What About The Girl?
By Risty Maskell
Disclaimer: If you recognise it, I don't own it. If you don't recognise it, it's mine.
Summary: It's getting more intriguing...even to me! Read and Review like a good little reader, now, okay?
~*~*~
1998
~*~*~
There was a knock at the door. Michelle Harlow walked down the stairs of her home quickly and went to open the door. As the door opened, she grinned.
"Hey Judy." She said, opening the door wider. "Come on in."
"Hey Michelle. I just came to say Happy Birthday." Judy said, grinning as she stepped across the threshold of the house.
"But my birthday's not until tomorrow!" Michelle said, laughing as Judy handed her a gift.
"Yeah, but come on! Open it!" Judy grinned. Michelle giggled and opened it, her eyes widening. It was a photo frame with Judy and Michelle, giggling at the camera. 'My Best Friend' was emblazoned across the top.
"Judy!" Michelle said, looking from her friend to the picture frame. "Thank you! This is beautiful!" She hugged Judy and giggled.
"It's just a little something..." Judy said, rolling her eyes. "You don't have to go all mushy on me."
There was the sound of a car pulling into the gravel drive and soon after, Michelle's father came in through the kitchen door.
"Michelle?" He called. Michelle and Judy went into the kitchen.
"Hey Dad. How was work?"
Leighton Harlow smiled. "It was ... interesting. Hello Judy."
"Hi Dr Harlow." Judy smiled. "Hey Michelle, I've gotta get going. Mum is taking me and Karl to the mall later. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
"Oh yeah. Seventeen, whoop-de-doo!" Michelle said, waving a hand around in the air. Judy laughed and left. Michelle turned to her father. "So, what interesting sightings were in the papers today?"
"Well, there was a rather interesting sighting of me in Egypt yesterday." Dr Harlow said with a small smile. "And one sighting of me in Belgium."
"Belgium? What, they're starting to link you with Dr Evil from Austin Powers? You don't talk like a Fricking idiot." She said, using a Dr Evil voice. Dr Harlow laughed.
"True. Now, what do you say to some dinner out on the town?"
"Haven't we already gone out this week? Martha said was going to come by later with some of her "undeniably delicious" soup later." Michelle said, rolling her eyes and pretending to look sick. "Where would we go?"
"Nacht Heraus. We haven't been there yet, have we?"
Michelle shook her head. "No. From the sounds of it, it's a very nice place."
"Or perhaps we can go somewhere more... special for your birthday."
She raised an eyebrow. "Where?"
"Shall we say Florence?" His violet eyes twinkled behind his glasses. Michelle smirked.
"Well, you did promise that we would go back there one day... are you sure we won't get caught?"
"Ahh, we won't. Hardly anyone knows us, and your Aunt and cousins moved back to the States about six months after we left."
"Why?"
"I think it had something to do with assisting the FBI in finding me, saying I had abducted you." Michelle snorted. "I suppose they didn't think we'd ever go back to Florence. Or Italy, for that matter."
"How stupid can you get?" Michelle said, leaning on the bench. "Shall I go and pack?"
"Go on then." He said, smiling.
"How long will we be gone for?"
"A week? Maybe two. I have some pending vacation time." Dr Harlow said, smiling and showing a row of shiny white teeth. Michelle shuddered.
"Don't do that smile, Dad... it kind of freaks me out."
"All right, I won't, just for the birthday girl."
~
Michelle looked over her passport. There was her photo, stating her name was 'Carmen Fell'. She chuckled at the many names she'd used since joining her father. Michelle... Carmen... Georgia... Bree... the list could go on for ages if she really thought about it. She settled back in her seat and watched the lights of Stuttgart get smaller and smaller until they faded away behind. She closed her eyes and began to dream.
~D~R~E~A~M~
Juliette, three years old and as happy as a clown, ran down the stairs of the house and going into the kitchen. Juanita, the maid, was making a cake.
