Chapter 17, Yellow Gelato
This chapter brings some important world events into light;
A) Iraqi War thingy/problems in the middle east
B) Rising gas prices,
C) And, most importantly, Why everyone hates MJ. (Not That I do)
DISCLAIMER: Artemis is the property of EC, though Sophia/Tara/Sasha are, in fact, mine.
I hope you like this one, it took a lot of work. One of my faves, though very hard to write.
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Tara leaned back into the comfy leather armchair, sipping the pink beverage. She couldn't sure what she was drinking, but whatever. It was good. Pink coloured, with a tropical flavour. Carbonated. Not bad, for a guy who spends most of his time in a book or behind a computer. He wasn't really the mixed drink type. Still, he made a mean…whatever it is.
It had been a good five days. Relaxing, after she realized he wasn't taking her away to kill her. She worried for a while that he had found their plot, was taking her away to question her, then hide the body. He had just taken her farther than most murders can afford; Italy.
What he really did was take her on a vacation.
Because when she asked to go to Venice, he took it literality.
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Five days ago she had met him at a small privet airport just outside Dublin, near Fowl Manor. Sophia brought a dagger, not the diamond one, but a simple steel and brass handled version. It was hidden in the bodice of her pink dress, for the days had gotten warmer lately, enough so that she could wear the girly sundresses Sasha had bought her.
When Artemis appeared, Butler in tow as usual, Tara gave a bright smile.
"Geeze Arty, I was scared to come-" That wasn't a lie. "-Your call was quiet threatening. 'Meet me at ------ Airport at 6:30 A.M. tomorrow. Bring no one and nothing with you' There's a reason why I sometimes let it go to the machine when you call." She teased. Behind the easy smile was an undeniable fear. It took all her emotional strength and focus to keep her voice from cracking.
Artemis gave his usual cool baring of the teeth and gave her a quick hug. He didn't like being so cold, but he need to if he wanted to give her the surprise. The look on her face alone would be more then enough to brighten his day, which had already been off to a bad start with a call from the manager at Fowl Industries demanding to know why he was taking the week off. It had been tempting to fire the man but he had decided to wait until after he got back, for it would nag his mind all week if he sacked the fool now.
"Hello Tara." He turned to Butler. The manservant handed him a black leather messenger bag.
Is that a gun? Tara wondered. Is he going to finish me off right now, right here?
He surprised her and passed it on, into her hands.
"Wha-"
"I hope everything fits." It was taking a lot to keep a straight face.
Tara gasped when she opened the bag. Clothing, make-up, swimsuits. All in her sizes, her colours! For her. Obviously if he was buying her things he didn't mean to kill her. It would be a waste of money. "Are we going somewhere?"
"Yes." He grinned. This time it reached his eye. Artemis was honestly happy she was surprised. "You don't mind practicing your Italian, do you?"
"Venice?!" She shrieked. "La cittasuacqua? Venice? Thank you Artemis!"
"You're welcome." He said, very amused.
"E perche?"
"It's an apology. For the dinner with my parents."
"I had fun!" She protested.
"Well then, if you did…"
"But if you already went to the trouble of planning it, we should go." Tara revised hastily. "We should definitely go!"
"We could just stay here. And…hang out." Artemis said, smirking suggestively. The big doe eyes she gave made him sigh theatrically. "Fine. I'll suffer through it somehow."
"You're coming with me, right?"
He murmured. "Someone needs to be responsible." Then in a louder voice: "Of course. Think of it as an extra-long date. I'm your personal servant for five days."
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When they arrived on the airstrip Artemis explained that they weren't in Venice.
"Not exactly." He said. "We're only five k out, still on the mainland. It's hard to land a jet on the river, you see."
After driving a few kilometers the group arrived on the shores. A ferryboat waited for them. Tara eyed the three bags Butler carried for his charge. He kindly offered to take her own but she politely declined. Artemis's three, plus Butler's own bag and briefcase (which undoubtedly held some kind of gun, most likely a Sig Saur, the rumored weapon of choice to the bodyguard) didn't weigh much, however were still an unnecessary hassle.
"Why-" She asked unbelievingly as they boarded the ferry. "-do you need three bags? I'm the girl and I don't even require three (three!) bags for a five-day trip."
Artemis spoke a few words to the ferryman, then turned back to her.
"You didn't pack yourself. I'll bet if you did you'd have four bags and a carry-on. My bodyguard is trained to pack light."
"Butler packed my stuff?" The thought of the huge manservant lovingly folding the tank tops and jeans was an odd mental image. Not to mention humorous
"No. Juliet did." He said impatiently. Not that she knew who Juliet was. Hopefully it made her jealous. But she simply nodded.
"So what are the bags for?"
