Chapter 11
Tony confronts Julian. Teresa discovers that Simon has a Harmony Connection.
Hours later, when Tony was assured that Eve was safely asleep, he decided to pay Julian Crane a visit.
When he reached the front door(or the tarp that served as such) he moved it aside and walked in. He looked around, wondering where the cowardly bastard was.
Tony heard music coming from behind closed doors. He walked over to a door and put his ear against it. The music was coming from there. He slowly turned the knob.
When Tony eased into the room, he could see Julian Crane lying on a sofa. He was listening to some sort of jazz. His back was to the door.
Tony walked up behind him and kicked at the sofa! Julian jumped up and turned around. He gave him a look that Tony couldn't quite read, then walked over to the CD player and turned the music off.
Julian then faced him.
'What are you doing here, DiMera?'
Tony eyed him.
'What am I doing here? Didn't you forget to take something with you, you know, when you ran from that cabin in Connecticut? And in the middle of the night no less.'
Oh, how Julian wanted to tell this pathetic bastard the truth! That the only reason Eve even deigned to give him the time of day, was because the FBI was looking to lock him, and his criminal father, up for good!
But, then he envisioned putting together two cribs(he did not know how, but he could read instructions!) upstairs. His mind jumped from that daydream, to watching his babies...his and Eve's, crawling around down here, in this very room, while Eve and him watched them. Eve Crane. Mrs. Julian Crane...
'Julian!' Tony snapped. 'Have you been drinking?! I mean, is that what made you do such a colossally, insensitive thing?! Tell me, did you make some sort of deal with the authorities? You must have. Otherwise, you would be in a jail cell, instead of lying around here, listening to music!'
Julian turned away from him and walked over to the bar. He didn't want to give anything away. And if he looked at DiMera now, Julian was afraid that he just might figure out something was amiss.
'I just realized that Eve had too much to overcome. And in the end, I do have to preserve the family name.'
Julian could sense Tony walking up behind him. He stood stock still.
'How dare you get her hopes up again,' Tony hissed. 'You devastated her years ago, by running out on her. Then you give her the false hope that you've turned into some kind of real man with a backbone. And impregnated her to boot! Then, you run out on her and leave her to hitchhike?! Jesus! What kind of a monster are you?'
Julian turned around.
'I'm the monster?!' he yelled.
Tony nodded quickly.
'I knew you two would never last, after you killed that Harris boy! And make no mistake about it, his death lay squarely on your shoulders! You had no business dragging Eve into your sick scheme to dupe that boy!'
Julian turned away quickly, squeezing his glass hard.
'Are you quite finished?!' he snapped.
'You have nothing to say for yourself, Julian?' Tony asked, looking him up and down.
Julian said nothing, but was breathing heavily.
'Of course you don't. What would you say? Your behavior has been inexcusable! I have no intention of allowing Eve to go through any of this alone...and that includes her pregnancy!'
Julian slowly turned around.
'What does that mean?'
'It means what you think it means. Eve is mine now. I've already hired lawyers to speed up her divorce from T.C. Russell. When it is finalized, Eve and I will be married. I will raise the children you weren't man enough to own up to!'
'NO!' Julian screamed, breaking the glass in his hands, then leaping at Tony! Tony went flying backwards on to a china rug. He was not prepared for the blows Julian was inflicting on his person! What the hell was this bastard so angry about?!
Tony managed to get on top of him and get in a few blows! Before either of them knew it, they were being separated, by Fox!
'What the hell is going on here?! Father, what are you doing here?'
Julian pulled out of Fox's grasp, and looked away. Fox looked at Tony.
'Get the hell out of here!' he snapped. Tony glared at both of them, before walking towards the study door. He opened it, then turned and looked at Julian. He pointed at him.
'Stay away from Eve! Do you hear me? Stay away from Eve! Don't you dare tell the police anything about her!'
Tony then turned and limped out. Fox went to the doorway and watched Tony leave through the tarp. He then turned and faced his father.
'What the hell was that all about? Where is Dr. Russell?'
Julian limped over to his desk and sat down. He then put his head in his hands. Fox eased over to him.
'Father? What's going on? You can tell me.'
Julian lifted his head and looked at Fox. Fox was dressed in a business suit and was now sitting on the corner of the desk. Fox had become sort of his partner in crime. He trusted him, something he would not have said a year ago. And he was already tired of this charade. Julian decided to go against Pilar's orders, just this once.
He rubbed his palms together.
'The FBI has offered Eve and I a deal of sorts. She finds out where Stefano DiMera is, and the charges against both of us are dropped.'
Fox just stared at him.
'Why do I get the feeling that it's not as simple as all of that?' he asked.
'Oh, it's not. Eve has to pretend to break up with me and move in with Tony DiMera.'
Fox's eyes widened. But he did seem to be mulling over what he had just heard.
