When Ethan and Theresa arrived at the carnival it was
in full spring. The hustle and bustle of the event had Ethan in good spirits
and he was glad that he had chosen to come. The people at the carnival
were really nice to him and seemed really happy to see that a Crane had
decided to hang out amongst them. Curiously though nobody seemed to recognize
Theresa, but Ethan just shrugged that off as her not going out much.
"It just isn't fair" thought Theresa as she and Ethan
walked around the carnival. Here she was with the man of her dreams Ethan
Crane and not only can nobody recognize me. But Ethan doesn't even know
what I really look like under this ugly disguise.
"You seem pretty quiet," said Ethan looking at Theresa.
"Oh I was just practicing something I learned from Girlie
Magazine."
"And what was that?" asked Ethan curiously.
"Well that sometimes its ok to have a comfortable silence
between people. That you don't have to talk all of the time for a conversation
to be successful."
Ethan smiled at Theresa's remarks she was always talking
about an article she had read or a movie or television show that she had
seen and applying it to her life.
"Really. Well isn't the whole point of a conversation
to talk?''
"Yeah but what is the point of talking if you don't have
anything to say? Sometimes its just being aware of the other person that
counts."
"You know Theresa you are a very wise woman."
"Thank you."
Whitney Russell looked at her watch for the third time.
Theresa was late and this definitely wasn't like her. Theresa never missed
a chance to have fun. Of course, she was working at the Crane mansion today
and if its one thing that Whitney knew it was that Theresa would take any
excuse to hang around Ethan Crane. The thought of Theresa spending unnecessary
time with Ethan brought a chill to Whitney. Whitney had helped Theresa
disguise herself and hide from Ethan if they were found out she could only
imagine what the Cranes would do to them and their families. Her thoughts
were interrupted by a voice and she immediately knew who it was. Her heart
skipped a beat against her will.
"Hello Miss Russell," said Frank Lomax coming towards
her.
"Hello Mr. Lomax I didn't realize that you were still
in town."
"This is not good" thought Whitney. Theresa
was so sure that the private detective that Ethan hired to find her had
left town. What if he was on to them. It was times like this that she really
hated getting involved in Theresa's schemes. If only Theresa hadn't started
fantasizing about Ethan Crane then I wouldn't have Frank Lomax following
her. But as much as Whitney was afraid that he would find out about her
and Theresa's lies she couldn't help feel a little happy that the sexy
private eye was hanging around.
"Well," said Frank looking Whitney up and down. " I still
had some unfinished business to take care of."
"Well I hope that its nothing to do with me," she said
smiling tensely.
"Actually," said Frank coming up to her "What would you
say if I said that it did? And that the reason that I am still here is
because I can't stop thinking of you."
"I'd say that I don't believe you." said Whitney. She
realized that she was becoming affected by his closeness.
"What can I do to prove it to you?"
"I really have had a wonderful time Theresa." said Ethan
as he and Theresa continued their tour.
"Me too I can't remember the last time that I had this
much fun."
"That's what I thought. That explains why no one here
seems to know you you don't get out much."
"Are you kidding me," said Theresa before she had time
to think "looking like this.." Theresa caught herself before she had finished
her sentence. How could she make such a blunder. She was about to give-a-way
the fact that she had a disguise on, it was just that being around Ethan
made her so nervous that she didn't know what she was saying.
"And what is wrong with the way that you look?" asked
Ethan.
"Well," said Theresa nervously "I am not going to win
any beauty pageants or anything."
"Who says? Look" said Ethan taking Theresa squarely by
the shoulders. "You are one of the most special people that I have ever
met."
"You don't have to say that.."
"Yes I do because its true. You have this light inside
of you that makes you very beautiful. More beautiful then a 100 of those
glamorous, vapid debutantes that I know. I mean all anybody has to do is
look at you and those beautiful eyes of your and.."
"And what?"
