Loving The Corporate Prince Ch. 15-16

"Dustin, you know how much I love you, right?" Cas began. "And if I suspected he was hiding anything, I would be the first to call it out. I mean, I hate Giovanni and you knew that from the moment I met him. So I'm definitely not trying to side with anyone when I say this, but don't you think you're jumping to conclusions?"

"Yeah," Dustin exhaled. "I could be."

"Well... Didn't you say that he didn't even know who you were when you two met? I mean, look, I know it might be hard but just try to enjoy yourself tonight. I mean it's the last night you'll have together for a few days so you should talk to him about it, maybe over the phone, when you two have some space or something."

"Yeah, yeah. You're right.

"No matter what happens..." Cas began as she set her hand on Dustin's shoulder. "I'll be there. Always."

The two smiled at each other and hooked their pinkies around one another the way they had since the dawn of time, reminding each other that neither of them was ever truly alone. Suddenly, the two heard light clicks from the hall grow louder and louder before River emerged into Dustin's room.

"Holy shit!" Cas exclaimed, causing River to blush all over again. "River, you look fucking great!"

Cas walked over and gave River a big hug before looking him up and down. Cas wore a rose pink, 3 piece suit and together, the two looked like polar opposites.

"Goddamn, I gotta tell Lynks tonight to hook me up with something like this!" Cas was smoothing her hands over River's collar, tracing the embroidered gold flowers on the collar. "Dude, I can't get over how cool you look."

"Dude, I was just thinking the same thing about your suit!" River exclaimed, with a smile on his face as wide as the golden gate bridge.

"Really?" said Cas. "I never imagined rose would be your color."

"Yeah, I'd try to find it in black."

"But have you ever tried colors? Because quite frankly I think you'd-"

"OK, OK you two. We've got a party to attend." Dustin smiled, looping his arms through Cas's and River's, one on each side and together the three of them braced themselves for what they expected would be an eventful evening.

✧

"River, are you excited to meet Marius?" Cas asked as they approached the door of the incredible mansion.

A light snow had fallen days before and the overcast sky gave the three the familiar feeling of the holidays. River could see a wild amount of lights hanging inside through the windows as they stood outside the large, door.

All three of them exhaled loudly and simultaneously.

"Nervous," River said before Dustin gave his hand a light squeeze.

"Me too," said Cas. "Let's agree to stick together, yeah?"

"I'm in." said Dustin.

"Me too," said River.

Dustin moved forward, and opened the door and suddenly, the vibrations from the holiday music blasted through their ears. The smell of warm baked goods and booze surrounded them while lights and tinsel flickered above their heads.

"Holy shit," River breathed, under his breath. He had never seen anything so extravagant in his life.

"CasCas!"

The sound commanded all of their attention and they turned their heads, seeing Mx. Lynks holding a tall glass of champagne in their hand and gliding toward Cas before giving her a big hug and cheek kisses.

"I missed you so much yesterday," Mx. Lynks said.

"I know, I missed you too. I just really needed a day off with everything going on."

"I understand, my dear. I do." Dustin and River could see the gentle and loving squeeze that Lynks gave Cas.

"I feel bad though because, ehm, where's my outfit like that?" Cas laughed, pointing at River.

"Oh my God, not to toot my own horn but doesn't he look amazing?" Lynx laughed as they embraced Dustin and River, greeting them once again.

"He really does!" A loud, french accented voice boomed down the hall, interrupting any connecting gaze between Lynx, Dustin, Cas and River.

"Dad!" Dustin exclaimed, as a tall, broad shoulder man approached the group with wide arms. Dustin ran forward and gave his father a sweet embrace before they too gave each other the cheek kiss greeting.

"I've missed you so much my son," Marius said with a large arm draped around Dustin's shoulder. "I can't wait to hear all about school, but for now! You must be River!" Marius jokingly shoved his son away and welcomed River into his arms while Lynx and Cas laughed.

He towered over River and despite his incredible respect and stature, he gave River the warmest and most humble hug.

"Hello, River," Marius kissed River's warm cheeks. "It's so nice to finally meet you! Welcome to my home! I've heard so many wonderful things about you,"

"T-thank you, Mister Garnier," River began, breaking into a sweat.

