Published on December 21, 2010

Dana Sander’s life just became a lot more interesting. Tossing aside her dull life as a lowly clerk, she embarks on a year long adventure with a mysterious secret admirer whom she’s never met.

WARNING: If you have a problem with the words ‘Whore’ and ‘Slut’…or spankings, then you may want to steer clear. You’ve been warned…It's Sinfully Satisfying

Answering His Call: Part Three

Why I added a photo of the Temple of Aesculapius?
Because words fail to capture its beauty. Lovely place!

Dana returned to the hotel and gathered her things as quickly as possible. Only stopping to kick herself for not giving Will a proper farewell. Surely he deserved that much. This was twice she’d walked away from him. She was burning bridges left and right. Even standing before her gifts, her reason for leaving the restaurant seemed juvenile yet, shamefully, she’d left him, again.

In line, Dana shifted from foot to foot. The front desk was busier than normal during check-in. The whole situation had snowballed out of control. She felt certain Will genuinely cared for her as she did him. It wasn’t just about the sex, despite the obvious chemistry between them. If it were just about the sex she would not have reacted to the women’s chatter with such anger and indignation. No, her reactions were the result of her increasing emotional attachment to Will. They confirmed what she suspected, she was falling in love for the first time in her life. And never being one to entrust her heart to the whimsical notion of love, the realization that she was falling for a man she hardly knew both frightened and intrigued her. Moreover, it made her question her decision violently!

"He doesn't deserve this." Dana pondered erratically. "Stupid stupid stupid!! Just leave. No! don't leave. He won’t take me back. Stupid! Just give them the key and go. What the hell is wrong with me?"

“May I help you?” The front desk clerk asked
.
Dana looked around the lobby hoping to see Will. She sighed and placed her room key on the counter and left...full of regret.

Will waited in the restaurant another half an hour after Dana left, then he hailed a taxi and left. “Drive” he ordered and closed his eyes. He had no desire to see Rome. He’d been wrong about Dana, he saw that now. He thought she’s be steadfast, she wasn’t. He thought she’d be open-minded, she wasn’t. He hoped she’d like him enough to one day love him, she hadn’t. She had, within twenty-four hours, walked out on him twice.

It was afternoon when he arrived at the hotel, giving Dana sufficient time to pack her belongings before he returned. By the looks he received from the front desk, he knew she’d come and gone. In their room he found all the gifts he’d given Dana lying neatly on the bed as if she were asking him to take inventory to prove she hadn’t taken anything that wasn’t hers. Will fingered a pair of garnet and diamond earrings as he walked to the balcony. The city buzzed below, but Will felt nothing. He knew this numb feeling well and he hated it, yet there it was…like an unwelcome houseguest. He was closing down, shutting his emotions and physical presence off from one another. It was a family trait of which he had in spades. Unbeknownst to her, Dana was helping to eradicate this "problem". However, her fickle behavior is exactly what sent him into hiding in the first place. He thought it was going to be different with her. It wasn’t. She was no better than the gold-diggers...with them, at least, he knew where he stood. Dana gave the impression that she gave a damn. And he, wrongly it appeared, took her at face value, let down his guard, and fell in love with her. Were it not so painful, it would have been comical.

A maid knocked and let herself in. Will asked to have a drink brought up from the bar. For her serves, Will gave her all of Dana’s gifts, calling her back only to discard the pair of earrings he’d been holding. “That’s the last of it. Thank you.” He said dryly, closing the door.

Night began to fall and so had any shred of hope Dana would return. Will called his assistant who booked him on the first morning flight leaving Italy. Will packed his bags and ate dinner on the balcony and prepared for the long flight home.
Dana quietly closed the door behind her and dropped her bags, turning towards the sound of the shower running. Her nerves stood on end, her gut churned, and her ego begged her to run. But her heart kept her in place. She waited in the middle of the room, her right hand lost feeling. She came to attention, clenching and unclenching her fist, when she heard the shower stop.

Will emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a towel and drying his hair. He stood frozen, indifferent to Dana’s return.

