The Collaboration Chapter 8
The following morning Loren had just left her first class; she found an empty seat in the hall way and began to write a few notes. Tony had been looking for her all morning and caught sight of her as she was entering the room; he stopped as soon as he reached her desk.
She looked up and smiled. "Hey what's up?"
He kneeled down to her eye level. "Ok I'm not taking no for an answer."
"Why?"
"I'm asking you to dinner tonight."
Loren stopped what she was doing and finally made eye contact with him. "I'm busy tonight."
"How busy is busy?"
"I moved and I'm also working."
"What do you mean you moved? And you're working?"
A genuine smile appeared on her face. "Max Duran offered me a job and I'm living with my best friend Mel."
Suddenly he wasn't feeling too well; the first thing Nathan had requested, had failed.
"Wait how did all of that happen overnight?"
"Apparently my success at the carnival caught Max's eye. I'm going to be writing songs; or should I say, the songs I have written so far are up for sale."
Tony knew too well. "So can I assume Eddie is interested in some of them?"
"I have to start with someone and Max suggested Eddie and I collaborate and this way he could finish his album."
"Of course he did."
Loren put her things away. She stood up. "I'm very excited."
"And why did you move?" Tony was annoyed; he couldn't help how he felt, he knew Nathan wouldn't be happy at all.
"I'm living with Mel for the moment, if I'm going to be working with Max might as well be close enough."
"Hmmm." Was all Tony could respond? "You have to eat at one point."
"I know Tony, maybe some other day."
He didn't know why he did. But he grabbed Loren by the arm. "I think you and I will have dinner tomorrow night."
Loren pulled her arm away from his grip. "Let go of me, you're hurting me."
He realized what he was doing and let go. "Sorry, I've been very patient and my uncle wants to meet you."
Loren rubbed her arm. "I'll let you know when I'm free ok?"
She walked away leaving him standing there. He scratched his head, how on earth was he going to tell Nathan she was now closer to the Duran's then ever?
It was past noon when Loren sat in the room Eddie had suggested. She grabbed one of the guitars and as usual her fingers glided through the strings. Softly she began to sing one of her recent songs.
"This is my heartbeat song and I'm gonna play it
It's been so long, I forgot how to turn it
Up up up up all night long
Oh up up all night long
YOU where the hell did you come from?
You're a different different kind of fun
And I'm so used to feeling numb
Now I've got pins and needles on my tongue anticipating what's to come
Like a finger on a loaded gun
I can feel it rising temperatures inside me
Haven't felt it for a lifetime
This is my heartbeat song and I'm gonna play it…"
Loren continued with the song, she was so into it she had not noticed Eddie standing at the doorway watching her.
She finally finished, and he applauded as he headed her way. "That was amazing."
She knew she was blushing but nonchalantly stood up and walked towards the piano. "Thanks."
"Can I ask who inspired that song?"
"I can't really say."
"You sang that with so much emotion, someone or something inspired you."
"It could be anything Eddie, I'm sure you understand."
He walked a little closer towards her. "Are you sure you don't want to sing?"
"No it's not what I want." She moved a few steps away.
"Have you listened to yourself?"
"I try not to, I'm my biggest critic and I always find fault when I hear myself."
She sat and started to play with the keys of the piano. He sat next to her. "So what makes Loren Tate click?"
She continued to play the piano. "Nothing really, what you see if what you get."
"I'm usually pretty good about reading people but you I can't seem to figure you out at all, I know you sense there's an attraction beginning between you and I and yet you don't seem flattered by it."
She let out a small laugh. "Oh my God, listen to Mr. Conceited or.." She finally looked at him. "Should I say the player, the one used to getting anything he wants?"
"Really? That's the impression I give you?"
She shrugged her shoulders and continued to play the piano. He shook his head rolling his eyes. Why bother to say anything in his defense? "Can we get started?" He asked.
She replied. "Sure."
Meanwhile Tony stopped at the Gomez residence. He was hoping no one was home, especially Nathan. But so far Tony's day had started off on the wrong side.
"Why so quiet?"
Tony rolled his eyes at the sound of his voice. "I need a few things; I'm headed back to school."
"So when do I meet Loren?"
He finally turned to acknowledge him. "OK why do you want to meet your granddaughter? You took her away from her mother which is your daughter; it's obvious you don't care for her, what's up?"
"Since when do you care what I do?"
"I just don't get why you suddenly care for her now?"
"Who said I don't care? I gave her to Sofia Tate, she was supposed to find her a home far far away from here and she didn't, my daughters won't talk to me or see me, so… I want you to have it what they obviously don't want, my fortune, but it comes with a price, you have to wed Loren and get it."
"For some reason I don't buy what you're telling me! You're hiding something Nathan. Plus I can't force Loren to do anything she doesn't want too, she's a talented songwriter, and for your information, she's working with Max Duran."
"I heard." replied an unhappy Nathan. "I don't want her anywhere near them, they get any hint she's the daughter I took from Nora and Danny, then what?"
Tony took a deep breath. "I can't promise you anything, I will try."
He walked closer to him. "I have taken very good care of you since your mom passed, you owe me everything you've accomplished, make Loren understand she belongs with you and no one else."
"I'm trying; she's feisty and not easily convinced!"
"You're getting very well compensated for doing this and I expect you to finish it, is that clear?"
Tony grabbed the folders he had come for and nodded as he exited the home.
Six weeks flew by since Loren and Eddie teamed up to work on the songs he chose for his next album. With a recording studio in his home; Max made the final preparations to have record the songs to finalize his album, that morning Eddie sat with his headphones on finishing up what he had chosen. Max was pleased to see what they had accomplished as a team.
