Chapter 13

Whitney and Fox were welcomed inside by Eve, standing in the foyer, appearing impressed with her home. “Mom, this is nice.” Whitney commented, beaming.

“Oh, thank you, sweetie. It wasn’t easy, but I’ve managed to make it on my own.” Eve told her, gesticulating for her and Fox to head towards the dining room. “I’m so thrilled you two have made it.”

“We’re happy to be here, too, Mom.” Whitney returned.

“Fox, thanks for joining my daughter. I would love to get to know you much better.” Eve smiled at him, staring at him softly.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s not everyday when I get to have a beautiful mother to welcome me to her home.” He commented, grinning.

“Well, I hope you two can get to enjoy dinner, because I’m pretty sure we have a long night ahead of us.” Eve whispered, leading them into the dining room.

“Whit, are you coming?” Fox noticed Whitney had halted as he came close to her.

“Yes, it’s just I am so nervous … it’s been a long time since my mother and I have talked to each other, you know? …” Whitney murmured apprehensively.

“What are you afraid of?” Fox queried.

“I’m fearing that our peacemaking won’t last for long.” She confessed.

“Whitney, I believe you have nothing to fear about. Your mother seems to be very content. Please don’t let fear ruin your evening with her. After all, I am happy you made an effort to put the past behind you. I’ve hated to see you frowning all the time.” He pressed his hand against her back, signaling her to go in.

“Fox, there is one question that baffles me.” Whitney gazed at him oddly.

“And that would be?” Fox gestured for her to proceed.

“Did you mean what you said at the hospital?” Whitney pumped nervously.

“Mean what?” Fox was a little lost at first and then the thought came to him. “Oh, about you and me being together?”

“Yes. Did you mean it sincerely?” Whitney was clinging onto her lower lip, anxious to hear on what he has to say.
“Well,”

“Whitney, Fox? Are you two coming?” Eve wondered, sticking her head out.

“Yes, Mother.” Whitney responded.

“Why don’t we talk about this after dinner? It’s quite obvious your mother will not take no for an answer.” He chuckled.

“I guess not.” Whitney’s shrugged, walking in with Fox, only to find Simone with Alan, … and Chad. Oh, no! This can’t be happening to me! Chad is here! Fox is going to put two and two together and then … what was Chad doing at Fox’s front doorstep? I will have a chat with him before the night is over with. Whitney had to shake her pondering off and sat beside Fox where everyone else was seated comfortably.

“Whitney, why is that Chad guy here? How does he know your mother?” Fox interrogated.

“Uh,” Whitney stuttered on her sentence.

“So, glad you all could make it. I am so happy to have my babies back in my life …” Eve intruded without hearing Whitney and Fox whispering.

“Really, Mom?” Simone blinked at her astonishingly.

“Yes, baby. Just seeing you all here with me, brings tears to my eyes.” Eve admitted what was in her heart.

“Not meaning to pry Dr. Russell, but you said you’re glad that all of your babies are here? You’re not including Chad with Whitney and Simone, are you? Because I know you have a son-”

“Fox, Chad is their brother.” Eve didn’t hesitate in telling him the truth.

“What?” Fox was blown away by the abrupt news.

“Yes, Fox, I am related to Whitney and Simone.” Chad verified Eve’s statement.

“Let me see if I have all of my facts straight, Dr. Russell is your mother, which makes you Whitney and Simone’s half brother?” Fox glued all the broken pieces of the vase together.

“Yes, I am their brother.” Chad didn’t deny.

“Oh, great.” Fox shook his head. “Wait a minute, Whitney you have denied this information dead in my face, when I asked you point blank did you know Chad? Why did you lie to me?” Fox asked upsettingly.

“Fox, I … I-I panicked … I didn’t mean to lie … it was the only thought that came from my head.” Whitney murmured.

“By lying about you not knowing Chad. Whitney, were you ever going to tell me about Chad?”

“Yes, only within time, Fox.” She gazed at him strangely. “Why are you making such a big deal about it?” she doesn’t understand why he was getting upset.

“Fox, may I have a word alone with you?” Simone interrupted their altercation.

“Not now, Simone, can it wait until later?” Fox dismissed her command.

“No, it can’t wait … I need to speak with you—right now.” Simone urged.

“Fine, fine, make it quick.” He soughed, treading into the kitchen.

Simone closed the door behind her. “Fox, you have no business getting upset with my sister, knowing you have something to tell her too?”

“Simone, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Fox cleared his throat, crossing his arms stiffly.

“Oh, yes, you do. As I recall, you have three things to tell her. Number one, you’re a Crane. Two, you’re related to Chad as well, and three, you have been involved with Theresa.” She narrowed her eyes at him.

“How did you-” Fox’s mouth fell agape.

“Don’t worry about how I know, Fox, before you start blazing on my sister, you better tell her now or this will blow up in your face. She told you everything about her past.”

“Not quite,” Fox intruded.

“What?” Simone glowered at him slightly.

“She didn’t tell me her mother is the respected doctor none other than Eve Russell herself. Secondly, she never told me that she is related to Chad Harris. She left their names out, Simone.” Fox grumbled.

“Fox, maybe Whitney wasn’t prepared. She knows you wouldn’t judge her. But that’s what you’re doing this instant.” Simone indicated.

“I like the mystery I portray with Whitney …” he smiled slyly.

“Yet it’s all right for you to know everything about her and not vice versa, you can’t possibly have a relationship with Whitney if you think you can roll off the ride that easily.” Simone scoffed.

