Lies Chapter 14
Eddie sat playing his guitar in the balcony of his hotel, Ian walked in with two waters in his hands.
"So mate, how much longer will you tour this area?"
"Just this weekend, then I'm off to do some TV interviews before I head to Palo Alto then I'll head home."
Ian could see Eddie wasn't the same since he and Loren broke off all contact. He knew his best friend was hurting.
"Hey you have to start dating again."
Eddie's strummed his guitar trying to play one of his songs, but as usual, once he was alone, he couldn't concentrate.
"What for? I can't even think straight, I don't know how I'm functioning."
"Why don't you talk to her? Everything seems off Eddie."
"She lied, she's engaged to that idiot, and she's getting married soon."
"Ahhh I see you're watching her every move."
"Tony made sure all the papers had their engagement plastered all over the place, I still can't believe I fell for her lies."
"You know I always warned you of the ladies you've dated, but with Loren it was different, she's not the type to play around."
"Well you failed; she's just like the rest of them."
"Your actions say differently, you know you still care."
A silence fell between them, Ian knew he was hurting, he knew he still loved Loren, he could see it, Eddie couldn't hide how he felt; he knew it the moment his best friend laid eyes on Loren that night of the carnival, his eyes sparkled and honestly he was never the same.
Eddie sat quietly and a tear streamed down his cheek. "I love her Ian, I want to hate her, forget her and I can't, I don't know what I'm going to do without her."
"You should find her, you don't turn your feelings off that fast, and something happened mate."
Meanwhile…..
Nathan stood watching as Lupita closed the door behind her and entered the kitchen. "I need to talk to you." He turned towards Clara. "Leave the kitchen."
He faced her. "You and I have nothing to talk about; you left this home years ago on your own."
"We have plenty to talk about Nathan, I know what you did, you gave your daughter's baby away, but you had no idea Nora left a clue on that baby."
"What are you talking about old woman?"
She walked closer to him pressing her finger against his chest. "Is Loren Nora's baby?"
His eyes widen, his face flushed. "What are you talking about?"
"You know what I'm saying? Why are you forcing her to marry your nephew?"
"Get out of my home."
Lupita smiled. "I hit the nail on the head didn't I? I know you so well Nathan, I was here when Katy was born, then when Camila had Nora, I know your every move and I intent on finding out, you're done hurting my girls!"
He laughed sarcastically. "Your girls?"
"Yes I helped Camila raise your daughters, all you ever did was yell and complain about anything and everything, all you thought about was money and how to make more and more, you never paid attention to your wife."
"I loved my wife!"
"You loved her your way, you realized it once she got sick how amazing and wonderful she was, and then you became bitter and tortured your daughters with crazy rules, and now where are they? They couldn't stand to be near you again!"
"If you don't leave I'm having you arrested!"
She laughed. "Go ahead Nathan; I have so much to tell them."
He walked to open the door. "Leave old woman."
"You're a monster, what you did to my Niña Nora is unforgivable, you took her life away and she hasn't smiled like she use too all thanks to you!"
Lupita left and Nathan slammed the door, he grabbed the glass he was drinking from and threw it against the wall.
Lena walked in.
"Well well it looks like there are more against you dear Nathan, then with you."
"You have no say in this matter."
"Ha, you're mistaken my dear, I think if I got together with Lupita, I'm sure she and I would have so many things in common and our stories about you would coincide perfectly."
"I'm doing everything you asked to get what you want, leave me alone."
Lena sat watching Nathan squirm, was this powerful man coming down? That was something to see, he was able to control so many people for many years, his daughters walked out on him and now things were beginning to crumble for the high and mighty man. Her smile grew, she was going to enjoy every minute of this.
A few days later, Loren sat in her room trying to write; lyrics weren't coming to her as easily as before, without Eddie by her side, she felt empty, uninspired.
Her wedding to Tony was slowly getting closer; she felt her heart race at the thought of that day. How was she going to get away from this whole mess? She lost Eddie, her life wasn't the same, and honestly if she married Tony, would she care, maybe going back to school was the answer; she knew writing songs would end for sure, she couldn't even write anymore and she wasn't even married to him yet.
"You've been in here for a few hours, how is the writing going?"
Loren slightly turned and acknowledge Mia. "I'm experiencing writers block for the first time."
"I think I know why."
Loren sighed. "Really, what could it possibly be?"
"Loren you're the saddest bride I've ever seen, why are you doing this?"
"Out of love?"
Mia approached sitting in front of her. "How could you say out of love, you're going to marry the most annoying man I've ever met, it's obvious you don't love him, why are you allowing this?"
"I can't say Mia; please I've looked for ways of getting out of this to no avail."
"What does Tony have that you're willing to sacrifice your whole life for?"
Loren looked at Mia with pleading eyes. "You can't tell anyone."
"Loren its ok, I promise I won't." She held her hand.
Loren looked around to make sure no one was listening. "He said he would hurt Eddie and his family."
"Why would he threaten you like this?"
"He's inheriting a huge amount of money from his uncle, and if he isn't married, he could lose it all."
"And he decided it was you he wanted for this façade?"