"One holds my laptop, one contains my clothing, and the final one is for the souvenirs. I plan on getting quiet a few."
Tara giggled at this, as the idea that he would be buying so much to fill that big case was also funny He just didn't come on as the "Oh-I-just-had-to-get-it!" kind of guy.
"Look." He said suddenly. Tara spun around to face…
"CittasuAcqua." She breathed. Never once had she been here. They'd never had any jobs here. Even if she couldn't see much, it was still beautiful.
From the ferry they loaded on to a gondola. Tara repeatedly got whiplash from straining her neck to look at all the beauty. Artemis chuckled. "Careful, Cara, you don't want to be hospitalized on our first day, do you?"
All she could do was shake her head.
"Having fun?"
"Si." Was all she murmured in awe. "Benissimo. Lovely. Grazie."
It wasn't until they reached the hotel when she finally snapped out of it. Temporarily, though she could now speak in full sentences. They stepped into the luxurious salotto of the hotel when it hit her. They were in a hotel. They were staying over night. What if…
"Artemis," She asked softly. "How many rooms did you get?"
"Two. Why?"
Her heart sank. One was for Butler, of course. So she and Artemis would be sharing a room. They'd only been going out for a short time, did he really expect her to…maybe they had separate beds?
"Just wondering."
"Oh." Realization came over his features. He frowned. "Tara, I said it wouldn't be that…close. One suite is all your own."
Suite?
"Where is Butler staying?" Surely Artemis wouldn't sand the poor man to a cheap, crappier place in the slums.
"Mine. It's a two bedroom. And adjoining to yours, so I can still keep in touch. I hope you don't mind." He glanced at her, more than a little nervous. Would she care?
"Not at all." A weight off his mind.
The man at the desk gave them the key cards and the poor boy in the maroon outfit asked politely for their saccaswhile quaking with fear as he approached Butler. The man glare at him but gave the young bellhop all the bags, save his own. He led them up to the 7th floor, to the excusive private suites. The young man was maybe a year or two younger than Miss. Gavin.
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Apparently these people were high-profile rich, for the hotel's cheapest rooms were one-third the price of the suites on the seventh story. Only the richest tourist stayed in the Ivy and Viaggio Oceanico. Perhaps if he was just polite enough…he had heard stories of bellboys getting hundreds of lire for just a sincere smile. Others talked of getting much more from keeping certain residents company. Very, very close company. The bellboy glanced at the young woman. She didn't look lonely. Then again, they had ordered separate suites. Maybe one was for the big signore. But he was just a valet, why would anyone spend so much on a servant.
"Which room would you like me to put the bags in, signore?" The boy asked respectfully inclining his head to the pale young man across from him. The man glanced at the redhead, presumably his wife. Or lover. Or even, mistress. Sometimes they had very recognized gentlemen here, (once ever the Doge himself!) and more often then not they pretty young female the escorted wasn't their wife.
The two residents seemed to share a silent communication for a brief moment, where she shrugged.
"The Ivy suite." He commanded, then spoke to the woman in English, a word or too the bellboy, named unfortuantly Raoul. "Want" "Show" "Room" "First". The woman smiled, and just squeezed the rich man's hand. Neither of them wore rings. Scratch marriage off the list. But they were way too close to just be…
Raoul opened the to the Ivy, and the woman gasped. With good reason. This suite was Raoul's favorite; he liked it much better than the Viaggio Oceanico, or the Ciliegia, or even the Foresta suites.
The room was a light yellow, with white antique furniture, comfortable flora chair-and-loveseat set, a chandelier with polished crystals, topiary plants of ivy, even a balcony looking out on to the canal with a walk leading to the private pool. In the next room there was a grand four-poster bed with sheer while curtains and plump feather pillows.
It was the best way to stay in Italy.
"There is a full bar and kitchenette, Signora, along with an assortment of beverages and snacks. If you need anything, anything at all feel free to call the front desk and it shall be brought to you immediately, regardless of time. Breakfast can be served to you on the balcony, or in bed, as can any other meal. We hope you enjoy your stay. Ciao."
He bowed out but not before casting a wary glance at the huge manservant. Before he could exit the room Tara called out "Is there a stereo anywhere in here?"
The bellhop backtracked to reply. "Si, signora, one in the bedroom, bathroom and parlor." Then scrammed.
Artemis turned to face her. "Why do you need a stereo?"
"I like listening to my music outside of my headphones. Makes it easier to lip sync to MJ that way. People will still look at you as if you're crazy, but at the very least they can understand you." She shrugged.
"You like Michael Jackson?" He asked in disbelief. Pop didn't really seem her cup of tea, and even if he had to guess the "King of Pop" wouldn't be on the list.
