Characters belong to ABC and I have no intention to break any copyright laws in this fic.
Chapter 10 – Missing friends and chicken mole
"Well a FULL ENGLISH again, I'm not sure if I can keep up with you girl…..I'm not so young as I was …and you a mere babe…but hey.....what a babe…come on….don't let your little stud muffin leave without a bit of luvin……a la Anglaise…….you Brits are deep ones here's me thinking you'd have Bridget pants and a chastity belt…..and underneath it all your just…….insatiable….hmm….nice….."
Placing kisses all over her body once more Gio continued along her neck, her shoulder and down her back reaching the arc or her hips to which his companion jumped away insisting she "had to go" …if she carried on like this she would never make her deadline for the magazine and her mentor would be annoyed……
"Betty was a nice woman" (Katy mentioned in passing) but she could explode at times for no reason ..."the Latino in her I guess" and Katy didn't want to ruin their relationship especially as she was due to leave soon.
"No, I need one hell of a reference and Betty is in with the boss…if anyone could get Daniel Meade to notice her it was Betty"
Moving away from her Gio sat upright in bed, alert for an instant as he tried to keep his control….
"Betty's your mentor Katy? I didn't know that….we're old…..friends….. yeah old friends. (Turning his head so Katy couldn't read his face Gio continued) So you see her a lot then, you're close…..of course your close".….(looking Katy straight in the eyes and thinking to himself Okay…okay …why didn't I know that……why didn't she tell me….she's telling me now you idiot……Wow!...every time I try to get away….she's there…..) sighing……
"Gio, Gio.(looking at his lost, confused face now turned down looking at his hands, the hands that had so recently been playing music on her)….it's fine…I'm bright …I know the woman you….love….loved…you talked about…. is Betty….I saw the way you looked at her with that guy in that café the first night we…..our first night….the way you froze, raged and needed someone…..I didn't mind…I wanted you so much, I'd wanted you since our first meeting and I would have done anything to get you…do you understand? Betty was a fool, she is a fool but she's my mentor…and a good one and I can't, won't change that, why should I she's the best (giving him time to take it all in she continued) and I've been working under her for some time now….(her courage renewed Katy continued)…
I've been acting as her personal assistant since she joined YETI….you know YETI? ……
"Yes, yes! (getting angry)…..I know YETI…what am I now a lunk?...."
"Gio!..(taking his face in her hands, her lips by his lips)……you are the smartest Guy I know….I…"
"Don't call me Guy! (pushing her away) Don't ever call me Guy!!….do you understand Katy!!! (calming his voice to a whisper)……never call me that….."
"Shush, shush….baby…(kissing his face, lifting his hands and kissing them all over apologising and begging for forgiveness…) I'll stop working with Betty….your cover story on Vita di gusto….was a side line…Working, assisting B …Betty is fine, a great experience but I'm a writer first and foremost Gio…I need and I can live on that alone until I leave ….I don't have to do fashion week with her…she'll find someone else as he runner"
Gio grabbed her in his arms as he frantically replied suddenly feeling guilty for the
way he had spoken to her, she wasn't to blame for any of his pain, she brought him joy…he wouldn't spoil that for the world…
"No, innamorato….sweetheart…no….you carry on….(looking into her eyes so sad to have hurt his friend, his lover)…..I'm just a fool, a stupid fool….I don't want to argue with you Katy….I want to enjoy you…..I want you to enjoy me…..while we can…..I'm so sorry, shush, shush…..come here….forgive me…you're right….I am a….lunk….….."
Brushing her hair aside from her face, laying her slowly and gently on the bed Gio, naked, holding his taut body over her about to play her as she desired, he'd learnt her likes and dislikes and yet apologetically considerate of her feelings as he thoroughly made love to this woman. A woman who took him to her for what he was……in recovery, receiving him physically and giving in return…she could for a moment make him …forget….……Each would satisfy the other for the duration of her stay both taking enjoyment in each other, no strings and no expectations. Gio felt guilty to be only fond of her, to physically need her desperately the more often they made love. She could he knew satisfy him bodily and make him feel loved once more…but he couldn't love her back in the way she deserved…..he could not give her his heart…he knew that, she knew that too. Both were content to continue…well Gio was…… Katy was as he had once been to a certain personal assistant his 'rebound'…….she would he felt sure make him forget a certain Betty Suarez….the love of his life……..
