The countdown to the finale begins. Hope you've enjoyed reading the story because I had a ball writing it. Quality feedback adored. I have the story completed but I need some reviews (at least 5). I won't post the next chapter without 5 reviews.
Chapter 9
Teresa stared at him sorrowfully, her soft mouth set in grim lines and in that instant Fox knew that no explanation would be forthcoming and his heart shattered into a million pieces. Unable to bear anymore and knowing that if he stayed he'd humiliate himself by getting on his knees and begging her to come with him, Fox stormed out of the room. When he reached his own bedroom, he walked straight to the mini bar in the corner of the room and poured himself a stiff drink.
"Why Teresa, why would you risk our future like that for a tumble with my brother? I thought you loved me," he whispered to himself.
"Fox," a masculine voice called out and he turned to see Chad lounging uncertainly by the door.
"Care for a drink?" he asked as he tossed back the burning liquid and turned to pour himself another.
"I know you're hurting man but drinking isn't going to make the pain go away," the black man murmured snatching the glass from Fox's hand and setting it on the marble topped surface.
"Don't lecture me Chad. And don't presume to tell me what to do," Fox snapped picking up his half empty glass and gulping down the remains of his drink.
Angrier than he had ever been in his life he threw the heavy crystal glass against the wall, watching it shatter. Then in an abrupt change of mood he sank to the floor, his entire frame shaking with the force of his emotions.
"I thought she loved me Chad. I really thought she'd moved on from that stupid obsession with my brother and that she'd fallen in love with ime/i. God, what a fool I was to believe she'd gotten over Ethan. Everything always comes back to my sainted brother," Fox murmured derisively.
"I can't tell you what to do or how to feel Fox but I do know one thing. Teresa loves you. It was there in her eyes when she saw how her actions hurt you. Whatever her reasons for doing what she did, that doesn't change how she feels about you," Chad told his friend.
"Right. She loves me so much she hopped into bed with my brother. Next you're going to tell me she mistook his room for mine and that she thought it was me she was making love with," Fox drawled, a sneer curving his handsome mouth.
"Maybe she did," Chad shot back. "Stranger things have happened in this town. Look at the way Miguel ended up in bed with Kay instead of Charity," he added and Fox scowled.
"From what Teresa told me Miguel denied knowing it was Kay in bed with him. I didn't hear Teresa deny she had sex with Ethan and from where I was standing she looked like she was having a mighty fine time sticking it to Gwen."
"Things aren't always what they seem to be Fox," Chad replied softly. "Have faith in your love man. I'm sure this is nothing but a simple misunderstanding." He affirmed.
Fox made no reply but his bleak expression warned the other man that his friend was beyond reasoning. Lost in thoughts of the past Fox wondered how he could have been so wrong about so many things. He would have sworn on his life that Teresa loved him. But if she loved him then why had she slept with his brother? It was a riddle with no answer and Fox thought he was going to go insane from the uncertainty. Then as clearly as if she had been in the room Fox heard Teresa's sweet voice whisper earnestly in his ear, "I love you Fox. Whatever happens in the future never forget how much I love you."
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"Are you out of your mind Teresa? What the hell were you thinking seducing Ethan and at the Crane Mansion of all places, where his wife could walk in at any moment. Or was that part of the plan, mm? Did you want Gwen to find you together?" an infuriated Whitney asked her friend as she half dragged, half shoved Teresa into one of the many spare bedrooms on the second floor of the Crane mansion.
Knowing that the confrontation was inevitable, Teresa allowed herself to be dragged along and when they were along she turned to face her friend.
"Whit, I know that the situation looks bad but I know what I'm doing."
"Don't you always?" Whitney replied sarcastically. "Don't you learn from your mistakes Teresa? Haven't you realized by now that plotting and scheming will only cause you and everyone around you unhappiness?" she continued. "God, sometimes I wish I could shake some sense into you."
"Whit you don't have to worry about me. I know exactly what I'm doing," Teresa reiterated softly.
"Do you? I highly doubt that Resa. But since I know you're not going to offer me any explanations right now I'll let you be. I still think you're making a mistake. Fox is a good man. He's a hundred times the man Ethan will ever be. And unlike Ethan, Fox has always put your needs first," Whitney replied. "Only a fool would let a man like him go. And I don't believe you're a fool. Rash, impulsive, too stubborn for you own good, but definitely not a fool," she added with a slight grin.
Laughing through the tears that suddenly threatened to spill, Teresa pulled Whitney into a hug. "I love you Whitney. You're the best friend I've ever had."
"Right back at you sweetie. If you need me I'm only a phone call away," Whitney murmured. "I'm going to go find Chad. Want a ride home?" Whitney asked.
"No, no I'd prefer to walk. It will help me clear my head."
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An extremely agitated Gwen stormed into the library and shakily poured herself a stiff drink. The red haze misting her vision began to fade as Gwen choked down her second drink and by the third glass she was feeling halfway decent. She had just tossed back the fourth drink and was about to pour herself when she heard voices coming down the hall.
"Oh my how innovative of you. I've always admired an agile mind," a female voice whispered breathlessly.
