Shopping and Truths
"Caesar...I can do this myself. I do have experience in using a ladder." Nicole said as she was wiping the dust off of the bookshelf. She had decided to help Suzie Q clean up for the day. Caesar, always curious to tease his new love interest, helps Nicole by lifting her up by the waist using his hands. "You're tall for a woman, but even you cannot reach the top," Caesar said. Nicole was not comfortable with the situation. She only had sex once and even now Nicole felt awkward being around Caesar. The man never changed his behavior as if nothing happened.
Caesar was less of a flirt and more of a lover. He would give Nicole the space she needed. He did not bother her during her sparring sessions and Nicole was able to sleep. The silent relationship was almost perfect. "Caesar. You do not have to do this." Nicole said. Caesar raised Nicole higher and she was able to reach the shelf. "I am free for the rest of the day. Coach told me to show you around the island and also assist you in shopping for new clothes. Suzie Q and Jojo are supposed to accompany us for that." Caesar explains. Nicole's body stiffens as she wipes the dust off the wooden shelf.
"Wait a minute. Why would she have three people accompany me? I AM the oldest one and I do not need anything getting out of hand." Nicole said the obvious. She did not need the awkwardness. Not more of it. "Everything will be fine Signorina. You just need fresh air and some new clothes." Caesar stated as he felt the tension Nicole was building. He lowers her down and the woman was curious to the idea of shopping with her so-called boyfriend. Let alone Suzie Q and Jojo will be accompanying them. Jojo had his tidbits when he was around Suzie Q. The girl was cute and yet a ditz.
Although, Nicole enjoys her company. The girl made the awkwardness between Caesar and Jojo less obvious. "I swear...your coach is pulling some strings. The pushing of me going on a date with you; the forcing me to admit these feelings; and now you're going to help me shop for new clothes." Nicole said as she looks at Caesar. Caesar smiles and kisses Nicole on the forehead. That kiss on the forehead then became a kiss on the lips. Caesar still had his hands on Nicole's waist. He presses his body against her backside. Nicole was about to be tempted in encouraging this behavior, but she stops herself.
"Not here..." She speaks softly as Caesar holds her firmly. "Not here?" Caesar plays dumb and kisses Nicole on the neck. "Jerk. Control yourself." Nicole lightly slaps Caesar on the back of his head. Caesar releases Nicole and she leaves the Italian to have a smirk on his face. "That damn woman is trying to press my buttons. One date led to sex. Good sex, but if Kars is after me then he would break me apart. How did a simple hamon trick I use catch his attention?" Nicole thought as she was going to look for Lisa Lisa.
"So you and Nicole grew up together? She's the big sister figure as I see it. Though Caesar makes her act silly." Suzie giggles as she, Joseph, and Lisa were heading outside to the dock. "Yeah, Nicole has always kept me out of trouble," Joseph said as he stretches his arms. Nicole and Caesar met up with the rest of the group. The boat ride to the city was short. Nicole walks in between Suzie Q and Lisa Lisa. Joseph and Caesar follow the women from behind. The city was lit and the people were busy working, shopping, and so forth. The group of people was enjoying the sight. The stores were filled with vibrant clothes and fashionable attire. Lisa and Suzie escort the rest of them into the first boutique they come across.
Caesar walks over to the door and opens it for the ladies. The women enter the clothing store. The clothing store was fancy with the dark furnishings and floral wallpaper. The carpeted floor was decorated in a purple colored material. "Why here?" Nicole questions as she walks over to the rack that displays frilled-blouses. Suzie giggles as she takes a couple of skirts off the racks. She was going through the different designs. "You'll look cute in these. Also, Lisa Lisa says that this shop is preferred for women with your build." Suzie said as she looks at a dark blue skirt with layered frilled trims.
"Yeah...having me look like a teenager. Remind me to find a damn frog to put in your bed. I hate looking like a child." Nicole said softly as her eyes looked at the dress pants. Joseph was not one for shopping as he sat down in a chair. He was a little bored, but he needed to get away from the island. Training how to use hamon and also trying to keep Nicole away from Caesar. The Joestar had been on edge especially with that mask on his face. "Geez. I hate shopping." Joseph complains. Caesar watches the women chat and he leans against the wall. "Nicole, you are a serious type of woman. I think that you should wear dresses. Probably ones of medium to dark colors. Shades of purple and red will do." Lisa said as she walks around the room to look for anything that Nicole could wear without complaining. "I do enjoy the color...fine," Nicole said and took a few clothes to the dressing room.
She then closes the door behind her. "How does Nicole keep tearing her clothes?" Joseph questions. Suzie Q walks over to the dressing room. She held a few blouses in her arms. "The hamon she easily builds causes her clothes to rip. Her body can produce enough hamon at a fast rate to the point it travels along the fabric of her clothes." Lisa explains. "Sheesh. What do you do to her?" Joseph asks. Lisa glances at Joseph then back to the racks of clothing. "Nicole is learning how to control her hamon. Well, producing it. She needs to control the amounts that are produced at increasing speeds." Lisa explains more. Nicole steps out of the dressing room. She wore a lavender sleeveless blouse with lace trim, a short black skirt, and black heels. "Cute! It looks great on you Nicole! Doesn't she look adorable?" Suzie Q became excited. Joseph looks at Nicole and teases, "Still looks like herself to me." Caesar approaches Nicole and his lips curl into a smirk. His eyes met Nicole's and she was tomato-faced.
