Melt Away - Chapter 2 *Fox/Whitney*
by unknown
 
 

Chapter 2

The next day, Simone sauntered in, taking note on how sullen her sister is. She took off her coat, hanging it in on the coat rack. And sat next to her discreet sister. “Hey, honey, how was your day?” Simone made a promise to always ask this question before going into details with her sister’s life, due to the tragic incident her sister had experienced.

“Hey, Simone. My day was fine, how about yours?” Whitney queried, staring at the television blankly.

“Great. Sis, how did your date go with that mystery guy?” Simone wondered, watching her sister’s facial muscles wincing.

“It was nice, …” she said hesitatingly.

“Why do I feel a but coming, Whit? Please don’t tell me you two had an argument?” Simone felt bad for her older sister.

“No, honey, it was perfect … too perfect.” She sighed sweetly. “However, I was the one who had screwed up …” she lowered her head in shame.

Simone turned off the television and made sure that Whitney has her eyes on her. “Sis, what happened? Why did you think you had screwed up?”

“He was about to kiss me-”

“Oh, my goodness. Tell me you guy have kissed!” Simone gushed with joy.

“No, I backed away, and came here.” Whitney explained to her stunned baby sister.

“Oh, no. Whit, why were you frightened?” Simone placed her hand over her chest.

Whitney locked her eyes on Simone seriously. “Simone, you know why—I am not ready …”

Simone realized why Whitney didn’t allow herself to kiss her mystery guy. “I understand, and you are not ready to move on. But Whitney it’s been a while, and I think you need to give yourself a little more credit.”

“How, Simone? If I get too close to him, sooner or later, he’ll find out that I was the girl who had slept with her half-brother!” Whitney began crying.

Simone took Whitney in her arms and consoled her like a sister would. “Sweetie, it’s apparent to me that he doesn’t care about your past. He seems only interested in you. You should give him a try before you shut him out completely.” She sagely advised.

Whitney’s mouth fell agape. She is constantly amazed how she doesn’t have to say anything, and her kid sister can just figure it out, by filling in the blanks. “How would you know, Simone? You have never met the man?”

Simone shrugged. “I just know … I can feel it here.” She indicated towards her heart.

“I don’t think he would want to see me afterwards. I blew him off.” Whitney huffed out jaggedly. “Besides, I’ll never see him again.”

Simone only smiled at her. “Whit, always remember, never say never.” She was on her feet and headed to her bedroom.

“Where’re you going, Simone? You never told me how was your evening with Alan?” Whitney finally stood up, quizzing.

Simone turned around and whispered, “Let’s just say I have found my Mr. Right.”

“He better be Mr. Right.” Whitney bantered.

“Whitney, aren’t you going to sing tonight?” Simone furrowed her brows in heavy concentration.

“Yes, I am.” Whitney responded freely.

“Which club?” Simone marveled.

“I think it’s called ‘Fever.’ Are you and Alan coming?” Whitney crossed her fingers, hoping her sister will support her.

“Sis, you know I wouldn’t miss your singing for the world. Just say the time and we’ll be there.” Simone leaned against the wall, grinning.

“Be there at eleven.” Whitney muttered.

“Eleven, it is. See you then. And think about what I said, Whit. Don’t miss out on love all because of our mother’s mistakes. You have to remember Mom only meant well by raising us right. She never intended for her past to be brought to the light …”

“Simone, I don’t want to talk about her or even speak to her! She has ruined our lives!” Whitney roared.

“She’s still our mother, Whit. As the old saying goes, ‘you can always choose your mate, but you can’t choose your family.’ If you want to be forgiven—you have to forgive her.” Simone told her caringly.

“Are you saying you have forgiven her?” Whitney crossed her arms.

“Whitney, I feel bad for her, she has no one to talk to. Everyone had abandoned her. I think it’s only fair to love our mother regardless of her past errors. I know Daddy won’t forgive her, but we have to … we never know when we’re going to need her.” With saying that, Simone entered her room to change her attire as Whitney decided to go for a walk.

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

“Maybe Simone is right, maybe I should forgive her … it’s not like she knew her baby was alive, and they told her he was dead. Why didn’t Julian support my mom? I bet those damned Cranes had something to do with Chad’s ‘death’ when he was a newborn. I knew the Cranes were evil, but I didn’t think they were that evil.” Whitney shuddered as the chilly wind approached her suddenly.

“Whitney?” A voice called from afar.