Dana hadn’t expected indifference. Anger, or happiness, yes, but his indifference cut so deep she shrank inside. “Will, I’m…”

“I’ll have the room next door made up.” Will cut her off. “You will sleep there.” He hung his towel over the door and began dressing for bed. Dana was taken aback by his coldness.

“Tomorrow, we’ll meet downstairs for breakfast at nine o’clock sharp and tour the catacombs thereafter.” Fully clothed he opened the room door and held it for her. “You can wait downstairs. A chamber maid will see you to your room. Goodnight.”

He can’t be serious; Dana looked at Will in disbelief. When he didn’t flinch, she picked up her bags and heard the door close in her wake. Downstairs, she sat in the lounge debating whether racing back to Will and telling him how she felt and apologizing was worth the humiliation. Of course it was, but, like any man, his pride was bruised and he needed to brood. Dana hadn’t seen this hardened side of Will and she hoped, after their reconciliation, her immaturity would never again land her on its receiving end. If she could only talk to him, she’d lay her cards on the table, they’d pick up where they’d left off. With a better understanding of what each of them wanted and expected. Dana thought better of running to Will. If he’d wanted to talk he wouldn’t have put her out. Her punishment was the distance he put between them.

It wasn’t long before a maid came for Dana. Her room mirrored Will’s right down to the crystal soap dishes. She made herself at home and took a small meal on her balcony. Will sat on his reading as though she weren’t just a few feet away. He read in silence, as if she didn’t exist.

That night, alone in their respective beds, neither of them slept a wink.

The only thing colorful about breakfast was the waitress’s sunny personality and the flowers brought in from the hotel’s garden. Will and Dana ate in perfect silence, not a word passed between them, their gazes never met. The clicking and clanking of silverware and crockery, the hushed murmurs from other tables, the swing of the dining room door was all to be heard. He meant to humiliate her and it worked like a charm. Dana’s teacup slipped from her nervous hand, hitting its saucer and tipping a splash of tea onto the white tablecloth. Will looked on, unmoved. Dana bit back tears.

“Go upstairs. Pull yourself together.” Will ran his white napkin across his lips and stood. “The car is outside. You have five minutes.” He dropped the napkin on plate and left without another word.

Two minutes of uncontrollable sobbing, two minutes of self-reflection and one minute of deep cleansing breaths later, Dana met Will in their car for a day of sightseeing.

“The Catacombs of Domitilla: named after Saint Flavia Domitilla…” Dana read from her guide book. “…are unique in that they are the oldest of Rome's underground burial networks, and the only ones to still contain bones. They are also the best preserved and one of the most extensive of all the catacombs. Included in their passages are a 2nd-century fresco of the Last Supper and other valuable artifacts.”

Will walked ahead of Dana, marveling at the cold stone walls. “Continue.”

“They are the only catacombs that have a subterranean basilica. The entrance to the catacombs is achieved through this sunken 4th-century church, at via delle Sette Chiese 280. In the past, the basilica had become unsafe, and was abandoned in the 9th century. It was rediscovered in 1593, and much of it was reconstructed in 1870.”

“Thirty days before the Senate under the Roman Emperor Domitian would confirm an edict to kill all Jews and Christians in the Roman Empire, Domitilla convinced her husband Titus Flavius Clemens, a powerful consul, to stand up for the Jews.” Will met Dana’s eyes for the first time that day. “She was a strong woman of high principles and conviction, not easily persuaded.” He walked toward her. “She saw the big picture. Titus Flavius Clemens was a lucky man.” He brushed past Dana, heading for the entrance. “Rather befitting we came here, don’t you think?”

“Væ, puto deus fio.” Dana whispered into the vacant darkened cave.

Will squinted his eyes against the midday sun. It was a bright, sunny, but chilly day, and bringing Dana to this particular network of catacombs given their present situation was a step too far. His callousness chilled him more than the short gust of wind blowing down neck. He pulled the collar of his shirt closed, still Dana walked past him, and inquired about their next destination as if she weren’t embarrassed, as if he hadn’t hurt her. He knew he had, and seeing her pretend he didn’t cut him like a knife.

