Chapter 8: A Beautiful Fool
That's the best thing a girl can be in this world,
a beautiful little fool...-Daisy Buchanan
3rd Person POV
The weather down in Long Island New York was oddly gloomy and the sky was dark and filled with clouds, and it was a perfect setting for the current mood that Vivien was in. She was currently sitting in the large white colored sunroom with both Daisy and Jordan, feeling very surly and unhappy as she recalled the events of her date with Gatsby while Daisy and Jordan were currently conversing over the latest gossip sitting across from one another on a white suede couch, a pure glass coffee table separating them while she sat a bit in the far corner away from the two nits, smoking on her cigarette.
"He does what?!" Daisy asked in disbelief, looking at a disgruntled Vivien and an amused Jordan.
"Yes apparently from what I can inquire from his…associate, he has taken many loose women to bed and his associate thought I was a loose woman. I never felt so insulted," Vivien spat out, taking another drag of her cigarette before blowing out the smoke vapors, her lips twisted in a scowl.
"How scandalous!" Jordan said, her blue eyes lighting up as Vivien began to recount her date in details to her younger cousin and Daisy.
And both Daisy and Jordan leaned in, drinking in every word that came from Vivien's mouth.
Daisy was clothed in a white crochet silk lace flapper dress that showed off the little curves she had, long pearls draping around her thick neck, rings decorated her fingers and she wore simple white flats. Her blonde hair made to be surprisingly flat while Jordan wore cream-colored wide leg silk pants with a matching sleeveless silk shirt, and cream-colored heels. Vivien wore a pale lavender colored silk and sequin flapper dress that flowed about my body, pearls dangled from my neck and I wore no shoes since there was no need to wear them. Her hair is pinned back into a bun by a jewel-embroidered comb.
"And the worse part that he didn't even try to deny it. I read it all in his face. I felt so humiliated," Vivien said with an exasperated sigh, putting her palm to face, closing her eyes. "And we were having such a good time too…"
"Well he does sound like a gentleman and even fun to be around," Daisy said with a genuine smile. "I'm sure despite what he's done that he didn't see you as one of those…loose women he bedded."
Vivien knew deep down that Daisy was right, but she couldn't help but still be angered, still feel insulted. She wished she had never agreed to go on a date with him. And never encountered him.
"I know, but it still bothers me…" Vivien said with a heavy sigh, taking another puff of her cigarette.
"You'll be fine dear." Jordan said with a smile. "Remember that all men are pigs. No matter how much of a gentleman they may seem to be."
Vivien chose not to reply and let out a heavy sigh, putting out her cigarette. "Just pour me another glass of champagne, I need something to relax me," she said, holding out her glass to a butler who came over to her and refilled her glass before she sipped it.
"We all need an extra glass," Jordan said, raising her glass so the butler could pour some more champagne into her glass but soon there was a knock at the door.
"Don't worry, you can pour me my drink after you come back," Jordan said, putting down her glass and shooing off the brown-skinned butler.
Vivien only shook her head at her cousin's rudeness to the butler, watching the annoyance that flashed over his face before he nodded and left the room. "You don't have to be so rude to him Jordan," she said with a shake of her head.
Jordan gave a slight scoff, rolling her eyes. "He's the help Vivien. He has to know who's boss. And it's obvious that us white girls hold the power Vivien. The sooner these monkeys learn the better everything will be for them."
Vivien scowled. "Who cares about the color of their skin?"
Daisy let out a rather annoying giggle that had Vivien wincing a little at how loud the pitch was. "Why…society of course Vivien! I mean just look at them," she said simply. "They're so dark and primitive looking! They look exactly like apes!"
Soon both her and Jordan began to laugh rather loudly. They were women of the 1920s, things such as equality for every person of color meant so little to them and their fickle minds. The only thing they cared about was money and their social status. It was sad to see and upsetting to hear. Vivien chose not to say anything else and sighed, shutting her eye at the foolish women, sipping on her champagne just right when the butler came back in.
Jordan gasped along with Daisy, their eyes widening in shock.
"Oh my!" Daisy said in amazement.
Vivien opened her dark eyes to see the butler holding a bouquet of red lilies in his gloved hands. "Wow, those are exquisite!" she said in shock. She then looked at Jordan and Daisy. "Who is it for?"
Daisy and Jordan shrugged. "I have no idea but I'm going to find out," Jordan said with a smile, getting up and walking over to the butler. "Is there a card that came with it?"
"Yes there is Miss Baker," he said and handed her a white folded card.