"Looks like the collaboration between you two worked perfectly." He turned towards Loren.
She smiled. "It wasn't too bad; he's actually pretty cool to work with."
"I'm glad, Eddie has what it takes.." He looked at Loren before finishing his sentence. "Just like you too young lady."
"I'm happy writing songs, and I truly appreciate your help; I'll be working with more recording artists."
"Care to share?"
"No, not until I'm sure they will love what I have to offer to them."
Max signaled Eddie that he was done recording; He took off his headphones and placed the guitar to the side exiting the booth.
"So?" He asked. Max raised his hand to high five him. "You killed it, I'll listen to it in the morning and your next album is set, we can talk about a release date."
Eddie smiled; for those several weeks things with Loren seemed to have improved a lot; she sat next to him as they worked on a song in the piano or the guitar, she smiled a lot and the small arguments they always had before they started collaborating had come to an end. Eddie could admit they were friends, for now he thought.
Loren knew they were done and picked up her bag. "Well it was a long day and I'm tired and hungry." Before she could say another word Eddie jumped in.
"How about dinner?"
"No not today, I'm honestly wiped out."
Max padded her softly on her back. "You did a great job these past few weeks, I could say you both were a perfect team and handled everything very professional."
Loren bit her lower lip and couldn't help but to look at Eddie, she had to admit Max was right, she had just spend the most amazing weeks working with Eddie; who knew that was even possible?
Eddie wasn't given up. "Loren let's do a celebration dinner? I promise nothing fancy, we could leave right now."
She looked at him and slightly turned her attention toward Max who raised his eye brows; she felt he was telling her to go.
"Ok you win Eddie; we could go right now then, I'm famished."
He tried to hide how excited he was. "Great let me get my keys."
He walked out and Max turned towards Loren. "You both did an amazing job and it does call for a celebration!"
She agreed. "It wasn't that bad, Eddie is very talented; we did some changes to some songs I had and suddenly they were perfect."
Katy walked in. "I heard you're done working with Eddie?"
"He teased about needing my help soon." Loren smirked.
"I bet." Katy responded smiling. Eddie walked in. "OK let's go."
Loren shyly smiled and slowly turned to acknowledge both Max and Katy. "See you both later."
"Have fun! You guys earned it." Yelled Max.
They reached Eddie's car. "Anything you're in the mood for?"
"I'm so hungry it really doesn't matter."
"Great I know the perfect place." He opened the passenger door and Loren got in. Within minutes they were on their way.
They drove a few miles and Eddie stopped at the smallest restaurant. "I hope you like Mexican food?"
"Of course I love it." She jumped out of the car.
He loved watching Loren smile. They went inside and were seated at a corner booth. "They're famous for their sopes."
"I love those, my grandmother use to make them."
He smiled. "Really? I always have to explain to everyone what they are."
The waiter stopped at their table to ask if they wanted something to drink; Eddie asked for a beer and Loren ordered a mojito.
Within a few minutes the waiter brought their drinks and took their order. She smiled when she heard Eddie order two sope dinners.
"Are you sure that's what I wanted?"
"You just said your grandmother use to make them for you; that was a clue to order that dish."
She smiled; lately she did that a lot. "I'm going to ask for a spicy salsa."
"Wow first girl I…" He stopped himself, Loren noticed. "What were you going to say?"
"Nothing important."
"Oh come on Eddie, spill it."
"I was going to say first girl I'm out on a date with that actually wants something spicy."
Loren tried not to laugh. "So this is a date?"
He narrowed his eyes. "Two people out to dinner; I'd say yes it's a date."
"Hmmm sounds like I'm finally cashing in on my prize from the carnival."
"You can't be serious?"
She smiled and took a sip from her drink. "Why?"
"That carnival prize is supposed to be a formal dinner, this doesn't count!"
"You're really weird Eddie Duran."
"Oh so now I'm weird."
The waiter finally brought their dinner plates and they ate and enjoyed every bite. They chatted and laughed. They were genuinely having a great time. Eddie was content; this whole collaboration was the best idea his dad ever had. Maybe just maybe Loren was finally giving him a chance.
After a few hours and a flan dessert they shared; Eddie dropped Loren off at Mel's. "I had a great time Loren."
"Thanks; I did as well."
He opened the door and she exited. For a moment things were silent between them. Since when was he so quiet in front of any girl?
"So I'm looking forward to our real dinner date."
"Sure." She couldn't stop smiling and started her way towards the back of the Duran's mansion and he drove off. She was looking for her keys when she felt someone grab her by the waist and pulled her to the side of the bushes. Loren's eyes widen when she realized who it was. "Tony what are you doing here? You scared me."
"You sure? I'm here to give you a warning."
Loren's eyes furrowed. What on earth did that mean? "What? What kind of warning?"
"Stay away from Eddie and anything close to him, if you care for this family you'll do as you're told!"
Loren tried him pushing away. "Let go of me."
"You don't think I'm serious?"
"What the heck are you talking about?"
"You and I will talk in school tomorrow and not a word to anyone about this!"
"Tony you can't tell me what to do!"
Again he did the unthinkable, pushing Loren to the floor. She fell hitting the ground hard. "Is this proof enough?"
He walked away as she tried to get up. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she slowly opened the door to get inside.
Mel was getting out of the shower as Loren was walking in, holding her side and limping. "Hey I heard you went to have dinner with my brother?" She noticed Loren was crying. "Hey Lo you ok?"
Chapter ends here…so will Loren tell Mel what happened? What are Tony's plans? Kindly review.
Heartbeat song credit: The amazing Kelly Clarkson
