Chapter 11

            Several weeks later . . .

            Julian’s father had asked him to come to his office at Beaumont and Blanchett.  The secretary told him to go right in.

            “Hey, you wanted to see me?”

            “Yes, son. Come in,” his father said.

            Julian crossed the threshold and entered. When Caitlin Van Dyke was dating Julian’s father, she had redecorated the office. The wall behind his father’s desk was blue. The other three walls were ivory. His desk, which was longer than normal office desks, was black with a sleek shiny finish – fitting for a CEO and president of a multibillion-dollar company. Black and white framed photographs decorated the walls. Some photos were of the Beaumont kids when they were little. Others were pictures that were taken at their New Jersey getaway property. Black leather furniture was set up in the office like a proper living room with a glass tabletop coffee table in the middle of the grouping of furniture. The office window took up most of one wall.

            “I just got a call from the Benetti brothers,” his father said seriously from behind his desk.

            “Damn, they don’t want to consolidate with us.”

            “No, we’re still in the fight but . . . you’re going to have to do something that you don’t want to do to get them to bring their business under us.”

            “I don’t have to fuck a baboon or something like that, do I?”

            “No, but I think you would rather fuck a baboon than to do what I’m about to ask you to do.”

            “Ugh, God. Just tell me. Straight out might be best.”

            “All right. They want you to come to Rome to spend time with them and their families and take a tour of their factory.”

            Julian was pleasantly surprised. “Hell, I can do that. I love Rome. Is that all?”

            “I wish it was for your sake,” he said with concern. “The gaff is they want you to bring Chastity with you.”

            “Hell, fuck no!” Julian shouted with all he had.

            “Son –”

            “Dad, I rather die a thousand times than to go to Rome with her. Why can’t you go? You usually handle deals this big anyway. I was just covering you for that night because you were on a cruise with Agatha.”

            “Don’t you think I tried? They said, no offense, but we want to see Julian.”

            “Okay, fine. I think Cassandra will be free this time.”

            “No. They want to see Chastity. They made that very clear. They think she’s charming and you two make a striking couple, God help us all.”

            “No . . . no . . . no,” Julian groaned with despair. “You know what?  Drop it. We got plenty of money.” His Jag still had a faint smell of shit thanks to her.

            “That is true but remember what I also tried to teach you and your brother. Don’t get complacent because you’re at the top. Plus, the Benetti’s factory is worth hundreds of millions.”

            “Dad –”

            “Son, if it was a twenty million dollar deal, I wouldn’t push this. Remember, we’re talking a good three hundred million in B&B’s net worth if we can get the Benetti’s factory.”

            Julian blew out. “What if she refuses to go?”

            “Do what you have to do to make a deal with her. Offer to buy her new clothes in Italy.”

            Chastity wasn’t the fashion plate of the Van Dyke family. She wasn’t going to go for that. But Julian hoped she would go for what he had in mind.

                                                                                     ****

            For the past few days, Julian had tried calling Chastity. She wanted nothing more to do with him, so she had diverted his calls to voicemail. Now, she was having lunch with George Nelson, Chelsea’s old friend. He had called Chastity to take her out to lunch.

            They were at Upland. George had suggested the establishment. It was spacious, casually chic brasserie with Californian and Italian type dishes. They both had a salad and lobster cavatelli. It was quite good. During lunch, they chatted about various things. Apparently, George had learned some Italian in graduate school. He had to know two languages fluently to get his PhD. So, he brushed up on his Spanish and took on the Italian language.

            “That is a lovely dress you have on. Is it new?” George asked and took a sip of his soda. He had brown hair that was a little long in the front and short in the back. He wore an off-orange shirt with a collar and white khaki pants.

            Chastity wore an off-white form fitting dress that came to her knees. It had short sleeves and gold buttons. “Thank you. It’s not new, though. I just haven’t worn it in a long time. Her hair was up in a bun and her long bangs were tucked behind her ear like usual.

            “Well, it’s very becoming on you.”

            “Um, thank you.”

            “Am I making you uncomfortable? I don’t mean to.”

            “I know.”

            “It’s just that we got along so well at the fourth of July party and CeCe said . . . you had broken up with your boyfriend recently.” CeCe was George’s nickname for Chelsea.

            “Oooh,” Chastity stretched out. She had no idea Chelsea had told him that. “Perhaps we should put our cards on the table. I’ve always liked you, George. I wish you would have married Chelsea instead of . . . well, you know.”

            He lightly scoffed. “There was a time that I had wished that to. Please know I am over your sister.”

            “I know.”

            He gave her a little smile. “Good. Since we’re being honest. I find you very . . . interesting and attractive – mentally and physically.”

