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[h2][u]DOMESTIC  ISSUES[/u][/h2] 
[img] http://i.imgur.com/ZnOpQuF.png[/img]
Location: Reeves Home, Hudson Valley within NY 
Time: Evening 
[@VATROU], [@fdeviant], and [@Demonic Angel] 
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Ben hopped up to the entrance and entered through the grand entrance door, his hand twisted the latch before he pushed inward. The door barely made a sound to betray his arrival home. Still feeling physically and emotionally drained, his arm twisted back before his back slammed the door back into place. The sound echoed throughout the foyer and family room as he leaned backwards. Letting the vibration die within his spine, his neck raised up into goosebumps causing him to jerk his eyes upright. Daniel’s girlfriend was leaned against the farthest pillar, one of four that divided the foyer from the family room, nursing a wine glass filled to the top. Her spidery hand cradled the base then swished it about. The pale gold liquid rotated about, wetting the glass walls and finally settled down when she took a small sip. 

How he had missed her on his way?

 The question mocked him slightly, hinting at his sloppiness and distraction, as he eyed the ‘lioness’ on the prowl. She cleverly blocked his path to his escape and eyed him hungrily, her wine glass casually being sipped. Her figure pushed from her perch as her long legs casually snaked from underneath her thigh short skirt, a seductive tactic that had easily worked on Daniel but it wouldn't with Benjamin. The teenager’s upper lip curled in disgust and managed to lock his eyes into place with hers. A flicker of displeasure darted over the woman's’ irises, scorned by his resistance rather than falling under her heel and into line like the rest. Every stride told him she was use to being in control and would accept nothing less. 

Benjamin pushed off the door when she came within his personal space, her high heels stopped their clicking about a foot away. Her hand raised to push her voluminous blonde hair, curled by a recent prim, back over her shoulder. She then crossed her free arm over her too narrow midriff while she managed to uphold her plastic mask about being pleased to see him. The moment her words left her lips, he knew exactly what her motivations were behind waiting for him. 

“Benjamin, you and I need to talk. Your Father-”

“Daniel,” Benjamin corrected her, watching mindfully her lip twitch and her grip tightened over her wine glass, before he continued, “I only call him father when the paparazzi and [i]important[/i] guests are around. Being his girlfriend, I assumed he would’ve made that clear.” 

She twitched at his purpose bard hidden in his word choice, noting she was neither important or a guest worth trying to retain the illusion they were a happy family. Lorrie inhaled then resumed her words, bluntly ignoring his preference, with a subtle edge to her tone, “Nevertheless, he is your father, [i]Ben[/i], and nothing will change that. Now, putting your little teenager rebellion aside, we have a very special guest arriving this evening. Mr. Vanderbilt, a very influential man, and I need you to be on your top and best behavior for dinner. Can you do that?” 

Benjamin tensed when she called him by his nick, the only ones ever allowed were his mother or those close to him. He inhaled then let out an exhausting sigh before he addressed her,[color=chocolate] “I think I can manage…”[/color] 

His figure moved toward the stairway. He didn’t get far. With a soft thump of her wine glass, Lorrie’s manicured claws came to rest on his shoulder and promptly dug in warningly through his shirt. Surprised by the aggression, she lowered her head near his ear then whisper in a tone far from the pleasant front she gave to everyone. Her scorpion raised to the surface while the point of her tail curled around to the wolf’s throat, ready to deliver a final blow if she wanted. 

“Do not cross me, [i]Ben[/i], or I will make your life a living hell. I will not let you, him or anyone get in my way to gain what I deserve. Now, I want you presentable so go pick out something that makes you look handsome. I’ll send Emma up shortly to help with your hair,” Lorrie flicked one of his disheveled bangs and pulled away. Her seductive and charming tone returned almost immediately while she turned to collect her wine, a smirk deep in her eyes, “Do we have an understanding now?” 

[color=chocolate] “Crystal,”[/color] Benjamin said in surprising calm,[color=chocolate] “May I be dismissed?”[/color] 

“Of course,” Lorrie made a smug expression as she began to slither to the kitchen. Her tight black dress hugged every curve and if not for her poisonous personality, Benjamin might’ve actually appreciated it. Or so he thought, his attention redirected and he moved into the stairs to vanish into his room for the rest of the afternoon.