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Continued...
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Scene: Chez Rendezvous.

Valerie Preston pulls a few loose strands of hair behind her ear and focuses on the message she's just received from Braden on her phone. It's informing her that her presence is needed this afternoon at his hotel. She studies the message carefully before shutting off her phone and letting out a deep sigh.

I just can't do it anymore, she thinks to herself as she awaits Terrence's arrival. She needs to stay focused on following a new path- and that certainly didn't include any meetings with former clients. While Braden was different than most of her clients- that being he was charming and quite attractive- she still can't stomach getting paid once more for sex. She is doing her best to put her past behind her- and it seems that her future might just be walking through the front doors.

"Terrence ! I'm so glad you could meet me," Valerie greets him.

"I always have time for you, beautiful."

Valerie returns his smile and the two are promptly seated.

"I must say that your call was kind of out of the blue. I mean, it's been awhile since we last spoke. What's up?" Terrence inquires.

"Well, I've just been doing a lot of thinking and?"

"And?"

"And I want to move back into the direction we were going. The direction before I got scared and ran away." Valerie lowers her head.

"You mean you really want to explore things? Date again?"

"Yes. I mean, I definitely don't want to rush into anything. That being said, I do see that we had something special and you're a really sweet guy, Terrence. I just don't want to have any regrets down the road, you know?"

"Well, I really appreciate that."

"Good. I mean, it's all up to you at this point. If you want to really deal with the occasional hiccups and rocky roads, then I think we have the ability to make each other really happy. I just feel different around you, Terrence. You make me feel wanted in a way that I haven't felt before...it's refreshing. It's something I don't want to lose."

"Wow. That's a lot to digest. I do have to agree with you though- I think we can make each other very happy as well and I think it's worth a shot to give things another try. Oh, and I'll be sure to protect you from any hair pulling from my mother in the future."

Valerie and Terrence both crack a smile. Valerie then rests her right hand on top of his as they stare at each other for a moment.

"So what are you doing about a living situation? I mean, are you still at Rick and Kayla's? Or are you residing at your parents place?"

"Oh, well...I think for the time being I'll be staying with my brother," Valerie says. "Rick really needs me there now that Kayla is gone. And Haylie is such a doll. She is just the most precious baby in the world. It breaks my heart to think she might grow up without a mother."

"Mine too. I mean, I still can't believe that Kayla just left like that. I mean, she seemed a bit off when I met her, especially how she treated Liz at that dinner party, but I didn't think she would ever abandon her own family like that."

"Well, she did unfortunately. Rick is trying to play mister tough guy at home, but I can tell he's just lost. He's scared to death that he'll screw things up with Haylie. He just really needs me right now. That's what family is for, right?"

"Right. That reminds me, I should give my sister a call and see how she's doing."

"Sister? You never mentioned having a sister before..."

Terrence takes a moment to mull over his thoughts before answering. "Yeah, well, it's complicated..."

"Complicated? I think I can relate. So what's the real deal?" Valerie asks with a smile.

"The real deal is that there's a history with her that goes back to some really hard times. She came from a broken home- I mean a really broken home. She's certainly been through a lot in her lifetime."

"I'm not following. I thought you had this great childhood."

"I was fortunate to, yes. But Erica, my sister, was adopted when she was nine. I can't even tell you the things the poor girl went through. My mother and I really tried our best to welcome her with open arms, but enough damage had already been done." Terrence explains.

"Do you know where she lives now?"

"The last I heard she was somewhere in the bay area. She disappeared a few years back and we haven't heard from her since..."

"Well maybe it's time to do a little investigating. And I will do anything I can to help..."

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Scene: Kimberly Summers' Car. 

Fat. Ugly. Loser. Worthless.

These were the words that resounded in Kimberly's head as she glanced at herself through the rearview mirror. These few words were enough to tear apart any self-esteem that Kimberly had and they were dreadful words that she remembered from a very difficult time in her life. But who was she kidding? Every portion of the life she lived seemed to be difficult and it was getting harder as each day went by to pull herself together. Indeed, it seemed it was now a battle to even get out of bed each day...it was a constant battle to put on the show. A horrible show that she despised with everything in her.

"I'm just ready to end it all," she says aloud as she painfully glances in the mirror once more.

"Who the hell even cares about me anyway? Braden now despises me. I lied to the one man who's always been there for me- my father. My mother seems like she's been done with me for years, and Jason and Ashley won't even talk to me."

Tears begin to form in her eyes as her grip grows tighter on the wheel. She pulls down the familiar street she grew up on- the street that she dreamed of leaving for so many years. Ironically it was she that acquired ownership of the Summers Estate after her parent's divorce, but that was only because she knew she was always daddy's little girl.

