Lush Love

Dinner With The Waltons

Pierce:

As a kid, I used to think the world of my old man. He was everything to me. Taught me to be who I am today. I wanted nothing more than to walk in his footsteps. One day it dawned on me that I really didn't know a single thing about my father. The worst realization was when I came face to face with the truth. I had glorified him and ignored the warning sirens all around me. Even now, I don't know what to do. How to get them out of this. How to get them away from that monster.

"You should think about canceling tonight," Zach walked out of my sister's room. She's crying. As of late, that's all Hailey has been doing. It's taken its toll on her work and her social life. It's been a long time since she's been featured in anything.

"I want to," I admitted.

"Pierce, I don't know you as well as I think I do. However, I do know Elise. For the most part, she's a good person. But like all good people, she has a side of her that not very many know. Pissing your dad off is one thing but involving her is another. Really think about this, man,"

"Zach, you've seen Hailey fall apart. You've seen my mother trying to cover up those bruises with makeup. I can't take him on my own. I know the Waltons as well as I know my own family. They have some pretty f****d up backgrounds themselves. If she's who I think she is, she's going to want to do this with me. I have to try. I need my sister to be protected while I try to stop that man from killing my mom,"

"This is more than that and you know it. You can ask for her help but not like this. This puts the two of you in danger. Not, I will throw you out of the house danger. Real, there might be a sniper involved, danger,"

"Just let me talk to her tonight. If she says no, I promise to back out,"

"I'm not going to talk you out of tonight am I?" he asked. I shook my head. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small teal blue tiffany box. "Then you might as well make the most of it. I was going to give this to Rissa but she liked something else. Just give it back so I can get a r****d. That thing was expensive,"

"You didn't tell me you were planning to propose to her," I opened it to see the massive rock he had gotten her. He's serious.

"I'm in love with her. I've been in love with her from the moment I saw her standing on that bar cheering Elise on while Elise beat the living s**t out of a waitress,"

"What?" I looked up at him.

"Oh, yeah. You think I fell in love with the crazy one but you have no idea. Elise just hides it better," he scoffed. "I saw the picture of her dress tonight. It's silver. Like a silky silver. The silver decorations are sprayed with,"

"That helps. Thank you for everything. I promise I am going to try to keep her as safe as I can,"

"Nah, man. I'm going to try to keep you as safe as I can. Elise Walton scares the f**k out of me. She's definitely not the kind of person you want to piss off,"

"She's a businesswoman. If this works, we both have more to gain than lose,"

"And if it doesn't. We all go down in flames," he reminded me. "I have to go. I'm meeting Rissa's dad today,"

"What does he do?"

"Construction. Her dad is a lot simpler than Malise Rae Walton," he smirked. "Good luck, Pierce,"

With that, he left. I got ready for tonight. I had been looking over the profile my assistant, Jesse put together. I have a list of Elise's inner circle. Clarissa Norton is at the top. What bothers me and I know for a fact it's going to bother her is Samantha Kenedy. She's number three on that list. They're all over both their social media pages. One of them is going to make a fuss and my money is on Sam.

Sam has been a part of my life for a long time. She's one of Hailey's best friends. When our parents decided to make it official she was more than thrilled. She's smart and my parents approve of her but there is an endless supply of girls like Sam. Entitled and she likes to throw her father's name around to get her way. The best-case scenario is we get married she has a couple of kids and resents me for the rest of my life because I rarely come home. I live at work most days and it's just the beginning. She'll be nothing more than the wife of some rich ass hole who probably won't even remember what kind of flowers she likes. From what I gathered, she wants to be taken care of and I'm not a caretaker. At least, not the kind she's after.

"Are you going out?" I glanced back at my sister as I lifted my collar to put my tie on.

"Yeah,"

"A date? You never dress this nice for Sam," she came over to me and took my black tie. She put it back and retrieved another. "How did I get here?"

