Betty's First Trip to Rome the Prequel - Chapter 8 – Snacking on Muffins

Gio and Hilda were still sitting at the quiet table in the coffee bar. Hilda was studying the list that Daniel had given her and Daniel was buying muffins for everyone.

Gio stared off into space with a resigned look on his face and waited. He was willing to do anything to get Betty back but this was becoming something like a military operation. And it was torture. He never thought it would come to this. Who would ever expect this?

Daniel placed the muffins down in front of each of them. Gio stared at his bran muffin and remembered that the last muffin he'd shared with Betty was a bran muffin. Was that really only four days ago? He looked down at the muffin sadly and sighed. He wasn't hungry.

Hilda observed Gio's downcast look. Reaching over she cupped his face in her hand and tilted it towards her so she could look at it carefully. Gio was passive. He had given up resisting and he let her do what she wanted.

Hilda said "Look there Daniel. You see that? Gio's exhausted." She stroked his cheek with her thumb and looked at Daniel. "New razor."

Daniel made a note and said "Got it."

Hilda turned back to Gio "Have you been sleeping?"

"Not much." Gio confessed.

"Daniel we have to do something. He's starting to look haggard. We need him to get some rest." Hilda let go of Gio's face.

"I have some good pills. You want those?" Daniel offered.

"No. None of that." Gio refused firmly.

"They are legit. Kind of. Perfectly safe." Daniel said.

"I only eat whole foods. Organic. Nothing else." Gio stated "All natural. That's all that goes into this." Gio gestured at his physique.

"Oh? Good for you. You look pretty buff." Hilda said admiringly. Daniel agreed.

"I work out." Gio said proudly, pleased by their attention.

Gio held up his arm to show off his bicep.

"Arms to die for." said Hilda shaking her head "Do you think Betty needs new glasses? Why can't she see what's right in front of her?"

"Hmm, never thought of that. Maybe?" said Daniel.

"Daniel, make sure you have some short sleeve shirts on your shopping list. And how about a nice black v-neck sweater? Preferably cashmere. Snug."

"That might be a bit hot. Rome can be hot this time of year." Gio countered.

"It must be cooler in the evenings. Cashmere is touchable. So touchable, I'm telling you, it is irresistible."

"I'll pray for cool weather." said Gio.

"That reminds me. You're Catholic?" Hilda asked.

"Yes." Gio answered.

"And you go to church every Sunday?"

Gio paused, and said "Yes?"

Hilda replied "The answer is yes, with no pause. Remember that. You have an interview with Papi coming up, but don't worry about it now. I'll coach you. You got the cashmere sweater Daniel?"

"Yes. It's on there. I've been known to wear that kind of sweater. Looks good. Looks very good with jeans." Daniel said.

"Mmmm. Boy, I am enjoying this. I already know Gio looks good in jeans. Really good. Do you want to stand up Gio and turn around so I can see your nice butt?"

Gio blushed "No, I do not."

"I'll leave that treat for the shop girls then. Too bad for me." Hilda said gaily.

"Let's talk about jewelry." Hilda said. "You seem to wear a lot. A gold chain, a leather cord, a bracelet, a watch, and a ring. Does he have on a bit much Daniel? At least you don't have earrings. That would be pushing it."

"No, I don't wear earrings!" Gio said "But what's wrong with this stuff? I need it. I mean it's an Italian thing. You know. You're not saying I look gay are you?"

"No, I'd say metro-sexual. I think you are hitting it right on." said Daniel.

"God help me." said Gio in a pained tone "I can thank god Daniel is okay with my jewelry."

"But please don't add any more okay? Do we want to talk hair now?" asked Hilda placing her hand on Gio's bristly head.

Gio picked Hilda's hand up and put it back on the table. "No. There's nothing you can do with this, I'm afraid."

"Well, let it grow out for heaven's sake!" said Hilda.

"Are you saying you don't like my ears?" Gio asked coyly.

"Look at this Gio." Hilda ran her fingers through Daniel's hair gently mussing it. Daniel smiled and laughed. Hilda winked at Gio. "Now, this is good hair. See that? This is what we are going for. But there is nothing we can do about it now. Just let it grow, okay?"