Jordan then opened it up and began to read:
"Vivien, how can I compare thee?
To a red spider lily?
Autumn shower
Cooled fire of flame
I do not wish to see our growing relationship to pass away-J.G."
"Oh isn't that just romantic?" Daisy said, clasping her hands together. "Whoever this JG is must really be trying to apologize." Vivien's face was flushed in embarrassment and she couldn't help but want to disappear when she saw the eyes of Jordan and Daisy on her.
"W-What you two staring at?" Vivien stammered out, feeling even more embarrassed.
"This man sent you flowers, along with a poem Vivien, he is most definitely sorry," Daisy said with a smile. "And since he's done that, maybe you can give him another chance?"
Even though Daisy didn't like Vivien as much, she knew that everyone deserved a chance to be happy in a relationship. And Tom was never a man of romance, so for Vivien to be sent flowers and a poem was something that Daisy was…happy for her to receive.
"No Vivien don't listen to Daisy, she doesn't know what she's speaking of," Jordan said with a grin, putting the spider lilies down and taking a seat next to Vivien, crossing her long slender legs together. "You can't just forgive him so easily after a silly romantic apology!"
Vivien cocked a brow at Jordan. "And why not?"
"Because you have to make a man work for it. You just can't accept his apology just because he sends you some flowers and a poem!" Jordan said simply. "
"So I should just…ignore it?"
"Yes!" Jordan said with a devious smile, standing up. "Us women of this age should show these men that we can't be swayed by petty expensive gifts. We have to make them suffer dears. This is the age of liberation for us!" Jordan then raised her champagne glass (which had been re-filled) and Vivien chuckled, swatting at Jordan's thigh.
"Sit down Susan B. Anthony!" Vivien said with a laugh and Daisy joined her in on the laughter.
Jordan let out a loud unlady-like snort, the champagne sloshing around in the glass as Jordan swayed and preened about. "Darling I am ten times the woman than Susan B. Anthony wished to be!" Jordan then plopped down onto her chair and began to join the two in laughter. And Vivien smiled.
Maybe Jordan was right…she should make Gatsby work for it. Just to see if he was really committed to…whatever they were.
—The Next Day—
Vivien was lounging around on a sleek white pool floatie in the early hours of the morning (STP: Roll with me on this people. XD) her brown eyes closed as she drifted along the water, feeling oddly at ease.
Jordan had a golf tournament and Daisy decided to join her to support her and most likely be showered in attention from the male spectators. Daisy was always such a silly fool, and yet…Her words last night as they sat together in the sunroom made Vivien think about her relationship with Gatsby, made her really put her entire life into a perspective.
FLASHBACK
Jordan had ended up retiring to bed early, feeling a bit buzzed from drinking so much champagne and yet she was in very high spirits. She seemed rather upset that she had a golf tournament tomorrow, not wanting the night to end. Especially since everyone seemed to be getting along, but she knew she had to sleep so she bid her goodbyes to the two and went to her room. Leaving Daisy and Vivien alone.
"So…tell me more about this fascinating man of yours," Daisy started out, giving Vivien a sweet smile.
Vivien smiled a little, a bit shocked that Daisy would still even consider talking to her now that Jordan was gone. Maybe Daisy wasn't as bad as she thought…maybe.
"Well aside from the recent events that had transpired he is amazing," Vivien started out, a wistful smile on her, sipping lightly on her champagne. "He's so sweet and funny. Maybe a bit cocky but he is…just grand. Everything about him seems right out of a fairy tale, a prince charming."
Daisy grinned. "Oh! How wonderful, just sim—ply, wonderful. Tell me more!"
"Oh what more can I say? He's so full of life and everything about him is just…sweet. It's silly to say but I find myself quite taken with him and even though I've only known him for about a week now I can see a future with him in it…" she said softly, her pale cheeks flushing. She then turned to look at Daisy, her brown eyes looking larger and rather nervous looking. "Is that…foolish of me?"
Daisy felt her heart tug at Vivien's words, seeing her younger self in Vivien at the moment. She then got up from the couch and sitting next to Vivien, taking her pale hand into her fair ones and then gave her an understanding smile.
"Look…when I was younger. I fell in love with this soldier…"
A faraway look appeared on Daisy's face as she began to tell her tale.
"He was amazing. He was full of life, spontaneous and so romantic. He treated me like I was a princess…a queen Vivien, a queen!" She said excitedly, her cheeks flushing. "He came from a wealthy family and went to war. He told me he would give me anything I desired, anything I asked for, even the moon."
