Betty's First Trip to Rome the Prequel - Chapter 17 – Chinese Banquet
Hilda was shocked to find herself suddenly being kissed by Daniel. She pushed back forcefully but he had a firm grip on her shoulders. Daniel could feel her resistance and he kept the pressure on her lips. After a few seconds he disengaged and just as Hilda started to say "Listen, Daniel …" he urgently hissed in her ear "Play along with me. I'll explain in a moment." Hilda relaxed and let Daniel finish the hug. Then he led her a few steps away from the others so they were out of earshot.
Hilda whispered "What's up Daniel? Why are we supposed to be dating?"
Daniel answered "Sorry about that. I messed up with Betty and I had to improvise. Claire helped me out and after that I forgot I had made up the story about us dating. You see, that's why I gave you the dress the other day."
Hilda answered "Oh. That explains the looks I was getting when I was picking out the shoes. I didn't know what was going on and I ignored them. Now it makes sense."
Hilda put her arm around Daniel's neck and said "Well, say then. I guess I get a chance to improvise too." She stroked his cheek and said in a seductive tone "Tell me Daniel, how long have we been dating? Just exactly how close are we hmm?"
Daniel chuckled "I don't know. I guess long enough to be uh … close. It's been a least a few days so that's plenty long enough for me. Is that long enough for you?"
Hilda laughed back "Oh yeah. Boy, this sounds like a lot of fun. My day just keeps getting better and better. You'll have to excuse me for a moment though while I fill in Papi. We don't want him have a heart attack at the dinner table, okay?"
Daniel replied with a grin "Sure. No problem. Claire's already in on it so we can go to town. You realize this is just for fun though, right?"
Hilda smiled back "That's right mister. Exactly right, it isn't real. That's important."
Hilda left Daniel and went to talk to Ignacio. She informed him that her behavior with Daniel that night would be an act designed to prevent Betty from discovering Daniel's involvement in getting her back together with Gio.
Daniel was standing by himself near the doorway when Alexis entered the room. Daniel said with disgust "Why are you here?"
Alexis responded coldly that Claire had invited her. Claire quickly joined Daniel and Alexis by the door. Claire told Alexis that the dinner was a party to celebrate Betty's trip to Rome with Gio and that both Daniel and Alexis were to behave properly. And she instructed them that they had to be civil to Christina for Betty's sake.
Claire turned around to everyone and told them it was time to sit down for dinner. She motioned for Ignacio to sit at the head of the table. Christina sat beside him. Beside Christina were Betty, Gio and Alexis. On the other side of the table she sat Daniel Jr. next to Ignacio, and then Justin, Hilda and Daniel. Claire sat at the end of the table opposite Ignacio with Daniel on one side of her and Alexis on the other.
When everyone was seated Claire asked Daniel to pour out the champagne. Claire jumped up and got a bottle of sparkling juice. She served it to Christina, the boys and herself so everyone had a glass in hand.
Claire asked Daniel to make a toast. Daniel happily obliged. He spoke at length to the group about his pleasure in giving Betty a trip to Rome and described to them what she had done and how much she deserved it. Ignacio was very proud of Betty. Daniel also expressed his gratitude to Gio for agreeing to accompany Betty on her trip. Then everyone raised their glasses and toasted Betty and Gio.
When their toast was complete Claire stood up and hushed everyone. Everyone sat down again so Claire could make her toast.
Claire had been thinking a lot about Christina's pregnancy. Christina's baby was Bradford's baby. Claire had started to believe that in some mystical cosmic way this baby could make up for the one that she and Bradford had lost so many decades ago. She hoped that the birth of the baby would relieve her of her burden of grief. She hoped that acknowledging and caring for this baby would absolve her for her role in the death of the other one.
Claire had worked hard to rid herself of her vices that had arisen from her guilt. She had struggled with and given up her unhealthy reliance on drink and pills. She had set goals for herself and she had focused on her magazine. It took everything she had to overcome the crippling effects of depression and she was succeeding. But there was one more thing that she wished to overcome, one last thing. It was time to finally rid herself of her guilt for the loss of that baby. She had to stop blaming herself and let go of all the regrets she still held.
The prison in her mind from that guilt was much harder to escape from than the real life prison she had been incarcerated in. She had come to hope that the day Christina's baby was born would be the day she would be able to leave it. The innocent baby, Bradford's third child, would free her.
She now regarded Christina's baby with a deep love no one would ever understand. She decided to share her new found feelings about Christina and her baby in front of everyone.