'Okay, I get it. So, really this ruse is about convincing Tony that Eve is not in love with you anymore, so that he will let his guard down and tell Eve what the feds need to know, right?'
Julian stood up.
'That's the nice, soft way of putting it. What those people seem to have forgotten, is that the DiMera family is full of nothing but criminals...dangerous criminals. They also seem to have forgotten that Eve is pregnant, and in no condition to fend off DiMera's advances!'
Fox nodded slightly.
'Ah. So this is what this is really all about.'
Julian gave him an annoyed look!
'Of course this is what this is all about! My God, Fox! The FBI as much as told us that Eve was now their prostitute! How else is she going to convince DiMera that she's over me and wants only him?!'
'Yeah, I see what you're saying, but she is pregnant. All she has to do is fake a pain here and there, and she can weasel out of sex with the guy.'
Julian didn't want to talk about it anymore. There was nothing he could do at this point anyway, though the thought depressed him. He eyed Fox.
'How is everything going at the office?' he asked, walking over to the bar.
Fox grinned!
'Reed is a damned idiot! I know Victor Kiriakis has been coaching him, but today he almost blew an off shore deal. That is, until I swooped in and saved the day. I'm working out of your office...or the one Chad was using.'
Julian nodded.
'Well, I'm coming in tomorrow. I want to stand as a united front, Fox. Soon, we'll run Reed back to where ever he came from!'
Fox smiled.
'So, tell me, have you heard from Whitney?' Julian asked.
Fox frowned.
'No. I called her hotel last night, but no one answered the phone in her room.'
Julian shrugged.
'Maybe she was having a late night with Teresa?' Julian suggested, seeing his son's unease.
'Yeah, maybe. But her cell phone was turned off as well.'
'Fox, don't tell me you're still worried about Simon Cowell?'
Fox drummed his fingers on the desk.
'Yeah, I am! I don't know what it is...I guess I'll just have to trust that Whitney will be able to keep away from him.'
'Well, yes, but you really don't know that the man is really after Whitney, do you? It could be more a feeling than a fact.'
'Yeah...I suppose. I'm going to try calling her again.'
Julian nodded, but then touched his arm before he walked by.
'Fox, I hate asking you this, but I need for you not to tell Whitney about what we just talked about.'
Fox eyed him.
'Father, you're putting me in a difficult position. I mean, Whitney is not going to be pleased with you. How will I defend you to her?'
'You don't! It's imperative that people think that Eve and I are no more. And if her own family is convinced of it, that will go a long way in convincing DiMera.'
Fox nodded.
'Alright then. I'm going to go call her now.'
Julian slightly nodded, then watched as Fox left the room. He then walked over to the sofa and sat down, drink in hand. He leaned back, closing his eyes. He wondered what Eve was doing right at this moment.
****
L.A.
Teresa was reading a magazine in the Crane apartment. Only she really wasn't reading it. She was too worried about Whitney!
Where the hell had that girl spent the night?! After their tiff, Teresa had hung around the hotel a bit, hoping to run in to Whitney. She then went back to the apartment and called Whitney's room, but no one answered the phone.
Teresa heard a key in the lock. She jumped up off of the couch, throwing aside the magazine. Whitney appeared, wearing the same clothes she had seen her in the previous night!
'Whitney? Where were you all night?'
Whitney put a hand up, slammed the door, then proceeded to tell her friend everything. Teresa's mouth dropped open, and stayed open!
'Good God, Whitney!'
'Teresa, I think I'm going to be sick!'
Teresa put her arms around her.
'Honey, you know I've been there. That morning I woke up with Julian, that goes down as the grossest thing that has ever happened to me! I love Little Ethan, but God I wish Julian was not his father! Are you alright?'
Whitney nodded.
'I don't remember anything! I guess that's a blessing. But God, Teresa, Simon's attitude really frightens me!'
'Yeah, he does sound kind of obsessed.'
Whitney pulled away from her.
'You know, on the cab ride back here, I kept going over everything that I remembered in my mind. I just am not convinced that Simon is all that hot for me!'
Teresa tilted her head.
'Come on, Whit! He took advantage of you while you were drunk! That and he's threatening not to let you out of your contract! He sounds obsessed!'
'And that was how he sounded. But think about the Simon we know from TV, and the little we've seen of him here.'
'He's a lech!'
'Yeah, but not the type to have sex with some woman that wouldn't want him. He could have anyone.'
'Where are you going with this?'
Whitney sank down onto the sofa.
'I don't know. I can't remember anything anyway. So, I have no choice but to believe that I willingly, albeit drunkenly, had sex with Simon Cowell.'
Teresa sat down next to her on the sofa. She rubbed her arm.
'What are you going to do?'
'I can't tell Fox. He can't know.'
'Whitney, he loves you. He's not going to think any less of you...'
Whitney jumped up from the sofa.