“Who said anything about me having a relationship with your sister? We’re just friends—that’s it.” Fox blurted inadvertently.

“What is that supposed to mean, Fox? Are you using my sister to make Theresa jealous?” Simone snarled.
Fox shrugged apathetically. “You can guess whatever you want to believe, Simone, I’m not saying a word.”

“You dirty son of a-”

“Yes, I know I was born from one, no need to remind me, Simone.” Fox retorted.

“So, your feelings for Whitney isn’t real, are they?” Simone began to sulk.

“Simone, I never said I didn’t have feelings for Whitney. Believe me, I really do care for her, but that’s it. Nothing more, nothing less.” He explained candidly.

“She’s going to-”

“So, what you told my friend Theresa was a lie; wasn’t it? You had used me to make Theresa jealous?” Whitney screamed.

“Whitney, how long have you been standing there?” Fox was stunned to see her.

“Long enough! You have the nerve to hop on my case when you have a few secrets of your own. Is there anything else you would like to tell me, now that I know you don’t love me!” She bellowed again.

“Whitney, I do care for you!” Fox protested.

“Fox, tell my sister the truth and all of it!” Simone insisted. “I’ll leave you-”

“No, Simone, you stay. I don’t want Fox to weasel his way out of this one. What other secrets are you keeping from me? Tell me what I need to know!” She demanded.

“Like what?” Fox leaned against the counter.

“Like what? For starters, how did you know my last name? I never told you.” Whitney hissed.

“You left your driver’s license at my house that day … that’s how I discovered your last name.” That wasn’t what exactly happened, but he came close enough.

“You went through my purse!” Whitney shouted.

“Whitney, I couldn’t help myself, I was curious.” He grinned his boyish smile. “Anything else?” He hated that his cover was blown; now he’ll never get his revenge on Theresa now.

“What’s your last name? It’s funny how you never told me a thing about yourself. Care to give me all the juicy details before I hear it from someone else?” Whitney roared.

“Whitney, why are you flipping the tables on me?” Fox changed the topic.

“Because you played me by letting me think that we have something deep and meaningful! Why did you lie to make Theresa jealous? And what does she have to do with you lying?” Whitney tapped her foot impatiently.

“Theresa was my ex-lover.” Fox didn’t withhold his secret any longer when he saw the devastation toying in Whitney’s eyes.

“And you weren’t even going to tell me?” Hot water was splashing from her eyes intensely.

“I didn’t think it was important, Whitney.” He sighed softly.

“In other words, I’m not important enough to you. This is unbelievable!” She whimpered.

“Whitney, I’m sorry for lashing out on you, can we drop this and go back out there to enjoy your mother’s cooking?” Fox implored, hoping she would drop it.

“No!” she had stolen her arm back when Fox tried to touch her. “I want to know what is your last name? And why was Chad over your house earlier?” Whitney hollered.

“Fox, tell her everything.” Simone urged.

“Simone, I can’t just drop everything on her all at once.” Fox stated considerably.

“Can’t drop what on me, Fox?” Whitney turned Fox around for him to face her.

“Whitney, you want to know why I was flipping on you earlier out there, it’s because Chad is my brother, too.” He whispered.

“What? You have got to be joking me? You’re related to Chad?” She laughed incredulously.

“Yes, he came over to ask me about my father.” He expressed casually.

“Fox, I wouldn’t get upset over this … so, you’re saying you’re a Crane? Why didn’t you tell me? Or have you forgotten to mention something that’s not important to me?” Whitney gawked at him.

“I didn’t want you to judge me like what you are doing right now.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets.

“Oh, you automatically decided that I would go after your money? Fox, you have no clue of who I am—since you’re using me to make Theresa jealous! Don’t bother seeing me or talking to me at all. Cut all ties and go.” Whitney grumbled.

“You can’t be serious.” He chortled skeptically.

“Does it look like I am joking, Fox? I don’t want to get to know you ever again! You used me, and what’s worst of all? I actually thought we would have a future together, but now it’s clear to me we don’t! All because you have your hang up on Theresa! Goodbye!” She ranted.

“I can’t leave, I’m a guest in your mother’s house.” Fox muttered.

“If you won’t leave then I will. See you later, Simone.” Whitney hurried out of the kitchen.

“Whitney, wait!” Fox called out to her, but she disregarded his voice.

“Whitney, where are you going?” Eve was fretting.

“Mom, I had a wonderful time, but I have to leave. I need to go to work. Call you tomorrow.” Whitney kissed her mother goodbye before Eve could say anything.

“Dr. Russell, Whitney didn’t leave, did she?” Fox ran out of the other room, catching Eve’s attention.

“I’m afraid so, Fox.” Eve mumbled dryly.

“I have to go after her.” Fox treaded to the door.

“Fox, leave her be …” Simone warned him.

“But, Simone …”

“Fox, I think it would be best if you leave as well.” Simone shook her head, refusing to hear his side of the story.

“Simone, Fox doesn’t have to leave if he doesn’t want to.” Eve chided her.

“Mom, I need to tell you something.” Simone and her mother walked to the corner and she told what happened a few minutes ago.

“Fox, it would best if you leave. I’m not saying you’re not welcome here anymore. Just kind of cool it with Whitney for a while.” Eve said to him kindly.

“Fine.” Fox didn’t put up a fight and abandoned the premises on the spot.

*%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%*%*%

“Well, well, well … I knew you would make it … come on in.” Theresa invited Fox into her house.

“I guess I don’t have a choice, do I?” He muttered.

“I guess you don’t …” Theresa beamed widely at him, locking the door behind her.