Just before dawn, the smell of coffee flickered into his nose as the sound of the microwave oven entered his ears. When his eyelids opened and his senses were fully awake, he searched the room for his fiancé. When he couldn't find her in the bedroom where he was located, he closed his eyes for just a second and rubbed them with his fingers. As he climbed out of bed and stood up, he placed his hands on the back of his neck and stretched with all his might; wanting to stretch his legs and back which had an odd feeling in them.
As he entered the bathroom, he closed the door behind him and made his way to the sink where he looked at himself in the mirror. No reaction came over him as he walked to the shower and turned on the water; letting it regulate. With the sound of running water disrupting the silence, Fox slowly began taking off his sweatpants and boxers. He fought with his socks a few times before finally winning and pulling them off his feet. Fully naked, he grabbed a towel from the cabinet and hung it up outside the shower.
The heat of the shower had already begun fogging the mirrors, and the steam faintly clouded the bathroom. Fox climbed into the shower and let the water run over him slowly and surely. Memories of last night filled his head, as he occasionally thought about Julie. Fox went through his shower routine without thinking and before he knew it, he was finished. He pulled back the curtain, grabbed his towel, and began drying himself. He then tied it around his waist, brushed his teeth, and then walked out of the bathroom in search of clothing.
As he was searching through his drawers, Julie entered. Unaware of her presence, Fox continued to search with his back turned to her. She quietly walked in and placed her arms around him. She ran her fingertips up and down Fox's abs and chest.
"Hey, baby," said Julie, very close to his ear as she eagerly kissed his neck.
"Hey Jules," said Fox in reply without any emotion. Julie turned him around to face her and began kissing him passionately.
"Hey, hey. I just took a shower. We can't do this. We've gotta go somewhere, remember?" said Fox in between kisses.
"Oh, but, on."
"No." And with that, he walked back into the bathroom and locked himself inside. He put on his clothes and sluggishly walked into the kitchen in search for some caffeine. Julie, who was surprised by his refusal of her actions, watched him. When she finally gained the courage, she approached him again.
"Fox, what's the matter?" She asked as she thought about the events that she shared with Bruce, and she wondered if Fox knew about them. Her stomach was filled with large knots, and whenever she thought about the truth being revealed, it did flip-flops. Fox yawned and replied,
"Nothing's wrong. Just tired and I need to get to the fashion show. What time do you gotta be there?"
"I have to help the models, so probably sometime soon. And you?"
"Around 7ish, but I decided to get there early and check out the jobs that I gotta do."
"I see," said Julie quietly. All she wanted to do was make-love to Fox. That was the only event that played in her head. And she was almost positive that she was going to get it this morning. But when she didn't, she was disappointed. "Baby, you wanna go out to eat tonight? You can come over to my place afterwards."
"Sounds great." He gently pecked her on the cheek before grabbing his jacket and heading out the door.
Just minutes after Fox had left, a sound rapped on Julie's door. She walked to the sound, wondering who could be on the other side, while secretly knowing whom it would be. And when she opened it, Bruce filled her vision.
"Bruce….no….I…."
"No. Listen, Julie. You shut me out…and all I wanted to do was be with you. And you know that you want me, too."
After moments of silence and stares, Bruce walked up to her, as close as he could be, and slid his hands down her short skirt, just inside her underwear. He began rubbing her and Julie started moaning deeply. Bruce shut the door behind him and continued working her. He whispered seductive sounds in her ear as she closed her eyes in satisfaction. After rubbing her vigorously, he started ripping her shirt off; not even bothering with the buttons, and continued to meet her desires in the only way he knew how.
"Yeah, baby, you know you want this. You know you do. This is what you need and I want you. I love you, Julie."
Fox called a cab as he made his way to the fashion show that was located just outside of downtown New York. A weird feeling filled his stomach as he drove closer and closer. If someone had asked him about it, he wouldn't have admitted it, but deep, deep inside himself he knew what was causing this peculiar feeling.
The famous fashion designer was standing outside of the building, managing the chaos that had already begun to take form. Theresa was wearing long white pants, which appeared to be a smidgen too long for her, with a satin pink top. The top dipped down and stopped just before her bosom. Theresa's long brown hair was spiral curled from her roots to her ends and it flowed in the wind as she stressed over some simple procedures. With her back to the street, Fox Crane's cab pulled slowly to the curb.
Without a moment's hesitation, Fox spotted her and looked her over from behind. His stomach churned and he lost his breath for just a moment. Pull yourself together, Crane, he told himself in his only place of privacy. He climbed out of the cab just after he paid the driver and grabbed his jacket. His eyes continued to consume Theresa as he walked closer to her. His eyes were averted, however, when he noticed that she had lost control of a piece of paper that was in her hands just a few seconds before. He smiled when he watched her chase it, and without avail, couldn't catch it. However, luckily for her, the paper flew at the businessman and he managed to snatch it out of the wind's wrath.
