Lush Love

Mrs. Kingsley

Elise:

There is a woman standing at the top of the grand staircase. She's wearing a long pearl shade evening gown. Her hair is pinned back very elegantly. Everything about her is elegant and classy. The way she's standing there debutante, her eyes are fixated on me. There is a deep scorn in the shade of her pupils. I am going to try my best not to laugh after for Pierce's sake. I mean she is his mother and there isn't a single thing she can find that would merit disapproval. Not one.

"Mother," Pierce stepped forward and offered her his hand very gentlemanly-like. My thoughts are going to be the end of me. One day, they're just going to blurt out and may my under lived life Rest In Peace. 

"You must be Elise Walton," she greeted me. I gave her a single nod. She's not very happy about me being here and I already love that. The sound of her heels clicking on the shiny marble is oddly firing me up as she walks around me looking me over. I glanced at him with a playful glare. He just rolled his eyes. "Do you not speak?" 

"Do you want me to?" I asked and it came out a little more condescending than I expected it to. She reached for my face. I stopped her. "Don't touch me," 

"I apologize," her gaze seems to have softened. She pulled back tucking her arms over her pretty dress. "You look just like her. You inherited her pretty blue eyes. Like her, you can't hide your emotion. Your eyes are a dead giveaway. How dismal," 

"What are they telling you now?" I smiled at her. Remember polite, Elise. Be polite. 

"You're afraid?" she answered confidently. I laughed. 

"Nervous, maybe but not about being here. Fear is for the guilty conscience and people who seek approval. There's only one person's approval I seek tonight and it's not the approval of an outdated old hag," failed. 

"You dare speak to me like that in my own home?" she sneered. 

"Oh, please, Aurora Kingsly. Don't play if you can't take it. I thought your threat was fun," I smiled. She looked me over almost as if she were disgusted before walking away. I turned my gaze to Pierce. 

"That was my mother," he offered me his hand. I took it letting him pull me into him. 

"She's adorable. Her disapproval of me makes this so much more fun," 

"I was thinking the same thing," he smirked. "You handled that, great. Don't go too far," 

"I have bodyguards here already," I informed him. His eyes sparkled. 

"Do you really?" 

"Yes, sir. I have two overprotective brothers and a very scary best friend. There was no way in hell they were letting me walk in here alone,"

"I wouldn't have let you come here alone either," he looked behind me. Haley and my brother walked in together. 

"Silver compliments her skin better and makes her eyes pop more than this," my brother looked me over disapprovingly before he glared at Pierce. "Ask for a little advice next time, Pierce. And you will have it," 

"Behave," I warned him. He didn't look at me as Haley led him inside. She looked back at me with a grin on her face and shrugged apologetically. Others are arriving. 

"That hurt my feelings for some reason," Pierce admitted. "Shall we?" 

"We shall," I hooked my arm with his. 

I've played tonight out in my head a few different ways. I know that ultimately this is all about Pierce but I am prepared to back him up should he need it. We are friends, I think we're becoming friends. What I never predicted is my dad sitting next to his dad while they both chat away like they haven't publicly been trying to bankrupt one another for years now. 

"This is concerning," he mumbled. 

"Do you have a plan?" I asked. He looked down at me and smiled. "Of course, not. I never considered this either. We're going to have to form a strategy," 

"Any ideas?" 

"Leave my dad to me. We're going to pretend this doesn't bother us. Be happy that they're getting along for our sakes. Praise them for setting aside their differences. Play along," I suggested. He smiled leaning into me. "This is an insane curveball. Luckily I strive under this kind of pressure. The closer we are to being put on the spot the meaner my ideas get," 

"That is concerning. You are a terrifying little thing. I'm not regretting this just yet," 

"Wait, are you preparing for that?" I asked because I've been preparing for it since we hung up the first time he suggested it.

"Is it wrong?" 

"No, I am too. This is cute," I admitted. He laughed. 