Will and Dana sat quietly as the driver weaved through the city streets. Finally Dana spoke in a small voice. “If it’s all the same to you, I’d like to walk around the Villa Borghese Gardens before we loose the sun.” She rubbed her right hand, it felt like pins were shooting into it.

“Driver?” Will called. “The Villa Borghese Gardens, please.” He noticed Dana persistent attention to her hand. “Is everything all right?” His first kind words took Dana by surprise.

“Yes, I’m fine.” Dana smiled fakely. “I’ll visit the Temple of Aesculapius, the Greek God of medicine and healing, while we’re there.” She gave another fake smile, looked out the window, and brushed a tear from her eye.

Will was none the wiser.

Upon arrival, they were taken across the narrow river, onto Tiber Island where the temple lay. The marble and stone shrine with Aesculapius himself sprang up organically from the surrounding greenery, willows, and blooming flowers. Will was immediately struck by its peacefulness and Dana’s almost trance-like calmness as she read the inscription on the temple wall. Whatever was on her mind, whatever she was going through, it held precedence over their quarrel. No longer restless or fidgety, Dana, it seemed, had found some measure of peace.

Exploring the winding paths, Will gave Dana her privacy. He’d visited Rome often as a child, however the city he knew was swallowed ritzy new real estate developments with spatters of tacky tourist traps sprinkled in for color. The Old City, with all its grand monuments, fountains and statues, was structurally untouched, however, there was sadness about them, they cried out in protest like spent hooker at the degradation of it all.

Tiber Island, Temple of Aesculapius more particular, had always been an escape. In contrast to the overpopulated confusion of the city, it felt wide open and positively serene. It was the closest to paradise I could find in the hustle and bustle of the city. It was where the seven year old Will ran when he discovered his father’s infidelity on what was supposed to be a ‘father and sons’ weekend. His father, like most men in their family, worked in the interest of the family which often took them away from home. But Will’s father was different. He doted on his family and loved his wife. Everyone envied them, but for the life of him Will couldn’t figure out why. Surely everyone lived his charmed life...surely everyone, right? No, no one’s life was as perfect as his seemed through the eyes of a sheltered youngster.

Will’s childish illusions of Camelot shattered when his father introduced him and his brothers to his mistress and their two sons. Naturally, Will’s older sibling understood the gravity of this cataclysmic admission. Dumbfounded, Will couldn’t understand why they left the lady’s house without saying a single word. The two little boys were no older than himself, and they looked nice enough so he smiled at them but, slowly, his father confessions tore young Will’s veil of innocence to shreds, let’s the light in and snuffing off the last flames of magic.

Will pulled his collar close, recalling the lonely night he spent amongst island brush after running away from his father and how the events of that weekend shaped his view of family, fidelity, and steadfast commitment….and children. Yes, he wanted children—a house full of children, not for his own recreation or sport, rather because he loved them. Maybe he’d expected too much from Dana after all they’d only known one another for a few months. Whatever his feelings were, he couldn’t expect her to reciprocate or live up to his standards.

Suddenly they’re little experiment, globetrotting with a stranger, casting aside one’s past and living for the moment, began to reveal its flaws. As humans, we forge bonds by using equal parts past, present, and future; only then can we form commonalties, and love the whole person. Their experiment proved this theory.

“Wilhelm Rothschild!” A man shouted and Will turned to the tall, brute of a man smiling widely with a blonde trophy on his arm.

“Louis?” Will shook the fellow’s hand, then hugged him. “What the hell are you doing in Rome?”

“Day tripping, what else? You haven’t met…” he gestured to the blonde. “…my fiancee, May.”

The beak-nosed blonde regally extended her dainty hand to Will. “I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting you personally however our families are close.” She let her words hang, hoping Will would draw the connection. “My father is Richmond Armstrong….my mother is Rebecca…”

“Aye!” Finally a light bulb sprang to life. “Yeah, our parents grew up together.”

“Where have you been? We haven’t seen you in ages.” Louis playfully shoved Will’s shoulder.

