Hollywood Heights, Loren Tate; The story of my life.
I only have eyes for you Chapter 11
Kevin exits the elevator, Loren walks past him, he stops her, she leans on him crying.
"What's wrong?"
Katy catches up. "It's nothing against you, it scared us to see Evan react that way, Eddie isn't mad at you."
She leans on Kevin. "It doesn't matter Katy, it will always be about Lucy and what she did to Evan, somehow it's my fault!"
Katy sighs, if she could, she would fix this.
Kevin furrows. "What happened?" Katy sighs.
"Evan woke up, Loren walked in, it freaked him out, his reaction scared us, Eddie asked Loren to leave."
"He yelled at me!" Loren says.
Kevin helps Loren to sit. "Calm down, stay here, let me go see what's going on."
"I'd rather leave."
"No, I don't want you to leave like this, please wait?"
Loren wipes the tears from her eyes. Kevin walks towards Evan's room. Katy gently rubs Loren's arm. "I hate seeing you cry; I'll be right back."
She walks into Evan's room with Kevin. "How is he?"
"They stabilized him, he's still not saying a word, his eyes are open, they're fixated on the wall." Max replies.
Eddie sits quietly next to Evan's bed. Kevin approaches him. "You ok?"
"The Dr. says there isn't much more they can do, the injury he sustained is serious."
"Now what?"
"I don't know Kevin, look at him, he lies there lifeless, his eyes are partially opened, there's no movement or reaction."
"I heard you yelled at Loren."
Eddie deeps a deep breath. "You should have seen him, he freaked when he saw her."
Kevin stops him. "Wait, you realize that's Loren? Not Lucy?"
"He didn't know; he thought it was Lucy, who knows why he reacted that way!"
Max steps in. "Lower your voice son."
He sits back down holding his head. Katy kneels down in front of him. "Sweetie you have to be strong, things aren't looking good for Evan."
He gets up and walks towards the elevator area, he finds Loren sitting. She sees him and looks away. She grabs her bag and gets up. "Loren wait. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell."
She won't look at him. "The story of my life." She takes a few steps.
Sally walks in. "I brought you some coffee, I have some to your parents, is there anything else you need?"
He smiles. "Thanks, I'm fine."
Kevin walks out of the room. "Are you ready?"
She gets up. Sally's still standing next to Eddie. "Let's go Kevin." Eddie takes a few steps towards Loren. "I'll see you later?"
She nods; she doesn't want to look at him. It seems Sally has his attention; she doesn't look like Lucy. Kevin holds her from the back and they leave. The ride home is quiet. All you could hear is the noise of the car and the soft music playing in the background. "I want to make sure you're ok?"
She sighs. "I am, thanks, you're a great friend."
"I'm here for you."
"I appreciate everything you do. "
He stops in front of Loren's condo. "Listen, there's a huge dinner in the a few weeks, my sister constantly holds dinner parties to raise money, I was wondering if you would like to come with me?"
She acknowledges him with a small smile. "I'm going to be there too, Katy asked me to decorate the stage."
"You still have to eat, maybe dance?"
"Sounds like fun, I'd love too."
She opens the car door and turns towards Kevin. "See you Kevin, thanks again."
"Anytime."
He drives off, she reaches the door. She walks in and finds Mel singing.
"Someone is in a good mood."
Mel turns towards her with a huge smile. "Katy called earlier today, she wants me to cater an event in a few weeks, I'm so excited."
"I'm happy for you, guess we're going to be there, I'm in charge of the stage."
"Why you?"
"That's my specialty, remember Prom?"
"True! At least we'll be together."
She focuses on her hands. "I actually have a date?"
Mel almost drops the bowls she's holding. "Is it Eddie?"
Her eyes finally settle onto Mel's. "No, it's Kevin."
"Awww, don't say it so sad."
"Actually, I'm ok."
She sits, Mel sits next to her, Loren leans on her shoulder and tells everything that had happened at the hospital. Mel listens without interrupting her. She waits until Loren's done.
"Are you giving up?"
"I was determined not too, I don't know anymore, he was talking to a nurse today, he seemed very cozy with her."
"Are you going to be ok?"
"I don't know, Kevin asked me to the event, I'll try and enjoy myself, Eddie will see what he's missing."
Mel asks. "Are you sure you're Loren?"
"Take your hand off of my head, of course it's me, I'm going to shower."
"Proud of you Lo."
"Me too, I feel better, I'm going to go with the flow you know, and see what happens."
Loren keeps busy with Sylvia Tong for a few weeks; she's helping with some designs for the upcoming music awards. Many of the artists requested Sylvia, she asked Loren to help her.
The day of Katy's event arrives and Loren designs her own dress, it's strapless, the fabric allows the dress to cling on to her curves perfectly, it's black with tiny lines and dots running across the dress, her hair is straighten, her make-up perfect.
She works all morning on stage, she walks around the place to make sure everything is ready. Katy and Kevin walk in.
"Wow!"
Katy looks at him funny. "What's wrong?"
"Look at Loren, I don't know what's wrong with your son, she's beautiful, she's rocking that dress."
"He will come around; he wants Evan to get better."
"I hate to say it, I have a feeling someone is going to see how special she is, wish I had a chance."
Katy smiles; she can tell her brother's sincere. "What's stopping you?"
"She loves my nephew, I can't compete with that, if he doesn't wake up, I can't guarantee I won't try."
