If That Is What You Want✔

11

"Who is this?" While Mrs. Via's tone was pleasant, her facial expression made it clear the question was not meant as it sounded. She meant it as I didn't send you to the finest schools, introduce you to all the right people for you to be here with this thug.

Before Lyra could open her mouth to answer her mother's real question Ashlie was already making introductions in French and English.

"Larry, ce sont les parents de Lyra. Mr. and Mrs. Via, this is Larry. He's an international model, actor, dancer, and choreographer." Ashlie smiled at Mrs. Via.

Larry shook hands with Lyra's parents saying Bonjour in response to their hellos then glanced at Lyra.

Mrs. Via clapped her hands excitedly, "I knew it! As soon as I saw him, I knew it! No wonder your ass doubled in size. But Lyra, really, you shouldn't let a relationship be an excuse to let yourself blow up like a Thanksgiving day Macy's balloon."

Larry wiped his mouth with a napkin barely containing his snicker. Lyra pressed her lips together and turned her attention to her father.

"Hi Daddy! How've you been? How's business?" Lyra smiled at her father.
"Good, good, it looks like Europe agrees with you." He smiled at Larry who looked like he was dying to say something but managed to keep his mouth shut.

"Daddy? Larry is Ashlie's friend. I'm not in a relationship right now." Lyra said drawing his attention back to her.
"Surely, you are dating someone. Why else would you let yourself get fat? What did you gain 10? No, 15 pounds." Mrs. Via frowned at Lyra.
"No mother, I am not dating. I have lost weight since you last saw me and no I'm not interested in meeting whomever you have waiting in the shadows." Lyra didn't miss the strange look on Larry's face at her not mentioning his brother.
"It's okay baby girl. You know you are still my beautiful princess, and you will find your prince one day." Her father hugged her.

Princes are for wussies.

Lyra glanced at Larry who was now listening to Ashlie explain not to keep looking at Lyra or Lyra's mother would have his and Lyra's wedding invitations printed and in the mail by tomorrow.

"Forever a Daddy's girl." Her mom sighed moving Lyra's plate and taking her seat but still staring at Lyra.

Lyra forcefully smiled at her mother inviting herself to join them. She moved a chair to sit beside Larry as her parents sat across from Ashlie and Larry.

Larry agreed not to speak English and keep his eyes on Ashlie if Lyra would do him a favor in return. Lyra nodded discreetly in agreement.

Mrs. Via immediately started drilling Larry with questions about his relationship with Lyra. Larry smiled then asked if she knew she raised a bitch in French. Mrs. Via looked at Ashlie to translate but Lyra cut her off.

"One more time for the hearing impaired. Larry is into Ashlie not me. But you don't care, do you? He's a male with a fancy job title, so that obviously he has money and therefore he's perfect for me. As long as he isn't some gang member, right?" Lyra asked harshly.

She gaped at Lyra for a moment then clucked her tongue, but didn't respond.

A few minutes later, a guy walked over to the table as Lyra engaged in conversation in French with Ashlie and Larry. Larry drew Lyra's attention to him.

He was about 5' 1", a few shades darker than Djimon Hounsou with skin like Seal and a body like Cee Lo Green.

"Lyra this is Douglas, Douglas this is our beautiful daughter, Lyra." Lyra's mother chirped grinning from ear to ear.

Lyra looked over her mother's cretin du jour; his unmaintained dreads, off white linen short set and open toe sandals. She blinked a few times then looked at Ashlie. Ashlie had turned colors trying to keep her face neutral before she finally turned towards Larry hiding her face in his shoulder.