"Mr. Walton," I greeted my dad first. "Mr. Kingsly," 

"Ms, Walton," Mr. Kingsly stood up without taking his sneering eyes off of his son. "Pierce, I'm glad to see you home. Causing a ruckus as always," 

"It's one of the cutest things about him," I flipped the slander on him. His eyes turned to me. "It shows promise. After all, what's a Young Master without a little scandal behind his name to evolve?" 

"Elise," my dad took the initiative to save him. A united front. How fun. "I hear my commodities weren't to your standard. If you like, you can stay home with your brothers while I clear the penthouse out," 

"You picked the decor? I didn't know that," I shrugged. "That won't be necessary. I'm not going to be staying there long," 

"Right, we're looking for a place together," Pierce added. Uh. What? My dad's eyes shot to his. His dad's eyes are on me. 

"Elise, I know you're upset with me but don't you think your little prank has gone a little too far?" my dad asked.

"Prank?" I tightened my hold on Pierce. 

"We both know this kid is not your type. You've always had relatively high standards. Be serious," he scoffed. Oh, no! Did he just say that in front of Pierce and his father? I see it. I definitely see where I get it from. I'd be laughing if I hadn't gotten this far.

"Are you saying my son isn't good enough for your daughter, Walton?" Mr. Kingsly turned his chilling eyes to my father. 

"That's exactly what I'm saying. Do you know who the f**k this is?" he asked bitterly, refering to me. "What about your kid stands out compared to mine? NYU is cute and I'm sure he had a great time there but your precious pampered little s**t wouldn't make out there to save his life," he grabbed my arm and pulled me away from Pierce so that I'm standing behind him. "Elise is not a mere sheep," 

"Wow, that was flattering, dad. Thanks," I pulled my arm away from him and stepped back over to Pierce. 

"With all due respect, Mr. Walton. I am very much aware of how special your daughter is," Pierce took my hand. "I knew it the moment I laid eyes on her. Even before I knew what her name was. I assure, sir. I am not playing a game here. Elise and I are both consenting adults. We don't need your permission to be together the same way you don't need Elise's permission to be with whomever you choose," 

The atmosphere is tense. I did not expect my dad to pull that out of his ass when he saw that I was going to play along with their original plan. Mr. Kingsly was blind sided. The betrayal shining in his angry eyes is evident. Is this what it feels like to respect him? I have never felt this way before. How manipulative. Let's see where this can take us. I know I turn this to my favor. He is my dad after all and I need him to gain the favor of the company.

"He's right, dad. You don't know a single thing about Pierce. I am very flattered that you think so highly of me but your words are only making your situation at home worse. Why would you say that?" playing victim isn't beneat me. It's gotten me out of some sticky situations in the past.

"Elise-" he reached for me but I simply took Pierce's hand. He nodded. "What is it you want, Elise? Hm? What is this tantrum about?" 

"This isn't a tantrum, dad. That is your problem. You think so poorly of all of us that you just sit there on your tall horse like we're just the s**t coming out of the other end," 

"I think you meant high horse," he corrected me. 

"I know what I said, dad," I sighed. "If I wanted to mess with you, don't you think I would have done something a little more drastic. More scandalous than this? I could have brought home a-" I swallowed hard before saying it to emphasize just how bad this could actually be. I lowered my voice to whisper this last part. "A doctor or something," 

"Elise," he scolded me. 

Mr. Pierce and his beloved wife both gasped. What would be so wrong about that? He's so crass. I know all of his sweet spots. There is not a single thing he could do to me that I haven't already seen him do. What is he going to do? Disown me? Oh, wait. He did that already. 

"Dad, this isn't what you think," I leaned into Pierce. His eyes finally met mine and something seemed to resonate in his eyes. Not exactly acceptance but it looks like he knows I want something from these people. 

"It's not?" he asked tucking his hands in his pockets. 

"I assure you. It's not," 

He turned his attention to Pierce and his father. His expression blanked as he stepped away from us. Whatever he thinks is happening, I can guarantee that he is one hundred percent thinking that this is something devious on my behalf. He's not wrong but I haven't decided who the victim is going to be in all of this. I might just get bored and call it off if it gets too compromising. I want to be mean to my father not kill him. 

