch and then found solace in a nap wrapped in Alice's arms. As she drifted into sleep, a deep sense of contentment enveloped her. However, her dreams soon took a darker turn. She was transported back to the dreaded press conference that signaled the start of her tumultuous relationship with the media. In this unsettling dream, her 21-year-old self watched from the audience as her 14-year-old self faced a barrage of questions from journalists during the Summer Olympics in August 2016.
"How does it feel to steal the gold medal from your teammate Kara Cunningham?" one journalist questioned.
"Are you sorry for stealing Kara Cuningham's final shot at winning a gold medal in women's gymnastics as she's about to retire at 26 ?" A second journalist asked.
"Is it true that Kara's mother screamed in your face in the locker room after the judges called your win?" a third journalist asked.
It was nightmarish, it was horrible, but the third journalist's source of information must have been good because Kara's mother had screamed in Carmen's face, only whoever the informant was forgot to mention that Kara had also joined in on her mother's barrage of anger.
"You miserable little brat! How dare you steal my daughter's final chance at winning gold?!" The older Caucasian woman had screamed at younger Carmen, her face flushed with anger as she loomed over the teenager. Carmen remembered the shrill intensity of that confrontation, the spit flying from the woman's mouth as she gesticulated wildly, driven by an indignation that felt all-consuming.
"Mrs. Cunningham, I—" Carmen had tried to speak, her voice small and wavering, but Kara's mother wouldn't have it.
"No, you listen here! My daughter has worked her entire life for this moment, and you took it away from her, you Mexican brat!" The words were venomous, each one a stabbing accusation that pierced Carmen to her very core.
"How fucking dare you steal my last chance at winning gold? You knew that this was my last chance, and instead of stepping aside like you should have, you went ahead and stole my victory! Now, I'll forever be known as the four-time silver and bronze medalist!" Kara screamed in Carmen's face, her bright blue eyes looking at Carmen with pure, unadulterated hatred. Kara's mother would have struck Carmen if it weren't for her coach and her mother arriving just in time to pull her away from the two women's unmitigated racism and hatred.
The dream then took a sharp turn back to the press conference, where Carmen said something that would forever make her controversial in the eyes of the public.
"Well, if Kara hadn't been so focused on trying to compete with a teenager, she would have gotten gold, but because she focused all of her efforts on looking good, she lost to me. I have worked just as hard for my place here as an athlete, just like everybody else who made it here. I won't apologize just because a white girl can't accept the fact that she lost to someone she considered to be inferior to her," The room fell into stunned silence for a brief moment before erupting into a frenzy. Journalists scrambled to capture the heated rebuttal, a statement as bold as it was unprecedented.
Carmen's words struck a chord, challenging the unspoken tensions simmering beneath the surface—tensions of race, age, and the inequities often glossed over in sports narratives. The media narrative had turned on her, casting her as an impudent upstart who couldn't respect her seniors. The weight of criticism from strangers who didn't know her story still clung to her like a stubborn shadow, even all these years later.
Carmen hadn't set out to become a controversial figure or even a political one when she said those words. However, because she was a woman of color, her statements were scrutinized more harshly, and her victories were questioned more vigorously. She had unintentionally stepped into a broader cultural moment where the world was slowly waking up to issues of race and inequality but was still rife with bias and prejudice.
Her coach, Mrs.Brown, had pulled her aside after the press conference and left some imparting advice that Carmen wouldn't forget as long as she lived.
"Carmen," Mrs. Brown began, her voice calm and filled with a warmth that had always made Carmen feel safe, "what you said is powerful and true. But the world isn't always ready to hear the truth, especially from someone like you, someone they didn't expect it from."
She paused, looking deeply into Carmen's eyes. "You're more than an athlete now; you've become a voice. And while that responsibility can feel heavy, it's also an opportunity. There are thousands of young athletes who look up to you, who will see in your courage something they can aspire to. Stand by your words, and when you speak, do so with intention and strength. It's not just your skills on the mat that define you—it's also how you carry yourself off it."
"But I'm only 14. This was supposed to be about gymnastics. I didn't mean for this to happen," Carmen teared up, crying about the unfairness of it all.
"Baby, I'm so sorry, but unfortunately, for people like us, it's never going to be about just the sport," Mrs. Brown said, her voice tinged with a mix of empathy and realism. "People will always bring their prejudices and biases, and they'll try to make it about your identity rather than your talent."
