isabelguzman

[isabelguzman]

Isabel nods her head, a sly smirk curving her features. "A very cute coffee shop owner," she muses. She picks up her cup of coffee, taking a sip of it as her eyes remain focused on Maya. Focusing in a way to make sure that the other knows she's not joking around and truly means it. "I've been told I can be rather charming, she muses as she places her cup back down as she shifts a little closer to the other, her eyes drifting to glance over all the empty tables around them. At least something good came out of her staying late and getting lost in her paperwork. "Yeah?" She asks as she turns her head back to look at Maya. "Maybe we can take this to my place after you're all done here."

@mayanoelle

Maya giggled, not missing the teasing edge in Isabel’s voice. She gave her a playful smile, trying to brush off the warmth that crept into her cheeks. “The cute coffee shop owner, huh?” She raised an eyebrow as she picked up the cup from the table. “You do have a way with words, don’t you?” Maya let her eyes linger for a moment, trying to figure out if Isabel was just joking or if there was more to it. She still didn’t quite know how to take comments like that–she was used to compliments on her baking, not so much her looks. “Well, now that the paperwork’s out of the way, I guess it’s just us and a quiet cafe,” she said, wrapping her hands around her own mug and lifting it to take a sip. Her eyes briefly scanned over the other empty tables. “Though I’ll admit, I might be enjoying the company a little more than the coffee.”

[isabelguzman]

Isabel holds of a glass of rum and coke in her hand, drifting her gaze along the crowd. Maybe, she wasn't feeling the social part of these things tonight or maybe he just wanted to go home, get into her pajamas and watch some trash television. It sounds way better than this right now. She brushes her tongue along her lower lip as she turns her head toward the voice that is aimed at her. "It does feel more crowded than usual, huh?" She raises her glass up to her lips, taking a sip as her eyes remain on Esra. "I was thinking about leaving and heading home to watch some trash television... Is that something you'd be interested in?"

@esratakkaya

LATE NIGHT, at STVTIC nightclub.

Dark hues scanned her surroundings and instantaneously lit up when the night provided a means of escape for her. “Merhaba,” she spoke in unison with the remnants of a small laugh trickling behind her words. “I'm having an interesting time, are you? There might be too many people here for me, though,” Esra commented with a fall of her shoulders while her body angled itself so she could hear the other above the heavy music, leaning into them slightly. Heavily crowded places got to her after a while. The older she got the more she cherish quiet spaces. “If you're leaving... please take me with you. Apart from the drinks I don't think this is my scene anymore tonight.” 

open starter — assume connections if you'd like!

@bluestarters

[isabelguzman]

who: @delicatedevils (hudson)

where: phantom mansion

Isabel walks up to the bar, placing her hand on the counter. "Tequila, please." She murmurs to the bartender. If she had to be in same room with a few romantic entanglements and whoever they brought on their arm... the least that could happen was a good shot of tequila. She picks it up and tosses it back in one swift motion, scrunching up her nose. "You need one too?" She says with a slight hiss.

[isabelguzman]

who: @fridaynightmuses (sylvia)

where: phantom mansion

Isabel stands off to the side, a little bit of people watching to see if she can catch anything interesting happening. She had yet to find something exciting to do herself so she thought she could at least live through someone else tonight. She turns her head when she notices a drink in front of her. "Oh hey," she laughs. "How long have you been standing there?" She asks, taking the drink from Sylvia.

[isabelguzman]

who: @ophaeliacs (giselle)

where: phantom mansion

"Please," she turns her head to look over at the person standing next to her. "If you are here to tell me that I'm rocking this cheerleading outfit I might have to go lay in the middle of the street for the rest of the night." She could not be the only person who has ever seen the iconic Jennifer's Body.

[isabelguzman]

who: @eclvpses (abel)

where: phantom manor

Isabel didn't plan on being sober for long. Isn't that what Halloween was all about? Dressing up and having a good time? It's what she plans to do especially since the moment she walked into the place she noticed he was there. Thing number two that ruined the idea of ever getting serious with someone again for her. Or at least that's what she keeps telling herself. She avoids as long as she can, has a couple of shots and excuses herself to find the restroom to splash some water on her face. She heads in that direction only to be nudged by a party-goer and right up against him. "Oh, sor..." her eyes lift up to look at his features. "Sorry," she finishes.

