Previously...

Heather went into labor following her and Benji's car accident.  Brett and Jordan blasted Benji for his wreckless driving. Benji apologized, then turned flipant when his back was turned.  Brooke convinced Brett to get over his self-esteem issues and own up to the possibility that his baby may have mental problems due to Heather's toxoplasmosis.  After another of Alex's tantrums on set, the makeup artist quit.  James offered the job to Brooke, who politely informed him that Jordan had already hired her to work on his latest film.  After learning that Brooke and David were going on a date, Roz tried to convince James that he and Brooke still belonged together. James and Alex learned of Stormy and Kelly's relationship. Kelly asked Stormy if he would get her a part in Angel Assassin 2. Miranda saw photos in the gossip column of David and Brooke at the opening of Moonshadows.  Ethan warned James of impending financial disaster.  James asked Kenny to find out if the lender would defer his payments until the film was released.  A mysterious woman on the phone with an unseen caller expressed interest in James.  Heather gave birth to a baby girl during an exclipse and later named her Violet.

Episode 79

"LIfe's Rich Pageant"

Engine roaring, tires squealing, smoke billowing into the air, the red Camero launched forward like a rocket, climbing from zero to sixty in three seconds.  The car raced down the palm-tree lined street, weaving through oncoming traffic with reckless disregard.

She steered onto a side street alley, gunning the engine and crashing through a grouping of garbage cans.  From behind she could hear the wail of sirens in close pursuit.  Pushing the gas pedal to the floor, she powered through the alley, the main road ahead within her sights.

Just as she neared the end of the alley, a gasp escaped her throat and she slammed on the brakes, inches from barreling into the police car that had pulled up and blocked her path.   She looked behind, opened the door and got out when she realized she was surrounded. 

Offering a coy smile, Kelly Kahoano raised her hands into the air in surrender.  The police officers slowly approached, their weapons drawn.  She stared ahead in a daze, focusing on the bright sandy Honolulu beach a mile off in the distance.

An hour later, she was behind the cold steel bars of a cell at the Honolulu police department.  Pacing back and forth, she heard footsteps and approached the bars, her face drawing to a scowl when her future father-in-law appeared before her. 

“Oh, it’s you,” she said with a roll of her eyes.

“You were expecting someone else?” asked Pali Liu, an intimidatingly powerful man dressed in a gray suit and a taut expression on his weathered face.  He spoke in broken English, still managing to exhibit great conviction with every word.  At forty-five, he was one of the most wealthy and influential businessmen in Hawaii.

“What are you doing here?” Kelly asked, plopping down on a concrete bench inside the cell.  “Did you come to gloat?  Isn’t this what you wanted?”

“Unfortunately I can’t take the credit for your little joyride.  That was all your own doing.  What made you decide to take the car my son bought you and treat it like a tank?”

Kelly shrugged and shifted her weight on the bench.  “I just wanted to see what it could do,” she claimed defiantly.

Unaffected by her attempt at humor, Mr. Liu kept his hands at his sides and an expressionless look on his face.  “Such disregard for things,” he said.  “Much like your disregard for my son.  I warned him that you would hurt him.”

“I didn’t hurt your son,” Kelly insisted, spiking to her feet with a defensive stance. 

“But you walked out on him two months before your wedding.”

With a frown, she stepped closer to the bars separating them.  “Are you kidding me?” she asked.  “You’ve been trying to get me away from him since we were kids.  You never wanted me with Ke.  How many times did you try to buy me off?”

“Are you surprised?” Mr. Liu asked.  “Do you think I would want my son marrying the daughter of a common servant?  The product of one night with a drunken American soldier?”

“You don’t know anything about me or my family.  My mother is ten times the person you are.  All you care about is controlling Ke, and sooner or later he’s going to realize that.”

Wordlessly, he reached into the breast pocket of his suit and removed a stack of hundred dollar bills.

“What is that for?” she asked, her eyes darting between him and the money.

“Keeping my end of the bargain.”

She shook her head in disgust and backed up a few steps.  “I don’t want your money,” she said.  “I didn’t want it then and I don’t want it now.”

Mr. Liu regarded her with a look of confusion and surprise.  “Am I supposed to believe you aren’t the money hungry whore that you present yourself to be?”

“Go to hell.”

Quietly, he placed the cash back in his pocket and straightened his jacket lapels.  “If you didn’t leave my son for the money then why did you?”

She shook her head in resignation and turned away from him.  “You wouldn’t understand.”

After a moment or two of silence, Mr. Liu turned and began to walk away.  He paused and waited a beat, deciding there was something else.  He looked back at her with the same cold eyes.

“You’ve surprised me,” he began.  “All these years I thought you were a stupid girl.  Now I see you’re intelligent enough to know that you’re just not good enough for my son, and you never will be.”