'I don't care, Teresa! Swear to me that you won't tell him or anyone what I told you!'
Teresa stood up, then nodded.
'I swear, Whit.'
Whitney then hugged Teresa.
'I don't know what I'm going to do. I can't stomach the idea of performing in front of that creep.'
Teresa decided she wouldn't have to. She let go of Whitney.
'I have to run a few errands. Stay here and don't go back to the hotel.'
'I have a rehearsal this morning.' Whitney said sadly.
'No, you don't!'
'Teresa, stay out of it! Please, I don't want you to get hurt!'
'Oh, I'm not going to get hurt! Trust me!'
Teresa then walked over to a table, picked up her purse and headed for the front door. Once she opened it, she looked back at Whitney and gave her the thumbs up sign. Whitney gave her a weak smile, then watched as Teresa walked out of the door. She then waited a few minutes, picked up her own purse, and proceeded to secretly follow Teresa. Whitney knew Teresa was going to confront Simon. And she wasn't going to let her do it alone!
****
Simon answered his own door, to Ivy Crane. He gave her a light kiss on the cheek, then watched her from behind, appreciatively, when she crossed his threshold. She turned to face him, when he closed the door.
'Well? How was last night?'
Simon shrugged.
'Pathetically uneventful, love. Whitney was passed out cold. The only enjoyable part was getting her clothes off.'
Ivy raised a brow.
'You're going to tell me that she is not to your liking?'
Simon walked up to her and pulled on a Chanel scarf she was wearing. It floated on to the floor.
'Oh, Whitney is a lovely, little creature. She's just a little flat chested for my taste.'
Ivy smirked.
'You always were a pig, Simon Cowell.'
Simon moved closer to her.
'But you always loved this pig, especially in bed.' he whispered, moving in for a kiss. Ivy let him. She always did.
Their affair spanned over 10 years. Twice a year, on her trips to visit the children or just to shop, she would also stop in London to visit Simon. Simon Cowell, another man that was charming, but nothing more than someone she could use...and pretend was Sam Bennett! While Simon looked nothing like Sam, they had similar body types. Simon looked a damned sight more like him, than Julian did, that was for sure!
Ivy suddenly pushed him away.
'Fox will be angry.' she noted.
'And you plan to tell him?' Simon asked.
'I want my son to be happy. He can't be, if his future wife lies about one night stands she's had behind his back.'
Simon shook his head, appraising her with a wicked smile.
'We both know you couldn't care less about Fox. And while I had no qualms about going along with your idea to test Whitney's fidelity to your son, I am now curious about the real reason you wanted me to undertake this enormous task?'
Ivy's mouth twisted in hatred!
'You want to know why I asked you to come between Fox and Whitney? Because I am so sick and tired of seeing him, and his bastard father, happy! It makes me want to vomit! And it isn't fair that they get to be with the people they love, when I'm without the one man that could truly make me happy! And if I can't have what I want, then neither Fox, or Julian, are going to get what they want! Not as long as I'm alive and miserable!'
Simon grinned, pulling her into his arms tightly.
'I have always loved your bitchiness,' he whispered, his lips moving down her neck, 'it just makes me want to ravish you, all the more.'
Ivy kissed him, pretending, once again, that he was Sam Bennett.
****
Teresa paid the cab driver, and stopped in front of the gate at Simon's house. She looked around, then smiled.
The gate only covered the drive. The rest of the property was surrounded by thick bushes. Teresa found a sparse looking one, and climbed through it. Once on the property, she shook off all of the bush debris.
She walked with determination towards the front door. What happened the other night to Whitney could not be undone. But, Cowell was not going to keep Whitney a prisoner with that contract! Teresa knew her friend, and she would not be able to survive, having to stare at Simon's botox, influenced mug, and try and sing. It was time for them all, to get back to Harmony.
Teresa still didn't know what she was going to do, or say, that would convince Simon to change his mind. But, she had to try. Because if she had not been so mean to Whitney the other night, her friend would not have ended up in this mess.
Teresa was about to ring the bell, when movement through a window, caught her eye. Teresa pressed her nose against the window and peered in. What she saw, caused her to gasp, and put a hand over her mouth!
For Simon Cowell, was butt naked, having sex with Ivy Crane, up against a wall! Teresa blinked, finding herself unable to turn away. She realized that that was because, she never figured Ivy to be a woman with any passion in her. But from the looks of what she was seeing, Ivy was really into Simon!
Ivy and Simon Cowell?! Teresa remembered what Whitney had said before, at the apartment, about something not being right about the other night. It was no coincidence that the day after Whitney spends the night with Simon, Ivy is here, screwing him like there was no tomorrow!
Teresa watched, as they knocked a photo off of the wall. Ivy then began to scream out the name, 'Sam'! Teresa turned away, grinning. Now that was truly pathetic!
'Teresa?'
Teresa almost jumped out of her skin! She turned around to find Whitney, looking at her innocently.
