Betty's First Trip to Rome the Prequel - Chapter 16 – Reunion
Gio opened the door to the lounge and the first thing he saw was Betty smiling back at him. Her smile was brilliant. He'd never seen her without braces. Her face was lit up ten times brighter than he'd ever seen before. He was mesmerized by the sight and stopped walking suddenly. Daniel was forced to step around him.
Betty rushed to where Gio stood motionless and wrapped her arms around him. She cried out "Gio" and hugged him with unreserved warmth. She hugged him tightly. She hugged him lovingly. She hugged him like she was high on perfume.
Gio left his hands at his sides awkwardly. He didn't move. He didn't want to interrupt Betty's hug. He whispered sweetly into Betty's ear 'Long time, no see B.' and Betty laughed.
Daniel caught Gio's eye and signaled for him to hug Betty back. Gio complied. He happily held her. He slid his hands down Betty's silky hair which was cascading down her back. He melted into her hug and closed his eyes. Betty's hands explored Gio. Her hands delighted in the contrast between the softness of the cashmere wool and the firmness of his body beneath it. Gio's pulse jumped at her touch. He was elated to feel her caresses and hold her in his arms.
Betty wished the tender moment would last forever. She felt immense relief that Gio was holding her.
Betty pulled out of the hug and took Gio's hand. She led him away from Daniel and Claire and towards the windows. Daniel and Claire receded to the other side of the room out of earshot but stayed within sight of the couple.
When they reached the windows Betty looked out at the glass towers reflecting the late afternoon light and said in a serious tone "Gio, we have to talk."
Gio recognized the phrase. It is often used to warn the listener of unwelcome news. He felt a chill on his heart and steeled himself for what she was about to say. Gio started to apologize to Betty. He apologized for everything he could think of.
Betty let go of Gio's hand and motioned for him to stop speaking and continued "Gio, I want us to be friends."
Gio didn't know what to say. The ecstasy of the last few moments evaporated instantly. He felt empty. So that was it. She wanted them to be friends, just friends. He didn't understand how his instincts could be so wrong. Was she saying that that hug meant nothing to her? How could it be? He couldn't prevent his face from revealing the extent of his disappointment.
Betty struggled to maintain her will. She could see she was hurting Gio again. She hated to do it but she had to protect herself. She was telling him this to ward off his ambushes of affection. She had decided this was the best way to handle him. She knew he didn't want to hear this. She knew he wanted to be much more than friends. She wanted them to be more than friends too, someday.
Betty asked "Can we be friends? I can't be more than that to you right now."
Gio pulled himself together and replied "Of course. That would be great." He was happy that at least they would be talking to each other again. At least he could see her again.
Betty replied "No. I know that isn't what you want. I know you want more, right?"
There wasn't any reason to deny it. He had made himself clear about it before and his feelings for her had not changed. Gio nodded sadly.
Betty wanted to cheer him up. She said "It could still happen Gio, in the future. I want you to know it is possible." Betty was already half in love with Gio but she didn't want him to know it yet. She was in a precarious state of mind. She had to hold him back while she learned to manage her fear of being overwhelmed by him. She needed time.
She needed him to wait. After what he had said at the park she was worried he wouldn't do it and asked "Will you wait?"
He felt encouraged. He could see her and she didn't rule out a closer relationship for later. He knew this would mean that he would have to go to Rome alone. But then after he returned he had her permission to resume his slow courtship of her.
Since the day Gio met Betty he was intrigued by her. He had been surprised and entranced to discover someone with her unique wit and perspective. Who else would have woofed at him when he quacked? She got under his skin that day and there was no going back. He had never had a relationship with a woman that had taken a hold on him like this one had.
He would wait. He had no choice but to agree to it. Gio nodded again.
Betty was flooded with relief and immediately burst into tears. She felt a mixture of strong and conflicting emotions. He was so good. She was very sorry to disappoint him again. She hated that she had to make him wait but she was afraid of what would happen if she didn't. Betty apologized to Gio through her tears. She kept apologizing even as Gio told her there was nothing for her to apologize about.
