(25) Dinner for Three

That Wednesday after School, Belle caught up with Mimi and Chloe in the parking lot. “Hey! I got an idea. Why don’t the three of us go out to eat tonight?”

Mimi tossed her book bag in the back seat. “Nice idea, but I’m broke. I don’t get paid until Monday.”

“It’s ok. It will be my treat.”

“How?”

“It’s called a Gold card.”

Mimi rolled her eyes, “Hmmm. Must be nice. But I don’t need your charity. How about you coming over to the apartment tonight? We can eat toast.”

Belle squatted down and looked over to Chloe. “What do you think?”

Chloe shrugged, “I don’t know Belle. I’m getting low on money too. I won’t get paid until this after this photo shoot in St. Louis this weekend.”

“Oh come on guys! Forget about the money. I want us to have a good time tonight.”

“We don’t have to go out to eat to have a good time.” Mimi insisted.

“Please!!!” Belle begged her friends.

Mimi started her engine, “All right, all right! Where do you want to go?”

Belle perked up at Mimi’s surrender. “Someplace nice. Like the Penthouse Grill or Tuscany.”

“Belle!” Mimi yelled.

“What?”

“Ok, those places are a little too nice.”

“We’re going anyway. Which one do you prefer?”

Mimi shook her head, unable to answer.

Belle looked at Chloe, “You?”

Chloe glanced around the emptying parking lot, “Ummmmm…Tuscany I guess.”

Belle held up one finger, “One for Tuscany. Mimi?”

“I don’t care.”

“I’m hungry for Italian. So my vote is for Tuscany.”

“Whatever,” Mimi mumbled.

“Then Tuscany it is.” Belle said, standing up. “Can you guys pick me up?”

Mimi nodded, “Is 8:00 ok? I want to take a long nap first.”

Belle nodded. “Eight is fine. I’ll make the reservations.”

*******************

Once they arrived at Tuscany, the hostess seated them in a secluded area of the restaurant. They ordered their drinks, gossiping freely as they anxiously awaited their entrée.

Mimi whined over her latest argument with Brett. And how much Brady’s flirtatious behavior disgusted her.

“What is it with you two?” Belle asked suspiciously.

Chloe smiled and gave Mimi a sidelong glance when she relayed an exaggerated denial.

Chalking up her frustration, Mimi threw reality onto the table, “Men SUCK!”

Belle reflected quietly on her recent revelation to this fact. A la Shawn and his Anna Kourkinova. She swallowed her drink, “No arguments here. All men are boys. They live in a dream world. All they want is a FANTASY.”

“Dang Belle! I can’t believe this is coming from you!” Mimi said in shock.

“Well it’s true,” Belle assured her sadly.

“I know, but still. You really think that?”

“Yes!”

“Such pessimism Belle, especially from you. Now I’ve heard it all.”

Belle shrugged and rested her elbows on the table. “Whatever.” She looked at Chloe. “Then there’s you. I’m sure you could hardly relate.”

“Hey,” Chloe snapped irritably.

“You got men wrapped around your finger. First Philip, now Jason.”

Mimi spit her ice cube back into her glass, “Jason! What are you talking about? Jason as in Jason Wells?”

Belle raised her eyebrow, “That’s right! Chloe knows just how to lure guys. Maybe we ought to take lessons.”

“Jason!” Mimi exclaimed, still in shock. She looked around the room and before taking another sip of her drink, “Wow. More power to you.”

“Exactly,” Belle chimed sarcastically.

Mimi considered this newest tidbit, “Are you on crack? Hell hath no fury like Jan.”

Chloe sighed, “Yeah, well I have yet to see it.”

Mimi gaped at her. “You are so amazing. I got to admit though, you have taste. He is fine. How long has this been going on anyway? Here I am, your roommate, and I had no idea. You’re so sneaky it’s scary.”

Now uncomfortable, Chloe attempted to change the subject. “Not very long. Who cares? Ladies, please, were here to have a good time, not be depressing.”

Belle nodded, “You are so right Chloe. Let’s make it a rule to not talk about guys for the rest of the night.”

Still not satisfied, Mimi persisted. “Oh my God. Poor Philip! He was just asking about you the other day.”

“He did?” Chloe asked.

“Yeah.”

“Hello!” Belle said, waving her hands in front of the two. “No talk about guys!”

Chloe blinked at Belle, “Ok, sorry.”