Claire spoke "Christina, you and your child are part of my family now. I want you to know that just as I will always love Bradford I will love the baby you are carrying too, because it is Bradford's baby. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your part in bringing this baby into the world. I want you to know that I cherish you and your baby. Daniel and Alexis, this baby is your sibling, please welcome it. To Christina." Claire wiped a tear from her eye and raised her glass.
Everyone looked at Claire in amazement. No one had expected her to be happy, much less touched and joyful, about this baby. This baby was the child of Bradford and Wilhelmina and Wilhelmina had schemed against her constantly; Wilhelmina was Claire's worst enemy. The baby had been conceived for the most despicable of motives.
Christina was shocked. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She thought Claire hated her. She listened in surprise and relief.
Claire looked at Daniel. He was almost speechless. Daniel stood up and raised his glass "To Christina!"
Claire looked at Alexis. Alexis was open mouthed in surprise. Alexis stood up and raised her glass "To Christina and her baby. Good health to you both!" Alexis couldn't believe she was saying it, but as soon as she did she realized it felt right. Welcoming Christina's baby into the family was the right thing to do.
Then everyone toasted Christina. Everyone at the table was surprised, relieved and happy by the warmth of the Meades' toasts to Christina.
Then Claire invited everyone to eat. They opened the containers of Chinese food and passed them around. Egg rolls and scoops of chop suey, fried rice and chow mein were served out. Daniel Jr. was excited to try it. The Chinese food in New York was very different from the kind he had eaten before in France.
Everyone started eating eagerly and talking together. Over the background of music the room was filled with the lively happy sound of people eating, pleasantly talking and laughing.
Ignacio boasted to Christina about all the interesting things he was going to learn in his computer class.
Gio gallantly opened several packets of plum and soy sauce for Betty after he noticed her clumsiness when she tried to tear one open.
Justin and Daniel Jr. compared with each other how many school days and holiday days they each had. They discussed video games and game systems.
Daniel was an attentive host and he remembered to keep everyone's glasses filled. He regaled everyone with amusing stories from his trips to Rome. He told them about the times he would hang out with young hip designers at fashion houses and go clubbing with them.
Gio had been to Rome several times too and he described the city to everyone. He told them how much he loved zipping around the narrow cobblestone streets on a motorbike and visiting the many museums and important historical sights located around the downtown.
Alexis, Claire and Daniel talked with each other about the future of Meade, Wilhelmina's role at Mode, and Daniel's change in position in a friendly relaxed way for the first time.
Claire urged for the food to be passed around several times so everyone could take more.
Betty smiled and whispered with Gio. She told him how much she would like him to take her on a motorbike tour of the city.
Gio stopped eating and pictured it. He thought of himself on a motorbike with Betty seated behind him. He imagined her arms clasped tightly around his waist and the pleasurable feel of her body pressed against his back. She would have her chin on his shoulder and her face beside his. He imagined her thighs on either side of his squeezing him as he turned and accelerated the bike along the winding streets. He imagined her legs would be bare under her skirt because of the hot weather so his hand could seem to accidentally brush against her bare knee when he stopped in traffic. He imagined the delicious feel of her soft skin under his hand. Then he blushed and remembered his promise to himself. He reluctantly broke his train of thought and responded to Betty "Of course! No question about it. We must go on a motorbike ride while we're there."
Hilda whispered to Daniel "You see them there? Betty is definitely flirting. She just doesn't realize it. I don't know when she is going to figure out that she loves him but it is just a matter of time. And look at Gio. So cute. He is a bundle of nerves. It would be painful to watch if it wasn't so amusing."
Daniel whispered back to Hilda "She will so long as Gio doesn't get ahead of her again. Listen, we have to get them to Rome as soon as possible. Do you think they can be ready in a couple of days? I think the sooner they go the better."
Hilda responded "Yes, I agree. Let's get them on a plane as soon as possible."
Daniel whispered back "And as soon as they are out of town you can break up with me."
Hilda whispered "That will be fun. I'm looking forward to it."
Daniel whispered "But don't text it to me, okay? That's just cruel."
Hilda giggled and whispered back "Oh, you aren't getting off that easy Daniel! I'm going to get dangerous, that's my style. You'll see. I'll scream at you."
Daniel grinned. He leaned to Hilda while turning away from the table and whispered "How can you do that? Won't the neighbors hear? You will have to keep it down."
Hilda turned too and she put her arm around Daniel's shoulders to give them some privacy. She leaned in as close as she could to Daniel's ear and hissed "Me quiet? Not on your life. Betty and Gio will hear me in Rome! You will never forget breaking up with me. Ha! Why you lyin' cheatin' no good bastard! God help you! Just you wait you son of a …"
Daniel gulped and tugged at his tie. He hissed back "Whoa, will you stop all that cursing. That's kind of hot! Anyway, I told Betty I'm good to you. I'm treating you right darling! It isn't going to be so easy breaking up with me. You'll have to think of something else."
