It had been far to long since Lia had seen her cousin, all the random calls or Snapchat’s, and the Skype calls for important events. Never really was the same, but she was more than grateful for the interactions they’d had. The baby shower partly Lias doing, knowing at the end of the day Tori would appreciate it. And little V will love to hear the stories of the night. But keeping her secrets on the other hand, during family events, or run ins with those in the past were becoming more difficult as her cousin, but Lia would be damned if she wasn’t called some form of Aunt, got cuter. And the closer she got to them walking into the room and seeing them, the more a smile spread across Lias face.
The same look of shock that took over Toris face was the one that appeared on everyone’s. And sometimes Lia fell to the same status, shocked by the world she had brought herself into but ever so grateful. Everything about her life now was different, but all she wanted was her cousin by her side again. And finally her eyes were overtake by sheer happiness, her gaze taking in every ounce of Tori. From the same curly raven hair bouncing as she walked, the almost childlike grin atop her face, all the way to the bassinet sat in her hand. Effortlessly staying still as she walked, the actual amount of time shed done the same thing becoming present to Lia. “Tori!” She squealed, wrapping her around Toris frame tightly. A childlike innocence falling over the two as they just took each other in, a year and a half apart but nothing felt different. They were same girls that would sneak out at midnight to meet in the park with the group, or go on random road trips during the summer of high school. “I missed you so much,” and the one thing that had changed was finally brought to the for front, her eyes training down to the child in the bassinet. “She’s precious, and I’m excited to spoil you both,” glancing back up to meet Toris gaze, “Well who am I to deny Sangria? Come on, let’s get out of the lobby,” taking the grocery bag from Toris other hand and heading over to the elevator, “I’ll be honest, there may be one, or two,or twenty, shopping bags up their for you two,” shrugging lightly, “I couldnt help myself,”
@indiestars-rp
of all of her post-italy rendezvous (her parents, her unsuspecting baby daddy, his parents), this one felt easy. perhaps because lia was one of three people she did her best to keep in contact with from the other side of the world. one of two actual attendees at the skype baby shower she didn’t even really want to have. or maybe she just knows that her cousin will accept her in whatever form she shows up in–skinny, fat, rich, poor, or even x2.
she lifts a brow at the sheer amount of marble in the lobby of the address she sent. when lia said her new beaux was loaded she was expecting a few fancy cars and evidence of a private education. what she steps into instead are the trappings of pure generational opulence. the luxury of it all has little time to settle on her though, because then she sees her, standing there in the flesh, looking just a little older than the last time, almost a year and a half ago if you could believe it. she figures she looks a little different as well, carrying a sleeping veronica by the handle of her bassinet in one hand and a grocery bag in the other. her smile is one thing she’ll never outgrow, the way it’s slightly impish and stretches halfway across her face when she squeals “lia!” and throws her free arm around her. suddenly they’re little girls again, the ones that would beg their parents to allow the other to stay the night so they could stay up til’ 2 watching movies they weren’t supposed to, who’d spend their summers joined at the hip, telling boys at the mall that they’re twins and watching them believe it. “i missed you” she says in earnest, holding her there for a minute before her attention turns to the baby. “she’ll wake up for you in a second, but til’ then i brought sangria!”
starletwrites:
“your inability to adhere to the three drink limit i imposed says otherwise” he mutters snarkily, diverting his gaze to the picturesque view below. he can dish it but very much cannot take the way she looks at him after. growing up he’d always been the golden child, leaving it to his twin to pull some heinous stunt to evoke his parent’s ire and make anything he did seem like mere child’s play in comparison. it’s made him increasingly resistant to criticism over the years. however, his ability to pass judgement holds strong. while fiona has seemingly opened herself up to the world beyond michelin stars and valets he only sinks further into it. becoming more and more like his parents by the day. lia was supposed to be his redemption. a girl, completely unlike the one’s he’d spent his life around. she didn’t grow up in seersucker skirts, with nannies, and a trust fund she’ll blow through by the time she’s 30. and he thought that’s part of what he loved about her.