'Teresa, I appreciate what you're trying to do for me, but I don't want you to confront Simon. Let's just leave it alone...'
Teresa grabbed Whitney by the shoulders and pushed her towards the window. Whitney's mouth dropped open, then she looked at Teresa.
'Is that Ivy Crane?' she whispered.
'Oh, yes Whit! Now you think about it! You get drunk, wake up in Simon Cowell's bed, and don't remember having sex with him! Look at the way he's riding that bitch! If he had been on you like that, you would still be able to feel it!'
'Teresa!' Whitney cried, embarrassed at the thought.
'The point is, this is no coincidence!'
Whitney pulled back from the window, shaking her head.
'You're right. But how do I prove it?'
'There's nothing to prove!' Teresa hissed, then opened up her purse. She pulled out one of those throwaway cameras, put it up to the glass, then snapped a picture!
Whitney covered her mouth, appalled, yet, happy to have Teresa by her side!
'Now, if Ivy tries to blackmail you, or allude to the fact that she knows you 'slept' with Simon, we'll have this little picture, to keep your future mother-in-law, in line! Damn, Whit! I wish I had had this picture when she was still married to Julian!'
Whitney grinned, but peeked in the window again. She then looked at Teresa again.
'Who's name is that she's calling out?' she asked.
Teresa snorted!
'Sam! As in Sam Bennett! Boy, what would he think of her if he knew this? Let's go, Whit. I think we now know who's going to get you out of your 'American Idol' contract, and back into Fox's arms.'
Whitney smiled, and the girls ran over to Simon's sparse looking bush, then climbed though it.
****
Eve awoke, feeling restless. She knew that was because she was not home. And home was wherever Julian was.
She got up and walked over to her bedroom door. She opened it and walked out into the hallway.
This time, Eve easily found the stairs that went down, and padded down them. The house was in semi darkness.
Eve wondered if Tony was asleep, or had went out? She didn't see him anywhere, and decided that maybe if she looked around the house a bit, maybe she would find a clue to Stefano DiMera's location, lying around.
Eve sighed, as she stood in Tony's front hallway, Why in the world would Tony leave information, as important as that, around for anyone to see?
He wouldn't. Eve was just hoping for an easy way out of this predicament. One that would send her back into Julian's arms.
Oh, how she wanted to be with him this evening! Alone, somewhere, marveling about their children to be.
Those thoughts, spurred Eve into looking around anyway. She couldn't just sit around here wishing she was with another man! That wasn't going to happen until she found something the FBI could go with.
The front door knob began to jiggle. Eve then heard keys. Tony must have went out somewhere! She looked around. Surely, Tony wouldn't think it was odd finding her standing in the hallway, would he? She decided not to take that chance.
Eve ran to a door, thinking it was a closet. She closed the door firmly, and listened, as footsteps walked around a bit, then disappeared. If Tony went to her room to check on her and found her missing, that would be even harder to explain! Maybe jumping in this closet, wasn't such a good idea, Eve mused.
But, as she backed back a bit, her foot went down! Eve gasped, then squinted. There was moonlight coming up through a window. She was at the top of a set of stairs!
Eve's heart beat frantically, as she thought about how close she had come to falling down those stairs! Eve swallowed, then looked at the door, hearing footsteps again. She then descended the steps.
The moonlight provided ample enough light to see with. She wondered what she really thought she would find in an old basement! When she reached the bottom step, Eve was puzzled to discover that the basement was empty, save for some sort of brick structure, in the middle of the room.
It was almost like a brick pillar. Eve thought it an odd place for such a thing. She walked over to it, and around it, looking up towards the ceiling. She would have to sneak back upstairs soon.
As Eve made her way around the fourth side, her blouse got caught on something. Great! There had been some sort of nail sticking out of the structure! If she did not make it back to her room, without being seen by Tony, he would wonder how this happened to her clothing! Why hadn't she just stayed in her room? For in her room, Eve could just lay there, and dream of the day that Julian and her could finally be together.
Eve peered at the rip in her blouse, then looked at what had done it. She squinted, then sucked in a breath. Then, she backed away and began screaming! She hurried up the basement stairs and threw open the door!
Tony was coming down from upstairs, and was looking at her as if she had lost her mind!
'Good God, Eve! What were you doing down there?!'
'Tony! Tony!'
Tony hurried over to her and pulled her into his arms.
'My God, Eve, you're shaking! What were you doing down there?'
But Eve shoved him away! She pointed towards the basement.
'There is someone down there! There is someone in that basement, Tony!' Eve practically screamed. She tried not to get upset, but she couldn't help it! For now she truly knew she had walked into a nightmare! It had not been a nail that had ripped her blouse, but a finger! Someone had been left inside that brick structure to die!
Eve felt the pains starting again. She began to sink to the floor. Tony hurried to the phone to call 911.
