Ethan stared at Gwen a little confused. They were having
the hardest conversation of their relationship and she was taking a break
to talk on the phone. He didn't get it. Still he'd be lying if he said
that he wasn't a little grateful for the reprieve. He needed more time
to get his head together.
"I have to go," said Gwen grabbing her stuff and heading
for the door."
"What," asked Ethan confused. "Gwen we need to talk."
"I know we do, " said Gwen walking back towards him,
"You have no idea how much, but I have to go now," she said kissing him.
"This is for us," she said walking out the door.
Ethan sat on the couch more confused then ever. A minute ago he was as close as he had ever come to telling Gwen that he was confused about his feelings for Theresa. And now watching Gwen walk outside the door he realized that he was a little confused about how he felt about her as well. His life was slowly turning into a nightmare and he feared that things were only going to get worse.
Sheridan Crane watched Gwen rush out of the house with
concern. She had known Gwen for five years now and was really fond of her.
She had hoped that she and Ethan would be married by now, she even suggested
that her nephew propose, but lately she couldn't help but notice the tension
between her nephew and Gwen. She really hated being in the house and was
trying really hard to walk past the living room with out dwelling on what
happened in there all those nights ago when she saw Ethan sitting on the
couch. He was obviously miserable and she wanted to comfort him.
"You can do it," she whispered to herself before walked
into the living room. "Hey Ethan," she said sitting next to her nephew."
What's going on."
"Nothing," said Ethan looking pitiful. "Just the end
of my world."
Theresa was trying to pull away from Whitney as she was
dragging her into her room. It was just a few minutes ago that Whitney
told her that her cover was blown. She wanted to go to the Crane mansion
and explain things to Ethan herself, But Whitney grabbed her and dragged
her home. Theresa didn't realize how muscular her friend was. Must be all
that tennis playing.
"Let me go Whitney," said Theresa desperately.
"I have to go to Ethan."
"What you have to do is stay as far away from the Crane
mansion as you can," said Whitney firmly as she let go of her friends arm.
"But Whitney, Ethan has to know how I feel. He has to
hear my side. He loves me. I owe him an explanation."
"Theresa its to late for that. You had your chance to
come clean and you blew it. Right now Frank Lomax is telling Ethan everything,
and believe me he is making you look bad."
"That's why I need to..."
"That's why you need to what?" asked Whitney staring
down her friend. "Go over to the Crane mansion, confront the angry family,
get arrested for trespassing. Face it Theresa after Frank tells Ethan the
truth about you being the stalker he'll never believe a word that you have
to say again. All of your explanations will be meaningless."
"He loves me Whitney," said Theresa defiantly trying
not to cry.
"That maybe true," said Whitney putting her hand on Theresa's
shoulder, "but I guarantee that he doesn't like you to much anymore. Anything
that you ever had with Ethan Crane is over. All you can do now is stay
out of his way and pray that he doesn't call the police."
Whitney's words drove Theresa to tears. Whitney was right.
She had lost Ethan. Her life was over. Whitney took Theresa in her arms
and tried to offer what little comfort she could.
Sheridan looked at Ethan sympathetically. She knew that
something was torturing him, she just hoped that she would be better
at soothing his demons then she was her own.
"Ethan you and I have been so close lately, can't you
tell me what is bothering you. Is it Gwen?"
"Yes," said Ethan looking up at his aunt. Sheridan was
only two years older then him and was more like a sister to him then an
aunt. Ethan had been so isolated from people by his mother that he had
very few friends. And his brothers and sisters were always envious of all
the attention that their mother gave him. There were times when Sheridan
was the only person that he felt was on his side, But could he tell her
about Theresa? Sheridan was so fond of Gwen she even suggested that
he propose to Gwen, which he did. How could he tell her that he was in
love with someone other then Gwen. Still, if anyone knew about the pain
and complications of love it was Sheridan. In fact, she maybe the only
person he could talk to that would understand.