Relaxed, climaxing together as always momentarily satisfied his tensions gone Gio wondered that the sheer act of empathic love making could channel a person's energies forcing away any frustrations and problems. The past hour had been enjoyable Katy was some girl and she knew how to please him, nothing was wrong only right and yet …he felt ….incomplete every time Why? No he had told himself so many times on reflection why couldn't he be grown up and take whatever happened and move on, trust her not to hurt him and vice versa. He knew she was working at Mode…what the heck did he expect….and what right did he have to criticise her. It was her career for Gods sake and let's face it he would not always be around, pretty soon she'd be on the other side of the Atlantic a wonderful memory and life long friend…..No, Gio quickly convinced himself leave her, don't judge her choices, they are hers to make, let her work with his past love….his past friend who was nothing more than that, life had to go on and what harm would it do knowing what was happening to Betty, his Betty………he was over her…….totally indifferent….
…………………………………
"Katy, come here….my your looking well it seems my sons attentions suit you…there's a glow to you young lady…is it love?"
Theresa Rossi's wistful and knowing observations were as ever spot on, there was love in the air and Katy Hale was in the throws of it, her lover however was not. To say that saddened her would be an under statement but she could do nothing about it. The weeks, months spent with Gio had been the best of her life, she'd had boyfriends but this was different…for her…..he was everything she wanted, she needed. He cared for her, he cared for everyone in his life that was his way and he listened and allowed her to B…..she liked that, she loved that dearly. What she wouldn't have given for Gio to forget his past, to truly move on and love her back …she'd tried but tonight in his family home on a visit to 'his girl's a window into his heart, soul and mind had been gapingly opened for her to see, an opening she could not ignore.
Momma Rossi's meal had been wonderful, it always was, Katy had put so much weight on lately people were beginning to question if the patter of tiny feet was imminent to a resounding ….
"Wow!….NO WAY!"..from Gio…
None of that from him….when he had a kid it would be …from his wife, his partner for life…he was truly old fashioned like that. Unknowingly he had hurt Katy deeply with that off the cuff but honest statement. She didn't plan to have children yet, not for many years but to be cast aside by Gio so easily touched her inner most hopes ..she almost wished she was pregnant just to test his resolve….She knew if she was with child he would make her his wife….that was also his way but he would never love her and she wanted all of him …or nothing. So much better to have a sweet liaison to remember when old than a sad relationship that could only eat away at a person until you forgot what you once had.
No, her awakening, her epiphany into Giovanni Rossi hadn't even been that moment really, it was later after they'd eaten, Katy had gone to help the girls, Isabella, Antonella and Theresa in the kitchen with the dishes….Gio could vegetate on the couch watching the baseball, he was a Mets boy and they were at home to the hated New York Yankees nothing could disturb that. So the girls had left him to it…they'd clean up while he did his …'man thing'….Gio had pathetically offered his assistance but he had been so glad when he was over ruled and left alone to his game
"Yeah, know your place girls….waiting hand and foot on me…the man …the provider…ha ha!"
As a volley of hand towels flew through the air to land on his prostrate body he laughed out loud and mulled over his life…..…. I like all these females around me…what more could he ask for, his momma, his sisters and B…..Katy….. Standing suddenly as if instructed by some invisible angel on his shoulder the game was forgotten as he got up and almost robotically walked over to his brown leather jacket. Taking out something only he could see, looking at it momentarily and rubbing his finger gently across its length, lost in his memories he was unaware as his visitor watched over him as he lifted his precious cargo to his mouth kissing it gently, his lips trembling with obvious emotion. Hearing someone behind him, awakened from his quest Gio had deftly placed it back in his jacket pocket, turning around as if innocent and the past act had not occurred. Calm and controlled he sat down on the couch once more.
