Chapter Text
Letty isn't sure how she ended up here, cornered by Javier's father, Oscar. Because she's been in enough tight spots to know that's what it is, cornered - despite the fact that he's not physically blocking her exit and sitting on the opposite side of the booth. She can sense the alpha male predator persona he proudly emanates. The tingling, crawling sensation sweeping across her skin only amplifies when she notices the way Javier tenses and moves slightly towards her out of her periphery. Suddenly, she thinks that maybe digging around in Javier's past wasn't the best idea.
Forcing herself to remain calm, Letty produces one of her more winsome smiles and prepares to make polite, guarded, conversation with the only man she's ever seen strike fear into Javier's eyes.
"This is very impressive work that Ava's done here," Letty says, indicating the beautiful new restaurant.
Oscar merely smiles, offering a soft chuckle in response.
After a brief silence, he finally speaks, "You are very beautiful."
"Thank you," Letty answers, her smile broadening, causing her eyes to crinkle.
"And you have been dating my son for how long now?" He says it with a friendly enough smile, but Letty detects a hint of distrust in his voice. He clearly sees her as an outsider.
"Oh, uhm, not - not very long," she pauses to steady her nerves, "Only a few weeks."
Her eyes dart over to Javier, who keeps discreetly inching closer and closer while carrying on a seemingly casual conversation with his brother, then quickly lower to study the intricate working on the table top.
"I see," Oscar states quietly.
Another silent moment passes before he asks another pointed question, "Do you love him?"
Letty's head snaps up and her stunned brown eyes meet Oscar's piercing gaze. She is taken aback by the directness of his inquiry and her breath catches in her throat. In the dragging seconds that she is physically unable to answer, she doesn't fail to notice that Javier has stopped talking and is trying his best to hide the fact that he is now fully invested in the interaction between her and his father.
When she is able to speak again, there is no hesitation or hint of anything less than the truth in her voice as she stares straight into Oscar's eyes and answers clearly, with absolute conviction, "Yes. I do."
She allows herself a brief moment of celebration at the minor look of shock on the older man's face before getting up from the table with an air of resignation. This little game of cat-and-mouse he had been intending on playing with her is over. She's won, at least this time. Letty flashes him a smile that says "Better luck next time!" From what she reads on his face she knows he got her message. He can't manipulate his son while she's around to look out for him. She turns and takes Javier's hand, allowing him to lead her out of the dining area to the kitchen, sure to get an earful from him about not playing with fire or something equally as stupid.