"Is that for me?" Squealed Juliette, jumping up and down, clapping her hands. Juanita laughed.
"It is, young Juli. Would you like a taste?"
"Yes please!" Juliette said, giggling. Juanita picked her up so that she could dip a small finger into the bowl. She grinned and put the finger in her mouth before Juanita put her down. "Mmm! It tastes good!" She said, smiling and showing a row of pearly white teeth, just like her fathers.
"Off you go and get changed, Birthday Girl. Your Daddy will be home soon!" Junaita said, chasing her out of the kitchen. Juliette giggled and went back up to her room to change into her pretty birthday frock.
Soon, a car pulled into the garage and she ran down the stairs once again to greet her father. He laughed, picking her up and twirling her around. "My, you look very pretty today, ma'am." He said, eyues twinkling. "Would you care to dance with me?" She laughed again as he picked her up and danced around the room with her to a silent tune. THen he put her down again just as Juanita called 'Dinner's Ready!'
Normally, Hannibal would have cooked, but Juanita was there to take care of Juliette and to cook her meals while he was at work. He smiled at Juanita as he sat down and Juliette sat next to him.
"Bon appetite." He said, smiling at his daughter. She looked at her plate to find her favourite meal, Chicken Parmesean. She squealed.
"Thank you Daddy! Thank you Juanita!" She said.
~E~N~D~ ~D~R~E~A~M~
Michelle woke up to her father shaking her. "Hmm?"
"We've landed, Carmen." He said, smiling. She smiled and yawned. She picked up her knapsack and blinked slowly. The time change was getting to her already. She walked off the plane, her eyelids drooping. Dr Fell put an arm around her and led her toward the car rental desk.
"Ciao, come posso aiutarlo?" The young woman said, smiling at the tired young girl. She turned her gaze to Dr Fell.
"Possiamo affittare un automobile per due settimane?" He asked, returning the smile.
"Naturalmente. Un automobile di medie dimensioni, signore?"
"Sì per favore." He said, smiling. She handed over a form for him to fill in.
"Prego compilereste questa forma e vi fornirò la chiave, signore."
"Naturalmente." He took his fountain pen and filled in the forms. He smiled at the woman and handed them back. SHe gave them the once over and smiled, handing him the key.
"Verso l'esterno nel garage di parcheggio, sig. Fell."
"Dott Fell." He corrected, smiled.
"Spiacente, Dott Fell." She smiled. He took the key and put a hand on Carmen's elbow and gently steered her toward the parking garage. Carmen yawned.
"Hmmm... where are we staying, Dad?"
"Palazzo Belfiore." He answered, parking in front of the splendid hotel.
"Do you always have to go all out?" She smiled sleepily.
"For you," He said. "Of course. Come on. Let's check in and you can go to bed."
~
The next morning, Carmen woke up to the smell of something cooking. She opened her eyes and sat up. The room of her suite she was in, was large. Perhaps a little smaller than her room at home. She got out of bed and put on her robe. Putting on her glasses, she walked out of her room. There was her father, cooking bacon in the kitchenette. He smiled as she came out of her room.
"Happy Birthday, Juliette." He said, using her real name.
"Thank you, Dad." She smiled. He pointed toward the table. Her eyes widened as she noticed all the presents, sitting on the table top. She turned to her father, eyes narrowed playfully. "I told you not to buy all these things for me!"
"Since when have I taken orders from a seventeen year old daughter of mine?" He said.
"Touche." She grinned.
"Well, aren't you going to open them?" He asked, chuckling. She shook her head, laughing and sat at the table. She picked up the nearest present and undid the bow. She opened the box and her eyes widened when she saw the cream pants suit and blue silk shirt. She play-glared at her father and he chuckled as he brought a plate of bacon and eggs over to the table for her. She opened the next box to discover a pair of beautiful Gucci boots. "Damn it, dad!" She said. "I told you not to go all out!"
