A/N: Hey everyone! Thanks so much for your reviews again. I hope you'll enjoy this chapter. I'll be off on vacation to Alaska on Saturday but am hoping to have wi-fi regularly to keep posting the chapters. It shouldn't be a problem though. R&R please! :)
Chapter 6:
When C.C. awoke in the beautiful beach house her mother owned on Fajou all the problems and annoyances that had brought her there in the first place seemed forgotten. The sound of the waves brushing gently against the shore still had the same hypnotic effect on her as the night before. Still half asleep C.C. rolled to lie on her back and kept listening. The amount of sunlight that was flooding in through the French doors indicated that it was closer to noon than she probably would've liked or found appropriate but for once C.C. was too busy basking in blissful relaxation.
She didn't know how much time had passed until she finally decided to get up. Running a hand through her hair she then reached for her robe and slipped it on. When she opened the French doors a bit further to let some air into the room she could already hear the clinking of cutlery coming from the deck downstairs. That meant that the maid was already hard at work and serving her sister.
D.D.'s arrival had been quite a nuisance to C.C. at first. After all, she had come to Fajou to get away from everything and enjoy some time for herself, and her younger sister was about as quiet as Nanny Fine. But Deirdre had been adamant that her visit was a good idea. If anyone knew how to have a good time it was her and C.C. could definitely learn a thing or two about that. So knowing that Deirdre was unstoppable in any way she had agreed and her sister had eventually made an appearance the previous day.
Now, just as she had thought, she found her on the deck lying stretched out in a reclining sun chair. Just within reach a coconut cocktail and a fruit salad.
"Breakfast of champions," C.C. thought dryly and gave a brief smile to Martha the maid who was flittering in and out of the house.
"Finally," D.D. acknowledged her presence without looking at her. Instead she kept facing the sun, her eyes closed.
"God forbid I enjoy a nice lie-in when I'm on vacation." C.C. replied and took a seat at the table that was brimming over with a choice of breakfast items.
"At your age a lie-in can easily turn into an eternal nap." D.D. tossed out and C.C. rolled her eyes.
"I'm only three years older than you," she said reaching for some orange juice.
Her sister finally tilted her head in her direction and eyed her over the top of her sunglasses. "Yes, but those three years really show, sweetie."
C.C. took a sip of her juice seemingly unfazed but when Deirdre turned away again she self-consciously ran a hand through her hair once more. For a moment they both sat in silence while C.C. enjoyed her breakfast. Martha had really outdone herself this time.
"So why Guadeloupe?"
"I think the weather speaks for itself," C.C. replied lazily and continued eating "and where else do we have a beach house?"
"I've heard mommy's been looking at properties in Martha's Vineyard."
"She's not planning on buying the whole island again, is she?"
"I don't see how she could manage. Not without using daddy's money or influence. But really…could you fault her for wanting to own that island? This one's gorgeous!"
"Yes, but can you still remember all the negotiations it took in order to get this? Guadeloupe was benefiting so much from Fajou. I still have no idea how she managed to justify her need to own it."
"When there's money involved no justification is necessary. Besides I'm sure she let daddy handle the business negotiations."
C.C. sighed and kept further comments to herself. Her sister's bored tone and whole attitude to the matter demonstrated that she had no knowledge of the business world and that she had always gotten whatever she'd asked for.
"But seriously, Chastity, why'd you pick Fajou and why now? I thought you and that hunky business partner of yours were busy producing another play again. You can't tell me that that's an ideal time for you to take a vacation."
"He can handle things himself," C.C. shrugged, knowing that D.D. was unlikely to contradict her as in her world men were in charge of everything.
"Mmh…I'm just saying it's uncharacteristic of you. Trouble in paradise?"
"What are you getting at, Deirdre?" C.C. challenged sharply.
"Well, I know you've had the hots for him for quite some time and mommy found him a suitable man." Her sister explained slowly, a lazy smile on her face.
C.C. opened her mouth to argue but then decided to concede instead. What good was there denying it now when she had admitted it to herself not long ago?
"He was a waste of time," she replied coolly "I just see no sense in pursuing it further."
D.D. swung her legs over the side of the pool chair and leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees and her head in her hands. "That's always been your problem, Chastity, you're too soft."C.C. instinctively leaned back, crossing her arms defensively. "You've got to make it easier for yourself. Use men for sex and sex alone. That's what they're good for."
"Ah…valuable advice from my little sister." C.C. commented who still felt somewhat chastised by the previous remark.
