Betty was in the bedroom looking at herself in the mirror. They had 5 minutes left before Daniel was due back to take them to breakfast. She had chosen a new blouse and skirt so she would look her best for the visit to the fashion house. She didn't know much about this place but she wanted to look as fashionably dressed as possible. It was important to make a good impression for Daniel's sake.

She leaned against the waist high dresser and peered into the mirror closely. The white blouse, with a revealing low-cut scoop neckline, was nothing like what she usually wore. It had a pretty lace flounce around the neckline and the matching white knee length full skirt had a similar flounce on the hem. She had loved it when she tried it on at the shop. Now she wondered if she should wear it in public. She grasped the front of the blouse and pulled the fabric flat.

Is it partly transparent? It was way too hot in Rome to wear her usual layered vests and scarves. I wonder if this is decent. It might slip off my shoulder and everyone will see too much. And ah, and I need a new … um, I need new undergarments. Oh, Betty, grow up, she admonished herself, it's called a bra. You need some new bras. New bras and panties. How will I ever shop for them? If Gio knows I want to shop for them he will volunteer to help. If I know him at all I know he will insist on helping.

Betty giggled with embarrassment at the thought of Gio helping her to pick out a bra. He'll probably want me to try on black ones. Impractical ones. Ones made of flimsy lace. Then he'll want to see me model them. Betty silently cringed. The shop girls will be watching us. I can't do that. Betty flushed at the thought and wished the weather was cooler so she could cover up. She had bare legs and feet that were barely covered with sandals. I need a pedicure too. My toenail polish is coming off with all the walking we are doing. That's another thing I'd like to do with out Gio tagging along.

Betty noticed a movement in corner of the mirror and whirled around dropping her hands to her sides. Gio had entered the room. I hope he didn't see me feeling myself up. She relaxed when she saw he was looking at his wrist while buttoning his cuff. She breathed in and stared. He was wearing the tapered burgundy dress shirt with black slacks. Betty recognized the outfit from the junior high dance. He had his black watch on one wrist and his silver bracelet on the other. He wore a black leather string around his neck. He had a couple of days of growth on his chin. The sight of him made her lean against the dresser for support. He can't possibly realize how good he looks.

"How do I look?" Gio rubbed his chin. "Do I have time to shave?" He gestured at himself "Am I good enough for Daniel's fancy place?"

"Gio!" Betty gasped. She repeated "Gio. You're too good."

"Oh?" Gio smiled happily showing his dimples.

Betty continued "You know it is going to be ten to one females to males where we are going today, right?"

"Yes, and not only do I know that I'm looking forward to it." Gio replied his smile widening.

"And they are all on diets." Betty stated with emphasis.

"Okay. Probably. But what does their dieting have to do with what I wear?"

"Because they are young, gorgeous and hungry! Gio, you look good enough to eat. I am going to have to beat them off of you."

"And … why are you are saying that like it's a bad thing?" Gio grinned.

The teasing is incessant with him. "Gio!" Betty reached over and slapped Gio's wrist.

Gio covered her hand on his wrist and held it. "I've been meaning to talk to you about the slapping thing."

Betty's eyes opened wide. She said "What slapping thing?" with a puzzled tone.

"You may not notice but you slap me fairly often." Gio explained " … and I am a little uncomfortable with that in public. Especially here in Rome." He looked into Betty's eyes. "I'm an Italian man Suarez, and I have a reputation to uphold."

"What are you talking about?" Betty said innocently. Ah, Gio's ego. I am well aware of it.

"Betty, it's not right for a girl to slap a guy in public. At least not one she likes."

I wonder if I can tease him back. "Oh" Betty huffed "I'm sorry if I make you uncomfortable. I'll try to refrain from touching you in public."

"No, no, don't get me wrong, it's not the touching I mind." Gio said seriously. "Here, let me demonstrate." Gio took Betty's hand, still held in his, and put it on his forearm. He slid it up to his bicep. "See?" Gio asked "This is how an Italian woman should touch her man."

Betty closed her eyes. Oh, this is too much. That outfit. This touching. Do we have to go out today? "Mmmm" she murmured "I see."

"And …" Gio picked up her hand again "… if you really feel the need to slap, a butt-slap is also acceptable" he stepped closer to her, bent his arm behind his back and demonstrated the action with Betty's hand. Betty bit her lip. Oh, the heat. I'm sweating. "…or a squeeze." Gio's hand cupped her hand to act out the motion.

"Gio!" Betty cried opening her eyes. This is no way to get ready for work. ''Daniel will be here soon, I want to get organized." she said brightly. Who am I kidding?

"Okay." Gio said softly. He let go of Betty's hand and studied her. He gazed appreciatively at the blouse and skirt. "Is this new?" He touched the flounce at her shoulder gently. "You look terrific."

"Thank you." Betty beamed. She thought so too. Aside from the bra. Hopefully, no one will notice it. Gio caressed her shoulder. Oh god, there is too much touching going on. Need to concentrate. Daniel is coming soon. Gio's hand slid from her shoulder around the back of her neck. Betty opened her mouth to take in a deep breath. Suddenly Gio was kissing her. Betty leaned heavily on the dresser as Gio wrapped his arms around her. She moved her hands behind her and pushed down onto the top of the dresser to support herself.

Gio kissed her lips thoroughly, and then moved down to her neck. Betty closed her eyes and let her head tilt backwards. Gio softly and slowly kissed her neck, moving inch by inch downwards. The roughness of his face contrasted sensuously with the softness of his lips. Betty wished he would move faster. He is slow. He is gentle. He is nothing if not thorough. After a few more moments he reached her collar bone. She moaned as she felt the wetness of his tongue there. She arched upwards wanting to feel more. She took deep breaths in and out and felt her face flushing.

