Something More Hollywood Heights
And the winner is Chapter 19
Eddie opens the door; he grabs Ian from the shoulder. "You expect me to stay calm, what happened? What did she say?"
Ian's practically on the floor laughing. "I knew it mate, I knew this was news you'd love to hear."
"C'mon Ian, what did she say?"
Ian walks back into the penthouse. "Well if you must know, she turned him down."
Eddie tries to hide his smile. "Really?"
"I know you're pleased with the news, now what?"
"I don't know, I find myself thinking about her a lot, I want her enjoy her career, I want to make sure this is something I want to pursue."
"Are you kidding me? Look how curious you were to see what she said to Danny, she's not interested in him, why pretend Eddie, you know it's you she wants to be with."
Eddie sighs. "She deserves better."
"You really mean that?"
"She's starting her career, doing great, nominated for a Grammy, I didn't get one until my second album was about to drop, she's going places Ian, I want her to enjoy that."
"You're not going to do anything about it?"
"I want to make sure this second time around I'm confused."
"Confused? Have you seen yourself lately? It bothers you to see her with Danny, what are you going to do? Wait for someone else to come along? You kissed her once remember? What brought that on?"
"I don't know, I had been drinking, she sat next to me looking beautiful, it happened, you know, when I say it again, I want to make sure I mean it."
"Whatever mate, I don't get you, first it was Jason, now Danny, what are you going to do if someone else shows up?"
Eddie sits. "We'll see."
"I hope someone else catches her eye, and you're left with nothing mate, you're a jerk!"
Ian's upset, he walks out. "I hope you lose her mate."
Loren meets with several designers; she chooses a dress for the Grammy's. She rehearses the song she's performing the night of the Grammie's for a few weeks.
The big day arrives; Loren gets up early, she meets with Katy, her team is there to get her ready for the big night. Her hair is cascades with curls onto her shoulders; her make-up on point. Her dress is delivered to the Hotel room.
"We leave in 30 minutes Loren; we have to make sure everything is set for tonight."
Katy walks in with the dress. "Here's your dress, Eddie's on his way."
Loren smiles nervously. "Now I'm nervous."
Nora arrives. "I thought you'd be dressed by now sweetie."
"I'll be ready is a sec mom."
Loren choose a Donna Karan red draped stretch mermaid style gown. A pair of Jimmy Choo dart crystal high heels with a Burberry clutch. Loren walks into view of the large Mirror in the room. She looks at herself from top to bottom, she's speechless. Katy and Nora are in awe. "You look beautiful."
Nora holds back tears. "It's not even your wedding, I want to cry."
"No mom, make-up has to stay intact."
Kelly knocks on Loren's door. She peeks in. "Wow! you're going to knock everyone's shoes off, you're beautiful Loren."
Loren swings around carefully to get a better view of the back of the dress; it's strapless with crisscross lines in the back.
"By the way, Eddie and the Limo are here, you ready?"
She excited, she can't wait for Eddie's reaction, she steps out of the room, Eddie's talking to his mom, he stops when Loren comes into view. He sighs. "Wow, you're gorgeous Loren."
"Thanks Eddie." A tint of pink embraces her delicate cheeks. Eddie extends his arm, they walk out, the area is surrounded by security, that doesn't stop the fans, and the paparazzi from trying to get a picture of Eddie Duran with Hollywood's latest Pop star, Loren Tate. They get into the limo, the driver takes off, they arrive at the theatre. Eddie exits the Limo first, he helps Loren exit the Limo. She looks around, there are many Music artists arriving, she sees a lot of familiar faces.
Gossip reporters stand nearby, Eddie brings Loren close enough to talk to some of them, many questions are directed at them, and their relationship. Eddie responds with a simple answer. "We're friends."
"There has to be more between you two Eddie."
"Love blooming between you two?" Many ask.
They get many more questions, Eddie responds. "No comment."
They enter the huge theatre, Loren's whisked away by Kelly. Eddie scans the area for any familiar faces. He walks and greets a lot of old friends he hasn't seen in a while.
"I can't believe it, Eddie Duran?"
Eddie turns and smiles, he recognizes the voice behind him. "Hey Rick."
They do the side hug. "Wow, look at you, last I heard you were engaged to be married."
Eddie rolls his eyes. "Yeah, that's old news."
"I heard, sorry man, I thought Chloe was the right girl for you."
"Now you know she wasn't, what have you been up too?"
Rick's a theatre performer, with a killer voice; he has many awards behind his name. He's only 26, he's accomplished a lot in his career.
"I'm back in L.A for a while; there's a scheduled play in the area for 6 months. I'm here with a friend."
"That's great, happy for you." Eddie responds.
"I'm sure you're a nominee again?"
Eddie smiles. "I am, grateful for the opportunity."
"You'll always remain on top Eddie, I'm sure your parents are proud."
"I love Music, it's my passion."
Katy walks towards Eddie. She smiles when she sees Rick. "Omg, is it really you?"
Rick hugs Katy. "The beautiful Katy Duran, you don't age do you?"
She blushes. "I have an amazing husband and son; I can't complain Rick, thank you so much."
"You're more than welcome."
"Make sure where we're seated tonight, Loren's going over the song she's performing tonight."
"That's fine mom."
Katy's leaves, she pecks Rick a quick good-bye; he turns his attention towards Eddie. "Loren Tate, I've heard her on the radio, she's a nominee?"
"Yes she is; she's amazing, very talented song writer too."
"I've read about her, can't wait to meet her, and watch her performance."
"Stick around."
Rick smiles. "Don't mind if I do, see you later, it was good to see you."
