Hollywood Heights, Loren Tate; The story of my life
My daughters? Chapter 17
Dan sits, Loren's his daughter, it's a lot to take in, he tries to compose himself, he pulls Nora to the side of the patio, Lorena looks on, she hasn't moved from where she's standing, her concern is Loren. This powerful man who turns Musicians into well-known Artists is Loren's father.
"When Sofia and I eloped we were very young, I went to work that morning, my father was aware of my marriage to Sofia, I didn't have a choice, I didn't know we had a child."
"You couldn't stand up to your father? I thought you loved my sister?" Nora's upset, she remembers what Sofia went through.
"My father dragged me to a plane that day, we flew to Europe, I wasn't able to reach Sofia, I tried to call her, my father watched my every move, my calls were monitored, I couldn't do anything."
"My sister cried herself to sleep each night, she knew you weren't coming back, she remained hopeful."
"I loved her Nora, you have to believe me when I tell you she was my life, I married her because I loved her, I told my parents, my father was a ruthless man, he didn't care about anything, I had brought shame to his family name, he threatened me, I was trained to take over his company."
"Did you try to find her after you lost your father?"
Dan leans on the wall; the ambitious man who controls the music world can't respond.
"Decisions were made for me; I have to make this right."
Nora laughs. "Now? You do know Sofia died giving birth to your daughters?"
He narrows his eyes trying to understand everything. "Daughters?"
"Loren has a twin Dan; you have another daughter."
He places his hands on his face. "I had no idea."
"Did you know she died?"
He closes his eyes; the pain is too much to bare. "I hired a detective to find her, he gave me the news."
Nora can tell he's hurting. "Your daughters grew up without you in their lives; didn't your detective tell you?"
"No, I hired him to look for Sofia Roberts; the girls didn't have my name, he didn't know."
Lorena sees Dan and Nora talking, she looks for her granddaughter, she's talking and laughing with Dan's girls, they're Loren's half-sisters, there's a connection between them. "Can you design something for us right now?" Jillian asks.
Loren smiles. "Of course, what would you like?"
"I'd love a dress like yours."
Dalia jumps in too. "I want a gown!"
Loren takes the iPad out of her bag. "Let's see what I can come up with."
The girls smile and watch Loren's creativity through the sketches, she moves with so much ease.
Gail walks towards them. "Have you seen your Dad?"
They answer without looking at her. "I think he's inside."
Lorena walks towards Dan and Nora. "Your wife is looking for you."
He acknowledges her. "I'm not done talking to you Nora."
He walks away to look for his wife. Lorena turns to her daughter. "Do you think it was a good idea to confront him right now?"
"He had to know mama, Loren and Lucy are his daughters, he has to face reality."
"I don't want him to think we want his money."
"I knew this would eventually happen, Dan is a very important man in the music industry, his daughters need to know."
"He seemed surprised to hear about Loren and Lucy."
Nora looks down. "I know mama; how do we tell the girls?"
"You're getting ahead of yourself, let's take it one day at a time, let Dan figure this out, he has to tell his family."
"What will Vince do when he finds out? Loren has gone through so much."
Lorena doesn't understand. "Why is my Lorenita hurting?"
Nora's quiet for a moment. "Our Loren is in love with Eddie."
Lorena takes a deep breath. "I tried to ignore it, I want to punch Eddie, he has no idea how much my girl is hurting." Nora knows her mama is protective of the girls. "Why can't he see how beautiful Lorenita is inside and out, she's nothing like Lucy!"
Nana is upset, she looks for Eddie. "Not now mama, this isn't the place to talk to him."
They make their way back into the patio. Gail's instructing the waiters and waitresses to serve the guests.
Dan pretends he's fine, he looks for Loren, there's a lot of Sofia in her, her hair and eyes. Her smile, he wants to meet Lucy, are they identical or fraternal twins?
He sighs, how he's going to break the news to Gail. How will his daughters react to the news? He realizes is dating Loren, how will he react? Many questions that need answers.
Gail notices. "Our guests are enjoying their meals, you have been playing with your food darling, are you ok?"
He nods. "You know me so well; I never stop working in my head."
"Not right now Dear, let's enjoy this dinner party."
He sighs. "I'm trying."
Dan searches the area and finds Nora and Lorena talking to Loren and Vince. He's worried about the reaction the girls will have when they find out he's their father, will Loren hate him? What about Lucy?
He runs into Nora. "Can I have a minute?"
She asks Loren and Nana to excuse her. "Be right back."
Vince holds Loren's hand and kisses it. "Looks like our family were a hit."
Loren smiles shyly. "I think so."
Loren moves her hair away from her face, she gets up and pulls her dress down. "I'm getting more lemonade."
"Can I have more lemonade mi Niña." Nana adds.
Loren walks away, Kevin heads her way. "Vince's family loves you."