"It's not fair though! I didn't cheat, you know I didn't cheat! And my daddy never would have paid the judges to make them score me higher!" Little Carmen cried hard in Mrs. Brown's embrace like a child clinging to their mother, and the older woman allowed her young pupil to hold on for as long as she needed, feeling the weight of Carmen's emotions and understanding the burden she carried.
"I know, sweetheart, and trust me, despite the lofty position your daddy holds as a politician, I know better than anyone the hard work you put in. Don't let the tabloids or anyone else make you believe otherwise," Mrs. Brown said gently, running a comforting hand over Carmen's back.
"Carmen, beloved, wake up!" Alice's voice calls out to her from the waking world, a soothing lilt of concern woven into its fabric. The sensation of being gently shaken back into consciousness was like a lifeline pulling her out of the tangled web of her dream.
Carmen woke up to tears pouring down her face as Alice looked at her with deep concern. "Oh, love, you were having a nightmare," Alice soothed, wrapping her arms around Carmen and pulling her close for comfort.
"I couldn't do it," Carmen whispers as she leans into Alice's embrace, her voice raw with emotion.
"What is it, my love?"
"I couldn't handle the pressure. Do you know why I quit after my second Olympic cycle? I couldn't handle the pressure that came from being a political figure. I feel like I let everybody down after I quit in pursuit of more conventional celebrity success, and while I've been pretty successful in that regard, I feel like I failed so many girls who looked like me by not staying and toughing it out." Carmen's voice quivered as she confessed her lingering feelings of guilt and inadequacy. It was a weight she'd carried for years, buried beneath the veneer of her public persona.
"Beloved-" Alice starts softly but is interrupted by Carmen.
"Here's my truth," Carmen choked out, her voice trembling as tears welled up in her eyes. "I'm a coward! I couldn't live up to everyone's expectations, and in the end, I just ran away from it all." She paused, her chest heaving with the weight of her confession. "Why don't you just forget about me, okay? I'm carrying enough demons inside me as it is, and you… you deserve so much better than what I can offer." Her words tumbled out in a painful whisper, each one laced with regret and the heavy burden of her vulnerability.
"Carmen, no! I won't forget you, and I don't want someone better than you. I think I've made that abundantly clear already, so please, beloved, don't shut me out, don't push me away, because I want to be with you," Alice whispered, her voice filled with sincerity and love.
"I can't, I'm sorry, I can't! Please, Alice, whatever you do, don't call me an angel; don't put me on an impossible pedestal because I can't live up to it," Carmen pleaded, her voice fragile yet resolute as she tried to express the depth of her own self-doubt. She was terrified of failing to meet the image that others held of her—an image she felt she could never fully embody.
"I won't call you an angel, and I promise I won't put you on any pedestal," Alice began gently, her voice firm in its understanding. "What I want is to be with you, just as you are. You don't have to live up to anyone else's expectations, not even mine. We all have our struggles and our demons, and they don't make us any less worthy of love."
"Alice, please kiss me. I need you. I'm so sorry for everything I said," Carmen implored, her voice soft yet urgent, seeking solace and forgiveness in Alice's embrace.
With tenderness in her eyes, Alice moved closer to Carmen, gently cupping her face with her hands. "There's nothing to apologize for, my love," she whispered softly, her English accent full of warmth and sincerity.
Alice tilted her head slightly and pressed her lips gently against Carmen's, a gesture of comfort and unconditional love. The kiss was tender and reassuring, filled with the promise that she would be there for Carmen, no matter what.
"Now we have about two hours before you need to be ready for Mr. Du Lac. Do you want me to tell him you're not feeling well, Carmen? Or if you still feel like doing it, I could run you a bath and clean you myself." Alice's offer to skip the interview sounded tempting; however, Carmen needed a distraction, and she was not going to let her mind get in the way of that.
"No, I think… I think I need to do this," Carmen said softly, her voice steadier now, grounded by the love surrounding her. "I owe it to myself to keep moving forward, even if it's one small step at a time. But a bath sounds lovely. I could use a moment to reset before the interview."
"Very well, here I'll tie up your hair so it doesn't get wet and get your robe ready," Alice replied with a smile, her touch as gentle as her words. With practiced ease, she gathered Carmen's hair, securing it in a loose bun that would stay dry above the waterline.
