A/N: This chapter was already written and the conversation had already been hinted at, but in light of Amandla Stenberg's video on cultural appropriation (which you should all check out), the topic was lengthened and this chapter was reborn. And speaking of being born, this chapter is for Rocio; congrats on your new bundle of love, girl!
Chapter 10: Apana
It had been a very wise decision for Letty to meet Owen in the car. No sooner had he sank gracefully into his Jaguar beside her, his fingers began to caress the length of her exposed thigh.
"You look absolutely stunning." He'd whispered in her ear effectively causing goosebumps to rise against her smooth skin. When Owen noticed her reaction to him, he placed a gentle kiss behind her ear and trailed his finger closer to her inner thigh.
Letty had then the turned and titled her head as if she were going to kiss him, only to grab his hand and mutter, "You're not that charming."
Chuckling, Owen pressed a kiss to her cheek and conceded, "You can't blame a bloke for trying."
That had been nearly an hour and fifteen minutes ago. For now, Letty sat in Spago, the sleek, black and white designed restaurant that started Wolfgang Puck's empire and was still one of Los Angeles most iconic dining experiences. Around the large, circular table were four of Owen's business acquaintances, two of which had brought their exotic wives with them; or as Letty learned, their mistresses. The conversation was polite enough, but not enough for the brunette to ignore the constant leering of one: Mr. Johnny Tran.
It was innocent enough to begin with, a polite smile here or a secretive wink there whenever he told a joke that he believed to be clever. It was after the entrée dishes had been cleared and just before the dessert wine had been poured when Letty couldn't take it anymore. While the men talked numbers and dates, Letty excused herself from the table, the two other women following suit. All five men stood as they left; sitting once they'd sashayed off.
In the bathroom, Letty reapplied just a touch of her nude lipstick and fluffed her hair to give her curls a bit more volume while the other two women, Blondie and Barbie as Letty named them, tinkled and talked.
"Could this be any more of a snore-fest?" Barbie wondered aloud.
"Ugh, tell me about it," Blondie replied. "I seriously just want to just take off these shoes and get in bed."
"Letty, how did you meet Owen?" Barbie asked as she left the stall and headed in Letty's direction at the sinks.
"I met him in London while I was on vacation."
Blondie left her stall, inquiring, "And he flew all this way to see you?"
"No, I think he flew all this way for a few meetings."
"Oh, please. That man can't stop looking at you. He came here for you."
Letty simply smiled. "Speaking of staring, what's the deal with Johnny Tran?"
Barbie and Blondie looked at each other and started giggling. Letty's eyebrows furrowed.
"Did I say something?"
"No, honey," Barbie mentioned with just a hint of condescension in her tone, "Johnny loves himself a pretty, little Latina. If I'm not mistaken, he married one."
"But don't worry, though, he won't make a move on you." Blondie interjected. "Everyone is here to suck up to Owen. He wouldn't dare get on his bad side."
"Good to know."
The three women did a few last minute makeup and hair checks before heading back to their table. The men stood again, only sitting once the ladies had already done so.
"I hope you don't mind strawberries, melted chocolate and whipped cream for dessert." Owen asked, his voice low. "I remember it being a favorite of yours."
Letty smirked, remembering the look on the maid's face when she came to clean the sheets that Letty and Owen had destroyed with the sweet combination.
"I don't mind at all."
"What do you think, Owen?" Tran asked, pulling them back into conversation.
"Forgive me; I was distracted by this beauty beside me." Owen replied, smoothly. Letty shook her head; he really was a charming man.
"Carter seems to think that because Los Angeles is a melting pot, most food places are more authentic."
Letty's eyebrows went up, but she remained silent, waiting for Owen's reaction.
"I don't know if they're more authentic, but I will say that there's a strong sense of culture here."
"I disagree," Arturo Braga spoke up. He'd brought Barbie along and had been the main source of humor all night. "I don't think there's a strong enough sense of culture here. Mostly there are just Caucasians opening up Thai restaurants and calling them something catchy."
