Chapter 53

Donna's Pov.

I got back from rehearsals and headed straight to the hotel. I walked into the staff changing room to change into my waitress uniform, my mind still reeling from the day's events and last night's dinner with Charlie. As I finished changing, I saw Lorena. She was rummaging through her locker, and at first, we didn’t say anything to each other. It was the first time we saw each other since our fight yesterday, and the silence was heavy between us. I was itching to talk to her about the dinner with Charlie, but I didn’t want to seem weak.

Eventually, I broke the silence. “How are you doing?” My voice sounded small and uncertain.

Lorena responded coldly, “Just the way you left me.”

“I’m not in the wrong here, Lorena. You lied to me.”

“And here you go, making this about you,” Lorena snapped.

“What do you mean by that?”

“You know exactly what I mean. Almost everything we talk about is about you—your dreams, the men in your life, your pregnancy. We lived together for eight months, and you never knew I was working on an EP, but I know all about your failed auditions. That creepy agent who didn’t get you any good gigs that weren’t TV commercials—I know all about it. But do you know anything about me?” Lorena said

I was about to respond when it hit me that she was right. I hadn’t really put much interest in my best friend’s life. Was I really that self-centered? A bad friend? No, that can’t be right, I thought.

Lorena continued, “You don’t know much about me because you rarely ask. And when you do ask, you prefer an answer that doesn’t require you to help. So, how do I tell you that I am struggling with my sexuality or that, for the first time, I kissed a girl and I loved it? How would you even react to that?”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t think of it like that,” I said, feeling a lump form in my throat.

“Of course you didn’t. It’s easy to look past these things, but we are both on different journeys. I feel like we’re drifting apart. For example, you didn’t tell me that you wanted to get an abortion. Which, by the way, isn’t a bad thing, but the truth is that the Donna I know wouldn’t opt for an abortion just to cover up a mistake she made.”

“Lorena, you know I can’t keep this baby. Louis, the father, is a married man. Why would I ruin his marriage by keeping this baby?”

“That’s something you need to think about for yourself. Think it through, Donna. Don’t make a mistake you’ll regret just to cover up another mistake,” she said and left me standing there.

I stepped out of the changing room and saw someone who, from the back, looked a lot like Claire. I thought to myself, it can’t be her. What could she possibly be doing in the staff area? I brushed it off and walked to the restaurant area, where I saw a particular booth that people were hovering around like bees to honey. Gail told me, “Go to that booth and get that guest’s order.”

I did as she said. As I approached, some of the people hovering around cleared out, revealing Taran Holden. He looked up and smiled. “Hey, Donna. I didn’t know you worked here.”

I stood there, my mind racing. Was this Hollywood superstar stalking me to the hotel?

I forced a smile and said, “Yes, I do. How can I help you today?”

Taran’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “I’ll have whatever you recommend. And I would love to have a chat with you about the play while I'm eating, is that ok with you?”

"I don't think that sort of thing is allowed here, but you can ask my supervisor," I said, pointing toward Gail.

He gestured to Gail, who quickly came over. "What can I do for you, sir?" she asked, blushing like a schoolgirl in front of her crush.

Taran smiled at her. "Gail, can Donna sit with me for a chat after she brings my order? We're working on a play together, so what do you say?"

I was certain Gail would say no, but to my surprise, she giggled and said, "Yeah, you can chat with her," then left us.

Taran winked at me as if to say, "I'm a Hollywood star, of course I get what I want.”

**************

Louis's Pov.

The cool Silicon Valley air was a stark contrast to the sweltering Los Angeles heat. I’d flown in on my private jet for a quick business trip, eager to escape the confines of the tech world to my Los Angeles haven. My first stop was the Colton Hotel, where I had to check in on some things that required my attention as the CEO, before heading home.

I headed straight for the restaurant, intent on placing a lunch order for delivery to my penthouse office. As I waited to place my order, my gaze wandered around the room. A familiar face caught my eye. It was Donna, engaged in conversation with a man who looked strikingly familiar – an actor, I was sure. The name was on the tip of my tongue, but it just wouldn't come.

As the elevator ascended, I finally placed the name – Taran Holden. A Hollywood A-lister in the hotel, no less. Wow! Taran Holden is good publicity for the hotel, I will make sure to make his acquaintance.

Stepping into my office, I was greeted by an unexpected sight. Claire was sitting in my chair, her posture exuding an air of authority, in the same black dress she wore that morning. A cold shiver ran down my spine. Was she planning a takeover?

“Hey, Claire,” I greeted her, trying to mask my surprise. “I was wondering where you went to this morning?”

She met my gaze with a cold, calculating stare. “You are asking like you care, but we both know you don't.”

“Of course I do,” I replied, my voice laced with sincerity. “I’m sorry about last night. It was a mistake, a slip of the tongue.”

Her expression softened slightly. “Is that supposed to make me feel better? To make me forget that you called another woman’s name while we were making love? A woman who you repeatedly told me was just a “friend” and who is also your friend’s girlfriend?”

Her words were like daggers, each syllable exposing the raw truth. “I know my apologies aren’t enough,” I admitted, my voice heavy with regret. “Tell me what I can do to make things right.”

A cruel smile crept across her face. “Since it’s crystal clear you have feelings for that low-life wannabe actress, I want you to cut all ties with her.”

I felt a surge of anger. “I can get her to stop coming to the mansion, even if it is to see my mother.” I offered, trying to find a compromise.

She shook her head. “That’s not enough, Louis. I want you to fire her.”

Her words hung in the air, a challenge I couldn’t ignore.