Hilda squeezed her arm around Daniel's shoulders warmly and breathed into his ear "Awww, you are so sweet. Do you think we could have a couple more dates before I think of a reason?"
Daniel whispered "I guess. What do you want to do?"
Hilda hugged Daniel and murmured "Mmmm."
Daniel whispered "Keep it clean."
Hilda giggled and whispered "How about dancing? I love dancing. We'll look good together."
Justin shoved Hilda "Hey, will you two stop that already! Everyone is right here you know."
Daniel and Hilda smiled sweetly at each other and they turned back to their dinners.
Daniel said "Hey, I think it is time to bring out the fortune cookies!" He jumped up and got the bag of cookies. He walked around the table and handed them out.
Ignacio opened his first. He read it aloud "Change is the essence of life, embrace it." Everyone remarked on how true his fortune was and Ignacio was pleased he got a good one.
Then Daniel Jr. opened his fortune. He couldn't read English well so he handed it to Justin. Justin read "Your family bonds are stranger than you think"
Everyone laughed and told Justin that he had misread the fortune. Justin protested that he had not misread it and read it aloud again. Everyone laughed louder. Hilda leaned over and read the fortune in Justin's hands. "Hey, it does say stranger and not stronger!"
Everyone laughed again and they all agreed that it was a peculiar typo but they explained to Daniel Jr. that typos are very common in fortunes.
Gio read his fortune and tucked it into his wallet. He didn't want to read his aloud.
Then Justin read his fortune out next, it said "Versatility is your strength."
Christina laughed heartily at Justin's fortune. Justin looked at Christina with curiosity.
Hilda read her fortune "To succeed you must mind your own business" and everyone laughed at it. Daniel said "You, Hilda, you mind your own business? Like that will ever happen!"
Daniel read his fortune next "You will soon turn a flame into a fire" and everyone was quiet as they puzzled over what it could mean except for Christina who laughed again.
Betty thought of the fire she put out at Daniel's apartment. There were so many flames on the candles in his apartment when she had gotten there and found Renee. One of those flames had turned into the fire. She would never forget that terrifying day. She wondered if Daniel's fortune had a special meaning for him.
Claire read her fortune out next "A wise man once said" Everyone urged her to read out what the wise man said. Claire turned the paper over. "That's all it says!"
Christina laughed. Daniel offered an explanation of the fortune "Maybe the wise man stayed silent" and everyone agreed that that was sometimes a very wise thing to do.
Then Alexis read out her fortune "A mother's intuition is trustworthy" and she looked at Claire quizzically.
Again, Christina laughed and everyone was puzzled by why Christina found the fortune funny. Daniel asked Christina why she was laughing at each of the fortunes.
Christina explained that she and her friends always appended the words 'in bed' to their fortunes to make a joke out of it. She had been doing it herself as each of them read the fortune aloud. She said "Let me show you how it works." and she read her fortune out to everyone "Sow your seeds carefully and your blossoms will flourish." She let everyone think about it. Then she said "Sow your seeds carefully and your blossoms will flourish in bed!" Everyone laughed. She said "See, even that one is funnier like that!"
Everyone read over their fortunes again silently appending 'in bed' to the end of them. Alexis looked puzzled at her fortune. The others laughed. Daniel held his fortune up and waved it around as if to cool it off "This one sounds pretty hot!" Everyone laughed at Daniel.
Betty and Gio both blushed deeply and giggled at their fortunes and then they quickly hid them away so they wouldn't have to tell them to anyone else.
Daniel stood up from the table and held his hand out to Hilda and said "Shall we dance?" Hilda agreed and they started dancing. Then Claire and Ignacio started dancing together. Betty stood up and took Gio's hand. She said "Come on. Let's dance too."
Everyone took turns dancing with everyone else and had a very enjoyable evening. By the end of the night Daniel had told them that he would take care of booking the flights to Rome and the accommodations. Daniel told Gio and Betty to be ready to meet him at the airport in two days.
Gio and Betty hugged each other goodnight. They both marveled at how quickly everything between them had changed. They commiserated on how busy they would be to get ready for the flight in time.
They lingered when they parted because they knew that Daniel's plan would not give them a chance to see each other again until they met at the airport.
Betty and Gio's fortunes:
Betty: Happiness is within your grasp
Gio: Patience will be rewarded