Fox. noun. 1. a small, dog- like mammal, with reddish- brown fur, a pointed muzzle, upright ears and a bushy tail. 2. the fur of this animal. 3. a crafty person

~Rebecca~

"This is disgraceful! Utterly disgraceful! You were never an angel, Rebecca, but this? Oh goodness!" He paces around the room, a hand on his forehead. He looks older than his 48 years like that. Yuk!

"Well how do you know it's true, Julian? I mean, it's probably some jealous rumour…" I start to protest, widening my eyes for that innocent look which has always appealed to him.

"Stop putting on that stupid facade, Rebecca! I'm not fooled by that 'sweet and child- like' impression of yours anymore! What do you take me for? And I fully doubt that my son would be jealous or idle enough to make up stories about you!" he growls. "Plus, you may like to know that I have the proof right here," he adds, indicating a video.

I start frantically and tell myself to think. Okay! Come on Rebecca, think of something, think of something!

"I'll have that, thank you very much!" I say, snatching at the tape.

"No no. We'll have a look at this together, won't we? That would determine perhaps, whether Fox was really weaving up a preposterous tale!" He snaps, putting the video in the VCR.

Oh no, oh no!

The whole reel runs before my eyes. How could I've been so stupid! I should have dragged her into the gardens instead of going for her right in the hallway where anyone, including that meddlesome Fox, could have watched me unsuspected.

"I should like to know, Rebecca, just why you kissed that girl. Have you undergone a sudden change of… er, gender orientation? At your age?" He inquires, gaze fixed on the TV screen.

I come up with (what I hope is) a good excuse. "Of course not! Don't be silly! I was just wondering whether I had bad breath that morning, so I tested my mouth on the girl. You would like your lil' Beckypoo's breath to be nice and sweet when you kiss her, don't you?" I sing flirtatiously, massaging his shoulders.

"Oh…"

Ha ha! He seems to be taking it. God bless me for being such a cutesie!

But then that cunning Fox intrudes on my successful justification again! With the maid at his elbow. What is he trying to do now? I hope it isn't what I'm thinking it is…

I rub Julian's shoulders harder, hoping he'll send them away, but he welcomes them instead.

"Oh good! Here are my two chief witnesses! Now Lyeleen, could you tell me why your mistress had such a close encounter with you? Please be honest. One of you are about to lose your position in this household."

Duh! Of course I'm hearing things!

The petite little Asian girl squirms and looks very uncomfortable. I stare daggers at her with my lethal blue- green eyes. It should do the trick…

"I, I don't know exactly why she did it. I w- was just polishing the staircase rail when m- madam kind of pounced on me, and grabbed me by the face like th- this," she stammers, indicating my actions. Damn the little bitch! I thought she'd keep it to herself.

"Did she say anything?" asks Julian calmly.

"J- just called me a cute ch- cherry or something."

"Thank you Lyeleen. You may go. And Fox, I need to see you about the business deal- at two."

The girl stumbles out thankfully. Fox follows suit. Alright- I'm in serious trouble now. My cards are rapidly running out…

"It's clear who the culprit in this situation is. You had it coming anyway. There was ever something… quirky about you. And then, I've always wanted this ridiculous marriage to end. After my near death experience, I finally realised that it was my money and name you were marrying- not me. Besides, you were ten notches warmer than Ivy in bed, so I fell for your damnable charade." He looks dead serious, but I don't relent.

"Oh Pookie, I won't do it again- I won't! Weavvy, toovy…"

He snorts dismissively at me. "It's over Rebecca. No more 'Craning' around for you, I'm afraid. You'll have to go and seeks another Lonely Desperado. Better start packing your things together, hmmm?"

"No!" I gasp, hating the sinking feeling that's invading my tummy. I've earned this marriage through pure hard work. I'm not going to give it up in a hurry! "No Julian, you can't! I, I… love you!"

"You're leaving, Rebecca! The divorce papers will be arranged today. And if you continue to refuse, I have my means and I'm ready to use them- you know that."

I stamp my feet on the floor, feeling an angry pout form on my face. "You'll be sorry for this someday, Julian. I'll make sure no- one else has you now. It's either me, or nobody." I slam the door behind me.

Oh who's this jeering at me? Terrorsita Low pest- Fizzedgerm. Bitch of the century.

"I'm sorry, Mrs Crane. Have you lost your diamond slipper today, ma' am?"

I reach out to give her a smart slap across her face, but I know there are eyes everywhere.

"Listen, you piece of nothing! I know what you're after, but let me assure you- you're not getting it! I'll make sure you don't!"

She looks confusedly at me, but I'm sure she's pretending not to understand.

"What are you talking about?"

I glare at her. "Oh stop it, idiot! Anyone can see what you're at! You accused me of Crane- chasing, bit that's exactly what you're doing too!"

"Huh?"

"When do you think you'll ever be Mrs Crane once more anyway? Fox Crane doesn't seem to be enchanted by your charms. You're not doing a second take of capturing Cranes sweetheart, because you have none of my prowess and pizzazz!"

"Fox is… my… friend," she whispers, desperately failing in her attempt to look guiltless.

"Or perhaps a little more than that," says a voice behind us.

I'm sick and tired of it all, so I retire to my boudoir. Revenge will come later…

*****

~Theresa~

"What do you mean?" I ask shakily. Has he heard it all?

"Nothing!" he laughs. "Just wanted to spark her up a little."

He smiles at me, dimple faintly dancing on his cheek. Ethan- like. God, I must forget that. But how can I, when he's manifesting himself all over again, this time in his brother's face?

I pull myself together at the sting of the fresh scars on my feet.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing. My feet hurt a bit."

He pushed me gently towards the couch. "Sit."

I seat myself relievedly and look at him.

"You need to be ready for the party, don't you?" He murmurs, eyes roaming over me. Please Fox, you're not making things easier by doing that! "And might I add, you're in superb form as usual, even if you do look a bit unwell today…"

"Speaking of the party, I'm wondering who to go with." I say quickly, crossing my arms and trying to appear to be thoughtful.

"Well… I haven't paid much thought to that either, but it makes sense really. We're two single people in the same dire situation, so I guess you'll just have to bear with me for one evening, fair senorita."

I laugh and ruffle his hair fondly. "Poor me! To have you tagging along like an annoying pet poodle!"

He sighs contentedly and moves his head about slowly. "Keep doing that- it feels grrreaaaat," he drawls sexily, eyes half- closed.

I take my hands away. I've lost Ethan. I don't want my bad luck to repeat itself by complicating things with Fox.

"No, lazyass! You'd better finish organising the soiree. Want it all to be nice and perfect, don't you?"

He remains silent for a while in quite contemplation. What are you thinking about, Fox?

"I had this weird dream last night, Theresa. It's really freaky coz I never remember that shit. But last night… you were in it. I dreamt that you were… kissing Ethan. And then he turned into me…"