Chapter 5

Philadelphia was now divided by both supporters as well as opponents of the new couple. It was official, had been for a few weeks now, that the most allegeable bachelor Jack Dawson was courting the eldest daughter of the DeWitt Bukater household. He had been visiting her at least three times a week since his first dahlia visit. Between the busy hours of work, he managed to squeeze in free moments for the young woman. Every time he saw her, Jack was convinced that she became more beautiful. It was easy to impress her and she agreed with every opinion he had about whatever kind of subject the two were discussing. It would fix everything that was ruined, he told himself every single day. But the empty feeling that lingered within him did not go away. The image of his brother had been crossing Jack's mind a lot. It was an image he could not live up to. Geoffrey Dawson was the person that held their family together. He was always involved in everyone's life and his intelligence was beyond compare. Everyone loved his older brother and were trying their hardest to find a piece of him in Jack. It was simply impossible for him to obtain such excellence, making his truest self crumble to pieces.

He combed his hair back carefully, fixed the cuffs on his suit and headed down the stairs. Mr. and Mrs. Dawson were already waiting for their son outside. Alexandra waved her hand at his direction, urging him to make haste. Jack glanced at his younger brothers one last time before they shut the door behind him.

It would be the first time for the two families to have dinner together. Violet was nervously rushing around her sister's room, looking at the clock every few seconds. Rose groaned and turned around from her vanity.

"You either leave my room now or manage to calm yourself down." She snapped at Violet in annoyance. Her sister stopped, sighed and dropped down onto her bed. She watched how Rose refused Trudy to pin her hair up and shook her head.

"Just put your hair up, Rose. It looks a lot more sophisticated especially with that dress you are wearing."

"I am still allowed to have it down, so I will have it down whenever I want to."

Violet scoffed. "Your debutante ball will be a total disaster If you keep behaving like this. Have you begun you dancing lessons?"

Before Rose could answer, their mother's voice came echoing through the house. "Girls, get yourselves downstairs. They are here!"

Violet shut up and inspected herself one last time in the mirror. "How do I look?"

"You look really beautiful, miss." Trudy answered, but before she could finish her sentence, Violet was already out the door.

"Don't say things you don't mean, Trudy." Rose chuckled at her maid.

Lined up as soldiers, the Dawsons were welcomed like royalty. Then he stopped in front of her and gave her a slight nod out of etiquette followed by a simple good evening. Rose remained silent. It was the first time she had seen him since brothel disaster. All these weeks she had been able to avoid him at all costs, except for tonight. Her parents insisted on her to join the dinner. Even Edward was allowed to eat with them. As they headed towards the dining room, Violet had clung onto him like an ants sticking to honey.

"I am afraid that is my seat, Mr. Dawson." She said plainly as he was about to sit down. Violet looked at her with burning eyes.

"And tonight it is Mr. Dawson's seat, Rose." She gritted between her teeth.

"It is alright, Violet." Jack laughed on the wrong side of his mouth, "I don't want to disturb your table hierarchy. I will sit next to your father."

Rose sat down and finally felt she was able to breathe. Despite the deliciousness of every meal their cook had prepared, the youngest sister had lost her hunger completely. She could her everyone talk and laugh, yet barely participated in any conversation. This was her life, she thought. This would always be her life and it was on the verge to get worse after her coming out. The thought of it alone made her want to scream and perhaps she already was. Mentally she felt as if she was standing in the middle of a crowded room, screaming at the top of her lungs and no one even looked up. No one cared that she felt as if she was already dying.

"We were so surprised about the match," Alexandra Dawson then said, "surprised in a good way, of course."

"I guess the whole city was," Rose suddenly mingled in, "Our family is so dull with our fair complexion and bright red hair. When I look at Mr. Dawson I…" Then she stopped and took a huge sip of her wine, "Excuse me, it is not for me to speak of my opinion so bluntly."

"No, please speak out loud, miss." Mr. Dawson encouraged her. He was too curious what she had to say about his son.

"Well, If you insist, sir." She responded, "I believed Mr. Dawson to be the kind of man who'd fall for the more exotic type of woman. Perhaps long, black curly hair, olive toned skin and dark brown eyes."

Jack bit the inside of his cheek and dropped his cutlery on the table. It was the perfect description of Alice. "Your presumptions were entirely wrong, miss."

"Indeed they were, Mr. Dawson." She smiled viciously at him, "When I look at the two of you together I realise how truly wrong I was. You and my sister make the most adorable couple."

Everyone nodded their heads before returning to their own conversations. Rose dropped her shoulders and returned to her own thoughts. In a way she regretted her remark for he now knew that she knew about his scandalous trips. At times, she despised how quick she was in expressing her own opinions, which had gotten her in big trouble many times before. It was unladylike, her parents had told her. But tonight, despite Jack Dawson himself, no one seemed to mind. Both families were playing the part of utter perfection as they were too desperate for the match between the two.