Apparently, something became more interesting to Mimi, for she dropped the subject rather quickly. “Well, well, well. Lookie here.”

“What is it?” Belle asked, looking around aimlessly.

Mimi pointed at the two new customers approaching their section. “It’s Ginny’s dad with his…goon.”

Belle and Chloe turned around in curiosity. Mr. Vaccarezza gave the girls a polite nod as they were seated at the table across from theirs.

Soon after, the waitress brought the girls their food. Chloe glanced over to Mr. Vaccarezza in fascination. She sat her fork down and chewed. “You ever get this feeling that there is a whole different world out there? One we nothing we know a thing about.”

Mimi rolled her eyes, “You mean like HIS?”

Chloe raised her eyebrow.

“Whaaaaaat?” Belle asked, clueless.

“Here we go again. Just to fill you in Belle, Chloe’s imagination runs wild with Mr. V. She’s convinced he’s some kind of Don Corleone. It goes all the way back to the first time she met him.”

Belle’s forehead wrinkled in confusion, “Oh?”

“I wonder what makes a guy like that tick,” Chloe said, genuinely curious.

“I’m sure it’s beyond our grasp Chloe.” Mimi insisted.

“What do you suppose he sees when he looks at us?”

“Probably three young, innocent, giggly girls,” Mimi answered bluntly.

“Isn’t that what we are though?” Belle asked.

“Whatever!” Mimi hissed. “I’d ride his cock in a heartbeat.”

“Mimi!” Belle wailed. “You are so SICK! What has gotten into you? Why do you talk like that?”

Chloe twirled her pasta in her fork, “Mimi’s been watching a little too much Sex in the City.”

“Up and down and all around,” Mimi sang lustfully as she squirmed in her seat.

Chloe nearly chocked on her pasta. She cracked up silently, eyes watering.

“You all right there, Chloe? That shit ain’t gonna come out of your nose or anything is it?”

Chloe shook her head, still unable to swallow.

Belle giggled uncontrollably, “Oh Mimi, you are such a HO.”

“I’d stick my snatch right up in his face,” Mimi continued.

Chloe gave in, spitting her mouthful into her napkin.

“Ewwwww,” Mimi and Belle chimed.

“Mimi you bitch! Why do you have to say stuff like that when my mouth is full?”

“It’s not my fault you didn’t swallow. Which I’d do for him, by the way.”

“Ok, now that’s Samantha I hear talking!”

“Who’s that guy with him?” Belle asked.

Chloe glanced over to their table, “That’s Paul. Err Paulie. Whatever.”

“He’s kind of cute,” Belle smiled approvingly.

“Yeah, he’s got the teddy bear thing going on,” Mimi said dryly.

“For real.”

“And he respects women too,” Mimi offered.

“How do you know?” Belle asked curiously.

“He’s all into the seductive greetings. Ask Chloe, she knows.”

“Hmmm, interesting.”

“But Mr. V gets all hot under the collar when he does it.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. He jumped all over him when he did it to Chloe. Kind of a little possessive if you ask me. I think he’s got a thing for Chloe.”

“Huuuuh” Chloe begged innocently.

“You know he does! He always looks at you all cock eyed.”

“He does not!”

“He does too. But I don’t care. I’d still fuck him, and you know you would too. Belle, you can have Paulie.”

“Shh, they’re looking this way right now.”

“He wants to bend me over the table right now…”

Belle turned scarlet and Chloe snorted uncontrollably at Mimi’s last remark. “Stop right now Mimi. Or we’ll leave your ass right here at this table,” Chloe promised.

“Go ahead. I’ll just get a RIDE home with Mr. Vaccarezza.”

“Mimi shut up for real. We’re in a nice place. Have some manners.”

“Screw Brett. I’ll dump his ass and become a mafia mistress instead. Cuz it’s all about the money, honey.”

“Mimi, you are so gone.”

“Is he still looking over here? Maybe I should go ask him if he wants to dance.”

“NO! Mimi, EAT.” Chloe snapped.

Mimi stabbed her fork into a chunk of chicken, “Fine then. I swear, you guys are no fun.”

“I don’t know who this influence is on you, but whoever it is, I don’t like them.” Belle said with disgust.

Chloe smiled to herself as she thought about the rather, feisty and HEATED exchanges between Brady and Mimi.

*********************

Upon leaving, the girls bumped into Mr. V and Paulie in the lobby.

Mimi introduced Belle, “Mr. Vaccarezza, this is my friend Belle Black.”

