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Chapter 21

(Nora is at the café in town having a cup of coffee and her mind wanders. She thinks about this morning when she went to the MK without realizing it and running into Max. She rests her face in her hands in frustration)

Nora: "What am I doing? I should not be having these feelings for another man, especially being I'm married."

(Nora lifts her head and looks ahead of her)

Nora: "No matter what kind of problems Trent and I are having, I shouldn't have gone to Maax. I don't even know why I did. I-it's like something led me there." (confused) "Is-Is it possible to have feelings for Max Duran even though we just met?"

(Just then a familiar voice appears in front of Nora)

Girl: "Surprised to see you here, especially around this time of day. Thought you'd be at work."

(Nora looks up to see Melissa in front of her. Nora offers a small smile)

Nora: "Hey, Mel."

Melissa: (puzzled) "What's wrong?"

Nora: (shakes her head) "I'm okay."

(Melissa sits down across from Nora)

Melissa: (shakes her head) "Mm-mm. Mm-mm. No. I know something is wrong. I can tell by looking at you." (sighs) "Nora, I may be friends with Loren, but I consider you one, too. I'm here for you and I know when you need to get something out. Now, granted, I'm younger, but it doesn't mean I don't have experience with this." (smirks) "Just ask your daughter."

(Nora can't help but laugh at Melissa's comment)

Melissa: "Talk to me. Please?"

Nora: (sighs) "Trent and I had a fight this morning." (moves her head in circles) "Well, I should say we had a blow up."

Melissa: (confused) "Why?"

Nora: "He doesn't like Loren and Eddie together, for starters. I don't know why. It's clear how they feel about each other."

Melissa: (scoffs) "Well, yeah, anyone with eyes can see it. That's weird that he has a problem with it."

Nora: (nods) "I know. He claims that she's too young for Eddie, which I don't agree with."

Melissa: "Yeah, well, I'm sure when Trent was Loren's age, he had girlfriends or some that were younger than him." (rolls her eyes) "Gotta love men."

Nora: (scoffs) "Ain't that the truth?"

Melissa: "So what's the other thing Trent pissed you off about?"

Nora: "He accused me of having feelings for another man. Needless to say, I was not happy."

Melissa: (puzzled) "Who's the guy Trent accused you of having feelings for?"

Nora: (sighs) "Oh, you're gonna love this. Max."

Melissa: (eyes wide open) "Max? As in Max Duran?"

Nora: (nods) "The one and only."

Melissa: "I knew he had feelings for you, but…"

Nora: (leans back surprised) "How did you know?"

Melissa: "Anyone with eyes can see it. I could also tell you enjoyed chatting with him. There's nothing wrong with chatting with friends."

Nora: "Yeah, well, unfortunately, my husband doesn't see it that way. As a matter of fact, he accused me of having feelings for Max."

(Melissa studies Nora's facial expressions before speaking)

Melissa: "Do you?"

(Nora looks at Melissa with a shocked look)

Nora: "What?"

Melissa: (sighs) "For the record, Nora, I saw the way Max looked at you at the MK and it was clear he enjoyed your company. I could tell Trent didn't exactly like that. When no one was paying attention, I saw him giving you and Max dirty looks. You may not be able to admit it Nora, but if Trent can tell how you feel, chances are Loren will, too."

Nora: (groans) "Great! I wish I knew what to do." (nervously) "Has Loren confided in you on what's been going on in her life or at home?"

Melissa: (shakes her head sadly) "Not as often as I'd like. I get the sense that Loren is holding something back."

Nora: (confused) "What do you mean? Holding what back?"
Melissa: (shakes her head) "I don't know. She won't tell me. I-I get the feeling it's important the way she laughs it off or changes the subject."

Nora: "Huh. I've noticed that, too, but I just figured it was the stress of being a teenager."

Melissa: (laughs) "Oh, trust me, there's always stress of being a teenager. Just ask Adam."

Adam: "Ask Adam what?"

(Nora and Melissa turn their heads to see Adam looking at them)

Melissa: "Well, hello there."

Nora: "Hello, Adam."

Adam: (smiles) "Hi, Mrs. Tate. Okay, Mel, what were you saying about me?"

Melissa: (grins) "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Adam: (sarcastically) "Ha-ha. Funny." (to Nora) "Do I dare ask?"

Nora: "She was just talking about the stress of being a teenager."

Adam: (scoffs) "Ain't that the truth?"

Nora: "Well, I better get going. Adam, you can have my spot."

Adam: (confused) "Are you sure?"

Melissa: (puzzled) "Where are you going? I didn't mean to talk so much if I did."

Nora: (smiles) "No, sweetie, you're fine. I should get home and talk to Trent. I don't like how we left things this morning."

Melissa: (rolls her eyes) "You mean when he yelled at you?"

Adam: "Whoa. What?"

Nora: "I'll talk to you two later. Thanks for listening Mel. Bye, Adam."

(Before Adam and Melissa can say anything else, Nora leaves the café. Adam looks at Melissa with a confused look)

Adam: "What just happened?"

Melissa: "Problems at the Tate house."

Adam: "Do I dare ask?"

Melissa: (shakes her head) "Nothing you need to concern your pretty little mind over. Come sit down."

Adam: (chuckles) "If you insist."

Melissa: (nods) "Yes, I do."