"Gio, what was that you had then in your hand…let me see…something for me? A present……? Chocolates?....Oh you spoil me all the time….please babe…let me look"
"No, nooo …..It's nothing …really……it's just…it's just a card you know… one of one's the reps give you at work …..gave me at work…..., No Katy…..it's nothing…nothing…forget it…."
"You kissed it Gio, I definitely saw you kiss it…. heavens what kind of card could that possibly be?"
"I wasn't kissin it, No….man….I was smelling it…Yeah that's it ..smellin it…….. it's some kind of perfume from one of those men's magazines we get loads sent to us….from Mode magazine….guess they reckon I whiff aye?.…That's it …..I was just smelling it……. not a kiss……a sniff…..ha!…Cool man…….kissin a picture, as if….your imaginations playing you up girl. Now! Tapping the couch beside him….come and sit by me cuddle muffin and don't be so 'female'…jeeze you women think I'd be used to all that crap by now wouldn't ya…come watch the game…we're winning…Jayyyyyyy….and boy ma's right Katy you are putting weight on! Ha!…(head tilted in his quizzical, Gio look no one could resist as he continued) …..are you sure I'm not gonna be a papi …you look about five months gone…"
"Giovanni Rossi….what a bloody cheek…we send people to the tower for less in England…that's high treason where I come from I can tell you…and anyway…short ass you can talk you've been packing it on lately….contentment my ass…..fatso!…."
Grabbing his stomach, play fighting until they fell exhausted onto the couch, Katy lying in Gio's arms as he lay down, her body wedged between his thighs holding him as tight as possible snug and comfortable feeling 'him' beneath her as they both looked at the television screen in front of them. After what seemed like minutes Katy almost asleep with the hypnotic rise and fall of Gio's chest beneath her head and the sheer boredom to her of a 'baseball game' as she quietly began to speak…
"It's been really manic lately at Mode…. you know it's fashion week, well I was working with Betty….(she felt Gio's body tense up momentarily)….were in the middle of this chap….Heinrich's presentation…boy he's a weird one but he seems to like Betty and well we've got to do this Berlin wall thing…to represent his past or something…mighty strange…I really don't think fashion will ever be for me…it's too freaky. Well anyway, Matt…Betty's YETI companion…nice looking guy, seems keen on Betty…..(Gio tensed even more) he's following her around, some sports guy or other…he's so into her you can tell… Well, Betty and Christine…they've written this joke editorial press release and this Matt he sends it by mistake to Daniel… Betty was telling me she was toast but hey Daniel liked it…seemed Heinrich liked it too and he wanted Betty to exclusively do his show. Anyway we spend all day working on it, this Matt guys in the background annoying Betty ….who by the way didn't want to be with him she wanted to work with her friend from the New York Times and she got landed with him. Well to cut a long story short…the show goes great, everything is a total success and then splash and wallop and I literally mean both there's screams and panic and Christina gives birth to her baby……right on the catwalk…who'd have thought it? Hey, (thumping his arm) Gio are you listening to any of this?
"Hmm who'd have guessed…..Matt who, he's old yeah, short, fat, geeky looking?"
"Oh no, he's quite cute, tall..ish, dark and …well he looks like Josh Grobin and he's hinted he wants to take Betty out…(Gio's body completely tensed…..) but she's knocked him back …she's told me she has no intention of getting into a relationship….she knew someone else not so long ago ..who she thought might be more than a …… but they weren't and she was in no hurry to mess up another friendship again….she'd thought this guy might get in con…….…." (interrupting Katy in mid flow Gio almost shouted….)
"She's knocked him back you say……hmm….figures……why would she want anything to get in the way of YETI….this guy….he's annoying yeah, a real jerk?"
"No (looking him straight in the eye) Gio he's nice, pleasant…Betty's sort I'd say tall, lean and quiet..very quiet…"
Gio sat up quickly taking Katy with him intent on moving away to control his feelings that he thought past. Twitching his shoulders and head uncontrollably as he picked up cups left from supper to take into his momma and sisters who had for some reason decided to stay in the kitchen with the dogs…to give them some quiet time he thought. Smoothing back his long hair off his face, his eye lids down and as he brought his hand across his face to his mouth, cupping is lips and stifling a painful sigh…..wondering if he would ever stop this…for heavens sake he was with Katy now.
