at some fancy restaurant downtown,
with @lolapaz
If his memory still served him right, it had been over a year since River last met his parents in person, if not more; River certainly wasn’t one to keep count. The visit was sudden and out of the blue, but even so, he was in no way turning down a chance to get another feel for his standing within the family. Despite his acting, River did want his place back in the Kartal family. Lola had helped him get his money back, once upon a time — it was ironic almost, how she might help him get back his standing too, in the present. Although she hadn’t willingly accepted, River knew that the blonde would never have been able to turn his offer down in the end. Deciding to meet up at the restaurant, the two of them hadn’t seen each other since the call itself happened; and back then, Lola had still been annoyed with him. His hopes had been that the time apart would wash those feelings away, but as his gaze drew up and the blonde walked through the entrance, it only took him one look to see that it hadn’t, not entirely. River had deemed her trustworthy enough to be able to put on something appropriate on her own, but with her burning red, silky outfit, there was no doubt that she was trying to make a statement — basically, she was telling him to fuck the hell off.
Surprisingly enough (but perhaps thankfully), they were the first ones to arrive. Holding off on a proper greeting, they were instead shown to their reserved table, River making sure to walk behind the blonde to take in the full sight of her. At least he had to compliment her for having been thorough in her choice. Taking a seat next to Lola, allowing his arm to rest on the back of her chair behind her, his other hand quickly landed on her thigh, slipping underneath the soft fabric to grasp firmly at her skin, leaning in close to her ear to finally get a word in. “Bold choice.” The words were bitter, almost. And while far worse things wanted to roll off his tongue, he intentionally held them back; despite how inappropriate he deemed her outfit, making her even more vengeful wouldn’t work in his favor. He needed her to cooperate, if only for a night — it was funny how the thought of spending the night with his father was the only thing that managed to make River tie himself down for once. Out of respect, even if that respect was sometimes close to non-existent. “You look like you’re begging for someone to fuck you.” Which, was a far nicer comment than telling her she looked like an expensive hooker, which had been his initial trail of thought. His grip on her thigh tightened then, his tone morphing into something far more serious. “Don’t make me regret bringing you here, or we’re going to have a problem.” The threat weighed heavy on his tone, and there was no doubt he meant it. Then, just a few seconds later, his grip suddenly softened, much like his gaze and tone did, adding, “You look incredibly hot, though.” And despite the fact that she had already managed to get his heart to pick up its pace a bit because of her rebellious act, he couldn’t deny that the dress suited her — in a far different setting, he would have been a lot more appreciative.
By the time he heard steps approaching their table, River slowly pulled back, his gaze lifting to land on the sight of his parents. Demir Kartal, a tall, proud, dark-haired man, and Sophia Kartal, a somewhat shorter, slender, beautiful brunette. The woman’s look was softer, but they both gave an impression of confidence and wealth; much like River did, in a sense. “Zeki.” Getting back up on his feet, his mother approached him, bringing him into a quick, but strong hug. “Mother.” After nearly two decades, River had since long given up the discussion of getting his parents to call him River instead, making them just about the only two people who went with his birth name. “It’s good to see you.” She commented then, a genuine smile facing him as they finally pulled apart. As Sophia moved on to Lola instead, River wondered if his father would be able to say the same, the two men settling with a curt nod for greeting instead of something more personal. “Lola — you look…” For a moment, it was as if she was trying to find the right words. “… as stunning as always.” His mother’s words drew his gaze back to the two women in time to see Sophia pull the blonde in for a lighter hug as well. “I’m so glad you could join us.” Funnily enough, Demir seemed more inclined to greet Lola than his own son, steeping forward to offer her a handshake along with a crooked smile. “It’s been too long. I was surprised to hear you were in town as well — your aunt, was it?” Apparently, they had all done their research, or maybe their memory served them far better than River’s had back when he first ran into Lola again, having completely forgotten about said aunt himself.
