Terrence and
Val's relationship seemed to take a turn for the worst when they
were caught at the mansion by Terrence's mother, Felicia. Remembering that Val
was in bed with her ex-husband, Felicia became enraged and warned Val
to stay away from her son- if she didn't, Felicia would reveal everything to Terrence.
Scene: The Summers Estate. 863 Oakshore Terrace.
Tears begin to slowly make their path down her face as she looks away for a moment. Braden sits in front of her, thoughts wildly racing through his mind. If there was any certainty that she had been telling the truth all along, it was now murdered by her last statement. Indeed, there was something big that she hadn't been telling him this whole time- and Braden McCullough was just about to find out what that was.
"Claudia, what it is? What is so horrible that tears are streaming from your face?"
"It was so fun in the beginning….all of it was such a drastic change. I felt like I was reborn," she mumbles
"Speak clearly," Braden demands. "What was so fun?"
"This, damn it! All of this! You, me, the whole company takeover….the lies…"
"What lies?"
"Everything," she reveals as she takes a long strand of her golden hair and neatly tucks it behind her ear. "Everything I've told you since we met was a lie. I'm so sorry…"
"Claudia, I can't believe that. I just can't."
"Damn it Braden, my name isn't Claudia!"
The two both rise to their feet in silence as they lock eyes. Kimberly soon looks away before wiping off any remaining tears on her cheek.
"You have to be joking me," Braden finally breaks the silence. "What do you mean your name isn't Claudia?"
"It's not my name," she replies. "It's Kimberly Macy Summers. And I wasn't born in New York either. I was born here in Pac Heights. I've lived here my whole life."
"I can't believe this…I won't believe this…" Braden mutters under his breath as he digests her latest statement.
"Believe it….I sure as hell have to. I'm so sorry….the feelings I have for you are real though. Braden, I love you…"
"Love? Love based on lies? Where in the hell do you get such logic?"
"You have to forgive me….I'll find a way to make this up to you. I just thought I had no other way to….to have you in my life."
"Well now, Miss Kimberly Summers, you won't have me in your life at all. I cannot be with someone who is so insane that they would lie about their own identity!"
The word insane stabs through Kimberly's heart as she bites her lip. Doing her best to calm herself down, it takes everything inside of her not to lash out.
Alright Miss Kimberly….he now thinks you're insane. Just perfect. The one man you've ever loved and now you went and fucked it all up. If you can't have him, you'll be damned to see him with anyone else….you know what you have to do, Miss Kimberly…
Just then, Kimberly spots a vase sitting on the table next to her. She slowly picks it up and doesn't think twice before hurling it in Braden's direction.
Scene: Chez Rendezvous. Northern Heights District.
Felicia Bordeaux enters the trendy restaurant and instantly spots her friend, Emily Landon, sitting at a booth near the front of the restaurant. She smiles and walks over to Emily's table and greets her with an endearing hug.
"Emily! It's so good to see you again! I feel like it's been ages…"
"Indeed, it does. It feels like forever. You're looking marvelous."
"As you are," Felicia replies before flagging down the waiter and ordering a bottle of wine for them both. "So what's new, my dear?"
"Oh, business is booming. After a slow start this year, we've really boosted our sales in the last quarter. Things are certainly looking up."
"That's wonderful to hear. And any new men on the horizon?"
"Just Steve…." Emily sighs before producing a giddy smile.
"Steve Summers? Your CEO?"
"Yes Felicia, the one and only. I've wanted him for over twenty years and now I have him right where I want him."
"In your bed tied up, I hope!" Felicia laughs.
Both women laugh before Emily continues, "The only problem is that witch, Diane Davison."
"His ex-wife?"
"Yes, the bitch who constantly rides her broom around Pac Heights."
"Ah, I heard about that…" Felicia bites her lip. "About the incident at Trader Joe's..."
"I would prefer not to talk about that," Emily responds. "But trust me; I have the ultimate plan for revenge in the works."
"Please do tell!"
"It involves that charming new brat at the office- the one I told you about."
"Hal's nephew?"
"Yes, his name is Braden," Emily replies before taking a sip of her wine. "He's going to put Diane right where I want her- and the bitch is going to feel humiliated when it's all said and done."
"You are the ultimate chess player, Emily. All these pawns are just sitting in your hand." A look of delight covers Felicia's face as she bi-curiously experiences the drama through Emily.
Suddenly the loud vibration of Emily's phone causes both women to jump. Emily quickly looks over in confusion when she realizes its Rick Preston on the line.
"Why in the hell would he be calling me?" Emily mutters.
"You should answer it," Felicia nudges her. "It might be about Haylie."
"You're right." Emily puts a finger up and takes the call. "Yes Rick. What is it?"
"It's so wonderful to hear your voice as well," Rick responds with agitation.
"I'm sorry…and what do I owe this grand pleasure of talking with you?" Emily responds with sarcasm.