Belle extended her hand, “Isabella Black.”

Mr. V smiled and extended his hand, “Hi, I’m Adam Vaccarezza. I’m Virginia’s father. His is my associate Paulie.”

Paulie reached for Belle’s hand and was just about to kiss it. Mr. V cleared his throat as a reminder.

Paulie glanced at his boss nervously and smiled at Belle, “Nice to meet you Isabella. That’s a very pretty name. In fact my grandmother’s name is Isabella.”

Belle blushed shyly.

The five headed to the elevator. Inside, Chloe stood next to Mr. V, with Mimi on his other side. Belle stood next to Paul on the far right. Everyone waited in silence as the door shut.

This time, Mimi paid closer attention to the golden mirror on the elevator’s door.

Paulie checking out Belle.

Belle checking out her coat sleeve.

Mimi checking out Mr. V.

Mr. V checking out Chloe.

Chloe staring at the floor.

She looked up, meeting Mimi’s eyes in the reflection. Then briefly, until she looked away nervously, Mr. V.

The door opened on the fifth floor.

Mr. V turned to the girls, “Where are you ladies getting out?”

“The next floor down.” Mimi said.

“It isn’t safe for three young ladies to be alone in a parking garage. Let Paulie walk you to your car.”

“Ok, I appreciate your concern Mr. Vaccarezza. But I think we’ll be all right. I always carry a can of mase. Besides, Belle is a brown belt in karate and Chloe, well, she’s just a good screamer.”

Chloe and Belle’s eyes bulged in embarrassment.

Mr. V produced an amused smile, “That’s good to know Miriam. I’m glad you can take care of yourself. But I still insist on Paulie accompanying you. He’ll be able to adequately protect you.” He turned to Paulie, reaching for his keys. “I’ll pick you up downstairs.”

The girls nodded obediently, too afraid to challenge the order given. Paulie accepted his instructions and remained on the elevator. The girls remained in nervous silence. Once they got off the elevator, they entered the parking garage. Mimi took the lead and Chloe followed her. “This is so embarrassing Chloe. He’s going to see what he drive.”

“I know,” Chloe agreed under her breath.

Belle remained a few steps behind, glancing over to the smiling bodyguard.

Once they got to the Volkswagon, Paulie opened the door for Belle. Chloe climbed into the backseat, allowing Belle’s “moment” with the teddy bear to linger. Belle turned to Paulie, “It was nice to meet you.” Paulie, embracing the opportunity free from his bosses’ disapproving eye, reached down to kiss Belle on the cheek. “It was nice to meet you too Isabella. You’re a lovely young lady.”

Belle blushed and got in the car. Mimi fired up the engine. To their mortification, the engine squealed at an unbearable pitch, echoing through out the parking garage.

Mimi shook her head, “Why does this shit have to happen right NOW?” She revved the engine harder, hoping the sound would go away.

Unfortunately, it didn’t.

Paul tapped on Belle’s window. Belle rolled it down.

Paul leaned down, “Don’t leave yet. He’ll probably want me to follow you guys home.”

“Thanks Paul, but you don’t have to go out of your way for us like that.” Mimi said.

“Don’t worry about it. But I know him, he’ll insist on it anyway.”

“All right.”

“By the way, you car doesn’t sound too good. You should get your get your engine checked out.”

“I know. Normally it’s fine. It gets like this when it’s really cold.”

“I got a cousin that works on cars. I’ll have him look at it for you sometime.”

“You’d do that for me? That is so sweet of you.”

Paul stood up as Mr. V pulled up in his new, black Z8 Jaguar. He gave Belle’s chin a gentle stroke before excusing himself. He walked to the driver’s side. Mr. V gestured for him to take a seat in the passenger side. Mimi pulled out of her stall, the engine continuing to shrill. She lurched forward, spiriling down to the parking ticket pay booth. Belle handed her money to pay. Mimi drove through the gate and waited for Mr. Vaccarezza behind her.

“Ok, I’m thinking ORGY, for real!” Mimi yelled.

Chloe sunk down in her seat, “This is so embarrassing. We HAVE to get another car Mimi.”

“Oh my God Belle. Paul totally wants you! And CHLOE, Mr. V was totally checking you out in the elevator. “

“He was not!”

“Yes he was! You are such a man eater.”

“He was Chloe,” Belle admitted.

