Outside the event, scores of policemen patrolled the streets. Fans lined up behind barricades and screamed the names of music celebrities. Paparazzi lined the red carpet that led to the entrance of the special event. As Syd and Chad got out of the limo, they were met with flashes of light from various cameras. Syd smiled and posed with Chad. Whitney, Fox, Dylan, Theresa, Ethan, and Gwen followed behind. They were overwhelmed with all the attention. Once they got into the building, they were ushered to a huge ballroom. Vivian met up with the group and ushered them to their table. They all sat down amazed at the number of famous celebrities that were inches away from them. "Look, there's Mya!" Whitney whispered to Chad. Mya recognized them and gave them a small wave.
Once everyone was steered into the ballroom, they were all asked to be seated. Vivian got up to the microphone and smiled at everyone. "Good evening, everyone! It's so good to see you all here! Thank you for joining us tonight. As you know, this event is hosted by L.A. Productions with the intent of bringing all the talented and highly regarded producers and their clients together." Vivian paused and smiled again. "Now, at this moment, I would like to introduce Mr. Philips, the owner of L.A. Productions." A loud applause ensued as Mr. Philips made his way to the platform. "Thank you, everyone. What a nice welcome! Now, as the owner of L.A. Productions I was pleased to find out some very interesting news. At this time, I would like to introduce the newest and hottest couple in the music business. Everyone, please help me in welcoming and congratulating the coupling of Sydney Valentine and Chad Harris!" A round of applause filled the room. Syd grabbed Chad's arm and stood up. She pulled Chad into a kiss which prompted more applause. Whitney stared in disbelief at Chad who stood there frozen like a deer in headlights. "Who arranged this?" He whispered harshly to Syd while maintaining a feigned smiled on his face.
"I did." Syd said batting her eyelashes.
"Why didn't you warn me?" Chad asked back.
"I wanted it to be a surprise." Syd said smiling.
Whitney got up and ran outside. Tears stung her eyes, threatening to fall. Fox had excused himself from the table and left in pursuit of Whitney. Theresa watched Fox leave and decided to follow him outside. Dylan got up to follow Theresa, as did Ethan who was followed by Gwen. Chad and Syd remained at the table. Chad desperately tried to get away, but people from other tables kept preventing him from going anywhere. They were all intent on congratulating him and Syd.
"Whitney." Fox said softly.
Theresa remained behind watching them intently.
"Fox." Whitney whispered. She felt weak in the knees and slid to the ground. Fox hurried to her and helped her to a bench. Suddenly the wall of tears that built up were shed. They flowed freely down Whitney's cheeks. Fox pulled Whitney close and comforted her the best he could. Theresa watched enviously still hidden in the shadows.
"The hottest and newest couple in the music business?" Whitney sobbed.
"Shh, Whitney." Fox said.
Whitney pulled back and looked at Fox. Deciding to take advantage of the moment, Fox leaned in and kissed Whitney. A vulnerable Whitney kissed back. Fox was the first to break the kiss and stared at Whitney. Theresa looked at the two of them. Her heart shattered along with her hopes of being with Fox. Whitney's eyes conveyed Fox's revelation. "It meant nothing." He whispered. Whitney nodded. "I'm sorry, Fox." She whispered back I'm not in love with Whitney. Fox finally realized. Unfortunately, Theresa did not hear what Fox said and stood there, her heart broken into pieces. A rustle in the shadows caught Whitney's attention. She peered into the shadows and saw Theresa standing there. The moonlight illuminated her face revealing a pained expression. Her eyes were glassy with tears.
"Theresa." Whitney said.
Theresa stood there with a look of incredulity and hurt in her eyes. "What were you doing? What were you thinking?" She asked baffled.
"It meant nothing." Whitney said as she went to her friend. She grabbed Theresa's arm. Theresa shook her off. "It didn't look like nothing to me." She hissed.
"Theresa." Whitney said. "There's nothing between me and Fox."
"Save it Whitney." Theresa said as anger flashed in her eyes.
"Theresa, please!" Whitney pleaded.
"No, Whitney!" Theresa cried. "You know what, you can forget about me helping you with your wedding because I really don't want to be your best friend right now."
Whitney looked disbelievingly at Theresa and ran off.
"Theresa, that wasn't called for." Fox said softly.