The soft rustle of clothing accompanied the frenzied moans and Gwen realized with a sense of detachment that her sanctuary was about to be invaded by a pair of lovebirds.
"Yes…mmmm…ohhhhh….mmmm…Gwennie?" a horrified Rebecca shrieked as she stumbled into the library in the strong arms of her robust lover.
"Good evening Mother," Gwen murmured raising her glass in a mock salute.
"Gwennie, what's the matter?" Rebecca asked with concern as she noted Gwen's slightly intoxicated state. "What are you doing down here all alone? Where's Ethan?" she added with a slight frown. The last time she'd spoken to Gwen, she'd been on her way to seduce Ethan. What had altered her daughter's plans?
"Let me guess, it has something to do with Tacosita. Damn it, will that little bitch never be out of out hair?" Rebecca murmured giving her lover a look that warned they'd pick things up later and then shoving him out the door.
"When I finally worked up the courage to let Ethan see me in this hideous costume I slipped into our room to surprise him. But I was the one surprised because I found my darling husband in bed with the whore hell bent on destroying my life," Gwen murmured.
"He was in bed with Teresa? And you just left him there?" Rebecca screamed in outrage.
"Well Mother unlike you I don't enjoy kinky bed sports. And a ménage a toi isn't exactly my idea of a good time" Gwen muttered sarcastically.
"Well Gwen if you've got the right bed partners it can be a lot of fun," Rebecca remarked carelessly then realizing what she had said she blushed furiously. Deciding to get back to the topic at hand she restlessly paced around the carpeted floor as she tried to think of a solution to her daughter's current problem. "We can't let Tacosita get away with this. The little bitch has gone too far this time. Imagine seducing your husband right under your nose. The nerve of her," Rebecca fumed.
"Leave it alone Mother. I neither need nor want your help. I'm going to handle this myself. You've done quite enough already," Gwen furiously snapped and the force of her anger had Rebecca staring at her daughter with wide eyed shock.
"But Gwennie…"
"I said stay out of it. I'm going to handle this by myself," Gwen snarled grabbing the decanter of whiskey she had been consuming like water and marching to the door without a backward glance.
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"Did the plan work?" an amused Alistair asked his protégé as she walked inside his office.
"Like a charm. Everyone fell for my act hook, line, and sinker," a triumphant Teresa replied with a smirk.
"Even Fox?" Alistair inquired reaching over to the small box he kept on his desk and pulling out a fat cigar.
"Yes," Teresa curtly replied her eyes narrowing with regret as she recalled the look of pain and devastation on his face when he'd found her in bed with his brother.
"He has to believe the act too Teresa. Otherwise our plan is shot to hell." Alistair reminded her as he lighted the cigar he held in one hand.
"I know that Alistair. I just hate hurting him. He doesn't deserve it," Teresa replied miserably.
"This will all be over soon my dear and then you and Fox can get married and take over Crane Industries when I announce my retirement."
"You're going to retire?" Teresa asked disbelief etched on her delicate features.
"Of course my dear," Alistair calmly replied. "Why do you think I was so adamant about wanting Fox to join CI?"
"I just thought you wanted him to be ready to take over when you…died," Teresa muttered.
"That too," Alistair cheerfully commented. "Now back to the topic on hand. Did you do everything the way I outlined it?"
"Yes Alistair. Ethan never even realized I had drugged the champagne and after a few kisses and some petting he passed out. It was easy enough to undress him and make it look like we had actually gone to bed." Teresa murmured. "Why are you even asking? Weren't you watching?" she remarked a bit sarcastically with a pointed look at the television monitors in the room.
"Please, like I wanted to see you naked in bed with my ex grandson?" Alistair returned a tad huffily. "I turned the monitors off soon after you slipped into the mansion."
Teresa ran her tongue around her teeth, not sure what to reply then decided she didn't want to continue to needle Alistair. She doubted very much though that he had missed the entire show. It wasn't like him.
"Alright, well now that I have the entire town believing I slept with Ethan what's next?" she asked instead.
"Well a little celebration seems to be in order don't you think?" Alistair asked with a wicked grin. "And what's a party without some fireworks?" he added tilting his head slightly so Teresa could glance at the diskettes spread on his desk.
"Are those what I think they are?" Teresa asked.
Alistair didn't reply but the wide grin on his face said it all. And as he had intended his words sent a thrill of anticipation through Teresa. For finally those who had tried to destroy her or who had stood by and let her be hurt were going to pay for what they had done.
Oh yes revenge was going to be sweet indeed.
Days later
The invitations arrived early. As the sleepy residents of Harmony began to stir and to prepare for a new day two souls watched from afar the reactions of the townsfolk as they stepped outside their homes and their baffled gazes leapt upon the rather plain stationary that held the casually worded invitation.
You are cordially invited to the festivities being held at the Seascape tonight at eight. Formal attire required. Not RSVP's needed.
Though no one knew who had issued the invitation or what they would be celebrating it never occurred to anyone to not attend. How else was their curiosity going to be appeased if they didn't show?