Full Name: Carmine Anthony Castillo
Nicknames: Cece, to his wife - sometimes.
Age & Birthdate: 48. March 15th, 1963
Sexuality: Bisexual (Closted)
Occupation: Hotel & Casino Owner, Father.
1963 the Yankee's were competing in the world series, John F. Kennedy was president and Little Italy was thriving. March 15th however was a monumental day for the Castillo family. They weren't thinking of the Yankee's, or of their president. Richelle Isabella Castillo was only thinking of the sharp contractions she was having, and the birth of what she hoped would be a baby girl. Anthony Adamo Castillo was however hoping for yet another boy. Either way the couple would be happy with the child, the third of what would eventually be six. The couple had migrated to New York in 1958, having settled themselves in Little Italy, loving the way it reminded them of home. Their dreams to come to America had been achieved, and so they had readily started upon finish their large family.
After 8 hours of painful labor Carmine Anthony Castillo was born. A healthy baby boy, he screamed as soon as he was out of the womb, lusty and loud to make his prescence to the world known. His entire life would echo that moment. He was the second son, having an older brother as well as an older sister. The entire family was catholic, and the idea of contraceptive's hadn't entered their minds. Both came from large families in Italy, and wanted to keep the tradition going. They expected nothing less of their children, either. Carmine would not disappoint them. He wasn't the eldest son, and so little else was asked of him.
His childhood was relatively easy, despite their lack of funds. He never realized they lacked for anything during his early years. Such a large family of course required a good source of income, and without it things were tight. When he was nearly two, the family finally had saved enough to open their own restaurant on Mulberry street. Casa Bella, named for Anthony's wife was opened at long last on a March 5th, 1965 ten days before Carmine's birthday. Needless to say his second birthday was filled with friends, strangers and very good Gnocchi. The family was doing well. Not rich, but they had what they needed and were happy. The announcment of a new arrival shortly after the restaurant opened would bring more good news for the Castillo family. Their fourth child, a girl! He was no longer the baby, and for a short time he ran wild with it.
With his mother focused on the new baby, and his older siblings who seemed to be causing the family a bit of trouble every now and then he enjoyed his leisure time. Skipping school to visit his parents at the restaurant where they spent most of their time, he'd be often found at a table eating and laughing. Of course, as he grew older skipping school became less and less - his father wouldn't allow it. Until parental control came smacking down however, he spent his time running around Manhattan and playing baseball with the local children from the other communities. They often liked to play Italy against whoever - there were enough of the italian children to make a small army, so it usually went in their favor. It was there he developed a love for the New York Yankees. Baseball was America's favorite past time, and the children of Little Italy loved it just as much.
He was Italian-American, and loved to mix the cultures together. Of course at home he was the perfect Italian son, speaking the language and listening to his parents but once his foot stepped out the door he switched to English. He had high aspirations even as a young boy to own a hotel, or a large establishment that catered to people of all kinds. He wanted to do something with his life, and luckily for him the burden of taking over the restaurant fell on his older brother's shoulders. A task he had never wanted to begin with. He was free to be what he wanted to be, as long as it wasn't something so horrific as a bachelor or worse, gay.
Carmine would never cause his family to worry about either. One day, on the field he met a girl. Her face was dirt smudged, her white dress that had been so carefully sewn for her matching her face - but that wasn't what stood out. The home run she hit out of the small park they played at did. That, and the punch she threw at Tony Moretti when he complained about being beat by a dumb little girl. It was in that instance he knew he was going to marry her. Even at the young age of 12, he was sure of it. She was a head strong, controlling type of girl - much like his mother. His mother was quiet about her control over his father, though, and it took an experienced observer to notice the subtle hints at who really ran the family. She was perfect in his mind, and starting at that exact moment he began his long quest in making Florette his wife.
Ah, Florette. If only she was as delicate as her name implied! But then the attraction would've have been there. They made fast friends, and when he brought her home from the field and introduced her, " Mama! This is Florette, the girl I am going to marry! " he received a chuckle from his mother and a smack upside the head from a blushing 11 year old Florette. Of course, this only made his mother highly approve of his choice. He just grinned, and asked her to stay for dinner. It wasn't long before Florette was a regular face in the restaurant, or at their table. The family enjoyed her company, and Carmine only grew more convinced that she would be the one to rule by his side, when he finally had the empire he had imagined in his mind.
High school was a breeze for him. He excelled in numbers, even if he didn't do so well in English. He had Florette for that, helping him with his homework when he needed it. His parents were no help, although they did speak the language almost as well as he did. Putting sentences together and throwing in a few metaphors weren't their thing. At least, not in English. He always managed to get good marks in class none the less. He was funny, charming, and his fellow class mates liked him. He had a bit of a wicked temper, but that wasn't very often, and he had a tendency to keep it to himelf.
Florette became everything to him. His best friend, his confidant, his girlfriend. Finally, she gave in to his boyish charm and agreed to go out with him. She had made him wait of course, until she was the respectable age of 17. It was a very formal affair if not expected. Carmine came to Florette's father, asking permission to date his daughter. The man simply laughed, shook Carmine's hand and gave the boy a strong hug. Both families knew that it would have happened eventually, and neither could be happier. He cleared out Casa Bella, leaving a closed sign on the door that evening with the permission of his parents. Candles were thoughtfully placed, and he cooked for her. Anyone who knew Carmine knew this was a feat within itself.
It was their first date, but he had known what he'd wanted from her the moment he'd seen her. Over a delicious dessert of a layered chocolate-zabaglione cream cake, a small and simple golden band sitting atop the frosting, he asked her to marry him. He spoke of his dream of having a home, of wealth and a large family. Of loving her always and caring for her, letting her do as she wished - something he knew would be important in her decision. She said yes. Why wouldn't she say yes? It only made sense. They loved each other, had for a very long time.