Letty liked Braga. He was right on so many levels. So she decided to speak up, "That brings up the debate of whether or not it's cultural exchange or cultural appropriation."
"Ah, and what say you on the topic?" Tran asked.
"I just feel that there are an awful lot of non-ethnic people who put down people of color or other cultures, but uplift the culture itself, putting their name on it and calling it something new."
"Especially when it comes to the fashion industry and Black culture," Braga added. "I mean, putting cornrows in your hair and wearing sagging pants and a grill in your mouth and calling it couture on a model is just as bad as calling the African-American kids in certain areas hoodlums or criminals."
"But you have to admit, that's what most Black criminals wear. White kids buying hip hop albums from gangster rappers who have been in prison want to wear their pants lower and big chains around their neck. They walk cooler and are more laid back." Tran replied. That statement alone was what was wrong with LA. People who thought like Tran felt that they were better than people who came from less fortunate neighborhoods.
"Are you kidding me? That's the exact definition of appropriation; criminalizing the person, but uplifting their culture. I wouldn't slap a headdress on and prance around a fire at Coachella because that's not who I am. That's not the blood that's running through my veins." Letty shot back.
"Don't get me wrong," Tran started, his tone bordering on patronizing, "I'm from the hood too, but-."
"That makes it worse!" Letty interrupted with her heart racing at the idiocy she was hearing. "You of all people should be furious that they're taking Mongolian, Chinese and Korean cuisine, taking out the seasonings, "fusing" it with French fries and calling it an innovative American dining experience. There's a word for that, it's called white-washing."
Carter grinned. He liked Letty. She was a spitfire for sure and it was high time someone had put Tran in his place.
She stood from her chair and Owen watched her in complete awe. The woman was highly opinionated and there was so much conviction in her words, that all he could do was gape at her. In the time that he'd gotten to know her, they hadn't really talked about political and racial topics. He loved that she had so much to say on the issue.
"You should ask yourself what California, and all of America would be if non-ethnic people loved those of other cultures as much as they love the culture. And people who came from el barrio or "the hood" or wherever, should be putting a collective foot down, taking a stand against this bullshit. A Hugo Boss suit and some Gucci loafers do not a white CEO make. If you think you have to be neutral on the subject because of the crowd you run in than you're as much of the problem as someone who doesn't believe cultural appropriation exists. Have a good evening gentleman."
Letty started towards the exit of the restaurant with Owen on her heels. He quickly signaled for the valet and jogged down the street where Letty was whistling for a yellow cab.
"Letty! Let, wait!" He caught up with her halfway down the block and slipped his hand, easily into hers.
"I'm sorry I ruined your business meeting. I'm way too hot tempered for my own good sometimes."
"You didn't ruin anything. They needed to hear everything you were saying. Hell, so did I." He squeezed her hand and steered her back towards the valet booth. "Besides, he'll probably be apologizing to me for months to come. Especially if he thinks he offended you."
"Good. Self-righteous prick." Letty huffed. Owen laughed.
"I love that you speak your mind." His car pulled up to the curb and a red-jacketed valet exited. Owen slipped the man a fifty for the rushed service and rounded the car with his date, opening and closing the door for Letty.
"Where to?"
"Honestly, I just want to be at home right now. I've got an early morning practice tomorrow."
"Your wish is my command."
Letty was grateful that he didn't request to stay the night with her. She just wanted to take a hot shower and fall into her bed. So, he'd kissed her in the lobby of her building and bid her a goodnight with a promise of seeing her the next night at the game.
Back in her condo, Letty sat on her bed and pulled her phone from her clutch and hit the home button, the screen immediately illuminated. There were a few texts from her brother and a few other acquaintances, but there was one that was sent not long after Owen had picked her up.
New iMessage: Dom Toretto – 7:17PM
Family dinner at Cha Cha Cha at 9. Offer still stands. –D
Letty grinned, suddenly hit with a second wind. She looked at the clock and saw it was only just nearing ten. They were probably still at the restaurant. If she dressed quickly, she could make it.
Slipping out of her dress and heels, the brunette decided that her bath and bed could wait.
Up Next: Family dinner.