Daisy clutched Vivien's hand a bit tightly as she began to relive the memory. "I wanted him…I loved him but mother and father didn't approve. They didn't want me with him saying they wanted me with someone who seemed more sophisticated…whatever that meant. I was upset…I went to my room one night, upset about the unfairness in it all and suddenly there was a knock at the door. And when I went to answer it he stood before me, looking at with me such intensity. I was floored and he kissed me. And we made love that night again and again. It was just simply magical Vivien. It truly was…," Daisy said with a soft smile, cheeks flushed.
Vivien gave Daisy a smile. "Then what happened?"
"He was called back for war. He kissed me goodbye and that was the last I ever saw of him," she said sadly.
"Did you write to him?"
"I did! I was going to wait for him but I got tired of waiting. I needed to be financially stable and Tom came along, sweet hulking Tom. Despite his faults I care for him," she said, letting go of Vivien's hand to fiddle with a diamond 14k charm bracelet on her wrist. "He spoils me to death you know."
Mirth entered her voice as she stared at the bracelet, causing Vivien to frown. How foolish Daisy could be, to choose money over love. But what was a woman to do? But be nothing but a…
"Beautiful fool," Vivien said with a soft tsk and Daisy snapped her head up, looking at Vivien, her eyes seeming to be glossy with tears. "W-What…?"
Vivien felt her insult swallow itself back down her throat as she saw the tears in Daisy eyes. She then placed her hand over Daisy's nimble one's, giving it a comforting squeeze. "What's wrong Daisy…?"
"It's just…I remember when I met him it seemed to so clear to me that he was the one for me. We both knew it right away. And as the war raged on, separating us we tried to hold on to what was left….When he was leaving, I begged him to stay. Make him remember what we had in the beginning. He was rich, charismatic, magnetic, electric and it radiated off of him. When he walked in to the party that night, every woman's head turned and everyone seemed to notice him…." Daisy said, tears rolling down her face.
"He was like this hybrid, this mix of a man who couldn't contain himself. I always got the sense that he was always hiding something, afraid even to show me who he really was as I think about it now. He missed out on the opportunities that our relationship would have given him if it hadn't been for the war. But despite the distance, he promised me everything, promised me he would live through the lonliness just to see my face again…" Daisy sniffled and smiled bitterly. "And in those moments, those weeks I understood him more and I loved him."
"I loved him, I loved him, I loved him…"
Daisy then looked up at Vivien, a heartbroken smile on her face. "And I still love him…"
Vivien's eyes widened a little at Daisy's confession, finding Daisy's soliloquy about this mysterious man to be quite beautiful and tragic to hear.
"I…I'm sorry Daisy," Vivien said with a sympathetic smile, squeezing her hand as reassurance.
Daisy sniffled and pulled her hand away, smiling softly, wiping away her tears. "No it's fine really I have come to terms with myself and my past with him. A part of me may still yearn for him but I am a grown woman now. I have Tom…I have a large house and money. Who wouldn't want money?" Daisy asked with an odd smile.
(STP: Notice how she didn't care to mention her daughter. This shows how Daisy really doesn't care too much about her child, she is more focused on herself, Tom and of course her money despite still being somewhat in love with you know who :3)
Vivien frowned a little. Knowing that deep down Daisy may did not fully care for money, that she wanted love out of it also. But sometimes…you just can't have everything. Money couldn't buy happiness.
"So that's why Vivien…" Daisy started out, looking at Vivien dead in the eye. "I want you to go…go explore this relationship with this man, forgive him. And hold onto him tightly because you never know if you will ever experience love, something so magical ever again in your life."
Vivien looked at Daisy with shocked eyes as she felt Daisy squeezing her hand now. "Now promise me. Promise me you won't end up like…"
"Like what Daisy?"
Daisy gave Vivien a bitter smile and let out a laugh, but it no longer had that sound of money to it no longer. Daisy looked older despite her young age and very tired by the burdens she had.
"A beautiful fool…."
END OF FLASHBACK
Vivien let out a soft sigh and looked up at the sky, letting everything Daisy said to her last night dwell on her and that's when she decided what she'll do.
Vivien got into the water of the pool, leaving her floatie behind and going to the edge of the pool before pulling herself out of the water, wrapping a towel around herself before walking over the butler that stood near the pool, phone held in his hands.
She did find it odd that Jordan would keep a butler holding the phone near the pool when she never even used the pool at all. But as of this moment, it was very convenient for Vivien.
