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Diabolique
Rated R
Chapter 3: Heat Strike
"Hello Gorgeous."
Realizing that this meeting was going to happen sooner or later, Theresa put her guard up, knowing that the man standing before her were one of the few people still able to break through her walls, which wasn't something she could allow to happen.
Ever.
"Hello, Nicholas."
Figuring that she was still pissed at the Idiot Twins she left in the study, he put his hands on her shoulders and gave her the smile she said charmed any woman.
"Nicholas? What happened to Fox?"
Giving him a cool once-over, step backed from his grasp and replied, "The Fox I knew died the same night I fell. He no longer exists to me."
Okay, so maybe she wasn't just pissed at his half-brother and his show horse, but that didn't explain why he was getting lumped into the same category. Trying to be patient, he asked calmly, "Where is this attitude coming from? What happened? What did I do?"
I can't believe this! How could you do this to me? All I ever wanted was to love Whitney and be with her, but you just can't let me be happy, can you
"Theresa?"
Hearing Fox call her name, she looked into his deep brown eyes and wondered how she could have fooled herself as badly as she did. "I don't have the inclination or time to explain anything to you. I just want to spend all the time I can with my son."
Angry at being dismissed so abruptly, especially by the woman he loved, Fox fired back, "You mean that same son that I helped take care of? The same son that I protected from Gwen's and my brother's influence? The same son that I would climb into my bed for comfort almost every night because he couldn't understand why his mommy was gone? The same son that I reminded each and every day who his real mother was? Is that that one you're talking about?"
Pushing away the truth she heard in his words. she clipped out, "As I said, before I don't have time for this. Now please step out my way."
Watching her step around him and began to walk away, Fox felt his temper slip and quickly reached out to grab her arm, determined to get to the bottom of whatever grudge Theresa held for him. "Look, your wants are going to have to wait, because I deserve a damn answer. Now!"
With a Craneworthy smirk, she pulled his fingers off her arm and gave him the only explanation he was getting from her. "I'll tell you what you deserve, but I think that it would be better if I showed you. So you until I do, you can go and fuk yourself..." Tilting her head to the side, she gave the shocked man a thoughtful look. "Oh my mistake, that is what you do with that traitor bitch I used to call my friend."
Seeing the confusion and hurt on the face of the other man betrayed her, she grinned, just thinking how him and his whore would pay what they did to her.
"Goodnight, Nicholas," was all she said, leaving the blond man standing in the middle of the hall wondering just what had happened between them.
What the hell did she mean by all that, unless she found out that..., Fox thought as all the pieces came together in his mind and they didn't make a pretty picture.
Running a hand through his blond spikes, Fox mused, Well Crane, you've gotten yourself out of messes before. You just have to do it again…
"Mommy, you're back!"
Knowing that she would never get tired of seeing her son run towards her, she laughed, "I told you that I would be."
"Hey, I have something to tell you, but I want your opinion first."
"Okay."
Brushing his blond bangs off his forehead, Theresa looked at the young face that she had missed so much. "How would feel about living with Mommy again?"
"Would I have to come back here?"
"No, honey. You can stay with mommy." Then knowing that she couldn't force him, she added, "But I'll understand if you want to stay here."
"Theresita, what is going on?"
Stroking her son's blond hair, she looked up at her worried mother, happiness shining in her eyes. "Something that should have happened a long time ago, Mama. My son is coming home with me."
Wondering what Theresa was talking about, Pilar frowned at her daughter. "How? What did you do? And what do you mean 'home'?"
"I already have everything situated for Ethan and I. Don't worry Mama."
Still not satisfied with Theresa's answers, Pilar pressed, "Mija, please explain to me how you did all this. I don't want to see you in any trouble. Especially when you just came back to us."
"In due time, Mama. Right now, I just want to take my son and get out of here," and she was just about to do that when a shadow fell over them.
"Can't you stay a little while? You have other people that have missed you, ya know." Whitney smiled, arms open wide for a hug.
Telling her son to get his jacket, she stood and faced the friend she thought she would have forever.
Just one mistake of many.
With an icy glare, she said, "I seriously doubt that, Ms. Russell. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be on my way."
Appalled at her daughter's reception of her supposed best friend, Pilar admonished, "THERESA! Why are you being so cold to Whitney? She was worried about you just like everyone else."
Remembering the videos that Alistair would show of Fox and Whitney together, she took a deep breath and looked into the eyes of another woman that helped tear her heart out.