Sheridan watched Ethan for a while. When he wasn't talking
she decided to put the cards on the table. "You know, I can't help but
noticed how strained things are between you and Gwen."
"Yeah," replied Ethan. "I guess when a problem becomes
to big to ignore everybody sees it."
"So, you guys are having problems." said Sheridan. She
had suspected as much but she really hoped that she was wrong.
"What's happening Ethan? Just a few months ago
you proposed, now it seems that the two of you are on the verge of breaking
up."
"Gwen and I have been in love forever. I mean she was
my first girlfriend, my only girlfriend. I really thought that she was
the one." said Ethan looking at Sheridan.
"And now you're not so sure," said Sheridan. "Is there
someone else Ethan?"
Ethan nodded it was such a relief to be able to tell
someone.
"Let me guess. Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald," said Sheridan
a little concerned. She had noticed all those looks that were passing between
her nephew and Pilar's daughter but prayed that whatever it was that was
going on between them would burn itself out if not for Gwen's sake for
their own. Ethan was the heir apparent to the Crane dynasty and Sheridan
knew that neither her father nor her brother Julian would allow Ethan
to become involved with their housekeeper's daughter, he'd destroy them
both first.
Ethan watched his aunt suddenly become intense and wondered
what she was thinking about. "How did you know?" he asked.
"Well Ethan you two have been spending an awful lot of
time together, taking walks, talking. And I've seen the way that the two
of you look at each other. I have to tell you she doesn't seem like your
type."
"Because she isn't drop dead gorgeous?" asked Ethan trying
not to sound to defensive.
"Well Ethan," said Sheridan trying not to offend Ethan.
"You are surrounded by beautiful models, debutantes.."
"And Theresa is not like them," interrupted Ethan, "but
I have to tell you as far as I'm concerned Theresa is worth 100 beautiful,
glamorous women. Theresa has a beauty that comes from the inside. Her soul
is beautiful."
Sheridan was taking aback by the emotion that was in
Ethan's voice.
"Ethan are you in love with Theresa?" she asked not sure
that she really wanted to know the answer.
"Sheridan have you ever met anybody that was totally
wrong for you but you couldn't stop thinking about them?"
An image of Theresa's brother Officer Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald
flashed in Sheridan's mind.
"Yes," she replied trying to get rid of all thoughts
of Luis.
"That's Theresa. I mean we come from two different worlds
and my parents would go nuts."
"They would forbid it Ethan," said Sheridan. "You know
how much your mother wants you to be THE Crane. Marriage to the housekeeper's
daughter is not what she had in mind to cement your place in society."
At the word marriage Ethan smiled a little. He wasn't
thinking about marrying Theresa, but it did make him wonder how far he
expected this relationship to go. Theresa made him feel like nobody, not
even Gwen did. He wanted to be with her. Maybe forever.
"Well nobody's getting married just yet," said Ethan.
"Ethan you and Gwen have a lot of years together are
you sure that this isn't just a five-year itch? I mean you have been so
isolated. This is the first time that you're actually mingling with people.
Maybe you're just infatuated with a nice girl because she is not Gwen."
"No, Sheridan its not that," said Ethan getting up from
the couch. "I have traveled the world. I have seen tons of beautiful, rich,
nice women and none of them have ever tempted me away from Gwen. I mean
don't get me wrong I have been attracted to other women, just not enough
to want to be without Gwen. But this thing with Theresa, whatever it is
it's strong. I can't explain it. Its almost as if we're fated to be together."
"Ethan I have never heard you talk like that," said Sheridan
looking at him. She suddenly remembered the conversation that she and Gwen
had about why she turned down Ethan's proposal. Gwen told her that she
thought Ethan was proposing because he felt it was the right thing to do.
That his desire to marry her stemmed from the fact that they were socially
compatible and that they were comfortable with each other. She feared that
Ethan didn't love her enough. Sheridan had tried to assure her that she
was wrong, but now she feared that Gwen was right.