“i’m not asking you to be perfect, just mindful. regardless of how far you’ve come or how well you carry yourself people take one small thing and run with it. i’m just looking out for you, sweetheart” the term of endearment he uses whenever he’s trying to reason with her. and perhaps the rationale behind his request isn’t completely unselfish, but he does know how vicious the big shots can be, doesn’t want to see her fall victim to the ruthless rumor mill.
it’s growing more apparent to him that this is an issue that won’t be solved in just one night (if ever). and the secondhand smoke, usually something that doesn’t bother him in the slightest, keeps wafting past his nostrils, aggravating him further. so he gets to his feet, signaling a retreat. “a friend of mine that was at the table tonight mentioned to me that she’d want to have you dress her for an event she has coming up…i’ll put you in contact with her tomorrow.” his tone is semi-detached as he leans against the railing, eyes cast on the toronto skyline. and maybe it’s the scotch on the brain that triggers the absentminded revelation that he was in the company of more than just his colleagues tonight, but he breezes past that minor detail, feeling the makings of a migraine beginning to thrum against his skull. “i’m going to bed, are you coming?”
“I think you forgot I’m not a little thing who drinks wine coolers for fun at the parties. I never have been, but I’m also aware of myself and what I’m doing Declan,” their lives were similar in many ways, Lia having relished in the finer things in life for most of her life. But she fell back down the ladder even faster than her parents climbed it. She discovered the darker side of life, sneaking out at 1am to go hang out with the drug dealers and teen alcoholics. Signing up for websites to make money for herself in less then safe ways, all while spiraling inside her own head. But Declan was different, raised entirely surrounded by the upper class and never straying from their values and morals. Lia had always wanted to be a part of it, to never have to worry about things, but as time went on she was questioning more and more.
“Are you looking out for me or yourself? I can handle what’s been thrown my ways, lord knows more than one rumor has flown around about me. No matter what tier of life you are on people are gonna do whatever they can to bring you down and make you look worse than them, and it’s how you handle yourself and the people closest to you having your back when push comes to shove,” she knows he has her best interest at heart, but she also doesn’t like to be protected and coddled. Lia would always rather handle her own problems, no matter how big or small, and deal with the consequences afterwards. But she appreciated his attempts none the less, but she was finally getting fed up with everything.
Heaving a sigh before she took an inhale of her blunt, her gaze taking in the skyline around her. And trying to focus on something besides her annoyance towards the male in front of her. Everything about the night finally coming to a head, and her mouth working faster than her brain as he spoke. “I thought it was just you and your colleagues? You know a couple of the guys?” Rolling her eyes, tapping the ash off the top and watching it fall apart in the glass ashtray on the table. “Send it to my assistant I have to be in the office at 5, which means I probably should take you up on that offer,” Taking a final drag of her blunt and putting it out, “this isn’t over however,”
izzyindie:
“Sir? Took you for more a Daddy type,” Luke smirked. He didn’t know just yet how far he could push his luck with the girl, but Luke was interested enough that he’d be entertain the entire time. “And if not, I’m sure I’ve got some poisons to alleviate the stress.” It wasn’t a secret that the Hounds party, Luke however was an exception. He was always seen as the Mama’s Boy or the Designated Driver, no one truly knew what poison Luke used, and he kept it that way, but with Lia’s reputation he knew he’d be in for a treat. It was a brief walk, moving to open any doors for the girl just like his mama taught him. “Don’t play any of that Taylor Swift or Lady A crap. I get enough of that with Becky driving to school.”
Her strides falter for only a moment as she took in his words, a simple nod with a smirk on her lips, “Perhaps I like both, whatever you prefer Daddy,” Lia listened to his words, having been to one or two of the hounds parties. Luke either never showing up or disappearing halfway through the night she eventually just stopped looking for him. But that didn’t mean her intrigue on him diminished any, if anything only strengthened. “And what kind of poisons might that be?” A perfectly kept brow raising at him, her eyes glinting with mischief and curiosity. “I wouldn’t dare, I’m a little insulted you think I would,”
starletwrites:
“you seem in good spirits–” he observes aloud, was partially expecting to walk straight into some kind of deathtrap or at the very least, an earful, after spending the better part of an evening that had been reserved for her, eating wagyu beef with his work chums. he figures maybe they’re beginning to understand each other a little better after all. “but i’m glad that all that’s ironed out because now i can focus on which destination you and i will be jetting off to this weekend to celebrate–” he offers as consolation, grinning wolfishly as he tucks a stray strand behind her ear. “i was thinking somewhere tropical, with lots of room service and very little clothing”
she looks so absolutely enticing tonight, the red stain on her lips having always been his personal preference. briefly, he wonders whether she wore it for him or the onlookers who’d inevitably gawk as she passes by. either way, she was not a woman unaware of her power. it was quite possibly the only thing that held up against his brazenness and endless cash supply, the only thing that could literally bring him to his knees. it’s why he asked her to marry him, after dinner, and only five months of dating, in their private lagoon in iceland, with much fanfare from the resort staff in the form of white rose petals and rare champagne. it’s not necessarily the thought of being without her that drives him mad, but the thought of her ending up with someone that wasn’t him.
