Hollywood heights, Loren Tate; The story of my life.

Who is Dan Roberts? Chapter 16

Loren semi smiles. "Excuse me." She turns towards Vince. "I have to get back inside to get my things."

He smiles. "I'll wait for you, Dan's Jet waits at the airport, we can fly back together."

She turns to look at Gail. "Mrs. Roberts, it was nice meeting you, I'll be right back."

"Of course sweetie." Loren walks back into the building; Gail can't stop smiling. "I like her, she's beautiful."

"Would I lie to you?"

"I wonder if you lied when you said you met the right girl." She says.

"I mean it this time." Vince responds.

She squeezes his cheeks. "I can't believe you'll finally settle down."

Loren walks back to the office where she has left her things. Kelly stands nearby. "What is Dan Roberts doing here?"

Loren furrows her eyes. "You know him?"

"He owns the music industry, anyone involved in the music world belongs to him."

Loren pulls her hair to the side. "He owns Eddie?"

"He owns everyone."

"Something about him gave me a funny feeling."

"Why?"

Loren shrugs her shoulders. "I can't explain it."

She gets her things together. "I think I'm done here, tell Eddie I was here and finished what his majesty requested."

"Why don't you tell him yourself?"

She turns and sees him standing behind her, he heard what she said, he acknowledges Kelly. "Why is Dan Roberts here?"

"He's with Vince."

He finally acknowledges Loren. "I'm glad you came."

"Was there a doubt?" Loren questions.

He notices how different she looks, she's more beautiful. "I don't know, thanks." He says.

Loren has to know. "Do I still have a job?"

He rolls his eyes. "Yes!"

"I'm off, see you in LA Kelly."

"Sure, I'll fly back tomorrow, are you flying back with Vince and his family?"

Loren gives her a fake smile. "Looks like I have no choice." She leaves the room. Eddie follows her until she disappears.

"I don't get you."

"What's there to get?" He asks.

"She's crazy about you, I know you like what you see, what gives Eddie?"

There's sadness in his look, he doesn't respond, and walks away.

Loren sits in the Limo with Vince's family; Gail's very talkative. Dan sits nearby. Vince introduces his sisters to Loren.

Jillian's the oldest of the girls. She's 19, and Dalia's 15. The girls look through Loren's sketch book.

"These are amazing Loren; I'd love to design."

"You should try it; I enjoy it very much."

They finally arrive at the airport; the Limo's guided to a private area where everyone boards Dan's plane.

Vince holds Loren's hand. "I hope it's fine my family joined us?"

"No problem, listen, I didn't know your father is famous."

Vince smiles. "He's my step father, my dad died in a car accident when I was 5, I was 10, when my mom met Dan, he wanted to adopt me, I wanted to keep my father's name, it's complicated, I don't like talking about it, Dan's been a great husband to my mom, and a great father to my sisters."

Loren scans the Jet while settling into their chairs, Dan approaches them. "Feel free to order anything you want; I hope you're hungry?"

"Thank you, I will." She turns towards Vince. "I'm starving."

He hands her a menu. Loren's eyes widen when she sees the selections. "Filet Mignon?"

"He eats very well."

A few minutes later, Loren enjoys her selection. The jet lands in LAX in a private area. Everyone exits the airline. Loren walks down the stairs provided for them. She stops when she reaches the floor. "My car is parked here Vince; I have to see Nana and Aunt Nora."

Gail interrupts her. "I have a brunch planned for tomorrow, I'd love you to come; bring your family Loren."

She smiles. "Thank you Mrs. Roberts, I'll let them know."

"Great, see you at noon, here's the address." She hands her a card. Loren gives Vince a quick peck on the cheek and leaves.

Gail smiles, her son is happy. "Don't let her get away?"

"I'm planning something special for Loren."

She hugs him. "I want to be here when that happens."

"How long will you guys stay in LA?"

"Dan has several things to take care off, he has meeting with Jake Madsen amongst others."

"Does he ever have fun?"

Gail smiles. "He's a man with many ideas in his head."

"I know, that's why he's the king of the music world."

"He loves what he does; his father left him no choice when he made him CEO of Roberts Records."

"I'm surprised he was allowed to marry you."

Gail furrows her eyes. "Why?"

"I remember his mom telling him a few years ago that he had to run their business with a full head, no distractions were allowed."

Gail looks through her bag. "I know, when we met he was already in charge of the company, I know he was in love once."

"Really, can't picture Dan in love with someone else."

"There was someone, I don't know what happened to be honest."

"Got to go, I have several things to get ready for, see you at noon tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

Meanwhile, Dan Roberts sits in Jake's office. "I want to make sure Eddie's next album will be ready soon."

"Yes, he'll be back soon, he's been busy touring."

Dan stands up. "I have an idea; my wife is having brunch tomorrow at noon, why don't you and Eddie join us?"

"That's a great idea; I guess we'll see you there."

They shake hands, Dan leaves; his waiting limo is parked in front of the building. Jake picks up his phone and tells Kelly that Eddie will fly that night, per Dan Roberts, he's to be present.

Loren stops at her grandmothers; she's baking; her grandmother is making her infamous Colombian pudding bread. Her childhood days consisted of cooking and baking in her kitchen. She's happy to have those memories and recipes.

"How long have you been standing there mi nina?"

"Long enough Nana, it smells incredible in here."

"You spoiled the surprise I had for you."

"I'm not that hungry, I had the most amazing meal on the plane."

"The food has improved that much?"