As Alice began running the bath, Carmen allowed herself a moment to breathe deeply and reflect. The scent of lavender once again filled the air, wrapping around her like a familiar cloak. She felt the comfort of home in this small ritual as if every swirling wisp of steam carried with it a gentle promise of tranquility.
"Great, this was supposed to be a relaxing nap, and instead, I get an unwelcome greeting from the ghost of Christmas past, and it's still June," Carmen muttered with a rueful smile, allowing herself to find some humor in the situation. "My brain really knows how to keep things interesting."
"Carmen, it wasn't pleasant, but sometimes those old memories just sneak up on us," Alice said gently, setting down a fluffy towel within reach.
"Whenever my mind gets like that, it feels like I'm drowning, it doesn't happen as often as it used to, but it's a real pain in the ass when my mind gets like that, especially when a lot happened at that time. Becoming famous, experiencing racism at its ugliest, and then when I went back to school, I got outed for being bi after someone leaked pictures of me to TMZ holding hands with my first girlfriend. It was just a whirlwind of things I wasn't equipped to handle at such a young age," Carmen admitted, a mix of frustration and vulnerability in her voice. "It felt like I was constantly trying to keep my head above water, and no matter how hard I tried, there was always something pulling me under."
"It was such a terrible thing you had to go through, and those vile women had no right to treat you that way," Alice continued, her voice filled with empathy and solidarity. "But remember, all those experiences, as challenging as they were, have shaped you into the incredible person you are today. And I'll happily pick you back up when you fall."
"It's ironic, really," Carmen began, a flicker of vindication in her voice as she stepped into the bath. "After Kara retired, she and her mother faced a lawsuit from my dad for defamation and child abuse, which led them to issue a very public apology. Their sense of entitlement was unbelievable. Despite their comments about me being a 'Mexican brat,' it was my family that actually had wealth. Meanwhile, Kara grew up in a trailer park and didn't even have a house until after her first Olympics."
She paused, letting the warm water lap around her. "That was the only instance where my dad, as an Illinois senator, used his influence to ensure the case was in our favor. He strategically hand-picked a judge and jury who would see through their facade. You should have seen their faces when they realized the system they thought they could manipulate was working against them," Carmen remarked, her expression softening with a mix of satisfaction and amusement. "It was like witnessing a real-life drama unfold, with justice delivered so clearly and unmistakably."
Alice chuckled in response, a smile playing on her lips. "Well, karma has an interesting way of balancing things out sometimes, doesn't it? Those moments of accountability might take time, but when they happen, it's like the universe tipping its hat in your favor. Though one things for certain, one shouldn't mess with Roberto Osvaldo Sanchez's daughter unless they're asking for trouble."
"Nowadays, Kara runs a trad wife TikTok account after she got married to a conservative businessman," Carmen continued with a smirk." I suppose it's karma for focusing all her efforts on gymnastics. She didn't even bother going to school cause she thought that her gymnastics career would translate into her having a glamourous celebrity lifestyle; I guess in the end, I still got the last laugh because I ended up getting everything she wanted, plus I have two bachelor degrees."
"I know that it's normally considered to be faux pas to take glee in someone else's misery, but I can't help it. The Kara that I knew back then would've hated the way her life turned out. She was such an attention whore and hated children, so the fact that now she's posting mommy blogger stuff on TikTok is so funny!" Carmen laughed at the irony of the situation. She remembered how, in the days leading up to their events, Kara would complain about having to take pictures with the kids from local schools who toured the Olympic Village. Kara would whine about the noise and insist it wasn't worth the hassle. The sight of her now, smiling serenely in family-friendly videos—likely with forced enthusiasm—felt like poetic justice.
Carmen had never seen a problem with the kids. After all, she had been a child herself at the time and had a two-year-old sister and a nine-year-old brother. She was naturally good with children, which made them gravitate towards her more than the other athletes. This only frustrated Kara more, even though she never liked the kids in the first place.
Carmen's genuine connection with the children highlighted the gap between Kara's ambition and her actual charisma. Even at a young age, Carmen possessed an innate warmth that drew people to her effortlessly—something Kara couldn't manufacture no matter how hard she tried.
Alice joined in Carmen's laughter, her melodic chuckle filling the room. "How ironic indeed, beloved, do not feel bad for taking glee in her misery. She has caused you great pain and humiliation during a time when you deserved to be celebrated. It's natural to find some satisfaction in seeing justice in unexpected ways."