"Okay. Okay. Next."

"Ah. Okay, here's a good one. Boxers or briefs? What do you think Daniel?" Hilda said looking at Daniel "I suppose I better go with whatever you think on this one. Although, if it was up to me I'd go with boxers. Not only are they sexy, they are multifunctional. How about silk?"

Gio was speechless.

Daniel pondered the question for a bit. "There are pros and cons to both. What do you think Gio?"

"Oh! I get a choice?" Gio said. He was getting a little mortified by the invasive experience. It was way beyond anything he had thought they were going to do when he agreed to let them improve his appearance.

"Like I said, it is going to be hot. We have to keep that in mind." Gio added. He was too shy to reveal his preference in front of Hilda.

Daniel said "Okay. Boxers then. Silk boxers. It's on the list."

Hilda clapped her hands.

Daniel went down the list. "Suit, tie, shirts, shoes. I'll take Gio to my favorite tailor. We can get something good there. The wedding is a godsend Gio. You'll look good in a suit, I'll take care of that, and there's nothing more romantic than a wedding. It will be sure to put Betty into the right mood. It never fails. What about Betty's clothes? Have you thought of that Hilda? She'll need some new dresses. We can't have Gio looking better than she does can we?"

Hilda had thought about this problem. She didn't think there would be enough time in the schedule to fit a shopping trip into the gap between when Betty might decide to go and the flight itself. She thought the best idea was for Betty to buy the dresses in Rome. It's a big city and would have lots of good shopping. It would be good for her to go shopping. Hilda thought shopping was almost as good as therapy. Therefore, the more time she spent shopping the better.

Hilda said "She will have to shop in Rome. Gio, you'll need to ask one of your Aunts over there for suggestions. I'll let Daniel explain how to handle shopping with women when he goes over everything like that."

"Everything like what?" Gio asked with a startled look.

Daniel explained "We'll get to it later. No rush. I'll be giving you a little coaching, that's all. Remember, I know Betty pretty well. And other ladies of course. I'll simply be giving you a few tips."

Hilda giggled.

Gio looked back and forth between Daniel and Hilda. They had obviously done a lot of planning. He was grateful, but he felt his privacy was being more than a little invaded. He was even starting to look forward to the shopping trip with Daniel because then he could get away from Hilda's scrutiny.

Hilda said "We're nearly done here. You need to go shopping and I need some time this afternoon to think and prepare for when Betty gets home. I need to work out every possible scenario. I have to map out several contingency plans. I just have to gently guide her into thinking rationally. Gee, when I say it like that it doesn't sound like it should be that hard."

"No. But this is Betty we're talking about. We all know that she is in a very poor state of mind. What are you going to do?" Daniel replied.

"It is called active listening. I've got some experience but this is one tough case. When you do it right the patient doesn't think you did anything. I'll have a good idea how we're doing after tonight's session. If it isn't too late I will call you." Hilda looked at Gio. "Now I'm going to ask Daniel to sit at another table for a few minutes while I ask you some very personal questions. Remember, I still have to deal with Papi."

Gio's eyes widened. He blushed. Just when he thought it couldn't get any worse, it did. He looked at Daniel. He gave Daniel a pleading look. Daniel stood up, patted Gio on the shoulder, told him some reassuring words, and moved to the counter in the front of the coffee bar.

Finally Hilda was satisfied and they were ready to leave. Daniel and Gio took the town car and shopped for the rest of the afternoon. Hilda picked up ice cream on the way home.

Later that night Gio woke up to the sound of his cell phone "Hello?" he answered sleepily.

Hilda was excited but she kept her voice low "Hey, sounds like you are getting the beauty sleep you need. We have a big break Gio! I'm going to phone Daniel now. You can expect him to call you in the morning so don't sleep in. Oh, I am so excited I can taste those shoes already. Good night."

Gio put down the phone and smiled. It sounded like very good news. He drifted off to sleep wondering what Hilda meant by tasting shoes.