Continued...
______________________________________________________________
Scene: The Summers Estate.
As her alter-ego Claudia, she
walks to the front door and quickly opens it when she spots Braden McCullough standing outside. She's getting ready for her first day at Landon Points, a marketing position she recently accepted from her father. Working closely with Braden to get the inside dirt on the company, the position was her perfect opportunity to do just that.
"Ms. Deauville, don't you look radiant today?" Braden greets her by gently pulling her hand towards his lips.
"You are too much," she replies. "Shouldn't you be at the office by now? I'm surprised you don't have Emily
in bed yet."
"Oh hush. I actually just got back from her place- she's a pretty feisty lay."
She stares at him without a single word before realizing he is joking with her.
"Don't worry, Claudia- you're the only woman for me."
"I know, don't worry. Just the thought of that old decrepit whore in bed just makes me sick. It's bad enough that she got my fa- I mean, Steve Summers in bed."
"You were about to say your father...do you have some relation to Steve?"
"No, of course not!" She looks away for a moment before continuing, "He's just been my mentor through the years...no relation though."
"I understand. So you have a thing for older men then?"
"Well, I am with you. Right?"
"Very funny...I'm only six years your senior though, not over twenty like Mr. Summers."
"Are you getting jealous? I can sense a hint of jealousy going on here."
"Not more jealous than you are of Emily Landon...although, perhaps she could teach me a thing or two."
"Oh stop! One more word about that woman and I'll vomit. Besides, you need to get to the office, mister."
"I
should be going, yes. I suppose I'll see you around later..." Braden says before giving her a tight hug good bye.
She quickly shuts the door and lets out a deep sigh
of frustration. Although she tried to catch herself before she spoke, she
realizes her ability to hide things is becoming harder each moment. She
then takes out her wallet and sees her old I.D...a smile from a woman
named Kimberly Summer- a woman who seems so distant at the moment.
It's okay, Miss Claudia...keep your cool.
Don't shed a single tear for that despicable woman in your past. Kimberly
Summers is dead now...and it time for you to shine. A new woman is here-
one that will see ultimate success and finally experience true
happiness.
______________________________________________________________
Scene: The Davison Estate.
Helen
shuts the front door firmly behind her as she lets Joe Sawyer into the house. There's a short awkward silence that cuts through the room after Helen flashes a fake smile. Old-fashioned and set in her ways, she is still upset that Joe hasn't popped the question to Ashley- especially after learning that a baby was quickly arriving.
"So, Ms. Davison, how have you been?" Joe asks with a returning smile.
"Just dandy..." Helen replies with wide-eyes as they walk into the family room.
"Ashley
is upstairs? Getting rest I hope..."
"She is, indeed. Rest is very important for her right now," Helen explains. "She doesn't need any added stress right now"
Helen looks at Joe once again and raises a brow.
"I hope you're not insinuating that I'm adding any stress in her life right now." Joe is clearly taken back by her response.
"I'm not insinuating anything.why? Do you feel guilty about something?"
"Guilty for what?" Joe laughs.
"I don't know...perhaps the stress of a woman who is about to give birth and isn't properly married yet?"
Joe shakes his head and smirks. "You don't quit, do you?"
"Excuse me?" Helen replies with a harsher tone.
"Ashley and I are doing quite well, thanks. And, in all due respect, it's our business how we choose to live our lives."
I'm sorry Mr. Sawyer, but this will be my first great-grandbaby. I just want to ensure that the child grows up in a healthy environment."
"And did Ashley? She turned out just fine, right?"
"I raised Ashley from the time she was born and she grew up to be a quite wonderful woman."
"Yes, but you were a single mother- and you were raising other children as well."
"Well, well! Ashley has certainly filled you in, hasn't she?"
"Yes she has, Ms. Davison." Joe flashes a quick smile before letting himself up the stairs.
At the top of the stairs he sees Ashley waiting for him as she shakes her head and smiles.
"Well, you're fitting in real well around here," Ashley says.
"Thanks..." Joe trails off with a laugh and embraces her with a tight hug. He quickly follows her into her bedroom and they shut the door firmly behind them.
"Just give it some time," Ashley says with a smile. "You'll be Helen's favorite in no time at all."
"Now that's wishful thinking."
"Trust me, she's all bark and no bite."
"Well, she was definitely trying to bite off something down there..." Joe cracks a smile.
Ashley shoots a playful glare into his direction. "So, in other news...I asked Diane
about my father."
"Did you now?"
"Yep, and she told me a bit more than I had bargained for..."
"How so?"
"Well, it turns out that my birth father is quite a
big shot in South Beach
- in fact, his name is synonymous with wealth and power."
"Oh? Well, lucky you." Joe smiles.
"Actually, I'm not the lucky one...apparently when Diane last spoke with him, he had no yearning to meet me. In fact, he has two other children of his own."
"That he's raising now?"
"No, they're grown up. It gets better too...I think I might have gone to school with his son."
"You mean another brother of yours?"
"Yeah, I guess...God, finding out I had two siblings here was such a shock. But now this? To think that I have other siblings out there- and a father who wants nothing to do with me."
"Don't think like that, Ash. So what is your plan of action now that you know the truth?"
"There's only one thing I can do."
"Forget about it and move on? Focus on more important matters in your life?" Joe responds.
"No, Joe...I have to go there. I can't wait another moment. have to meet this man- my father."
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Scenes 1-2 | Scenes 3-4 | Scenes 5-6
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