He couldn't help but stare at the incredibly stark difference between Dustin and his father. Where Dustin was slender, Marius was broad. Where Dustin had very light blonde hair, his father had jet black hair. The dead giveaway to their relations were their facial features. High cheekbones, gorgeous greek noses, and sharp jaw lines that could cut diamonds.

"Oh, no, no." Marius smiled his wildly warm and charismatic smile down at River. "I am either Marius or Dad. Nothing more, nothing less. Now, let us all go inside, you kids are missing all the fun."

Marius turned, leading the small group into the main area of his home where at least one hundred people sat, chatting and laughing - all with a drink in their hand.

"Whoa..." River said, under his breath with wide eyes. The tallest Christmas tree he had ever seen sat in the corner, and the mystical lights only continued throughout the main area, getting more and more extravagant the further into Marius' home they got.

River felt Dustin's arm slip around his waist while his feet felt glued to the floor.

"Don't worry," Dustin whispered. "Most of these people are already super drunk so even if we're awkward, they 100% won't remember it. Actually, even if they're sober they probably won't remember it." Dustin laughed.

"That's true," Cas chimed. "Plus we don't even know all of them so it's not like we really have to mingle."

"Raise your hand if you're ready for the food?" Lynx said, breaking any nervous tension the group felt and thankfully, giving them a direction instead of allowing them to stand in the doorway. Cas gasped as they reached the table and a small squeal escaped her lips.

"Baklava fingers!" She cried, placing as many of the pastries on a plate as she could.

Eventually, the small group settled with their plates and relaxed with some champagne. None truly made an effort to mingle with others, instead, they felt more than happy to reminisce and laugh and joke with themselves.

Eventually, Lynx, ever the sociable one, split with the group to go ask what kind of fabric someone's jacket was made from. River couldn't help but notice Dustin staring off and it wasn't until his eyes followed Dustin's gaze that he realized he was staring at Marius across the room.

"Do you want to go hang out with him?" River asked lightly, trying his best not to step on anyone's toes. Dustin blushed and nodded. "Do it, dude. I know how much you've missed him and it's not every day you guys are under the same roof."

"What about you?" Dustin asked.

"I'll be alright! Me and Cas will hang out! Besides, I'm not that awkward, am I?"

Dustin and Cas stayed silent, despite their eyes widening. A small smile crossed Cas's face, and she had to cover her mouth to stop the champagne from shooting out her nose. She looped her arm around River's before laying her head on his shoulder.

"Oh, sweet baby. We're all that awkward. That's why you fit in with us so well!" said Cas.

Dustin's eyes flicked to his father across the room, who was now standing alone, gazing out the floor-to-ceiling window.

"Now's your chance! Go!" River urged.

Dustin smiled and got up before practically jogging to his father, ending with a running hug. Both men lit up as they hugged one another. Even Cas and River could hear their laughter boom as they collided, causing a smile to cross any onlookers' faces.

"I wish my family loved me like that..." River chuckled.

"Me too," said Cas.

"Let's just be each other's family."

"Oh, you've got a deal!"

"Speaking of family, I wanted to ask you something kind-of away from people so I figure this is the best time to ask..."

"What's up?"

"Um... Well... I just noticed that Mr. Elliot used Mx. for you so I was wondering what your pronouns are? I really feel like I should have asked earlier but I just went by what Dustin did and I didn't want to overstep or put you on the spot..."

Cas's eyes glazed over as she cleared her throat.

"I just want you to know that I would never, never judge you or anything and whatever they are, I'm here for you 100% and I'll back you up and it's totally cool if you don't want to talk about it or anything at all but I just wanted you to know that I support you and I'm here for you. Holy shit, am I rambling? I'm sorry, I'm just nervous."

"River! You're fine." Cas giggled. "I really appreciate it... No one's really asked me that or noticed... I guess it was just something I was trying out because sometimes I do feel a little... You know... Confused."

"Do you want to talk about it?" asked River.

Cas exhaled.

"I don't know if I'm super ready for that just yet so for now I'm staying with she/her... I don't know if Dustin's told you but we've got pretty major trust issues, so it's not you. I swear, I just have a hard time talking about stuff."

"Hey, after the things I saw yesterday with the paparazzi, I don't blame you. I just want you to know that I've been there... And so, I don't want you to think I'm pushing or anything I just want to tell you that you're not alone."

Cas gave River a confused expression.

"Huh?"

"Dustin didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"That I'm trans?"