Whitney looked up and blinked at the figure in shock. “Mom, what are you doing here?” She wrapped her coat even tighter to keep her warm.

“Whitney, my baby, how are you?” Eve was about to give Whitney a hug; nonetheless, Whitney kept her distance.

“What do you want?” She inquired sharply.

“Whitney, don’t be like this.” Eve dropped her head shamefully.

“Don’t be like what? Mother, you have ruined my life! Everything you said to me and Simone was a damn lie!” hollered Whitney.

“I only did it to protect you guys!” Eve defended for herself quickly.

“Oh, oh, so it’s okay to protect your loved ones from the truth? You know, life is ironic like that. I used to tell myself the same thing when I thought Chad was my lover and I thought it would be okay to sneak behind you, Simone, and Dad’s backs, constantly playing Simone for a fool, just to keep Chad all to myself, only because I ‘thought’ I was protecting my loved ones from the truth. In the process, I have hurt myself more, because I laid with him, I’ve …” Whitney stopped on her last sentence, she couldn’t bring herself to say she had miscarried her child.

“Whitney, I am truly sorry. I honestly believe that my baby was dead. They lied to me!” Eve whimpered.

“Who lied to you? Was it Julian? Alistair? Who, Mom?” Whitney demanded for answers.

“I have my suspicions that the Cranes were behind it, especially Julian! He left me high and dry! He didn’t want me or my baby!” Eve declared.

“Did he tell you that?” Whitney retorted.

“Now is not the time to be sarcastic, Whitney.” Eve uttered shakily.

“Oh, but it was always the time for you to whore around with every man you had laid your eyes on.” Whitney replied sardonically again.

Eve raised her hand and struck Whitney hard with a slap that left a sting on her left cheek. “How dare you judge me? I gave you life, Whitney Russell! And for you to cut me out of your life is utterly ridiculous! I expect your father to do it, but not my own daughters!”

“You know what? I am finished having this conversation with you! Don’t let the stones trip you on your way back to whence you came.” Whitney treaded away heatedly and never looked back at the melancholic woman she once called her mother.

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

“Hey, Fox, how are you?” Theresa was about to give him a hug, but he halted her.

“Theresa, don’t. Where’s your hubby?” He cleared his throat, still admiring her beauty to a certain extent.

“Ethan is with his son … nice place.” Theresa responded, changing the subject immediately.

“How did you find out where I stay?” Fox brought his arms to chest, befuddled by how Theresa still has her connections to him.

“I have my ways. Fox, are you still furious with me for still wanting to be with Ethan?” Theresa pumped as her chocolate irises flirted with him dangerously.

“Furious? Hell yes, I am infuriated! Theresa, you swore to me that we would have a future together! Then oops, a twist of fate has altered my ending of happiness with a sick revelation that little Ethan is related to my half-brother!” Fox vented angrily.

“Fox, you must know that I didn’t know.” Theresa pleaded for forgiveness more than one way.

“You expect me to buy it, Theresa? Hell, you probably knew that little Ethan was his all along!” He accused fiercely.

“What? I had no idea that little Ethan was Ethan’s. Surely, you must believe that!” Theresa protested.

“Why should I even bother? Theresa, why are you here?” Fox shook his head irately.

“I wanted to see how you were doing.” Theresa admitted.

“You want to know how I am doing? I am doing just fine.” Fox remarked bitterly.

“Fox,” Theresa rubbed his cheek ardently. “You know you will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Fox quivered intimately from the feel of her soft hand. “Theresa,”

“Fox, I’ve never meant to hurt you, that you must believe.” She stated truly.

“You said that we would be together forever. I guess it was all a lie, huh?” Fox stared into her eyes intensely.

“No, it wasn’t a lie, Fox. A part of me still loves you, but it’s not in the same way I love Ethan. I am sorry you had to get burned.” She apologized sincerely.

“Theresa, I think this is the part where torn lovers get to say goodbye.” Fox opened the door, waiting for her to depart.

“Fox, we can’t say goodbye. It’s see you later.” She pressed her lips against his cheek.

Fox closed his eyes, inhaling the scent of her womanly redolence. Wishing he hadn’t falling in love with her, wishing he hadn’t gone that far with her in the bedroom every night. All he wants to do is erase this feeling in his heart and move on from her betrayal. Theresa decamped from his condo as he shut the door. He glanced at the clock. “I better get dressed, besides, there’s no telling what honey I’ll run into tonight.” Fox chuckled slyly and rushed to his bedroom to take a shower and change into something more appropriate for the evening.