Tony confronts Julian. Teresa discovers that Simon has a Harmony Connection.
Hours later, when Tony was assured that Eve was safely asleep, he decided to pay Julian Crane a visit.
When he reached the front door(or the tarp that served as such) he moved it aside and walked in. He looked around, wondering where the cowardly bastard was.
Tony heard music coming from behind closed doors. He walked over to a door and put his ear against it. The music was coming from there. He slowly turned the knob.
When Tony eased into the room, he could see Julian Crane lying on a sofa. He was listening to some sort of jazz. His back was to the door.
Tony walked up behind him and kicked at the sofa! Julian jumped up and turned around. He gave him a look that Tony couldn't quite read, then walked over to the CD player and turned the music off.
Julian then faced him.
'What are you doing here, DiMera?'
Tony eyed him.
'What am I doing here? Didn't you forget to take something with you, you know, when you ran from that cabin in Connecticut? And in the middle of the night no less.'
Oh, how Julian wanted to tell this pathetic bastard the truth! That the only reason Eve even deigned to give him the time of day, was because the FBI was looking to lock him, and his criminal father, up for good!
But, then he envisioned putting together two cribs(he did not know how, but he could read instructions!) upstairs. His mind jumped from that daydream, to watching his babies...his and Eve's, crawling around down here, in this very room, while Eve and him watched them. Eve Crane. Mrs. Julian Crane...
'Julian!' Tony snapped. 'Have you been drinking?! I mean, is that what made you do such a colossally, insensitive thing?! Tell me, did you make some sort of deal with the authorities? You must have. Otherwise, you would be in a jail cell, instead of lying around here, listening to music!'
Julian turned away from him and walked over to the bar. He didn't want to give anything away. And if he looked at DiMera now, Julian was afraid that he just might figure out something was amiss.
'I just realized that Eve had too much to overcome. And in the end, I do have to preserve the family name.'
Julian could sense Tony walking up behind him. He stood stock still.
'How dare you get her hopes up again,' Tony hissed. 'You devastated her years ago, by running out on her. Then you give her the false hope that you've turned into some kind of real man with a backbone. And impregnated her to boot! Then, you run out on her and leave her to hitchhike?! Jesus! What kind of a monster are you?'
Julian turned around.
'I'm the monster?!' he yelled.
Tony nodded quickly.
'I knew you two would never last, after you killed that Harris boy! And make no mistake about it, his death lay squarely on your shoulders! You had no business dragging Eve into your sick scheme to dupe that boy!'
Julian turned away quickly, squeezing his glass hard.
'Are you quite finished?!' he snapped.
'You have nothing to say for yourself, Julian?' Tony asked, looking him up and down.
Julian said nothing, but was breathing heavily.
'Of course you don't. What would you say? Your behavior has been inexcusable! I have no intention of allowing Eve to go through any of this alone...and that includes her pregnancy!'
Julian slowly turned around.
'What does that mean?'
'It means what you think it means. Eve is mine now. I've already hired lawyers to speed up her divorce from T.C. Russell. When it is finalized, Eve and I will be married. I will raise the children you weren't man enough to own up to!'
'NO!' Julian screamed, breaking the glass in his hands, then leaping at Tony! Tony went flying backwards on to a china rug. He was not prepared for the blows Julian was inflicting on his person! What the hell was this bastard so angry about?!
Tony managed to get on top of him and get in a few blows! Before either of them knew it, they were being separated, by Fox!
'What the hell is going on here?! Father, what are you doing here?'
Julian pulled out of Fox's grasp, and looked away. Fox looked at Tony.
'Get the hell out of here!' he snapped. Tony glared at both of them, before walking towards the study door. He opened it, then turned and looked at Julian. He pointed at him.
'Stay away from Eve! Do you hear me? Stay away from Eve! Don't you dare tell the police anything about her!'
Tony then turned and limped out. Fox went to the doorway and watched Tony leave through the tarp. He then turned and faced his father.
'What the hell was that all about? Where is Dr. Russell?'
Julian limped over to his desk and sat down. He then put his head in his hands. Fox eased over to him.
'Father? What's going on? You can tell me.'
Julian lifted his head and looked at Fox. Fox was dressed in a business suit and was now sitting on the corner of the desk. Fox had become sort of his partner in crime. He trusted him, something he would not have said a year ago. And he was already tired of this charade. Julian decided to go against Pilar's orders, just this once.
He rubbed his palms together.
'The FBI has offered Eve and I a deal of sorts. She finds out where Stefano DiMera is, and the charges against both of us are dropped.'
Fox just stared at him.
'Why do I get the feeling that it's not as simple as all of that?' he asked.
'Oh, it's not. Eve has to pretend to break up with me and move in with Tony DiMera.'
Fox's eyes widened. But he did seem to be mulling over what he had just heard.
