บท 56: Chapter 56 - What Was That About

"What was that about?"

I tried keeping my tone neutral and not accusatory. To say I was thoroughly confused and slightly angered is an understatement. It felt rude especially when Dean was being nice.

"Ahh please do not misunderstand. I usually try to keep a low profile so a habit I have built from traveling is pretending not to know a language. You will be surprised at what you learn and hear."

That was not a satisfactory answer. It would be one thing if he did that from the start of the date but at breakfast he spoke in English to everyone.

It put me in a hard place. I did not like lying especially to people I respected. All the things Dean has done for me has earned him that respect. Unlike the other men in my social group he so far has been the most honest and dependable.

He also is no fool.

And neither was I.

"Ahh I see." I gave my signature barely there smile and decided to push the date along. Though he already knocked off a few points he earned from last night I figured I would follow his advice. To listen and learn of what his deal was.

"So next on the list is cruising downtown and visiting the different stores near the area then visiting Eastside."

"Are you angry?" His question stunned me a bit but I did not show it. "Hm? Angry? What makes you think that?" He looked at me quizzically. Trying to find a flaw in my performance.

"Sorry, I know my behavior seems odd to you. Truthfully back home many people approach me trying to gain something. They play jesters and fools hoping to secure a spot in my families fortune. Whether it be as a friend or integrate as family."

He paused and sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "I won't do it again." I had no choice but to accept his apology, after all I knew what that felt like but a small part of me felt that this was not what it really was. He was lying but about what was yet to be determined.

"I appreciate it. Lets continue before traffic gets worse." The rest of the day moved in a blur. Nearby the business district is a square specific to different fashion houses. Anyone looking to buy high end clothes would come here to see what was available. Because of the location, most of the shops around tailored to business wear.

We shopped for a while. He would try on clothes and ask for my opinion. "Why don't we look for something for you?" After getting a few items he wanted to direct the attention to me.

"It's ok. I have a personal designer who makes my clothes." I did not want to try on clothes with him. Trying on clothes off the rack was a bit nerve racking to me.

My mother and I had a hard time finding clothes that fit properly and I preferred to get my clothes in fabrics I liked and fitted to me. It helped boost my confidence as clothes would fit nicely for once.

It was not baggy at the top or too long at the bottom or any other way of being not right. I did not feel comfortable sharing that at least on the first date.

"Oh thats interesting. I sent you fabrics a while back, have they been able to make you anything yet?" He smiled, eyes crinkling as we walked to the car to head to Eastside for lunch.

"Gina has been working on them and experimenting new silhouettes she wants me to wear. But she has shared her excitement about the quality and vibrancy."

"Ahh that is nice to hear. Too bad you did not get anything. I would have enjoyed shopping for you." I started to feel better about him again. My stomach filled with butterflies at his words.

"Maybe some other time. Lets eat." In Eastside besides the school, a few blocks over is a couple of great family style restaurants.

One of which I used to frequent as a teenager. It was a Mexican restaurant, the food was always so comforting especially as everything from the tortillas to the aguas frescas were all homemade and fresh.

Since it was August the school year has started so by the time we arrived to Eastside, there was no wait time since students were in school.

"So tell me more about yourself. Your little blurb that you sent me did not really tell me much."

I sipped at my watermelon drink as I waited eagerly to hear more about Dante.

"Well lets see I grew up in Milan, Italy. I am the only child to my parents. Right now I am currently taking over my parents businesses especially because they are on the older side."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. My parents were in their early 50s which was not old but not young either. My parents did have me at a younger age but they were still within the same age range to their peers.

"So how old are your parents?" He took a swig of his beer before answering. "They are in their late 60s." It was not unheard of having older parents and his are not too far off from my parents.

"Oh wow how cool! Have you ever wanted other siblings?" As an only child myself while I never had strong opinions about wanting siblings, I know others like me either really wanted another sibling or are glad to be the only one.

"I did. I have always wanted a huge family like my parents did in their own families. My father is one of three versus my mother who is one of four. So my cousins to me are like the siblings I wish I had. "

This conversation was starting to raise some warning bells for me. He liked larger families which my family was truthfully not. There was also a huge part of me who was worried if he would want a large family of his own.

"What about you?"