Getting the greetings out of the way, they all started to settle down around the table instead, River between both women, with his father on the other side of the table — as much distance as possible seemed like the safest bet in this scenario. “So — champagne?” The question was thrown out by Demir to everyone around the table, rhetorical more than anything. “Didn’t know we were celebrating something.” The dry comment was perhaps unnecessary, but voiced nonetheless, River’s eyes steering up to meet with his father’s. “Since when do we need a reason for champagne?” His mother had and always would be the peacemaker between the two males, steering them both to reason, or at least trying to. She was right, though — River was just trying to act defiant. And while he didn’t respond to her statement, he made one of his own instead by the time the waitress came to take their drink orders, making sure to add a glass of whiskey to that list for himself — if only to point out that he would drink whatever he wanted to. The air between the two males was already tense, and for anyone who knew River (which certainly included Lola at this point), it wasn’t hard to tell that he was tense too, perhaps even on edge. And generally speaking, River being on edge never seemed to end well. “So, tell me — how did you two find your way back to each other?” It didn’t come as a surprise that his mother would start with approaching that subject; both to lighten the mood a bit, but more so to satiate her own curiosity.
There had always been a method to her madness, she was sure of that, as she strolled through the doors of the restaurant leading her to her dinner date with the Kartals. River was standing there, impatiently waiting for her. And while, she couldn’t help noticing how handsome he looked upon first glance, she refrained from saying so out of stubbornness. Reminding herself that he doesn’t deserve to be showered with compliments right now. Not after their last conversation and the way it unfolded. It didn’t end on the best note and there had been little to no resolve since. When Lola kicked him out, she had given River an ultimatum. To which, she was hoping he would have an answer for by the end of the night. He’d had days to think it over, and she refused to give him any more. Besides, it wasn’t like it was a complicated question to answer. It was either yes he wanted to claim her, or no he didn’t.
At the initial comment about her dress, Lola peered down at herself once they were seated. He was right. It was a bold choice. She was thrilled he at least, took notice and the sentiment behind her attire had been properly conveyed. She was signifying that she meant business. After all, that’s all she was to him, right? Maybe the reason she looked like an expensive hooker was because that’s how River treated her. She may as well, play her part. Give into what was expected of her. If that’s not what this was, or not what she was to him, then perhaps River should’ve been more clearer about his intentions. She wasn’t his girlfriend, thus she wasn’t going to dress like she was. “Easy,” she hissed. The grip he had on her thigh was firm and unwavering, she recognized it as a show of force. Had she not of, his threat thereafter would’ve vividly painted that picture. Lola, of all people, didn’t respond kindly to his threats. It made her more defiant against him and basically set her previous plans for him in motion. Once again, there was always going to be a method to her madness and River would see that madness play out tonight. But first, Lola traced the outline of his jaw with her fingertip, softly caressing the tanned skin with meager tenderness. “Oh baby, you know I don’t beg.” As her fingers then found his lips, she carried on -- “Least of all, I won’t be begging tonight. However, you’re right. Someone else will. And that someone may just take me home and make me theirs. So, be a gentleman now, will you? And don’t bruise me. I want to look good for that someone. Whoever that lucky man or woman, shall be.” With the added force of a shrug, Lola reached under the table to peel River’s fingers off her thigh. She was warning him with a single look to keep his hands to himself or he’ll regret it. At the same time, she smirked to herself once he finally seemed to soften up. She was thrilled all the same, that he also took notice of how hot she looked. It was further proof that her efforts weren’t entirely in vain.
Her appreciation, much like his though, didn’t last. It was intercepted however, by Sophia who approached their table first, with Demir trailing closely behind. River’s mother was just as elegant and as graceful as Lola remembered her to be, maybe even a little more so -- as she bestowed the young couple with equaled hugs. Meanwhile, Demir himself, was a little more stiff in his approach. He’d at least, greeted Lola though. River had been snuffed by his father yet, didn’t seem entirely put off by it. The edginess he was feeling and had been visibly caught up in, was the product of his own, impending apprehension. He didn’t know what to expect from this dinner any more than Lola did. “Yes, my aunt. She sends her love. Had she not left us this morning on business, she would’ve certainly loved to have you both over for tea. Maybe, next time you’re in town, though.” Not to say that Lola was expecting there would be a next time. Although, maybe? With the bomb she had strapped to her sleeve and was preparing to set off -- who knows? There was a good chance, there could be depending on how River chose to react to it all himself.