Loren giggles. "No, I was with Vince and his step father, I flew into LA with them, they served gourmet dishes, and amazing steaks."

"Really, sounds delicious."

"It was; I didn't know Vince's step dad is huge in the music industry."

Nora walks in with bag of groceries; Loren helps her place them on the table.

"It smells very good in here."

Loren agrees "Nana is making her famous pudding bread."

"She mentioned it this morning, I thought she had forgotten."

Nana smiles. "I always do what I promise."

"I know mom, I'm kidding." Nora says.

Loren helps Nora put the groceries away. "Before I forget, we're invited for brunch tomorrow."

"Where?" Nora's curious.

"I was telling Nana I flew into LA with Vince and his family."

"Really? Sounds like fun."

"I enjoyed these amazing gourmet dishes on board, anyway, his mom us to brunch."

"That's great, we don't have any plans."

Lorena smiles. "We will go; we can meet Vega family."

Loren hugs Nana. "Their last name is Roberts, he's Vince's step-father."

Nora almost drops what she's putting into the fridge. "Did you say Roberts?"

Loren responds nonchalantly. "Yes, he owns the music industry, it felt weird, I can't explain it."

Nora looks her mom. Loren doesn't notice, she grabs an apple and kisses them. "Save me a huge piece of bread pudding, I'll pick you up at 11:15, we don't want to be late."

"That's fine mi nina, we'll be ready."

Loren leaves, she closes the door behind her, Nora looks at her mom, there's fear in her eyes. "Mama did you hear the name?"

"I did."

"Oh my God, I hope it's not him."

Lorena sits down, many memories flow back. "What are we going to do Nora?"

"Let's not panic, we will get ready and go with Loren, let's remain calm, it could be someone else with the same name."

"Nora, his family owned a huge music company; that's how Sofia met Dan."

"She was in charge of the talent show in school."

"Let's eat Nora, tomorrow will be another day, we won't worry right now, it could be someone else."

Nora can't stop thinking about it. "You're right."

The following morning, Loren showers and looks through her closet for the perfect dress to wear.

"Where are you going today? You're up early?" Mel wonders.

"I met Vince's family yesterday, his mom invited us to brunch."

"Really? This is getting serious."

She rolls her eyes. The thought of spending the afternoon with Vince and his family will be fun, she can't stop thinking of the Duran's. "I miss Katy and Max; haven't seen them in a while."

"What about Eddie? I know you haven't gotten over him."

Loren's afraid to answer; she doesn't look at Mel. "I'll be fine."

"Liar, I know you!"

Her throat tightens. "Stop it."

"Look at me and tell me the truth."

Loren responds without looking at Mel. "I've loved Eddie the moment I heard him on the radio, who knew we'd meet, then Lucy happened."

"I know Loren."

Loren sighs. "I'm getting ready to go, are you coming with me?"

"Are you sure it's ok?"

"I'm sure Vince will not mind; he knows we're sisters."

"Thanks Lo, I love you!"

"I love you, I suggest you get ready, I have to get Nana and Aunt Nora, I don't want to be late for Vince and his family."

"I'll be ready."

Mel walks away, Loren finally decides on a dress. It's close to 11 when Loren and Mel leave.

Nora's worried, she doesn't want to worry her mom, when they arrive, she'll make sure if he's Dan Roberts, Loren and Lucy's father.

Loren's punctual, she looks beautiful, wearing a silk dress that hugs her petite curves perfectly, her make-up and hair are on point, she always manages to look beautiful.

They leave to meet Vince and his family at their home in Beverly Hills.

They're greeted by the butler who walks them into the huge patio. The tables are set with a variety of dishes. Mel's the first to speak.

"I'd love to cook something in this huge place; I love the kitchen in the patio."

Loren looks at her surroundings. "It's beautiful, look at the pool Nana."

"I saw it mi Niña, it's beautiful."

Vince walks into the room; he makes his way towards Loren. "Hey beautiful." He places a soft kiss on her lips. He acknowledges Nana, Nora and Mel. He directs them to the other side of the patio. Loren walks in and catches sight of Eddie and his parents, Jake and Kelly are there too, she smiles. "I have to go and greet the Duran's, I'm happy they're here."

She walks towards them, she avoids making eye contact with Eddie, he can't help it, he notices how beautiful she looks, that change in hair style makes more beautiful. Loren directs her attention towards Katy. "I've missed you." She hugs her.

"Me too, I'm very happy to see you too." She hugs Max. "Hey beautiful, I've missed your smiles." Loren blushes.

"You're very sweet." She says hello to the one and only, why is it hard to look at him? "Hi Eddie."

He nods, Gail walks in, she notices the Duran's. She greets them with a smile. "Is Kevin joining us?"

"He should be here shortly." Jillian and Dalia see Loren; they walk towards her to say hello. The last one to make an entrance is Dan, he notices Loren's grandmother and narrows his eyes, is it really her? He sees Nora, she freezes at the sight of the man who broke her sisters' heart. He shakes hands with his guests, he makes his way towards Nora.

"I can't believe it's you."

"it's me, Nora Tate."

He hears Loren laughing and turns towards her, he looks at Nora again. "I thought her name sounded familiar, I thought it was too much of a coincidence, is she your daughter?"

Lorena looks at him, she never thought they'd see him again. "No Dan, her mom was Sofia, remember her? That makes her your daughter!"

Dan's eyes turn towards Loren who's standing by his girls. "My daughter?"

Sorry, chapter ends here!