"Thank God," Carmen sighed her voice a blend of relief and defiance like a long-held breath finally released. "I'm genuinely grateful you're not preaching to me about taking the high road. I'm so tired of everyone urging me to muster some misplaced compassion for her or, worse yet, to forgive that bitch." Carmen was indeed not an angel, despite what the media had tried to place upon her. While she did not actively strive to hurt people, she couldn't deny that she loved to laugh at other people's misfortunes, especially when they actively sought to hurt her, which was something that her mother had tried to correct, her reasoning being that since they were catholic, they should forgive those who had wronged them.
However, Carmen had always aligned more closely with her father's pragmatic outlook. She inherited his sharp mind and unerring ability to pinpoint people's deepest insecurities and secrets. As a child, she spent countless afternoons at his law firm, poring over documents he gave her, tasked with finding flaws—a challenge she met with impressive accuracy. When her father transitioned into politics, he presented her with drafts of potential bills, urging her to uncover any loopholes or weaknesses. Roberto, himself, was a child prodigy, born as a first-generation Mexican American and the middle child of two sisters; he graduated high school at just fifteen years old, went on to study pre-law at DePaul University, and became one of the youngest attorneys in Illinois by the age of twenty-two. Having grown up in a particularly rough neighborhood in Chicago, it wasn't expected that Roberto would have such a remarkable trajectory. Yet, driven by a fierce determination to defy the odds and provide a better future for his children, he used his intelligence as a tool to carve out a space of influence and stability.
"Listen closely, Carmen," her father would often say, his voice a rich blend of pride and gravitas, the kind that seemed to envelop her in a warm embrace. "You and I share more similarities than you might realize," he would insist, his gaze piercing yet affectionate. "The world can be a harsh place for individuals like us—those who dare to think differently and strive for more. I've dedicated my life to creating a comfortable existence for you and your brother, providing a solid foundation from which you can both thrive. But you, mi hija, possess a sharp eye for detail and an unyielding work ethic that set you apart from him."
He would pause then, letting his words sink in, the weight of them lingering in the air. "Sometimes, standing out can feel like both a blessing and a curse," he would continue thoughtfully, his brow furrowing slightly. His lessons were about more than just survival; they were a profound meditation on the nature of her gifts. "In our world, intelligence and determination alone won't suffice. It's equally crucial to know when to unleash your talents and when to exercise restraint."
Carmen thought about what her father had spoken to her when she was nine, reflecting on the lessons that had been instilled in her at such a young age. Even then, she was aware of the weight that came with being extraordinary, of walking a path where the stakes were often higher and the scrutiny sharper. Her father's words had been more than advice; they were a lifeline tethering her to a world that often felt like it was trying to pull her under.
"I know you've reassured me that you do like me a lot, but I have to ask, was it about me that you like so much?" Carmen's question lingered in the air, a blend of vulnerability and curiosity that spoke to her desire for reassurance and understanding.
"For starters, let's be honest—I'm not exactly known for my kindness. No, let me rephrase that. I can be a downright bitch," Carmen confessed her tone a blend of honesty and a hint of wry humor. "And yet, here you are, sitting across from me like a perfect, poised Southeast Asian Barbie, choosing—somehow—to be with someone like me. Someone who refuses to worship the ground you walk on. It's not that you're undeserving; it's just that I've never had it in me to worship anyone blindly," she said, her eyes steady and contemplative as she spoke. "Yes, I might lean toward being submissive, both in the bedroom and in the little dynamics we've shared leading up to this. But there's a vast difference between submission and unquestioning adoration," she continued, her voice carrying the weight of her self-awareness and incredulity, each word underscored by a deep sincerity.
"Oh, Carmen, that's exactly why I'm drawn to you," Alice responded, her eyes sparkling with affectionate amusement. "As you have pointed out, I do, in fact, have an appearance that tends to draw in both men and women, often leading them to make all sorts of assumptions about who I am. Most find me either intimidating or someone who can be easily bought with a few pretty words or expensive presents. But not you."
"I wasn't that different in regards to thinking you were intimidating at first, I thought you hated me, so I was just going to treat you with respectful indifference and keep my distance," Carmen admitted. "But being forced in proximity to you because I have to interview Louis, well, you're kind of bound to learn a thing or two about the other person when you're in the same space often enough," Carmen continued, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips.
