American History 1988
Chapter 57 - 53 This Feels Good

Chapter 57: Chapter 53 This Feels Good

Ophelia was able to sneak a few sips of champagne and was willing to stay in a room with Dean to chat about various topics. She could even accept Dean’s hand-holding and hugs, but not spending the night.

She was still too young, even younger than Dean had imagined. Moreover, as a member of the French Musical Family, she had been taught by her mother from an early age to observe certain traditions.

So although Ophelia was studying abroad, she had her own principles. Seeing that Dean showed no displeasure at her departure, Ophelia felt even closer to him in her heart.

"I need to say hello to Simon and have him keep an eye on the party. You know, once those guys get drunk, they cause all kinds of trouble, and even the police might come knocking," Dean said.

Although Dean had thrown this party, as the host, he hadn’t drunk much. Because he needed to stay sober to handle any emergencies that might arise.

Apart from Simon, he had arranged for a friend to keep watch outside. As soon as a police car was spotted, a warning signal would be sent through the walkie-talkies immediately.

Ophelia certainly wouldn’t refuse Dean’s request. When he left to give instructions, she even happily picked up her skirt and twirled around the room.

The swirling skirt was just like her mood at that moment, light and rhythmic.

"Wow," Dean, who had already returned, stood at the door and couldn’t help but let out a sound of admiration.

"Dean~," Ophelia stopped her dance steps, somewhat shy, "you should have knocked."

"OK~, I’m very sorry," Dean raised his hand to show he meant no offense, "but Ophelia, you’re really beautiful, like a swan."

"Hmm~," Ophelia nodded with a bit of smugness, "since you apologized sincerely, I’ll forgive you."

"You truly are a kind girl," Dean, bowing like a gentleman, asked, "May I have the honor of escorting such a beautiful girl home?" He extended his arm.

"Of course," Ophelia stepped forward with light footsteps, and then, just as outside, she hooked her arm through his.

Just as Dean and she were coming down the stairs, ready to leave the party, Simon sneakily stuffed a few balloons into his pocket.

"What’s that?" Ophelia looked over curiously.

"Uh... gum," Dean told a small lie.

"Great! Can you give me a piece? I had a bit of champagne and I don’t want the Smith couple to know I’ve been drinking," Ophelia said nonchalantly, extending her palm.

"Actually, it’s lemon-flavored, and I don’t like lemon at all. Come on, let’s go buy some tiramisu, I hardly ate anything at the party." Dean grasped her hand and walked towards the estate’s exit, fearing Ophelia would mention the gum again.

Dean had planned on calling a taxi to the city center in the west, but Ophelia said she lived nearby, not far from there.

So the two of them walked for ten minutes, bought two pieces of cake from the pastry shop, and then strolled and chatted, holding the cakes in their hands.

"Ophelia, honestly, how old are you this year? I always feel like I’m at risk of a visit from the FBI," Dean asked.

Hearing his question, Ophelia laughed cheerfully.

"Don’t worry, Dean, I won’t call the police," Ophelia said, moving closer to him and gently kissing his cheek.

"Oh~," Dean shrugged, "that feels nice."

The softness of the young girl made Dean somewhat restless; this was a completely different feeling from one he had with Susie and the others, and he liked it.

"Dean, I’m almost at my destination." Ophelia’s host family was located on East 79th Street, not far from Euclid Avenue.

"The enjoyable times are always fleeting," Dean stopped, looking at her regretfully. "So, how do I find you afterward?"

"Hmm..." After thinking for two seconds, Ophelia smiled mysteriously. "Extend your hand."

"What?" Dean was a little slow to catch on.

"Come on, give me your palm," Ophelia insisted.

"Alright," Dean extended his hand towards her.

Ophelia, prepared, took out a marker from her bag and, under Dean’s astonished gaze, quickly wrote down a sequence of numbers.

"This is Mr. Smith’s home number, but to be precise, I suggest you call before seven in the evening. Because after seven, Mr. Smith will have gone home from work."

"OK~," Dean nodded, understanding it was like a covert operation.

"Then... Dean, I’ll go ahead," Ophelia, under the streetlight, bid him farewell with some reluctance.

"Wait," Dean called to Ophelia as she started to turn away.

"What’s the matter... mmm~~"

Before Ophelia could finish her question, Dean had already wrapped his arms around her and sealed those soft, red lips with a kiss.

Ophelia’s arms, initially stiff with surprise, gradually softened and finally wrapped slowly around Dean’s waist.

Time had passed, and when the two people under the streetlight parted, the warm breath they exhaled turned into clouds of mist that dissipated into the cold midnight air.

"Dean..."

"Ophelia, I had a wonderful evening tonight." Dean and Ophelia pressed their foreheads together, gazing into each other’s eyes.