“Working.” Will blew a puff of air. “I don’t make the rounds anymore. Being trotted out to function after function never was my thing. You know how it is.”

“Tell me about it.” Louis rolled his big brown eyes skyward. “That’s why we’re here, the damn Westgrove function. A bunch of pompous old bags begging for money. They don’t know your name but.…”

“…they know how much you’re worth.” Will finished his sentence, smiling. “Oh they know our names. They want our monikers for their daughters.” His eyes went to May. “Isn’t that right?” May was the type trophy bride: obliging, cultured, and wafer thin. In short, a living, breathing, money grubbing, elitist Barbie. Just the sort of woman who’d be drawn to Louis’s monolithic inheritance…and just the sort of woman Will avoided.

May clung to Louis arm and gave a bashful grin. “I have no idea what you’re talking about Mr. Rothschild.” Louis was handsome, however comparing him to Will was tantamount to comparing Neil Patrick Harris to Richard Armitage: each handsome in their own right but ultimately quite an unfair comparison.

Louis looked around. “Who are you here with?”

“I’m here with my friend, Dana.” Will turned and looked towards the temple as Dana was walking up the path with a little sway in her hips. Casually dressed or not, Dana was gorgeous. Will felt envy seeping from May. “Louis, May, this is my friend Dana,” He said with Dana by his side.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Dana shook Louis’s hand, she hesitated when shaking May’s, realizing that she was the lady from the restaurant. And, given May’s pinched smile, she instantly recognized her. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Charmed.” May replied, dryly, then turned her attention to Will. “I’ll invite you before Louis gets the chance, we’re going riding tomorrow. Why don’t you and…” she grinned at Dana. “I’m sorry, what was your name again?”

“Dana,” Louis answered.

“Yes…Dana. Why don’t you guys come along? It’ll give you time to catch up” she grimaced.

“Oh, wait, sorry Dana. Do you ride or have I assumed too much?”

Will was just about to launch at her throat when Dana spoke up.

“I ride a little.”

“Of course!” Louis laughed, trying to cut the tension May sparked. “Every woman says she rides a little, then she shows up the men.” He winked at Dana.

Dana smiled. She liked Louis, he was pleasant. “We’d be happy to come. And I’ll try not to embarrass myself or Will.”

“Then it’s settled.” Louis shook Will’s hand. “We’ll leave at ten o’clock. Madison Park.”

Everyone said their goodbyes and Louis and May left in the direction from which they came.

“Well done.”

“Thanks,” Dana then spat for effect.

“And that was disgusting.”

Dana inched closer to Will as they made their way back to the boat. She could’ve sworn she felt his fingers brush hers.

*****

Back at the hotel, Will announced that he couldn’t suffer one more evening on hotel food, and insisted on going to white table cloth restaurant. Exhausted by the day and still having not discussed the rift between them or the subsequent events, Dana didn’t put up a fight. Will flippantly sent out to a nearby boutique to replace Dana’s finery. A dutiful assistant delivered a parcel of clothing only minutes before Will came knocking. Dana quickly slid in a little black cocktail dress and heels. Will was dressed smartly in a black suit and white button down. If this was the world Dana was expected to maneuver through, she needed instruction which Will tried to pack into the twenty minute ride to the restaurant, resulting in Dana staring on in disbelief and confusion. Rank, family, the who’s-who, all the do’s and don’ts ricocheted off her head.

The Mavericks, as she understood it, were self-made billionaires who ignored convention and went with their gut and get drunk punctually. The Exotics were known as the pink flamingo type: wealthy enough to build mammoth house but immediately, and to their neighbor’s horror, defaced it by employing pink flamingos. The Magnums sprinkle their conversation with random French words in hopes of adding Old World charm to their New World ambition. The Eccentrics would fit in perfectly at Wuthering Heights: filthy rich, they count their hunting dogs amongst their closed confidants, and all too often smell like wet wool.

“And where do you fall into the equation?” Dana asked over her plate.

