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Continued...

Valerie nervously bites her lip as she walks up to the entrance of the restaurant. She hopes Terrence has already arrived and she won't have to wait by herself for long.

"Val!"

She quickly whips around and lets out a sigh of relief when she sees Terrence standing behind her. They give each other a quick hug, followed by a kiss that seems to last an eternity. Val then follows close behind as they enter the restaurant and are greeted by the maitre d'.

"So, it's good to see you again," Terrence says as he looks into her eyes. "I was starting to miss you"

Valerie looks back without a word, slowly digesting his words. While most women would appreciate a man saying such words, she begins to get a queasy feeling in her stomach. While she enjoys his company and hopes something develops over time, his obvious attachment towards her causes her some feelings of unease.

Of course, Val realizes that this is not the first time something like this has occurredit seems like such a routine for every guy she meets- at least for the ones that aren't paying her for certain acts. They instantly get attached, and while Valerie enjoys it for a certain time, she is soon forced to back away and terminate any relations she has with the man. She hopes it won't happen with Terrence, but the pit in her stomach is quite evident.

"Did you miss me?" Terrence asks.

"Of course I did" Valerie trails off and looks away.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah. Why do you ask?"

"You just seem a bit out of it."

"Out of it? How so?" Val inquires.

"I don't knowa little distant. I'm sorry about what my mother did again."

"Can we not talk about that?" Valerie raises her voice.

"Okay, okaycalm down."

"Please don't tell me to calm down. That experience was humiliating. I still can't believe the nerve of that woman."

"I really apologize. I'm really sorry, Val."

"Lets just drop it, okay?"

"Okay, sounds good to me. So what did you do today?"

"Not much really. It was a pretty quiet day."

"I don't buy thatyou didn't do anything fun? I can only imagine all of the things I would do if I didn't have to work."

"Excuse me?" Valerie locks eyes with him.

"Well, you know.with all your free time and all." Terrence bites his lip, hoping he's not offending her.

"It's not like I'm some trust kid who chooses not to work. I was employed up until late last year when my position was another casualty of the economy. I'll be working again as soon as I find something.Jesus, Terrence."

"I'm really sorry, Val. I didn't mean to insinuate anything."

"You seem to do that a lot"

Terrence nods and simply begins to peruse the menu that lies before him. He realizes that his best defense at the moment is going to be silence.

"Cat's got your tongue?" Val asks after a few moments.

"Look, I don't want to fight"

"I'm not fighting. I just think what you said was insensitive."

"I think I'm a pretty sensitive guy- from what I've been told."

"From what you've been told? So you play the game well then?"

"Play the game well? Ouch?" Terrence is taken back by her statement.

"Look, I think we should just do lunch another time. I suddenly feel sick to my stomach." Valerie replies as she rises to her feet.

"Val, don't do this. Just sit down, please."

"I didn't do a damn thing. Goodbye Terrence." Val responds before departing.


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Scene: Landon Points Publishing.

Emily Landon taps her nails in a monotonous manner and takes another look at the clock. Braden was supposed to meet with her nearly twenty minutes ago- and if there is one thing that Emily can't stand, it's waiting for a man. She is, after all, the center of her universe and should never be left waiting for another person.

She still can't believe everything that's transpired in the last month…who would have thought that Hal would have a long-lost relative claim stake in her company? She can't stop kicking herself from signing over a portion of the shares to her ex-husband. She worries if she'll now pay the ultimate price- part of her power may be taken away.

Suddenly the door swings open causing her to jump. She glares at the man standing before her- the man who made her wait nearly a half an hour.

"My biggest apologies for making you wait," Braden says as he walks towards her desk.

"And for not knocking? This is a civilized society and I expect the decency of a single knock before you barge in here."

"Of course, my dear. I appreciate your time and I once again apologize for making you wait. There was terrible traffic- it seems there was an accident on Pacifica Boulevard.

"Well, I could honestly care less about an accident...it's not my problem. And secondly, I'm not anyone's 'dear'."

"I apologize again, Ms. Landon."

"You are full of apologies, aren't you?" Emily looks him over, trying not to admire how gorgeous the man is.

"I'm full of a lot of things…you have no idea!"

"Full of shit, it seems…"

"Well, I see you are as charming as I!" Braden cracks a smile and locks eyes with her.

"You mean manipulative? Trust me, I can read you like an open book. I know your game- I've seen it all before. I just want to know what it is that you're after. I mean, you suddenly pop up nearly two years after Hal's death? Why didn't you make your presence known sooner?"

"Well, as you know, timing must be perfect. I suppose I was waiting for the right time to"

"Time to attack?" Emily quickly interrupts.

"I mean no harm. You must believe that. I'm here to help you."

"Help me? Please. I don't believe a word out of your mouth," Emily replies. You have to earn your trust with me."

"That's a very good mantra to have."

"Emily shoots him a glare and tells him to have a seat.

"So how much stake are you wanting in my company?"

"Just what is rightfully mine- everything that my uncle left me."

"And how much control do you think that is?"

"We both know the answer to that, Ms. Landon. I technically own half of the company. We are equals."

"We are certainly not equals." Emily smirks.

Braden looks into her eyes and gently puts his hand onto hers. He can sense that she is attracted to him and realizes that he holds power in the present situation.

"Get your hands off mine- immediately!" Emily flinches and rises to her feet.

"I'm sorry, Emily. I didn't mean to startle you."

"The only thing you've startled here is that thing in your pants- and it needs to settle the hell down."

"How can I help it if I'm attracted to you? You are a beautiful woman, Emily."

"It's Ms. Landon to you, thanks. I think we should reschedule this meeting for another time- a time that you can behave and be on time."

"Very well, but I hope you know that you'll be seeing a lot of me in the future."

"I wouldn't be so sure of yourself," Emily replies. "And don't think that that accent and your supposed charm is going to win me over…it's only going to make me sick to my stomach."

"As you say, Ms. Landon. I will see you soon, then."

Braden slowly rises to his feet and embraces her by putting his hand on her neck and slowly caressing her blonde hair that is neatly tucked behind her ears.

"Enough..." Emily can see her defenses weakening as he touches her once again.

"Shhh..." Braden puts a finger to his lips and gently begins to kiss her neck. The following moments are pure ecstasy for Emily Landon- a shiver runs down her spine and feelings emerge as she embraces him back with a kiss.

To be Continued...

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Now your thoughts...

• What will Braden's next move be?
• Will Valerie ever find peace?
• Will Terrence continue to pursue Val?
• How will Ashley track down her father?
  
  Please let us know your thoughts and any other feedback you have in the Pac Heights Forum!