by L Neil
My eyes start to water and I push aside Samuel’s warning. Well, for tonight, anyway. The way that Frank is looking at me now, so full of devotion, how could I not?
“Helena, I will love you forever. And that is not just a vow, it is a fact.”
He puts his glass down, grabs my hand and lifts me up. “Ladies and gentlemen, I ask that you treat my beautiful wife as you have always treated me – like family.”
The booming applause and shrill whistling chase away my doubts. The camera flashes shine on his beaming face. Then he kisses me, and I realise that I am definitely in love with this man. When I tell him so, he responds with the biggest smile I have every seen in my life.
Then, he guides me around the room to thank our guests for attending. I hug my friends and family and kiss Mrs Teller’s cheeks in thanks.
Before we take leave, Frank introduces me to Tony Rizzo who runs a contracting business and can help me remodel the apartment. He tells me that he can get the boys out as early as 9am tomorrow to start taking measurements and help me determine electrical and plumbing requirements.
Trying not to look too eager, I say, “Tomorrow would be great, thank you.”
When we return home, Frank undresses me and makes love to me slowly.
Afterwards, we are too restless to sleep so we move to the bedroom’s balcony. Warm from what we just did between the sheets, we don’t need to wear much – he is in his plain white undershirt and pyjama pants and I am wearing the button up shirt that he wore this evening.
Lounging on the chair and smoking his cigar, his eyes slide over to me, to watch me every now and then. Other times, he seems lost in his thoughts.
I swirl the wine in my glass and lean against the balcony. For the first time, I take pleasure in his attention. I let go of all my doubt and bashfulness.
I start to sing “Summertime” as I did that night in London, and it seems that I have done the most tantalising thing. He watches me hungrily, getting up from his chair to hold me.
As I continue singing, he hums along, rocking me gently in the moonlight.
When we go to bed again, it’s my turn to be on top, to take care of my husband. He marvels at the view above him and grips my thighs so hard, it seems that he is afraid that I will fly away.
CHAPTER 9
The Electrician
I open my eyes to see Frank standing out on the balcony again, facing the gardens in the early morning light. His arm moves to bring his cup of coffee to his lips.
This bed is so plush and comfortable and I don’t recall waking during the night, which is odd for me. The bedside alarm shows me that I have slept a bit too much and need to meet with the contractors in an hour.
As I tip-toe towards the bathroom, Frank turns and says in his enticingly deep voice, “You’re not trying to sneak away from me, are you?”
Could this man get any more adorable with his pyjamas, mug, and playful grin?
There is no doubt that I am his whole world now. And he is becoming mine, too.
I cross the room and wrap my arms around his neck, kissing him. He doesn’t mind my morning breath and I love his coffee breath. He puts his mug down on the round, brass outdoor table and returns to me to kiss me more deeply.
Between kisses, I tell him that I need to get ready to meet with Tony’s crew. He tells me that he must be somewhere too but that doesn’t mean we can’t shower together.
After a very quick but playful shower, we dress together in his massive walk-in robe. My clothes have magically appeared in his wardrobe and I choose a sheath dress in navy blue with a blush and gold floral pattern. The dress stops mid-thigh. I pair it with black leather boots that stop just above my knees and a matching biker jacket. Frank looks suave in his tan slacks, pastel blue button-up shirt and brownish-grey, wool trench coat.
As soon as I tie my hair into a bun, he kisses my neck. His breath stirs the loose tendrils of my hair, tickling me.
I realise that I have never felt this content before in my life. Naturally, I have to pick at it. “I noticed you were distracted last night, before the reception. Want to tell me what’s going on?”
He pauses and considers it for a moment and then he rumbles, “I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours?” Of course, he had noticed my quiet mood in the car too.
Weighing my options, I decide to tell him. He is going to know eventually, anyway. “Mason & Charles called me yesterday to tell me that I no longer have the job.” I continue slowly, unsure if I should be elaborating. “It was implied that they wouldn’t hire me because I’m your wife.”
He turns me to face him so suddenly, it frightens me. He exhales, nostrils flaring in his pointed nose.
He grates, “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“I didn’t want to ruin our day,” I say.
Looking downright murderous, he leaves the wardrobe and I follow him. He picks his cell phone up from the nightstand and must be calling someone because his phone is now at his ear.
“No. Stop it,” I beg. “What are you doing?”
“I’m going to sort this out,” he replies.
“What do you mean? No.” I grab the phone and hang it up, much to his displeasure. For a moment, I worry that I went too far by snatching from him.
But then he pulls me into a hug and solemnly says, “I am so very sorry, baby.”