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

Simone, Alan, and the whole crowd cheered Whitney on after she had performed a wonderful sultry ballad, which had couples dancing the entire night. “Let’s give a round of applause for my sister!” Simone broadcast on the microphone, hugging her sister tightly as the people applauded Whitney again. “You have sung beautifully, Whit. I am so proud that you are still pursuing your musical career.” Simone exclaimed ecstatically.

“Yeah, music is all I have left, Simone. I come alive every time I sing, it’s in me, and I can’t erase it out of my system. Thanks for coming, Simone and Alan, I really appreciate it.” Whitney embraced them.

“Whitney, I am glad your sister has talked me into it. She said you were good, but I didn’t realize you were this good.” Alan commented.

Whitney beamed at the tall, attractive, and very muscular African-American man with honey caramel complexion, exquisite green irises, and a killer smile to melt for. Sometimes she envied her sister, how in the world did Simone get so lucky and she didn’t? “You’re making me blush. You two are going to stick around, aren’t you?” Whitney hoped they would say yes.

“Most definitely, we’re going to dance.” Simone tugged onto her man’s hand, smiling at her older sister sweetly.

“All right. I am going to get us another round. I’ll be back, okay?” Whitney informed them.

“Whitney, don’t worry about us needing drinks. You go have fun and find yourself a man!” Simone giggled foolishly.

“Whatever.” Whitney shook her head, and walked around carefully in the halter cream dress she’s wearing, hoping no one will spill any liquid on her material. She was getting ready to order the drinks until a man had drawn near her.

“What would you like to order?”

Whitney was flabbergasted when she recognized him from last night. “You’re the one I had eaten with at the Seascape last night? How did you know? …”

“... Know of this place? It’s merely a coincidence. What are you ordering?” His million-dollar smile dazzled before her, taking her spirit away instantaneously.

“Three glasses of Martini.” She affirmed absently.

“Raul, I would like to have four of your Martini, shaken not stirred.” He pulled out his platinum card as the bartender nodded and rang up his order.

“You didn’t have to pay for it.” Whitney muttered.

“It’s okay, I don’t mind. As long as the drinks come with a beautiful woman like you—I will do anything just to have you next to me.” He revealed to her ardently.

“Here you go, sir.” Raul intruded their conversation. “Come again!”

“Thanks, Raul.” The young man was on his feet, escorting Whitney with the drinks to the table where she, Simone, and Alan were located.

“Why did that Raul fellow was so glad to serve you? Do you have some kind of influence on people in this club?” Whitney joked.

“You could say that. I have many influences that will intrigue you—only if you’ll let me.” He purred seductively, stroking her arm feverishly.

“Uh, about last night. I am truly sorry that I-”

“Speaking about last night, why did you run out on me?” He raised a brow at her inquisitively. “Was it because I have bad breath? From the last time I have checked, my breath smelled pretty damn good.” He snickered at his joke, which made her giggle, too.

“No, it wasn’t your breath—I-” Whitney couldn’t bring herself to say the rest for some odd reason.

“Why do you seem so familiar to me? It’s like déjà vu. Are you sure we didn’t meet somewhere before?” He pried.

“Why are you so convinced that we have crossed paths before?” Whitney shook her head at him amazingly.

“Because I don’t forget a beautiful woman’s face.” He commented, flirting. “To break the ice, my name is Fox. And you are?” He gestured for her to follow his lead.

“Fox? What kind of name is Fox? Surely that can’t be your real name.” Whitney wasn’t trying to ridicule him, but she has never heard anyone name their child Fox.

“Fox is my nickname. That’s what most of my friends call me. My real name is Nicholas Foxworth. You can call me by my real name if that is your prerogative. It’s fine by me.” He motioned his hands slightly away from hers.

“I think I’ll stick with Fox. It’s much easier for me to remember.” Whitney expressed softly. “I’m Whitney, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Fox.” She extended her hand to his.

Fox grabbed her hand in his and kissed it endearingly. “No, the pleasure is all mine to know your name.” He ran his right hand through her hair while pulling her close to him with his left coquettishly. “Shall we dance, Whitney?”

“Yes, Fox. Dance with me …” her words escaped from her mouth tenderly and allowed the proximity between them dominate her soul, becoming lost in him.