"Me too, Dean, but I’m not ready yet... Dean, don’t do this..." Ophelia caught Dean’s wandering hands at her chest.

"OK~OK~, I just couldn’t help myself. You know, Ophelia, you’re too charming." Having had his fill of mischief, the old driver regained his gentlemanly demeanor.

Moved by Dean’s affectionate gaze, Ophelia softened. "Dean, my birthday is at the end of next month. I was thinking..."

"It will be an incomparable evening! I promise, Ophelia." Dean immediately understood the girl’s thoughts and gave his timely assurance.

Getting the feedback she wanted, Ophelia smiled and nodded. "Dean, I’m looking forward to that day."

Taking advantage of his distraction, Ophelia pecked Dean on the lips once more, then lifted her skirt slightly and scampered toward a house not far away.

"Goodnight, Dean." Reaching the door, Ophelia turned back with a smile and waved at him.

"Goodnight," Dean pulled out his right hand from his pocket and waved back.

Oh~ The sentiments of a young girl are truly enchanting, Dean turned with buoyant spirits to head back the way he had come.

...

"Hey, Simon, hurry up~ We need to tidy up the house before the guys from the rental agency arrive." Early the next morning, Dean rushed in through Simon’s door.

"Ah!~" "Oh~Shit! Dean, I’m still buck naked!" Cries of a woman’s scream and Simon’s cursing came from inside the room.

"OK~" Dean raised his hands and slowly backed away, noting that Simon wasn’t the only one in his birthday suit.

After the girl in the room hurriedly put on her clothes and dashed out, Dean re-entered the room.

"Aha~ Seems like you had a passionate night." Dean remarked, looking at the disheveled room and shrugging.

Simon, who had just pulled up his pants, flashed a triumphant smile, "Alisa is of Spanish descent, I absolutely love her impeccable figure. You know what, Dean? Alisa said she’ll only love me from now on."

"Alright, Simon, how about we tidy up the room before you relish last night’s delight? Don’t forget we have a deposit with the rental agency." Dean didn’t want to shatter Simon’s fantasy; he always said this whenever he met a girl.

But everyone was grown up now, and Dean believed Simon would soon forget her. People came to the party for fun, not to naïvely believe in love.

The immediate concern, however, was cleaning up after the party. Dean didn’t know exactly how many people had shown up last night. All he knew was that Simon and the others had gone out to restock on beer twice, and now the entire estate was littered with empty bottles and used balloons.

"Dean, did that cellist girl take you to the Garden of Eden last night?" Simon asked, now fully dressed and curious about Dean’s conquests.

Dean shrugged, "Ophelia is too young, and it’s her birthday next month; I plan to..."

"Oh~ Come on?!" Simon looked incredulous, "So you’re saying you wasted an opportunity? Dean, it doesn’t matter how young a girl is, what matters is whether they’re willing to accept you."

"I have a feeling," Dean wasn’t discouraged by Simon’s words, "that Ophelia might not even be fifteen yet."

"Oh~? Fifteen?" Simon shivered, but soon an ambiguous look crossed his face. "Don’t worry, Dean, at that age, it’s legal to marry in Florida and North Carolina. Besides, you’ve just turned eighteen, haven’t you? Age-wise, you’re a good match."

"Let’s not worry about that now; we’d better start cleaning the house." They had already hauled two big trucks’ worth, his experience surpassing Simon’s.

Cleaning the estate was a hassle indeed. Cheap Rent was Cleveland’s largest property management company, managing around 40% of the city’s vacant houses, including the mansions on Euclid Avenue.

The rental was a cheap $300 for the night, but Dean had also paid a $500 deposit. To get his deposit back, he had to restore the mansion to its original state.

Cheap Rent was well aware of the destructive force of these youngsters’ parties, which was why they had instituted the deposit as insurance.

Of course, though Dean’s party was messy, at least they hadn’t damaged anything. As long as they cleaned up the trash, he could get his money back.

After rousing his friends and kicking out the lovebirds room by room, they started to clean up—some took on trash duty while others returned the rented sound equipment.

After a nearly two-hour battle, they finally dumped the last load of trash into the garbage bins outside the estate.

Jerry from Cheap Rent walked through the house and nodded with satisfaction. "Here’s your deposit. Call me anytime you need something in the future."

Young people like Dean who followed the rules were rare, so Jerry returned the deposit and also gave him a business card. Quality clients are certainly worth maintaining.

"I will," Dean pocketed the card and then led his friends away from Euclid Avenue.

Although the previous night had been wild, it was time for Dean to take stock of his wallet. Clearly, the party had exceeded the budget.

But fortunately, Dean had also recently received a fax from Susie. It was from the rental agency with business orders they had taken in during that time.

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