"He's clever yeah, a professional….her type of guy he whispered…that's good…..Matt you say….I'm good…..phew, yeah I'm fine…….now how about another cup of coffee I'm real thirsty …what do you say Katy?"
Looking lost, alone and perplexed and physically injured aware he was anything but in control Katy had known from that moment that everything she did to try to make Gio love her was totally in vain. He could never love her not as he had loved Betty it would always be… different …..They simply didn't have a future…. In that instant Katy knew she had truly gauged for the first time that she was and would always be Gio's rebound girl, nothing more……it just wasn't to be. As Gio walked into the kitchen Katy rose and furtively checking to see he was truly out of eye shot she had picked up his jacket and searched in his pockets until she found and pulled out the small piece of paper he had so secretly hidden from her. Looking at it a tear rising in her eyes Katy longingly glanced towards the exit door Gio had only recently left from ….
"Oh Gio…..that card you were sniffing….kissing……it's a picture of Betty….."
……………………………………
"Well that was some week Katy, the fashion show….you were wonderful…..I couldn't have done it without you holding the fort here for me…taking care of Daniel…he's such a child sometimes I wonder what he'll do when I leave one day…I have to leave one day Katy….a friend once told me to follow my dreams..to not be afraid…to write for fun…..I mis….we don't see each other now….. Hmm, and your article in the catering magazine….that was amazing Katy..do you know I almost envy you….I'm sure I'd be better there than talking fashion…perhaps one day…aye…editor in chief …with papi's recipes centre fold…. This new company Vito di Gusto….is it as good as everyone say's I'm always wary of trying diet meals…playing on girls weaknesses and fears….but they say it's good..real good…."
"No Betty, it's very good and the force behind it is some entrepreneur….he…she's a wonderful woman, I know her well now…..so ordinary but such a spirit…you should meet her some day….you may know him…her….his…her name is….Theresa Ro…."
"No chance of that Katy….way to busy…busy…yay…..too much to do, Daniel, YETI and papi…..I've no time…one day maybe….and you say him or her…which one…oh never matter….I might know them…..from where….I'm sure I'd have heard…..anyway I've got a new YETI assignment to look at the company books and write an article on my findings…and somehow get that Matt guy involved….. Katy, I know we're not old friends but I think we've become pretty close….its just…I don't know what to do….you see I've … I've had a facebook message from my old boyfriend yesterday…..and I don't know what to do should I ignore him or what?"
"Gio? (Katy enquired)…No! Noooooo! Never Gio, why would you say Gio?….he never ….he's forgotten me I think….I don't see him around anymore and I told him to take as long as he needed and it seems he…well that means…..never….No, no….it was Henry…..Henry Grubstick seems he's got a new girlfriend, they're in Peru. Apparently he's getting on with his life, not Charlie or the baby but someone else…seems I wasn't as special to him as I thought and well G….he's not around…and Matt….well he seems to want to get to know me …and well…there's no one else anymore….so why not? What do you think Katy…should I encourage Matt….he's nice but…not sure if I'm ready…I might be…I wasn't with….but he never tried again….so…."
Momentarily Katy almost blurted out what she knew, how her boyfriend never stopped loving this woman who held his heart in her grasp….how he was waiting, hoping Betty would contact him it would make his day, month, year…life but the moment passed as her heart hardened a little and she said not a word. What good would it do hurting Gio again Betty was only going to give him hopes he could never have so she would protect him from himself. No, Betty could go down to accounts and study, forget 'her' Gio….she Katy would keep everything running smoothly here, keep Betty's thoughts hidden, they weren't needed and she didn't want to loose Gio. Katy was so aware her time in New York with Gio was coming to an end…only weeks now…she felt guilty but she just wanted Gio a little longer to herself…just a little longer.....what harm could not telling him do…..
……………………………………..