"If you weren't already disowned, I would have loved seeing you fall right now," my dad scoffed at me before turning away. 

"It must burn your soul to see this, Walton," Mr. Kingsly called after my dad as my dad made his way out. 

"What gives you the right to talk to him in that manner?" Pierce beat me to it. "Mr. Walton is a very respectable and proud man. He's not retreating because you've won, father. I suppose you wouldn't understand his relationship with his daughter. Seeing as you are more than willing to sell off your own to the likes of filthy Richard. He actually loves Elise and is looking out for her," 

"Excuse me?" his dad looked between the two of us panicked. 

"Actually, he's being polite. We call him dirty d**k," I laughed. His mother's jaw fell open and placed her hand over her mouth almost as if she were appalled by my language. Lady, I'm not even drunk yet. 

"You know the importance of-" his dad tried to explain. 

"Your money is more important to you than your daughter, old man. You're willing to hand her over just like that with no regard to how she might feel," Pierce continued. 

"What is this?" Mr. Kingsly laughed. "Are kidding me? You marry Elise Walton out of all the women you could have and you're calling me pretentious? What are you giving her in return for this arrangement or better yet, what is she giving you? 

"Do you want to know the answer to that? Nothing. She isn't going to give you s**t, Pierce. This weird, pathetic, excuse of a girl has never even been with a man. Is that what this is? You're paying so you can be the first to f**k her?" 

"Give me a second, Elise," Pierce stepped in front of me. 

Haley and my brother both rushed over to me and pulled me away from the two of them. I don't even know what to say. How does this man even know that? This is really awkward but I'm not exactly ashamed of it. A little upset about being outed in front of the inner circle this way but come on. Who shames virgins? We're a rare comodity. Just ask the witch ladies living in the forests.

"What?" his father laughed. "Did I embarrass her?" 

"I'm only going to tell you this once, father. If you ever speak of Elise in that manner again, I will break your f*****g teeth. I don't care who's watching," Pierce threatened angrly. A cold flash moved through my body. His father actually took a step back. "What she gives me and what I give to her is none of your business. This is how you try to justify what you're doing? Really?" Pierce took a single step towards his father and leaned close enough to whisper something into his ear. His dad looked back at Haley before looking up at him. "Understood?" 

"Do as you please," Mr. Kingsly grabbed Mrs. Kingsly by her arm aggressively and pulled her to him with one rough tug. Mrs. Kingsly didn't look at anyone else. Her eyes stayed on the floor.

"Let her go," Pierce demanded. 

"Make me," his father challenged him. Michael grabbed my wrist keeping me from getting involved. 

"Just go," Mrs. Kingsly's voice is low and embarrassed. "Please, Pierce. Go," 

I pulled away from my brother and went over to Pierce. I wrapped my arm around his showing her that I no longer wish to humiliate her any further. Her eyes softened when they landed on me. She reached for a stray strand of my hair and tucked it behind me ear. The interaction was very brief. She then pulled Mr. Kingsly away to protect her son.

"Haley is coming with me," Pierce announced. 

"What part of do as you please don't you understand?" his dad shot back. I tightened my hold on him when Pierce stiffened.

"This isn't over," 

"It looks very over to me," his dad scoffed and pulled his mother away by force. Mr. Kingsly's men began to escort everyone out of their home. 

"We have one," I whispered to him. His eyes are still in the spot where his mom was standing. "We'll get her out," 

This is the first time I've ever met Mrs. Kingsley. As a kid, Haley and I often got into trouble. Fighting, arguing, humiliating one another. In fact, our rivalry often made it onto the local news. Her dad would always back her up. I had mine but when all of this started happening, dad was all I had. She had her mom and no matter how badly we messed up he mom never showed up. It's difficult to believe that her mother was once one of the most feared women in our circle and it hurts me deeply to see her that way.

