Declan. - Blog Posts
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,”
starletwrites:
“amelia” leaves his lips in a haughty sigh as she click clacks toward their outdoor area and declan runs two fingers over his eyelids in pure exhaustion. he wrestles with himself for a moment, whether it’s worth the fight so close to bedtime, before following her out. plunks down at her adjacent on one of the outdoor wicker chairs that came with the place. “you know how I feel about your drinking habits, especially in my establishments—“ the scotch in his glass prevents him from mincing words. she could drain back to back blue amalfis at their local olive garden if she so chose, but in front of his peers and colleagues the expectation was that she remained prim and proper as they come. like she too had been force fed twenty six years worth of lessons in table manners and general etiquette. “how does it look if my fiancé, the woman I’m supposed to be starting a life with, is downing cocktails at the bar like it’s going out of style!”
he knows he’s partially to blame, more than aware that she was equally troubled as she was beautiful before he ever picked out a clear cut diamond to glimmer prettily from her left hand. but he can assume that she didn’t walk into this relationship blind to the kind of man he was either—one from a rigid upbringing, inebriated on power and control, with ultimate awareness of how important keeping up appearances is to maintaining the veneer of perfection that’s been passed down from generation to generation like an antique necklace or a house in the hamptons.
“i know you don’t care what people think but that attitude doesn’t get you very far in this world. it just doesn’t. how many people do you think are gonna want to work with a designer with an alcohol pr—“ his tone softens as he settles on dark irises, had always found brown eyes boring until he discovered so much hidden depth behind hers. a sigh leaves his lips, so exasperated it sounds like it’s been building up for a lifetime, a clear surrender of sorts. because he’s not out to hurt her, only to make her understand. “I’m not asking you to be this perfect lady, and host society brunches and wear skirts down to your ankles. …I just want you to be aware of your actions when you’re in public, of how they’ll reflect on both of us…it’s time to grow up amelia, and start considering our future together”
Lia set herself up, grinding her weed and getting her wrap ready to roll. Wanting nothing more than to face a blunt and go to bed, ready for a new adventure the day held. Everything was stressing her out now, a much different feeling than she had started her night with. Turning to face Declan as he came on the balcony, listening to his words as she rolled her blunt. “It looks like I’m a 25 year old girl spending her time at a bar, waiting by myself for my fiancé who happens to own the bar. I understand you’re busy, and youre working, but I can’t be expected to act a specific way when you yourself are out doing the same thing but your with colleagues so it’s different right?”
Amelia knew what being in a relationship with Declan meant, that she had to be the most upstanding citizen she could possibly be. Keeping her words proper, no cuss words, no slang, full sentences that make sense to everyone. She took more business classes, to learn the language Declan and his colleagues used, having wanted to try and be more involved in the conversations and not sound out of place. Lia had put more time and effort in becoming a different version of herself for the people Declan surrounded himself with, and yet he continued pointing out more things she needed to work on. Time and time again, she had to continue to change.
She pauses her movements, and glances up at him as he continues his words, “First of all Declan, I don’t have a drinking problem. I wake up and go about my life, 9/10 times I don’t drink during the day. I enjoy alcohol, but it takes a lot more than a couple drinks or shots to get me intoxicated. I’m well aware of my own tolerance and how to pace myself after my history. I’ve done more than enough damage in my past life to drink myself into a coma anymore,” having spent a six month stint in and out of the hospital more times than she cared to count before she was of legal drinking age probably wasn’t the best history for the new Coyne heiress. But then again, they neednt know all her business, but Declan did. Amelia understood he was worried, and just wanted to protect her of sorts. But she had been independent far to long to have a father looking over her shoulder and monitoring her intake. “I’ll never be this perfect little princess they hope for me to be, I’ve never been that kind of girl even when I had to hold up my own standards in my family. I’m not gonna pretend to be someone just because people will get upset from something, I’ve done a lot of changing and a lot of pretending with people you’ve brought me around. But if I’m stuck in a bar, you told me to meet you at, and you don’t show up for hours and hours on end, then I’m not gonna sit there sipping water for five hours when I can have a couple drinks. Then drink a couple glasses of water, and then some more alcohol. I’m not an idiot, nor sloppy, never have been. Just an idiot at times,”
starletwrites:
he sighs at mention of mrs. coyne’s ever-growing guest list. “she just wants to make sure the right people are in attendance, and i don’t wholly disagree–” given his parent’s long spanning diplomatic careers, their colleagues included everyone from fortune 500 ceos to an ethiopian prince. and even his wedding day could be seen as an opportunity to rub shoulders with the upper crusts of society, expand his real-estate investments beyond toronto. still, he doesn’t expect her to roll over and submit to lara’s micromanaging, at least not with out a fight. “just let her take control of the seating chart amelia, there’ll still be plenty of room for all of your college chums and the girls from the salon” he glances over at her, sensing her immediate displeasure with the whole ordeal. “besides” he pouts a little, imitating her sour expression, “the more guests we have, the more gifts there are for you..” fiona’s wedding last summer resulted in enough blue tiffany’s boxes to fill the entire living room of their vacation home in tahoe. he expects to top it.