"I don't think I ever hated you, my dear. We were just strangers to one another; however, attending to you has been one of the most rewarding experiences I've had," Alice replied warmly, her eyes softening as she reached out to gently brush a stray strand of hair from Carmen's face.
"Yeah, but I'm still kind of rough around the edges, and it doesn't help that I'm going back home to Chicago in about two weeks. If you want to stay in my life, Alice, then what you just saw right now was a preview of what being in a relationship with me will entail. If you want to back out, you still have a chance, but just know that what you see is what you'll get with me, and I can't promise you that it's always going to be pretty," Carmen's words hung in the air, heavy with the vulnerability and honesty she was offering. She looked at Alice with a mix of anticipation and apprehension, searching for some sign of what her reaction might be.
"Carmen, I think you'll find that it will take more than that to push me away. Much like how you can be stubborn, I can be just as resolute," Alice said with a warm smile, her eyes reflecting a determination and affection unwavering in its depth. "What matters to me is not just the polished surface but the person underneath—all of you, the good and the bad. I'm well aware that everyone has their complexities and struggles."
"Well, you can't say I didn't warn you, Alice. Alright, I concede, you've convinced me," Carmen said with a playful sigh of mock defeat, allowing herself to relax into the warmth that Alice offered. "I suppose I'll have to accept that you're not just humoring me with your presence."
" You are mine, beautiful girl, and there is nothing you can do that would make me want you any less," Alice said with a possessive and loving glint in her eye that made Carmen feel immeasurably cherished.
"Well, in any case, I should probably get ready. Louis will be expecting me soon, and I need to do my best if I'm going to be interviewing a vampire," Carmen felt her nerves on fire. She really hoped that Louis didn't try to peek into her mind today because if he did, then he'd end up peeking into something that he really wouldn't want to see. The fact that she and Alice had only known each other for three days likely intensified the feelings that swirled between them—complex emotions that even Carmen was still grappling with. The chemistry between them felt almost electric as if they had been thrust into each other's lives by some mysterious force.
"Of course, beloved. Would you like me to redo your makeup?" Carmen stepped out of the bathtub, and indeed, she was going to have to redo her makeup since the tears and steam had smudged it beyond repair.
"God, how'd you manage to kiss me with a face like this? I look like I stepped out of a horror movie," Carmen laughed at her appearance as she wiped it away with makeup removal wipes.
"I find you appealing regardless of how you appear, my dear; now let me continue to take care of you," As Alice says this, she applies lavender-scented lotion to Carmen's unclothed body.
" Are you trying to do me right here and now? God, babe, I know we've got an hour before Louis wakes up, but isn't this cutting it a bit close?" Carmen teases in a flirty undertone, enjoying the way Alice's hands were roaming her body.
" Perhaps I just want to take care of you, my dear, although," Alice's hands roam lower, "that might not be such a terrible idea." Alice leans down to pull Carmen into a deep kiss, her tongue gently dancing with Carmen's as they lost themselves in each other's warmth.
" Don't think we'll have enough time to do it right now," Carmen pulls away first," Though if you want, I could be on my knees for you," Carmen bends down, grabbing ahold of Alice's skirt and giving it a playful tug, her eyes twinkling with mischief and affection.
" Love, this is supposed to be about me taking care of you right now," Alice chuckled, pulling Carmen from off the ground and wrapping a towel around her body. " But it is a tempting offer for another time," Alice added with a wink and a peck on the lips, gently guiding Carmen back to the task at hand.
" No fair, you started this. I should at least get to finish it," Carmen rolls her eyes as she extends her arms out, allowing Alice to dry her off properly.
"Now's not the time to pout, beloved; you have a role to fulfill," Alice chides playfully as Carmen changes back into her navy blue suit and black lace choker, strategically covering up the hickeys Alice left on Carmen's chest and neck. Right after Alice finishes the last touches of Carmen's makeup, Louis's voice is now heard over the call monitor.
" Alice, where are you?" Louis asks. Carmen sighed in annoyance; it was easy to forget that Alice was Louis's secretary, given how attentive she had been towards Carmen since first arriving in Dubai, but alas, at the end of the day, regardless of how their relationship manifested, Alice was still on Louis's payroll.
" I am currently attending to Ms. Sanchez, Mr. Du Lac; she will be ready for you momentarily," Alice replied smoothly over the call monitor, her voice as calm and composed as ever. It was as if what happened between them this morning had never happened, as if the two hadn't crossed the line by sleeping with one another.