'Okay, I get it. So, really this ruse is about convincing Tony that Eve is not in love with you anymore, so that he will let his guard down and tell Eve what the feds need to know, right?'
Julian stood up.
'That's the nice, soft way of putting it. What those people seem to have forgotten, is that the DiMera family is full of nothing but criminals...dangerous criminals. They also seem to have forgotten that Eve is pregnant, and in no condition to fend off DiMera's advances!'
Fox nodded slightly.
'Ah. So this is what this is really all about.'
Julian gave him an annoyed look!
'Of course this is what this is all about! My God, Fox! The FBI as much as told us that Eve was now their prostitute! How else is she going to convince DiMera that she's over me and wants only him?!'
'Yeah, I see what you're saying, but she is pregnant. All she has to do is fake a pain here and there, and she can weasel out of sex with the guy.'
Julian didn't want to talk about it anymore. There was nothing he could do at this point anyway, though the thought depressed him. He eyed Fox.
'How is everything going at the office?' he asked, walking over to the bar.
Fox grinned!
'Reed is a damned idiot! I know Victor Kiriakis has been coaching him, but today he almost blew an off shore deal. That is, until I swooped in and saved the day. I'm working out of your office...or the one Chad was using.'
Julian nodded.
'Well, I'm coming in tomorrow. I want to stand as a united front, Fox. Soon, we'll run Reed back to where ever he came from!'
Fox smiled.
'So, tell me, have you heard from Whitney?' Julian asked.
Fox frowned.
'No. I called her hotel last night, but no one answered the phone in her room.'
Julian shrugged.
'Maybe she was having a late night with Teresa?' Julian suggested, seeing his son's unease.
'Yeah, maybe. But her cell phone was turned off as well.'
'Fox, don't tell me you're still worried about Simon Cowell?'
Fox drummed his fingers on the desk.
'Yeah, I am! I don't know what it is...I guess I'll just have to trust that Whitney will be able to keep away from him.'
'Well, yes, but you really don't know that the man is really after Whitney, do you? It could be more a feeling than a fact.'
'Yeah...I suppose. I'm going to try calling her again.'
Julian nodded, but then touched his arm before he walked by.
'Fox, I hate asking you this, but I need for you not to tell Whitney about what we just talked about.'
Fox eyed him.
'Father, you're putting me in a difficult position. I mean, Whitney is not going to be pleased with you. How will I defend you to her?'
'You don't! It's imperative that people think that Eve and I are no more. And if her own family is convinced of it, that will go a long way in convincing DiMera.'
Fox nodded.
'Alright then. I'm going to go call her now.'
Julian slightly nodded, then watched as Fox left the room. He then walked over to the sofa and sat down, drink in hand. He leaned back, closing his eyes. He wondered what Eve was doing right at this moment.
****
L.A.
Teresa was reading a magazine in the Crane apartment. Only she really wasn't reading it. She was too worried about Whitney!
Where the hell had that girl spent the night?! After their tiff, Teresa had hung around the hotel a bit, hoping to run in to Whitney. She then went back to the apartment and called Whitney's room, but no one answered the phone.
Teresa heard a key in the lock. She jumped up off of the couch, throwing aside the magazine. Whitney appeared, wearing the same clothes she had seen her in the previous night!
'Whitney? Where were you all night?'
Whitney put a hand up, slammed the door, then proceeded to tell her friend everything. Teresa's mouth dropped open, and stayed open!
'Good God, Whitney!'
'Teresa, I think I'm going to be sick!'
Teresa put her arms around her.
'Honey, you know I've been there. That morning I woke up with Julian, that goes down as the grossest thing that has ever happened to me! I love Little Ethan, but God I wish Julian was not his father! Are you alright?'
Whitney nodded.
'I don't remember anything! I guess that's a blessing. But God, Teresa, Simon's attitude really frightens me!'
'Yeah, he does sound kind of obsessed.'
Whitney pulled away from her.
'You know, on the cab ride back here, I kept going over everything that I remembered in my mind. I just am not convinced that Simon is all that hot for me!'
Teresa tilted her head.
'Come on, Whit! He took advantage of you while you were drunk! That and he's threatening not to let you out of your contract! He sounds obsessed!'
'And that was how he sounded. But think about the Simon we know from TV, and the little we've seen of him here.'
'He's a lech!'
'Yeah, but not the type to have sex with some woman that wouldn't want him. He could have anyone.'
'Where are you going with this?'
Whitney sank down onto the sofa.
'I don't know. I can't remember anything anyway. So, I have no choice but to believe that I willingly, albeit drunkenly, had sex with Simon Cowell.'
Teresa sat down next to her on the sofa. She rubbed her arm.
'What are you going to do?'
'I can't tell Fox. He can't know.'
'Whitney, he loves you. He's not going to think any less of you...'
Whitney jumped up from the sofa.
'I don't care, Teresa! Swear to me that you won't tell him or anyone what I told you!'
