Before Time Runs Out

Chapter 5

The next few days went in a similar fashion. Ethel was actively avoiding Carmelita after she had gotten a tad too handsy while under the influence of a few glasses of whisky, which resulted in a harsh slap to the face and a scolding from Ethel. They were both sitting in the library across from each other, the Alice blue dress that Ethel was wearing framing her figure nicely. The neckline of it which went up to her collarbones was framed with embroidered white flowers. Her hair was done up in a braided bun, the curls that were shorter around her face hanging down gracefully. Carmelita was in a velvet red dress, it being much tighter to her figure and the neckline being much lower. Her messy raven curls draped across her shoulders and back with a small diamond pin holding one side out of her face. She was watching the fire while Ethel read from one of the many books that she had been working on, occasionally glancing out of the corner of her eye at her. She was mindlessly stroking Lancelot's soft fur, him being buried in the fabric of her dress in her lap, enjoying the warmth that came from her. The room was quiet aside from the crackling of the fire, the ticking of the clock, and the happy purring of Lancelot at the attention he was receiving. Carmelita sighed, causing Ethel to glance up, slowly closing her book and setting it to the side. She frowned as she studied Carmelita, before hoisting Lancelot up into her arms and rising from her seat. She walked over to Carmelita and placed him in her lap, her face changing from a pitiful expression to surprise.

"He's your cat so I don't see why you won't spend time with him."

Carmelita sighed, grasping Ethel's hand lightly in hers as she tried to walk away.

"Ethel I'm sorry," Ethel's eyes widened in as she studied Carmelita's face. She had never taken her to be a woman to say sorry, it had been quite a few days since that unfortunate incident. "To my belief sorry isn't enough when it comes to you, but I understand that." She rose from her chair, Lancelot hopping down onto the floor and letting out a grumble. "Come on, I want to take you somewhere." Ethel slowly nodded yes are Carmelita waited, a smile forming on her lips at her nonverbal response. She led her down the halls into an unfamiliar place in the house, before swinging a large set of heavy doors open. They revealed a room with beautiful limestone walls and tile flooring and a large indoor pool. There were small fountains that circulated the water, keeping it from becoming stagnant. One wall faced out into another courtyard; the wall being made of a beautiful sea-green glass that was frosted for privacy from the outside world. The air was quite warm, and the light was dimmed down here due to the few stained-glass lamps that were embedded within the walls, providing a cozy sort of light. Carmelita led her to the edge of the pool before turning around to face her, arms spread wide.

"Push me in." Ethel was shocked at her command, looking at her like she was insane.

"I can't do that! that would be rude."

"Really? Because I believe I have been much ruder to you than you have ever been to me," Carmelita raised an eyebrow at her, before setting her arms down at her sides, realizing she was not going to do it fairly quickly. "Fine then," She turned her back to her to face the pool once again, crossing her arms over her chest. "Missed a once in a lifetime opportun-," She was cut off as she was harshly shoved forwards, landing hard in the warm water of the pool. She quickly came up and grasped the edge frantically and pulled herself halfway up, coughing water out of her lungs. Ethel kneeled in front of her, sweeping the wet curls out of her eyes.

"You can't get mad at me, you asked me too." She had a playful smile on her face as Carmelita looked up at her, mirroring it back.

"You sneaky little, come here!" She grabbed her tightly into her arms, quickly pulling her in as she gave out a scream of surprise. She was soon soaked and pushed Carmelita away from her, trying to pull herself up on the edge of the pool, but was pulled away by a strong pair of arms. Carmelita dragged her out towards the middle, before turning her to face her, holding her in her arms while keeping both of them afloat.