I tell him, “It’s okay.” Relieved, my breath comes out in a rush. “I just need you to promise me that you will do nothing about this.” I pull back to look into his eyes. “Please?” I beg.
Reluctantly, he closes his eyes and nods his head once.
“I need you to say that you promise.”
He grudgingly says, “I promise.” Then, he sighs and remarks, “I haven’t capped anyone’s knees in years. I was kind of looking forward to it.”
A part of me wants to laugh at his joke but my shock wins over. He thinks my reaction is amusing and pulls me in for another hug.
“I will do nothing about this,” he says seriously. “I give you my word.”
Magazines and notes are sprawled across the floor in the centre of the apartment. Most of my work is on my laptop, however.
I know exactly what I want to do with the place. I have chosen the flooring, lighting, kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanity, bath, fixtures, paints…
Just as I grow impatient and want to start tearing down everything that is to be removed myself, Dominic leads the workmen into the apartment.
Now that we have company, he decides to stay inside. He takes post against the bare wall in a spot that allows him to see the main part of the apartment and the entry way, too.
This wall that separates the entry way cannot just hold a TV, I decide. It needs something…special.
Tony shakes my hand and introduces me to his “boys”. I smile and shake each of their hands. They are all business, bar one. At the end of the line is Eddie, the guy from Medusa and Molly’s.
He grins widely at me, amused it seems. A quick glance in Dominic’s direction shows that he isn’t interested in anything that isn’t on his phone screen. Praise the baby Jesus.
“What are you doing here?” I whisper sharply after the other men filter away to begin their inspections.
The glow fades from his face, just a little bit. “I’m an electrician - here to meet your electrical needs.” He bows to me and my eyes widen in horror.
Dominic is still glued to his phone, thankfully.
Eddie notices my nervous glance towards Dominic and leans in to say, “Don’t worry, I won’t do anything to offend your guard dog. Or your husband.”
So, he knows?
“Yes, I heard all about it this morning. Frank Mariano, eh? He is one scary mother-
“How could you have known that I married him? You don’t even know who I am.”
“Helena,” he chides, “everyone knows who you are now. Not just those in the inner-circle.” Inner-circle – that’s one way of putting it.
“You weren’t going to ha
ve lunch with me today, were you?” He grins, wryly but then he must decide that he cannot be upset about it. “I suppose it wouldn’t be a good idea for either of us.”
“No, it wouldn’t,” I agree.
He changes the subject. “At Molly’s you called me a kid,” and he smiles again, a little cheekily this time. “Do you call every guy you meet a kid?”
“Not normally, no.” Embarrassed, I say, “Sorry about that.”
He laughs, “I should have you know; I am actually older than you.”
I raise my eyebrows, “Is that right?”
He nods, smiling still. “Eleven months.”
This indicates that he knows my birth date. Does everyone know everything about me now?
“So, an electrician, then?” I inquire, ready to change the subject.
“Pretty much, I just have to sit my Journeyman exam.”
It looks like he is waiting for me to say something. When I don’t, he says, “Most people would say that I’m a bit old. The thirty-year-old apprentice.”
I shrug my shoulders, “At least you’ll have a trade. I have no idea what the hell I’m going to do. I just lost the only job I had lined up.”
“What doing?” He asks, crossing his arms.
“Nothing special,” I sigh.
He considers something for a moment. “Will you be happy to work anywhere?”
“Yeah. I don’t need to make much money, but I can’t just sit around and do nothing, you know?”
He laughs and then spins around to take in the space. “Well, you get to renovate this place. How cool is it?”
I appreciate him trying to make me feel better. I suppose it’s working, too, because I do feel a little less bummed.
“Show me what you had in mind,” he says.
I direct him to all the power points and light switches. He says he will ensure that the wiring and what-not is up to scratch. I show him the light pendants that I propose to have installed and he seems quite excited to be on board.
He asks me about my other ideas, and I hand over my laptop so that he can go through my inspiration gallery.
“An industrial theme is perfect! And so doable.”
When everyone is done and the others have looked at my ideas, Tony gathers us around and addresses his boys. “What do you say, fellas? This gonna be easy or what?”
They seem to be very confident in making this work.
When we arrive home, Dominic hastily exits the car to make a phone call. While I have Marty alone in the car, I say, “Marty, I have a question. It’s about my father.”
His grey eyes flick to me in the mirror. He won’t turn around in his seat, just in case Dominic notices and becomes suspicious. That’s okay with me.
