ROLEPLAY HQ - gilded-cage

The smell of cigar smoke and leather permeated the air as two men sat, one younger and another older gentleman. Both well dressed to denote wealth as they say across from each other in a decked out office. Pictures lined the wall behind the older one, some were of the younger gentleman, others of a female quite a few years younger. One portrait bigger than the rest held all three as well as a warm looking older woman, a family portrait where the love was clearly evident although each individual held their own air of intimidation. The Underwood family were well known throughout the city, one of the top two echelon in the world of organized crime. Gustav Underwood sat in his office chair, his cigar hand held just a bit from his lips as he released a sigh. His eldest child, Leo sat across from his desk, a look of concern on his face. "What would you have me do, mio figlio?" His free hand ran through his hair, slicking back the pepper gray hair from his face as he stared solemnly as his son. "They have backed us into a corner and if we do not accept the terms..."

"It'll be a blood bath." Leo finished for his father. His own face scrunched up and he balled his fists up tight. "I understand that father. But Rayne-" Leo leaned back, straightening as he stared at his father. "She's not involved in any of this. You've said yourself-"

"That I would not involve her in the family business... I am well aware, son." Gustav took a long drag off his cigar and held the smoke in until it burned his old lungs. Releasing it he continued. "But now, we do not have much choice. I have already accepted the terms. All we can do now is prepare her for what is to come, and pray that it truly will work out in the end. Who knows, perhaps the Torricelli boy will fall for your sister's charms, no?"

"I'm against it." Releasing his fists he stood, he leaned onto his father's desk, his face even more serious now. "The Torricelli, especially their son is twisted." He drew his eyebrows together. "Rayne is like a little bird, if you put her in a cage she'll only rebel, or worse be wounded." Leo pushed off his father's desk and paced the length of the room. "If you'd just give me more time, I can find an alternative means-"

Knocking on the door lightly Rayne stood bouncing on the balls of her feet. Her father rarely called her to his office and she was curious as to why he had summoned her now of all times. She had just gotten back from a trip abroad with friends and was in a relatively good mood. After a moment of waiting she heard her father's voice through the door. "Enter." Without hesitation she turned the knob and pushed the door open, she was surprised to see Leo there as well and offered both her father and brother a sweet smile. "Papa, Leo. I've missed you!" She rushed to Leo first, her arms snaking around him for a tight hug. He kissed her on the cheek before releasing her so that she could go and greet their father. She went around the desk and placed a gentle kiss on each of his cheeks. Pulling away she stared down at her father. "I was surprised to hear from Lucy that you wanted me to come by after just having returned from Greece Papa, what was so urgent that I couldn't even unpack?"

"Mia piccola colomba..." Gustav took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "I am glad you've made it home safe." He offered her a warm smile before he snuffed out his cigar. "Now why don't you have a seat. We have much to talk about." He would wait until she did as he suggested and after he saw she was comfortable he would drop the bomb that would change his beloved daughter's future forever. "You are to be married at the end of the month to the Torricelli heir."

Shock rocked through Rayne as she stared in disbelief at her father. "I- What?!" She shot upright, her petite hands slamming down on her father's desk. "Do I not get a say in my own future?" She shook her head, her dyed ash blonde waves shaking side to side. Rage filled her as she stared down her father who didn't so much as flinch from her outburst. "If- If mother were still alive this wouldn't stand... why. Just tell me why my life isn't my own to make?"

"The merging of the families is the only way to prevent many deaths, dove. If there had been another way I would have exploited it. But these were the terms Torricelli himself had set... Before you throw a fit why don't you meet with his son. Surely he has some qualities you will find pleasing-" The look on Gustav's face would tell Rayne there was no getting out of this, all of their lives depended on it.

Pushing off of the desk she ignored the stinging of tears that threatened the corner of her eyes. "It's not like I have a choice, do I?" She scoffed, her arms crossing over her chest as if to protect her from something. "When am I supposed to meet him then?"

