Chapter 4: Slightly Remodeled
It was 4:30 on Friday night and Richard made sure he was primped and presentable for the Kori's parents. He sat in his car for a good five minutes before finally getting out.
He had dressed to impress in a simple black and white suit with a red satin tie. His usual spiked messy hair was gelled up in a slightly messy yet neat sexy way. Richard let out a sigh and walked up to the large household. He didn't know why he was so nervous. Maybe it was just because this was the first time he'd actually met the parents of one of his girlfriends. Babs mother and father were never together and often argued so he'd only gotten the chance to meet Commisioner Gordon. That wasn't such a great meeting. But in this case, Kori was just a friend who was a girl.
Richard knocked on the door three times and fixed his tie while he waited. The door opened at least a minute after he knocked and a little red headed boy who looked about eleven years old and resembled Kori by a lot stood before him.
"Hey lil man, uh, is Kori here?" He asked politely with a half smile. Inside the house it smelled of vanilla and cinnamon.
Ryan nodded and was wide eyed. He motioned for Richard to come inside and he did. When inside, Richard took in the large living area: A ginormous fireplace that wasn't lit was on the north side of the wall. Above it hung a 55" flat screen TV and there was a black leather sectional couch to complete the look. Other than family pictures, some table lamps, and a giant window, the living room was really nice.
"You're...Richard Grayson!" Ryan said scaring Richard slightly. The little boy's green eyes shined with amusement.
Richard laughed and stuffed his hands in his suit pockets. "Yep. The one and only. And you are?"
"Ryan Anders." He shook Richard's hand with a firm grip as if they were doing business.
Just then Kori came downstairs in a plaid, knee length skirt and a white collared shirt. Her hair was in its usual bun and, of course, her face was framed with the same glasses.
"Hi." Was all she said when she reached Richard.
He smiled and nodded. "Hey."
Ryan looked between the two grinning from ear to ear ad Kori glared at him, knowing exactly what he was thinking.
"Go upstairs you little turd. We're just friends." She ruffled his hair and he stuck his tongue out at her.
"Bye Richard! It was an honor to meet you!" Ryan ran up the stairs, not missing a step and soon, they heard a door shut.
Kori sighed and pushed her glasses up to her nose. "Anyway, my parents are in the den. They're waiting for us." She tried saying it in the naturalist tone ever.
Richard's stomach twisted into a right not and he felt like he was going to throw up. Why was he so freaking nervous?
He followed Kori through a doorway and they entered a room that was actually very comfortable looking. The den had another sectional except it was a dark brown and ver soft looking. In front of the couch was a slightly smaller flat screen and next to it was a ceiling high shelf with a ton of movies. To the left was a bad area which was were Kori's parents were.
The two teens walked up to them and Kori smiled widely. "Mom, daddy."
Luan, who looked like a model in Miss Me jeans and a plain white t shirt, turned to her daughter. She smiled widely as she stood up.
Kori motioned to Richard. "This is Richard Grayson. Richard, this is my mom," Luan stuck out her hand and smiled. He shook it gently and greeted her.
"Richard, this is my dad."
A big man who was at least 6'4 stepped forward and towered over Richard. He had long fire red hair and green eyes. A scar went down his right eye and made him look even more scary. Lets just say Richard had to force a large lump down his throat.
"Nice to meet you, sir." He shook his hand firmly trying to look brave and not the least bit scared. He hoped he was doing a good job at it.
When they let go, Luan took a seat I the bar stool again and flipped on the TV to a music channel. Rock music filled the air surprisingly. Myan went back around the bar and continued making him and his wife drinks.
"So, where are you taking Kori?" Luan asked sweetly.
Richard cleared his throat before he answered. "My father, Bruce Wayne, is throwing a dinner party/ball type thing for his new company up in Steel city. I've asked Kori to be my date."
Luan nodded and lightly clapped her hands. "Glorious. I'm sure she'll have a wonderful time. Uh, Kori...what are you going to wear?"
Kori looked down at her outfit but Richard thankfully stepped in. "We're going by my friend Karen's house so se can lend her something to wear."
"Oh my, thank you. Make sure you tell her I said thank you." Luan said.
Richard nodded. "I will, ma'am."
"You're not trying to make a fool of my daughter, are you? Because I've heard of your reputation." Myan said stirring what looked to be a margarita.
"Myan!" Luan snapped.
"Oh no, it's fine ma'am." He kept saying ma'am and sir and it felt weird."and no sir. I would never do that to Kori. And not to be rude or anything but I think the rumors you've heard are, well, rumors."
Kori stared at him slightly shocked and so did Myan. The big man steppe around the bar slowly and face Richard. His face did not look happy and Richard did a silent prayer, and apologized for all the bad things he's done in life.
Myan lifted a big hand an Richard prepared for a eating or something but it never came. Myan's hand places his hand on Richard's shoulder and smiled a cute, manly smile.
"You Mr. Grayson have got some guts. I like you and I know of Bruce. He's a good man."
Richard was utterly shocked and quietly let out a large breath he'd been holding in. "Thank you, sir."
"Please, take care of my dear Kori." Myan kissed Kori's forehead and Richard admire how much he adored his daughter. It just made him feel even more guilty though. He actually felt as if he could win the biggest douchebag award right now.
"Don't worry, you have my word. I'll have her back by ten." He replied and began walking away with Kori.
Myan and Luan waved goodbye. Luan called after them, "Nice meeting you!"
Once inside Richard's car, Kori let out a huge sigh. "Whew, that went surprisingly...good."
Richard began driving forward and he looked over at Kori with a mock smile. "What? Did you not have faith in me?" He asked jokingly.
