Chapter 7

            “The play was gloriously romantic, yet tragic,” Marie, Stefano’s wife, commented in the limo. “Don’t you agree, senorita?”

            Chastity nodded. “Yes. It was . . . moving.”

            “Of course, it was a play women would enjoy,” Luca said in a thick Italian accent. “As a man, I thought it ended stupidly. I admire the girl’s devotion to the church but what man would kill himself over losing a woman? He was young. He could have found another to love.”

            “I have to agree,” Carlo said.

            “You men have no sense of romance. No sense of real amor, real romance,” Alessia, Carlo’s wife, said with passion.

            “We do. We’re just not going to kill ourselves over it. Besides, suicide is a mortal sin,” Luca stated.

            They continued to chat about the play until they got to their next destination. The Vibrant Vibe Lounge. It was a laid back place with a laid back cliental. The music that usually played was retro. Julian thought the Italians would appreciate it. He ordered a 2022 Poggio Delle Grazie Bardolino, an Italian wine, and appetizers for all of them to share.

            “Tell me,” Anita began with intrigue. “How did the two of you meet?”

            “One of my sisters is married to his brother,” Chastity answered.

            “Oh, how delicious,” Alessia oozed. She said something to Chastity in Italian that made the other two wives giggle, the men grin, and Chastity blush.

            Julian had never seen her blush as long as he has known her. “Excuse me, but what did you say?”

            “She just said what a good looking couple you two are, and Chastity better hold on to you,” Stefano clarified.

            “We’re not a couple,” Julian said politely. “We’re just . . . hanging out.”

            “Yes,” Chastity confirmed.

            “Si, si,” Marie said with a nod.

            The appetizers arrived – thank, God.

            They chatted as they nibbled on meat, cheese and fruit. During the conversation, Julian learned that Chastity had learned Italian just recently. She had studied Spanish for two semesters at Columbia. She liked to read, and she loved working with numbers which is why she majored in mathematics in undergrad.

            Alessia, Carlo, Anita, and Luca got up to dance. Marie and Stefano stayed at the table. Stefano told Julian a little about their factory in Italy. Julian took the opportunity to tell him how certain departments at his company would benefit from being part of B&B.

            “Why don’t you dance?” Marie asked. “You don’t have to stay to babysit us.”

            “I’m not much of a dancer,” Chastity said politely.

            “Nothing to it,” Marie said. “Just sway. This is such a pretty song. Some American music is so sweet and romantic, non sei d’accordo?”

            Tevin Campbell, Can We Talk for a Minute, began to play.

            “Dance, dance,” Marie encouraged in her thick accent.

            Julian wanted to keep the husbands and the wives happy, so he looked at Chastity. “Let’s have a go then.”

            Chastity nodded and stood.

            They walked side by side to the small dance floor. When they reached out for each other, their hands and arms acted like they didn’t know where to go. After a few moments, Julian finally rested his hands on her waist. Chastity placed her palms on the front of his shoulders.

            “Well, how do you think it’s going so far?” Chastity asked. Her feet were like lead stuck to the floor.

            “Fine, I think. You know, you can pick up your feet a little. Follow my lead.”

            “Ah, yes. Like I said, I’m not a good dancer. Mother says I was born with two left feet.” She began moving with him, slightly. “She had gotten me private dance lessons to learn the basics of formal dancing. The tutor quit after two weeks.”

Julian gave her a croaked smile. “Well, not even you can be perfect at everything.”

            “I know. It’s so annoying,” she said with a smirk.

            He chuckled. “Maybe you just need more practice than others do. When I was a teenager, I struggled with English Lit. My mother got me a tutor. It took four months to get it eventually. Maybe that’s what you need. Some extra time to study dance.”

            “Perhaps, but I don’t have much use for it really,” Chastity said. “It’s not like men are lining up to ask me to dance.”

            “That’s a shame. But, we can be a pretty dumb species sometimes.”

            She smiled – wide. She looked gorgeous smiling like that. Not that she wasn’t attractive before but –

            “It’s nice to have you smile at me instead of scowling for a change,” Julian said.

            “Well . . . don’t get used to it,” she said, trying not to smile again.

            He grinned and pulled her a little closer.

            The song ended and another slow song came on.

            “Let’s keep going. Marie is smiling at us like we’ve made her night,” Julian said.

            “Yes. Must keep the guests happy. That’s what my mother always says.”

            “She is a good hostess.” Julian had been to a number of Van Dyke events. Eighty percent of them were usually boring, depending on the guest list. But no matter if the event was boring or not, Victoria always made sure her guests had plenty of food and drink.

            Everyone drank and danced. After the third dance, Chastity got into it finally, letting him hold her close. They were really getting along tonight and it wasn’t because they were trying to make a good impression on the Italians.