“Check you out Belle. Mr. Teddy Bear was all over that. That guy would CRUSH Shawn for real.”

“Shawn who?” Belle joked lightly as she peered into her window mirror.

“By the way Mimi, what the hell was that shit about? I’m a good screamer!”

“You are!”

“And I’m some kind of brown belt in karate?” Belle jumped in.

“You liked that one didn’t you?”

“Whatever Mimi. He knew you were full of shit.”

“I doubt it.”

“I don’t think men like Mr. V get to where they are by being gullible. Nice try though.” Chloe said laughing.

“You got a crush on him, don’t you Chloe?” Mimi said.

“No Mimi! I don’t. I swear. I just think guys with power are kind of cool.”

“You going to dump Jason now and go for him?”

“No! You are taking this all wrong.”

“Whatever.”

“You are.”

“Uh huh.”

Mimi flipped on the radio. Erykah Badu’s “Bag Lady” played on her favorite station. She turned it up full blast, singing along. At an intersection, she turned it down suddenly. She glanced in her rearview mirror before looking back to Chloe. “Hey, when we get to the gate, do you want to hop out and invite them in? Tell Mr. V I’ll blow him like a lollipop.”

“No Mimi, you tell him.”

“Hell no. If I’ll do it, he’ll probably turn me down and ask for you instead. I’m not in the mood for rejection tonight, so you do it.”

“No!”

“Fine, I’ll have Belle do it then. Paulie will be thrilled by the invitation.”

Once they arrived at the gate, Mimi punched in the code. Paulie jumped out the car suddenly and ran to Belle’s window. “You ladies have a nice evening.”

Mimi smiled graciously, “Thanks Paulie. Tell Mr. Vaccarezza I appreciate the gesture.”

Paul paused for a moment. Belle looked at Mimi, who nudged her slightly, “Last chance,” she whispered. “Oh my God,” Chloe mumbled in awe.

Belle blushed and turned to Paul, “Good night,” she said sweetly.

Mimi laughed. She gave Paulie a friendly wave as she pulled forward.

Belle shrieked when the gate closed behind them. “MIMI! How could you do that?”

“I’m just having fun Belle. Lighten up! The guy’s got a crush on you.”

Belle looked back to Chloe, “I swear! How do you live with her?”

********

Once they got home, Chloe gossiped with the girls for awhile before excusing herself to go to bed early. Exhausted, she crawled into bed. The phone rang just as she got comfortable. She reached down to the floor, answering on the second ring. “Hello?”

“Hi there,” the sexy voice greeted.

“Jason,” Chloe said, her exhaustion disappearing suddenly.

“Hey girl. I tried calling earlier, but there was no answer.”

“Belle, Mimi and I went out to eat earlier.”

“To a ramen noodle house?”

Chloe smiled, “No ning nong.”

“NING NONG?”

“Yeah silly.”

“You’re silly.”

“What’s up,” Chloe asked.

“Nothing. Just wondering if you wanted to come over tonight. But I guess it’s too late now though.”

“Yeah, but…”

“Maybe some other time then.”

There it was…that seductive tone of his.

Chloe held the phone up as she pounded her forehead into her pillow. With a jolt of adrenalin racing within, she took a deep breath before answering, “That’d be great.”

Shit! She could throw on her running shoes and run about ten miles, easy.

Chloe climbed out of bed, crossing the room to the window. She closed the venetian blind. She traced her finger down each blade, ensuring its’ closure. She flopped onto her bed again, laying on her stomach.

“How does tomorrow sound?” the voice on the other end inquired.

A groan escaped Chloe. Embarrassed, she apologized.

“Don’t be sorry. I love your voice…”

Me too Jason, me too!

“When you speak, laugh, sing. I don’t know, I like it. It gives me the…chills,” he confessed softly.

Chloe pounded her face onto the pillow again. Forget ten miles. That was small potatoes. Right now she could run a MARATHON. And win.

“Jason, why do you do this?” she asked out loud, not meaning to.

“Do what?” he said, smiling.

“Nothing, nothing. So you’re ready for another trigonometry session?”
”Yes. I want to get tangent with you,” he kidded.

Chloe snorted.

Jason laughed at her. “See, I like that too. Always have.”
”Hmmmmm”

“Hey, I’ll let you go now. Don’t be a stranger.”

“I will until tomorrow night.”

“Around seven?”

“I’ll see you then,” she said, hanging up the phone.

Breaking the ribbon at the finish line…