The Inheritance: Chapter 5 - Part II (Updated 11/14)
Glamily:
I love this story! Your updates are awesome. I must demand more. I'll stay here until there is one.
*pulls out a camp chair, tent, table, a computer, sims and choc-chip cookies with milk.*
CuriousSimmer:
The Inheritance
Chapter 3 - Part V
July 1964
The first week in July, Paolo Esposito called me. "Listen, I have to go to Rome to pick up a piano. Yes...a piano. It was my wife's and we didn't have room in the van the first time--I won't bore you with the details. But I wanted to ask if you wanted to come. I know your husband lives there and I thought you might like to visit since I'll be going that way."
I paused for a moment to consider. It was a few hours' drive, but if I left a meatloaf in the oven for Andre and Lara with instructions, they could manage. "Yes," I said. "I think I'd like that."
"I'll pick you up at seven in the morning," said Paolo, and he disconnected.
The next day, Paolo was as good as his word. He arrived after I had got the children up for school and we set off for Rome before the oddly out-of-season frost had managed to melt.
On the way, he told me the story of the piano. It had belonged to his wife, a concert-quality pianist, but he had been unable to find room for it in the van with his other furniture.
It was a pleasant ride, I'll admit. We talked and joked, laughing along the way. I knew that his company was a welcome change from helping my son with his homework and reading to my daughter--a realization that hit me with a pang of guilt. But I told myself that I was going to visit Dante, so my justification was sound.
And I could tell that Paolo was happy to have adult company, as well. It was a win-win situation. That is, until we arrived at Dante's apartment.
I knocked on Dante's door. It was the first time I had been to the apartment, so I wasn't sure I had the right number until the door finally opened and a very shocked Dante let me in.
Despite the happiness I felt at seeing my husband, I could tell that my surprise visit had annoyed him somewhat--whether it was because I had surprised him, or because I was even there I didn't know.
We talked about the new neighbors, Judith's burgeoning business plan, and the children's accomplishments in school.
By the time our visit ended, Dante was physically relieved, I could tell, to see me go. I tried to understand his position, but I couldn't deny that my feelings were hurt by his brusqueness. He kissed my cheek and saw me out.
But little did I know that it wasn't my presence that had him on edge, but the presence of someone else...
...who was up the stairs...
...and through the bedroom...
...but most of all he was nervous that I would discover his extramarital secrets.
Later that month...
As it turned out, Lady Somerset worked a lot more quickly than even she could have imagined and within two months of moving in had caught and captivated her old childhood friend Lord Grant Thornycroft. The last week of August the neighborhood was invited to their engagement party.
I came in from the backyard where I had been visiting the plaque that was dedicated to Esther. But as I silently shut the door behind me, I found that I had walked into another secretive conversation between Capricia Volante and Grant Thornycroft.
"Do you imagine that this changes anything?" asked Capricia quietly, her voice like silk against the phonograph music wafting from the living room. "Your engagement doesn't change how I feel or what I want, Grant."
"I'm engaged to be married, Cap--Signora Volante. I can't do this, I have to think of my new family," said Grant, tugging the collar of his uniform. "Please, this has to stop."
"I get what I want," said Capricia as she reached out to smooth the sash on Grant's uniform. "You should know that by now."
"I should get back to my fiance," Grant said sternly, and he walked away.
Meanwhile, Paolo was introducing himself to Angela.
"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Giorelli."
"Actually, it's Mrs. Giorelli. Unfortunately," said Angela with a smirk.
"Sorry?" asked Paolo, confused.
Angela explained, "My husband, Giovanni, is in a coma. It's a shame because I can't divorce him until he wakes up."
"Giovanni Giorelli? Did he happen to serve in the War?"
"Why yes," said Angela. "Do you know him?"
"Was he a sniper?" asked Paolo.
"Yes he was."
"I knew him. We served together. He's in a coma? That's too bad."
"Don't feel too bad," said Angela with a chuckle. "He did try to kill me."
"Oh..."