Daniel had bought Gio monogrammed handkerchiefs as a gift and Gio took one from his pocket. It was new and pristine. The soft fabric was lightly scented with Gio's cologne. Gio handed it to Betty. Betty took the handkerchief from him and dried her eyes.
Betty asked Gio why he was going to Rome. She told him that she wanted to go. She asked him why the trip could not be delayed until she was ready to go.
Gio explained why he had to go now. He explained about his grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary celebration and his cousin's wedding. He explained about the reunion of Rossi family members from around the world and the many events that were planned.
Gio said "I asked them for an invitation for you. I wanted you to meet my relatives. I wanted them to meet you. But don't worry about me. They will fix me up with a date for the parties. I will have someone to talk to, someone to eat with and dance with while I am there. Whenever you are ready to go I will take you. I can go again whenever you want. What do you think?"
Betty thought about this. She had not known the reason for why Gio was going to Rome. She had thought that the timing was something he had chosen and that it was something he could change. She realized that his leaving for Rome now was not his choice. And it was a very special trip. He had to go. His trip could not be postponed for her.
She thought about his relatives and how much she wanted to know them. She admired the fact that he had a big and loving family. The events sounded wonderful. Everything sounded exactly like what she would love the most. She looked away and frowned when she thought about Gio taking another girl to the events. She hated to think of him talking and dancing with someone else.
Gio could see that Betty was lost in thought. He tucked his hands in his pockets. He was afraid they might reach out to Betty of their own volition. He tried to calm himself as he waited anxiously to hear what she would say.
Daniel and Claire were watching Betty and Gio and discussing them. They saw their warm lingering hug and were very encouraged. They observed them talking by the windows. Claire explained to Daniel that she had not found out much from Betty. She explained that Betty had been silent for a long while before she asked her to call him. Daniel got Hilda on the phone but he had little information to tell her.
Daniel and Claire observed Betty drop Gio's hand and his disappointment. It was clearly visible from his posture. Daniel relayed it to Hilda. They puzzled anxiously over what Gio and Betty were saying to each other. Daniel and Claire could not see Betty's face but they could see that she was crying. They saw Gio hand her the handkerchief. Hilda stayed on the phone as they watched and they wondered.
Finally Betty looked back at Gio and said "Okay, uh, crazy idea - can I go with you now? Could we travel together as friends?" She was really asking whether Gio could restrain his impulses. She thought if he could do it then she could be comfortable with him. She'd been friends with him for a long time and he was always a perfect friend. She had no doubt he would be a good friend to travel with if he was willing to settle for it.
Gio looked at Betty in amazement. She trusted him. He could not believe it. He barely trusted himself. He was overjoyed. This was almost perfect. It was much closer to perfect than he had expected. He whispered "Of course. That would be great."
Betty gazed in surprise at Gio. She was as astonished as he was. It took a moment for it to sink in. She had not expected this. She had figured out the perfect solution to her dilemma and Gio had agreed to it.
Betty suddenly started to jump up and down. She jumped and shouted "I'm going to Rome! I'm going to Rome! Oh my god, I'm going to Rome!"
Gio glanced around quickly to make sure nothing breakable was in harm's way.
Daniel and Claire hugged each other. Daniel told Hilda that Betty was jumping and what she was shouting but it wasn't necessary because Hilda could hear it herself.
Betty rushed over to Claire and Daniel and announced "Gio and I are friends again and we are going to Rome together!"
Gio followed Betty. When he reached them Gio looked at Daniel with gratitude and shook his hand warmly.
Claire could discern from Betty that they weren't back together as a couple but she was pleased anyway. The trip was back on. She observed Gio. She recognized his look. He was smitten. She realized they would not need privacy for themselves that night. She decided it might be better if they didn't have any privacy just yet. Claire thought of an idea.
Claire said "Let's celebrate! Let's have dinner together. Right here in the adjacent boardroom. We'll bring in some take out food. We'll make it a formal dinner and invite your family!"