“Do you think it’s possible that someone set him up to gamble with Simon Briggs?” I thought I was over it, but I can’t not ask while I have the chance.
He sighs and decides to turn around after all. “I’ve known Jimmy for most of his life. He has always been like a son to me,” he reflects.
Deflated, he answers my question. “Unfortunately, no, I don’t believe that’s what’s happened. If I knew otherwise,” he looks me dead in the eyes, “I would tell you. I swear it.
He sighs again, “I know that Jimmy had his sights on Simon Briggs for a number of years. There is just no end to that man’s greediness.”
I sigh in relief. “Thanks Marty.
”
CHAPTER 10
The Fileplace
It’s Saturday night and it’s our one-week anniversary.
I’m on stage now, singing ‘Forgive Me’ by Peggie Sue at Frank’s favourite Jazz bar. The band and I have already performed numbers by Mildred Bailey, Ella Fitzgerald and Julie London.
My hair is done in my usual go-to style – wavy with a side part – and I am wearing a simple but elegant black dress, with a low, square neckline and long sleeves. The bottom of the dress tapers in like a pencil skirt and finishes just below my knees. My lips are red to match my Jimmy Choos, the latest gift from my doting husband.
Like the boss he is, Frank is seated at the centre table in the crowd with a cigar hanging from his lips, admiring the view. There is nothing that can distract that man and I am practically serenading him, there may as well be no one else on the planet.
When the song finishes, the pianist offers the stool to me, as we had previously arranged. Once I settle in front of the keys, I look back out to my husband who has watched the exchange with keen attention. He leans forward, his open-mouthed grin and sparkling eyes showing me that he is both surprised and anticipating.
I play “Summertime” on piano, the band softly joining in. I will always have a happy memory connected to that song now and I simply had to play it for my gorgeous husband.
When it’s over and the audience applauds, I give the stool back to the pianist and join Frank below, who is beaming with pride.
While the band plays on, he holds me in one arm and lifts my other. Swaying me, he puts his lips at my ear and rasps, “Baby, you blow me away.”
The night continues much the same – we dance and then drink and then dance again, learning more about each other the whole time.
But like everything else, it cannot last forever. He must take a phone call and although I get the sense that he would have ignored it for me, it seems to be important.
I sit at the bar, order a Jack & Coke and a familiar voice says, “Is there anything you can’t do?”
Are you kidding me?
Eddie joins me at the bar, sipping his beer through a straw.
“What are you doing here?”
He laughs abruptly, “It’s like déjà vu. I swear you said the same thing at the apartment the other day.”
I lift one of my eyebrows to reiterate the question. “So?”
“So?” He shrugs. “I like Jazz. We live in New Orleans. A lot of people here do.”
I give in.
“Okay, so how are you going with the apartment?”
“Great. I’ve actually done my part already.”
“Wow, thank you.” I feel bad now, about making a deal out of him being here. “I can’t wait to see it.” Really, I want to go and check it out now.
The stool on the other side of me is suddenly occupied, the man sitting very close to me. Automatically assuming it’s Frank, I worry about what he thinks of my interaction with Eddie.
But it’s not Frank, it’s Samuel.
Please tell me this isn’t becoming a habit of his.
“A little birdie told me you would be here tonight,” he drawls.
His brown checked suit is neat and no doubt expensive. The top of his off-white shirt is unbuttoned. He certainly looks like he fits in here, but...
“Samuel, I thought you hated Jazz.”
“Please, you’re my stepmother now, you can call me Sam.”
He orders a whiskey and is about to say something else until he notices Eddie on the other side of me and perks up. “And who is this young man?”
Eddie’s eyes widen and he glances at me, unsure about the situation. The grin on Samuel’s face could be taken as playful or evil or maybe both. I don’t like the look of it.
“You lied to me,” I say, reclaiming his attention.
He takes a sip and replies innocently, “Whatever do you mean?”
“You said that Frank set my father up. I know for a fact that that’s not true,” I bluff. I only know that Marty thinks Jimmy screwed himself over.
He swivels in the stool, leaning back and resting his arms on the counter. “Ah, but I didn’t say that. I just suggested that it was a possibility. Now, are you going to introduce me or what?”
At least that confirms that he was lying, and I have no reason to doubt my husband.
Eddie must have decided that he wants to meet Samuel because he has moved from his stool and walked around me to stand by him. He holds out his hand and smiles warmly. “I’m Eddie.”
Poor, sweet, Eddie. He has no idea wh
o is he offering his hand to.
Samuel doesn’t take his hand. Instead, he looks him over from head to toe, still lazily leaning on the bar. He purrs, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”