For now, Lola decided to broach the subject matter carefully. She was biding her time, of course, waiting for the right moment to strike. She knew with a glass of champagne, that moment would come a lot sooner. She’d have the liquid courage to back her, as an added stimulant to her festering defiance. Something, River himself, could relate to right now. He was looking and feeling pretty defiant himself, neglecting general pleasantries with his parents with an added layer of irritation. Lola, though she felt he was undeserving of it, had extended an arm out underneath the table, to give River’s thigh a reassuring, calming squeeze. It was too early in the night for him to pop off. Lola was hoping he could stave off his tantrum for a little bit longer, until after they’d successfully managed the first course. “It’s a long story,” Lola explained. She looked to River expectantly, as if it were some form of silent assessment before carrying on, “Needless to say, we’re back together and better than ever.” Or not quite. That wasn’t entirely true. They weren’t back together, nor were they better than ever. But, neither of River’s parents needed to know that. And besides, the devil was in the details. Who may the devil be, you ask? Well, it was Lola, obviously. She had her own set of horns to prove it. Not only that but, she was gearing up to dig the hole of River’s grave, even deeper. After all, this whole evening was his idea. Maybe not the dinner itself but using her as his buffer. He might’ve blamed her attendance on the fact that she couldn’t keep her mouth shut while he was on the phone with his mother but, the truth was -- he was too chicken to admit he didn’t want to come out here alone. And out of everyone he could’ve brought along with him, Lola was the best option. The only option, really. His parents adored her and that’s because Lola spent many occasions winning them over. She had to, if she ever wanted to brand herself as being irreplaceable in River’s eyes. She succeeded of course, because without her, River wouldn’t have gotten his money back. Just as he wouldn’t have gotten his impending good standing with them, too. Lola was preparing to help him out. Of course, that good standing didn’t come without a price, or a catch. One that, Lola had planned all along. River truly underestimated her and the damage she could do should she be given a reason.
“Actually, since you mentioned it. We do have a reason to celebrate. Your son is just being modest.” Here it goes. The moment, Lola has been waiting for all week. While, she ran over the many possibilities of how this conversation could unfold, nothing would truly compare to the real thing. No form of fantasy she concocted in her head, would ever be able to live up to the reality set to amass on each of the surrounding faces. Particularly, River’s. Before, Lola could properly spit it out though, Sophia had noticed that despite the offer for champagne, Lola had hardly touched her glass. This had led her to use her woman’s intuition, only to suspect something wicked and dastardly. At least, it would be considered dastard to someone like Lola. “Are you two pregnant?” It wouldn’t come as a shock to her, much less to anyone else at the table, if Lola had been. She wasn’t, of course. And it took a great level of strength for Lola to hold back her scoff, along with the look of true horror that threatened to stretch across her face at the mere thought. “No no, oh gosh, sorry no! We’re not... or well, I’m not--” Lola could only speak for herself. Not necessarily for River or the countless other women she wouldn’t put it past him to fuck. “But, we do have big news to share. Other news. And we wanted you both, to be the first ones to hear it.” Lola turned in her seat, to steal a quick glance at River’s face, wondering if he might’ve suspected or caught on to where she was going with this. The only other thing that would make his parents happier (aside from being given grandchildren) was, to be given: a daughter in law. And who better suited for that role than Lola? Instead of blurting it out at that moment though, Lola was giving River a chance to stop her. Although, by now it was too late even if he had tried. Lola had already twisted their gears. And now they were just waiting for one of them to spit it out. “Do you want to tell them the good news now or shall I?” In a mock attempt at being sweet and loving, Lola reached out to grab ahold of River’s hand. She gave it a silent squeeze. And then, when it took him too long to spell it out himself -- Lola did so for him. “We’re getting engaged!” The shriek that left Sophia’s mouth was imminent, and loud enough to pierce the ears of everyone at the table and a few surrounding eavesdroppers. Lola knew she’d be ecstatic, just as she knew Demir would be pleased to see that perhaps, his son really was changing and making strides. While, it might’ve seemed like Lola was strengthening the view of River in their eyes, what she really was doing was setting him up for failure. She knew, he wouldn’t go through with it. And the moment he realized that, or he was forced to break the news later that it didn’t pan out -- Lola would’ve won. She helped paint a brighter portrait of River in their eyes and just as easily, proven to him that she could rip it away if she wanted to. Should he cross her, or betray her, she wouldn’t hesitate to ruin his life by walking out on him, forcing him to break the news of their failed engagement to his parents. Who took this kind of commitment seriously. Especially, his father. Sure, he could try to ruin her life back or do so first but, Lola had already gotten her headstart. He’d have to catch up.