As the party was winding down, we gathered in the living room. As we continued to chat, I was lost in thought, wondering if I should discuss what I overheard between Grant and Capricia. Finally, after conferring with Adela, I said, "Lady Somerset, I'd like to invite you to our ladies' social gathering the day after tomorrow. We'd so love to have you."
"Thank you," said Lady Somerset graciously. "I would very much like that."
Little did I know that that by inviting Lady Somerset to the gathering with the intentions I had, I was just asking for trouble.
Zorom:
Ooh, cliffhanger. More, more!
CuriousSimmer:
The Inheritance
Chapter 3 - Part VI
August 1964
It was the first week of August when we held our next ladies' social gathering.
I pulled Lady Somerset aside while the ladies were enjoying cocktails. I wasn't sure how to broach the subject of Capricia's predatory nature, so I finally decided to just say what I needed to say.
"Listen, I know it's none of my business," I said quietly. "But you should know that Capricia...you know, Mrs. Volante?...well, I've overheard her twice...er...propositioning your groom-to-be."
"Whatever can you mean? I've found Capricia to be just lovely," said Lady Somerset.
"She is. I'm just warning you that--" I broke off as Lady Somerset glanced up. I turned to see Capricia standing on the landing.
"I'm sorry," said Caprcia with a smile. "I didn't mean to intrude, Elizabeth, but I was wondering if you should show me where the powder room is?"
I stood and showed her to the powder room. Before Capricia went in, she put a hand on my forearm and said, "By the way, Elizabeth, if I were you I'd worry about my own marriage before butting my nose into other people's business. I'll pass on your respects to your husband--remember that he lives next door to my apartment in Rome."
As soon as Capricia disappeared into the powder room, I hurried up the stairs to my bedroom to call Dante. I didn't know what I would say, what there was to say. As it turns out, I didn't have to worry about that; Dante didn't pick up the phone.
I sat in the dark for a few, frustrated and suspicious. Guilt at my suspicions compounded the unsettling feeling in my stomach. But I had guests to consider. I straightened my dress and walked back down the stairs.
I put the food out on the buffet, and some of the ladies offered to help. I could tell by the way that Adela looked at me that she could tell I was upset, but when she opened her mouth to ask, I turned back to the ladies and said, "The buffet is now open. Please, help yourselves."
The next day...
It was my son André's first day on the job for Real Estate Italia, and he was given an unpleasant task that brought him to Judith O'Reilly's house. She invited him in for lemonade and cookies.
"I'm afraid I'm here on business, Mrs. O'Reilly. Your bid to buy the lot on Primo Street has been rejected by REI," he said between cookies. "The owners are looking for another type of business."
"What do you mean?" asked Judith. "That building has stood empty for over a year. Surely they'd rather have someone there, using it and paying rent, than letting it rot."
"I'm sorry, but the word is final. I have the file here for you." André slid the file across the table to her. "I've got to go, but thanks for the cookies, Mrs. O'Reilly, and the lemonade."
Later that week...
I needed to talk to someone about Capricia's accusation, but I needed someone who wouldn't go blabbing it around the neighborhood, so I went to Paolo. When I got there, Giorgia was playing on the piano.
"Can we talk?" I asked Paolo. He nodded and asked Giorgia to go upstairs.
"What's bothering you?" he asked as we sat at the table. "You look exhausted. Are you feeling okay?"
I told him about my predicament, about what Capricia had said, and how I didn't know what to do next.
After I finished my story, he took my hands in his and squeezed them. "Don't worry about a thing, Elizabeth. I'm going to get to the bottom of this for you, all right? Capricia is probably lying. So don't you worry."
I nodded, grateful for the strength Paolo was showing me. It helped me to feel grounded and more confident. "Thank you, Paolo. You're a good friend."
He hugged me and promised to call when he found anything. Part of me couldn't wait for the call. The rest of me hoped that Paolo wouldn't find anything.
Glamily:
O.o luv ur stories, must have more *smiles sweetly*
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