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The Promise Hollywood Heights

Alex's Tutor chapter 5

Loren can't believe Cam asked, those words bring back so many memories, they remind her of Eddie's proposal, tears stream down her cheeks, but, it isn't because she's happy about Cam's proposal, her tears are for Eddie, he made a promise he didn't keep, and now, another man asked her to marry him.

She downcast her look, what can she say? Cam brings her back to reality. "Loren, did you hear me?"

"Yes I did, and yes, I'll marry you."

It was hard to say yes to Cam's proposal, he's been a great boyfriend, she'll learn to love him.

Cam puts the ring on her finger and kisses her. Loren wipes the tears from her eyes. She's supposed to be happy, she's really trying.

"You made me so happy." He hugs her.

She has to smile, there's no way she's going to hurt him. "I know, I'm happy too."

They walk a little longer, then they head home. When they're home they exit the car and go inside to tell Nora and Mel the good news, Cam can't wait to show them Loren's ring.

Loren and cam walk inside. "Hey, you guys are back!"

Cam's the first to speak. Mel turns towards his voice; she can tell he's excited about something.

"Ladies, Loren and I are engaged."

Nora smiles and hugs her daughter and Cam, Mel joins in too. "Congrats you two, I'm so happy for you."

They spend several minutes talking, Cam kisses Loren good night and heads home.

"Are you ok?" Nora asks Loren, she can tell she's sad.

Loren doesn't want to look at her mom. "Yes, why?"

"Because I can see the sadness in your eyes, why did you say yes?"

Mel hugs Loren "You ok?"

Loren drops on the sofa sobbing. "I had to say yes, he's been a wonderful friend and boyfriend, what else is there for me?"

"You need to be in love to marry Cam, you can't marry someone just because you think he's wonderful, it's not fair to him sweetie or to you."

"Your mom is right Loren; you're still in love with Eddie." Mel hands her some tissues.

"I'll always love him but he's in the past, Cam in my present and future."

They both hug Loren; they know she's hurting. "Let me make you a cup of tea."

It's Monday and Loren's going to meet her new student. Mindy brings Alex into the room to meet his new teacher.

"Loren, this is Alex." She looks at him. "This is your new teacher, Loren." For some reason Loren doesn't recognize the adorable little boy.

"Hi." He smiles.

Loren kneels to his level. "You're so adorable and handsome Alex."

Mindy gets her bag.

"I have to leave Loren, you can use the room next to the office, my mom will be here soon."

"That's fine, I'll talk to Alex and get to know him better."

She holds his hand and guides him to the room. "Alex, can you count?"

Alex shows her his fingers. "I have 5 fingers."

"That's very good, would you like me to read you a book?"

Alex points to the big book on the shelves. "My dad reads me that book every night."

Loren pulls the book out. "This one?"

"Yes, that's our favorite book."

Loren reads the title. "I will always love you." The title reminds her of Eddie, he told her that once, everything reminds her of Eddie, when will it end?

She reads the book to Alex, he knows all of the words. "I can tell your dad reads this book to you all of the time; you memorized the story, does mommy read to you too?"

Alex gives her a sad look. "I don't have a mommy."

Loren's sad; this little boy lost his mommy. "I'm sorry Alex, I'm sure you miss her."

"I don't know, I can't remember her."

"How old are you again?" she sits him on her lap. He smiles showing her 3 fingers. "I'm 31/2 now, I'll be 4 soon."

"You're a big boy Alex, can you count?"

"I can count to 10; my daddy and Aunt Linda help me."

"Let me hear you."

He smiles. "1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 and 6 and 7 and 8 and 9 and the last one is 10."

"You know a lot for 31/2 years old, you're a very smart little boy."

Loren continues to work with Alex. Linda walks in and notices the tutor's with Alex in the room adjacent to the Eddie's office.

Eddie calls Linda. "Hi sweetie, yes she's here, she's working with Alex, I haven't seen her yet, but Mindy said she was amazing in the interview, she's one of the best teachers."

"I'll try to get there before she leaves, we can make a schedule for Alex, can she travel with us when I have to tour?"

"I didn't ask; you'll have to ask her yourself."

"I'll try to get home before she leaves, stall her if you can Aunt Linda."

"I'll see what I can do."

Back at Jake's office…..

"What's new Eduardo, what did your aunt want?"

"She hired a new tutor for Alex, I hope to make it back on time to meet with her before she leaves."