"Tonight, at six sharp. Restaurant La Regina."

"Fine." Rayne swiveled on her heel and stomped out of her father's office, her eyes meeting with Leo's briefly as she did. She would meet with the man, sure. But he would get more than he bargained for if she had anything to say about it... Just wait Torricelli, I may be a caged bird but that doesn't mean I'll make it easy for you...

Enzo stood at the restaurants entrance, his large figure slightly hunched over as he checked his watch impatiently. His family owned his the place and had closed it for the special occasion. He wore a plain black suit in an attempt to look somewhat fancy, just like the restaurant. However his shoulder length unkempt black hair diswayed that look quickly The man grunted before looking up and turning to the buildings doors, two of the many employees held them open wide. Enzo scoffed as he turned back to his watch. It was nearly six in the afternoon and there was no sign of the woman.. "War seems to be their choice then.." He spoke, his malicious tone and venomous words causing the employees behind him to yelp in fear. Enzo only looked down the road, waiting out the clock..

@Nymphy ❦

Rayne may have purposely taken over an hour getting ready for this so called 'engagement' meeting. She was still very against the idea of being forced to marry a man she had only met once or twice at large gatherings of the factions to 'make peace' so to speak, and what else she knew she had been from rumors from her friends and 'family'. The Torricelli heir, Enzo... he was ruthless, cold and was one hundred percent looking to take over the whole area regardless of who tried to get in his way. She could see why her father had wanted this union, by forcing them to wed it protected her from the possible bloodbath that was meant to come. Yet... in Rayne's gut she knew that things could go another way completely. It's why she hated this... Twenty three years of her life was now down the drain. She had been protected, kept from the family business and sheltered so that she could live a life of her own and all of it...thrown out the window at the first sign of hard push back from the Torricelli's. A sigh escaped her as the black SUV pulled up to the restaurant. Her bodyguard got out first, rushing over to her side to open the door for her. One heeled knee high heeled boot before the other as she accept her guard's hand and stepped out of the car, the door being shut behind her. Putting on the fur shoulder rap that accompanied her skin tight black dress. The slit in her dress went almost all the way to her hip yet still held a modicum of of decency. "Thank's J." She smiled at her guard and then turned her attention to the man standing in front of the restaurant with a scowl on his face. "Enzo." @Katelyn "Ducky" Snowfall

Watching the Underwood vehicle come around the corner caused the large man to begin to grin widely, his eyes focused on the black car as the two stepped out. His gaze quickly looked up and down the woman, her large keeled boots garnering his attention the longest. He nodded slightly in approval of her outfit, finding it attritive enough Enzo began to walk over to the small group, his mouth streched to a large toothless smile. He patted his suit down, attempting to brush away any dirt that clung to it because of his long wait. Enzo was easily about a foot taller than Rayne, causing him to crane his neck down to her when he got close enough, standing only a few feet away "Rayne. So glad you could make it. How was your ride?" Enzo asked her, his deep voice having dropped the venomous words yet was filled with just as much malice "You look beautiful, as you have every day since we've met." The man chuckled softly before turning to the side, holding out his arm to motion her towards the entrance

15:03

@Nymphy ❦

"Not long enough..." She stated simply, her normally thick lips spreading out in a thin lip of distaste as she crossed her arms. Rayne could tell by the tone of voice Enzo had taken that he was just as much displeased with this pairing as she was. The question was just how far he would go to show that distaste. She snorted at his complement but quickly covered it up with a cough. Dropping her arms she would begrudgingly take his arm and loop hers around it. The height difference was significant enough that she would have to tilt her head back to look up at him. As he led the way into the restaurant already Rayne had some nebulous plans to end this engagement, though nothing was quite set in stone for her to make the first move. So for now she would bide her time and hope that by putting on a display of only slight distaste that perhaps she could draw some answers out of Enzo before she decided for sure which steps she should take next. "I hope I didn't make you wait terribly long." She said as sweetly as possible, her large green eyes batting up at him as a waiter pulled out their seats for them. She moved to take the one on the right. It was impressive, they had shut down the whole restaurant for the two. Seemed like a loss of income to Rayne but she knew this was how the organized crime families tended to operate. @Katelyn "Ducky" Snowfall

