The Italian Director Next Door (CASTELLANO SERIES #1)

Chapter 6

“You done with that?” Ethan asked as he glanced over at my now empty bowl of Haagen Dazs. I’m guessing this was what he had swapped with mine two nights ago. Well I guess we were even now, after my lemon juice and wasabi prank.

“Yeap, it’s alright, I’ll get it.” I said, getting up from my seat without taking my eyes off the TV. We were watching the movie—Bad Boys. And when I told him I’ve not watched it before, he took one long look at me before he began his speech on how this was the greatest movie of all time. Yes I get it, I spent majority of my time on my work; My idea of entertainments were attending fashion runways at Milan, Paris, London, Tokyo and the list goes on, I travel way too much for a woman in a span of a year, sometimes flying to three countries in a span of a month for multiple business trips and scoring probably the highest flight points. My choice of music was slow, sad music (which the more I think of it, the more it reflects my love life). And as for movies, I hardly ever watched them unless forced by my best friend Georgie—who was currently still abroad settling some family stuff since her grandmother just passed on.

“Thank you for dinner.” I said once the movie ended and I yawned.

“Have you gotten around in packing for the business trip to Paris yet?” I asked him as he switched off the TV once the credits rolled in. “Nah, just here and there, but I’ll finish it up later.”

I nodded. Ethan and I were bound to leave for Paris tomorrow morning for a business trip meeting with some designers of Cartier who intended to show us their limited collection jewellery designs. They had approached us last month in hopes that we would be able to feature their latest summer edition and I agreed since I’ve always loved their timeless pieces.

“I’m heading back to my place to finish up the rest of my packing. Do you have a ride to the airport tomorrow?” I asked.

“I was about to ask you the same since I have already gotten a car booked for the both of us.”

I was impressed with how he was always planning ahead of time, I always appreciated people who worked the same pace I did. “Sure, what time was it again?”

“5am, I’ll be waiting for you in the lobby.”

“Yeah, and this will be our second time to the airport this week.” I said, stifling a yawn. “Agreed, today has really drained all my energy.” He stretched his back and I watched the veins on his neck pop against his skin, silently admiring them. Wow, being single for such a long time is really taking its toll on me.

“And yet you still have the energy to make us both dinner, as much as I hate to admit it, I’m impressed.”

“I know you’ll come around in praising me.” He grinned. “Don’t push it too far, Castellano.” I said with a warning tone.

“Fine.” he relented, rubbing the back of his neck. “But it was nice having someone celebrate my birthday with.” He smiled, putting his hands into the pockets of his sweats. I stared at him with that piece of revelation he had just shared.

“It’s your birthday today?” I asked, feeling a little guilty that I didn’t actually thoroughly read through his profile.

“Yeap.” He answered. “Why? Feeling guilty about pranking me at lunch today?”

“No.” I shook my head, thinking for a bit. “But why didn’t you say so earlier then? I could’ve done the dishes.” I grinned.

“Nah, I think birthdays are too troublesome, what with the cake and presents and the bad singing.”

“But I did get you a cake.” I reasoned, thinking about the singing men in Mexican outfits who appeared outside my door last night. He laughed out loud, shaking his head. “Okay, fair enough.”

“Just how old are you again?” I asked.

“40.”

“No kidding. You don’t look a day after 40.”

“Because I’m not.” he said in mock hurt. “I turn 30 today.”

“30 and still single. How about that?” I said, patting his arm before heading towards the door. “I could say the same for you.” He followed after me with Emma bounding over towards us, she was taking a nap a while ago on the couch. “Do you have anyone to feed Emma while we’re gone?” I asked, bending a little lower to pat her head one last time before leaving.

“The pet hotel guys is coming by to pick her up in a while, she’s all good.”

I nodded and stood at the entrance of his home while he held the door open for me. “I’ll see you tomorrow Lizzy, bright and early.”

“Goodnight.” I said before turning around again. “Oh, and Happy Birthday Castellano.”

He chuckled before bidding me a ‘goodnight’ as he waited for me to get back to my door.

**

The car came by 10 minutes past 5 in the morning and the driver loaded our luggage into the trunk while Ethan held the door open for me. I slept through on the way to the airport and I wasn’t sure why I was so tired even though I had at least 7 hours of sleep last night.