If only daddy knew the harmful things she had done. The lies she had produced and the plot she created to try and take over her father's company were purely disgusting to her now. But was there any going back? In her mind she had crossed over a point where there was no return and she knew what she had to do.

As she looked over at the gasoline can sitting on the passenger seat, she felt stronger than ever that she needed to do it. She would completely destroy the Summers Estate- including the only life she had ever known...

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Scene: The Davison Estate. 

"I just want to say that I'm not going to do anything to embarrass you. You don't have to worry about me getting out the old photo albums. I'm a pretty cool mom, okay?" Diane says to Jason after seeing the look of worry on his face.

"I know, I know..."

"So dinner should be ready quite soon. Your grandmother is setting the table right now. Why don't you give her a hand and I'll greet Lucas when he arrives?"

"Are you sure?" Jason raises a brow.

"Yes. Your grandmother will appreciate the help."

"Sounds good then."

Jason exits into the kitchen and Diane peeks out the window and notices a car is pulling up into the driveway. It's certainly not of the same grandeur of Jason's vehicle, but it seems appropriate for a twenty-something who is on their own. Diane was certainly not one to judge and she appreciated those in life who really worked hard and knew the value of a dollar.

"Hi. You must be Lucas!" Diane opens the door and greets him with a smile.

"I am, yes. You must be Ms. Davison. I've heard so many wonderful things about you." Lucas replies.

"Oh, flattery will get you...oh, just about everywhere with me! Please do come in." Diane smiles.

"Thank you."

"Was there any traffic leaving The City?" Diane inquires.

"Not too much. I mean, it's to be expected that there will be some I suppose."

"I don't know how you do it!"

"Do what?"

"Live in The City. San Francisco is just a lively and fun place. I bet it's hard not to get distracted."

"You hold a very good point. And I must say that it was quite hard to concentrate when I was in school- but fortunately I got through it."

"Well, it's certainly nice to see someone who really persevered through college. I was the first person to graduate college in my family and I really understand that it can take a lot out of you."

"That it can," Lucas agrees.

"Come into the dining area with me. The table should bet set and I believe dinner should be ready."

Lucas nervously follows her into the dining area and lets out a sigh of relief when he locks eyes with Jason. He nearly regrets agreeing to play Jason's "boyfriend for a day", but when he looks into Jason's eyes he simply forgets it all. He quickly realized that he couldn't say no to Jason's baby blues.

"Lucas! Glad you could make it! I see you met my mother."

"I did, yes. Good to see you too." Lucas replies with a shaky voice.

"This is my sister Ashley and her, uhm...Joe." Jason cracks a smile, unsure of what title to give Joe at this point.

Ashley and Joe extend their hands out and greet Lucas. Helen soon appears from the kitchen and produces a beaming smile when she sees the young man.

"Ah, you must be Lucas!"

"I am, yes!" Lucas raises his tone to meet hers.

"Give me a hug, my dear! Any friend of Jason's is a friend of ours!"

Lucas is unsure of how to react to Helen's larger than life personality. He decides to go with the flow and embraces her with a hug.

"Please do sit, everyone." Helen commands.

"Yes mother..." Diane groans, cracking a smile.

"So how did you and Jason meet?" Diane inquires.

Lucas instantly looks at Jason and they both freeze. How could they have overlooked an answer to the obvious question that would be asked?

"The hospital," Jason quickly interrupts. I met him when we went to the hospital after the quake hit. Lucas is a registered nurse."

Good save, Jason thought. God only knows how they would react if they learned that Jason had broken into Keith's house and stolen his journal which had Lucas? number in it. Jason still can't believe how foolish he acted when he accused Lucas of sleeping with Keith. He looks over at the kind-hearted friend and realizes that Lucas couldn't be capable of such a thing.

"Why don't you tell them the truth?" Lucas blurts out to a shocked Jason.

"The truth?!" Helen repeats. "Ooh, I love a good scandal! What are you leaving out, Jason?"

The whole family turns to Jason as turns a bright shade of red. His palms are sweating and he can feel his hands shaking. He knew exactly the truth that Lucas was referring to- and he knew that with Lucas and Ashley by his side, perhaps now was a better time than ever.

Suddenly, right before Jason is able to speak, Ashley stands up with a look of shock on her face.

"What my dear?" Helen asks.

"My water just broke." Ashley replies as she worryingly looks at Joe.

"It's okay. You're fine, babe. Lets just get you to the hospital right away."

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