"Need this?" asked Fox as a sly smile formed on his face.
"Oh my God! THANK YOU," replied Theresa, relieved. "Whew, you have no idea how stressful a fashion show is," continued Theresa.
Fox continued to look at her when a voice bellowed, "Theresa! What do you want me to do with these?" Theresa's head quickly turned as Fox's gaze continued to linger.
"Ahhh! I swear, this is gonna be the end of me," laughed Theresa, "I'll be right back, Fox. Don't leave." Theresa quickly touched Fox's arm as she ran off in a slow jog, her hair blowing and bouncing in the wind behind her.
"Hey, Fox!" said Clarissa who was obviously stressed as well. "I'm so glad you're here! We've got so much to do. Do you need a job?"
"Well, yeah, but the Boss Lady told me to wait here," replied Fox.
"Ah-ha. Well, you might as well wait on her then. She's got this whole day planned out. So, is miss Julie coming?"
"She said she was, but I haven't talked to her since I left."
"I see. Well, I was going to mention to Julie that she could stay home, because I could manage the girls. You can call her and tell her if you'd like. Don't want her to stand around and do nothing. She'd get bored," replied Clarissa, smiling.
"Oh, I'll bet she'd love that. She seems so stressed lately," said Fox, "Excuse me." Fox slowly dialed Julie's cell, but when he received no answer, he dialed her apartment.
Hello, you have reached Julie Carter. I'm either out, or occupied with something important. Please leave your name and number and I'll be sure to get back to you as soon as possible. Bye! BEEP.
"Julie, uh – this is Fox. I tried your cell phone and got no answer, so I really hope you get this. I was just calling to tell you not to worry about coming to the fashion show. Clarissa told me that she could handle the girls for you if you'd like. Love you, sweetie. Bye."
Back at the apartment, Julie was, in fact, occupied. Occupied with Bruce, that is. Their bodies were completely drenched as they moved rapidly on the couch. Julie moaned loudly as Bruce's hands ran up and down her body. He continued to move faster and faster. Julie, lost in the motion, didn't hear Fox's message as it echoed through the apartment.
"Got the answering machine," said Fox to Clarissa, "I hope she gets the message." Fox slid his phone back inside his jacket as he saw Theresa's small figure moving towards him.
"Okay, Fox! Are ya ready for the show?" smiled Theresa, excited for what was to come.
"Oh, you bet I am."
"Great! Follow me."
Theresa showed Fox exactly what to do and they were inseparable all throughout the day. Wherever Theresa was, Fox was shortly behind. They helped each other with everything and the show was a smashing success. Theresa couldn't help but feel proud of herself. She knew, however, without Fox, she would be nowhere today.
"Wow! Fox! I am so HAPPY," Theresa said loudly with out-bursting happiness. She was very giddy as she threw her arms around Fox in a huge hug of gratitude. Her body slammed into his as she squeezed him tighter. "Thank you, thank you, thank you. This show wouldn't be anywhere without you." Theresa stopped the hug and, without thinking, kissed Fox on the cheek.
Her soft lips on his cheek sent electricity all through him. Breathless from the hug and then the kiss, he simply replied, "You're – you're welcome."
Theresa was still giddy and smiling when Fox replied to her actions. "You're amazing, Mr. Crane. You will get an amazing recommendation and review from me. You won't have to worry about your boss..oh I'm gonna praise you to him. You were so great today. Thank you so much!"
Fox smiled and watched her. He could tell how much she loved this business; all the exhilaration and animation it brought to her. Fashion designing was and will be Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald forever more. He had never met anyone who became so happy about what they did for a living before.
"Look at you," Fox said in admiration.
"Hhhmmm?"
Before Fox could answer, Theresa was bombarded with numerous reporters. Fox, convinced that he wasn't going to see Theresa the rest of the day or evening, headed back to Julie's apartment to check up on her.
Fox stuck his key into Julie's apartment door and entered. As Fox hung up his jacket, he heard sharp pants. Wondering what it was, he made his way into the living room.
"Julie! You should have been ---- there….."
Fox's eyes ran over Julie and Bruce on top of each other. A cover was placed over them, and Julie's hair was messy and was stucking to the sides of her face. Hurt filled Fox's chest. The sharp sensation started rising and rising up like water. It ran up to his eyes, but he forced it back down.
"Damnit, Julie. WHAT THE HELL IS THIS!" asked Fox angrily.
"Fox, no, I can explain – I…."
Before Julie could finish, Fox stormed out of the apartment and spilled into the elevator. He knew if he had stayed in that room a moment longer, he would have lost it. Not really knowing what to do, he went walking down the streets of New York. His whole world had crumbled right before him and he had no idea how to pick up the shattered pieces and put them back together.