Enzo's smug grin quickly fell into a large frown as the woman spoke, his brow tightening. He scoffed as she took his arm, the mere touch of the young Underwood disgusted him. Sure, she was pretty but that didn't make her worthy of him. Especially so because of her father. He was silent as they walked through the through the empty building, only occupied by a handful of waiters and cooks. * As Rayne mentioned the wait, Enzo scoffed once more. His dark grey eyes burrowing into her, debating what shew was up too. Acting highly disrespectful and rude at first, now all sweet like. Enzo was no fool, he knew the games of women. She wanted something..* "What do you want, woman? Don't waste your breathe with useless mind games.." He said in low growl as he picked up the menu, opening it roughly. His eyes didn't travel far from the Underwood, despite the menu clogging most of his vison

15:07

@Nymphy ❦

Picking up her own menu Rayne opened it and seemingly chose to ignore Enzo's question. Instead she tilted her head, her hair falling over her exposed shoulder. "Hmm...perhaps steak. Is the steak here good?" She looked up, her eyes not showing and sort of emotion as she stared at him. "Might be a little heavy after having only fish for a month...what about the chicken parm, is that good here?" She offered him a small smile before glancing back at the menu. "I think I'll have that, it sounds absolutely delicious... Have you decided what you're going to have?" She closed the menu as a waiter approached and she beamed him a smile as well, whether it was genuine or not was up for debate but it was definitely different than the one she had given Enzo himself. "I'd like a bottle of the best red you have available please. This is a momentous occasion of course, you see this is my first formal date with my fiancé." Her cheeks flushed slightly as she closed the menu and leaned forward towards the waiter, a hand barely covering her lips as she spoke above a whisper. "He seems a little grumpy, so maybe something a little stronger for the gentleman." Rayne winked at the waiter who just seemed to look dumbfounded. Unsure of what to do the waiter glanced in Enzo's direction. @Katelyn "Ducky" Snowfall

a low growl escaped Enzo's throat as the woman spoke so nonchalantly, ignoring him and messing with him. He watched her, watched the waiter glance at him nervously, watched the table.. finally, he snapped. Enzo quickly stood up causing his chair to tumble behind him, grabbed the side of the table and heaved it to the side. The silverware crashed, the wood snapped and crumbled. Enzo took one step towards the woman, quickly grabbing her chin as he crouched "Do NOT play games with me, Underwood!" He roared, filling the building with his rough voice. He held her face close to his own, only releasing her after a few long moment. He stood up straight and brushed off his suit, scoffing towards the woman "What a waste of a woman.." Enzo mumbled just loud enough for Rayne to hear before walking towards the exist

In truth she had been taken by surprise and shocked at the sudden outburst of rage he had displayed. Her harmless fun apparently plucked the right nerve. She stayed seated though she did flinch as he flipped the table, all of its contents spilling to the floor glass and all. It would have been a lie if she had said she wasn't scared as he rushed forward and grabbed her chin. Her eyes followed as he lowered himself. His venomous words echoing throughout the joint as he stared her down. Rayne didn't back down as he stared her down, she didn't even so much as blink as he released her and rose from his crouched position. She continued to watch silently as he wiped off his suit and scoffed at her, the distaste in his face as clear as day. What a waste of a woman... The words stung but still she didn't move, instead opting to watch as he began to walk towards the exit. It was then that she rose from her seat, her shaking hand moving to pick up her purse and sling it over her shoulder. Glass ground into the floor as she spun on her heel and faced Enzo's back and right as he would reach the door she would call out. "Does that mean you break the engagement, Torricelli?" She stood straight, her chest out as she puffed up much like a male peacock did to strut. "I'll be sure to let my father know you send your regards..." @Katelyn "Ducky" Snowfall