rubbing the pad of his thumb over the space between her ring and her knuckle, he pretends to think, “perhaps something with longer sleeves, mother was hoping you’ll keep it modest for mimsy’s sake…” a smile breaks on his features before she can tell him where his mother can go, “i’m kidding. get the best thing in the store. whatever you like, i’ll love.” he imagines that most girls dream about this moment, when they see the dress, and the music swells, and the heaven’s open up when they can practically see themselves wearing it down the aisle. most of them then go on to settle for whatever dress appeals to their budget. he likes the fact that he can get her whatever she wants, can’t decipher whether it’s pride or power he feels when he’s able to fulfill her every materialistic desire.
they arrive at the biltmore, valets opening both doors and welcoming them back with hospitable smiles. he grins tight-lipped at their doorman and waits just until he gets in the elevator to loosen his tie just slightly. “have you eaten?” declan inquires, glancing at himself in the gold reflective paneling until he hears the ding. he steps into their luxurious suite, makes a beeline for the bar where he pours himself a short glass of something brown. “you should order something from the kitchen, perhaps to soak up some of those cocktails you sampled” she can usually hold her liquor, but he still keeps close contact with the bar managers to make sure they don’t serve her more than three in one sitting. kind of contradictory, considering this is his fourth of the night but he calls it a reward for a job well done.
“The right people should be who I want there,” Rolling her eyes and a harsh sigh from her lips, she understood his parents role in the world. Diplomats knew everyone of power and wanted to be as friendly as they could to all sides of things. But Lia wasn’t raised that way, her parents helping people even if they knew they weren’t good people. She learned to invite once, or help out once, and then it was over. Nothing more nothing less, but every-time there was a new Coyne family event they had to pull all the stops. No matter how big or monumental the occasion, and just after a few years Lia was done with it all. Wanting her wedding day to be perfect for her, and not the matriarch of the Coyne family. “I would hope there’d be enough room considering it’s **my** wedding, she had one of her own. She took over Fionas, this is mine. No matter the amount of gifts I can get, I don’t like it Dec,” a small pout now centered on her face, and ultimately knowing she had no choice in the matter even if she put up a fuss.
“Maybe she can keep it modest and not show up,” she spoke under her breath, the annoyance evident in whatever way she conducted herself. Every part of her felt hot, like a heat wave only she could feel. Every bit of her wanting to yell about everything she had been feeling with Declan never making time anymore, and his mother trying to take over a wedding he wasn’t even there to learn about. “I’ll wear lingerie and call it a day,” knowing he could afford whatever and whoever she wanted, it was a blessing but also a curse. She didn’t want to be perceived as the gold digging fiancé, even if he always allowed her what her heart desires. It still felt like she had to be cautious when looking at price tags, like it would bounce her account at any second. Even if she knew it wouldn’t.
Following him absentmindedly through the doors, sending small waves and smiles at the workers. She enjoyed talking to them, making sure they had what they needed to make their lives easier. If someone needed a day off and wasn’t given it, Lia made damn sure they got that day off. Even if no one else knew or figured out what she was doing, it was contentment for her to help them. “I had some salmon and vegetables after I realized we were no longer going out to eat,” she spoke, making her way to her little study quickly and finding her box of smoking supplies. “It was quite delicious but the drinks were much more delectable. Just a pity I had to self serve because I couldn’t get them to look at me after a couple,” the clicking of her heels signifying she was heading to the balcony.