"And I said that I don't take orders from seventeen year olds. Now eat your breakfast!"
She chuckled and began to eat the breakfast. After she'd finished she looked at her dad. "You know I had a dream on the plane last night." She said, looking at her new clothes.
"Really?" He said, raising an eyebrow. "What was it about?"
"A flash back, really." She said, blinking slowly. "It was my third birthday. We had chicken parmesean... for dinner... Juanita made it."
"You remember Juanita? Well, I never would have thought." His eyes twinkled. "She left when you were just about to turn four."
"Why?"
"If you think I fired her, no. I didn't. Her husband got a transfer to Miami."
"Oh." She looked at another present, opening it. A beautiful coat lay, folded in the tissue paper. "You know, I'm going to hit you in a minute if I open the next one to find an expensive item in it."
"Well, I'll prepare myself." He chuckled. She grinned and opened the next present. Second last. She shook her head as she pulled out a pair of white sandals.
"This really is to much, Dad." She said. She picked up the last box, a small white leather case was inside. She opened it up and gasped when she saw the sapphire earings and necklace on silver chains. "Oh Dad..." She said. "It's beautiful." She put a hand to her mouth and stifled a sob. She threw her arms around him and hugged him tight. "Thank you."
"You're quite welcome." He said, hugging her back, smiling. "Now, go and get changed. We have a big day agead of us. We have some jobs to do at the University."
"What?"
"We have to go and see the Dean."
"What for?" She frowned. "Why the Dean of the University here?"
"Well, I was thinking we'd move back here." He said, quietly, watching her. She looked surprised, then happy, then ecstatic.
"Really?" She asked, hugging him again. "Oh my gosh! Thanks Dad!"
He laughed. "Well, go on! Go and have a shower!"
She gathered her clothes and went into the bathroom. She emerged later, dressed in the pants suit, shirt coat and jewellery and the Gucci boots. Dr Fell had changed into a crisp white linen suit and the white fedora that Juliette had seen him in so long ago.
~
"Sig. Babageallo? Dott Fell e la sua figlia, Carmen sono qui." The secretary said through the intercom.
"Trasmettali dentro." The Dean said, putting his paperwork neatly in a pile on his desk. A tall man in a white linen suit and his daughter walked in. "Ahh, Dott Fell. Un piacere venirli a contatto."
"Un piacere venirli a contatto, sig. Babageallo. Ciò è la mia figlia, Carmen." Dr Fell said, smiling and shaking the mans hand. The Dean offered a hand to Carmen to shake, which she accepted.
"Per favore, siedasi giù." The Dean said, smiling. "Ora, come posso aiutarlo?"
"Vorrei iscrivere la mia figlia a questa università." He answered. Carmen looked at him, mildly surprised. The Dean smiled.
"Sono sicuro che possiamo organizzare quello. Che corsi gradite fare, Carmen?"
"Bene, sono stato sempre un ventilatore di Litriture." She said, gazing at her hands. "Ed Arte. Amo l'arte."
"Bene, qui sono alcuni opuscoli sulle arti e sul Litriture che abbiamo qui." He said, handing some of the brochures over. "Sono sicuro che avrete un posto in uno. Una scelta fine, forza che aggiungo."
Dr Fell's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. The man sounded a lot like Fredrick Chilton. He smiled pleasently as the interview continued.
~
The interview went as well as could be expected. Dr Fell took Carmen shopping after in to get his mind off the Dean. He smiled as Carmen showed him the simple trinkets she liked and laughed when she tried on a funny hat. Yes, life was content at the moment. He put an arm around her shoulder and smiled.
"Shall we go to the opera?" Her eyes widened again.
"Okay, you are definately spoiling me to much!" She said, frowning at him.
"Not at all my dear. Come. Let's go to Anche Usura. I'm sure they have a lovely dress just for you."
Carmen tried to pull away, half-heartedly. She knew that once her father's mind was made up, it took almost anything to make him change it.She followed him into the shop and obliged to try on some dresses.