I swatted at my nose when I felt an itch, and then it stopped. But then seconds later, it happened again, followed by a chuckle that made me split open an eye lid. “God damn it Ethan.” I turned my head to the other side. “Ethan?” he repeated. “No more Castellano for you?”

“Ethan’s way easier.”

“Come on sleeping beauty, we’re here.”

Ethan piled our bags on the luggage trolley while I put on some shades, not wanting to be recognized by the paps since this was their perfect chance to get some pictures taken. The reason why I had moved recently was because my previous address had been leaked and every morning, I was hounded by different media companies. They were either questioning me about my mother or the release of the next Rogue magazine, the worst? Being bombarded about my personal life and when the hell would I be looking for a soul mate.

Ethan ushered us both to the Business Class lounge once we checked in. I looked around for a bit and noticed the row of gift shops on the other side. I stood up, grabbing my tote with me. “Where are you going? Our plane’s about to board.” He asked, looking up from his iPad.

“Just gonna get myself a snack.” I said.

“It’s literally right in front of you.” He pointed to himself, smiling through his shades and I rolled my eyes. Well I can’t possibly eat you now, can I?” I said and he choked on his coffee, sputtering at the sudden heat. “They have plenty of that on a plane, but hurry back.” He said in a pained voice.

“I’ll be right back.” I said and he nodded without looking at me. As if on cue, I replayed my words in my head and what I had said to him earlier. Oh Lizzy, did you really ask to eat him earlier? I winced at my choice of words and shook it off with a deep breath. It’s okay, people say stuff they don’t mean sometimes.

I walked towards the gift shop and browsed through the items that were on display. I felt bad for having him to cook dinner for us last night and I was completely oblivious that it was his birthday last night. He had just arrived in Italy and he hadn’t exactly gotten the time in going around the city so I thought I’d bring one of its famous monuments to him.

“I’ll have this one please.” I said and the lady gladly wrapped it up for me in a small brown paper bag. “Good morning to all passengers. This is the pre-boarding announcement for flight 64A to France, Paris..”

Yeap, that’s my cue to leave.

“Alright, let’s go.” Ethan said as he got up, slipping his tablet in his carry on and I followed after him. Once we got our passports and air tickets cleared, we made our way through the shuttle and took our seats on flight.

“What sort of sn..food did you get earlier?” he stopped himself before he could say snack and I dug into my coat tote and held the small brown paper bag on my palm. “I got something for you.” I said, grinning.

“If this is gonna be another one of your pranks, I’m gonna..” He said, distracted with the item that slipped out on him palm. “Lady Liberty?” he asked.

“I’m sorry, you’re gonna what again?”

“Hug you..” he said and I swallowed, hard. “Happy Belated Birthday Mr. Italian Director next door.”

He smiled, a real full smile. “I didn’t see this coming but, thank you tesoro.” He said, before turning his attention back towards the keychain. It was only 2 dollars but he held it like his prized possession, tugging it safely into his coat pocket.

**

An hour passed, or at least I think it did. I turned in my sleep, hitting something hard at the side of my head and winced. I took in the familiar scent of cologne and opened my eyes. “Ugh, I can’t believe I’m waking up next to you.”

He removed one of his ear buds to look at me, “What a view, am I right?” he teased and I shook my head. “I really have nothing to say to that.” I said as I noticed his screen that a movie was playing and I recognized a scene, the same scene that we were watching last night.”

“Are you watching Bad Boys again? There’s like over 30 selections of movies in this thing and you’re on this again?”

“Tesoro, I’ll have you know that this is the greatest movie ever made.”

I snorted. “Yeah right.” I said under my breath. He turned my screen on and tapped on the movie selection, “Do tell me what are the movies that you recognize in here.” He asked, scrolling across the screen and I didn’t even recognize a single movie, and some I may have watched but have forgotten the plot entirely. “Okay give me that.” I took the ear buds he was holding and plugged in into my ear.

He looked like he was about to say something but I stopped him. “Not.another.word.” I warned and he pulled an imaginary zipper with his fingers across his lips and grinned widely at me.  This man was completely insufferable and I can vouch for that.