They laugh, Loren notices them and waves. "Hi, what do you think?"
"Loren, it's perfect."
"I love it; it doesn't look at beautiful as you." Kevin adds.
She blushes. "Thank you Kevin, you're so sweet."
Loren scans the area and smiles. She knows she's done a great job. "I'm trying to be modest, I think it's the best I've ever done."
Katy hugs her. "It's beautiful Loren, let's go check on Mel."
"Sure, I think everything is ready."
"One question Loren, please don't get upset?"
She furrows her eyes, and notices Katy's worried. "What's wrong?"
"Lucy isn't coming here?"
"No, she's on a job in New York."
"I'm sorry, I'm so happy to hear that."
"It's ok, I understand."
They walk into the kitchen and find Mel instructing the waiters what to do, when to serve.
"Looks like she has it under control." Loren says.
"I'm happy; I know this night will be very successful." Katy is thrilled.
"Am I over doing it?" Katy wonders.
"No, you're an amazing women Katy, I'm happy to know you, you do so much to help others, you inspire me to do it too."
"That's why I do it, thank you."
Mel realizes they're standing a few feet away. "Katy, I think we're ready when you are."
"Let me make sure the guests are seated."
Katy walks out, Loren trails behind her. Max's makes sure everyone takes their seats. The band is ready the opposite side of the room.
"There's going to be music?"
"Didn't I tell you? Eddie is performing a few songs."
"No you didn't, that's great, no wonder there are so many people here tonight."
"They come for the food, I'm sure they're here for my son."
Loren doesn't say another word. She checks on the florist, they placing the last of the flowers on stage. Deep down she's excited Eddie will perform tonight; it's been a few weeks since she's seen him, he's going to be touring in the fall.
Katy signals the waiters, they walk in with trays of food and place them in front of each guest.
Loren sits at a nearby table. Kevin appears with a big smile. "Do you mind if I join you?"
"Of course not."
"I have a friend joining me." He tells Loren.
Loren smiles. "A girl?"
His eyes narrow. "Why are you surprised?"
"You're an amazing guy, you deserve the best."
"I haven't found the right girl yet, one of my best friends."
"Really? That's great."
"I'm warning you right now, he loves beautiful women."
Loren rolls her eyes. "Somehow, I'm not surprised."
Eddie walks onto the stage and takes the mic and greets everyone.
He begins with one of his favorite hits, the audience enjoys listening to him. Everyone applauds when they realize it's his first hit. Loren smiles, it's one of her favorite songs too, she loves watching him perform. He has a special way of making his songs come alive.
Kevin notices she's lost in the lyrics; she only has eyes for him. He waves his hand in front of her face.
"Earth to Loren."
"Sorry, that's one of my favorite songs."
"There's a dance floor."
She finally looks at him. "Everyone is eating."
"Nothing wrong with a dance to go with the song."
She bites her lower lip. "Are you sure?" She scans the room, it's awkward to be the only girl on the dance floor, but Kevin is serious, he stands in front of her and extends his hand. She smiles, and catches sight of Katy who's a few feet away. She signals it's ok.
Loren walks to the center of the dance floor where Kevin holds her by the waist and they sway beautifully on the dance floor. She smiles while Kevin turns her around gracefully, she looks towards the stage, Eddie is performing another one of his hits and looks their way while they continue to dance. Eddie's done, Kevin walks Loren back to the table.
Eddie performs two more songs before taking a small break. Max offers him a bottle of water; he walks off the stage.
"That was great son."
He takes a sip. "Thanks pops, looks like Mom has a full house."
"She's always manages to bring in the crowds when her favorite son performs."
They hear noise by the entrance, a tall handsome guy walks in. He smiles when he approaches Eddie and Max.
"Hey, what's up Vince?"
"Not much, got a call from Kevin, thought I'd drop in and help out."
"You're going to sing for charity?"
"Hey if that's what Katy wants, that's what she gets."
Kevin notices Vince and waves. Vince catches sight of Loren who's sitting by him. "A vision of beauty."
Eddie chuckles. "That's Kevin you're looking at."
"No, I see a gorgeous brunette sitting by him, excuse me gentlemen, I caught sight of the most beautiful thing in this place."
Eddie looks at Max who shrugs his shoulders. "You know Vince."
Vince arrives at the table where Kevin is sitting with Loren, he gives Kevin a side hug, he immediately looks at Loren who's taking a sip of her glass of wine.
"Who may I ask in this beautiful woman?"
Kevin smiles, he turns his attention on Loren, she stands up to greet him, Vince checks her out, he looks at her from top to bottom.
"Vince Vega, this is my good friend, Loren Tate."
He holds her hand and kisses it. "It's my pleasure to meet you Loren."
She slightly blushes. "Nice to meet you, Vince."
He looks at Kevin quite not sure what to make of the whole thing. "Don't tell me she's your girl?"
"No, she's my friend."
Vince turns his attention on her. "Well then, you have to know one thing?"
"What is that?" She asks.
Eddie walks towards them, he stops when he sees Vince kiss her hand, he looks attentively into her eyes.
"Tonight belongs to you; I only have eyes for you Loren Tate." He kisses her hand again.
She smiles, Kevin walks her to the middle of the dance floor, she looks at Eddie, they hear noise coming from the stage area, Kevin glances towards Eddie who hears the band begin to play merengue, one of Vince's specialties.
Well well well, looks like another guy has entered the picture, how many more before Eddie wakes up?