"I don't want to hear it Fox." Theresa said quietly. Dylan peered at Theresa and Fox from behind some bushes. Ethan hid on the opposite side also observing Fox and Theresa.
"But~" Fox began.
"No, Fox. Before you say anything, I have to tell you something that I've been hiding for awhile." Theresa began crying. "Fox," she began with a trembling voice. "I" She paused and took a deep breath. "I'm in love with you." Her voice broke again. Fox hated to see Theresa so hurt. He wanted badly to take her into his arms and soothe her pain. "I," Theresa began once she got control of her voice, "I wished you had believed me the last time when I told you I didn't want Ethan." Theresa looked down. "Fox, Ethan's my past, and I believed you were my future." A tear slid down Theresa's cheek and glistened in the moonlight as it hit the ground. "But when I saw you kissing Whitney," she said in a hushed tone. "My heart just broke." Tears fell freely down her cheeks. Theresa sat down and covered her face with her hands. A pang of guilt hit Fox's heart. Theresa looked up. "I" she said. "I" She repeated. Feeling as if she couldn't take the pain that penetrated her heart, Theresa ran off. Dylan took off after her.
"Fox." Ethan said grimly.
"What do you want?" Fox asked. "I'm really not in the mood to talk."
"I don't care." Ethan said crossing his arms. "I knew that you'd end up hurting Theresa. That's why I warned you to stay away from her, but no. You continued to hang around her and now look, you broke her heart."
"How was I supposed to know she was in love with me?" Fox asked.
"Oh please, Fox. That's what you do, you use your charm to lure women in, and you break their hearts."
"No." Fox said. "Like I said, I didn't know she had feelings for me."
"Whatever." Ethan said dismissing Fox's statement.
"Look, why don't you stop worrying about Theresa and focus more on your own wife and child? You haven't been much of husband to Gwen and you aren't going to be a good father if you keep butting in Theresa's life. She can take care of herself. Theresa will always be a part of your life. Especially since you are the father of her child and all, but you've got to keep your wife Gwen and your daughter in mind too. Your children and Gwen are your first priorities. I'm not saying to disregard Theresa totally, but you need to let her live her life."
"Wait a minute," Ethan said. "Did you say I'm the father of Theresa's child?"
"You didn't know?" Fox asked stunned.
"I'm Little Ethan's father?" Ethan whispered. "I have a son." He said happily. "I can't believe it. I knew that there was something there though when I held Little Ethan that first time. There was a connection." Ethan smiled.
"Well, congrats, Ethan." Fox offered.
"This is great." Ethan said. "But wait a minute," Ethan said. "Who told you?"
"Uh- Theresa did." He said reluctantly
"When?" Ethan asked dreading the answer.
"On the day that Whitney got arrested." Fox said in a low tone.
"That was two weeks ago." Ethan said. "Why did she not tell me?" He asked angrily.
"I don't know." Fox said softly.
"She lied to me" Ethan said. "Theresa lied to me about the results."
"And you never told me that you were going to have a paternity test done in the first place." Gwen added in a hurt tone.
"Gwen." Ethan said looking up guiltily.
Gwen shook her head. "I can't believe you!" She cried as she ran off. "Gwen!" Ethan called chasing after her.
~*~
Theresa sat down and buried her head in her hands. She sobbed uncontrollably, unable to stop the tears from flowing. Dylan went over to her and took her into his arms. "Theresa," He said softly. Grateful for the shoulder to cry on, Theresa leaned on Dylan. "Just let it out," Dylan said quietly. "It's okay."
Theresa looked up at Dylan. "How'd you know I was here?"
"I followed you. I heard what you told Fox."
"I'm sorry, Dylan. I hope I didn't lead you on. It's just that, I was confused and I wasn't sure who I was supposed to be with~"
"It's okay, Theresa. I knew all along that you wanted to be with Fox." Dylan interrupted.
"You did?" Theresa asked astounded. "But, how?"
"It was plain as day. It just took you and Fox forever to realize there was something there."
"What am I supposed to do now?" Theresa asked trying to find an answer in Dylan's eyes.
"Everything will work out." Dylan said softly. "Just give it time." Dylan looked up and saw Fox coming towards them. "Do you want Fox to realize that he does have feelings for you?" Dylan asked Theresa.
"I don't think Fox loves me." Theresa said doubtfully.
"You're wrong, Theresa." Dylan said as he leaned in to kiss her.