"Among other things. My musical taste is very widespread. Anything from the Beatles, U2, Debussy, Opera, Shakira, Country, some heavy metal, or Andrew Lloyd Webber's masterpieces."
"Don't tell me." The young millionaire groaned. "'Thriller'?"
"No." She grinned. "'Beat It'. 2008 version with Fergie. And 'The Girl is Mine' with will.i.am. I favoured the remixed stuff until I saw 'Thriller' and began listening to the older things. Pity." She sighed. "He was quiet good-looking before the surgeries."
"Mmm."
"Hey Arty, have you ever lip synced?"
Luckily Butler intervened before Artemis could make some really snide comment. "Artemis, we should unpack."
His charge got the hint, and left his girlfriend to unpack. And to listen to her music, however disgusting it may be.
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The rest of the day was spent eating pizza and gelatos, riding gondolas about the river passageways, and taking a tour of the old Basilica St. Marco, then a trip to Piazza St. Marco, finally ending with swimming in the pool, on the roof of the hotel.
Butler sat in a chase lounge while the couple swam, reading a novel. The manservant kept looking up, annoyed, for Tara kept laughing. Artemis had told her that the book was most likely a romance, contrary to the cover that read "Remembering Carlos", presumably after the famous marine sniper. Tara got out of the pool once or twice to confirm this by reading over the bodyguard's shoulder.
On the second day the morning started with coffee on the balcony, then sun bathing by the pool. Artemis was slightly impatient, wanting to take her to see the sights.
"Avanti Tara. I want to see the lions before it starts raining."
"Artemis, it's a vacation. Relax."
"You're going to burn soon." He remarked, then quickly revised it at her scathing glance. "It's not that I don't like seeing you in a two piece, you're quiet stunning-"
"Vaffanculo." She cut him off, smiling. "Pazienza, Arty. The Italian sun is out more often than the Irish one. I need a tan."
"VaBene." Artemis said, huffy and defeated.
"Ah, Artemis. Relax. You need it." She cooed. "Besides, it's not every day I can stare at you half-naked and angry. "
"I'm not angry!" He protested. His unofficial girlfriend smirked behind her Gucci large-frame sunglasses, glad to be able to flirt for once in her life.
About noon they left to see the city. At St. Mark's Square they stopped at a café for coffee and to look at the lions. Then to the Doge's palace, and another gondola ride.
"What do you think so far?"
"Hmm?" Tara had stretched herself out and was allowing Artemis to play with her long red locks. He was twirling them around in his fingers, separating the gorgeous strands.
"What do you think of Venice?"
Tara sat for a moment, thinking. "I think Liz Gilbert is wrong. She says it's dark, gloomy, depressing…I'll admit, sometimes the place seems a little sad. But it's beautiful, in the old way. And peaceful. No cars, or mopeds. I like it. Thank you." She shifted to look up at him. "This is really sweet of you Artemis."
"No problem." Her casual phrases were finally catching. "I'm glade you enjoyed it." He gave a dramatic sigh. "I'll just have to deal with being your personal servant for another three or so days."
"Oh the horror! You poor thing. I'll have to go easy on you, I suppose."
"Please don't." He murmured in her ear. The shiver he got in response caused him to smirk. He still had it.
Artemis pulled her closer and looked around the ally. Three years ago he had been here, maybe in this exact spot. Three years ago Minerva had broken it off with him, after two and a half years of a tough relationship. That four-month period of grief and mourning had brought even Holly to the surface. Gods, he was a monster that day…
As the memory ensued, the young man closed his eyes, burying face into Tara's auburn tresses, doing his best to hold back the fear.
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"I CAN'T TAKE THIS!'' Minerva screamed. Artemis looked up from his papers, brows furrowed. What was she crying about now? He sighed and got up to investigate. It had been a rough two years, with both of their stubbornness, and competitiveness. His fiancé often acted immature, though he put up with it. The last three months had been hell, and with their wedding right around the corner.
"Minerva?" He called, concerned. The aggravated blonde met him in the hall, hair in disarray, suitcase in hand. She was glaring.
Straight.
At.
Him.
"What's wrong? Are you hurt? Minerva, answer me!"
The woman swung round, rage in her eyes. She was livid. "I'LL TELL YOU WHAT'S WRONG!!!! YOU! YOU'RE KILLING ME! I CAN'T-"
"Minerva, calm down. What is wrong?"
"You." She spat. "I'm sick of being the second act. I'm sick of waiting. I'm sick of fairies. I'm sick of having to deal with this!" She gestured to the hall around her. "And I'm sick of YOU!"
"Tell me what's wrong! Minerva, you can't just walk out, we need to talk about this!"
"NO! I am done talking, Artemis! I'm sick of trying to make this work!"
"Minerva, what is wrong? Talk to me!"
Her only answer was a ring, thrown unceremoniously behind her as she strode down the stairs.