"It's Kayla….she's gone…."
"What do you mean she's gone?"
"She wrote me a letter and called Val to come over and watch Haylie…she didn't even take Haylie with her…" Rick does his best to explain, fighting off the confusion of the whole mess.
"So she wrote you a letter? And what did it say?"
"It said she was leaving me….that she was torn for awhile and that she wanted Haylie not to experience a childhood full of fighting and bickering from her parents."
"Damn you, Rick! You really did it this time, didn't you?"
"Look, just meet me at your place in an hour. I'll show you the letter and we can see if we can figure things out. We have to find her," Rick pleads. "We just have to."
Scene: The Breeze Café
Valerie Preston looks out the second-story window onto the pier below and slowly produces a smile. She sees the parents holding hands with their children as they enjoy the views and one another's company. For the life of her, she can't remember when her own parents took her and Rick out when they were younger. If there was ever such a time of enjoyment, it was usually spent with one of the caretakers they had. Her smile soon turns to disappointment as she realizes there is a part of her childhood that she can never have again- a part that no child should have been without.
"Daydreaming, eh?" A familiar voice asks from behind. Valerie whips around and noticed Terrence standing behind her.
"It's not nice to sneak up on people," Valerie smiles. "It's been awhile, stranger."
"Yeah it has. I figured you would call if you wanted to hang out again."
"Well, your mother made it quite clear that she didn't want me anywhere near you. I was trying to avoid a restraining order." Valerie jokes, knowing that her sarcasm has some truth to it.
"Yeah, I have to agree that mom can be a bit tough to warm up to the ladies."
"The ladies? How many are you introducing to your mom?" Val raises a brow.
"Not that many, trust me. Besides, none of them have gotten the pleasure of getting their hair pulled by her."
"Oh yes, that's definitely one for the books. My God, I haven't had my hair pulled like that since I was in high school- now those were some memorable fights."
"Oh really? I can't see you as a fighter."
Valerie laughs, obviously it's quite clear that Terrence doesn't know her that well. "Trust me, I had my turn to the principal's office more than once."
"Really? Well, I love a woman with an aggressive side."
"I didn't say I was aggressive in bed," Val smiles. "Just in other areas in my life. Lets just say that I'm very protective of those that are close to me."
"Perhaps you and my mother have more in common than you think?"
"Felicia and I have nothing in common- don't ever spit such horrid words again." Valerie replies sarcastically.
"Oh come up, she means well. I still don't know what her problem is with you. She acted like she knew you already…"
Valerie begins to have another flashback of that dreadful night…the night that she was caught in bed with Felicia's husband.
"Look, I really need to get going."
"What? Why so suddenly?" Terrence inquires.
"I just have somewhere I need to be," Val does her best to lie. Deep within, she can't bear to look at Terrence for one moment longer. Not after knowing that she ended his mother's relationship with her husband.
Scene: Trader Joe's Fine Foods.
Steve Summers is thankful for being out of the house right now. While he is glad Emily is healed up, he can't fathom seeing her all day at both the workplace and home. As most couples find out, too much is never a good thing…
After grabbing a few items and waiting his place in line, he finds himself behind a slim attractive blond that he hasn't seen around town before. She is probably near thirty and looks like she should be going down a cat walk in L.A. He can't stop staring at her magnificent curves and long straight blonde hair. After paying closer attention, he begins to hear that she is having trouble purchasing her items.
"Mam, I have tried the card three times now. I'm sorry, but it's been declined." The cashier repeats to her.
"There has to be a problem with your machine. Try again."
"Mam, do you have any other form of payment? Perhaps another card?"
The woman becomes embarrassed and Steve finds this to be the perfect opportunity to interject.
"My card was having problems here last week….there is something wrong with their machines here," Steve interrupts and locks eyes with the blonde.
"See, I'm not the only one!"
"Look, I have cash, why don't I take care of these items for you."
"No, I couldn't ask you to do that."
"I insist. It will be my good deed for the day. Please, allow me." Steve hands a hundred dollar bill to the cashier.
"Oh my God," she says as she pulls back her hair, "I have never met someone so nice."
Steve smiles back and realizes the attraction is mutual. He is unaware of what to say next….God knows it seems like a million years since he had flirted with anyone.
"I'm Stacey," the woman introduces herself. "And you are?"
"Steve. Steve Summers." He extends his hand out to meet hers, but notices she looks away as if she's feeling more embarrassed by the moment.
"Is something wrong?" Steve inquires.
"Not really….I'm Stacey Sawyer. I don't know if the name rings a bell…"
"Steve studies her name for a moment before it dawns on him. "Oh God, you're the new assistant that Emily just hired….right?!"
"Right. Well, it looks like we'll be seeing a lot of each other in the future. God, this is so embarrassing…Not the ideal way I wanted to meet you."