Enzo stopped in his tracks as the woman asked about the ending of the engagement, his eyes widening. He was only afraid of one thing in this world, the only being in existence more twisted and demonic than Enzo himself. His father. Just the thought of that man sent shivers up Enzo's spine, the feeling of old scars splitting open and the blood dripping down his back.. Enzo could only stand there silent for a long moment.. He soon turned back to Underwood, sending a glare that would scare the devil himself off at her. "Fetch us another table, waiter.." Were the only words he growled out, causing the waiter to scurry off. Enzo then adjusted himself, swiping his hair from his eyes. He would only stare at the woman that stood only a few feet away from him, trying not to tremble as his father filled his mind. He growled to himself quietly as the waiter from before, and a few other employees set up a new table complete with a vase of flowers and more silverware. Enzo had no idea why his father had ordered him to marry this disgrace, there was nothing special about her. It wasn't like they needed the peace either, the Torricelli family could finish off the Underwood's in a final swoop. He was in no position to question his father though.. Once he becomes the head of the family, this woman would be eradicated with the rest of her family. Enzo sat down quickly, opening his menu, this time his eyes were focused on the words and items listed instead of the woman before him. "Steak. Medium-rare." He said flatly, quickly folding the menu and tossing it to the side for one of the waiters to pick up later "Enough with the games woman. Answer my question." His fingers racked against the cloth, the 'thip thip thip' of his long nails taping in succussion

13:33

~~I ran out of characters qwq~~

13:33

@Nymphy ❦

Out of all the reactions she had expected the one she received after her comment only partially took her by surprise. He was livid, and as he glared at her she felt a coldness pass over her though she didn't outwardly show it. Instead she remained where she stood, her arms crossed as she watched him. The poor waiter and a couple other employees of the restaurant scrambled to put another table together. Rayne felt bad for them, after all she had been the reason for his outburst in the first place. What had she learned from his little display? He was terrified of his father and that in itself told her more than she had known previously... She sighed as the waiter finished the last touches on the table. Taking her own seat Rayne placed her napkin in her lap. After Enzo spouted his order she turned to the waiter herself. "Chicken parm please, and we can pass on that bottle of wine, though if I could get a glass of chardonnay I would be very grateful." She gave the waited a genuine smile as he scurried off. Rayne couldn't help but imagine a cornered mouse and Enzo a wild feral cat. As he demanded for her to answer him she crossed her arms across her chest, her breasts pushed together at the act of it and she leaned forward. "Why do I have to want anything?" She shook her head, her ash blonde hair swaying as she did. "I know that answer won't satisfy you so let me be upfront Torricelli." She uncrossed her arms and stared him down. "I want my freedom. I want to not be in this ridiculous situation sitting across from a brute I could give two damns about. I want to marry for love and I want nothing to do with the Torricelli's and Underwood bullshit." .

03:06

Leaning back she scoffed. "I spent months abroad away at college only for all of my future plans being thrown down the drain just for you. So excuse me if I stepped on your toes. I frankly don't fucking care." She quieted as the waiter brought out her glass of wine and she accepted it, sampling it on her tongue before continuing. "I am not my father, and I am not my brother. But you?" She shook her head. "You're exactly like your father..." She let the words sit between them and fester. The boiling rage that was likely to come yet again was more than likely inevitable. @Katelyn "Ducky" Snowfall