“I don’t. I never have and I doubt I ever will.” Will laughed. “At first glance it seems like an endless steam of niceties but it’s laborious.” He looked up from his plate. Dana was hanging on his words. “I think you’ll do fine, it’s only a day of riding. Speaking of which, are you sure you’re up it?”

Dana took a drink. “I haven’t ridden in a while but I’ll be fine.”

“Of course you will.” Will chased a few pieces of chicken around his plate. “Dana…”

“Can I get you anything else, sir?” The waiter interrupted.

“The car, please. It’s been a long day. Do you mind?” Dana asked Will.

Will stared straight though her, then said without taking his eyes from her. “The car.”

The ride back to the hotel was cold and indifferent and upon arrival, they retired to their separate rooms as if they were strangers. This is too much, Dana said into her bathroom mirror. But I’m not ready to give up. I’m sick of running.

The light from Dana’s room shown on Will’s balcony. When he saw the light extinguish, he rolled over and told himself what he was doing was for their own good. Funny, it didn’t feel that way. Still, as much as he wanted her beside him, as much as he wanted to talk to her, he couldn’t put his pride aside. Will closed his eyes and went to sleep.

Answering His Call: Part Three

“This is bullshit!” Louis shouted, finding the stuffing beneath his saddle unbearably thick. “How the hell am I supposed to feel the stupid horse?”

“Don’t go for the sympathy vote.” Dana shooed the gentler away, pulled the saddle pad smooth, tightened the girth, and, to everyone’s further surprise, flung herself into her saddle. “Good boy.” She stroked her horse’s neck and shouted to Louis, “When I beat you, it’ll be fair and square.” With a tap against her hunter, she rode aside Will, he was shaking his head. “What? I told you I rode a little.” She batted her eyes.

“I didn’t realize this was a competition,” May came along the opposite side of Will.

Dana leaned over and said snidely. “It’s always a competition.”

May’s horse balked then reared up. She hit him on the neck and he turned in a circle.

Dana hopped down and grabbed May’s reins, and brought the horse to heel, then turned her attention to May’s stirrups. “They’re too loose. You’ll kill yourself.” She yanked the leather and snatched May’s crop from her hand, pointing at her and warning. “Don’t ever hit a horse’s neck, it pisses them off! If you want their attention, tighten your reins, sting him sharply in the flank and spur him on.” Dana threw the crop at May and grumbled back to her horse. “Stupid wench.”

Will smiled proudly.

“Where did you learn to ride?” May leaned forward and addressed Dana with sugared venom. “Groton, perhaps? No, St. George’s.” May sneered prettily.

She’d meant to make Dana feel inferior and it worked. Her momentary equestrian triumph was lost to her ignorance. Dana didn’t have a clue what Groton or St. George’s referred to. There under everyone’s gaze, she submitted to their mockery. She couldn’t even pretend she was one of them. She was some whore Will found in a bookstore. She couldn’t bring herself to look in Will’s direction.

“Well, come on, Dana!” Louis wrestled with his reins, oblivious to Dana’s humiliation. “Where did you go to school?”

Will sat waiting.

“I...” Dana started shakily, then looked at Will. “I…was home schooled.”

“You mean your mother brought in a tutor?” May asked.

“No, she taught us at home…herself.”

“Herself?!?” May clenched her chest for effect, then laughed. “Home schooled?! That’s a bit avant-garde even for you, Will.” She turned her horse and headed across the open pasture.

Dana reeked of defeat but she held her head high…if for nothing be to avoid Will’s gaze.

“Home schooling isn’t such a bad idea.” Louis said cheerfully, riding up beside Dana. “I wish my parents would’ve kept us at home. We were gone from kindergarten to twelfth grade.”

Dana put on a brave face. “You must have been miserable.”

“Not really. You haven’t met my parents.” Louis smiled warmly and spurred his horse in the flank, sending it charging behind May.

Dana and Will followed at full gallop.

They rode over an hour before stopping to water the horses at one of the many artificial ponds the Madison’s wrongly believed added to the splendor of their sprawling estate. Rome: The bedrock of Western civilization, with its rambling countryside and ancient ruins, wasn’t shit until the Madison’s installed artificial ponds!