I can't imagine how difficult it was to have to grow up seeing this. I took Haley's hand in mine as we walked out together. I got into the car first without letting go of her. She slid into the car next to me. My brother and Pierce exchanged some words before Pierce got in the car with us. When the door shut, she began to cry. I don't like people touching me especially if they're leaking the way she is but that luxury flew out the door when her mother was hauled away for the sake of her babies.

"I'm sorry," she cried. I placed my hand on her head trying to confort her. Pierce can't even look in our direction.

"Why are you sorry?" I asked her.

"This is all my fault. This was supposed to be your night,"

"This was never about me," I assured her. She sat up looking at me questioningly. I reached into my leg pouch and pulled out the pack of tissue I always have with me. I took one and cleaned her face up as best as I could. "Your brother knows what he's doing, Haley. Trust him. What's happening isn't your fault. I have a couple of extra rooms back at my place. The decor is s**t but I was told you can help me with that?"

"Really?" she choked out trying to settle down. I nodded.

"You know I'm trash at decorating anything. I'm more of a timing person," I smiled. She laughed.

"Yeah, you are," she agreed.

"She can stay with me right?" I asked Pierce. "She'll be safe there,"

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Of course, I am. I'll never bring anything up that I am not sure of. Unless I am asking for your advice,"

"Thank you. I'll pay for whatever she needs," he nodded.

"What are we going to do about Richard?" she asked. Pierce turned away.

"We'll take care of him. Don't worry about it. It's over now," I took her hand in mine.

"You don't like anyone touching you," she whispered. "I remember the day Freddie Keller grabbed your shoulder. You freaked out. It was the first time I ever felt bad for you,"

"I've gotten a lot better at keeping that part of me hidden. For example, I've learned that giving someone in distress physical comfort is nice,"

"You are not any different from what I remember," she laughed. "Physical comfort sounds like a s*x thing,"

"No it doesn't," I shook my head. They both laughed.

"It does," Pierce nodded. I turned away from both of them.

"This is what I get for trying to be nice to someone. A moment ago I was some freak virgin and now I'm some kind of p*****t," I scoffed.

"No, no, no, no," they both laughed.

"It was just the execusion of your statement. I didn't mean to insult you in any way, Elise," he promised.

"Me either. I'm sorry," Haley placed her hand over my own. I slowly took it out and scooted closer to the car door.

"It's fine. I put my foot in my mouth a lot. Rissa always laughs at me,"

"Rissa is that lawyer lady that got Martha Kaine out of federal prison isn't she?"

"She is," I nodded. "You heard about that?"

"Everyone has heard of that. Kaine was going to do hard time for that. Everyone wants her on their team. Even my dad,"

"She's on my team. She works for Walton Enterprises. She's not cheap,"

"I bet," she sat up straight. "How she presented Kaine and settled the entire case was amazing. Do you think I might ever get to meet her?"

"I-" before I could answer her my phone rang. Speak of the devil and she will call. "Hey,"

"b***h, you were there for fifteen mintues. I love you. I am coming over. You can't say no. I have Adella and bae with me. We've got wine,"

"Okay, can you pick up some ice cream for me? Rocky road," I looked over at Haley. "Pistacio?"

"You remember that?" she asked delightedly.

"Who is that?" Rissa asked.

"Haley Kingsley,"

"Oh, f**k yeah. Pistacio ice cream for her it is. Is Mr. Kingsley also with you? Z wants to know,"

"Will you be joining us, Pierce?" I asked. He stared at me for a moment.

"Sure," he agreed. I didn't want to look away.

"Okay," Rissa shouted making me jump. "See you at your place,"

"That was her," I informed Haley. Her eyes grew big. "She's bringing us ice cream,"

"I love ice cream," she sat back and rested her head on her brother's shoulder.

He smiled gently as she let out a sigh of relief. He looked up at me and smiled a little bigger. He mouthed the words Thank you before looking out the windshield again. This is not acceptable. That man can't get away with what he is doing. In order for this to work, I might have to apologize to my dad and get him to help us.