~
The came back to the hotel almost a hour and a half later, with a righ royal blue dress that matched her earrings and necklace. They had also bought silver high-heeled shoes and elbow length white gloves. Carmen insisted that she use her own money to get her hair done for the occasion.
She went to the boutique in the hotel and a lady named Jasmine, a woman no older than twenty-two, with short blonde hair and an infectious smile, came over to her.
"Italian or English?" She asked in an american accent.
"I like to speak in English." She said, smiling. "But I am fluent in Italian."
"Oh thank you! I've been dying for someone to chatter to in English." Giggled Jasmine. Carmen laughed. "Do you have any idea how weird it gets when you're American, and have to chatter in Italian all day?"
"Yes." She replied, eyes twinkling behind the frames of her glasses.
They chattered on about makeup, hair, clothes, everything. By the time they'd finished Carmen's hair, they had thought of nothing else to talk about. Carmen paid for her hair and smiled at Jas.
"It was nice to meet you, Jassy. Perhaps I'll see you tomorrow."
"Maybe." She smiled. "Enjoy the Opera!"
"I will! Bye!" She walked off, her hair sleek and pretty.
~
Later that night, as she got dressed for the Opera, Carmen picked up the photo of her mother that she took everywhere. She sighed. She was so beautiful. If only she were alive today... She shook her had and walked into the living room. Dr Fell looked up and smiled.
"Hello Carmen. You look just like your mother." He said, pausing when he said 'mother'.
They went outside and drove to the Opera in silence.
Author's note: Yep... its a filler chapter, but I reckon kinda cute...in a way... again, thanks to twistedmind for her input, for feeding bunnykins and for being there for me. Lol. Anyways, yep, Juliette/Carmen/Michelle now has glasses. She's sorta based on me... at least I think... damn wish my dad bought me pretty clothes and expensive shoes and jewellery. *harrumphs* Oh well, can't have it all, I guess.
By Risty Maskell
Disclaimer: If you recognise it, I don't own it. If you don't recognise it, it's mine.
Summary: It's getting more intriguing...even to me! Read and Review like a good little reader, now, okay?
~*~*~
1998
~*~*~
There was a knock at the door. Michelle Harlow walked down the stairs of her home quickly and went to open the door. As the door opened, she grinned.
"Hey Judy." She said, opening the door wider. "Come on in."
"Hey Michelle. I just came to say Happy Birthday." Judy said, grinning as she stepped across the threshold of the house.
"But my birthday's not until tomorrow!" Michelle said, laughing as Judy handed her a gift.
"Yeah, but come on! Open it!" Judy grinned. Michelle giggled and opened it, her eyes widening. It was a photo frame with Judy and Michelle, giggling at the camera. 'My Best Friend' was emblazoned across the top.
"Judy!" Michelle said, looking from her friend to the picture frame. "Thank you! This is beautiful!" She hugged Judy and giggled.
"It's just a little something..." Judy said, rolling her eyes. "You don't have to go all mushy on me."
There was the sound of a car pulling into the gravel drive and soon after, Michelle's father came in through the kitchen door.
"Michelle?" He called. Michelle and Judy went into the kitchen.
"Hey Dad. How was work?"
Leighton Harlow smiled. "It was ... interesting. Hello Judy."
"Hi Dr Harlow." Judy smiled. "Hey Michelle, I've gotta get going. Mum is taking me and Karl to the mall later. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
"Oh yeah. Seventeen, whoop-de-doo!" Michelle said, waving a hand around in the air. Judy laughed and left. Michelle turned to her father. "So, what interesting sightings were in the papers today?"
"Well, there was a rather interesting sighting of me in Egypt yesterday." Dr Harlow said with a small smile. "And one sighting of me in Belgium."
"Belgium? What, they're starting to link you with Dr Evil from Austin Powers? You don't talk like a Fricking idiot." She said, using a Dr Evil voice. Dr Harlow laughed.
