Becoming Lodge

Kevin

       Veronica sat on the barstool at La Bonne Nuit engrossed in her paperwork. Everything seemed to be in order. The money was being funneled appropriately. Everything was the way it should be. "Veronica Lodge." The sound of her name snapped Veronica's attention. Kevin Keller stood in front of her a frown on his face. "So you come back to town and don't even say hi to your gay best friend? What kind of shit is that?" He teased.
     "I did. Cheryl much prefers to be called a lesbian over being called gay though. Just something to think about." Veronica snapped. "What do you want? We're not friends. As I've told you before. I'm busy. Working you know. Not something you obviously do seeing how you are here at eleven am. On a weekday."
     "Yea I have a job. It doesn't start til spring break. Full time when school opens back up. You're looking at the new drama teacher at Riverdale highschool."
    "I don't really care what you are up to. It doesn't concern me." Veronica waved away any thoughts of Kevin or his life. "So I'm gonna ask you again what do you want? Because I know you well enough to know you want something. So just spit it out and let's move on from this ridiculous conversation. My time is money. I'm not gonna sit here and let you waste it."
     "Veronica I want to help. We are friends. In fact we were good friends at one time. I'm here for you. This whole thing with Archie must be so hard on you. I can't imagine how you must feel. I know the thing with Betty and Archie really messed everything up. I wish you would have come to me to help. I could have helped you and Archie figure out how to take care of the little one together. You wouldn't have run away to New York. Archie and his daughter wouldn't be strangers. Maybe you two would have gotten back together. Who knows. I'm kind of hurt you didn't come to me as your friend."
    "Friend?" Veronica laughed out. "Friend? You were my friend? How? When you saw this shit with Betty and Archie coming and you didn't warn me? Blindsided is what I was. You should have told me something anything. That's what a real friend would do. In fact if I remember correctly you  said that you shipped them. You even went so far as to claim that they were endgame. How is that being my friend? How is thinking that it was ok for them to cheat on Jughead and myself being a friend? Maybe you need to go back to preschool and learn what a friend is. Hell my three year old knows more about friendship, loyalty and respect then you or anyone else in this fucked up town."
   "I'm sorry. Betty has been my friend forever. I always thought they were meant to be together. I was wrong. However I have never condoned them cheating. That was wrong on so many levels. I get it. I would be pissed too, but for you to keep Archie's kid away? Veronica that's a whole other level of fucked up. Don't you think?"
    "Who the fuck do you think you are telling me right from wrong? Who the fuck do you think you are? I'm not the same stupid silly girl that you can ever address like that again. I won't tolerate your disrespect of me or my family ever. Or you will pay a price you don't want to pay. That is a promise."
   "Who are you?" Kevin asked trying to read Veronica's face. Still the same beauty she had always been, but there was something dark in her. A darkness he had never seen in her. Even when she first arrived at Riverdale Highschool. Veronica didn't have this darkness surrounding her.
   "I'm Veronica Lodge. And you're Kevin Keller. Isn't that so nice that we know each other's names?" Veronica snipped feeling her irritation rise up.
  "Obviously there is shady shit going on here Veronica. To have Cheryl and Jughead Jones on the same side. That alone proves there is something just not right.  Another fact is Jughead who had nothing. Lived in a trailer on the southside. Now all of a sudden he's got millions. Living in your mansion. Explain it to me how this shit makes sense. Unless.." Kevin trailed off searching her face for answers. "Are you doing dirty work for your father now? Are you working for Hiram Lodge? If that's the case maybe a phone call should be made. Someone should probably start looking into your businesses. Bet they would find some pretty interesting stuff, wouldn't they?" Kevin asked raising his eyebrow at her. Issuing a threat that he had no idea could seal his fate.