Teresa stood up, then nodded.
'I swear, Whit.'
Whitney then hugged Teresa.
'I don't know what I'm going to do. I can't stomach the idea of performing in front of that creep.'
Teresa decided she wouldn't have to. She let go of Whitney.
'I have to run a few errands. Stay here and don't go back to the hotel.'
'I have a rehearsal this morning.' Whitney said sadly.
'No, you don't!'
'Teresa, stay out of it! Please, I don't want you to get hurt!'
'Oh, I'm not going to get hurt! Trust me!'
Teresa then walked over to a table, picked up her purse and headed for the front door. Once she opened it, she looked back at Whitney and gave her the thumbs up sign. Whitney gave her a weak smile, then watched as Teresa walked out of the door. She then waited a few minutes, picked up her own purse, and proceeded to secretly follow Teresa. Whitney knew Teresa was going to confront Simon. And she wasn't going to let her do it alone!
****
Simon answered his own door, to Ivy Crane. He gave her a light kiss on the cheek, then watched her from behind, appreciatively, when she crossed his threshold. She turned to face him, when he closed the door.
'Well? How was last night?'
Simon shrugged.
'Pathetically uneventful, love. Whitney was passed out cold. The only enjoyable part was getting her clothes off.'
Ivy raised a brow.
'You're going to tell me that she is not to your liking?'
Simon walked up to her and pulled on a Chanel scarf she was wearing. It floated on to the floor.
'Oh, Whitney is a lovely, little creature. She's just a little flat chested for my taste.'
Ivy smirked.
'You always were a pig, Simon Cowell.'
Simon moved closer to her.
'But you always loved this pig, especially in bed.' he whispered, moving in for a kiss. Ivy let him. She always did.
Their affair spanned over 10 years. Twice a year, on her trips to visit the children or just to shop, she would also stop in London to visit Simon. Simon Cowell, another man that was charming, but nothing more than someone she could use...and pretend was Sam Bennett! While Simon looked nothing like Sam, they had similar body types. Simon looked a damned sight more like him, than Julian did, that was for sure!
Ivy suddenly pushed him away.
'Fox will be angry.' she noted.
'And you plan to tell him?' Simon asked.
'I want my son to be happy. He can't be, if his future wife lies about one night stands she's had behind his back.'
Simon shook his head, appraising her with a wicked smile.
'We both know you couldn't care less about Fox. And while I had no qualms about going along with your idea to test Whitney's fidelity to your son, I am now curious about the real reason you wanted me to undertake this enormous task?'
Ivy's mouth twisted in hatred!
'You want to know why I asked you to come between Fox and Whitney? Because I am so sick and tired of seeing him, and his bastard father, happy! It makes me want to vomit! And it isn't fair that they get to be with the people they love, when I'm without the one man that could truly make me happy! And if I can't have what I want, then neither Fox, or Julian, are going to get what they want! Not as long as I'm alive and miserable!'
Simon grinned, pulling her into his arms tightly.
'I have always loved your bitchiness,' he whispered, his lips moving down her neck, 'it just makes me want to ravish you, all the more.'
Ivy kissed him, pretending, once again, that he was Sam Bennett.
****
Teresa paid the cab driver, and stopped in front of the gate at Simon's house. She looked around, then smiled.
The gate only covered the drive. The rest of the property was surrounded by thick bushes. Teresa found a sparse looking one, and climbed through it. Once on the property, she shook off all of the bush debris.
She walked with determination towards the front door. What happened the other night to Whitney could not be undone. But, Cowell was not going to keep Whitney a prisoner with that contract! Teresa knew her friend, and she would not be able to survive, having to stare at Simon's botox, influenced mug, and try and sing. It was time for them all, to get back to Harmony.
Teresa still didn't know what she was going to do, or say, that would convince Simon to change his mind. But, she had to try. Because if she had not been so mean to Whitney the other night, her friend would not have ended up in this mess.
Teresa was about to ring the bell, when movement through a window, caught her eye. Teresa pressed her nose against the window and peered in. What she saw, caused her to gasp, and put a hand over her mouth!
For Simon Cowell, was butt naked, having sex with Ivy Crane, up against a wall! Teresa blinked, finding herself unable to turn away. She realized that that was because, she never figured Ivy to be a woman with any passion in her. But from the looks of what she was seeing, Ivy was really into Simon!
Ivy and Simon Cowell?! Teresa remembered what Whitney had said before, at the apartment, about something not being right about the other night. It was no coincidence that the day after Whitney spends the night with Simon, Ivy is here, screwing him like there was no tomorrow!
Teresa watched, as they knocked a photo off of the wall. Ivy then began to scream out the name, 'Sam'! Teresa turned away, grinning. Now that was truly pathetic!
'Teresa?'
Teresa almost jumped out of her skin! She turned around to find Whitney, looking at her innocently.