Cas's eyes widened.

"No, no. I had no idea. Wait, are you serious?"

River laughed.

"I wouldn't joke about something like that! Especially not after what we just talked about! I just wanted to let you know in case you need someone in that department,"

River shrugged. "And to let ya know that I've had people tell others, without my permission, for idle gossip. Sometimes I wonder if that's why Dustin and I get along so well, it's like an unspoken rule that we understand that important stuff like that just stays between who it involves, you know?"

"I do... I definitely do know." Cas said.

"Sometimes I hate myself because I get so scared just waiting for him to gossip about me that way... Part of me knows he won't but I guess that's why I thought he would have told you. Sometimes those fears don't go away."

"River?" Cas began, squeezing his arm through his black button-down. "You're safe with us."

"You're safe with me too, Cas."

"Wanna get drunk?" Cas laughed.

"Absolutely."

✧

"Arg!" Dustin laughed, crashing into Marius with a hug.

"Ah! Oh my goodness, my son!" Marius laughed wrapping his arms around Dustin in a comforting way that very few hugs could stand up to. "I've missed you, so much. I need to hear all about school."

The two found a seat by the window while they beamed, just excited to be with each other.

"School was fine, I just took basic classes, to transfer - math, English, yadda yadda yadda. I passed them all." Dustin laughed. "I feel like I hardly remember this year because..."

He glanced over at River and Cas, watching them hook their arms around one another's to take a sip out of their ridiculously long champagne glasses before laughing into their bubbles. They really were two peas in a pod and Dustin couldn't help but beam and giggle, watching them.

Marius' eyes followed his sons. He had never seen anyone who could live up to his standards, let alone Cas's, or even get along with her the way River currently was.

This man was either incredibly special or incredibly good at fooling people. Marius had always understood Cas to be Dustin's little protector, she always had been and could see through bullshit easily and it made leaving Dustin a little easier, knowing he'd have someone.

But even Marius had to admit that his worry was lingering the more he was hearing from The OI about this source and something this person may be hiding from them.

'What could it be?' Marius thought. 'What is his motive here? Even worse... How can I tell Dustin? How can I protect him?'

"He seems like a very special young man," Marius began.

"He is." said Dustin.

"Well, tell me more about him!"

Dustin instantly blushed with a laugh. He had never been in the position of bringing someone home to meet the parents. The only person he was involved with who had ever met his father was Giovanni and that was both, not impressive to Marius, and not a serious relationship. Not the way he and River are.

"What do you want to know?"

"What is he going to school for?"

"Creative writing... He wants to be an author..."

'Could he be looking for fame? To sell a book?'

"... Which he didn't tell me for the longest time because he was embarrassed about it. He wants to write romance novels."

Marius couldn't help but smile.

"Your mother loved romance novels."

"She did?"

Marius nodded.

"I was always so amazed at how fast she could read them! She must have gone through a novel a day toward the end. She even got me to read them with her, the little devil. You just wait, soon you'll be there too." Marius laughed. "It's not a bad thing, most were very good. She just loved love... I'm sure River is a wonderful writer."

"I don't know, he's never let me read anything he's written before."

Marius cocked an eyebrow.

"Perhaps you're his inspiration."

Dustin's eyes widened and soon, Marius could see panic coursing through Dustin's body.

"Y-you don't think that's why he's with me do you?"

Guilt flooded Marius when he realized he had unintentionally planted the doubtful thought in Dustin's head. All he wanted was for his son to be loved.

"Of course not, no. Didn't you even tell me, yourself, that he didn't even know who you were when you two first met?"

"Yeah," Dustin laughed a bit, calming both himself and Marius down. "I don't think he really even understood the level of our... Whatever... until he got here and saw it. The house, the apartment, the car, the paparazzi..."

"Speaking of paparazzi..." Marius began. "Has anyone from The OI contacted you?"

"No, why do you ask?" said Dustin.

"Nothing... No reason." Marius glanced out the window, clenching his jaw.

From afar, River saw Marius rubbing the back of his neck, nervously. Part of him couldn't help but stare in awe at the fact that he didn't think a man of Marius' stature and status could feel nerves, especially when talking to his own son. The other part of him glowed at the adorable nature of the shared nervous habit between the Garnier's.

"Dad? What?" Dustin asked, letting his concern flourish.