"True. Now, what do you say to some dinner out on the town?"
"Haven't we already gone out this week? Martha said was going to come by later with some of her "undeniably delicious" soup later." Michelle said, rolling her eyes and pretending to look sick. "Where would we go?"
"Nacht Heraus. We haven't been there yet, have we?"
Michelle shook her head. "No. From the sounds of it, it's a very nice place."
"Or perhaps we can go somewhere more... special for your birthday."
She raised an eyebrow. "Where?"
"Shall we say Florence?" His violet eyes twinkled behind his glasses. Michelle smirked.
"Well, you did promise that we would go back there one day... are you sure we won't get caught?"
"Ahh, we won't. Hardly anyone knows us, and your Aunt and cousins moved back to the States about six months after we left."
"Why?"
"I think it had something to do with assisting the FBI in finding me, saying I had abducted you." Michelle snorted. "I suppose they didn't think we'd ever go back to Florence. Or Italy, for that matter."
"How stupid can you get?" Michelle said, leaning on the bench. "Shall I go and pack?"
"Go on then." He said, smiling.
"How long will we be gone for?"
"A week? Maybe two. I have some pending vacation time." Dr Harlow said, smiling and showing a row of shiny white teeth. Michelle shuddered.
"Don't do that smile, Dad... it kind of freaks me out."
"All right, I won't, just for the birthday girl."
~
Michelle looked over her passport. There was her photo, stating her name was 'Carmen Fell'. She chuckled at the many names she'd used since joining her father. Michelle... Carmen... Georgia... Bree... the list could go on for ages if she really thought about it. She settled back in her seat and watched the lights of Stuttgart get smaller and smaller until they faded away behind. She closed her eyes and began to dream.
~D~R~E~A~M~
Juliette, three years old and as happy as a clown, ran down the stairs of the house and going into the kitchen. Juanita, the maid, was making a cake.
"Is that for me?" Squealed Juliette, jumping up and down, clapping her hands. Juanita laughed.
"It is, young Juli. Would you like a taste?"
"Yes please!" Juliette said, giggling. Juanita picked her up so that she could dip a small finger into the bowl. She grinned and put the finger in her mouth before Juanita put her down. "Mmm! It tastes good!" She said, smiling and showing a row of pearly white teeth, just like her fathers.
"Off you go and get changed, Birthday Girl. Your Daddy will be home soon!" Junaita said, chasing her out of the kitchen. Juliette giggled and went back up to her room to change into her pretty birthday frock.
Soon, a car pulled into the garage and she ran down the stairs once again to greet her father. He laughed, picking her up and twirling her around. "My, you look very pretty today, ma'am." He said, eyues twinkling. "Would you care to dance with me?" She laughed again as he picked her up and danced around the room with her to a silent tune. THen he put her down again just as Juanita called 'Dinner's Ready!'
Normally, Hannibal would have cooked, but Juanita was there to take care of Juliette and to cook her meals while he was at work. He smiled at Juanita as he sat down and Juliette sat next to him.
"Bon appetite." He said, smiling at his daughter. She looked at her plate to find her favourite meal, Chicken Parmesean. She squealed.
"Thank you Daddy! Thank you Juanita!" She said.
~E~N~D~ ~D~R~E~A~M~
Michelle woke up to her father shaking her. "Hmm?"
"We've landed, Carmen." He said, smiling. She smiled and yawned. She picked up her knapsack and blinked slowly. The time change was getting to her already. She walked off the plane, her eyelids drooping. Dr Fell put an arm around her and led her toward the car rental desk.
"Ciao, come posso aiutarlo?" The young woman said, smiling at the tired young girl. She turned her gaze to Dr Fell.
"Possiamo affittare un automobile per due settimane?" He asked, returning the smile.
"Naturalmente. Un automobile di medie dimensioni, signore?"
