Chapter 12

            A week later . . .

            Julian and Chastity flew to Rome on the Beaumont jet. They barely spoke four words to each other on the flight. He gave Chastity a check for half the money they had agreed upon and said she’ll get the rest once the trip was over. That’s all he said. Chastity did some reading online and took a nap. Julian was busy wheeling and dealing on his cell.

            When they landed, it was ten a.m. in Rome. They said nothing as the limo driver put their luggage in the trunk and drove them through the city.

            Chastity looked out at the city. It was gorgeous. After she takes her final vows, she hoped that one day she would have an assignment in Italy – The Vatican. But she knew she had to prove herself first.

            They arrived at Bvlgari Hotel Roma. A bell boy loaded their bags on a baggage trolly and led them into the hotel lobby. They walked to the registration desk.

            “Buongiorno. How can I help you?” the male clerk asked with a smile.

            “Checking in. Beaumont,” Julian said and gave him a piece of paper. Chastity assumed it was the confirmation.

            The clerk typed rapidly on a keyboard. “Ah, si, Julian Beaumont. A premium suite.”

            “Yes.”

            “Wait. A premium suit? As in singular?” Chastity asked with suspicion.

            “Si,” the clerk said.

            “At the time I made the reservations, there was only one room available,” Julian said and then looked at the clerk. “It has two bedrooms, correct?”

            “Si, si,” the clerk confirmed.

            “Nevertheless, can you please see if you have a cancellation for another room?  Any type of room is fine,” Chastity said in Italian. She hadn’t agreed to share a suite with the numbskull.

            The clerk checked his computer. “No other vacancies for now,” the clerk said in English. “Summer is the busiest time of year for us.”

            Rats. Chastity exhaled with frustration.

            “Looks like we’re going to be roomies after all,” Julian remarked. “The room keys, please.”

            A few minutes later, they entered their suite. The living space was pleasant. Dark beige furnishings, gold-colored and sheer curtains leading to a balcony with a view of the city. There was a dining table that seated eight to the right of the room. The clerk had said both bedrooms had en suites. Chastity told the bellman, in Italian, which bags to put in what bedroom. She had a trunk and a carry-on. Julian had a garment bag, a large suitcase, and a laptop case.

            Julian tipped the bellman, and then he was gone.

            “I have some work to do before we go to the Benetti’s villa tonight,” Julian said. “Be ready to leave by five.”

            Chastity just gave him a nod.

            He turned and went to his bedroom.

            It was almost lunch time, and she had some time to kill before dinner. Chastity went to the hotel restaurant and had vitello tonnato also known as Italian milk fed veal with tuna sauce. Then she went on a short walk. It was a little bit after two when she returned to the suite.

            Julian was nowhere to be seen. His bedroom door was closed so she assumed he was in there doing work. Chastity went to her room and drew herself a bath. She used the hotel’s complimentary bubble bath which was pleasant. She leaned her head back and took several deep breaths, trying to relax before she had to put on a false, positive attitude for tonight. After her bath, she’ll say the rosary for a few repetitions.

                                                                                    ****

            Julian sported a black suit with a burgundy tie and white shirt. His black leather shoes shined like mirrors. He sipped his gin on the rocks as he waited for Chastity to emerge from her bedroom. He didn’t have to wait too long.

            Chastity walked into the living area wearing a black cocktail dress with a V-shaped neckline and no sleeves. It hung over her shoulders. It was a form fitting dress. She had some curves. He knew that already, but her shape was more prominent in this particular dress. She held a small black handbag.

            “I’m ready when you are,” she said.

            “I’m ready. The car Stefano sent for us should be downstairs by now.” Julian took a final sip of his drink and placed it on the white marble coffee table.

            They didn’t speak on the way downstairs or in the limo on the way there. But when they arrived at Stefano’s villa, they turned on the charm.

            The Benettis went on and on about how good it was to see them again during cocktails. After thirty minutes, a butler came in to tell them dinner was served. Chastity told anecdotes from her childhood and Julian had done the same. The Benettis told them about their children. Dinner seemed to go well, and the food was delicious.

            The men went to the cigar room while the ladies went into the den for after dinner te da tete.

            “Chastity is as beautiful as I remember, my friend,” Carlo stated.