"Hey wake up, you're drooling." Ethan jabbed my ribs lightly and I stirred in my sleep—feeling something hard against my cheek once again. And how do I keep falling asleep? This was completely absurd. Where was the pillow I had put in between both of us? I looked around for it and found it on the ground.

My eyes narrowed to my source of comfort and moved away slowly. "I know you're itching to feel me all over but no need to be so obvious about it, mia cara." he smirks and I can't seem to resist to roll my eyes.

"There's no drool." I glared at him while wiping against my cheek with the back of my hand.

"I know tesoro, but its’ nice to know you take me seriously for once."

The plane landed shortly and we made our way to the arrival hall together. I watched Ethan as he pulled out a luggage trolley and gestured me towards the luggage collection point. His phone rang and I nudged him while we were both busy looking out for our luggage. He fished out his phone from his jacket pocket and took the call.

“Hello?” he answered as he grabbed his luggage from the moving belt and placed it on the carrier that I was now holding. “Yes we’ll be right out shortly.”

“Who was that?”

“Our driver is here and is waiting for us at the carpark.” He said before putting his phone back into his jacket pocket. “You need help with that?” he asked as he waited until my luggage arrived. Before I could even answer, he hoisted it up from the belt and placed it on top of his bag. 

There was a black car waiting at the parking lot with a man standing next to it. He approached us as we walked out of the main entrance. “Good afternoon to you Mr. Castellano, Miss Danvers, I’m John Claude and I’m here as your driver for the next few days.” The man spoke with a thick French accent.”

“Ah sweet, merci beaucoup.” I thanked him and Ethan looked over to me in surprise and then looked back to our driver. I asked him how the traffic was like today on the French roads and the driver replied me saying it was not too bad, although there was an accident on his way here but it should be all under control for now.

“Sweetheart,” his voice was teasing and I turned to him, “you didn’t tell me you spoke French.” Ethan asked, clearly felt a little left out of the conversation.

“You didn’t ask.” I simply said as he looked back and forth between the both of us. “Why don’t you get into the car first, it looks like it’s about to rain.” Ethan said as he held the door open for me and I nodded. “Let me just get the bags in for the both of you.” I heard John say. “I got it buddy.” I heard Ethan say before closing the door after I got into the vehicle.

I scrolled through my phone, checking the weather and Ethan was right, it was indeed about to rain. I watched the first few rain drop hit the dashboard until Ethan got into the driver’s seat. “What are you doing?” I asked as he buckled his seat belt. “Where’s our driver?” I asked, turning my head around to look.

“I sent him home early.”

“Now why would you do that?” I asked, pulling my seat belt across my own body. “Because you seemed to understand French so I don’t think we needed a driver around.”

“Ethan! I said I understood French but I didn’t say I knew my way around here.” I reasoned as he started the engine with the push of a button and the engine roared to life. “Sweet, gotta love Volvos.” He said, smoothing his hands against the steering wheel.

“Ethan.” I said a little seriously this time.

“Relax bambina, we got this. What could possibly go wrong?” he smiled.

An Italian Director who couldn’t understand simple directions from a screaming 27 year old American (10% Latin woman) was everything that could go wrong. We drove past the hotel 3 times because twice, I was distracted with really good looking French men that waved at me ( that I forgot to ask him to turn left at the next exit )and the third time because Ethan was laughing at a pigeon that scared a lady, causing her to drop her ice cream and took another wrong turn.

So maybe sending our driver home early wasn’t such a good idea after all.

Recently, carpooling to work had become our thing since we lived in the same building, we just didn’t see the need of taking two separate cars since we always get to and got off work the same time. There were times where he would drive and vice versa. “By the way, do you mind telling me what the hell was in your brief case? It weighed like rocks when I carried it earlier. Could it be that you stuffed your pretty brunette friend in there?” I asked as I watched the GPS display closely this time, hoping we took the correct turn. “No.” he said, “If you must know, that was my French dictionary in there.”

“Your what now?” I asked him to make sure I wasn’t hearing things wrong.

 “Believe me, if there’s any other better method for translation, it’s always old school.”

I laughed out loud and he narrowed his eyes at me while we waited for the car in front of us to unload their luggage. “So tell me,” I said as I finally got a hold of myself. “If a waiter wants to take your order, you’d flip open your dictionary, looking word for word?”