She squeezed her eyes shut, struggling to block out his hateful words.  She’d heard it for years and it still hadn’t gotten any easier to take.  By the time she opened her eyes again and turned, Mr. Liu was gone...

Scene twenty-three of Angel Assassin 2 was a location shoot at the Griffith Observatory.  Stormy knew that when they went on location, expenses went up and quality went down, neither of which made his father happy, especially with the crunch they were under in regards to the film’s release.

When Kelly arrived on set, Stormy was rushing about preparing his three stars for their scenes.  He spotted her out of the corner of his eye and a grin spread across his face.  He darted over and greeted her with a warm kiss, gently placing his hands on her waist.

“I’m not late, am I?” she asked.  “I was so nervous.  I couldn’t decide what to wear.”

“You have a fitting with the costume designer,” Stormy said and led her a few yards away.  “And don’t be nervous.  You’re going to be fine.  Did you go over your lines last night?”

She grinned mischievously and gave him a nudge.  “I didn’t have time,” she said.  “Somebody kept me busy all night.”

Stormy blushed and slipped his arm around her as he drew her close.  “I can’t imagine who that could have been,” he said with a chuckle.

“It’s much easier now that everyone knows about us and we don’t have to go on hiding our relationship.  We can spend every night together and stop all this sneaking around at the hotel and at your office.  We can finally live like real people.”

He squeezed her close and gazed out over the city from their vantage point.  “But if you’re going to be a serious actress then you need time to learn your lines.  I can always help.  Those love scenes can be a challenge.”

She winked at him.  “We’re getting ahead of ourselves.  This is just a bit part.  I think I can handle speaking a few words into the camera.”  She stopped him and looked into his eyes.  “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this, Stormy.  You really are a very descent guy.”

He kissed her again just as Frank Dunning approached and patted him firmly on the back.

“This must be Kelly,” he said, flipping his long hair over his shoulder.  “I’m Frank Dunning, director of Angel Assassin 2.”

“Mr. Dunning, it’s so good to meet you,” Kelly said with wide eyes.  “I love every one of your movies.  Monaco, The Resurrectionist, they’re all so amazing.”

“Thank you, Kelly. It’s a pleasure to-“

“What is she doing here?” asked a voice from behind.

They turned just as Alex approached from her makeup trailer, hands planted firmly on her hips and a scowl spread across her overly made-up face.

“Mom, didn’t I tell you?” Stormy asked.  “I had Frank put a small part in the film for Kelly.  She wants to be an actress and I thought this would be a good opportunity to break her into the business.”

“Kelly wants to be an actress, does she?” Alex asked, her lips pursed. 

“I’m looking forward to working with you, Miss Reynolds,” Kelly said.

Alex mustered a smile that showed no teeth.  A laugh that wound up being a little too drawn-out to be considered serious followed.   “How lovely,” she said, her mouth barely moving.  “Stormy, may I speak to you for a minute, Darling?”

“Sure,” he said, offering Kelly a reassuring smile before following his mother a few yards away.  “What’s up?”

“What’s up is that this girl has no training.  What on earth made you decide to put someone this green and inexperienced in my big comeback film?” Alex protested, a curl shaking loose from her updo and dangling over her eye.

“Mom, it’s just a small part,” Stormy insisted.  “She’s playing one of your android henchwomen.”

Alex took a deep breath, watching Frank giving Kelly direction and motioning to the camera.  “Sweetheart, I know you think you are in love with Kelly,” she began.  “Lord knows you haven’t had the best luck with relationships.  I can even understand how this happened.  You and Kelly living under the same roof all this time.  You’re close in age.  I just don’t want to see you jumping into anything with someone that might wind up hurting you."

“Kelly isn’t going to hurt me,” Stormy said with a frown.  “And we’re not jumping into anything.  We’ve been seeing each other for over three months.”

“I just don’t want to see her take advantage of you.  First you announce that you’re in love and the next minute she’s appearing in the film?”

Stormy sighed heavily and looked away in frustration.  “If you’re suggesting that Kelly is using me for my connections, you’re wrong.  This was my idea.  I don’t want to see her working as a maid her entire life.  She came here for new opportunities, and that’s what I’m going to give her.” 

“I see,” Alex said with the same pursed-lip smile.  “Well then.  Any relation of dear Leilani’s has my vote.  I’m happy to share this scene with someone as worthy as Kelly.”

Stormy regarded his mother carefully.  He knew a front when he saw one.  Being the son of an actress gave him that sixth sense into people and their inner thoughts. But for the time being he decided to let it go.  There was no sense in spending more time trying to convince her when the fact was she just wasn't ready.

“Well then, let’s get to work,” Alex said and floated back over to Frank.  “Kelly, welcome to the film.  I’m sure you’ll do great work.”

“Thank you,” Kelly said, taking cue and embracing her happily.

Alex exaggerated the embrace, holding the young woman close and whispering quietly into her ear while maintaining her affected smile.  “If you hurt my son in the slightest, I will make you one very sorry young woman.”