" Very well, I'll be expecting her in ten minutes, don't be late," Louis's voice then cuts off. Leaving Carmen to wonder if Louis will be mad if he finds out that she screwed his secretary. At this, Carmen resolves to keep her guard up. Louis doesn't have to know what happened, so the secret will be safe for now.
" We should go," Carmen says with a slight disappointment, reaching for her laptop and recording device. Regardless of their attraction to one another, Carmen didn't want to stay in Dubai longer than necessary, and even if Alice made it bearable in the long term, it wouldn't be good for either of them to remain in Dubai, not if they didn't want to get arrested that is.
" Yes, we should," Alice wearing a similar look. Neither of them truly wanted to leave, but they couldn't stay; in the end, this was going to have to be a secret, but who knows if it was going to remain that way for very long. She saw the look in the other staff's eyes; it seemed they suspected their relationship blossoming, but they knew not of the extent of it, and it seemed that Louis knew but hadn't said anything directly to her.
" Ah, there you are, Carmen. You're looking as radiant as ever, and the suit fits you very well, but what's the deal with the choker? You didn't strike me as a person who would wear something like that," Carmen felt embarrassed at Louis's comment, aware of the cheeky reasoning behind the accessory choice. "It's a little something to tie the outfit together," she replied with a playful smile, her mind briefly flickering back to the private moment she'd shared with Alice.
" Now, let's start the interview, shall we?" Carmen prompts, " Day three of the interview," Carmen thinks, still completely unsure why Louis would choose her for this. Even if one of the degrees she held was one in journalism, it was still a job that was a bit too big for her, even if she did meet Louis when she was 18.
The interview went smoothly, with Louis going in on how his relationship with Lestat was deteriorating slowly, along with his family cutting him off completely due to the fears that they had about him. Then, when push came to shove, his business in the red light district in New Orleans was going under, which led to Louis killing and displaying Alderman Fenwick's body on display like a public art piece.
The action that Louis took led to Racial tensions cutting loose and many of the poorer black-owned businesses and neighborhoods being lit on fire as a result of his actions; in the fire, he heard the voice of what was soon to be his vampire daughter, Claudia, forever trapped in the body of a fourteen-year-old girl.
" I ran from the Quarter that night, ran to where the violence spread wild. I stumbled through the streets like an irrational child who had tested his strength on a small bird and now asked, 'Can I make it whole again?'." Louis paused before continuing. " And then one of those inconceivable moments where who you were before and who you would be forever after is marked in time. A rooming house, now a fire trap. I could not save the Azalea. I could not save Storyville. I could not save the aunt on the wrong side of the wall, but I could save her. My light, my Claudia. My redemption."
It dawned on Carmen why Louis had chosen her to interview him despite being underqualified for the job; even if he didn't say it out loud, his actions spoke for themselves. He missed Claudia, and for some reason, he was searching for her in Carmen.
But Carmen wasn't Claudia, and she wasn't going to pretend for either of their sakes. She wasn't searching for a father figure in Louis because she already had a father.
" Louis, you know I'm not her right?" Carmen questioned the creole vampire, meeting his piercing green vampiric eyes.
" Of course, I know that Carmen, the two of you don't even look alike. But it's not about that for me; it's about the spirit you both share. Claudia had a fire within her, a will to stand against the constraints imposed upon her, and in you, I see that same resilience. It's not a reincarnation or a replacement—it's a remembrance," Louis explained, his voice tinged with wistful clarity.
" I'm not looking for you to be a father figure to me, Louis, I already have a dad, and I won't pretend otherwise," Carmen continued, maintaining eye contact with Louis, ensuring he understood the boundaries she was setting.
" I know. You've made that clear to me already," Louis stood up, walking towards the balcony; the interview had gone on for four hours now, with a pause halfway in order for Carmen to eat, which was a dish that was local to Dubai, it was delicious, but Carmen hadn't remembered the name of it.
" Let's end the interview for today. It's been a long day for you, and just because I lead a nocturnal schedule doesn't mean that you should do the same," Louis added, and Carmen agreed to that request. She had gotten enough material from this session, so it wasn't like the interview needed to continue for the moment.
" Understood, if you don't mind, I'll be taking my leave now." Carmen paused the recording, shutting off her laptop and heading back to her room. It had been a long day indeed, for a bunch of different reasons, and now Carmen was mentally preparing herself for the fun she had planned for Alice the next morning.