"I guess they do."
"You seem anxious."
"I know, I'm sorry, I'm nervous, there a lot of well-known people here."
"I must admit you look very beautiful, I'm sure everyone's noticed."
"You're always very sweet Kevin, are you related to Eddie?"
"Give him a break, he's a great guy, you have to give him a chance."
"I've never had a problem with him; he's always bothered by my presence."
"Can I tell you something?" Kevin whispers.
Loren furrows her eyes. "Sure."
Kevin looks around. "According to Eddie, you look very beautiful."
Loren blushes. "Really?"
"Why are you surprised? You look amazing today."
"Thanks, can't picture Eddie giving me a nice compliment."
"You have his undivided attention today."
Loren smiles, deep down she's blushing; she's happy to hear that.
Jillian approaches them. "I asked my dad if you can make the dress you designed for me, he said I can have it."
"That's great." Loren says.
"I'm sure Dalia wants you to make her dress too."
Dan takes a walk on the other side of the house with Nora. "I'm talking to Gail tonight; she has to know about Loren and Lucy."
"It's a good idea, you should do it soon."
"I'm sorry about everything."
Nora sighs. "I believe you when you said you knew nothing about your daughters."
"Loren reminds me of Sofia, she's very beautiful."
Nora smiles; she hugs Dan. Gail finds Dan on the other side of the patio, she wonders what's going on. She clears her throat.
Nora pulls away and looks at Gail. "Dan and I are old friends."
Gail tries to smile. "If you don't mind Nora, I would like to talk to my husband."
Nora takes a few steps away. She looks at Dan. "You have to tell her today."
She walks away, Gail seems confused. "Tell me what? What's going on Dan?"
"It's not what it seems."
"I saw her hugging you; I didn't know you knew Loren's family!"
She looks at him somewhat confused. "We have guests here; you have been acting weird all afternoon, what's going on?"
He takes a sip of the glass of water in his hands. "I'd rather talk later."
"No, she said you should tell me today, we're alone here, tell me what?"
Dan takes a deep breath; it's either now or never. "Remember I told you I was married once?"
"Yes, you were very young at the time."
"Her name was Sofia, she's Nora's sister."
"Is something wrong with Sofia? I thought you divorced her?"
"My father took care of that, I never knew what he did."
"You have my attention Dan, what happened? Are you still married to her?"
He turns away, facing the huge lake behind their home, the breeze is soft and warm that day.
"No darling, Sofia died."
Gail hugs him. "I'm sorry."
"I've known for a while." He sighs.
"Is that what Nora was telling you?"
"She was upset I walked out on Sofia, I was young, too young to know any better, too young to stand up to my father, too young to know anything."
"I get that, what's the problem? I think we can deal with the outcome, tell me more."
"I know we can, I need to make something right."
"What is it?"
"She said Sofia died giving birth."
Gail's eyes widen. "Oh my God, that's terrible."
"I had no idea she was pregnant."
"You can't blame yourself."
"I should have never let my father get in the way."
"I'm sorry you lost your family."
He looks at his wife in the eyes. "The girls are alive."
Gail sighs. "Girls?"
"I had no idea they existed."
"Is that what Nora was telling you?"
"Yes, she dropped the news a little earlier."
"That's why you've been so distracted, what happened to the girls?'
He looks at her, his eyes focused on her reaction. "Loren is my daughter."
"Loren the girl dating my son?"
"Yes, she has a twin sister."
Gail sighs heavily. "I don't know what to think of this?"
"There's nothing to think about Gail, I have to acknowledge my daughters, you have to help me to tell our daughters."
"Of course, we have to tell Vince."
"He's not related to Loren, he's your son."
"I need time to let this sink in; I can't imagine how this will affect our family."
"They have a right to know about Loren and Lucy."
"We will talk later; we have to tell Vince."
"I'm sure it won't matter to him."
"It's his choice, I don't know how he will react to the news that he's dating your daughter."
They hear music playing in the other side of the house. "Did we hire musicians?"
"We better join our guests." Gail holds his hand and they walk back into the patio.
Vince is talking to Kevin, Eddie's nearby. He takes a box out of his pocket. "What do you think?"
Kevin's eyes widen. "I see it and don't believe it; Vince Vega wants to settle down?"
"Loren is amazing; I won't let her get away."
"When are you asking?" Kevin wonders. Eddie rolls his eyes, he has to say something. "Please tell me you're planning a romantic place to propose?"
"This place is very romantic."
Eddie laughs. "She might say no, you don't want that in front of all these people, do it in a private place."
Vince looks at Kevin; he shrugs his shoulders. "I'll think about it."
Vince gets up, Eddie turns to Kevin. "Is he asking her right here?"
"I don't know; he's headed towards Loren." Eddie shakes his head. "I hope she says no!"
Oh boy!