"I had Zach pick you up. You were alone. I panicked when you didn't pick up your phone,"

Her sleeve slipped revealing the bruising forming on her wrists. She caught me staring at it and lifted the sleeve back in place to hide it. She didn't say anything until she finished tying my tie. Her face is puffy from all the crying and maybe even the alcohol. She's fighting breaking down again by pressing her lips together.

"Dad is out of control," she choked out.

"I know he is. I'm working on it,"

"What are you up to?" she asked wiping her tears away.

"Do you remember Elise Walton?"

"Yeah," she laughed. She paused and then looked back at me. "She's alive?"

"Yeah. Walton Convey. G Zero Tech. That's her," I pointed at the files on the bed. She went over to them.

"What happened to her?"

"Rite of Cowardice,"

"Old man Walton threw her out?" she asked surprised. "I thought he killed her,"

"You and the rest of the world,"

"What does she have to do with dad?"

"Remember my trip four days ago?"

"Yeah, you and Zach signed on that new phone company with the gold flips,"

"Yeah, well the night before Rissa had a graduation party for one of her friends. Guess who that friend was?"

"Elise Walton," she smiled. "Wow, she got really pretty,"

"I didn't know it was her. She goes by Elle or Ellie,"

"Get to the point, brother,"

"I blacked out and we're married," I concluded. She stopped flipping through the profile and looked up at me.

"Elise Walton?"

"Yeah,"

"Do you see the names of her associates on here? Sam is going to go after you two hard when she finds out,"

"What makes you so sure she will?"

"I know you, Pierce. You've been looking for a way out since dad told us about her. You're not like other people. You're not going to wake up one day in love with that b***h. Can you even get hard for her?"

"I'm not talking to you about that,"

"Pierce, you're never going to be able to touch her. There is nothing there. If you can use this to your advantage and Walton is on board, do it. Save yourself,"

"I'm not doing it for myself. You're not married to that f*****g pig yet,"

"Dad would rather see me dead than give this up," she sighed. She put the file down and came over to me. "Do this for yourself. You deserve to be freed from him more than the rest of us. I already sold my soul to the old man a long time ago. There's still hope for you, Pierce. Don't let him have you too,"

"I'm never going to stop trying to save you, Le,"

"You like her," she smiled tenderly. "It's not even the fact that she's pretty. What did you see?"

"Nobility. The kind that understands long hours. The kind that has something to do when we're not around one another. She's not going to sit around waiting for me. She has an actual plan. A chance to be protected and protect. Everything people like us look for in a partner. Under all of that, she's just a girl with real personal interests outside of the money,"

"You got all that from one night?" she laughed.

"I got all that from just a glance,"

-

Elise:

My heart is pounding in my chest as I sit in this car waiting for him to come down. How much does he remember? Regardless of what he remembers, this needs to be over. If this ever gets out, the press is going to go nuts. We're icons. Single, icons who are beloved by many. Not to mention that we're supposed to be rivals. Not to mention that the world still remembers me pushing his sister into her pool on her sixteenth birthday in front of all our friends. Not to mention that he's engaged to one of my closest friends. The driver opened the door and Pierce Kingsley got into the car. He turned to look at me and froze. 

"Good evening," I greeted him. 

"I wasn't expecting you," he grinned. 

"I didn't sleep at home and I had a long first day at work. I'm late," I shrugged. 

"You look amazing," he complimented. 

"Thank you. As do you," I smiled. I actually don't know. It's better if I don't look at him directly. 

"I got you something. You know, make it more official. I'm going to need it back. I borrowed it from a friend of mine," he pulled out a small box and opened it. Inside is a magnificent engagement ring. I've seen that masterpiece. I fell in love with it the moment it went on the market.

"You're friends with Salvator Henderson?" I asked. He smirked. 

"Why am I not surprised that you knew who made this?" 

"Okay, yeah. That's fine," I pointed at the ring. 