(Adam and Melissa chat. At Eddie's penthouse, Loren has just finished her homework while Eddie finishes the lyrics for his latest song. Loren gets up off the couch and goes to Eddie, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, causing him to chuckle softly)

Eddie: "Hey, beautiful."

Loren: (chuckles) "Hey, handsome."

Eddie: "How's your homework coming?"

Loren: "Just finished. Your song?"

Eddie: "Got the lyrics all done. Now trying to put the music with it."

Loren: "It'll be great."

Eddie: "With you as my inspiration, yes, it will."

(Eddie turns halfway around and wraps his arms around Loren's waist and sets her down on his lap, making her squeal and laugh)

Loren: "What are you doing?"

Eddie: "This."

(Eddie presses his lips against hers and when she's receptive, they open their mouths enough to let their tongues linger. After breaking free, they look at each other and smile)

Eddie: "Are you happy?"

Loren: (laughing) "What?"

Eddie: "I just want to make sure you're happy."

Loren: (smiles) "With you…always."

(Eddie looks down and sighs and Loren can tell something is on her mind)

Loren: "Honey, are you okay?"

Eddie: "There's-There's something that's been on my mind since the night at the MK when we all hung out. I didn't think of it much until this morning when I talked to pop about it."

Loren: "O-kay. Can you tell me what it is?"

Eddie: (sighs) "It's about what I picked up on between your mom, my dad, and Trent."

Loren: (puzzled) "What do you mean?"

(Eddie looks up to see Loren's confused face)

Eddie: "I know I don't know Trent that well and if I am off base, please let me know. But I got the impression he wasn't happy with your mom or you. The way she was chatting with my dad or that you are with me."

(Loren looks around the room and Eddie can tell he hit a nerve)

Eddie: "Baby, I-I'm…I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. That wasn't my intention."

(Loren shakes her head and briefly smiles)

Loren: "No, you didn't offend me, Eddie. I know you mean well."

Eddie: "Is everything okay?"

(Loren looks at Eddie nervously)

Loren: "W-What do you mean?"

Eddie: "Babe, you know you can tell me anything, right? I'm always here for you."

Loren: (nervously) "Y-Yeah, I know." (chuckles)

(Eddie takes Loren's hand and brings her to the couch where they sit down. He plays with her hair before gently putting a strand of hair behind her ear. Eddie tenderly raises his hand and caresses her cheek, causing her to briefly close her eyes)

Eddie: "I know we haven't known each other that long, Loren. But next to my dad, you're my best friend. I love you more than I thought I could ever love someone. I thought I felt that way towards Chloe, but I was wrong. I'm in this for the long haul. I don't know how you feel…I mean if you feel the same way. When you hurt, I hurt. When we were just getting to know each other, I didn't notice the signs but now that we're in a place where we're this close, I want to protect you from the world. Just please, let me in."

(Loren closes her eyes and tries not to let the tears fall, but she can't help it. Eddie can tell whatever Loren is trying to hide is tearing her up inside)

Loren: (whispers) "If only you knew."

(Eddie looks at her with saddened eyes. He has tears in his eyes looking at her pain)

Eddie: "Knew what? Loren. I'm begging you. Pl-Please tell me."

Loren: (sniffles) "You'll think less of me, Eddie."

Eddie: (confused) "T-Think…Think less of you? Loren, that's not possible. Whatever it is, honey, we'll deal with it…together."

(Loren wants to tell him so bad, but fears he won't ever look at her the same after he knows her secret. She opens her mouth, but nothing comes out. Scared of possibly telling her love the truth, she gets up from the couch, causing him to look at her with a confused look)

Eddie: "L-Loren, wh-where are you going?"

(Loren quickly grabs her backpack and runs out of his condo. As she's leaving, he tries to chase after her)

Eddie: "Loren, please! Come back! I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to upset you!"

(Before Eddie can catch up to Loren, she quickly leaves, going as fast as she can. Jeffrey notices her leaving in a rush and asks her if everything is okay, but she doesn't respond. When Eddie runs into the hallway, Jeffrey looks at him)

Jeffrey: (concerned) "Eddie, is Loren okay?"

(Eddie faces Jeffrey and slides his hands through his spiked hair in a panic)

Eddie: "I-I-I don't know. I don't-don't know."

Jeffrey: "What are you gonna do?"

Eddie: (shakes his head quickly) "I don't know. But something is going on. I need to find her because I fear she's in danger."

(Eddie goes back into his condo and gets the keys to his blazer and locks his front door before running into the elevator, looking terrified)

Eddie: "Whoever is hurting you, Loren, I don't let them." (angrily) "I'll kill them before you get hurt."

(At the MK, Max is upstairs in his apartment when he hears a loud crash. When he opens his front door, he sees Trent smashing the shot glasses that are on the bar counter as well as anything else he can get his hands on. Max runs down the stairs and walks to Trent)

Max: (confused) "Trent? What the hell is going on? Why are you acting like this?"

(Trent looks at him with so much rage in his face and eyes that he looks like he could kill someone)

Trent: "It's time you and I had a little chat, Max. We need to get a few things straight."

I hope you liked the chapter. Pleas review so I know what you think. I really wanna know what you think of this chapter. Let me know what you think will happen or want to see have happen. I love hearing from you so I hope you'll leave feedback. Thank you for the reviews, follows, and favorites! Until next time!