“Not anymore. I mean, not when I have my personal translator in my car, to hell with my dictionary.”

“I am not translating anything for you Ethan.” I said as the valet waited for our car to come to a halt before Ethan popped the trunk. Our bags were placed on a trolley and we followed the bellhop who led us through the main entrance of the magnificent building towards the concierge. “Why don’t you go wait at the lounge? I’ll settle our check-ins.” Ethan said and I nodded as I handed him my passport.

The hotel lobby was bustling with tourists and their kids running around screaming their little heads off and their parents let them.  I saw the Rogue’s magazine from a month ago decked out neatly on one of the tables I sat in front of and flipped the book open. I was losing my patience bit by bit with all that screaming and before I could slam my magazine shut, Ethan reappeared again and I silently thanked god for it. “Alright, we’re all checked in tesoro, let’s go.”

“C'est un très bel homme italien” I heard a low purr from two French ladies beside me, batting their eyelashes at Castellano. Well obviously, he took it as a compliment when he caught them staring.  “How do you say, ‘hello beautiful’ in French?” he whispered. I sighed as I whispered to him “Combien pour une nuit?Ethan repeated the line with such ease one might actually mistake him for being French while he spoke to the two ladies. They gasped out loud and cursed at him with a string of French profanities and left; I tried my best to not burst out laughing while he looked at me with a questioning look.

“Why were they so angry?” he asks as we followed our bellhop to the elevator. “Maybe you didn’t say it properly. It’s all about the flow of your tongue.” I lied, furiously trying to contain my laughter. “That’s not what it meant, was it?” he said. “Why don’t you flip open your dictionary for it?”

We stopped at the 15th floor and the bellhop followed us to our door step. “Freshen up and I’ll meet you out here for dinner, I’m sure you’re hungry.” He told me as he tipped the bellhop.

The second I scanned my key card, I dropped my bags on the floor and headed for the balcony. I exclaimed in glee when I took in the view of the louvre and the Eiffel tower, there were cute little restaurants with those yellow umbrella from across the street and the French music was playing from somewhere. The sun was beginning to set and it was such a beautiful sight. I fished out my phone from my back pocket and snapped a photo of it for memory.

I unzipped my luggage, getting my toiletries out of the bag and stripped out of my pencil skirt and blouse leaving my lingerie on, heading for what seemed like the way to what I thought was the en-suite bathroom. Twisting the door knob, I screamed and dropped my bag at the sight of a half-naked Ethan. “Jesus! I thought this was the bathroom damn it!” I furiously turned around, grabbing any piece of cloth I could find.

“Wow, how did you know that was my favourite colour of lingerie, mia cara?”

“Look away you p*****t! How are our rooms adjoining even?” I tightened the towel around my semi naked body. “Stop staring!” I warned. He chuckled as he unwillingly turned around.

I can’t believe we were standing side by side, with him flossing and me brushing my teeth. We somehow came to a compromise that we’d share the bathroom by taking turns so we don’t accidentally walk in on each other while showering but right now, we were too starved to care who came in first.

I changed out of my tailored pants and fitted into a skinny jeans and blouse with a leather jacket over it and we made our way downstairs to the lobby. Ethan ‘Yelped’ the best places to eat around our area on his phone and we came to a mutual decision on a spaghetti place with homemade meatballs—which according to Yelp was rated 5 stars. The places wasn’t too far away so we decided to walk on foot.

“You still have not told me how you learnt French?” Ethan asked once we were seated. I watched him flip through the menu and finally gave up since everything was literally written in French.

“College,” I answered. “I took it as one of my electives. Mainly because the French lecturer was really, really sexy.” Oh I remember Monsieur Lucien, with his sexy brooding eyes and his muscular physique and then there was his French accent. “Also, 90% students were all female.” I added.

“Why am I not surprised?” he placed the menu on the table, scoffing. “Êtes-vous prêt à commander?” a waitress stood by our table. “What is she saying?” Ethan asked. “She’s asking you what you would like to order.” I translated.

“Donne-moi une seconde.” My eyes scanned and opted for the Spaghetti with beef balls with extra melted cheese. I placed my order in French and shut the menu while the waitress took my order and glanced at Ethan.