"Sì per favore." He said, smiling. She handed over a form for him to fill in.
"Prego compilereste questa forma e vi fornirò la chiave, signore."
"Naturalmente." He took his fountain pen and filled in the forms. He smiled at the woman and handed them back. SHe gave them the once over and smiled, handing him the key.
"Verso l'esterno nel garage di parcheggio, sig. Fell."
"Dott Fell." He corrected, smiled.
"Spiacente, Dott Fell." She smiled. He took the key and put a hand on Carmen's elbow and gently steered her toward the parking garage. Carmen yawned.
"Hmmm... where are we staying, Dad?"
"Palazzo Belfiore." He answered, parking in front of the splendid hotel.
"Do you always have to go all out?" She smiled sleepily.
"For you," He said. "Of course. Come on. Let's check in and you can go to bed."
~
The next morning, Carmen woke up to the smell of something cooking. She opened her eyes and sat up. The room of her suite she was in, was large. Perhaps a little smaller than her room at home. She got out of bed and put on her robe. Putting on her glasses, she walked out of her room. There was her father, cooking bacon in the kitchenette. He smiled as she came out of her room.
"Happy Birthday, Juliette." He said, using her real name.
"Thank you, Dad." She smiled. He pointed toward the table. Her eyes widened as she noticed all the presents, sitting on the table top. She turned to her father, eyes narrowed playfully. "I told you not to buy all these things for me!"
"Since when have I taken orders from a seventeen year old daughter of mine?" He said.
"Touche." She grinned.
"Well, aren't you going to open them?" He asked, chuckling. She shook her head, laughing and sat at the table. She picked up the nearest present and undid the bow. She opened the box and her eyes widened when she saw the cream pants suit and blue silk shirt. She play-glared at her father and he chuckled as he brought a plate of bacon and eggs over to the table for her. She opened the next box to discover a pair of beautiful Gucci boots. "Damn it, dad!" She said. "I told you not to go all out!"
"And I said that I don't take orders from seventeen year olds. Now eat your breakfast!"
She chuckled and began to eat the breakfast. After she'd finished she looked at her dad. "You know I had a dream on the plane last night." She said, looking at her new clothes.
"Really?" He said, raising an eyebrow. "What was it about?"
"A flash back, really." She said, blinking slowly. "It was my third birthday. We had chicken parmesean... for dinner... Juanita made it."
"You remember Juanita? Well, I never would have thought." His eyes twinkled. "She left when you were just about to turn four."
"Why?"
"If you think I fired her, no. I didn't. Her husband got a transfer to Miami."
"Oh." She looked at another present, opening it. A beautiful coat lay, folded in the tissue paper. "You know, I'm going to hit you in a minute if I open the next one to find an expensive item in it."
"Well, I'll prepare myself." He chuckled. She grinned and opened the next present. Second last. She shook her head as she pulled out a pair of white sandals.
"This really is to much, Dad." She said. She picked up the last box, a small white leather case was inside. She opened it up and gasped when she saw the sapphire earings and necklace on silver chains. "Oh Dad..." She said. "It's beautiful." She put a hand to her mouth and stifled a sob. She threw her arms around him and hugged him tight. "Thank you."
"You're quite welcome." He said, hugging her back, smiling. "Now, go and get changed. We have a big day agead of us. We have some jobs to do at the University."
"What?"
"We have to go and see the Dean."
"What for?" She frowned. "Why the Dean of the University here?"
"Well, I was thinking we'd move back here." He said, quietly, watching her. She looked surprised, then happy, then ecstatic.
"Really?" She asked, hugging him again. "Oh my gosh! Thanks Dad!"
He laughed. "Well, go on! Go and have a shower!"
She gathered her clothes and went into the bathroom. She emerged later, dressed in the pants suit, shirt coat and jewellery and the Gucci boots. Dr Fell had changed into a crisp white linen suit and the white fedora that Juliette had seen him in so long ago.