"Same here." Eddie responds.
Within the hour, the Grammy's start. The M.C opens the show with some jokes, he announces the presenter's name. Each winner's announced after the category they were nominated for.
Before Loren's category is announced, she's next, the MC introduces her. "Everyone please welcome the lovely Loren Tate, with her Number 1 hit song from her latest album. (Breaking your own heart)
Loren walks to the podium and smiles. She grabs a mic and begins her song.
"Shaking your head
Like it's all wrong
Before you're here
You're already gone
And even with the light all around you
You're all alone in the dark
You're breaking your own heart
Taking it too far, down a lonely road
You say you just want love
But when it's close enough you just let it go
The very thing
You've been the most afraid of
You've been doing it from the start, breaking your own heart
Too many tears
Too many falls
It's easier here behind these walls
But you don't have to walk in the shadows
Life is so hard
You're breaking your own heart
Taking it too far, down a lonely road
You say you just want love, but when it's close enough
You just let it go
The very thing you've been the most afraid of, you've been doing it from the start
Breaking your own heart breaking your own heart.
It's not too late, I'm still right here
If only you'd let go of your own fears
You're breaking your own heart."
Loren performs the song with emotion, she ends the song with a light bow towards her audience, she's given a standing ovation, she walks to the back of the stage. Katy, Kelly and Nora wait for her, Mel's thrilled and excited, she holds back tears. "I know you're a winner tonight, you were amazing."
Nora hugs. "I'm so proud of you."
"Thanks mom."
Katy and Kelly hug her too, they know Loren will take home a Grammy.
Loren holds back tears, the song she performed was written with Eddie in mind. He inspires most of her songs.
Within the hour, Loren's category is announced, it's no surprise to Kelly, Jake and Katy. Loren's a winner, she wins her first Grammy for best new performer, she walks on stage to accept it, she can't stop smiling, she's holding back happy tears.
"Thank you so much, I can't express what this means to me, a year ago I was home watching the Grammy's, I can't believe I'm here tonight accepting my own Grammy, thank you very much, I'd like to thank Kelly and Jake Madsen, Katy and Max Duran, Eddie Duran, and my beautiful mom, for the encouragement, and for believing in me, I have to include my best friend Melissa Sanders, thank you everyone." She holds her Grammy up in the air, she smiles and waves to everyone. She walks away, within the hour, Eddie wins a Grammy for best Album too. The Grammy award night ends.
Everyone congratulates Loren, Katy reminds her. "We're headed to an after Grammy dinner party; we should get going."
"I have to be there?" She wonders. "Yes, it's an obligation to attend these parties; we're going to be there with you."
Eddie walks towards her. "I haven't congratulated you, that was an amazing performance Loren, you killed it."
He pulls her into a hug. "Thanks, I'm still in shock, there were so many new performers, very grateful I won."
"Yes, you're this year's winner, well deserved."
They get into the waiting Limo; they're driven to one of the prestigious restaurants in the L.A. most of the winners attend.
They enter the fancy restaurant, many continue to congratulate Eddie and Loren. Rick James sees them, he walks towards them, he makes eye contact with Loren.
He holds her hand and kisses it. "You my lady were the best performer tonight."
She blushes; she can feel his eyes on her immediately. "Thank you."
Eddie smiles. "Rick James, meet Loren Tate."
She looks at Eddie and back to Rick. "It's a pleasure to meet you Rick."
"We go back a long time Loren; we were tutored by the same teachers."
"Oh yeah, we got into all sorts of trouble." Eddie adds, Rick can't keep his eyes off of Loren. "May I say you're very beautiful, I hope you don't mind?"
"Of course not, thank you." Eddie notices, not feeling comfortable with the attention Rick places on Loren.
"We have to find our table." Eddie tells them.
Rick smiles, he holds Loren's hand. "We're seated together, may I?"
Loren smiles, he holds her hand and guides her to their table. Katy notices, she looks at Max. "Loren caught the attention of the amazing Rick James."
"If Eddie isn't careful, they're going to sweep Loren away from under him." Max says. Everyone is seated at the table with Loren and Eddie, Rick sits next to Loren.
They enjoy dinner, the Orchestra begins to play. Rick stands and asks Loren to dance, she accepts gracefully. Eddie tries to pretend this isn't bothering him at all. He keeps playing with his fork.
"That's kind of annoying." Katy can't help but smile, she looks away.
"What's so funny mom?"
"Nothing, the moment we arrived, Rick hasn't left Loren's side, I knew she'd capture the attention of someone like Rick."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I'm going to dance with your father, think about it, not everyone is going to cheat on you."
Rick looks at Loren. "I've read about you in several magazines, I'm pleased we met."
"I didn't know I had such an amazing fan."
"You're modest, you have many fans, after tonight's award, your fan base will grow."
"I'm flattered; I love what I do."
"You pushed your Lawyer career aside?"
"I did, I love what I'm doing."
"You Loren Tate, are amazing."
She looks Rick in the eyes. "You're very kind."
"I've read enough about you; I know you're an amazing woman."
"You're very sweet Rick."
"I hope you don't mind me calling you Loren? I'm excited to get to know you better."
She looks towards Eddie. He's sitting at the table taking a sip of whatever drink he's having.
Mel and Ian are dancing, Nora's on the dance floor too, Eddie looks towards Loren, they make eye contact, she smiles; it's bothers him to see Rick dancing with Loren, why he's holding her so close. The music finally ends; Eddie walks towards them.
What's going to convince Eddie?
Breaking your own heart" song credit goes to Kelly Clarkson!
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