"Gio, you've got to separate yourself from Daniel he's in trouble, Mode, Meade are in trouble…there's no hiding it now the company has been swindled out of millions they won't be able to pay staff wages…..That girl you lo…liked Betty Suarez they thought she'd got something to do with it but it turns out is was Connor someone..he ran off with all the money…they're broke Gio…. They tried to get funds from some media bail out panel….they blew it….blowing money on expensive wines for the paparazzi to see….he's an idiot Gio…he's going down…don't let him take you with him…I've heard Daniels putting his own assets into the business to prop it up with that Slater woman….he's going to go under Gio…you have to pay him off…..Now!"
"Your sure aunt Marguerite…I won't abandon him…..he's made me what I am …"
"You've made yourself what you are Gio……he's a friend I know and I know you but he's playing with fire, he's finished …you must get out before he brings you down with him….."
Gio, alone once more lifted the phone in front of him, savouring his aunt's words, never doubting her skills, knowledge and ability in business but he knew people and he wanted to try everything he could as he heard a voice answer and Gio quietly spoke…. ……
"Hey, Daniel….can we meet….tomorrow night, my place …..Eight thirty….leave the chauffeur at home…okay"
……………………………………
Gio had moved into his apartment weeks ago now, Katy had helped him, she'd a toothbrush and change of clothing but for all intense and purpose it was a bachelor pad, sparse, lots of brown leather and white, clinical walls….plain and functional…not a sign of any woman's touch…he wanted it that way! At last Gio was in his own domain…..all man…….all control and calm after the storms of the day….he loved his new found solitude he found it suited him very well…..
Seated watching TV; he liked to do that on occasion it felt like he was at home with 'his girls'…he missed them but it was good to be out of an all female household he could do his 'thing'. It was Friday and cousin Frankie's show was on, well it had been on the previous day but Giovanni Rossi was a busy man…he recorded things on his sixty two incher he had fixed in the centre of the living room, big, bold and in your face, He'd always thought of putting himself up against Frankie just for a laugh and family honour but Frankie had told him there was no chance, he'd murder him and anyway it was all fixed it had to be to get the backing for the show.
Frankie Burrata had to win at least three out of four of the contests that was the way it was. Knowing this Gio still watched; he loved Frankie, he'd been like a brother to him when he was a teenager and he was one hell of a guy. Marguerite had been the knowledge and the passion and Frankie had been the means to achieve and learn his catering skills by letting Gio work in his bistro and teaching him how to apply himself and be the consummate professional. Cousin Frankie was one big man in all ways, his heart, his mind and body and Gio would always have a place for him in his life and vice versa.
Supper in hand, home alone…Katy needed to catch up on some article and their whole relationship in his mind was open and not serious so time apart was cool, the norm, he was back in the groove, post Betty. True his ma had took a shine to Katy but that was always the way and she was after all pressurising him for grand children…and getting him married. No chance of that now he'd told himself…..no that wasn't for him any longer there would only be one wife for him….and she was gone.
Those thoughts past Gio spooned his quickly prepared pasta dish into his mouth, hardly tasting his food……it seemed lately nothing held much flavour for him…he couldn't explain why…. Turning the recoded program on and settling down Gio nestled down to watch 'Kitchen rumble' the best cookery show on TV….it had to be it was Frankie's.
A beer to sup at his leisure seeing Frankie shouting the odds, he always did that
Bragging how he was gonna take on this new challenger Gio shook himself awake momentarily as he watched the screen. He'd taped the whole thing while he was out..he knew he wouldn't be at home….but he had no idea who the contestant would be. Leaning forward, tilting his head to the left and right as if to cerebrally verify what his eyes were telling him he blinked several times as he stared at the TV set.
"Ignacio Suarez…what the fuck…why is he on there…man I thought you were ill….my god that's some recovery…and in a cooking competition…why? What the hells the matter?"
Surely he doesn't need the money. Gio knew Betty had returned home, Katy had told him so why would he need to do this. Whatever the reasons, his curiosity pricked Gio continued watching but even he in his wildest imaginings could not have expected what he saw next as Ignacio fell to the floor hurting his back and no longer able to continue only to be replaced by and as he took it all in his heart expanded in his chest….as he gasped aloud…
"Betty Suarez….……BETTY….…..B…baby…!"