            “Yes, she’s very attractive,” Julian agreed. Despite his immense dislike for her, she was a good-looking woman.

            “That’s why I wonder. Why not really date her? She seems to be from a good and wealthy family like you,” Carlo said and took a drag off his cigar.

            “We . . . don’t have much in common. She is the sister of my brother’s wife. If it wasn’t for that, we would only see each other at the same parties. That’s how it was before my brother’s marriage.

            “That was before. Carpe diem, seize the day, Julian!” Luca slurred.

            “Si. Talk to her more. You might have more in common than you think. You’re in one of the most romantic cities in the world. Romance her. Take her on a carriage ride, treat her to a candlelight dinner, take her on a tour of the city,” Stefano encouraged.

            I rather romance a pit bull than her.

            “At the very least enjoy the city with her. It could be fun,” Carlo said.

            “We have tickets to the opera tomorrow night,” Luca slurred. “Anita got you and Chastity tickets as well. I forgot what it’s called but we’re going.”

            Over the years, Julian had come to appreciate the opera, but he wasn’t a connoisseur of it. And it wasn’t his idea of a great time. He just went with his family when he wanted to go or with business associates.

                                                                                       ****

            Chastity sat in an armchair in the den, chatting with the Benetti wives. They were sipping white wine.

            “Julian is a very handsome young man. Don’t you agree?” Marie asked.

            “I do.” Chastity meant it. Just because he was a creatin didn’t mean he wasn’t attractive.

            “Has anything changed between you two since we saw you last?” Alessia asked.

            Oh dear. Did they notice the tension between me and Julian?

            “No.”

            “Oh, that is a shame,” Anita said.

            “Especially considering the sexual tension between the two of you,” Alessia said.

            “Sexual . . . no.” Chastity fought the urge to physically recoil.

            “Si. You two are a good looking couple, too” Marie said.

            “But we’re –”

            “Si, si, you’re not a couple just friends,” Marie said.

            We’re not that either.

            “Don’t you want to change that?” Anita asked.

            “No. I like things the way they are,” Chastity answered.

            “That is a shame. Why don’t you reconsider?” Alessia asked. “You’re in one of the most romantic countries in the world.”

            She almost told them she was going to become a nun in January but was cut off by Anita giving her tips on how to drop romantic hints to Julian so he would make a move. Chastity tried to interrupt - to explain but they kept talking over her, trying to convince her to give Julian a chance.

                                                                                 ****

            It was almost ten p.m. when they got into Stefano’s limo to go back to the hotel. The night air was clear yet muggy.

            “Tonight went well, don’t you think?” Julian asked without looking at her.

            Chastity continued to look out the window. “Yes.”

            “Did the wives mention that they want us to go to the opera with them tomorrow?”

            “Yes.”

            “They’ll be picking us up at seven.”

            “I’ll be ready.”

            “Did you bring an evening gown?”

            “Yes. Just one.”

            “All right, good. Chastity, there is no . . . reason for this to be unpleasant.”

            Chastity turned to look at him.

            Julian was looking at her now.

            “Unpleasant? I’m getting along with you,” she stated.

            “I know, but when we’re alone, we are like two ships in the night. No reason for it to be that way, I suppose. After the sixth trip to Max’s Detail, my Jag doesn’t smell like pure D shit anymore.”

            Chastity exhaled. “To be fair, the maid was able to find a seamstress who created a replica of my favorite dress.”

            “Oh?”

            “Yes. So, maybe your request isn’t impossible.”

            “Good. We’ll be here for two or three more days. No reason for it to be awkward. During dinner, you had mentioned you’ve only been to Italy once.”

            She had come to Italy for a short vacation as a teenager with Chelsea, Caitlin, and their mother. She was too young at the time to really appreciate the beauty of the city.

            “Maybe we can catch in the sites . . . together,” he suggested.

            “That could be nice.” Chastity decided to make a simple gesture. “I was going to go picnicking at Villa Doria Pamphilj tomorrow afternoon. Would you like to join me?”

            “Um, where?”

            “It’s a public park.”

            “Oh. Yes. I would like that.”

            Chastity nodded.

            They fell silent again, but this time it wasn’t a tension filled, awkward like silence.