"Don't worry at all. Things like this happen. Like I said, my card didn't work here last week either." Steve knowingly lies to her to help try and ease the situation.
"Well, I appreciate it very much. I'll be sure to pay you back."
"Don't worry about it at all. Do you live close by here?" Steve instantly kicks himself for prying. He certainly doesn't want to come off too strong- especially if he's going to be working with her.
"I do, yes. Just down the street at the Pac Towers. I'm staying with my brother for awhile until I find my own place."
"Very nice. I'm kind of in a transition period as well," Steve reveals. "I just sold my house to my daughter not too long ago. Now I'm staying in a house up in Northern Heights."
"Very nice. Love the area." Stacey produces a perky smile. "Yeah, I grew up there."
"Oh did you?"
"Yeah, my parents still live there. I guess you could call them old money….as you could most of the area." Stacey instantly regrets saying such words- she certainly doesn't want to imply that Steve is 'old money.'
"I guess you could say that."
"I didn't mean you, sir."
"Sir? Now you're aging me even more!" Steve jokes.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Summers."
"It's Steve…..just call me, Steve."
Stacey produces another flirtatious smile, "will do, boss."
SCENE: The Summers Estate.
Her grip tightens around the vase as she looks into the shocked eyes of her lover. Within moments she violently raises the vase and releases her grip upon smashing it over Braden's skull. She stands back for a moment and covers her mouth when realizing what she has done. Meanwhile, Braden lays on the ground as blood begins to trickle down the side of his face.
"Claud….Claudia…" He mutters under his breath as he fights for the words.
"I'm so sorry….I'm sorry this had to happen to you," she replies as she looks around the room as if others were watching from behind.
He should be the one that's sorry, Miss Kimberly…He looked at you like you were crazy. No one gets away with that….you're perfectly fine, Miss Kimberly. Perfectly fine.
"You're….you're crazy…" he mumbles, harder this time to understand his words.
"No Braden, I'm not crazy. You're crazy for falling for such a charade. I have always been in control and I always will…"
"I need help…my head."
Kimberly looks down at him once more and, for a brief moment, she begins to feel sympathy for him. She begins to feel his agonizing pain as she lowers herself to the ground.
"You'll be fine," she replies. "Just fine. I'll take care of you. You know how much I love you, Braden."
He looks back up at her empty eyes as she replies. He could never have imagined how psychotic she truly was. But now? Was this finally enough to prove to him that everything was a lie?
"I just can't believe your words weren't genuine for so long…I thought you did love me. But how could you do this to me?"
"Like I said….I do love you with all my heart. But sometimes, my dear…." Kimberly produces a grim smile and continues. "Love hurts."
Scene: Landon Manor.
Emily drives aggressively past the security gate of the community and flies towards her mansion on the hill. She has just been informed that Kayla is missing and is planning to meet Rick at her home with the mysterious less she left.
"Rick! Let me see this letter you have." Emily commands him to hand it over after she meets him in the courtyard.
"Here it is," Rick replies as he hands her the folded up letter.
She studies the letter for a moment before shaking her head in disbelief. There is no way that Kayla would leave her own daughter….her pride and joy. There had to be something more going on that neither have them had seen.
"This can't be real," Emily shakes her head and grunts. "There is just no way that she would leave like this. I'm very close with my niece. There is no conceivable way that she would leave and not tell me."
"Well, you need to believe it. Just as I was shocked over this, you have to realize what has happened, Emily. Kayla is gone…and God knows when she's ever going to return."
"No…No. There is no way. There's just no way."
"No way about what?" Vanessa joins them from behind after overhearing Emily's last statement.
"You've finally done it, Vanessa. You drove her away!" Emily scolds her as she hands over the letter for Vanessa to read.
"Wait…what? When did she write this?" Vanessa inquires.
"I just received it at home a few hours ago," Rick explains. "She called over Valerie to watch Haylie and she left with all her things. I have no idea where she went….can you think of any places?"
Vanessa's mouth opens in shock as she mulls over possible places that Kayla could be.
"No…I mean, she's always lived here in Pac Heights. She doesn't know anything else out there…."
"There's no extended family living elsewhere?"
"No. I mean, I have some family in France that she met when she was young. But there's no way that she has been in contact with him. I mean, at least I don't think there is…"
"Does Kayla even have a passport?" Emily adds in.
"Yes, she does. She was planning to go to France in a few years when Haylie was older." Rick reveals.
"You think she went there?" Vanessa looks to Rick.
"It's a possibility. We have to trust any leads we have and take them seriously."
"I agree." Emily chimes in.
"Well, I'll call my sister in France and see what's up. Perhaps she's heard something." Vanessa frantically adds before racing back to the house.
"Damn it Rick, we both know why she left…" Emily shoots a cold glare in his direction.
"Emily, please…"
"You better pray we find her and she gets back home safely. If not, you're going to have hell to pay…"
To be
Continued...