"I hope it works out, things will be easier for your aunt."

"Alex will be tutored like I was, it was Nora, she was the best, I learned so much from her."

Jake sighs. "Hey did you ever hear from Loren?"

Eddie walks away from the desk. "No, she disappeared, never to be seen again, I don't know what happened to her, you gave her the note I send."

"She wasn't there that day, an older woman took it, she said she would give her the note."

Eddie looks at him. "Wait, I told you give it to Loren, I thought I said the cottage behind the house."

"There was an older woman that answered the door that day, she said she'd give Loren the note, I'm sorry man, that was a busy day, the label wanted you to leave that day, I rushed there, I'm sorry."

Eddie sighs heavily. "No way, you gave my aunt Lorie the note, she wasn't supposed to be there, she probably came back to the house." He looks at Jake. "She never gave Loren that note Jake!"

Jake's confused. "Eduardo, I'm sorry, I thought she would, she said Loren wasn't home."

"She lied, my aunt ruined my life, she wasn't supposed to be there that day."

Where is she now?" He asks

"She disappeared, I told her to leave the mansion, she probably returned, it's her fault I lost Loren."

Eddie downcast his look, feeling shattered and hurt.

"You still love her?"

Eddie looks at him. "I'll always love her, you don't forget Loren Tate that easy, she's beautiful and smart, she made me feel real Jake, there was nothing to worry about when I was with her, I didn't feel like I had to be Eddie Duran around her. My parents loved her and Nora, the only one with issues was my aunt Lorie, she was a snob, I don't know why she didn't like Loren."

"Sign the remaining papers, go, and meet Alex's new tutor."

"I hope Alex has someone as good as Nora."

Eddie signs several papers and grabs his bag. "I'll see you soon Jake."

Back at Eddie's home, Loren is finished with Alex and walks out with him.

"You did a great job Alex."

Linda hear voices and walks into the living room area; Loren's facing Alex.

"Hi I'm Linda, Alex's aunt."

Loren turns around and her eyes widen. "Aunt Linda?"

Linda's shocked. "Loren…Loren Tate it's you."

Loren eyes tear. "Omg, I haven't seen you since the month Katy and Max died, how are you?"

"I'm fine, whatever happened to you?"

It finally hit Loren. "Wait a minute, is this Eddie's son?"

"Yes, this is little Alex Duran."

"Linda I'm sorry but I can't do this." She starts to put her things away.
"No, we need you, Alex needs you, I mean where did you go? Why did you disappear from all of us?" Linda holds her arm.

Loren's standing there not knowing what else to say, she's been with Eddie's son in the next room, she has to hurry and leave.

"You can't walk out on him, he's been left one too many times already, we were told you were the best teacher."

"I can't be here." Linda holds her hands. "Please Loren, we need you, I need you."

She looks at her hand. "Is that an engagement ring?"

"Yes, I'm engaged to a wonderful guy."

Linda is still in shock. "We've been so worried about you and Nora."

"Why? We did as we were told."

"You were told?" Linda's confused.

"Yes, your sister Lorie, she hated us, she told us to leave, she kicked us out of the cottage."

"I don't understand; you were going to marry Eddie."

"It's all in the past Linda." Loren's trying to be strong.

Alex tugs on her pants. "Are you coming back Loren?"

Loren turns to look at him. "I'll see you tomorrow Alex."

"You promise?" his little voice asks.

That word means a lot to Loren, she can't break his heart. "Yes, I promise to be back."

Linda sighs. "You're coming back?"

"I can't break his heart, I'm a professional first, I have a contract with you and I'll keep my word as promised."

There's noise coming from the front door. "Aunt Linda, I'm home."

Hearing his voice send chills all over Loren's body, she can feel the tears wanting to leave her orbs. Alex smiles. "It's daddy."

Linda looks at Loren; she can hear Eddie getting closer. "We're in here Eddie."

Loren wants to run but she knows she has to eventually face reality, face Eddie.

Alex runs toward his voice. "Daddy, come and meet my teacher."

He hugs and carries his son. "Sure, take me to meet her."

Eddie walks into the room and Loren turns towards him the moment she hears him walk into the room. He sees Loren and their eyes lock, but, the look Loren returns isn't the look he remembers from years back.

She holds out her hand.

"Mr. Duran, I'm Loren Tate, I will be tutoring your son." Her voice is cold; she introduces herself to the man she still loves. Memories of their time together flash before her eyes.

Chapter ends here, yikes.