My Favorite Camren One-Shots (Part 3)

The Tantalizing Tale

tantalize
verb | (tan-tl-ahyz)
1. to torment with the sight of something desired but out of reach
2. to tease by arousing expectations that are repeatedly disappointed
3. to excite the senses with the sight or promise of something that is unobtainable

This word originated from the story of the Greek king, Tantalus.

Tantalus notoriously attended a dinner at Zeus' table in Olympus. Aside from serving the gods Pelop, his son who he murdered, for dinner, he also stole ambrosia and nectar to serve to his people and humans. For his punishment, he was sentenced to stand in a pool of water beneath a fruit tree with low branches. However, whenever he would try to pick a fruit or scoop some water, the branches would raise from his grasp and the water would recede from his reach. This fate cursed him with the eternal frustration that he could not satisfy his needs.

Ambrosia was a honey-flavored delicacy delivered by doves daily and eaten by the gods for them to remain immortal. When consumed by humans, their natural beings enhanced. They grew faster, stronger, and more beautiful - all qualities that were considered divine. In addition, mortals who ate ambrosia became immortal.

Among the humans who Tantalus gave the stolen delicacy to was a child. That child was wandering a bit too far on the beach one day and the man offered her the treat. Her mother always told her to never take candy from strangers, but it was not candy. The man said it was "food from Heaven." So the little girl accepted it and ran off back to her family, stuffing the rest of the sweet treat in her mouth before her parents would notice.

Years passed. Information was gathered.

And Lauren Jauregui remained.

~

"ID?"

Lauren internally laughed at the bartender in front of her. The only reason why she did not make some snarky remark was because she was too captivated by the face that was waiting for her to hand over the card. Lauren gave the bartender her millionth ID and continued to stare at the woman who was checking to make sure she was of the legal drinking age.

Having lived through quite a few centuries, Lauren had encountered countless people. Her first husband was a handsome man. Their children were gorgeous. Her grandchildren were even more beautiful. It was as if the planet's population got more and more attractive with each generation.

Of all the people she had laid eyes on, though, the woman in the simple black tank top with her hair up in a messy ponytail and natural makeup was the first to truly leave her speechless. Lauren was stunned by the oh, so effortless beauty that radiated from the woman she could not help but admire.

"Staring's not gonna get you free drinks, babe," Lauren blushed at the comment and looked down bashfully as she took back her ID from the woman who was smirking at her. The bartender set the White Russian down and looked at Lauren curiously. "So, what did the asshole do this time?"

Lauren chuckled because it's not like she could respond with, "He died seven hundred years ago."

Instead, she merely shook her head and took a sip of her cocktail. There were not too many people at the bar since it was a Wednesday night, but there was a group of men playing pool on the other side of the room.

"That bad, huh?" The bartender leaned against the other side of the bar, her face just inches in front of Lauren's. "Those guys over there keep looking over. Considering they're regulars and have never made a move on me, I'm assuming it's you who they're trying to eye fuck. I don't blame them, but, since they're regulars, I also know how shitty their personalities are. So, there are two options: You either pretend to give me your life story, which results in you sobbing and me calling you a cab, or we can fuck with them a bit."

Lauren smirked at the devious smile that was plastered on the other woman's face and she could not help but bite her bottom lip. She leaned a bit closed and husked, "And how exactly would the latter work?"

"Like this."

The bartender captured Lauren's lips and slowly moved hers against them. The kiss was sensual and passionate, heated with a fire that sparked feelings Lauren had never felt in all the years she had lived. The way the other woman's hand gently caressed her cheek with one hand and firmly gripped at the base of her neck with the other, the way her lips perfectly fit Lauren's, the way it was as if their tongues had known each other for years. The act of kissing a stranger was nothing new to Lauren, but what the bartender was eliciting inside her was foreign to her, something new.

"I think I deserve a discount after that."

~

Nine months.

Lauren had been dating the bartender for nine months. Oh, and the other woman's name was
Camila Cabello.

Lauren knew it was wrong. She knew the whole thing would backfire in her face. But, when she heard Camila's laugh or saw that damn smile, Lauren could not find the strength in her to end things. Camila was worth all the pain and suffering she would inevitably pay.

"Babe," Camila called out, her voice thick with sleep. Her eyes were barely open and she groaned when she saw that it was five in the morning on her nightstand clock. "Come back to bed."

Lauren got up from her desk chair and closed her laptop before making her way back on the mattress to wrap her arms around her girlfriend. Camila instantly relaxed at Lauren's touch and she hummed happily in response to being back in her embrace. Lauren mumbled against her girlfriend's hair, "Sorry. I woke up for a smoke and then got caught up with some emails."

"I hate when you smoke," Camila barely made out. "Each cigarette is ten minutes of your life lost."