The heat rose to her skin and she walks back into the dressing room. "What just happened?" Suzie Q blinks in confusion. "Nicole was just embarrassed." Lisa gave the answer. Nicole began to change clothes in silence. Seeing Caesar's face distracted her. He was too handsome. Thoughts about this irritated the woman. She knew that Caesar had an affect on her. He makes her feel awkward and his teases made her weak. "Fuck..." Nicole scolds herself as she tried the other clothes on. She steps out of the dressing room and folds her arms across her chest. Nicole wore a long-sleeve turtleneck and matching dark blue slacks.
"This feels better," Nicole said. "You do pull off pants very well." Lisa compliments her. "But Nicole, you look better in a dress." Suzie Q pouts. "Signorina, I enjoy you in anything." Caesar said as he understood why Nicole was feeling more comfortable, "Though just wear a dress once in a while." "She prefers wearing pants," Joseph says. "Caesar, tell Nicole that she looks cuter in a dress." Suzie Q wanted to see the Zeppeli interact with Nicole. She wanted Nicole to admit her feelings to Caesar. "Of course she looks cute in a dress, but if she;s comfortable wearing anything she wants then I am not going to bother her about it," Caesar said. He steps closer to Nicole and places his hands on her cheeks. "Calm yourself...Jojo is watching." Nicole mumbled before Caesar kisses her on the lips. Joseph glares at Caesar.
"At ease Jojo. I do love the woman." Caesar said after he releases Nicole. "I swear if you hurt her..." Joseph became angry. Lisa handed Joseph the pile of clothes. "We'll be buying these. Suzie Q, please bring those clothes to the register. Let's go to the next store." Lisa spoke. Suzie Q nods and carries the clothes to the front counter. "C-Caesar, we are in public," Nicole said as Caesar wraps his arms around her waist. "I'll be discrete." Caesar holds Nicole close. "I'll be damned. I knew that date turned something into more." Joseph said surprised to see Nicole being held by Caesar. He was about to go into little brother mode. "I did not intend to have this relationship become publicized. Dammit." Nicole sighs and pushes herself away, "Let me change back into my clothes and we can get going."
Ten minutes later, the group left the boutique with bags in their hands. "Where to next?" Nicole asks. "Well...oh, do you need a few bras and underwear?" Suzie Q asked aloud. Nicole coughs as an answer as she did not need Caesar and Joseph to hear that. She was more concerned about Caesar. "I assume you mean yes then," Lisa replies. Nicole groaned in irritation and humiliation. She did not need Caesar's approval nor Joseph's sarcastic remarks. The short walk leads the group to enter a small boutique. Nicole, Suzie Q, and Lisa were going through the different bra and underwear sets. Nicole kept her distance from Caesar. Shopping for such things in the small boutique was short as Nicole knew what she needed. She bought six sets of undergarments from lace to striped.
"This place is beautiful. Do you go here often Lisa?" Nicole said to break the awkward silence. She walks in between Lisa and Suzie. "Yes. Though I do not mind the solitude." Lisa answers, "Where do you prefer to live?" "I guess I would enjoy living somewhere quiet, but I do like seeing the sites," Nicole says. The group takes a break from shopping and finds a cafe to rest. "Man, I'm starving. I want a burger." Joseph said as he sat in a chair. Caesar was looking at the list of foods on the menu. Nicole and Suzie did the same. Lisa was staring at the red stone.
It was what the Pillar men were searching for. Caesar glanced at Nicole who was still making decisions on what she was going to eat. He has a small smile on his face as he saw how innocent Nicole currently appears to be. Caesar saw a woman who had ambition and curiosity. He could see himself making love to her again but he wanted to make her his wife. Suzie Q points to the different kinds of pasta and Nicole nods as she listens to her. "Signorina," Caesar spoke smoothly. Nicole responds as she looks at him. "If you are not sure what to do decided why not try the linguini alfredo? It does come with a soup and salad." Caesar suggests.
"Alfredo linguini does sound good. Okay, I will have that. Jojo, what are you going to eat?" Nicole spoke, her eyes focusing on the menu once again. Joseph looks at his menu and points to what he is in the mood for. "I will get a hamburger." He said. "I will have the club sandwich this time." Suzie Q says cheerfully. As everyone was ordering their food, a pick-pocket walks on by as he casually strolls by the tables. As the man was about to snap the necklace right off of Lisa's neck by a swift grab, Joseph steps in his way causing the man to fall back.
"Really? Stealing from the coach and thinking that you were going to get away with it." Joseph laughs as the man gets up then runs away. The Joestar turns back to Lisa in relief. He sees the top of her cleavage and scoffs. "Lisa Lisa, er, coach! Can I see the red stone? You know, eh, to see how it looks without the laser shooting." Joseph spoke as he was up to something. Nicole makes a dull expression and shoots a glare at Joseph. Caesar had noticed Nicole's expression and turns his attention to Joseph. "Tits Joseph," Nicole said. Joseph coughs and immediately sits down in a chair. "Damn." Joseph murmured behind the mask. This lunch was something to look forward to.