            Before they all knew it, it was closing time. Julian had his driver drop the Italians off at the Waldorf Astoria. He had half a mind to go home and have his driver take Chastity home. But he felt obligated to see her home himself. And deep down he wasn’t ready for the evening to end or rather leave her yet.

            He had hoped to have a private chat with her on the way to the Van Dyke Estate. That’s where she had asked to be taken – not back to Hilltop. But she had fallen asleep next to him. He didn’t want to wake her, not even when she had rolled over and placed her head on his shoulder. As she did, her arm draped around his waist. He was surprised but realized she was asleep. She had no idea what she was doing.

            The scent of her perfume tickled his nose. It was a pleasant smell. Her hair was so silky and shiny. Julian quietly enjoyed the ride until they got two miles outside the estate. He really hated to wake her. She looked so peaceful when she was asleep, but she was almost home. “Chastity,” he mumbled. “Chastity.” He patted her arm that was draped around his body.

            She mumbled something inaudible.

            “Chastity, we’re almost home.”

            Her eyes fluttered up. Then she looked up at him. Her blue eyes were soft and sleepy – and then panic rose in them. She backed off him completely. “Why didn’t you wake me up when I . . . rolled over on you?”

            “I didn’t mind. You were tired.”

            “Still,” she said haughtily and she straightened herself.

            Well, so much for that.

           

****

            The limo pulled around to the front door. The security guards were out walking the grounds. One of them walked to the limo.

            “I have to say it was a pleasant evening,” Chastity said.

            “Yes, it was. Thank you for coming.”

            “Don’t thank me. I exploited the situation,” she said with a faint smile.

            Julian grinned. He had a nice smile. It was the first time she had noticed it. “Yeah, well . . . I went along with it.”

            The door opened.

            “Good evening, Ms. Van Dyke,” the guard said.

            “Good evening,” Chastity tightened her hold on her purse. “Goodnight, Julian.”

            “Goodnight, Chastity.”

            She climbed out, passing Julian. As she did, she accidentally brushed his hand somehow.

            The guard closed the door behind her.

            Chastity was surprised to see her father at the front door. He was wearing a black robe and white pajamas. His eyes went cross as he looked at her.

            “Father,” she greeted as she walked to him.

            “The hell happened to you?” he asked with raised brows.

            “Pardon?”

            “You look . . . beautiful – not that you don’t usually but you really do tonight.”

            Chastity grunted. “Chelsea’s doing. This is her dress.”

            “Ah,” he said with understanding. He opened the front door for her.

            “Were you waiting up for me?”

            “Gosh, no.  I woke up and I couldn’t get back to sleep.” He closed the door behind them. “I got myself a drink and was heading back upstairs when I heard a car.”

            “Oh.”

            They slowly walked through the foyer side by side.

            “Did you have fun?” he asked.

            “Surprisingly, yes. Julian can actually be charming when he puts his mind to it. And the Italians were a delight.”

            “Good.”

            They began ascending the staircase together.

            “Did you and Julian schmooze them into signing on to B&B?”

            “I don’t know. But they seemed to have a good time. That’s what Julian was aiming for.”

            “Hmm. They probably need time to think about things.”

            Her father walked her to the bedroom door.

            “Goodnight, Chastity.”

            “Goodnight, Father.”

                                                                                    ****

            The next morning Victoria came into Carlton’s bedroom around eight o’clock. She was dressed. He had just woken up. He sat up in bed when she came in.

            The house was so old that there were two adjoining rooms for a married couple. Keeping with old style tradition, that’s how they spent most of their nights – in separate bedrooms. It was the old way – the Van Dyke way.

            “Well, what time did she come home last night?” Victoria asked. She wore a light blue skirt that came below her knees and a white blouse.

            “Not sure. Why?”

            Two-thirty-nine a.m.

            Victoria laughed. “Carlton, I know you. You waited up for her.”

            “No, I didn’t.”

            Yes. What of it?

            Victoria looked at him with a smirk on her lips. “Chastity has never been one to go out on dates. I know you were concerned. She doesn’t have much experience with men and you know it.”

            He exhaled with exhaustion. “If you must know, I woke up in the middle of the night and I couldn’t get back to sleep. I went downstairs for a night cap. I was coming back upstairs and I heard a car. Julian had brought her home. I just met her at the door to say goodnight. That’s all. I didn’t even know she was still out.”

            “Sure,” Victoria sang. She walked over and kissed his cheek. “And you don’t remember what time it was?”

            “No. But it was late. That I know.”

            “Carlton, you don’t have to pretend with me.”

            “I’m not. Chastity is a grown woman. I didn’t wait up for her like she was fifteen on her first date.”

            Yes. I did. Chastity doesn’t go out with men that much, and Julian isn’t like Ernest. Julian is a man’s man, therefore, he would do what comes naturally to a man. Chastity is two steps away from becoming a nun.