They waited until they were finished with school to get married, following the foot steps of the others in their generation to get married at 18. The start of the 80's, a time of punk music and big hair, Cyndi Lauper and Madonna. Times had changed drastically with the 70's and the aids scare, the gay revolution and liberation of all sorts. It would prove to be a bit of a difficult, if not happy time for them. They both refused to live with their parents, being far too independent for that. They moved into a one room apartment, small and cramped outside of Little Italy. The neighborhood they had grown up with was not the same anymore, and they wanted a fresh start.
Times were hard, but they would prove to be some of the best years. Together they struggled, Carmine working for "Crazy Eddie" Beroni, Florette's father who sold cars, and Florette keeping the small apartment clean and a meal on the table when Carmine came home. He hated his job, hated working for his father in law. It wasn't that he didn't like the man, he just wanted something different with his life. Besides, he wasn't one of Eddie's first sons - or his only son in law, either so the company wouldn't be left to Carmine. Yet another unwanted burden to fall on someone's else's shoulders then his own.
Times improved slowly, after careful pinching and saving. The birth of their first child, a bouncing baby boy was cause for celebration. Adrian Carlos Castillo, born on November 2nd of 1986 would prove to be a trouble maker, and a bit of a hassle - but a very loved hassle. From the first time he could wobble his little legs and knock over a plate of Cannoli they knew they had a handful. He proved them right throught his life, being a somewhat rebellious and difficult. Because of this Adrian's relationship with Carmine is often times strained, but the love is still there. It didn't help the relationship that the next child they had they spoiled, but it wasn't until Adrian was 11 that they had the means.
When Adrian was four, he'd gain even more reason to dislike his place in the family. Antonia Richelle Castillo was born on January 2nd, 1990. A gorgeous baby girl, Carmine instantly fell in love with her dark eyes. She was the perfect mixture of he and Florette, and from the moment she first cried she had the large italian man wrapped around her pinkie finger. She could do no wrong in Carmine's his, his little bambina. Ballet lessons, tap lessons, gymnastic lessons - anything the little princessa wanted she would eventually receive.
After a couple years of saving, the couple had enough to move to Vegas. Carmine had a dream of a hotel. A nice, homey sort of place on the strip where people could stay that would make them feel like home. A bit of comfort in the shining city. As they settled, he began looking for the perfect place for his first hotel. He found an empty hotel for sale, as if the saints had willed it - he couldn't believe his luck. He began pouring their savings into it, renovating and improving. It wasn't enough. They hadn't saved enough and half way into the project he realized he was nearly tapped out. His family was nearly going hungry, and he had no source of income. With a heavy heart and gritted teeth, a call to Florette's father sent the money flowing again.
When Adrian was four, he'd gain even more reason to dislike his place in the family. Antonia Richelle Castillo was born on January 2nd, 1990. A gorgeous baby girl, Carmine instantly fell in love with her dark eyes. She was the perfect mixture of he and Florette, and from the moment she first cried she had the large italian man wrapped around her pinkie finger. She could do no wrong in Carmine's his, his little bambina. Ballet lessons, tap lessons, gymnastic lessons - anything the little princessa wanted she would eventually receive.
He hated borrowing money from the man, almost more then he hated working for him. He was the provider, not some leech. With Florette's assurances that it would be fine in the end, he managed to finish his project. Casa Bella was opened at last, after years of wishing and planning. With it's touch of italian flair, and its homey atmosphere his hotel quickly became popular amongst the tourists. With the hotel making money, he could finally relax and think of his next adventure, a casino. With the money from the hotel he could buy out another if he wanted, or create an entirely new one. He waited, saving his money for a few years before opening up his casino, Castillo Royale which had its own hotel above it as well.
Now, years later it proves that " be careful what you wish for " is true. Florette has her own business, working as a Dominatrix. The job doesn't sit well with Carmine, but his mistress doesn't sit well with Florette either. Money and working far too hard had created distance between Florette and Carmine, if not all the arguing. His children were spoiled, although he refuses to admit the fact they might not ammount to much in life except to inherit what he had worked so hard for. At 46 he's simply enjoying life and working hard, while penciling in fighting with his wife, dealing with his needy children that he loves more then life and taking his mistress out on the town. He may have money, family, and what seems to be a wonderful life - but not is all as it appears, it never is.
Personality: Strong willed and hard headed, he's not quick to admit he's wrong. He has a bit of a temper these days, and is quick to lose it especially with Florette. She knows how to push his buttons. He's in denial about his daughter, and her wild partying, refusing to believe anything his wife tells him on the matter. He's in happy, blissfull denial. He's a hard worker, and an even hard player. When he plays, he plays big. He likes to spend the money he has earned so carefully on things he deems absolutely neccesary. Like flying to Manhattan to visit his parents and his siblings. He has a strong sense of family, even if his is in a bit of a shambles, it works for him.
Quick Facts
- He smokes like a chimney. Lung cancer? Bah. He's as fit as a horse. Smoking calmes his nerves, and by now they are just a habit. Wake up in the morning - have a ciggerette. Eat breakfast? Have a ciggerette. He isn't often found without one between his fingers.
- He goes to the gym religiously. Just because he's 48 doesn't mean his body has to look it. His hair may be graying, but his body is in good shape despite it all. He has a personal trainer, a nice blonde thing called Bridgette.
- He has a weakness for white chocolate. He buys it in bulk and often has some before bedtime, and often gives Anjelica her own box as well to have for when he visits. He loves everything about it - the smell, the taste.
- He does coke. It isn't a big habit, but he does it often enough. He has a dealer on speed dial who he calls up at least once a week to do a few lines. He isn't sure if his wife is aware of it, but it wouldn't matter if she was.
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