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?”
starletwrites:
to some extent, though he’d never completely admit it, angel loves hearing himself talk. so the fact that she humors him, acts even the least bit interested in his tales of an inner-city hippie make him like her, just that much more. she didn’t yet fully embody the pompous air that surrounds them, it doesn’t emanate from her and stink up the room like that old lady white diamond perfume that doesn’t come out of this shirt post-shift no matter how many times he runs it through the wash. unlike her man, who in his opinion was too far gone, there was something about her that was still real.
“course not” he chuckles, suspects that she’s been cute all her life. one of those girls that somehow evades the awkward pre-pubescent phase. but he’d be lying if he said he wouldn’t get a kick out of a picture with braces, or dorky glasses, or her rocking a pair of brightly colored skinny jeans with converse all the way up to the knees. but maybe they’d save the embarrassing photo exchange for the next time her boyfriend fiancé stands her up at his own restaurant.
his grin grows twice the size as her story continues, and he tries to paint the picture for himself, poofy princess dress and all. has only ever seen that kind of thing on tv, where girls get dressed up and basically compete to be the prettiest. “oooh, not the carebears” he doesn’t try to the stifle the laugh that bursts as her story concludes, even claps a little, surprised at the commitment. “well at least you kept it going. my ass would’ve been off the stage asap. but i think it’s cool you used to tumble. i’ve always wanted to know how–could probably use it in some of my dances and shit. …think you could–?” before he can get the words out the air changes, dishes clank faster, conversations lull, eyes point in a certain direction. he looks up to see him approaching, cutting their fun short, bringing him back to reality–just a little.
“sweetheart–” the boss man greets his lady divine, placing a chaste kiss against her cheek. “my meeting with the gentlemen that own the space on king street ran late, but we’re in talks to break ground for a separate location by june” his breath smells like whiskey, they went out for drinks after in celebration but he neglects that minor tidbit. it’s just then that he just barely acknowledges angel’s presence, sends a dismissive glare in his direction, and as quickly as he appeared, angel waves a small goodbye to miss amelia.
A small part of Amelia had missed this, just a light hearted conversation and laughs. No mention of business or wealth, instead swapping childhood stories. It was refreshing, a change of pace from what she had become accustomed to. And watching Angel talk so animated, not caring how he looked or sounded, she missed it even more. For a while she was used to that, just being open and honest. Never worrying about what people thought or how they reacted to what she had to say. Lia was always the girl who spoke first, and thought second, it was her norm. But after a few years in the big leagues, she had lost her touch and became more self aware of her words.
“It would’ve been ridiculous, I learned the ways of curling irons and straighteners at a young age. Also learned straighteners didn’t work on sexuality at a quick age as well,” she joked, and a small laugh bubbled from her. But the fashion choices she made didn’t get all to grand until middle school, and even then they weren’t exactly the fashion trends of the time but at least she was matching the colors finally.
A grimace appeared on her face as she laughed, the image clear as day in her head. Lia was pretty positive her mom had a video somewhere of the tragic event, but she also couldn’t remember the last time she spoke to her mom. “It was,” a pause as the thought of the right adjective. “Embarrassing, but also taught me at a young age that I was able to just push through I guess,” Nodding along with the his statement, “I would-“ began to leave her lips before she felt the atmosphere thicken around her. The dinging of dishes being cleared faster, a slight squeaking from the cleaning rags on the glasses at the bar, and a sigh from her lips as her conversation was ended and the explanation she’s heard over and over ready to hit her ears.
A soft smile on her lips as he pecked her cheek, turning her attention from the man in front of her and turning towards the man on her side. “I’m glad you guys have finally figured that plan out, it seemed like it was never ending. Hopefully the blueprints and planning will go smoothly,” ignoring the notes of whiskey hitting her senses, and trying to relax into his presence. The wannabe heiress in Lia coming out to play once more, and only a flicker in her stature as Angel walked away from the couple.