[isabelguzman]

Isabel didn't like to discuss their relationship. It's why she always shut her mouth when Saul brought up the Bailey's family, it's why she never looked in her direction if they were in the same room together and she was in her professional attire. Maybe it was because she was embarrassed that she thought the relationship was more than a friendship or maybe it was because she didn't really feel like painting Nilay in a bad light. It didn't matter who asked her. Clem was probably the only person who knew her relationship past and it was because she was usually transparent with those she took to bed when it came to her opinion on relationships. She would rather be honest all up front than let it all hit her at the end and leave her looking like a fool. That's pretty much all it was. Her ego was damaged, her heart was broken and then she had to wonder if she was too in her head about how relationships should be.

It wasn't as if Nilay was the only one to break her heart. She thought about running into Abel the other day, the one who she was ready to move in with, ready to do the whole settling down thing with when she came back from LA despite the fact that she had a little thing with Lincoln before they officially came back. She chews on her lower lip as she pulls the glass of tequila toward her as soon as the bartender puts it down. "It's good," she murmurs, picking up the lime as she glances over in Nilay's direction. She always did her best not to look at the woman every time they were in the same room together, she's not sure why. Maybe it was because she hated the injured puppy dog look the woman always gave her. Like the other needed her forgiveness to get through life. It seems almost rude of her to even think like that. She makes a face to herself before she raises the glass and tosses it back in one swift motion, placing the lime in her mouth shortly after. "What happened at work?" She asks, avoiding the question about herself.

@doctornilaybailey

The curator wondered if there would ever come a day where she didn't feel anxious around her ex. If she would ever see and not automatically feel the guilt of how their relationship ended course through her veins and overtake her senses. After all, in the end, Nilay knew that the lawyer had every right to feel however she felt about her. May it be hatred or indifference, it was Isabel's own right. But... That's not to say that it didn't also hurt. While she hadn't been able to love her the way she deserved, she did care deeply for her. She truly did like her when they first met. In a way, over the course of their relationship, she had loved her. But it'd been more like the way friends loved each other in the end. And g-d, it hadn't been fair to try and continue being with her once she realized that. Though, equally, she would never stop regretting giving her that false hope in the first place.

Nilay simply nodded and drank. So much has changed since their relationship ended in early 2021. For the better, for the worse, for the in-between. Which made it even more eye-opening when realizing what all has stayed the same in spite of how else things have become different. "Um." She cleared her throat at her ex's words. Admittedly, she could go for something stronger as well. But to be the reason why Isabel wanted something stronger... G-d, she truly fucked her up, hadn't she? "Tequila's good, yeah. I might get some later." Fucking hell, what was with this small talk? They use to be able to talk easily for hours on end, listening to each other and debating with each other and agreeing with each other. Now... This? She wasn't surprised, not really, but it still hurt. Then again, what could she do? Even if she were to go on her knees and apologize, Isabel had the right to either accept it or not. After that, there was nothing that could be done. Nilay hummed in agreement. "I am, yes. It was a rough day at work, so I figured a few drinks wouldn't hurt." Pressing her lips together, she quietly debated for a moment. Until, finally, she asked, "What about you?"

📜@isabelguzman

[isabelguzman]

Isabel's smile quickly turns to a smirk because the second her eyes landed on Leo from a few feet away she knew they would take the boxes from her without even saying a word. It was who they were. They were always friendly when the two of them were together and sometimes he was extra friendly. She crosses her arms across her chest. "I could say the same thing about you, I feel like it's been a while since we've seen each other." She muses, it had been busy for her the last year and a half. Moving back from LA, working for Saul and then there was the topic of Abel which wasn't one she planned on discussing with anyone. Out of all the things to happen, she got fooled again into thinking that whatever they had together could be real. She is just glad that she was able to see the signs and cut it off instead of spending years in denial about a relationship that wasn't mutual. "I willed you into existence once I walked out of my apartment with those boxes, I said please let Leo come around the corner at any point so he can take these boxes." She muses. "Donating it. So, the shelter."

@eclvpses

Focusing more on his Twitter feed than Isabel, it was a miracle that Leo didn’t bulldoze her over, stopping a mere foot in front of her when she called his name. Out of habit, he was almost always on the defensive when he heard someone mention him - at this point, Leo was never sure whether he was on good or bad terms with a person based solely off their interactions. But Isabel was grinning at him, offering kind salutations - and Leo was fond of her. Matching her smile, he quickly stomped out the cigarette he’d been looking forward to all shift, before wordlessly taking the boxes from Isabel to give her a break. “Well lookie what the cat dragged in. Isabel.” Despite the boxes that Leo was now carrying, he still dipped at the waist in a theatrical bow, mumbling a quick, “Shit,” when the boxes slid and almost completely tipped out of his grasp. “Miss me so much you wanted to trick me into manual labour, huh? Where’re you going with all this shit?”