"What about Gwen?" asked Sheridan worried about
her friend " Do you still love her?
"I'll always love Gwen," said Ethan sincerely, "but ever
since I got to Harmony things have changed. It was too small of a shift
for me to realize what was happening at first but it just got bigger and
bigger."
"What?" asked Sheridan curiously.
"The feeling that maybe Gwen isn't the one. I mean there
were times when I would look at Gwen and I would wonder if this was what
it felt like to love as much as I could."
"And now?" asked Sheridan.
"Now, after being around Theresa and feeling the things
for her that I do I have to say no its not," said Ethan.
Sheridan got up and walked toward Ethan. She put her
hand on his cheek. "I'm not going to lie to you Ethan. I love Gwen like
a sister and the thought of you breaking it off with her to be with another
woman does not make me happy, but if you love Theresa and I believe that
you do, I understand that you want to be with her and I'll support you."
she said hugging him.
"Thanks Sheridan," said Ethan squeezing back. "You have
no idea how much I needed to hear that."
"Well somebody in this family has to, I guarantee that
Ivy and Julian won't."
Ethan knew that what Sheridan was saying was true, but
he decided to put that on the back burner for now. He still had to break
it off with Gwen and see if Theresa loved him. His parents disapproval
would have to wait for now.
When Gwen arrived at the country club she found Frank
pacing up and down. She could tell that her delay did not sit well with
him. He wanted to nab Theresa. She just wasn't sure why he wanted her so
badly. But then again Theresa did seem to have an extreme effect on people.
"Look
how she has Ethan wrapped around her little finger," she thought. "But
not for two much longer. Once Ethan finds out she's his stalker that funny
looking girl is behind bars and out of my life for good."
Frank noticed Gwen as soon as she came in.
"Ms Hotchkiss," he said looking around. "Where's Mr.
Crane?"
"He's not coming," said Gwen.
Now Frank's interest was really piqued. Just what was
Gwen up to? "Ms. Hotchkiss," said Frank. "This is a very serious matter.
Mr. Crane can be in grave danger. We need to tell him about Theresa before
she goes after him again."
Gwen looked at Frank and smiled. "I don't think she will
do anything to Ethan Frank. In fact, I think she thinks she is in love
with him."
"That fits the profile of a stalker," said Frank trying
to get Gwen to see the urgency of the situation. "If she feels threaten
who knows what she could do to Ethan or to Whitney."
"Whitney?" said Gwen. "What does she have to do with
anything?"
"Nothing," said Frank surprised himself that he had said
that. He knew that Theresa was a bad influence on Whitney and he hated
to see such a young girl go down a bad path. That was why he wanted Theresa
so badly ;it was the only way to get Whitney to see that the girl was no
good. Of course the fact that Whitney was so beautiful also contributed
to the reason that she was on his mind, he had to do a lot of flirting
with her to get her to crack and a part of him felt bad for that, but one
thing was for sure beautiful or not she was way to young for him. He'd
leave the jail baiting to Ethan Crane.
"Look Frank I understand your concern for Ethan, but
running to him telling him about Theresa will do you no good," said Gwen.
"What do you mean?" asked Frank " I have all the evidence..."
"In case you haven't noticed Frank Ethan is infatuated
with Theresa," said Gwen with great difficulty. It was still hard for her
to believe that Ethan was actually infatuated with another women and even
harder to believe that she was talking about it.
"Yeah no kidding," said Frank immediately feeling guilty
that was a horrible thing to say to the guy's girlfriend. "I'm sorry I
meant.."
"I know what you met," said Gwen trying hard to smile.
"Ethan
hasn't exactly been discreet, but in his defense I really don't think he
realized what was happening until it was too late. But that's all irrelevant
now. What matters is that he does have these feelings for the girl and
if we go to him with this and tell him how deranged she is all he is going
to do is run straight to her to get her side of things."
