Chapter Thirteen

Simone aggressively released her self from the man who held her tight. “Who are you?” she hissed.

Suddenly, the facial expression from that man turned into a more pleasant, gentle expression. He straightened himself up, and then stretched out his hand. “The name’s Germaine, what’s yours?”

Simone looked at the man up and down and blushed deeply. Damn, this guy looked FINE! But, she immediately dismissed him looking at his state of clothing. He looked like one of those low-life street punks you would of seen on TV. She walked away.

”Hey come on babes where are you going?” he called out.

“C’mon mans don’t be like that!”

Simone picked up her pace faster.

“Hey, I’m not finished with you!” he hollered.

Simone had it! She stopped short and turned around, glaring at him as though she wanted nothing to do with him, which was true anyways.

“I’m Simone Russell, now beat it!”

Germaine’s face contorted with anger. He was not used to being insulted like that, and usually the ladies would fall right into his laps before he even tried anything! This girl is going to be tough, but he was determined. “Russell? Hey, aren’t you the Coach’s girly?”

Simone paused for a moment. This guy knows her dad! “Hey,” she said slowly. “You know my dad?”

Finally, they got something going! “Yup,” he grinned, “He was my coach.”

“Was?”

“Yeah,” he said sadly. “After I graduated high school I wanted to go to college or something, you know? Couldn’t afford it. The Couch was nice enough to take me in. But, I had to leave this town and all, but now, I’m back.”

Simone calmed down. This guy seemed nice enough, and it looked as if her dad had accepted him! So, he must have been a good guy, right? “Oh,” she said.

“Uh-huh,” he then gestured Simone to walk with him. “So how’s the Coach now? Damn, I missed him!”
“He’s fine…”

“Actually,” Simone started. “It’s kind of chilly here, do you want to go inside the café to talk?”

“Nah,” he shook his head. “Got kicked out of the place. Not allowed back in.”

Simone looked at him curiously.

“The owner didn’t like me,” he explained. Oh boy, this wasn’t going to go the way he wanted for it to be…

“Here,” he took out his jacket and handed it over to Simone. “You can wear this.”

Simone gratefully took his jacket and then wore it around her. “Thank you.”

“So how about that walk?” he asked hopefully.

Simone considered it for a moment. What was the harm with walking with an incredibly hot guy at nighttime? She saw none. “Alright.”

Good girl, Germaine thought. Now this was more like it! “I saw you inside,” he pointed at the book café. “You looked awfully upset. Did your boyfriend dump you?” he asked concernedly.

Simone nodded her head, and started to cry. It was such a painful reminder, why did he have to bring it up?

“Aw… it’s alright girl,” he hesitated a bit, wondering if he should push her too far. He decided to just pat her on the shoulder. “The guy was stupid,” he cooed, “To have dumped you like that. I mean, was he smoking up crack or something? But that’s what you get with them white folks… they just… up and leave you, whenever they think they have found something better.”

Taking Simone’s silence for granted, he then proceeded to ask, “I mean, that’s what he did, didn’t he? Some other girl had taken over him?”

Simone nodded her head fervently.

“See what I mean?” he nodded approvingly. “I mean, come on, he’s got you!”

“What would you know, anyways?” Simone asked bitterly. “I’m just an ugly ducking.”

Germaine almost did a flip! “YOU,” he pointed, “You are NOT ugly!”

Simone looked away.

“Damn girl, you know what I think?”

“What?”

“I think you look hot!”

“And you want to know something? I bet just any guy would of wanted to go out with you – in a heartbeat!” he winked.

Simone stared at this Germaine guy. He’s saying all the right words, words she had always yearned to hear. She liked him. He was so nice, and sweet!

“Really?”

“It’s Simone, right? Yes, I’m serious. I mean, have you ever looked yourself into the mirror?”

“Yes… of course.”

“Then you should know the answer yourself. You’re pretty, and don’t you forget that!”

“So,” he continued. “Who was the idiot anyways?”

“Noah… Noah Bennett.”

Germaine paused, taking all this new information in. Bennett, did she say? Oh, this girl was good! This Russell woman has been involved with a Bennett… hmm, this IS getting interesting…

“Ah,” he nodded. “I see.”

______

Eve rushed to Julian’s aid when Jamesha had stormed inside Gwen’s ward and whispered that Julian had requested for Eve to be there. After Eve finished what she was doing with Gwen, she had the nurses and the other doctors to take over. Poor Rebecca was beside herself with grief.

“Hey,” Eve said gently.

“Eve,” Julian smiled, and held her hand. He then looked at Jamesha. “You can go now,” he ordered.

“But-“

“Dr. Russell will take care of me.”

“Mr. Crane –“

“LEAVE!” he commanded.

Jamesha waved her hand in defeat, and then left the room.

“JULIAN!” Eve snapped.

“What?” he asked innocently.

“That poor girl, weren’t you a little too rough on her?”

”My dear,” Julian said solemnly, “That was nothing. The new arrival has to know who she was dealing with.”

“And who would that be?” Eve’s eyes narrowed.