'Teresa, I appreciate what you're trying to do for me, but I don't want you to confront Simon. Let's just leave it alone...'
Teresa grabbed Whitney by the shoulders and pushed her towards the window. Whitney's mouth dropped open, then she looked at Teresa.
'Is that Ivy Crane?' she whispered.
'Oh, yes Whit! Now you think about it! You get drunk, wake up in Simon Cowell's bed, and don't remember having sex with him! Look at the way he's riding that bitch! If he had been on you like that, you would still be able to feel it!'
'Teresa!' Whitney cried, embarrassed at the thought.
'The point is, this is no coincidence!'
Whitney pulled back from the window, shaking her head.
'You're right. But how do I prove it?'
'There's nothing to prove!' Teresa hissed, then opened up her purse. She pulled out one of those throwaway cameras, put it up to the glass, then snapped a picture!
Whitney covered her mouth, appalled, yet, happy to have Teresa by her side!
'Now, if Ivy tries to blackmail you, or allude to the fact that she knows you 'slept' with Simon, we'll have this little picture, to keep your future mother-in-law, in line! Damn, Whit! I wish I had had this picture when she was still married to Julian!'
Whitney grinned, but peeked in the window again. She then looked at Teresa again.
'Who's name is that she's calling out?' she asked.
Teresa snorted!
'Sam! As in Sam Bennett! Boy, what would he think of her if he knew this? Let's go, Whit. I think we now know who's going to get you out of your 'American Idol' contract, and back into Fox's arms.'
Whitney smiled, and the girls ran over to Simon's sparse looking bush, then climbed though it.
****
Eve awoke, feeling restless. She knew that was because she was not home. And home was wherever Julian was.
She got up and walked over to her bedroom door. She opened it and walked out into the hallway.
This time, Eve easily found the stairs that went down, and padded down them. The house was in semi darkness.
Eve wondered if Tony was asleep, or had went out? She didn't see him anywhere, and decided that maybe if she looked around the house a bit, maybe she would find a clue to Stefano DiMera's location, lying around.
Eve sighed, as she stood in Tony's front hallway, Why in the world would Tony leave information, as important as that, around for anyone to see?
He wouldn't. Eve was just hoping for an easy way out of this predicament. One that would send her back into Julian's arms.
Oh, how she wanted to be with him this evening! Alone, somewhere, marveling about their children to be.
Those thoughts, spurred Eve into looking around anyway. She couldn't just sit around here wishing she was with another man! That wasn't going to happen until she found something the FBI could go with.
The front door knob began to jiggle. Eve then heard keys. Tony must have went out somewhere! She looked around. Surely, Tony wouldn't think it was odd finding her standing in the hallway, would he? She decided not to take that chance.
Eve ran to a door, thinking it was a closet. She closed the door firmly, and listened, as footsteps walked around a bit, then disappeared. If Tony went to her room to check on her and found her missing, that would be even harder to explain! Maybe jumping in this closet, wasn't such a good idea, Eve mused.
But, as she backed back a bit, her foot went down! Eve gasped, then squinted. There was moonlight coming up through a window. She was at the top of a set of stairs!
Eve's heart beat frantically, as she thought about how close she had come to falling down those stairs! Eve swallowed, then looked at the door, hearing footsteps again. She then descended the steps.
The moonlight provided ample enough light to see with. She wondered what she really thought she would find in an old basement! When she reached the bottom step, Eve was puzzled to discover that the basement was empty, save for some sort of brick structure, in the middle of the room.
It was almost like a brick pillar. Eve thought it an odd place for such a thing. She walked over to it, and around it, looking up towards the ceiling. She would have to sneak back upstairs soon.
As Eve made her way around the fourth side, her blouse got caught on something. Great! There had been some sort of nail sticking out of the structure! If she did not make it back to her room, without being seen by Tony, he would wonder how this happened to her clothing! Why hadn't she just stayed in her room? For in her room, Eve could just lay there, and dream of the day that Julian and her could finally be together.
Eve peered at the rip in her blouse, then looked at what had done it. She squinted, then sucked in a breath. Then, she backed away and began screaming! She hurried up the basement stairs and threw open the door!
Tony was coming down from upstairs, and was looking at her as if she had lost her mind!
'Good God, Eve! What were you doing down there?!'
'Tony! Tony!'
Tony hurried over to her and pulled her into his arms.
'My God, Eve, you're shaking! What were you doing down there?'
But Eve shoved him away! She pointed towards the basement.
'There is someone down there! There is someone in that basement, Tony!' Eve practically screamed. She tried not to get upset, but she couldn't help it! For now she truly knew she had walked into a nightmare! It had not been a nail that had ripped her blouse, but a finger! Someone had been left inside that brick structure to die!
Eve felt the pains starting again. She began to sink to the floor. Tony hurried to the phone to call 911.