"You really think that he would do that?" asked Frank.
This
guy is more sprung then I thought.
"Ethan has a blind spot to this girl. I mean she has
done nothing but lie to him and he has believed every one of her lies."
God," she said pacing around angrily. "I can just imagine all the things
that she said to him to get him to love her. All the compliments. All the
lies. Well they end now little miss mousy pooh is history."
Frank looked at Gwen and couldn't help but feel sorry
for her. He had never been in love before, mostly because the
idea of committing to one women never really appealed to him much. But
he had seen the way that Gwen looked at Ethan and could only imagine what
it must be doing to her to be loosing him.
"What do you have in mind Ms Hotchkiss?" he asked.
"Ethan will only believe that Theresa is a liar if he
catches her in a lie," said Gwen smiling.
"It sounds to me like you have a plan," said Frank suddenly
getting excited.
"I do," she said.
"But before we put this plan into action I have something
to tell you," said Frank. "I told you that Theresa was wearing a disguise
right?"
"Yes," said Gwen not exactly sure where Frank was going
with this.
"Well it seems that she looks a little better out of
her disguise then she does inside of it," he said.
"Really?" asked Gwen not the least bit concerned. "Well
little Miss Mousy pooh isn't a complete ugmo. How wonderful for her, but
her upgraded looks don't concern me Frank. I mean how good can she possible
look?"
Frank just nodded at Gwen's words. "Boy was she in
for a surprise, he thought."
Ethan set by his living room waiting for Gwen to call. They had a lot to talk about and he wasn't really looking forward to it. "I need to talk to Theresa," said Ethan. "I've got to find out how she feels before I talk to Gwen."
Theresa sat on her bed and couldn't hold back her tears
as she stared at the picture of Ethan that she had cut out from Society
Today. It was just a few hours ago that she realized that her dreams
had finally come true and that Ethan did love her. He had somehow managed
to see through her disguise and fall in love with the person that she was
on the inside. Now of course, Frank Lomax had told him the truth and he
hated who she was. "We almost had it all Ethan," said Theresa to herself
rubbing her hand on Ethan's picture. "But like they say Almost doesn't
count." Theresa's thoughts were interrupted by the phone. Theresa picked
it up and gasped to hear Ethan's voice at the other end. Judgment day was
here.
"Theresa what's the matter?" asked Ethan on the other
end concerned by her sigh. Theresa was trying to get her thought's together
when Whitney walked in. She had gone to the kitchen to fix them some hot
chocolate to calm her down and immediately noticed Theresa's frazzle state.
"Nothing is wrong Ethan," said Theresa so that Whitney
could hear who she was talking to.
Now Whitney was panicked." Oh great, she thought."
He's calling to tell us to prepare for the police to come and get us."
"Look Theresa I need to talk to you can you come over."
said Ethan.
Theresa just sort of lingered on the phone. Ethan didn't
sound mad at all and that confused her. Maybe he had forgiven her, maybe
his love for her was so strong that he could forgive her anything or maybe,
maybe he didn't know.
"Of course Ethan I'll be right there."
"Great," said Ethan smiling. I'll see you when you arrive.
"Bye."
Theresa hung up the phone and couldn't help but smile.
"What did he say?" asked Whitney in a panic.
"He wants to see me," said Theresa jumping up from her
bed and wiping away her tears.
"Why?" asked Whitney.
"I don't know Whitney, but I got the impression from
the tone in his voice that he doesn't know that I'm the stalker yet," said
Theresa.
"How can that be? countered Whitney "Frank said he was
going to tell Ethan right away."
"Well maybe he realized what harm he would be doing and
changed his mind or maybe he was just bluffing and doesn't know who I am."
"You're dreaming Theresa he knows and it's only a matter
of time before Ethan knows it too if he doesn't already," said Whitney
trying once again to get her best friend to listen to reason.
"You're right Whitney," said Theresa picking up her wig.