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Holly opened the door, leaning in trying to see if he was there. When a lump on the bed moved, she knew he hadn't killed himself.
Yet.
She had already been there two days. After Butler's call she got a visa and came up. Butler's request that she found Minerva and try to talk the girl out of her decision was easily fulfilled. Or the first part was. Nothing could convince the human. So Holly returned.
Artemis hadn't left his room, nor had he eaten, nor had he said anything. This worried Butler and Holly, for he usually to any emotional hits in stride. But this mud girl was his fiancée. Holly shuddered at the mere thought of Trouble leaving like that. Still, she' d get on with life. Live for the sake of living.
"Artemis." She called softly. The lump quivered. "Do you want anything to eat?"
A raven head near the top of the bed popped up and shook from side to side. She sighed. "Artemis, you've got to eat something. I may not be an MD, but seriously. You've got to live. At least eat some lunch with me and Butler.
"No." Said a horse voice from the covers.
"Artemis-"
"Go. Leave me alone."
"You've got to-" Holly insisted.
"No. Leave, Minerva."
Stunned, Holly crossed the room to the massive bed in the center. "I'm not Minerva. I'm Holly."
"I still love you." Was all he whispered.
"Artemis!"
"LEAVE!!!"
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He had fled to the city because he wanted to be away from all that reminded him of her. It had worked, to and extent; he reminded himself more than any city did.
It was spring, so there was much rain. Some days it felt as though the city mourned with him. That it was crying along side him.
Now he didn't scream out at night, didn't cry for hours, telling her he loved her. Now he cursed her. Now he hated her. If he never saw her again in this life it would be too soon.
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Tara could barely believe that she had responded in such a way. Or rather, Sophia couldn't believe it. Either way, it was helpful, she did need to act like she…felt that way. Still, a tiny nagging voice in the back of her mind whispered, "Ah, but it wasn't acting, now was it?"
He's handsome. Desirable. Hot. Sexy. Take your pick. Why wouldn't I respond?
"Because you feel more than you should. You're falling in love with him. And you're scared."
Of what, exactly? She scoffed.
"That you like him. A lot. And that he might truly like you back. Artemis Fowl. Tsk. What would your family say? What if he doesn't feel the same?"
In case you forgot, I have no family to reject him. And I don't care if he likes me or not, I just need his trust, not his love.
"Have you forgotten dearest Sasha? And what if you were to have his love? Would you keep it? Or destroy it, before you expressed similar feelings?"
Sasha wouldn't accept him! Besides, he doesn't care about me.
"He is nuzzling you hair. Holding you. What else is love?"
First Corinthians. It's popular at weddings." Love is patient, love is kind…" Very cheesy, if you ask me.
"He's a nice guy, besides the whole problem that if you ever told him the truth, he'd kill you in ten seconds flat. Aside from that sweet, kind. Intelligent. Understanding of you. You perfect match."
This conversation is over! Sophia snapped angrily. It recoiled, only reminding her of the duty to herself before going completely silent.
Maybe in another life.
At their next stop while Artemis sat messing with the digital camera Tara went to buy gelato. When Artemis took a huge bit out of the yellow treat she had brought only to gag in disgust from the pure sourness of the lemon flavour he chased her around the fountain. They both ended up soaking, for Tara had pushed him into the water, and he had pulled her in with him. Butler stood aside, grimacing.
But he was happy. Artemis rarely had any fun, not like most his age did. It was good for him, Butler decided. Even if she was a little unorthodox.
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The morning after found Tara on her balcony, eating pastries and sipping caffe. Artemis snuck up behind while she finished the business section of the newspaper. He snatched it from her and looked at the headlines, frowning.
"I know." Tara sighed. "Why must they price it so high? Surely the war isn't losing us that much oil from the Middle East. Those stupid American oil companies."
Artemis glanced up, raising a brow. "So you weren't just reading the comics?" He teased.
She hit him lightly on the arm. "What do you think?"
His frown deepened. "I think Fowl Industries needs to focus on Alternative Energy more."
Tara nodded in agreement.
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It's long, 3,500 words, but well worth it. New:
I'm giving you an agreement; I get 5 reviews, you get your chapter 18, which is already written, just not typed. 5 really isn't that much to ask for, if I have 61 views.
Does anyone know the names of some British/Irish cleaning supply brands? Could I get a list w/ what they supposedly do?
Even if I get 5 reviews, it might take a while. I'm going away week after next (D.C., if you see me say hi!), so it might be a while before 18 & 19 are posted. Since they're shorter, easy chapter, I'll take 'em out with one blow. I do however, plan to post before I leave.
Any questions about word translation (i.e., the Italian phrases), just ask
Read and Review, Please!!!!
-Dania