The ponds were a target of Dana’s misdirected anger, her gloom sprung with the tension between her and Will. All of the confusion could be resolved if he’d just give her a chance to speak. Dana was determined to stay and learn from this experience. If he couldn’t love her then she’d stay and pray he’d hurt him so badly she’d never be tempted by the likes of him again.

“You don’t like the ponds.” Louis declared taking a seat on a log beside Dana, overlooking the field where Will adjusted May’s saddle.

“You read my mind.”

He pointed to her face. “It was your disapproving scowl, actually.”

Dana smiled shyly. “I should work on that, huh?”

“Nah, I don’t like them either. My grandfather had them installed. Next year, when I take over, I’m ripping them out.”

Dana’s face went white. “All of this is yours?!”

Louis nodded. “Yep! It’s the last piece of property I have to collect.” He looked towards the great house. “You see, I inherited this property from my father but I can’t take procession until I marry. Our lives are little more than scavenger hunts, Dana—we collect pieces as we go. If you stay in the game long enough, you’ll win.”

“Win what?”

“A free trip to the loony bin.” Louis joked. “It’s idle, wasteful, full of schemers and lairs. You don’t know who your real friends are, you hardly know your family, yet you wait around for them to die…not because you care about them, rather someone has to be there to hear the executor read their will.” He said evenly.

“That fucking sucks!” Dana said adamantly then thought better of doing so. “Sorry, I should learn to mind my tongue.”

“Yeah, you should…” Louis’s smile faded with his words. “…especially if you and Will are serious. Opinions, like farts, are best kept to yourself.”

“Ha!” Dana’s laugh caught Will’s attention, she lowered her voice. “Will and I aren’t serious; we’re friends.” Louis’s expression begged her to question. “What? We’re friends.”

“Sure you are,” Louis couldn’t believe how naïve Dana was however, he wouldn’t challenge her assertion. He knew Will better than he knew his own brothers; and Dana was no friend—she was being groomed to be Mrs. Wilhelm Rothschild IV. And in his estimation, Dana was exactly what Will needed. Unlike May, Dana had an undeniable depth of character that, even when uncomfortable in her surroundings, gave her an air of grace—she had by nature what women of society couldn’t buy with money: real class. “Are you and Will having a disagreement?”

“You mean fighting?” Dana asked. “I think we are…I mean…I don’t know.” She thought better of bringing May into the conversation. “We were having lunch in the park and he made a stupid elitist comment and it hurt my feeling—he made me feel small and I don’t want to be near him. So I left.”

Louis dipped his head, waiting for Dana to continue.

“Then I overheard a silly conversation about him and….I overreacted.” She looked up at Louis. “I left him sitting in El Toula without giving him a chance to explain. I went back to our room, packed my bags, and went to the airport…”

“But you didn’t leave. Why?”

“I couldn’t.” Dana shook her head. “Now, he’s angry and won’t talk to me—and I don’t know what to do.”

“Will isn’t angry,” Louis stood as Will and May walked towards them. “You’ve opened old wounds and kicked his pride in the balls. The fact that you’re still here amazes me—Will isn’t forgiving, you’re pretty significant, that’s for sure. Give him time, he’ll come around.” He helped Dana to her feet. “Don’t sweat May. Generally speaking, she’s a miserable person and vain beyond reason.” He met Dana’s scornfully face. “What, you thought we’re in love? No, my money and sir name are marrying her good looks and breeding.” He smirked.

“No love? None at all?” Dana asked, surprised by Louis’s candid admission.

“Not even the slightest bit. She’s contemptible. Our marriage is strictly a business agreement. Will is a lucky man. He gets to choose his wife…mine was assigned to me.” He cut the conversation short with the Will and May in their company. “We’ll ride for a couple of hours, then take another break.

