Chapter 7
That morning-Hotel Bar

"Morning Fancy," Ethan greeted as he walked into the hotel bar.

"Oh hey Ethan. Where's Gwen?"

"She left early to go shopping. Her mother wants some perfume. So….are you meeting someone for breakfast?"

"Don't you mean Theresa?" she said, smirking.

"No, that's not what I meant." he said unconvincingly.

"Well if you must know, I'm meeting Esme."

"Oh. So, where is Theresa this morning?"

"She's upstairs. She had a late start this morning, seeing as she didn't come home from last night til 9 am."

"9 am! Who was she with til 9 am?"

"I'll give you three guesses," Fancy said as she winked, sipping her juice.

"That guy. From the ball."

"And the guy that saved her life."

"Phuh," Ethan pouted, rolling his eyes, hands on his hips.

"You know, you should probably say your goodbyes now, before Theresa finishes her packing."

"Packing? But I thought everyone wasn't leaving Rome for a few more days?"

"Oh she's not packing for Harmony."

"What do you mean?"

"She's going on a trip with her sexy stranger."

"WHAT!"

"Ethan, what's the matter?" Fancy smirked to herself. She loved being an instigator.

"Is she seriously gonna go away with a stranger!? What is she crazy!?"

"I think it's romantic."

"Ya you would."

"Hey."

"I gotta go talk to her." Ethan rushed upstairs to her suite. He had to talk some sense into her.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

"Theresa! Theresa let me in! It's me!"

"What on earth?" Theresa thought to herself as she put on her robe and went to the door.

"Ethan! What are you doing?"

"What am I doing? What are you doing?" he asked, letting himself into her room.

"Excuse me?"

"I know about your little trip. With that guy. Are you crazy?"

"Oh, that's what this is about. Um, why do you care Ethan?"

"What do you mean? I'm your friend."

"My friend. Give me a break. You're just jealous that I'm trying to move on. And you can't take it."

"Oh so that is what this is about. You're just using him to make me jealous."

"Um, sorry to hurt your ego, but not everything is about you Ethan. I actually like this guy."

"Theresa you just met him. You probably don't even know his name."

"It's Jared."

"Phuh, Jared. If that's his REAL name."

"Ok are you done, cause I still have a lot of packing to do, so.."she said, trying to push him towards the door.

"No I'm not done. Theresa I'm not gonna allow this."

"You're not gonna ALLOW this. Are you kidding me? Just who in the hll do you think you are?"

"Theresa…"

"No, you put a ring on Gwen's finger, not mine. So as far as you and me go, you have no say over WHAT or WHO I do." She began to push him again towards the door.

"Theresa stop this…"

"Get out Ethan. You have hurt me enough on this trip alone. I'm not gonna let you do this to me anymore."

"Theresa come on…I.."

"Get out Ethan! Get out!" She gave him one last push, slamming the door in his face. Theresa leaned her back on the door, taking a deep breath to regain her composure.

'Dmnit Theresa! I'm not gonna let you get hurt by this stranger. No matter what I have to do.' he thought to himself, before stomping off.