He kissed her gently on the mouth and was on his way. As he walked through the hospital corridor, he wasn’t paying attention, his thoughts on Eve. He turned the corner and practically knocked Whitney off of her feet.

“Oh Whitney, my dear, I am so sorry.” He said grabbing her arm.

“It’s okay Julian, no problem.”

“I have to learn to be more careful, I should know better.”

“That’s okay really.” Whitney said.

“Listen Whitney, I have to ask my dear, how are you feeling these days?”

“I’m fine.” She said quietly.

“Are you sure about that?” he asked.

“Actually Julian, I am not fine, I am still quite upset.”

“Have you talked to your mother about it?”

“Yes, we did have a bit of a talk, but with me getting shot and everything else that happened in L.A. there hasn’t been a lot of time to sit down and discuss it. I had to make a quick decision right there to either stay in L.A. or leave.”

“That must have been difficult.” Julian said.

“Well yes, but I had to be an adult, besides, if daddy had his way with Chad, he would have been dead on the spot, he has such a bad temper sometimes.”

“Well, I guess he was just being a dad Whitney, I am sure he is just concerned about what Chad did. No father wants to see their child hurting like that, he loves you Whitney.” Julian said.

“I know that he does, but the entire situation has been complicated Julian. Daddy is very stubborn and can be unkind.”

“Don’t I know it.” He said under his breath.

“Pardon Julian?”

“Oh nothing dear, anyway, I know your father cares.”

“Yeah I guess so, oh by the way Julian, before I forget to tell you. Thank you for saving my mother’s life, she told me everything and how you risked your own life to save hers, that is so selfless of you Julian, you are a wonderful man.” She said hugging him.

“Whitney, when a life is in jeopardy like that, you have to help, I would never want anything to happen to your mother, she is a lovely woman just like you.”

“Now we both owe you for coming to our rescue.”

“Not at all my dear, not at all, so are you really going to be okay?”

“You mean about Chad?”

“Well yes, are you happy that you broke up with him? If that’s too personal, I will understand.”

“I don’t mind discussing it Julian, it’s no problem. Am I happy, well do you have an hour?” she said smiling slightly.

“If there is anything I can do to help, just let me know Whitney.”

“To be honest, you can help. Listen, I wouldn’t usually ask like this, but do you have a few minutes you could spare? You see, I really would like to talk a few things out and mom and I have a bit, but I need some advice and well I can’t count on my father right now. He only cares about killing Chad; he doesn’t want to hear what I have to say. He is only happy that I left him. I used to be able to talk to him, but when it comes to Chad, it’s a hard topic to discuss.” Whitney said.

“If you want some advice, I would be glad to give it. And I do have some time to spare my dear, say, how about we grab a coffee at the café? That’s if you want to Whitney.”

“Are you sure you aren’t too busy? I know you have many priorities being a Crane.”

“I am never too busy to lend a helping hand Whitney, come on my dear, let’s go.”

While Julian grabbed the coffees, she sat down at a table. She was actually quite pleased that Julian was willing to be her shoulder to lean on.

“Here you are Whitney.” He said handing her the cup.

“Thank you, and I truly appreciate being able to talk to you Julian.”

“Anytime Whitney, so tell me what’s on your mind hon.”

“Oh Julian, I hate lies, I hate secrets and I still can’t believe Chad lied to me, I mean having a wife and not telling the woman you love? How can he justify that?”

“I know it doesn’t seem right my dear. I mean I have always liked Chad, but I agree with you, he should have told you the truth. You are right, secrets are not a good thing, and they can hurt you in the long run.” He said knowing all too well Whitney was right.

“But do you honestly think that I made the right decision Julian? I want an honest opinion. I mean I did try to give Chad a chance to explain, but the fact that he was dishonest with me hurts more than anything else in the world. I think if he had just told me the truth in the beginning, things would be so different now.”

“Chad hurt you Whitney and I know that you really loved him and most likely still do. When you love someone, you can’t just turn off the feelings overnight. It doesn’t work that way, even if you aren’t with Chad, he is still going to have a place in your heart So ultimately, you have to be happy with the decision you made. I wish I could say yes or no about it, but you have to go with your gut to know if you made the right one.” Julian said.

“That is exactly how I feel Julian, I still do love him, now why can’t I talk to my own father this way? It just makes me angry, I mean, not that it doesn’t mean anything to have your advice, it does, but…oh I don’t know.”

“It’s okay Whitney, you want your father to listen to you, you want to be able to have a normal conversation about everything that has happened with Chad. You want him to accept that you went to L.A. because you were in love. I mean if he hadn’t turned out to be married, perhaps you would still have been getting married. I think you definitely want more acceptances from your father than anything else Whitney. To know that even though Chad made the mistake not telling you, that if he had turned out to be who you thought he was, you would have wanted him to believe him regardless. I can imagine it must be very difficult for you to get him to understand that you really loved him. I was there that day when you left for L.A. after the fire.”

“Yes Julian I remember you were there. I remember being so angry with daddy and hurt because he turned his back on me when I was leaving. To be honest Julian, he didn’t even say goodbye or tell me he loved me. I felt like I had lost my father that day and it’s still not easy to talk to him.”

“I am sorry about that Whitney, I know this isn’t going to sound right perhaps, but if there is anything you want to talk about or need simply a friend, I am a great listener. I know it may be a tad bit strange considering I am your father’s worst enemy. I am by no means trying to come between the two of you. But I know you can’t exactly talk about Chad with him at this time.”

“Julian, thank you, I think that is very sweet and kind of you to offer. And you are right, I can’t talk to daddy, but at least with you, you will not judge my decisions or me. And knowing that I also have mom to count on is great.”

“Maybe in time your father will come around, but give me a call anytime really Whitney, here let me give you my cell number.”

He handed her the piece of paper and she smiled at him.

“Well Julian, thanks for the coffee and I will keep you in mind when I need a friend.” Whitney said.

“Your welcome and good luck my dear.”

“Thanks.”