he holds his jacket out for her to take, knows that the night air has hit since she arrived, and that the manhattan junior league would be pleased to see that all his chivalrous training had not been for naught. he escorts her out, hand positioned at the small of her back and nods to acknowledge the maitre d who stands at attention until he’s out the door. by the time they make it, the aston is already revved up and waiting to take them to the suite they’re staying in until the contractors finish renovations on the place they’re supposed to be moving into. a beautiful, stately, 5 bedroom, 6 bath that the governor used to reside in, to be completed by the wedding. speaking of–
“how’s wedding planning coming along?” he’s left the task mostly to her, only checking in when it’s absolutely imperative or she invokes his input for the fifth time in a row. “my mother wanted to be sure you add a few more people to the guest list…” she’s been looming over this entire process, allowing lia to think she was in control but ensuring everything was up to coyne standard. declan is, afterall, her dashing boy. and she’s been bragging to the ladies at hamilton house that it would certainly be the event of whatever season it’s in.
“I’ve been able to experience some of the different cocktails offered, I’ve discovered a new favorite,” she teased, but while in truth she had the drinks. Lia also didn’t wanna bring their personal drama into the restaurant. Not everyone needed to know what was going on. Under most circumstances she would’ve popped off at least a little bit on him, but the drinks and good conversation had made her feel a little less confrontational. “I’ve been dying to get out of the cold, it’s annoying having to wear a big coat over everything,” huffing a little bit before a small smirk tugged at her lips, “I did place an order for some pretty lingerie and bikinis, I was planning on giving you a fashion show later but surprising you on a trip sounds even more exciting,”
From the minute she discovered the red lipstick as a young child in her sisters makeup, it was what she dreamed of. It made her feel prettier, like she had the attention that Lia thought she deserved. And ever since she started wearing makeup it was her staple, her lucky charm in a sense. The amount of confidence she got from a few swipes of a lipstick was more than she cared to admit. But it was the truth, with her outfits and her makeup it always felt like she could take over the world. And in a sense she had with her clothing line, and experienced it every time she saw someone wear her clothes. But Declan managed to do something similar, having him by her side, *almost*, at her beck and call. It was exhilarating in a sense. Having such a powerful man there for her and ready to run the world together. It’s why she didn’t even hesitate to say yes when he asked her to marry him, not for the private villas or designer closets filled with months worths of non repeating outfits. But because she had genuinely fallen in love with someone who made her feel as good about herself as her fashion had.
“Thank you,” fell from her lips as she stood from her chair, wrapping the jacket a little tighter around herself. Smiling softly as the scent of whiskey and his cologne filled her nostrils. Soft clicks of her heels making her way out the door, nodding softly with a smile on her face to say goodbye the different people she passed. Sliding simply into the seat of the car, and gently placing her bag down on the floor beneath her. Ready to get home and slip into something more comfortable and spend her night with Declan.
“It’s coming along, I finally decided on the floral arrangements and a few parts of the decorations,” a soft smile as she thought of her little book at home with all the details. “I’m still working through a color scheme, he’s proving to be more difficult than I thought it would. There’s so many beautiful colors out there,” sighing softly and leaning back against the seat behind her, “I haven’t even heard of half the people she invited last time you told me that. Why do I want random people at my wedding because your mother wants them there?” Rolling her eyes before shaking her head, “Its my wedding, I’m not continuously going to please her,” Finallt turning to look at him with a sigh, “Anyway, Nessa, Tori, and I are gonna go dress shopping soon. I can’t wait to see all the different options and feel like a Princess,”sending him a soft smile, grabbing his hand in hers, “Any requests or ideas for my dress sir?”