lclamercado

[lclamercado]

lola and atticus had a tumultuous relationship, dramatic and exciting. consistent in its inconsistency. she'd known him for most of her life and in her heart of hearts, she knew she could trust him. depend on him. her own ego, her own insecurities, had driven her to this point. and while she wanted to downplay it, lola realised in this moment that she might have bitten off much more than she could chew. with atticus holding her face, looking at her like that, promising to keep her safe...

fuck. slater had warned her never to do anything like that again, but did that really mean it was over? did she have to be kept safe? "i-... i don't know," she said quietly. "i don't think it's that bad. i- i mean, he told me to go. he broke a glass, that's why i'm--," and he'd shoved her- "but i only played up some rumour about him. i didn't really know anything. i was bluffing, i was trying to-..." she trailed off, closing her eyes, ashamed.

she looked so small in front of him. her usual bold confidence and in your face personality was now hidden away and he prayed that it would return quickly. seeing her like this was not how she should be seen, she should be on pedestals adored by everyone, not looking like she was about to burst into tears.

unsure if her legs would even take her to his couch, atticus opted to picking her up and carrying her over, placing her down gently on the cushions. he went to his kitchen to grab the first aid kit and water before he returned to sit down next to her. he frantically scanned her skin to evaluate the damage but stopped dead when she mentioned who she saw

"why would you do that?" atticus held her face in his hands "fuck lola, what have you done? i need you to tell me. i promise you i'll keep you safe, he won't touch you, but i need to know how bad this is"

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♡ SHAY MITCHELL via tiktok ( gala.fr )

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"i would argue, but i fear you know far too much about me," lola said with a wave of her hand. she was still on the fence about confiding in gabriela. she had covered up far more scandalous dalliances for lola than this. still, the thought of having to admit that she was cut off, on the road to being broke... that she needed her to squash a few rumours and bury a few leads that proved it, made her sick! "i've been behaving, thank you."

lola beamed, pointing a well manicured finger at the orchard- "stunning, truly. that must be such a perk of the job. i know i'd be in it for the freebies, forsure. ugh, yes. love that for you, gabs. oh, moi?" she said dramatically, as if she hadn't been expecting the question- "red, sparkling, floor length and plunging."

"during office hours when i have plenty of people vying for my time? normally. for you? always" she knew lola well enough to know that lola only showed up when she needed something cleaned up for her. "what is it you need?"

gabriela admired the work done in her office when lola pointed it out. "thank you, it was a gift from one of my clients." she noted "i'm not sure, i haven't decided. i'll need to go out and do some shopping for it. what are you thinking of wearing?"

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"I only land on relevant VIP lists," Lola grinned, although she was entirely serious. She was confident that she had this effect on everyone, but Rylea's smirk sealed the deal. "Well, I am honoured to deliver the news. Can I ask you a question?" There was no pause to allow an answer- "Has anyone ever made you a delicious drink?"

Rylea tried to hide her smile, covering the laugh that spilled out with a not very convincing cough as the woman shuffled off, glaring daggers at both of them. "You're definitely not on her nice list anymore." Her smile slowly morphed into a smirk at Lola's flirtation. "I am, I wasn't aware my reputation preceded me."

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cassandra nodded to both his thanks and assumption, "naturally. i'm not inclined to lose it until there's something tangible to crush." to atticus, she would add- "i do have my staff digging though. anything they can, anyone they think could be making a move. the higher you go, the more enemies you have."

she took another sip of her drink before asking, "have you seen lola yet?"

he didn't like the vibe in the room, it had an air of anticipation for something that he hoped wouldn't reveal itself. he knew he wasn't the only one feeling it, the few with sense were all looking at one another around the room waiting for a cue.

"thanks. i assume you're being as aware of the happenings around here as i am" he greeted cassandra.

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Cassandra raised an imposing eyebrow in her direction before eventually smirking over her martini glass. "Don't take it back. Mean what you say and say what you mean, no bullshit. That's how you go far and leave every other fucker in your dust," she offered, unprompted. "And you're right, I am. Cassandra Vandervort."

"That was unfairly hot." The words were out of Ryleas mouth before she could stop them. Shit. She busied herself with taking a sip of her Whiskey on the rocks, wishing the she at least had the excuse of being drunk to cover her slip up, but no.

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Lucifer - S02E14 “ Candy Morningstar ”

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"Says the only man who's ever lived to tell the tale." Cassandra looked him over, well aware of his hand on her lower back - acceptable in public, but barely. She didn't try to hide her smirk. "Thank you, Harry. Someone has to keep them in line-," she started, hand resting on his chest. "Whatever it takes."

"They wish they could." Harry said as he allowed his hand to drift slightly lower on his wifes back --still acceptable in public, but barely. -- "A truly exceptional performance darling."

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"Oh my god, I thought Mitzi was dead!" Lola interrupted loudly and dramatically, receiving a very nasty look before she huffed and puffed out of there. "Wow. She does not like me. Hey... Aren't you that cute bartender?"