[isabelguzman]

It was so easy to get lost in Clem; both were cut from the same material and the understanding they had made this entire thing less complicated. She's entirely more focused on this interaction than the rest of the event, it's almost over anyway so she has no reason to stick around or care about what any of these high classed assholes think plus she doubts Saul cares about who she has sex with outside of work. She doesn't even know how to explain the reasons for coming back here but her best friend seems like reason enough; despite his measures to ensure her she didn't need to leave because he did meant nothing. She drops her gaze to the other's lips as the hand grazes her hips, it makes her realize how fuzzy thr champagne has actually made her because she's already leaning in closer, the tip of her nose brushing the tip of Clem's. "You might want to before everyone gets a show, Clem." She murmurs against her lips.

@clementinebriar

Clem tilts her head curiously, raising an eyebrow. “When have you ever known me to be careful, baby?” The distance between them’s closed enough so that it’s clear they’re not talking about anything charitable, but Clementine doesn’t care. She dares one of the homophobic assholes she’s met in the past to say something at a charity luncheon benefiting the fucking queer community. That’d be spectacularly hilarious. Isabel expresses her regret for coming back here, and Clem can’t help snorting. “Yeah,” she takes another sip of her champagne. “If I’d gotten out? You’d never see me step foot in this town again.” Which begs the question — why would Isabel come back to this fucking place? It doesn’t beg it enough to ask, mind you, not when Isabel is insinuating doing something much more exciting than talking, but certainly one to keep locked away for later. Clem extends a hand to trace down the curve of Isabel’s waist, fingers gentle against the fabric of her dress. Humming in mock-thought, she says, “I could be convinced to break you out of here.”

[isabelguzman]

ISABEL GUZMAN AS JENNIFER.

[isabelguzman]

who: @eclvpses (leo)

where: outside somewhere

Grabbing a couple of boxes, Isabel reaches out with her foot to push the door open. She slips through the little space and adjusts the boxes in her hand, at least she was doing something helpful. Her friend needs these boxes to get delivered to the flower shop down the street. She walks down the street, her eyes raising up to see Leo walking in her direction. "Fowler," she laughs. "Hey... It's been a minute."

[isabelguzman]

Isabel brings her drink up to her lips, her gaze focusing on Avery. "You always want to know this much about someone else's life or do you just have a thing for me? Or is your things for Nilay?" She smirks, teasingly, of course. A small part of her hoping to change the subject because the last thing she wants to discuss is her ex especially one that's practically ruined her chances at making anything in her life work. "Maybe, she just thinks I'm cute... Don't you think I'm cute, Avery?" She smiles. "It's good. You always know how to make my drinks right."

@averyherochopra

"... Uh-huh." Was he convinced? Not in the slight bit. Nilay was soft-hearted and sweet, but Hero also knows that she has quite a fire deep inside her and was open to others. So seeing her be so damn timid and nearly shaking like a little chihuahua? Yeah, no. There's gotta more to this story. Drinking his soda, he could only nod slowly. An eyebrow quirked up while he eyed the lawyer before him. "Do you, perchance, might know why...? I've gotten to know her over the years and I'll admit, I've seen her be nervous, but not that nervous." Gesturing to the rum and coke she was sipping, he soon continued on, "Is that good or are you thinking tequila again?" G-d, he was annoying and he knows it. Hence why he was trying to use it to his advantage.

📖@isabelguzman

[isabelguzman]

Isabel exhales at Clementine's words, stepping a little closer to her. "You should be careful what you say here because I'm not afraid to ditch this place to do something far more interesting than it." Her own gaze falls to Clem's lips, suddenly wishing they were not at a work function. Or at least at her work function. Especially with a certain ex lingering around. Her head turns to look over her shoulder to notice the couple, her head shakes slightly. "This town is so fucking small, that I kind of regret coming back here." She admits. It's the number of times she's run into Nilay and now having to see her be hanging all over the guy she actually wanted their entire relationship. It was easier to just pretend that the entire thing didn't happen when it wasn't in her face. "I think I could get away with leaving if you're willing to save me."