She laughed a little and leaned back in her seat. "I don't know...I've just never had a boy meet my parents."
Richard's mouth stretched into a thin line. He felt bad again. Really bad.
She saw his reaction and quickly said, "But that's because they usually don't try this hard to take me out!"
He began to laugh at her slight joke. Who knew she could be funny?
The ride to Karen's was about fifteen minutes from Kori's. When they arrived, Richard pulled up in the driveway of a two story light yellow house. It looked like one of those houses you'd see in a Better Homes magazine.
They got out and Richard rang the doorbell. He looked at Kori who was adjusting her bun.
"Don't worry, Karen is real good with hair and makeup and what not."
She looked at his confusingly. "Hair and makeup? I thought I was just borrowing a dress."
The door opened and Karen welcomed them inside happily. The inside was even prettier than the outside. Vic was sitting in the little bad area in the living room. Richard went over to meet his best friend.
"What's up man?" Vic asked as they did their handshake.
"Nothin much." He replied.
Karen cleared her throat and took one of Kori's hands. "Okay, well you two can hang down here while we go get ready! Toodles!" She began pulling Kori up the large staircase and she glanced back at Richard with a worried look.
He just gave her a bright smile and two thumbs up.
TT
"Ow...ow...OUCH!" Kori squirmed away from Karen's tweezers and furrowed her now perfectly shaped eyebrows.
"Would ya hold still!" Karen snapped. She rolled Kori back towards her so she could finish. "Now, just a few...more. And...done!" Karen back away with a wide smile. "You're eyebrows are perfect! Wayyy ether than before!"
Kori picked up the mirror and examined Karen's work."Hmm...nice. But that hurt."
Karen snorted and picked up a foundation brush. "Beauty is pain." She lightly dabbed some powder on Kori's face. "You know, you're actually really pretty. It's just...you don't let it show."
"Yeah...I like it though. I like...sheltering myself." Kori admired the comfortable feeling of someone doing her makeup. She'd never had it done before an frankly, she liked it.
Karen then took some blush and aligned some to her perfect cheekbones. "Why? If I had your face, I'd look like an angel everyday!"
Kori laughed. "Thanks...I never really see myself as glamorous though. Once I was considered a geek with glasses, I kind of stuck to that image."
"You're not a geek. I mean, not to me. We never really talk but you're pretty cool." Karen back away to examine her work and smiled at Kori. "I just need to work on your gorgeous green eyes!"
Kori laughed and took off her glasses. As she placed them on Karen's ginormous vanity table, her face felt naked without them. Karen began to gently apply a shade of eyeshadow.
"Can you see without those?" Karen motioned towards the glasses, not that Kori could've saw her.
"Yes, kind of. I just can't read things unless really close to them. And my contacts are at home."
"Ahh," she set down her eyeshadow pallet and began to put on the mascara. "I see. Mmmhmm, look at those eyes!"
Kori giggled yet again and found herself liking Karen more and more. She was actually really cool. Maybe she wasn't all glitz, glamour, cheerleading, and popularity. She had a kind heart and liked Kori.
"Just a touch of glitter...and bam! All done!"
Kori clapped her hands and prepared herself to turn around and see her new face but Karen stopped her.
"No! You can't see until the whole look is completely done! That includes hair and outfit." She guided Kori towards her huge walk in closet and said, "Prepare to be glamafied."
Meanwhile, Vic and Richard sat at the bar area in the den of Karen's home. They examined bottles of whiskeys, wines, and other various alcohols. As Richard pulled out a bottle of Jamesport Wine, he looked back at the long staircase.
"What's taking them so long? It's been almost two hours and were an hour late to the party! Bruce is gonna kill me..."
Vic laughed and took a seat on one of the bar stools. "Man, chill. They're girls and you know how Karen is."
Richard sat next to him and sighed. "Yeah I know. But you know Bruce, a real hard ass sometimes."
Vic laughed again and looked down. "You're not gonna fall for this girl right?"
Richard let out a hoot of laughter and raised an eyebrow. "Who? Kori?" Vic nodded. "No way! God man...it's just a bet! An easy five hundred bucks."
Vic threw his hands up in defense and said, "I'm just saying. I've seen this kind if stuff in the movies."
"Yeah well, Kori Anders is the last girl i'd ever fall for."
Before Vic could reply, Karen came down the stairs looking dazzling in gold train dress that was short in the front and long in the back with straps that tied around the neck. She paired the designer dress with three inch black stilettos.
She clapped her hands and cleared her throat. "Attention men! I would like to introduce the new and improved, Kori Anders." She motioned towards the staircase and the guys walked up next to her.
When they saw the girl at the top of the stairs, they nearly fainted, especially Richard.
Kori. Looked. Amazing.
Her fire red hair was finally down for once and reached down to her waist. Her bangs were swept to the side and revealed a gorgeous pair of emerald green eyes. Under those baggy sweaters and too big jeans, was a model's body. Her tall, slender figure was fit into a floor length light purple gown that was strapless. The dress showed off her ample bust and all of her perfect curves. She no longer hid her beautiful face behind a pair of gigantic glasses or her jaw dropping figure under parachute clothes. No, this Kori was a new and improved goddess.
Kori descended the stair case and smiled slightly when she saw Richard's mouth agape. When she reached the bottom, she smoothed down her dress and kept her smile on.
"I-um..you look great, amazing...perfect." Richard stuttered and realized what he had just said. This wasn't the geeky isolated girl he'd asked out a few days ago. She was so much more than that now. Beautiful.
Then he cleared his throat and said, "Lets go?"
Kori nodded and followed Karen out the front door. Behind them, Vic nudged Richard and said, "It's just a bet."
'Oh man...' Was all Richard thought.