"He fooled a lot of people, when I met him at school, he was this kind and gentle guy who pretended to care, he was always around and I thought he was sincere, but when Eddie came into the picture, he showed his true colors."
"Loren there must be a way for you to get out of this; you could talk to Eddie or Max?"
Loren stood up. "No!"
Mia noticed how frighten Loren became, she turned towards Mia. "I can't risk Eddie or his family getting hurt, they've been like family to me for many years, and how could I hurt my best friend's family?"
Mia walked towards the fridge taking a bottle of water. "There has to be a way out of this."
"No he knows I'm in love with Eddie, he doesn't care, and he laughs in my face when I remind him of my true feelings and his Uncle is all about the fortune Tony will in herit."
"Who's his uncle?"
"Nathan Gomez."
Mia's eyes widen, she knew who this monster was. Loren noticed how quiet Mia suddenly got. "You ok?"
Mia knew she couldn't reveal what she knew. "Listen think of how much you love Eddie, let that love inspire you to write the beautiful songs you're so well known for."
"You're so sweet."
"I just read Crystal is doing so well with her latest song written by you."
Loren smiled. "She called me again; she wants to see what I have."
"You have so much potential Loren; I know you can do this."
She suddenly felt happy. "You know you're right, I'm going to Lancrose, and I have some material I need to share with them."
"That's the Loren we love."
"Thanks Mia, I'm so grateful I met you and Lupita, I don't know where I'd be this moment if it wasn't for you both."
She hugged her. "I'm glad we're able to help, get your things ready and go, I know you have more amazing hits hidden in that notebook."
Loren picked up her things and walked out the door, the kitchen door opened and Lupita walked in. "Hi mama what's wrong?"
"Nothing I've been busy."
"Doing what? I know you called Aunt Margarita to come and help you with the restaurant, you never leave this place in the hands of just anyone."
"I will be helping my sister very soon." She pulled Mia to sit in front of her. "I saw Nathan a few days ago."
"Really?"
"Yes remember the necklace I told you about?"
"Yes the one Loren wears."
Mia stood up. "Wait you confronted Nathan?"
"I'm not afraid of him anymore; he knows I recognized the necklace."
Mia took a deep breathe. "I just found out Loren is going to marry Nathan's nephew."
"I know but I can't say anything until I'm sure she's Nora's baby."
"Mama do you know what this means? Loren is Nora's daughter; she's had her nearby all along."
"I know and I felt guilty for so many years, I had her the day Nathan walked into that room and walked away with her, I intend on returning her to Nora."
"Mama please make sure before you say anything."
Lupita sat down, Mia noticed she was breathing heavily and wondering how to get to the bottom of this. Mia took a few steps away. How could Loren get out of this?
Meanwhile…..
Loren arrived at Lancrose with a bit of excitement, that wasn't happening too often but entering that building got her inspiration going.
Crystal was leaving one of the rooms. "Loren it's so good to see you."
"Hey it's great to see you too."
"I'm so excited to get more music together, I should have an album soon, but it's clear I need more material and you're the one I need."
"Are you sure? I don't think Max would be too happy with your choice."
"Max knows I need your help, and it's ultimately my choice."
"I've left some songs with Teena, she'll be able to help you pick a few."
"I know I was talking to her, but I need you to guide me with the music and lyrics."
"I'll be here a few days this week."
Crystal couldn't hide her excitement. "I know, listen I have several people to see and one of them is Max, I'll catch up to you very soon."
Loren smiled. "Sure have fun." She sighed walking into one of the rooms that held all of the pianos. This was her favorite part of the day. She sat looking through her note, she was sure she could finish one of the songs.
The door suddenly opened and Teena walked in with Eddie, they were laughing and stopped when they realized Loren was a few feet away.
Teena was the first to speak. "Hey Loren I need to see you before you leave, Crystal is looking for new material."
"I know I just saw her."
Teena narrowed her eyes on Eddie whose look was fixated on Loren. "Ok then I'll see you later."
She left and Loren slightly turned back to face the piano she sat in front of, She could feel her heart beating fast, could Eddie hear it?
"Why are you here?" He asked his tone was not that of the Eddie she knew.
"You know why I'm here."
"Is this going to be a problem?"
She finally stood up and faced him. "No it's not a problem for me, why are you so upset?"
"You're kidding right?"
"Eddie can't we be civil? Act like adults?"
"I can't with people who lie to me."
She took a deep breath, she could see how hurt he was, and his body language and his voice said so much. "Eddie I never lied to you, there's so much I can't say but I never lied."
The look he gave Loren made her feel uncomfortable, he wasn't the Eddie she had gotten to know, the man she loved so much.
His eyes narrowed as he looked her way. "Just so you know, I lied when I told you I loved you, I never meant it."
He walked out slamming the door behind him, she stood there in pain, her heart literally breaking into pieces and the tears as always had no problem streaming down her cheeks. He's lying she thought, he couldn't possibly fake his feelings, she knew he meant it the day he told her, and his eyes told her every time, he had this way of looking at her, and now that look was breaking her heart.
Ok guys chapter ends here, I know no cliff hanger, just a simple ending. Listen I have no idea how writing music works and how some artists get their material from the song writers. Just going with the flow and my thoughts on the matter. Thanks again, and please kindly review.