"Hold your hand out," he took it out of the box. I held my hand out for him. I had just done my nails this morning to try and shake the feeling I got after seeing my dad. He slipped the ring over my finger to find that it is a perfect fit. This is not how I imagined receiving the ring.

"This thing is heavy," I laughed, looking it over. "It's so pretty. What if I give you the money and I get to keep it?" 

"Really?" he laughed. 

"No, what the hell am I going to do with a three million dollar engagement ring?" I smirked. I was totally being serious. I'll never say that to him. I really want to keep it. I'll find it once I give it back. I swear I will.

"All right, so what are we expecting to walk into?" he asked going straight to business.

"An engagement dinner. My dad is announcing his engagement to Ms. Howard," 

"The day of your return home? That's f****d up," he cleared his throat. 

"Right, I told him that," I stretched my neck making it pop. 

"You okay?" he asked. Funny, there's a tinge of worry in his tone.

"Yeah, I mean it's different now that he's in front of me. Being mad at him from a distance is much easier. He can tell me he doesn't give a f**k about me to my face now. I don't know why I'm even telling you this. You're a stranger. A rival," 

"True, but right now. I'm your husband," he smirked. We both laughed. 

"This is all your fault," I pointed out. 

"You remember? Yes, this is my fault. I'm an i***t," he laughed.

"I do now. I've been trying really hard to think back on what happened. This is definitely your fault. This is why my dad always says to give our name and title when we introduce ourselves. I should have listened,"

"My fault? It's my fault that you're kind of perfect?" he laughed. 

"What? I was drunk and being stupid is fun when you're drunk," let's just ignore his little comment in that. Don't give it any mind, Elise. You've never entertained anyone like this before.

"I know. I was there," he laughed. "I am already having a great time with you again. I think we can actually be friends after this is over," 

"I do too," I agreed. The car pulled up to the front of my mother's villa.  

Pierce opened the door and got out. He stood there and then offered me his hand as I slid over to get out myself. I tried to hide my laughter as I put my hand in his and let him help me out. His eyes scanned my body before they landed on my face. No, don't do that. You're the enemy. I am your enemy. We know that. This is just- I don't know what the hell this is.

"You definitely look amazing," 

I didn't want to but I ended up looking him over. He looks amazing. His dark gray tailored suit is perfect against the silver pearl shade of my dress. I placed my hand on his arm as we made our way inside. Flor and a few others were there to greet us. Her eyes landed on him with alarm. I grinned at her as she bowed her head, keeping her snide remarks to herself. She's in on hating the Kingsleys as well. Everyone is.

The two of us walked into the ballroom and were greeted by friends and family. Everyone turned to look at us. My brothers both tried really hard not to show how much they are enjoying this. My dad stepped forward his eyes are growing angrier and angrier with each step he's taking in our direction. I stepped closer to Pierce and looked up at him. His eyes met mine. 

"I say it's working," he chuckled. 

"Me too," I agreed. 

"What the hell is this?" my dad bit out. 

"I did warn you," I shrugged. 

"You're dating Kingsley's son?" he asked. 

"What? Of course not," I shook my head. 

"Good. Get him out of here," 

"He's my husband," I stated proudly. I lifted my hand to show him the ring. 

"Oh, my god," Juliette screamed. She rushed out from behind my brothers and gripped my hand in hers examining the ring. "This is a Tiffany flawless cushion diamond. It has to be worth millions," 

"Only the best for my princess," Pierce smirked. I don't know how I didn't burst into laughter at that moment. He pulled me closer to him and I placed my hand on his chest. 

"Thank you," I smiled. He tipped my chin. His eyes haven't left me. He doesn't even seem to care that my dad has killed him a few times in his head.

"It's an honor to meet you, Chairman Walton. I've heard a lot about you," he addressed my dad. My dad's angry eyes turned to me. 

"Get out of my house," he bit out angrily.