"Ethan will know the truth and I will be the one to tell him. Today I go
to the Crane mansion in disguise for the last time. I'm telling Ethan the
truth."
Gwen and Frank finished up their discussion and prepared
to put their plan into motion. Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald was going down.
Frank called Theresa's house and immediately recognized Whitney's voice.
Whitney, though was so preoccupied with Theresa's confession that she didn't
recognize his.
"May I please speak to Theresa?" asked Frank praying
Whitney couldn't tell who he was.
"Theresa isn't here she is at work can I take a message?"
asked Whitney.
Frank immediately hung up and smiled at Gwen. "We got
her," he said. "She's on her way to the mansion no doubt to meet Ethan."
"Good," said Gwen returning his smile. "Then so are we."
Theresa arrived at the Crane mansion and nervously rang the bell. It took her a little bit longer then she thought to arrive at the Crane mansion. But she had finally arrived. This was it do or die. Her whole life depended on this moment. She just prayed that everything would work out her way.
Ethan took a deep sigh and opened the door. "Here goes everything," he thought.
Whitney hung up the phone and sat down at the Lopez-Fitzgerald's kitchen table. "That was weird," she thought. That voice sounded familiar and she was trying to figure out who it was. "Oh my God," she said jumping up. "It was Frank. I have got to get to the Crane mansion and warn Theresa."
Ethan and Theresa sat down on the Crane living room couch.
Theresa knew from the moment that she saw Ethan that he didn't know she
was the girl that he thought was stalking him. She still had time to salvage
whatever it was that they had. Ethan smiled at Theresa as soon as he saw
her. Theresa noticed how genuinely happy Ethan looked to see her and blushed.
"What are you smiling at?" asked Theresa looking away.
"You," replied Ethan. "You know just a few minutes ago
I was all tied up in knots about this visit and one look at you and I feel
happy and relax. This is right Theresa."
Theresa looked at Ethan a little confused. "What is right
Ethan? And why were you so concerned about this visit?"
"Theresa today I had an epiphany?"
"An epiphany huh?" said Theresa teasingly.
"Yeah I realized something that I've known for a long
time and I could just admit to myself,"
said Ethan taking her hand.
For a moment Theresa was lost in the sensation of Ethan's
hand on hers but she knew that she had to tell him the truth and now, before
she lost her nerve. "Ethan I have to tell you something."
"I have to tell you something too," he said cutting her
off.
"Ethan," started Theresa.
"No let me speak first o.k.," said Ethan taking a breathe.
If he had any doubts that a life with Theresa is what he wanted they faded
the moment he saw her. He was finally ready to put it all out on the line.
He and Theresa were going to be together and everybody, including Gwen,
was just going to have to find a way to deal with it. "Theresa I have never
met anybody as beautiful as you."
"Oh Ethan how can you say that?," asked Theresa touching
her glasses self-consciously.
"Because its true. I come from a family that only cares
about appearances. But I'm not like that Theresa."
"Oh Ethan I know that," said Theresa touching his cheek.
Ethan took Theresa hand and kissed it. "I can see the
beauty inside of you Theresa. You radiate it. It comes through from your
eyes. Its a light that shines on everything that you touch. Its a light
that has made my world a better place to live in."
Theresa could hardly believe what she was hearing. Here
she was with Ethan for real and all of her dreams were coming true and
now she had to tell him the one thing that may drive him away for good.
The tears flowed and Ethan brushed one from her cheek. Theresa moved Ethan's
hand away and jumped up.
"What's wrong Theresa?" asked Ethan. Had he gone to
far? Maybe he read her wrong. Maybe she didn't love him after all.
"Ethan do you have any idea what it means to me to hear
you say those things to me?" asked Theresa still crying softly. "You are
everything that I could ever want."
Ethan smiled at her words.
"But there are things about me that you should know?"
"What things?" asked Ethan walking towards Theresa.
"Ethan you have been the most important thing in my life
for so long. And I have done things that I didn't mean to do because I
didn't know how to act around you."