Julian puffed his chest, and grinned proudly. “Julian Crane, the richest, most powerful man in all of Harm- OUCH!” he winced, when Eve smacked him playfully on the shoulder.

Eve immediately hurried over to Julian’s side. “Sorry,” she said worriedly. “Did I hurt you?”

Julian gave Eve an exasperated look, but then he smiled and mouthed “no”, while rubbing his shoulder.

“Thank you…” Eve said quietly, “For saving my life.”

“It was nothing,” Julian said modestly. “I’d do anything for you, you know that.”

Julian stared at Eve intently and then motioned for her to come sit on his bedside.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “You shouldn’t of had to hear my Father badmouth you like that.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” Eve said gently. She then used her hand to brush his cheek.

“Why did you tell Alistair that we were going to get married?” Eve asked curiously.

Julian grinned. “It was what I intended to do anyways when you divorce TC and I get rid of Rebecca.”

“Julian!”

“Eve…

I want out of here,” Julian said seriously.

“But you just woke up!” Eve protested.

“I feel alright!”

“No,” Eve said firmly, “You are not ready yet.”

“I have to…”

“Why?”

Julian paused for a moment. “Alright,” he sighed. “I suppose tomorrow then.”

“Maybe…

Well, now that your up, I might as well…”

“Anything, Eve, anything you think that will make me feel better.”

Eve gently placed his arm into a cast, with Julian staring at her the whole entire time. She leaned over to blow on his arm.

“There,” she said. “All better.”

“You know,” said Julian softly. “Everyone says kisses make boo-boos feel better and go away.”

“Really?” Eve asked skeptically. “I don’t believe you.”

“Why don’t you test it out then?” he challenged her, smiling.

“Maybe I will,” she said, flirting back. “Where does it hurt?”

Julian pointed to his knee. Eve yanked his blanket away, and then kissed it. Then, he pointed to his hand. She kissed it. Slowly, he pointed to his forehead, which she also kissed. He worked his way down to his nose. Eve couldn’t help but laugh as she kissed his nose lightly.

Then, he pointed to his lips. Eve was about to kiss it lightly but then Julian held onto her tightly to deepen the kiss. Eve felt drawn to him so she didn’t push him away. He pulled her to him, with her on top of him. His hand went under the back of her shirt and he stopped there. Eve continued kissing him and ran her fingers through his hair. Since she wasn’t stopping him, he was about to continue when…

There was a knock on the door.

“I’m going to kill that person,” thought Julian as he broke off the kiss. “What is it?” he yelled.

“May I come in now?” Jamesha’s voice echoed through the door.

“Okay, five minutes!” Julian yelled.

When he heard footsteps of Jamesha leaving, he kissed Eve once more.

“Sorry honey,” he said apologetically, “We’ll have to continue this some other time,” he winked.

Eve nodded and pulled his blanket back on top of him.

___

Ivy rushed inside the hospital in her wheelchair with Sam when he had told her about Gwen.

“What are you doing here?” Fox asked sharply when he spotted his mother near the counter.

Ivy looked him up and down. “What, I can’t be here for my daughter-in-law and my son?

The question is, what are YOU doing here?”

“Father’s shot,” his voice trembled.

“Julian’s shot?” Ivy asked in excitement. “Is he dead?”

“NO!”

Ivy looked at Fox in wonder. “My god, what is the matter with you?”

“Never mind,” Fox snapped.

“How is he?” she asked, faking concern.

“Comatose.”

“Shame,” Ivy mocked. “That shooter could of done better with the aiming.”

Sam walked up to Ivy and placed his hand on her shoulder. “Ivy,” he said quietly. “Ethan and Gwen are in that room over there.” He pointed across the hall.

“Oh Sam,” Ivy sniffed.

Fox couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Whether it be for real or not that she really cared for Gwen, or if it was just for play to get her grubby hands on Chief Bennett, he didn’t know.

Ivy eyed Fox distastefully and left with Sam.

Fox decided it be best if he headed to the police station and see what’s going on between Theresa and how Whitney is coping with it.

______

“Whitney,” Theresa sobbed. “You have to get me out of here!”

“It’s only going to be for a few days before your trial,” Whitney said firmly.

“I thought you were my friend.”

“I don’t know what I am to you anymore,” Whitney said sadly. “Theresa, you have to stop it with your obsession over Ethan!”

“I’m not obsessed with Ethan, Whitney, I love him!”

“I mean, how could you do this?” Whitney yelled. “Why did you attack Gwen, and in front of Little Ethan too?

I thought you love your son.”

“I do!”

“Then why did you do it?”

“Little Ethan hardly even recognized me anymore…” Theresa shook.

“And you’re blaming it on HER?” Whitney asked, disbelieving.

“No! But I heard her talking about me! I think she was badmouthing me, in front of my son!”

“Even if you did, Theresa, you only proved it to him then for what you did.”

“But I need him!”

“Goodbye Theresa,” Whitney said, tears streaming down her face.

“Whitney, wait!” Theresa shook the bars in her cell.

“Goodbye…”