Their break didn’t come until after two o’clock so they headed back to the stables. Will and Dana hadn’t spoken more than six words to one another; thankfully Louis didn’t enough talking for everyone. He meant well and adored Dana to no end. And from Will’s vantage point, Louis was a pleasant distraction for Dana. He couldn’t put him finger on it, but there was a connection between the two of them which could be put to good use.

Before taking their leave, Will accepted an invitation to attend Louis’s dinner party later that night. Will reckoned that once Dana saw from which he came, the superficial fakeness of it all, she’d better understand why he left it behind—she’d see the stark contrast between those people and him—she’d see, with her own eyes, her importance and why her leaving cut him to the quick. Dana, however, saw it as yet another opportunity to be publicly humiliated.

“Will?” Dana sounded pitiful. “I’m a little sore from our ride. Do you mind if I stay in tonight?” She gave Will a little timid look she predicted would harden his cock.

Of course she was right, even when angry Will couldn’t resist her eyes. He wanted to pound her tight little pussy inside out and toss her around like a goddamn sex puppet! “Spread your legs, and show where it hurts.”

Dana inched her knees apart slightly. In truth, she was saddle sore—just not to the extent she put forth.

“Wider.”

She opened further at the knees. Okay, the pain kicked in, shooting from her ass to her thighs. “It hurts right here.” Her voice was small, her hand was on her upper thigh.

He leaned over, his smooth voice hit its mark. “If I run my finger up and down your pussy lips, then pull your panties to one side and finger you a bit, would you feel better?” His gaze hung on hers. “Are you wet now?”

Dana was too preoccupied with his imagery to answer. She nodded yes.

“Good,” Will sat up. “If you’re well enough to fuck, you’re well enough to attend dinner. Case closed.”

*****

The function was typical: A grandiose ballroom straight out of The Great Gatsby filled to the brim with old money rubbing elbows, regrettably, with the nouveau riche. The men wore black cutaways and white waistcoats—the women were in equally somber attire. To Dana’s great relief, the formal sit down affair had given way to elegant sideboards, saving her from the evitable dry conversation with someone’s morbid uncle or a chance meeting with May and her gaggle of flint-faced cohorts. While Will entertained two of his father’s friends, Louis introduced Dana to a few partygoers, none seemed overly interested in her and she certainly wasn’t hanging on their every word. She managed to wiggle free of Louis’s benevolent grip when his duties as host called him away.

Two hours into the Madison’s swanky affair, Dana, decked out in a smart little black number, found herself standing beside the boeuf bourguignon station, sucking down martinis and discussing the inefficiency of Babelfish with some hairy guy named Al.

“I like your…” Al pointed to Dana’s ringlets draggling near her temples. “…spirally things. You’re not like the other Americans I’ve met.” Focusing through the alcohol. “You’re not…you know.”

“What?” Dana gave a tipsy frown. “Brash? Loud? We’re not always loud, but we’re always brash.”

“I’ll remember that.” Al grinned. “Can we sit? There’s a small receiving room over there.” He pointed through a set of double doors.

“I don’t think I can move. My feet are killing me.”

“I’ll rub your feet. Deal?”

“Deal” She took Al’s glass and place it along side hers on a nearby table. “I think we’ve had enough.” She followed Al to a small, secluded alcove just off the ballroom. Before her butt hit the velvet cushions, she kicked off her shoes and Al gathered her legs onto his lap. They both sighed, happy to be away from the crowd.

“I hate these parties. I don’t why I come.” Al pressed his fingers into the ball of Dana’s foot.

“Why bother? Decline the invitation.” Dana pulled her bobby pins from her hair and shook it out. She squinted at Al’s quizzical stare. “What?”

He hesitated then asked, “Is that your real hair? It’s yours if you bought it but…did it grow…you know…out of your head?”

Maybe it was the alcohol or Al’s deceptive attractiveness, but Dana found his ignorance adorable. Dana flipped her hair over. “Touch it.”

Al’s outstretched moved towards Dana’s head with all the dramatics of a 1900’s horror film. He swatted a lock of curls like a kitten with string, and then squished it in his hand. Finally, after working up his nerve, Al ran his tentacle like fingers across Dana’s scalp….and then it hit him. “What exactly am I supposed feel?”