"Really?" I asked. I reached into my wallet purse and pulled out the folded deed. "This is my house actually," I tossed it at him. "My mother left it to me and I want you and your little w***e out by the end of the week," 

"What the hell is this?" he shook his head holding up the paperwork. He threw it on the floor. His eyes are red with anger.  

"Rebellion. Anger. I don't know. It's just making me happy to know that I'm finally making you feel as miserable as you make the rest of us feel," I answered. His body relaxed, he composed himself, taking in a few deep breaths.

"Snap," Juliette nodded. 

"Elise," Genevive stepped forward. "If this is about-" 

"What makes you think you can talk to me?" I stopped her. She flinched and took a step back. "What? Did you think I was going to overlook the fact that you swore to have the last laugh just because you involved my father?" 

"It's not like that," she shook her head. 

"Hm, well. You have my attention. You came into my home, you disrespected the memory of my mother in her own bed over this cheap worthless necklace," It's the last thing I have in my wallet. I tossed it at her. She caught it, pressing it against her chest. "Keep it. You're going to need it when I'm done with you," 

"Gen," my dad reached for her when she made her way past me. The anger from earlier returned with a deep burning sensation. I have the upper hand here but I don't feel any better.

"I told you and you didn't listen to me. I told you," she cried before storming out of the room.

"Are you happy now?" my dad turned to look at me. Happy? Does it look like I'm happy? Have I ever been happy at his side?

"Are you?" I asked stepping to him. "This is what I am now. This is what you created. I'm not going to take s**t from you anymore. I will no longer grovel at your feet. This is what you wanted right?" 

"Elise-"

"Enough. I'm out of here. You have until the end of the week, dad," 

"You're not even going to live here," he shook his head. 

"No, I'm not. My family is and until you decide whether you're a part of it or not. You're not welcome here," 

"You mean until I leave Genievive?" he asked. 

"You sent Elliot to military school. When he returned, you sent him to rehab. A place he didn't need to be. Apologize to him. You have been using Mac to get to the father of the women he's been dating. Admit it and apologize to him. Juliette has made some mistakes she's nineteen years old. The girl has two Oscars and is once again nominated. Why do you pull her media coverage? 

"Are you ashamed of truth? Do we not meet your greatness stature? Who the f**k are you to say when and where we can and can't be seen? You're not a father. We are not your accessories. I refuse to comply with any of your demands where it concerns my family, Mr. Walton. You want to be treated as one of us, act like it," 

"You're going to regret this," he scoffed. 

"Am I? From where I'm standing, you're the only one filled with regret, and if you're not. Give it a minute to sink in. I'm not going to let this go. You should prepare yourself. I'm just getting started," 

He didn't turn to look at anyone. He just walked away. My siblings are looking at me with tears in their eyes. Juliette jumped into my arms crying. Mac let out a heavy sigh and Elliot drank his champagne in one drink. 

"That is how you make an entrance," aunt Elizabeth began to clap her hands. The others joined in. "Welcome Home, Mrs. Kingsley," 

"I don't know if I want a divorce now," Pierce whispered into my ear. I laughed. "I think I'm in love with you," 

"I just threw the biggest fit of the century and your first thought is I want me some of that?" I asked, looking up at him.

"Hell yeah. It builds character. I'm all for it," he shrugged. "I'm going to hold you hostage Mrs. Kingsley. One day, we're going to be sitting in the garden of your choice surrounded by our grandchildren and we're going to tell them a little story called, the time Grandma took over the empire named Walton Enterprises. This is the best engagement dinner I've ever been to. I'm going to try and top it next week," 

"Why is this working? Why do I like everything coming out of your mouth right now?" I shook my head. 

"Well, Elise Kingsley. That's because you and I are meant to be together and there is not a single person who can convince me otherwise," he shrugged playfully.

"Okay," Juliette cleared her throat obnoxiously when he walked over to my brothers and greeted them like old friends. "What the f**k did you get yourself into?" 

"I have no idea but I think it's going to end badly," I took the drink out of her hand. "I need this more than you do,"

-