            “And I think you’re a terrific guy, but there’s something you should know about me before there is a misunderstanding. You see I’m about to –”

            “Well, there you are,” Julian Beaumont said as he approached the table. “Just were he said you were.”

            Chastity physically recoiled, drawing backwards like he smelled like five miles of bad road. “What are you doing here?”

            “Looking for you,” Julian answered. “Scoot over.” He practically pushed his way into the booth next to her. “You kept ducking my calls, so I went to the estate. Your butler said you were having lunch here and here you are.”

            “That’s the last time I’m telling Jerome where I’m going to be,” she mumbled.

            “That looks like lobster,” Julian said as he eyed her dish. Then he took a bread stick out the basket without asking. He took a bite of it.

            “I’ll repeat the lady’s question. What are you doing here?” George asked with annoyance.

            “Right. Sorry to interrupt,” Then Julian looked at George. “Then again, I might be doing you a favor. Anyway, Chastity, I need you to go to Rome with me.”

            “What?” she blurted out.

            “I need you to go to Rome with me. Trust me, I would rather put my hand in a meat grinder than go anywhere with you, but I have no choice. My father still wants me to try to get the Italians to come under the B&B umbrella. They want me – and you, God help me, to come to Rome to tour their factory and do . . . other activities with them.”

            “I’m not going anywhere with you much less Italy,” she said haughtily. “Honestly, the nerve of you. You interrupt my pleasant lunch to –”

            “I’m willing to make it worth your while,” Julian interjected.

            “I’m going to the restroom and make a call,” George said as he scooted out the booth. “It will give you two a chance to be alone to . . . work this out – whatever this is.”

            Chastity was beyond annoyed at this point. She didn’t want George to feel inadequate in the way.

            “Thanks,” Julian said and turned his attention back to Chastity as George was leaving them. “Name your price.”

            “There is no price. I won’t go,” she said with conviction.

            “I’ll buy you clothes in Italy. The newest designs.”

            “No.” Chastity crossed her arms.

            “Yeah, I figured you might not go for that. What about another donation to your favorite charity?”

            Chastity turned to him, giving him her full attention. “Saint Barbara’s Convent?”

            “Yes.”

            Mother superior and the rest of the girls had been overjoyed to get Julian’s donation last time. The residence part of the building had been in desperate need of roof repair. But some areas of the whole building needed to be renovated.

            “How long will we have to be there?” Chastity asked.

            “Five days at the most. If we’re lucky, maybe less.”

            “Five days. You’re asking a lot of my time. One hundred thousand dollar donation to St. Barbara’s.”

            “Hell! Try again. A hundred thousand. I can hire a hooker for five days for less than that.”

            “Then do so,” she said stonily. “Because that’s my price and I’m not budging.”

            Julian stared at her. His expression unreadable. “You must really like the nuns at that convent. A hundred thousand,” he said ruefully. “Done.” He took a bite of the breadstick.

            “Excellent,” she clipped out. “When are we leaving?”

            “As soon as I speak to the Benetti brothers to let them know we’re both available. Then I’ll send you the details via text. Okay?”

            “Fine.”

            “Good. Talk to you soon.” He got up and left without saying goodbye.

            After a few minutes, George returned.

            “I’m sorry about that. We shouldn’t have any more interruptions.”

            “It’s fine unless . . .”

            “Unless?”

            “You two have a thing going on.”

            “A thing? Oh! Dear, God, no. I loathe him and the feeling is mutual,” Chastity said.

            “You two hate each other but he asked you to go to Italy with him?” he said with confusion.

            “Yes. It is a bit of a long story and . . . you know things will be clearer about this once we get back to what we were talking about.”

            “You and me,” he stated.

            “Well, yes. I like you a lot. Always have. But I can’t . . . I can’t . . . get involved with you. I can’t have no more than a friendship with you because in January I’m going to take vows to become a nun.”

            His eyes widened to the size of nickels. “A nun?”

            “Yes.”

            “Like a Catholic nun?”

            “Yes.”

            Oh, dear. I’m afraid I made him go daft.

            “Wow, that’s . . . that’s . . . something,” he stammered. “Please take no offense to this, but . . . I thought nuns were supposed to be . . . untouched. I know you’ve had at least one serious boyfriend for almost a year, and you have been out on dates. Chelsea had told me that.”

            She gave him a little smile. “Not all nuns are pure as the driven snow when they join the holy order. That requirement had gone the way of the doodoo years ago.”

            “I see.” His eyes were still pretty wide. “I have to say . . . you are about to make . . . quite the commitment.”

            “Yes. But it’s right for me,” she said with a small smile.

            George nodded. “It’s fine. I’m fine with being friends.”

            “A good friend I hope. Because of your past friendship with Chelsea, we’ve known each other for a number of years now. I would love it if you come to the ceremony in Boston.”

            George grinned. “I would be honored to come.”