Dessert was cleared and they all retreated towards the drawing room for a glass of brandy. Rose crawled behind the piano as she did almost every single night. It was the best way to remain in everyone's company without having to participate in even more mindless conversation.

After ten minutes or so, she saw a shadow come up to her from behind. It was Jack who stopped next to the piano and leaned his hand on the side "Miss DeWitt Bukater, may I speak with you for a second?" He asked most urgently.

"Sure." Rose responded in the most calm manner. She kept her eyes on the sheet music in front of her.

"In private."

"Can it wait after I am done playing?" She still did not look at him and flicked a page with her left hand whilst continuing the melody with her right.

"No it can not. I'll be waiting for you in the library." As her fingers moved over the keys with a fast pace, she watched as he unnoticeably made his leave. After a minute she stopped, stood up and smiled at everyone who stared at her in confusion.

"I suddenly feel that I need to powder my nose. If you will excuse me for a minute, I'll continue once I get back." Lifting her dress a few inches off the ground so she wouldn't trip over her train, she hurtled out. Stopping in front of the door, Rose took a deep breath and contemplated her decision on agreeing with his request. She could turn back around and continue with her musical performance. His silhouette suddenly appeared in front of her and he dragged her inside. Quickly pulling her arm from his grip she ordered him not to touch her. Jack Dawson was outraged and if he were to be a wild animal, Rose had to fear for her life.

"Despite your disgustingly disrespectful remark about me at the dinner table," He growled at her, pointing his finger directly at her face, "How do you even get to the idea of following my exact whereabouts?"

"You mean to the whorehouse?" She raised the tone of her voice on purpose and he hushed her down, now planting his finger onto her lips. She backed away from him, her heart racing with fury. Of course he thought she had followed him. A girl of her standing wouldn't even think about going near to those places on her own. Except for her, obviously. She couldn't tell him about her curious demeanour, it would be too ridiculous to even believe. Therefore, she had to go along with his presumptions. "Oh please, do you really think I am in the position to tell my family about your sex spree?" She then said, "If my parents find out that I even was in that part of the city, I'll be fed to the lions. So don't worry, Mr. Dawson, your secret is safe with me."

In a way, the pride in her voice made him believe her. Although his furry did not fade, he stepped back. Perhaps he felt rather stupid than angry, for she had seen a scene unfold in front of her eyes that was far from the truth. Yes, he had indulged of the pleasure of women, especially his exotic one, but after his encounter with Miss Violet he had written Alice a heartfelt letter that his sensual rituals with her were now officially over. She, on the other hand, did not accepted. For days he was pained with notes and telegrams, even small gifts. Him visiting her one last time was needed to put an end all schemes. Not for the sake of pleasure, but to tell her with a strict manner that he had to perform his duties. With a final kiss on his lips, Alice wiped her tears away and disappeared among her sort.

"I hope I can trust you with that, miss DeWitt Bukater… I know I can't do anything without you finding a fault, yet I also hope you realise that no matter what you do to patronise me, it won't work to keep me away from your sister."

Rose bit her bottom lip and swallowed the lump in her throat. "I will not let you use my family for the sake of protecting your own name." Now almost tripping over her gown, Rose managed to escape from his presence and fled back towards the drawing room. Everyone was still bothered with their own conversation and hadn't noticed she was gone for quite a long time. Ruth stood up from her chair and put her drink away before tapping the shoulder of her youngest daughter.

"Would you want to sing a song for us whilst Violet accompanies you on the piano?" Her parents had never been enthusiastic about her creative skills apart from her musical talent. Rose's voice sounded as sweet as honey and she would often entertain guests with a song or two after dinner. Ruth believed it to be the perfect solution to keep everyone entertained once the topics over conversation had turned dull. Rose nodded her head and signed for her sister to come join her. Clearing her throat she put on her sweetest smile as everyone turned their attention towards them. As Violet started the tune, Rose began to sing one of her favourite songs.

There's been a sayin' goin' round

And I begin to think it's true

It's awful hard to love someone

When they don't care about you

Her eyes were glued to the door and after a few seconds he walked through, taking a seat next to his mother. Mrs. Dawson whispered something in his ear and he nodded his head, then turning his gaze towards the two performers. Rose couldn't tell if he was staring at her or her sister, but either way, the strange sensation that fluttered in her stomach did not seem to fade. She could still feel his touch burning on her lips. How was a person able to to trigger all of her senses at the same time. This feeling of hatred was completely new to her. It was beyond powerful and Rose despised it.