"She can't help it if she takes after her mother," Theresa replied haughtily, reminded yet of another person who she vowed to make life a living hell for. She just couldn't believe that the woman she considered as a second mother had allowed so much tragedy be inflicted on so many people in Harmony...in an attempt to bury her past and find her long lost son. She remembered when Alistair had showed her the tapes of Eve and Julian's drunken escapades, and the paternity tests that she had faked for Ivy. However, what had really sealed the deal was her and Julian's cowardice to Rebecca who was threatening them with exposure if Julian didn't help her in destroying 'Terrocita'.
By declaring Theresa an unfit mother and taking away her son.
That was something she would never forgive.
Making eye contact with Harmony's most prestigious doctor and her clone, Theresa felt a bit sorry for the Simone. To think that both your mother and sister are nothing more than low-class, disgusting, hypocritical bitches.
Shame.
Seeing the stubbornness in her daughter's eyes, she knew when to compromise. "Alright Theresa, but don't forget or I will have your brother track you down. Understood?" Pilar said, silently letting Theresa know that she expected a full explanation about what had happened in the years she had been gone.
Knowing her brother would do it without their mother's urging, she gave her a swift kiss on the cheek. "And I will be waiting to hear about everything that had gone on while I was away. Love you, Mama." Walking over to the rest of her family, Theresa pulled them into another hug. "If you want the full story, I suggest you be at Mama's tomorrow," she whispered to Luis, hoping that would hold him off for the moment. Turning her attention to her little sister, she said, "I think that we caught up, Lomes. I'm glad you're back."
Nodding her agreement, she gave her sister another hug. "I can't wait for it, Theresa. Just take care of yourself and my handsome nephew, alright?"
Feeling a tug on her shirt, Theresa looked down at her son's beaming face. "Mommy, I'm ready to go now."
"Tell your grandmother bye, sweetheart."
"Love you, Abuela. Thank you for the firetruck," he said as he kissed his grandmother goodbye.
"Love you too and you're welcome, my grandson. Look after Mommy for me, okay?"
"I will." Grabbing his mother's hand and dragging her towards the front entrance, the little boy yelled excitedly, "Let's go, Mama."
But before the smiling duo could get that much further, three people stepped into the room, each focused on the woman that had just ripped their worlds apart. Feeling her son's hand slip out her grip, Theresa resisted the urge to run after him, instead watching her son approach the trio.
With big smile in place, Little Ethan said happily, "Thank you Uncle Fox, Uncle Ethan, and Gwen for taking care of me, but my mommy is back and is taking me home now. See you later." Giving them each a hug in appreciation, Little Ethan skipped back to his mother's side, grabbing Theresa's hand once again.
Seeing the barely concealed rage in his wife's face, and trying to ignore his mother-in-law's daggers, Ethan tried once again to reach out to the woman that still held a piece of his heart.
"Theresa, can we please just-"
"As I said before, I will be back for his things tomorrow. I promise not to make it as hard for you as you did for me."
Watching Theresa walk towards the front door with Little Ethan in tow, prompted Fox to call her by the secret name he held in in his heart for her.
"Resa!"
Stopping suddenly, she didn't even turn around as she asked, "What did you call me?"
Walking up behind the young mother, he stopped a few feet away, urging her to turn around. "I called you Resa. No matter what happened tonight, you're still my friend," he whispered in her ear, placing his hand on her shoulder.
Which was immediately shrugged off.
"I told you, Nicholas. Anything I ever had with you is done and forgotten. I will be civil for what you've done for my son, but that is all. Remember that" she said, looking at the love coming from the upturned face of her son. Then turning back to the man that had shattered her faith and heart for the last time, she pinned him with a glare that told Fox she meant every word that she said tonight.
Stepping into the cool night, Theresa took in a deep breath, inhaling the scent of the gardenias that were planted in the front yard. Giving a small smile to the waiting valet, she opened the back door, and settled her son into the backseat. "Mommy, are you mad?"
Giving her child a smile she hadn't used since the birth of her second child, she tried to reassure him. "No baby, I'm just anxious to get you home. I have a surprise for you."
Looking up at her as she fastened his safety belt, he excitedly asked, "Is it good?"
"Very good." Or at least I hope so, she thought hoping that Ethan Martin's reaction to Jacen wouldn't be too negative.
Making sure her oldest son was secure, Theresa smiled as she opened the driver's side and slid in. Giving a glance into the rearview mirror, she couldn't believe that she was finally going to have everything she ever wanted within her grasp. Starting the car, she began the descent that would take her away from the people that caused her so heart to shatter so many times, never noticing that she was being carefully followed by the one that wanted nothing more to make it whole again.
tbc.....