"What things?" asked Ethan. Ethan noticed that Theresa
was shaking and took her in his arms. "Theresa I don't know what you are
trying to tell me, but whatever it is I'll understand. You can tell me
anything," he said slowly ending their embrace and taking Theresa's face
in his hands. "Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald I lov.."
Theresa knew what Ethan was about to say and could hardly
breathe. He was interrupted by the sound of somebody coming in. "Whitney,"
said Theresa what are you doing here?"
"We need to talk now," said Whitney out of breathe. She
had driven to the Crane mansion so fast that she was scared that she would
get stopped by the police. Then once she arrived she realized that the
front gate was locked and she had to climb the back fence and run to the
house. It was funny how adrenaline and fear could spur a person on.
"Whitney what is going on?" asked Ethan a little upset.
Here he was about to admit his love for Theresa and in comes her best friend.
What gives?
Before Whitney could answer Gwen and Frank walked through
the door. "Well Whitney what gives?" asked Frank.
Ethan felt a sudden surge of guilt at the sight of Gwen.
He had forgotten all about her and that made him feel even more guilty
for what he was about to say to Theresa. But maybe it was better that Gwen
was here. Maybe it was time that everything get out in the open.
Gwen looked at Theresa and could see her fear. "That's
right," thought Gwen "Be afraid. Because I'm about to blow any chance that
you had with my man straight to hell."
Ethan turned to Theresa and could see that she had practically
turned white with fear
"Theresa what's wrong?" asked Ethan.
"Yes Theresa what's wrong?" asked Frank.
"I oh Ethan ..." stuttered Theresa.
"Do you want something to drink?" asked Ethan becoming
more concerned.
"Yes. How about some water." said Gwen. "Or maybe, maybe
Theresa would like something to eat. We could have cook fix you a shake
or maybe some fish guts. You like those things right Theresa?"
All Whitney and Theresa could do was stare.
"Gwen," said Ethan looking at her curiously. "What are
you talking about?"
"You're right Ethan she doesn't really look hungry maybe
she's just stressed. How about a hot liniment massage." said Gwen smugly
"Gwen!!" yelled Ethan "Stop this now."
Theresa and Gwen just stared at each other. Theresa could
tell by the smug look in Gwen's eyes that she knew and soon Ethan would
know too.
"I don't know what this is about, but I will not have
you harassing Theresa anymore." said Ethan beginning to get mad. " I understand
that you're mad at Theresa Gwen and I think that we both know why, but
blame me Gwen for what has happened to us, not Theresa."
Gwen felt a sharp pain directly in her heart. If she
had any doubt that Ethan was ready to throw her over for Theresa his words
erased them.
"This is about Theresa's favorite weapons of choice.
Right Theresa?" asked Gwen defiantly.
"Ethan, lets go somewhere and talk," said Theresa desperately
trying to get Ethan away from Gwen and Frank. If she could only tell him
the truth herself she knew that he would understand.
"The time for talking is over Theresa," said Frank. "You
had your chance to tell me everything about the stalker and you blew it.
Now you're going down."
"Wait a minute," said Ethan angrily getting into Frank's
face. "This is about the stalker. If I told you once I told you a thousand
times that Theresa has told you everything that she knows, now I want you
to drop this case and leave town immediately. If you ever come near Harmony
or Theresa again you're fired. I promise you." Ethan didn't mean to get
upset but he would not have Frank harass the women he loved for a moment
longer.
"Frank isn't harassing Theresa Ethan," said Gwen angrily.
Watching Ethan so openly display his love for another women was just about
more then she could take. Her heart was breaking, but she wasn't going
to be the only one with a broken heart. "Theresa is the harrasser. Isn't
that right Theresa?"
Before anybody could do anything Gwen snatched the wig
off of Theresa's head.
Ethan could hardly believe his eyes standing before him
was his stalker and she was Theresa.