"I'm just telling it as it is," Deirdre shrugged.
"You go ahead and spend your time chasing men. I'm going to keep myself entertained."
"The question is for how long," her sister grinned "C.C. Babcock without her work. What is the world coming to?"
C.C. rolled her eyes and got to her feet and started walking back towards the house.
"Just let me know when you get bored!" D.D. called after her but she ignored the comment.
Once she had showered and dressed she sought out the maid and arranged for a speed boat to take her to the main island. She was determined to prove her sister wrong. Guadeloupe had enough to offer to keep her occupied for the whole day, surely she wouldn't grow bored so soon.
Her excursion started well enough. Once they had arrived at Port Francois she had thanked the boat driver and set off on her own. Out of habit her feet led her down familiar streets of Les Abymes and Pointe-à-Pitre and along the way she rested in cafés where some of the owners greeted her like an old friend. She exchanged chitchat with them and enjoyed a cool drink while finally catching up on some reading that wasn't linked to business.
Almost an hour later, still on the patio of the latest café she had ended up in the constant exposure to the sun was beginning to show. Gesturing for the waiter she requested a bucket of ice cubes which she then slid along her burnt skin. Doing so she suddenly noticed that someone was watching her, almost staring at her unashamedly. She turned her head in the direction of the stranger and startled. The man bore a strong resemblance to Niles. But when she blinked and looked again she realised that it had been nothing more than a trick of her imagination. But the damage was done. He was back in her head and with him all the memories of their shared time on this island. She glared at the man and attempted to focus on her book again but her efforts were futile. Within minutes she discarded her book, paid the bill and was on her way back to the boat that would take her to Fajou. Maybe Deirdre had been right, after all. What she needed was a better distraction, something that would keep her more entertained than her own company. Throughout her musings and her internal rant it never once occurred to her how strange it was that it had been Niles popping into her head rather than Maxwell.
When she returned to the house she found a cocktail dress waiting for her on the bed. She frowned and turned on her heels, heading back into the corridor.
"Martha?" she called while walking and within minutes the maid appeared, her speed no doubt due to her mother's strict training.
"Yes, Ma'am?"
"This is Deirdre's dress," C.C. pointed out, handing it over to her "you left it in my room by accident."
"I didn't, Miss Babcock. Your sister said you'd be needing it for a party tonight?"
She muttered a curse and ignoring the maid's scared look walked directly to her sister's room.
"You found the dress?" D.D. asked before she had even managed to open her mouth.
"Yes and I'm confused. What part of this morning's conversation didn't you understand?"
D.D. remained unfazed by her anger and took a leisurely drag from her cigarette. "Don't snap like that, Chastity, it's not very appealing. And before you waste another breath, just answer me this. What are you doing here already looking all miserable?"
"Is there an appropriate time now for me to come home?" C.C. challenged, raising an eyebrow.
But her sister ignored her yet again. "I know you, C.C., you're bored. So just go and freshen up, slip into that gorgeous dress I left you and join me at a fabulous yacht party!"
"I'm not going to wear that flimsy thing anywhere. It looks slutty."
"You're not wearing one of those black…bags either," Deirdre's nose wrinkled in distaste "they're not flattering and make you look even older. That way you'll never get a man to bite."
"Excuse me, in New York I got plenty of men to bite." She argued but cast a self-conscious glance towards the mirror nonetheless.
"Apparently not the right ones," D.D. pointed out with a knowing grin "now start dressing or we'll be late."
C.C. shot a glare her way and then left the room again, stopping only to retrieve the dress from the maid. A quick shower later she slipped on the flimsy fabric and instantly tugged at it in an effort to make it more appropriate. Her sister possessed the enviable quality to feel perfectly content in her own skin and C.C. couldn't really fault her that. She wasn't as tall and much skinnier as well. While D.D. was happy to show off what she had, C.C. was busy trying to conceal her curves behind layers of clothes. That's why the cocktail dress left her feeling rather uncomfortable. But for one night she decided it couldn't hurt to try out something new.
The party Deirdre had invited her to, took place on a yacht out in the ocean. Only the crème de la crème was present, of course. While somewhat bored at first C.C. eventually managed to find a man who took her interest. He was charming and attentive, especially when she leaned forward to help herself to more champagne and as the evening progressed C.C. knew that he'd be the guy she wanted to sleep with. Perhaps under different circumstances and a little less intoxicated she would've made a different choice but for now all she craved was sex and male attention. And that's what she was going to get.