~
"Sig. Babageallo? Dott Fell e la sua figlia, Carmen sono qui." The secretary said through the intercom.
"Trasmettali dentro." The Dean said, putting his paperwork neatly in a pile on his desk. A tall man in a white linen suit and his daughter walked in. "Ahh, Dott Fell. Un piacere venirli a contatto."
"Un piacere venirli a contatto, sig. Babageallo. Ciò è la mia figlia, Carmen." Dr Fell said, smiling and shaking the mans hand. The Dean offered a hand to Carmen to shake, which she accepted.
"Per favore, siedasi giù." The Dean said, smiling. "Ora, come posso aiutarlo?"
"Vorrei iscrivere la mia figlia a questa università." He answered. Carmen looked at him, mildly surprised. The Dean smiled.
"Sono sicuro che possiamo organizzare quello. Che corsi gradite fare, Carmen?"
"Bene, sono stato sempre un ventilatore di Litriture." She said, gazing at her hands. "Ed Arte. Amo l'arte."
"Bene, qui sono alcuni opuscoli sulle arti e sul Litriture che abbiamo qui." He said, handing some of the brochures over. "Sono sicuro che avrete un posto in uno. Una scelta fine, forza che aggiungo."
Dr Fell's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. The man sounded a lot like Fredrick Chilton. He smiled pleasently as the interview continued.
~
The interview went as well as could be expected. Dr Fell took Carmen shopping after in to get his mind off the Dean. He smiled as Carmen showed him the simple trinkets she liked and laughed when she tried on a funny hat. Yes, life was content at the moment. He put an arm around her shoulder and smiled.
"Shall we go to the opera?" Her eyes widened again.
"Okay, you are definately spoiling me to much!" She said, frowning at him.
"Not at all my dear. Come. Let's go to Anche Usura. I'm sure they have a lovely dress just for you."
Carmen tried to pull away, half-heartedly. She knew that once her father's mind was made up, it took almost anything to make him change it.She followed him into the shop and obliged to try on some dresses.
~
The came back to the hotel almost a hour and a half later, with a righ royal blue dress that matched her earrings and necklace. They had also bought silver high-heeled shoes and elbow length white gloves. Carmen insisted that she use her own money to get her hair done for the occasion.
She went to the boutique in the hotel and a lady named Jasmine, a woman no older than twenty-two, with short blonde hair and an infectious smile, came over to her.
"Italian or English?" She asked in an american accent.
"I like to speak in English." She said, smiling. "But I am fluent in Italian."
"Oh thank you! I've been dying for someone to chatter to in English." Giggled Jasmine. Carmen laughed. "Do you have any idea how weird it gets when you're American, and have to chatter in Italian all day?"
"Yes." She replied, eyes twinkling behind the frames of her glasses.
They chattered on about makeup, hair, clothes, everything. By the time they'd finished Carmen's hair, they had thought of nothing else to talk about. Carmen paid for her hair and smiled at Jas.
"It was nice to meet you, Jassy. Perhaps I'll see you tomorrow."
"Maybe." She smiled. "Enjoy the Opera!"
"I will! Bye!" She walked off, her hair sleek and pretty.
~
Later that night, as she got dressed for the Opera, Carmen picked up the photo of her mother that she took everywhere. She sighed. She was so beautiful. If only she were alive today... She shook her had and walked into the living room. Dr Fell looked up and smiled.
"Hello Carmen. You look just like your mother." He said, pausing when he said 'mother'.
They went outside and drove to the Opera in silence.
Author's note: Yep... its a filler chapter, but I reckon kinda cute...in a way... again, thanks to twistedmind for her input, for feeding bunnykins and for being there for me. Lol. Anyways, yep, Juliette/Carmen/Michelle now has glasses. She's sorta based on me... at least I think... damn wish my dad bought me pretty clothes and expensive shoes and jewellery. *harrumphs* Oh well, can't have it all, I guess.