“Err, I would like this and this.” Ethan pointed at his menu. “il parle français, n'est-ce pas?” she asked me.

“Non.” I replied. “Il est italien.”

“That’s it, I’m getting my dictionary out later.” He mumbled, chewing on a complimentary breadstick that another waiter brought us while I sipped on some lemon water. “So, meeting with Cartier designers is at 10AM tomorrow for about two hours or so followed by lunch later.” I read from my phone, still scrolling.

He took it from my hand, switched the device off and placing it into the pocket of his coat. “Hey! I can’t turn my phone off, I might get urgent calls and..”

“Lizzy listen to me. If you already don’t know, we are in Paris, one of the most amazing cities in the world. So take the time and enjoy the view and music. Work can come later, I’ll give you back your phone once we’re back at the hotel room.”

I finally relented when he put a bread stick to my lips and I chewed on it.

“So, why New York?”

“Grass is greener on the either side, no? Besides, I heard New York’s a pretty good city for a breather”

“Your famous life in Italy’s taking too much out of you?”

He paused in mid-munch and looked at me. “How did you know about that?” he asked. “About you being famous? Sophia just casually mentioned it to me.” I shrugged. “So, you never googled about me, yet?” he asks, sounding a little relieved. I shook my head. “Do you think I would ever do that? There’s nothing about you that interests me, except the fact that you’re surprisingly annoying for a man your age.”

“I won’t be so sure about that tesoro, at one point you’re gonna find me irresistible.”

“Yeah, when I’m rolling in my grave.”

“We’ll see about that.”

Our food arrived shortly and we ate. Ethan asked me questions about what I liked to do in my free time, and he told me a little bit of his life back in Italy. He owns a shipping company back in Italy, invests on businesses that he think would grow, charities he’d raised just over a year ago he decided to venture and invest in Rogue magazine after his mother fell in love with reading our Summer edition a year ago on ‘how to look expensive without bursting your bank’.

After dinner, I initially wanted to go back to the hotel to work on my presentation but he pulled me back along with him, making sure he had my hand tightly in his and I heard his words still ringing in my head. He was right, after all, we’re in Paris.

So we spent the next couple of hours walking around town and exploring every nook and cranny. We even took a boat ride like every other tourist, he made me stand in front of buildings to take pictures of me like every other parent would do to their kids. We shared a churro each while we watched the lights on the buildings flicker on for the night. We watched live performers sign in French and tried possibly all the street food we’ve never seen and he had bought me a tulip from an elderly lady who was going around selling flowers.

I’ve gotten large bouquets of all sorts of flowers but nothing hit me like the one Ethan just got me. I would never admit it out loud, but a mere stalk made smile as I held our half eaten crepe while we made our way back to the hotel.

I decided to be a little nicer to him back at the hotel and I even let him shower first (although he did suggested we do it together), that perv! But I wasn’t too opposed with the idea either. We opted for a ‘chill out’ at my place since he claimed that his TV signal in his room was all fuzzy. “Hey look, Friends!” I said, the second I switched on the TV. Yes, I’ve watched this sitcom from long ago but I can’t quite remember what went on again, all I remember was Ross screaming to Rachel saying ‘we were on a break!’

“Finally something in English.” Ethan said, taking his seat on the couch and he was sitting way too close to me as the opening song played in English. I didn’t want to burst his bubble just yet but I think he’s gonna eat his words soon enough. “Aaaand it’s back to French.” I heard him sigh as the openin scene of the three friends having breakfast at Monica’s. “Questo è assurdo.” I heard him murmur as he popped open the complimentary wine that was given to us.

The doorbell of my hotel room rang and we looked up. “Did you order room service?” I asked and he shook his head. “Then who is it at the door.”

“To find out, you might actually need to open the door sweetheart.”

I waved him off with my hand at the term of endearment again before making my way to the door. I did not expect to see a lady standing at the door at all. “tu chi sei?”she snapped, a hand on her hip. “Excuse me?” I asked, as I did not understand a single word she just said.

“Tesoro, chi è quello, who is that at the door?” Ethan asked, he must have heard the irritation in my voice. “Ethan Castellano?” the woman called out and I heard footsteps walking towards us. “Francine?” he called out and the lady pushed past me. “I missed you.” She said before crashing into his arms.