Daniel invited Hilda and the rest of the Suarez family to dinner at the Meade building. He said it'd be a formal occasion. He told her to wear her new dress and invited her to pick out some matching shoes when she got there. He said he'd call Christina and arrange it. He told her to start getting ready and he'd send a car to pick them up.
Claire opened a drawer and handed Daniel a menu for a Chinese restaurant and suggested they get the dinner for ten. She told him to take Gio and Daniel Jr. with him to help carry the food back. Then she took Betty to see Christina to find her something special to wear for the dinner.
When Daniel, Gio and Daniel Jr. arrived on the top floor of the Meade building with the Chinese food they found Ignacio and Justin waiting for them. They both looked excited and very handsome dressed in their Sunday best. Hilda had gone to the closet to meet Christina and pick out her new shoes.
The men unpacked the boxes and arranged the containers of food, the paper plates, and the chopsticks on the boardroom table. Daniel found some champagne and glasses and set them out. The boys set up the audio system and selected some music. Soon the women started to arrive and everyone went over to the door to greet them.
Christina and Betty entered first. Everyone praised Betty's dress. Christina had found a lovely gown for her to wear with matching shoes and accessories. Betty was pleased as she walked towards where Gio and Daniel were standing.
Betty smiled shyly at Gio.
Gio looked admiringly at Betty and said "Pretty dress. Pretty smile." then he smiled mischievously and added "Hey, you got your braces off just in time!"
Betty replied suspiciously "Thanks, I think. Why do you say that? In time for what?"
Gio grinned and said "Now you won't get us into trouble at the airport by setting off the metal detectors!"
"Huh!" said Betty. She laughed cheerfully and slapped Gio's arm. The palm of her hand lingered on his arm when she felt the soft wool. Gio's heart raced from feeling her hand on him. He started to imagine taking a hold of her face in his hands and bringing it to his. He imagined the softness and taste of Betty's tempting lips. Her teeth looked so smooth. He thought of how sweet kissing her would be now there were no braces under her lips to interfere with his tongue.
Gio realized now that since the moment he was sure she'd broken up with Henry, that moment in the deli when she told him their relationship was over, he was in trouble. He couldn't always stop himself from acting on his desires. Hilda had explained it to him. She had warned him about it.
He was dismayed to find himself imagining kissing Betty only an hour after he told her he was content to be her friend. He silently cursed himself. It was going to be harder than he thought. He swore to himself that he was going to be the friend to Betty she had asked him to be.
Unaware of the narrowly averted threat Betty gently withdrew her hand from his arm. Gio had barely maintained control. He had come close to surprising and frightening her again. Even though he knew the danger he decided to wear the sweater at every opportunity no matter how hot the weather was in Rome.
Daniel had been watching Betty and Gio interact and he resolved to speak to Gio privately as soon as he could.
Just then Claire entered. Everyone turned to look as she held the door open for Hilda.
Hilda walked in looking gorgeous in her new dress. It was a strapless full length gown made of shimmering ivory silk that draped her figure gracefully. The shoes were elegant high heels in a burnished copper color. Her silky brunette hair was swept up and coiled on her head. Hilda was stunning. She had completely transformed herself from vamp to glamorous sophisticate. She was as beautiful as any women a rich eligible bachelor such as Daniel Meade would be proud to have on his arm at a society event.
Everyone gasped in amazement. Hilda smiled in pleasure when she noticed the attention of the entire group was focused on her.
Betty observed that Hilda and Daniel had only glanced at each other and said to Hilda "I know you and Daniel are seeing each other. You don't have to pretend you aren't anymore."
Daniel heard what Betty said and suddenly remembered his lie about dating Hilda. He'd completely forgotten about it. And he hadn't told Hilda about it. He snapped to attention just as Hilda said in a puzzled tone "What are you talking about Betty? Daniel and I …" but her sentence was interrupted.
Daniel had sprung over to Hilda exclaiming "Darling!" As fast as he could he grasped her firmly by the shoulders and covered her lips with his own.