“Tracks, long lines of hair sewn onto braids; they feel like tiny speed bumps. Do you feel any?” Dana asked, completely unaware May had alerted Louis and Will to her absence and she was being watched from afar.

“No.” Kneading her head like dough. “So…your hair is really?”

“Yep,” Dana flipped her hair back into place and Al continued rubbing her feet. “You haven’t been around many Black people, have you?”

“Not really. Nothing against Black people, though. Race doesn’t matter.” He turned his attention to her other feet. “You’re here with Mr. Rothschild?”

Al was young, no more than twenty-seven, even still, calling Will ‘Mister’ seemed excessively formal to Dana’s Western ears. “Yes, Will and I are friends.” Dana rolled her head back in an alcohol haze. “Why do you call him ‘Mister’?”

“How should I address him?”

Dana blew a breath and shrugged. “Try ‘Will’”

Al laughed loudly. “Right! Good one.”

Seeing Dana becoming too comfortable with her masseuse, Will signaled for Louis to intervene. “Sir, sorry to interrupt.” He directed at Al. “Ms. Sander’s escort is departing. Please excuse her.”

Al placed Dana’s feet on the floor and offered her his hand. Dana slipped into her shoes, and stood straightening her dress. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Dana. Give Mr…” he caught himself. “Give Will my best. Goodnight.” He left with a nod.

Louis breathed a sigh of relief and said lowly when Al was out of earshot. “Please be careful, Dana.”

“Why? Al is a nice guy. Ouch,” she streaked softly; Louis took her by the arm and led her towards Will.

“You really are clueless. That ‘nice guy’ rubbing your feet was Albert Von Thurn Und Taxis.”

“Who!?” Dana was utterly bemused.

“Never mind…just be careful how you talk to people. And don’t act so...”

“What?” Dana yanked her arm away. “Don’t act so common?”

Louis looked at Dana warily. “I was going to say, don’t act so familiar with people you don’t know.”

“I can’t be anyone but who I am.”

Louis took Dana’s arm again, drew her close people like a hostage, and weaved through the throngs of people. “That’s why you must treat everyone with cold civility until you’ve been properly introduced.”

It was just Al! Dana thought to herself, even the voice in her head was slurring its words.

Will and other guests waited in the foyer for their coats and cars to be brought around. May, obviously seeking more of Will’s attention, stood near the door wishing visitors farewell, ensuring they paid homage to the rock on her hand. Will despised her type; always plotting and planning—and scheming and gossiping. And Dana’s name had been rolling off of her tongue all evening; Dana the unfit, ill educated, connectionless, social climber. Even perched at the door, she and her harem continued their merciless attacks. Will listened unmoved; he saw no benefit in causing an unnecessary scene with people beneath him—that was until he realized Dana was three feet away, hearing every derogatory statement being spoken about her, and witnessing Will allowing it to continue, not speaking a word in her defense or putting it to an end. Will turned to Dana, standing chillingly still. The pangs of guilt gripped him. May and her friends chuckled, amused with themselves and Dana’s undoing.

“Dana.” He said quietly.

Dana didn’t answer. It was her sad, defeated, tearstained face that spoke to him far more than her words could ever have done. She didn’t look like the infuriated women who stormed out of the restaurant. She looked like a humiliated young girl who’d been betrayed, used, and bullied into tears by the man meant to care for her—and he realized he was her bully; he’d made her cry. He’d subjected her to unnecessary ridicule and mockery to prove a point. He’d hurt her. He knew he had done wrong…he knew Dana wanted to die.

Will took Dana’s coat from the attendant and wrapped it around her shoulders. He brought her limp hand to his lips, which sent more tears streaming down her cheeks. “I’m sorry.” Will said under his breath. “I’ve been unkind.”

Dana blinked, her soft brown eyes swimming in unshed tears, her chest hollowed of all feeling save disappointment. “I want to leave.” She mouthed, unable to say the words aloud for fear she’d break.

They returned to the hotel and went to their separate rooms with scarcely a word spoken between them.