    Veronica's laughed chillingly. "I don't work for any man Kevin. Not even my father. I am the one that tells everyone what to do. Make no mistake about it. I run the shit here in Riverdale much like I did in New York. I think you are asking questions that you wouldn't want the answers to. Questions you can ponder all you want but I will never answer. Especially to you. We aren't friends in fact we never truly were. Your loyalty to me was proven senior year.  I am not the person you remember so I would think it a good idea to not come at me sideways. People tend to disappear around me when they fuck with me too much." Veronica snapped icily standing to her feet. Anger radiating off her body.
       Kevin glared at Veronica crossing his arms over his chest. "That sounds like a threat. Are you threatening me Veronica Lodge?"
        Veronica laughed harshly. "Nope. I don't threaten people. I warn them of the consequences of their words and actions. I never threaten anyone. Because most people aren't stupid enough to disrespect me after they have been warned. So Kevin are you smart or stupid?"
      "I have always pegged Kevin as being smart. But the way he's speaking to you makes me question that. How he hasn't listened to the rumors and tried his best to keep away is silly." Cheryl Blossom came into the room a smirk on her pretty face. "Veronica I had such a great time last night." Cheryl kissed Veronica firmly on the lips smacking her ass playfully. "I loved waking up to you." Cheryl snickered.
"Cherry my favorite flavor." Veronica smirked hugging Cheryl back. "Did you sleep well?"
"You know it. I love the bed at the house. Super comfortable." Cheryl winked. "You ready to get on the jet? You promised we were going to Saks after last night." Cheryl asked glancing at Kevin. "What is Keller doing here anyways?"
     "No clue actually, but he was just leaving. Weren't you Kevin?"
      "No I actually wasn't. I want some answers from you. What the hell are you guys up to?" Kevin demanded.
       Veronica looked at Cheryl feeling her head wanting to explode. The gun in her purse calling her name. One bullet would end all this shit. Veronica tried to reason with herself. One single bullet could stop the insane questions. "I have answered your questions Kevin. I think it's high time you leave. Walk away from this conversation without a second thought. Or continue this line of questions and see how far it takes you."
    "Veronica.." Cheryl whined. "Why are we wasting our time on sewer trash? Isn't this more of a Jughead task? I should think so. Now let's go we have plans. I'm not going to let Keller here ruin my perfect day with my best friend." Cheryl looped her arm through Veronica's. Turning to Kevin she snapped. "Kevin please take your worthless peasant self out the door.  If you can't find it I can and will have the terrible misfortune of calling Jughead for help. I assure you he won't be too happy to have to come down here to remove you himself."
    "Look Cheryl I'm so sick of this shit with the whole lot of you. Veronica and Jughead come back to town and it's starts to get weird again. As I've said before and I will say it again. I am not afraid of you or Veronica. I assure you I am not the least bit afraid of Jughead either. Even with his new self assured cocky too big for his britches if you ask me attitude. What makes him so confident in himself I am not entirely sure of. What I am sure of however is that Jughead Jones needs to be reminded of who he is. Knocked down a few pegs."
   Cheryl laughed humorously. "You can trash Jughead all you want. I do all the time. Believe me when I tell you he doesn't need anyone to fight his battles for him. But from the look of all the serpents slithering around here. I would be careful of what you say. You might be in for a brutal walk home. If you can walk that is. Remember Kevin never mess with royalty. We never get our hands dirty." She finished with a wink.
    "I can't believe you of all people. Cheryl Blossom HBIC of Riverdale Highschool is taking orders from none other then Jughead Jones. Answering to him even. What is the world coming to? This whole thing is laughable. It's amusing to me that you Cheryl blossom is in the gutter with the serpents. But even worse then that you got into bed with the Lodges. Thank God Archie was able to walk away from them only tied to Veronica for 18years. Could have been a lifetime if he had married into this craziness." Kevin snapped crossing his arms over his chest.