@clementinebriar

Clem’s spent the past hour or two hoping and wishing something interesting would happen. Save for a couple of tense conversations between people who clearly don’t like each other — but have to tolerate each other, for some fucking reason — nothing’s really caught her attention. That is, until something interesting herself is walking up to her — Isabel looks fucking incredible, as usual, which is both unsurprising and exhilarating. At her question, Clem can’t help but raise an eyebrow and shake her head once. “Mm, wish I could, babe,” she replies, smirking as she gives Isabel a very obvious once-over. “But I’m always much more interested in thinking about you out of clothes.” She leans in further, eyeing her lips. “Having fun?” She nods over at Nilay, accompanied by her otherwise unremarkable musician beau. “I see your favorite person is here with the Beanstalk.”

[isabelguzman]

who: @eclvpses (abel)

where: some party

"Well, that's exactly what I was thinking too." Small talk. It was probably the worst parts about these parties. She refers them to adult parties, the ones where everyone stands around and mingles with a glass of champagne in their hand. At least at this party she could avoid running into Nilay and all the awkward conversations but she should have thought about another particular ex. One on and off relationship that was so close to breaking down her walls and making her vulnerable again. Her gaze finds his in the crowd and unfortunately he looks right back at her. She abruptly ended things before they were supposed to move in together because she didn't want to find herself in a relationship with someone who probably was pinning for someone else again. She turns, taking a long sip of her champagne glass when she hears her name come from his direction. "Fuck," she mutters.

She turns her head back to smile at the gentleman Abel is standing with. "Hi Dr. Stevens." She nods as she walks over, approaching the both of them. It's when the older man introduces Abel to her. "Dr. Romanov, it's good to see you again."

[isabelguzman]

Isabel chews on her lower lip when Maya agrees to push off closing time to spend it with her. She raises her eyes up toward her as she arches a brow ever so slightly. "Pretty brunettes, huh? Maybe the pretty brunette was trying her best to distract herself from staring at the cute coffee owner all night." She says in a low tone before she watches Maya grab the cup from the table. She closes her files and moves to put them in her brief case. Her eyes lift up to look at Maya when she returns, a chuckle leaves her lips. "I put all the paperwork away," she gestures to the empty table. "It's just you, me, and the cup of coffee you so kindly warmed up for me."

@mayanoelle

Maya tilted her head, her eyes twinkling as she met Isabel’s gaze. “Well, closing time can wait when the company’s good,” she teased back. “Maybe being distracted by pretty brunettes working all night in my coffee shop are the superior plans of the evening.” Maya reached across and grabbed the Isabel’s mug. “I’ll get this warmed up for you and then I’ll be right back.” She made her back over to the microwave behind the counter, putting the mug in and setting a short timer before pouring herself the last of the coffee on the pot in her own mug. When the microwave dinged, Maya made her way back to Isabel’s table, setting down both drinks before sliding in across from her. “I’ve cleared my very busy schedule for you – promise not to get lose in that paperwork?”

[isabelguzman]

CAROLINE FORBES

The Vampire Diaries | 5.04

[isabelguzman]

Isabel nods her head at him. "Good," she murmurs as she reaches out to grab the glass he sat down in front of her. She pulls it close to her and freezes at the mention of Nilay. Her eyes raise up to look at the other in front of her, her head tilting to the side. She didn't particularly enjoy discussing her private life especially the part that is the Bailey woman. She would much rather move forward and focus her energy and time on something that will actually go somewhere. Plus she's not as bitter as she used to be, maybe if Hero would have brought this up before hand but right now. She was less than interested. "I'm not sure why she was awkward around me." She shrugs her shoulders. "It's always been like that between us."

@averyherochopra

Hero's lips moved into a smirk the moment he saw Isabel. The lawyer had become one of his regulars for awhile now, but the other night? That was the first time he's witnessed her going through some really awkward shit. Makes it all even funnier that it was with Doctor Nilay Bailey, the partner and baby mama of one of his good friends, and he wanted to get to the bottom of it. Leaning against the liquor shelves, he whistled while wiping down some glasses. Glancing up now and then at the woman before him to see if she would break. Imagine how Cheshire cat-like his smirk became once she did. "Fuck yeah I am," he said. Setting down the glass and drying cloth behind him before leaning against the bar. "What's going on between you and Doctor Anthropology? I know that she can be a bit shy and bashful, but she was downright awkward with you. Y'all got history or something?"

📖@isabelguzman