Ethan blinked and tried to refocus his thoughts. Not
only was he surprised by how much he meant what he was saying, but their
was something about Theresa's eyes that seemed familiar to him.
"Nothing its just that your eyes seemed familiar to me.
Its probably because I see them everyday."
"I guess," laughed Theresa nervously.
"What if he's remembering?"
"Hey what do you say that I try to win you one of those
stuffed animals?" said Ethan pointing toward the game booths.
"I say I'd love it."
Ethan smiled and took Theresa's hand in his. They both
felt the connection as they walked hand in hand together.
Whitney tried her best not to be nervous, but she couldn't
help it. She had never felt this way before around anybody. Being around
Frank Lomax made her weak in the knees.
Frank could see the effect that he was having on her.
God she is beautiful he thought. But he had to keep
his mind on the task at hand and that was charming Whitney so that she
and her mousy little friend would lead him to the stalker. Still he couldn't
deny that this was a little but more than business.
Before Whitney could answer him she spotted Theresa and
Ethan arm and arm.
"Oh my God" she said at the sight.
"Well, well, well it looks like your little friend is
awfully cozy with Ethan."
"There friends." said Whitney nervously.
"The same way that you and that stalker are friends?"
continuing to stand close to Whitney.
"Look I don't know how many times that I have to tell
you this," said Whitney becoming more and more nervous." I don't know anything
about the girl who was stalking Ethan."
"If you say so," smiled Frank.
Theresa could hardly believe it. Ethan Crane was actually
holding her hand. She was lost in the euphoria when she spotted Whitney
and that private detective.
"What is he doing her?" asked Theresa aloud.
"Who," Ethan turned to see Frank Lomax talking to Whitney.
"Why is he still harassing us we told him everything
that we know."
"I'm going to handle this," said Ethan grabbing Theresa's
hand and heading towards Frank's direction.
Enough was enough he was not going to let Frank harass
Theresa any longer.
Frank looked up and saw Ethan and Theresa coming towards
him.
"Frank I thought that I told you to drop the investigation.
"I can't. I haven't found your stalker yet."
"This is crazy," said Theresa moving towards Whitney
"we don't know anything else."
"Yeah, yeah yeah the stalker moved to South America I
know you said that lie already." said Frank sarcastically.
"Hey," said Ethan moving in Frank's face" don't you talk
to Theresa like that."
"You know you are awfully protective of her," said Frank
moving closer to match Ethan's defensive posture "but tell me something
Ethan, why you are protecting her, who is protecting you?"
"Enough,'' said Theresa coming between the two
men. This was going too far and although a part of her couldn't hide its
joy at the sight of Ethan defending her honor she was not about to let
the two men come to blows over her lies. "You're right I do know more."
Whitney froze immediately at Theresa's words.
Was Theresa finally going to come clean and end this
all?
"I knew it said Frank."
Ethan was shocked at her words. Could Theresa have really
been protecting this girl all along?
"What do you know Theresa?"
"I know that the girl wasn't stalking you, she just was
really nervous around you. All those incidents were accidents."
"Theresa," said Ethan "we have been over this there is
no way that all of those incidents could have been accidents."
"They were and I can prove it," said Theresa nervously.
"How?" asked Frank.
"Well I heard that the girl was back in town, what if
I arrange a meeting and she and Ethan can meet?"
"Alone?" asked Frank. "You must be kidding me."
"I don't know her very well Ethan, but I really believe
she isn't dangerous. I'm asking you to trust me. "Talk to her Ethan. Its
the only way to end this once and for all."
Ethan was as skeptical about this as Frank was, but if
it would get Frank off of Theresa's back he was willing to risk it. Besides
if the girl really was harmless he could finally put this whole mess behind
him without any worries.
"I do trust you Theresa and I think you're right. Lets
finish this."
Theresa glanced nervously at Whitney who couldn't believe
what she had just did.
What are you up to know Theresa? she wondered.
One thing she knew for sure was that she was not going to like it.
please send all feedback to xfilie@aol.com