    "I knew my ears were burning. I had to investigate and what do I find? My name being mentioned in that long rant of Keller's. Such luck that I was sent a text message. So glad I didn't miss this little gathering here. Keller you mother fucker. I thought we had an understanding. Apparently you must be as stupid as Archie Andrews. Not only  have you insulted Veronica, Cheryl and myself, but you insulted the serpents as well. You just truly have a death wish. You sure run your mouth and talk a lot of shit for some wanna be actor. Washed up already before you even got started how sad truly for you. What's the matter Kevin? Your balls have gotten so small that you have to bully and insult women to make yourself feel better? Maybe you should start screwing men with bigger dicks. Hopefully they could knock some god damn sense into you."
   "Jughead Jones how nice to see you. I was just catching up with Veronica since we haven't really gotten to talk. Especially after you so rudely cut me off. I was just trying to unravel the mystery of who she is and what you guys do. I was also asking how the hell you and Cheryl got wrapped up into whatever shit storm the Lodges once again brought to Riverdale. The biggest question of all though is how Cheryl our very own HBIC. Ended up so deeply in the gutter with the you and the serpents. That is what I am most curious about."
    Jughead laughed. "Such a simple answer. None of your fucking business."
    Cheryl stared at Kevin as if he had grown two heads.  "Excuse me Kevin In case you forgot I am an honorary serpent. You stupid fuck! I love to associate with people of all factions of life. Just so I have people who can do the disgusting things that are beneath me. Like dealing with stupid fucks like you."
     "That poor little girl. I feel so bad for that sweet little girl. Poor thing doesn't she deserve a wholesome and honest upbringing?  Doesn't she deserve to live in a house that's not full of crime and drama? Because I am fairly certain that Veronica Lodge has figuratively of course gotten into bed with Hiram Lodge. She should be raised by people who have morals and know the difference between right and wrong. Andrews should definitely think twice about letting Veronica make all the decisions. Fathers have rights to their children. Jughead you're not stupid. You know this!" Kevin declared glaring at Veronica.
     Veronica felt her anger boiling threatening to come to the surface. One bullet she reminded herself. Just one. Jughead next to her picked up on her intentions immediately. "Reina.. I got this." He whispered into her ear as he placed his hand on her lower back. "Kevin Keller you are right. In fact I know a lot of things. Things that would make you want to gouge your own eyes out. Let me make one thing abundantly clear. That little girl and her well being are not your concern. Nor do you or anyone have any say in the way she is raised. It's an unfortunate accident that half her genetics come from that dimwit Andrews. I swear to God you open your mouth and say one more negative thing about the child or her mother. I will cut your tongue out. Shove it so far up your ass that you will taste it from the inside out. Keep your thoughts and opinions of Veronica to yourself. Keep your fucking mouth shut if you value your life."
    "You're an asshole Jughead. Truly an asshole. I hope that Archie gets some balls and goes head to head with the both of you. All you two bring to this town is crime and drama. You're right Veronica I need to see myself out. I think I need to make a stop at the tax investigator and see what we can find out. Maybe it will shed some light on what you are all truly up to." Kevin snapped turning to go.
    "Oh God! I want to be there when you see it. I want to know too. Though it might make you sick to see what Jughead's networth truly is. I know the first time I saw his account I threw up for days. God I feel sick again knowing it's probably even higher now." Cheryl turned to Veronica grabbing her arm dramatically. "Does he have more money then me now? We couldn't have that." Cheryl whined.
   Veronica laughed. "Yes those numbers are something to look at. All legal I assure you. Oh Cheryl.." Veronica said soothingly. "Jughead doesn't have more money then you. Close but not more."
    "Well thank God for small miracles." Cheryl quipped.
     Kevin looked between the three of them ideas and thoughts clicking in his head. Kevin walked out the door of the speakeasy their laughter and voices following him to the diner above. Kevin shook his head to himself angry at Jughead, Cheryl, but especially Veronica. If she hadn't ever moved to this town none of this would have happened. Kevin grabbed his phone from his pocket and punched in a familiar number. "Betty we gotta talk. I think I have the answer."