Enzo only stared at the she-demon ordered her meal like this was just a normal date. The fact she was so calm after his outburst only made him seethe with anger even more. When she finally finished, Enzo leaned back in his seat before crossing his arms across his chest. The woman did the same, causing Enzo to frown further, and began to speak once more. She spoke about freedom and brutes as if she was the only one being forced into this marriage causing him to loudly scoff with anger. That was before her last words.. Enzo suddenly stood up, his shoes slamming against the floor with a thundering clash. His eyes turned bloodshot, fueled by pure rage at the woman's words Comparing him to his father?!?* Who did this woman think she was! Enzo then pulled a simple 1911 pistol from the inside of his coat, aimed it at her head, and spoke slowly. "Give me one good reason not to fill her miserable skull with lead, bitch." His words dripped with hatred, not only for the woman who sat in front of her but for himself and his father. That monster made Enzo into a small version of that monster. He hated it. He feared it. He feared and hated his lust for blood. That was his fathers wish, not his. At least it wasn't. Not anymore. Now all Enzo wanted was blood and carnage. Death to everything. This woman's mockery was the final nail. He should have pulled the trigger before giving an opportunity for forgiveness.

21:06

@Nymphy ❦

It was outrageous, the idea that their father would agree to such a preposterous marriage proposal...his baby sister, the angel of the Underwood family and he was sending her off to the demon that was Enzo Torricelli. The man only wanted two things and as far as Leo was aware love was no where near on the menu which meant that his baby sister was like a lamb out to slaughter when instead she should be travelling Europe or going to college. She was only twenty-one for Christ's sake! He pushed his foot on the pedal and took a sharp left towards the restaurant. He wouldn't let this happen, no. Leo needed to protect his sister, and if she was living up to that true nature of hers she was likely to be rubbing salt in the wild beasts wounds instead of trying to run. "Fuck!" He slammed his hands against the steering wheel as he took the last turn. The building was finally in view and he slammed on the breaks, his tires leaving a trail of smoke as he parked right in front. "Excuse me sir you ca-" Leo pulled out his handgun and pointed it at the man's face. "The fuck I can't." He spat before continuing inside. He had just tucked his gun back in it's holster when his eyes landed on the pair... The sight he saw... His jaw clenched as he bolted forward, much like how he used to in his youth. The motherfucker was pointing a gun at his sister and like hell he'd let anything like that happen. "Torricelli, you bastard!" @Katelyn "Ducky" Snowfall

Enzo's gaze was quickly snagged away from the woman, his rage filled eyes landing upon the man known as Leo Underwood. Son of Gustav Underwood, rival of Enzo's father. A malice filled grin started to slowly form along his cheeks, his gun moving from the woman to the brother as his turned to fully face him. Enzo began to chuckle quietly to himself. "Ah, Leo Underwood. What a surprise to see you here. Not as surprising as it is to watch your sister with a gun pointed at her pretty little face, I presume?" This caught another chuckle from the tall man before he shook his head, his face straightening "You have 20 seconds to get the hell out of my restaurant before I put a bullet in both of you.." Enzo hissed, his eyes darting to Rayne. If she moved he would position his gun towards her and tsk, shaking his head slowly, before turning back to Leo

"The fuck you will. I knew a rat bastard like you couldn't be trusted with my sister." He looked at Rayne, a look of concern on his face. His eyes scanned her to make sure she wasn't wounded but the fact that there was a mess on the floor only confirmed his suspicion that his sister had indeed pushed the monster's buttons. He turned his attention back to Enzo and bared his teeth. "I'm not fucking leaving without taking her with me Enzo."

Rayne's heart thudded wildly in her chest as she had the gun pointed at her. She'd barely had time to register that when Leo barreled inside the restaurant. It was one thing for her to egg him on, but seeing her brother here and now... her concern rose through the roof. "I'm fine Leo, he hasn't touched me. Just go, please?" She pleaded with him though he didn't even glance her way. "Nothing good will come of you pulling me out of here... I can handle myself-"

"No." He ground his teeth and shook his head. "I won't accept it. This piece of trash doesn't deserve to even be in the same room as you." His eyes pleaded just as much as his sister's. She took a step forward and Enzo's gun retrained on her and Leo snapped. His hand quickly pulling his own piece from its holster. "Get that fucking thing pointed away from my sister."

@Katelyn "Ducky" Snowfall