Chapter 35

Through the gossip grapevine, Victoria found out that Colyer was in Cancun, her father suggested that her brother Trey accompanied her on the trip to keep her 'focus' on the mission at hand - much to her dismay.

"Really Trey, I am much to old for a babysitter." She fumed. "I want you to take the next flight back to Texas and tell daddly I know what I am doing."

Trey cocked an eyebrow at his sister and smirked. "There's no way in hell that is going to happen sister dear." He said. "If you hadn't been so careless with your hobby of plucking strange men and their brothers at the most unopportune time, I wouldn't be here."

Victoria shot him a dirty glance and pouted. "I can't help it if I indulge myself." She whined. "It's who I am, Trey you know that."

"Yes Vicky we know that you are a spoil rotten slut." He cracked. "But way couldn't you wait until after the walk down the alter before getting caught. That's what a smart spoil rotten slut would have done, knowing Harrison Fox the way I do, he would have paid dearly to get you out of his family."

Victoria rolled her eyes and sighed. "I don't see why daddy want me to live a life of boredome with that lump of clay Colyer Fox in the first place...he is so straightlace...what a square."

"That's because he has more money than God." Trey explained. "Don't you want to buy what ever you want when ever you want?"

"I do that now."

Trey was tempted to tell her that if she doesn't hogtie Colyer into marriage she will soon be dinning on sardines and crackers instead of thr Beluga caviar she eats by the pound.

"Victoria just stick to the plan." He threaten "Or...stick to the plan."

****

Ethan was in excellent spirits as he sat down at a table in the back of the Book Cafe. Gwen had left a brief message on his voice mail letting him know she was doing fine and in a few weeks he will be ride of Theresa - forever.

"Hey stranger long time no see." Beth greeted. "How have you been?"

"I'm doing really great." He replied. "For the fist time in my life things are turning out the way I want for a change."

"That's great, I wish I could say the same." She sighed.

"How is Mrs. Wallace?" Beth eyes teared up.

"She's getting worst I'm afraid. The nurses at Sweet Serenity doesn't have much hope that she will live out the year." She wiped the tears away on the back of her hand. Ethan's heart went out to her, from what little he knowns about Beth's mother, he knew that she was very cruel to her only child.

"Beth how are you holding up?" He asked in a concern voice.

"Oh you know me." She said trying to sound cheerful. "I'm surviving." But her face gave her true emotions away. Ethan gently took her hand in his.

"Beth when was the last time you went out and had a good time?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "It's been so long since I had done anything like that...I can't tell you."

"What time do you get off?"

"In an hour why?"

"Why don't we go to the movies?" He suggested. "We can both use a friend, besides I hate going to the movies alone. So what do you say?"

"Well I don't know..." She said cautiously. "Suppose we run into Theresa?"

Ethan chuckled. "Theresa is the least of my problems." He assured her. "If I throw in dinner will you be game?"

"Sure." Beth replied. "Why not? I would love to go to the movies with you."

"And dinner." He reminded her.

"And dinner." She smiled.

****

Colyer rushed upstairs and slammed the bedroom door behind him, startling Gwen out of her sleep.

"You're here to remove your things I hope." She yawned. Colyer ignored her and sat down on the bed.

"Gwen you are not going to believe who is downstairs." He said. She looked at him puzzled. "Senor Juarez." He said, quickly not giving her a chance to guess. "Salvator has invited him and a lot of their friends to help us 'celebrate' our wedding."

Colyer didn't need to explain any further...

"He is under the impression that we are married too." Gwen said dryly.

"Bingo."

"This is just great." She groaned. "Will this nightmare ever end?"

"Sure it will." He assured her. "As soon as we complete the deal. In the mean time you will wear this." He tossed her a small ring box. "I rushed out and bought it to keep up the pretense, I hope you like it." The platnium diamond and emerald ring took Gwen's breath away. Colyer pretended not to notice but he was very pleased. "I didn't know what you like so I grabbed the first thing I laid my hands on." He lied - in truth he agonized over two rings before he made his final decision by the toss of a coin.

"I -I can't take this." Gwen said. "It's - it's dishonest."

"Gwen humor me okay? All we have to do is pretend to be married for a few weeks then we go home. I promise before we leave, I will explain everything to Salvator and you can do what ever you want with the ring."

"So this means we are sharing this room?"

"Yep, I'm afraid so."

"If I do this, it's only so you can save face with Senor Juarez. I don't want him to think you're a liar."

"And what does that makes you? Partner?"

"Okay, okay." She huffed. "I get your point." Colyer grabbed her left hand. "Hey!" She protested.

"We gotta do this right." He said. "Repeat after me...I, Gwen Hotchkiss-Fox..." Gwen narrowed her eyes. "Say it." He urged.

"I, Gwen Hotchkiss...Fox." She spat bitterly.

"Good." He quipped. "Promise to love..." She shot him a dirty look. "Okay skip that...promise to keep up the pretense of a loving, blisfully, happy couple for as long as it is warrant."

"What ever." She sighed, rolling her eyes.

"Good enough." He slid the ring on her finger-it was a perfect fit.

Gwen stared at the beautiful ring on her finger - her heart fluttered. "Why didn't you buy something fake?" She asked angrily "To go along with this make believe marriage?" She was angry with herself for caring - just a little.

"Because when a Fox does something it is first class all the way." He hissed, hurt by her words. "Oh yeah here something extra, I though the color matches the gold flecks in your beautiful eyes!" He carelessly tossed a gold drop necklace on the bed beside her before storming out the room, leaving behind a stunned Gwen.

****

Theresa opened her eyes; a wide grin spread across her face... The stick has finally turned blue...