"I'm so sorry to hear that." Rylea said to the elderly woman regaling her with a riveting tale about her Maltese named Mitzi with arthritis, trying to subtly catch the attention of anyone to save her. @tfrstarters

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Oh, I am so not getting involved with the drama tonight. Not with Mother Medusa on the prowl. But you would be so good on a scene. You could be the star. I see big things for your future, Lay. Wait, who punched you?

I know the night is young, but there's a severe lack of debauchery here. Does no one care about the art of making a scene anymore? I will say though I'd rather not be punched again. @tfrstarters

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cassandra had heard the rumblings. the panic. she was not about to lose her head - ever - but especially without any cold, hard, proof. if there was a credible threat out there, it would be dealt with. squashed. a sentiment she was sure atticus bass shared. she held her hand out to him, offering the glass--

"here. drink."

atticus bass leaned against a wall in the back with his drink in hand. he was the grim reaper of the social scene and with the news of potential competitors trying to pull stunts, he was watching his friends and employees like a hawk. lili was on the case with her team but he still didn't like it, there were too many people in play.

"i don't like this..."

@tfrstarters

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i feel like these gifs r giving the same EnergyTM

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"What an entirely mind numbing and unnecessary story that was. They should pay you to waste people's time, you'd make a killing. Mhm. Goodbye." Cassandra rolled her eyes into her martini glass, fending off yet another chit-chatter she didn't care about.

Turning, she offered a smile- "You should see me on a bad night. Eat your heart out." @tfrstarters

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Cassandra Vandervort (formerly Mercado) CEO

#quickfacts

Cassandra Vandervort has always been a #businessbitch and always will be!!

There is no neck she won't stand on, back she won't stab, line she won't cross to get what she wants. She's a winner, a gladiator. Vicious when necessary but only when necessary. Cassandra always has a reason - remember that.

Cassandra has cultivated a reputation as a big time boss. She won't tolerate insubordination in the work place. Working for her will have you made in this town but that's only if you last. Cassandra takes no prisoners.

The only person that Cassandra has given a second (third, hundredth) chance to is her daughter, Lola. Cassandra isn't a particularly affectionate person in public. Her love is subtle, her gestures aren't OTT. The fact that she let Lola get away with her behaviour for so long spoke volumes of her love. But not a lot of people get that.

Her ex-husband (Lola's dad) certainly did not. A widely famous soap opera star (*rolls eyes*), Cassandra and him were big Opposites Attract. Over-serious and under-serious. But it wasn't to last.

Cassandra wouldn't have cared about finding someone again. She was focused on work. And yes, she knew Harry Vandervort from work. They were both #businessbitches. They both... totally got each other. Ugh, it's embarrassing to even think about. Cassandra isn't going to swoon about it but, yeah... They're in love. They're married. Move on!!

Connections:

tba

Harry Vandervort: the husband!! @princexx-layla Lola Mercado: her daughter. Layla Vandervort: her step-daughter, technically but Cassandra isn't about to overstep with her.

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"gabby! as if there needs to be a reason for your fave client to stop by," lola gasped as ways of greeting. okay, so that definitely wasn't true. in fact, lola only showed up in-person when things were majorly effed and she needed gabriela to fix it. she was like her fairy godmother (if the fairy godmother was a bad bitch). thankfully, her retainer had been paid as a yearly fee.

lola made herself comfortable in the seat opposite her- "love the office as ever, did you get a new orchard? and more importantly what are you going to wear to the fairchild ball? sorry, 'winter wonderland' ball."

a winter wonderland ball was to be expected on the social calendar of the year, and to no ones surprise the announcement was made. like clockwork, gabriela opened her phone to see her girls group chat was going off about plans of what to wear and who to take. she quickly typed a few replies when she heard her door knock "come in" she called out as she finished the text and placed her phone down.

"hi, what brings you here?"

@tfrstarters

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tfrwinterball

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the admittedly thin thread that lola had been hanging by snapped when she heard his voice. soft. he touched her so softly like she would break, or something. it toppled her house of cards. lola held tightly to him when he caught her, letting him lead her onto the couch. how could she have been like, so fucking naive?

she took a shaky breath, suddenly nervous- no, horrified- at having to say it out loud. lola looked up at him, her lips pressed together as she tried to steady herself. she wished he could just hold her and she didn't have to say anything every again.

"i-," she started but stopped, clearing her throat. she'd tried to... it was almost funny, she'd tried to like, channel his energy. to act like the BMOC (big man on campusTM). with anyone else, it might have worked. "um, i went to see slater."

she looked away then, again. "i tried to blackmail him."

he was working late in his dimly lit office like he always did. the hours passing while his eyes remained focused on phone and laptop screens. the knock at his front door was what eventually pulled him back into the present. who the hell was showing up at this hour? he wasn't expecting any visitors and the house staff had long gone home for the day.

atticus closed the laptop and made his way through his home to yank his front door open. annoyance left his body and was replaced with concern. "lola?" he stepped forward to catch her from falling "jesus christ, what the fuck happened?" he'll kill them. he'll kill whoever caused this.

one of his hands lifted to cup her face "c'mon, we'll get you cleaned up, alright? you can stay here" he reassured her softly and helped her into his home. closing the door behind them, he guided her towards the sofa.

"lola, talk to me, what happened?"