The commotion of the room paused as all eyes fell to the doorway where a man stood, with a deep, deep V shirt that displayed his hard biceps. The opening of the man's shirt plunged so deeply that it just nearly touched his abdomen. A hand smoothed his thick, slicked-back hair that was so greased back it looked perpetually wet.

Unfortunately, it looked amazing.

"Who's that?" River asked Cas.

"Ugh," Cas sighed. "Giovanni."

The two watched his eyes scan the room before landing on Cas. Giovanni's lips slid to a slimy smirk as he made his way over to Cas and River.

"Cas," Giovanni smiled. "I should have guessed you'd be by the food."

River's eyes widened at the rude comment from the man.

"And who's this?" Giovanni scoffed as his eyes looked River up and down with the cold air of the Arctic.

"River Foster," River said, stretching his hand out for a handshake. "Nice to meet you...?"

"My name is Giovanni." He said, glaring at River's outstretched hand. He made a point not to shake it.

"Right... Well it's nice to meet you Giovanni." River said, again but with a bit more emphasis.

"Many little birdies tell me that you and my Dustin are an item now,"

"Your Dustin?" Cas laughed.

"But I thought, no way this could be true. After all, Dustin doesn't really do relationships. And surely the Garnier's wouldn't allow a nobody, like this freak, to inherit their little corporate throne..."

Cas cackled sarcastically in Giovanni's face.

"Actually Gigi, Dustin does do relationships. Just not with you. And personally, I think it's hilarious that you think you're the one to fill that position..." Cas crossed her arms.

"I could be," Giovanni smirked. "After all, Dustin and I... Well... We have a history together. A long, erotic history together. I know his body unlike any other. Anyway, the word is that you are not who you say you are... River. If that is your real name. So what could it be that you are hiding? Hm?"

"Christ, Giovanni - we get it. Can you be any more transparent?" Cas rolled her eyes.

"Sweetheart, I would shut your stupid, little lips if I were you. Otherwise, we might have to call Whit to come pick you up - oh, wait."

"Watch it," River said, gripping his champagne glass.

"I was talking to the little gold digger..."

"I said, watch it." River growled.

"Or what? Are you going to beat me up?" Giovanni laughed.

"He might not, but I sure as fuck will." said Cas.

A loud, abrupt throat clear interrupted the conversation.

"I don't know what's happening here, but we do not use violence to solve our problems." Dustin said with his arms crossed and his father looming behind him with a stern, yet proud expression on his face. "Giovanni, I think you should separate from this group. Thanks,"

"Dustin... Looking sexy as ever. Marius..." Giovanni said, sauntering away from the group with a smirk.

"See," Cas began taking another long-winded sip from her champagne glass. "I shtold you he washa total ash-hole."

"Come on, River. We need to get you changed and I need to have a discussion with you before your flight."

River looked back at Cas with an expression that said, 'am I in trouble?' Cas only responded with a shrug, and once Dustin and River had exited the large area, Marius and Cas exchanged expressions concerned expressions.

"Are you finkin' wha'd I'm finkin'?" Cas asked.

"That'd you've had enough champagne?" Marius chuckled.

"Noooooooo," Cas laughed, leaning against the counter, resisting the spinning floor beneath her feet. "Guessh again."

"I will go along with whatever it is, but on one condition... You drink only water for the rest of the night. What kind of father would I be if I let you keep on this way?"

✧

River emerged from the large bathroom in his regular, dingy, ripped pants and hoodie. He neatly folded the expensive clothes on the bed, next to where Dustin sat.

Dustin's fingers were tangled together and his brow was furrowed. He was deep in thought, hardly aware of his surroundings when River finally put his hand on Dustin's shoulder. He leaned forward, allowing his champagne-filled breath to cloud around the blonde.

"What's been going on with you?" River asked.

Inhaling deeply, Dustin finally made deep and penetrating eye contact with the raven-haired man above him.

"Remember yesterday with the paparazzi... One of them said you're hiding something from us... I don't know whether it's true or not but if it is-"

"Dustin... Wait... What do I even have to lie about?"

"I don't know. You tell me... Maybe you knew who I was and you're just using this relationship to write about -"

"Please tell me you're joking," River said, seeing for the first time Dustin's inability to fully trust. River hurt because he knew what that felt like, but on the other hand, what on Earth could he do more to prove his trustworthiness?