His hand across his mouth, his supper and beer now placed from his lap onto the floor as he was all attention Gio watched the amateur attempts of the Latino wonder in front of him trying to cook her papi's chicken mole…..Watching her, hair wild as ever, her mistakes, her nervous laughter and looking sideways to some guy in the background brought back every feeling he had ever felt and kept hidden for nearly a year now, his heart was truly in his mouth he was so excited. Mesmerised Gio took in everything, her hips swaying as she raced around the kitchen, he breasts rubbing on the surface of the kitchen as she reached across for ingredients needed to complete the dish. Momentarily permeated by the sounds of Ignacio and Hilda's voices shouting instructions to her until the ultimate crescendo of activity as Betty jumped for joy as she completed the dish, like that day at the park…she looked so beautiful…..
Putting his cupped fingers of his left hand on the tip of his lips, moving his tongue in and out as his mouth watered and excited beyond his control Gio soaked her in completely her every move and sound that he would play in slow motion to watch again and again over the next hours, days, weeks…..he had no shame as he cried out…..
"I miss you …..Betty Suarez…."
Betty lost the competition, Gio knew she would there was no other way but she was amazing, she was always amazing he knew that, damn it he would always know it but what was all this about, why was Ignacio and Betty doing this…..did she need help, Hilda hadn't got in touch lately but he'd heard she was dating some councillor, he knew a few councillors….some right crooks but hey he wouldn't judge and Hilda was a grown woman capable of making her own mind up and her own mistakes so he didn't push, he knew when to stay away but as his mind worked over time …….
Picking up his mobile, searching for Frankie's number he set the call ring as he looked on Betty's frozen face on the screen, his eyes filling just to see her once more, playing it over and over again until a few seconds later to the theme from Planet Terror ringing on his phone a loud voice answered…..
"Hey, Gio……long time no see bro…what's up….on the scrounge again….little big man…what can I do for ya?."
"Frankie, my man….miss ya dude….you know me too well …I'm after something…I always am and did I thank you for keeping my business afloat when I was ill…."
"Hey no sweat little man….anytime……you'd do if to me I know…were family…so short ass what can I do for ya…..I'm a busy man not like you leaving it to other suckers…."
"Hey you cheeky fuck….good job your on the end of the phone or I'd wup you to an inch of your life….tickling was your weak spot as I recall…Anyway, I've been watching your last show….Suarez…Ignacio….what the frell was he doing on there man what was all that about?"
"Well, seems his family need to raise a lot of money…10,000 dollars to put a down payment or they'll loose their house…You know the bag Gio…they couldn't win. …
or I'm out of a job….but hey man that was one brill chicken mole…that plump girl did a good job when her papi fell….an ugly bird but…."
"Hey, yeah…anyway….they needed money you say ……Do me a favour man…..
Give it to them Frankie…I'm good for it….it'll be in the post tomorrow….don't tell them it's from me…Just tell them you want to ….buy the recipe….yeah that'll do it…..and then give it to me and …tell them you'll use it in your restaurant….say what you have to but I want to help…..the daughters an old friend…."
"What the tall, sexy, tarty one….(silence…OMG!)….No! Not the short, plump babe..you know I'm sure I've seen her before….yeah, yes…I remember now..it's the chick you liked at high school…the geeky one…jeeze Gio…..still hankering for her…are you mad man….so many other babes out there and you still want the ugly one…is it some kind of challenge…..don't tell me she's the one you moped over……Fck….I…." (Interupting)….
"Frankie…quit it…we can't help who we lo….like…I mean I love you man and look at ya you big ugly basrd …. No, do it for me, say nothing just go., take it to them, make it seem a deal, a bargain…employ Ignacio if he wants ..he's one hell of a chef….tap that knowledge Frankie he's something else….but don't say who the money is off…Okay"
"Yeah, yeah and bro you'd better get over her…she was with some tall dude, looked like Josh what's his face…you know the one that bores you to sleep… that singer fella…they were well into each other….(a moment of total silence)….Still wanna give her the money bro…..?"
"Yeah………sure…….do it for me Frankie…..I'll see ya….soon….be good…bye bro…….
"In to each other……?"
TBC