Once I had a lovin' gal

The sweetest little thing in town

But now she's gone and left me

She done turn me down

Blowing out the smoke through her window she leaned her head against its frame. The sky looked beyond beautiful and they were close to a full moon. Rose wasn't a superstitious person, but she always believed that the power of the moon had a great impact on her sleep. She felt restless, with the strange urge to run around the garden until her feet gave up. The rest of the evening had continued rather peacefully between her rival and herself. She simply kept ignoring him until they were finally gone. Someone suddenly knocked on her door distracting her from her own thoughts. Without waiting for a response, Violet walked inside. Rose quickly threw away her cigarette and closed the window.

"You can smell it from outside of your room, Rose, so it's no use hiding it." She said and closed the door behind her. She was still dressed in her evening gown. Her cheeks were flushed and she had a mischievous grin plastered on her face.

"Something has happened, Violet, has it not?"

"He kissed me Rose!" She hopped slightly into the air and fell down onto her bed. Rose's mouth turned dry and she scratched the back of her neck. This information was not necessary and she noticed how uneasy it made her feel. Looking at the expression of her sister, she noticed something she wished was not true. Her eyes were sparkling, lost inside a dream of some sort. A dream that was now slowly starting to become reality. "That is wonderful sister, but the night is still young so you probably won't be de only one he locks lips with today." The sentence lay on the tip of her tongue, but she managed to swallow the words just in time. Rose sat down beside Violet, took her hair out of her bun and started to brush it gently.

"The look on your face worries me." Rose admitted.

Violet scoffed. "And why is that so?"

"It looks like you are in love."

It was quiet between the two of them for a short while until Violet nodded her head. She did not need to say more. Rose didn't want to hear anything about this man. She had come to know him in her own way and she knew that was the only truth. Nonetheless, her sister, who lifted herself up and sighed, took Rose's hands in hers. Uncomfortable by the feeling she remained seated, accepting Violet's touch.

"I believe I am in love, my dearest sister. I am in love!" She laughed hysterically like a little school girl.

Rose's body cringed. "My God, Violet. You've only known the man for a few weeks, kissed him once and you call this love? Have you even spent time with this man unchaperoned?"

"Yes, I have! Just know, when you were already upstairs, he pulled me aside and kissed me. I have never met a man so well-mannered and so handsome."

This is bad, Rose thought to herself, this is really bad. A sudden rush of heat overtook her body and she ran back towards the window, opening it all the way. Inhaling the fresh air of the night she shook her head. She wanted to scream out her secret, shake her back into reality. Rose knew that it was more the idea of being desired that triggered her sister than love itself.

"I know you don't like him, Rose." Violet said, "I sometimes believe you even hate him for reasons I cannot comprehend."

That was true.

"Hate is too big of an emotion," she lied, "I just do not trust the man. Even when he does nothing, every spinster here or in Boston, throws herself at his feet and it's unnatural." Still looking straight ahead, her eyes fixated on the pond in the backyard, her breathing trembled. "I know we don't always see eye to eye, Violet, but you are still my sister and I don't want you to get hurt."

Violet had walked up to her and placed a kiss on her cheek. "That is very sweet of you. Only, I will show you that your presumptions are wrong. He is my perfect match, Rose." With that, she headed towards her own room.

The next morning, on the other side of the city, Jack Dawson prepared himself for a boxing match with his mates. It was their perfect form of activity to get away from their structured life. He punched the bag fast and as hard as possible like a bull bursting through a red flag.

"My parents want me to invite them to our country house. The whole family. All of them." Of course, they were discussing the progress on his courting with the eldest of the Bukater sisters, for what else was there to talk about.

"Well isn't it a good thing?" John, his closest friend since childhood said, "It's good to get to know her family as well. See what kind of catch you've got on the hook."

"I already know what kind of family she grew up in. Her parents are reasonable, I suppose. Her mother can be somewhat controlling at times and her father is rather her sister," he groaned in annoyance as her image appeared in his mind, "She is the most annoying, aggravating, self-centred woman I have ever come across. The very thought of being in her presence for two weeks makes me sick to my stomach."

John laughed loudly and handed him a towel to clean his sweating body with. "Oh come on, Jack, I haven't come all the way to Philadelphia to hear your fire spitting hate declaration to some random girl. The house is big, therefore enough space to ignore her. Just focus on Violet, propose and then focus on your wedding." It all sounded so easy, yet still felt so difficult. His friend was already married, had been for three years. Now with his third child on the way, his life looked like the perfect picture. The way he loved his wife was rare. They were happy and, at times, it made Jack jealous. He threw the towel to the side and jumped up and down to get his body warm again.

"Do you love her, Jack?" John asked him in all seriousness.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Love is too big of an emotion, my friend. But, perhaps, that feeling will grow in time." He then punched the bag with such power his hand started to throb with pain.