Vivien then grabbed the phone, dialing a number quickly and fast, ignoring the odd look she was receiving from the butler. And then she waited, listening intently as the dial tone dulled on which seemed like ages for her but in reality it has only been a few seconds.
"Come on now…pick up," she said softly, clutching the phone tightly.
And just when she was about to give up and slam the phone down, feeling embarrassed the other end was picked up and a tired Hello was what greeted her.
Vivien's cheeks flushed at the voice, knowing it was Gatsby on the other end. And just hearing his voice sent odd goosegumps on her arms. "H-Hello…Gatsby?" she asked softly in a hushed tone, her eyes drifting over to the butler as if saying to give her some privacy.
"V-Vivien? Is that you?" He asked, seeming to perk up right away after hearing the sound of her voice.
The butler nodded and put the phone down onto a stand before walking away. Vivien then let out a sigh of relief at his departure, focusing back onto the phone.
"Yes…I got the flowers," she said, chewing on her bottom lip to contain a shy smile from gracing her mouth.
"Did you like them?"
"Oh I loved them and the poem too. It was very sweet of you…"
"Well…I did it because I was sorry. Sorry for upsetting you that night. I really wouldn't have let Wolfsheim touch you like that if I wasn't in such a state of shock. I'm just…" Gatsby seemed to falter in his sentence as if he was trying to find the right word to say.
"it's fine Jay…I wanted to call you to tell you I forgive you and would really like to spend time in your presence once more."
"I'd be glad to see you once more Vivien. I want to spend more time with you…explore our relationship further if you would want to…"
Vivien blushed lightly, and smiled softly, thinking back on what Daisy said. She could be a fool and decline Gatsby right here and now, and move on with her life, marry a rich diplomat's son, pop a few children out and live a mediocre life. And be a beautiful fool, a copy of what was expected of women like Daisy.
Or she could go against society and explore this newfound relationship with Gatsby, someone who seemed rich and yet had so many youthful qualities. Someone who seemed to ready to do anything for her and live a life full of adventure.
"Hello? Vivien are you still there?" Gatsby asked slight panic in his voice. Maybe Vivien was coming to end things? He hoped not…
"Y-yes I am…I'm sorry my mind wandered…" she said with a sheepish light laugh. And Gatsby laughed a little also.
"Thinking of me Vivien? You must really talk to a doctor about your crazed fantasies about me."
Vivien could almost see the cocky playful grin playing on his lips. She then let put a light scoff. "You wish Gatsby," she retorted, grinning from ear to ear.
"Oh trust me…I do," he said. "But would you…give me a second chance?"
Vivien smiled softly. She wasn't Daisy, she wasn't a fool and she wasn't going to be tied to a mediocre life.
"Yes…yes I will."
She wanted excitement, and she could feel it all tied into Gatsby.
END
STP: yay! I liked this chapter a lot. Like with Daisy and Vivien's talk. I mean it shows they are close despite their…differences and sometimes utter dislike with one another they can still confide in each other ^^ And Daisy's soliloquy was inspired by Lana Del Rey's "I love him" I use some of Lana's words and throw in my own. And next chapter will be a Gatsby one.
I'm thinking about speeding things along with Nick going to finally introduce Gatsby to Daisy. It'll be interesting and fun because Gatsby will be caught between two women :3
I'm still unsure what chapter that will be. Maybe chapter 11? Who knows. But I do know I'm going to have fun making some cutesy fluff for Vivien and Gatsby next chapter. Maybe even a lemon? A spicy naughty one o3o
Like…Gatsby's anger could be used to do so much good in a lemon. Like what if he's all rough in bed? In the movie he was all sweet with Daisy but with Vivien I imagine he doesn't have to be sweet. He could treat her like a whore and still cuddle with her afterwards
Gatsby:….O.o something is seriously wrong with you woman.
STP: Shush I just have weird fetishes
Vivien: I do to darling!~
Gatsby:…alright then. I think it's time for me to go now…*walks away and opens the door to reveal Castiel*
Cas: How…what…what am I doing here? O.o
Vivien: If Shay types it then you're here
Cas: Lashay I have no time for this! I need to stop Lucifer!
STP: Ahhh! Castiel! *clings to his trench coat*
Cas: Uhm…
Gastby: She does this all the time old sport. Get used to it.
Cas: Shay this is no time for ga—mmf!
STP: *tackles him* Mwa! Mwa! *tries to kiss him*
Cas:This is really not the right time shay ._.
Gatsby: *shakes head* she will never learn. Anywho old sports read and review will ya? I have to help an angel get a fangirl off of him