Betty heard a loud knocking sound. "Knock, knock" Daniel called out while pounding on their hotel room door.

Gio sprang away from Betty and then jumped back again to support her as she stumbled forward.

Oh, it is Daniel. Betty clung to Gio and struggled to regain her senses. "We're coming!" Betty called out as they headed towards the door.

Daniel looked flustered as he met them at the door. "Wow, you look great!" he said to Betty "Do you have everything you need for today?" he asked. Betty grabbed her handbag and notebook.

"Yes, we're ready." Betty answered as Gio locked the door and they headed down the hall. "We're ready for breakfast."

"Well, okay, uh, new plan … " Daniel explained " … we're going to hop in a cab now and eat from the refreshments table after we get there." Daniel was nearly running. He better watch out or he will trip. Betty's stomach rumbled. What's up with Daniel? Why the hurry all of a sudden?

They rushed past the doorman in the lobby. As they stepped out of the building it was like stepping into an oven. Yes, it's going to be a hot one.

Daniel stepped off the curb and waved frantically for a cab. As the traffic continued to rush by him Daniel got more and more agitated. He turned to look back at Betty and Gio waiting on the curb. "Gio?" he asked in frustration.

"Let me handle it." Gio replied, asking "Where are we going?" Daniel held out a business card. Gio took the card and walked over to the doorman.

"Daniel, what's going on?" Betty asked, grabbing Daniel's arm and pulling him back onto the sidewalk. "Why are you so upset? We're not going to be late are we?"

"I don't think so. I don't know. I don't know what to do." Daniel rambled. He is clearly very upset about something. Betty leaned in and said firmly "Daniel, calm down. Tell me about today."

"We're going to see an up and coming designer-label run by someone I know. Or used to know. His name is Antonio."

"Antonio who?" Betty asked.

"He just goes by Antonio. I now, it's conceited." Daniel grimaced. "It's his label's name too. He is very promising and Alexis is expecting me to land this account. He wants to expand his North American market." Daniel calmed down a little as he talked. "But, unfortunately, I have a little problem with Antonio. We have a history. It's a personal situation. I want to make a good impression today but there's this uh, thing. It's got me rattled."

A cab pulled up. Gio hopped into the passenger seat while Betty and Daniel got in the back seat. Gio spoke to the driver in Italian and soon they sped off.

Daniel and Betty sunk back into the soft leather seats. Betty's hand brushed the seat while searching for her seat belt. Real Italian leather, no doubt about it. "What is on today's schedule?" Betty demanded. As usual I need to take care of Daniel. He hasn't changed a bit.

"Here's the agenda. There is a small in-house fashion show at ten, lunch with Antonio at noon, then meetings with the other departments after lunch." Daniel put his briefcase on his lap and patted it. "I have nothing in here." He tapped his temple with the tip of his index finger. "And nothing in here either. I don't know what I am going to say to get Antonio's account. You have to help me." he said in the pleading tone.

Clueless. Well I'm here. It's what I do best. Betty smiled and patted his arm. "No problem. We've done this kind of thing before. I know what to do. I'll write up some notes for you while we are watching the fashion show. Do you want me and Gio to go to lunch with you and Antonio?"

"No. Not necessary. Antonio speaks perfect English and it'll just be the two of us so I don't need you for that. But I would appreciate Gio's help after lunch. Many of the staff will not speak English and I'll need help with the translating. And I want Gio because I want to know what they are really saying."

Betty nodded. Yes, of course, no one from their staff could be trusted to translate accurately. And possibly not even Antonio.

Gio's cell phone rang. Betty and Daniel stopped talking to look at Gio as he answered it.

"Ciao" Gio answered in Italian. After talking for a minute, Gio held his cell phone away from his ear and looked at Betty and Daniel. "Can we get away for lunch? My folks are in town and they want to get together with us."

"Sure, no problem." Daniel answered "Say you can meet them for lunch. It'll be perfect actually."

Gio lifted the phone and resumed his conversation.

"I can jot down my ideas during the fashion show and give them to you before you meet Antonio for lunch. Will that help?" Betty asked.

"Yes." Daniel replied with relief. "I am so grateful that you are taking a break from your vacation to help me out today."

"Daniel, of course I would do that. Why wouldn't I? I am very grateful to you for getting me here! I'm grateful for everything you've done for me." Except for the part where you discussed my private life with Gio. Betty's expression darkened."Grateful for most of it, anyway."

Daniel looked at Betty recalling her distress during their conversation by the fountain the day before.

"Betty" Daniel started to speak then paused to think. "Betty, you needed help. You help me all the time, but this time you were the one that needed to be looked after." Daniel took her hand and resumed in a serious tone. "Betty, the one thing I know is that when a person is dysfunctional, one of the things they can't do is to see that they are dysfunctional. That describes you after the ball-game. I could see you needed help and I wanted you to go on this trip to help you get better. I'm sorry if any part of it caused you to feel uncomfortable."

Daniel shifted to turn towards her "And to be honest, I am delighted with the results. You must be too. It's great to see you looking as good as new. Better even. The plan has far exceeded my expectations. And you are happy. You are happier than I have ever seen you. You should relax now and enjoy your new life."

"Yes, you are right Daniel." Betty said thoughtfully. "Of course you are." I have to move on. I have to accept that I needed help. It was no business of Daniel's to meddle in my life but he did what he thought was best. Just let it go, Betty. Straightening up she said "Now we need to concentrate on today. You are going to knock Antonio dead with your brilliant ideas. Then he will sign the deal. That is the plan. Okay?"

"Okay." Daniel smiled, visibly happier than before.

The cab pulled up in front of a stylish building in the best part of town.

"Swanky!" Gio said admiringly as they hopped out of the cab.