The realization that Stormy’s mother meant business came quickly to Kelly.  She swallowed hard, forced herself to smile, and walked back over to Frank and Stormy.  It seemed that she was in familiar territory again.  She had no intention of hurting Stormy.  But was she aware that he was in a position to help her?  Yes, she was absolutely aware.  But she planned on working for her successes.  She didn't take money from Ke Liu, and she wouldn't take it from Stormy.

That evening, Alex lounged languorously on the plush chenille sofa in her bedroom, draped in a flowing white robe and an ice pack covering her eyes.  She heard the door open and looked up, removing the mask and allowing her eyes to settle on Jordan handing her a glass of water and two aspirin.

“Thank you, Darling,” she said and accepted it hurriedly.  “This headache won’t seem to go away.”

“Tough day on the set?” he asked and began to undress.

“The worst,” Alex murmured dramatically.  “That little tart took all of one day to insinuate herself into everyone’s good graces.  Frank fawned all over her, the cinematographer waited on her hand and foot, and of course Stormy acted like she was God’s gift to men.  I don’t understand what they all see in her.  Especially Stormy.  I know she’s only using him.  I’ve known women like her.  Using her sexuality to get a part in a movie?  How cliché.”

“Of course you’ve known women like her,” Jordan said, hanging his tie over the dressing mirror.  “That was you twenty years ago.  Or are you forgetting the way you used Nathan to break into the business?”

Alex gasped and jumped to her feet.  “That is completely different. “

“Different how?” Jordan asked with a  good-natured grin.  “Look, Stormy is a young man with the same hormones that any young man has.  It’s human nature that he’s going to be attracted to a woman like Kelly.  She’s young, she’s beautiful, she’s easily influenced, and she has the right look.  Chances are she’s going to be very well received in Hollywood, and if it isn’t in Angel Assassin 2 then it’ll be some other picture.  Hell, I’d cast her in a heartbeat.”

She shot him a look of warning.  “That’s doesn’t speak very highly of you.  Of course you are a playboy at heart.”

“Was,” he corrected her, unbuttoning his crisp white shirt and kissing her softly.  “I’m a married man now, remember?”

She sighed and turned away from him, flitting across the room as her nightgown billowed behind her.  “You just have this magnetic attraction that women are drawn to.  I mean, look at Brooke Taylor.  I cannot believe that you asked her to work for you.  After all she’s done to my family.”

“Brooke is doing me a favor by working for Rydell Productions.  It has nothing to do with my magnetic attraction.  We were in a pinch when our last makeup artist got hurt on the set.  She’s capable, she’s experienced, and she’s talented.  There are no secret agendas here.”

“Not on your end at least,” Alex said and examined herself in the mirror.  “I have no doubt that Brooke has an agenda.  She’s probably only doing this to stick it to me.”

Jordan couldn’t help but laugh.  “Not everything is about you.”

She turned and winked.  “Don’t be so sure.”

Aroused by her arrogance, Jordan approached and slipped his arms around her waist.  Holding her in his muscular arms, he brushed his lips against hers and slowly pulled her nightgown from her body.   “You are one of a kind, Alex Reynolds.”

“And don’t forget it.”

"So what about you?" he asked.  "Shouldn't I be jealous of you and Frank Dunning?"

"Frank?" she scoffed.  "Why on earth should you be jealous of Frank?"

"No reason," he said with a shrug and traced a finger down the nape of her neck.  Maybe because I don't trust him as far as I can throw him, he thought to himself.  Maybe not in the sexual sense, but Frank was not a man to be trusted.  

"What is it with you two anyway?" Alex asked.  "There's so much hostility there."

"It's nothing.  There's no hostility between me and Frank."

"Yes there is.  Come to think of it, it's been that way for years.  Just what do you have against each other anyway?"

Jordan didn't want to get into it.  He was sorry that he even brought it up.  In an effort to avoid the subject, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the enormous bed where he laid her down and leaned over her, smothering her body with tender kisses.

“How is your headache?” he asked.

“Gone,” she said quickly, pulling him on top of her and running her hands through his hair.

Hotel Terranova was buzzing with activity that evening.  The lounge and the dining room were packed, hotel guests and patrons mingled around the bar and the buffet, while a jazz band played a soft number from their set positioned at the front of the room. 

James and Miranda picked at their shrimp cocktail while standing beside a giant ice sculpture in the dining room.  Several feet away, Roz Taylor watched them as she remained hidden from view behind a crowd of people.  Biding her time, she waited for an opportunity to approach.

“It’s been a while since we spent an evening out together,” James said to his daughter with a smile.  “I’ve missed it.”

“I have too,” Miranda replied with a beaming smile.  “It’s good to see you up and out again lately, Daddy.  I’m sure being cooped up in the house after you were shot got pretty tedious.”

“Yes it did,” he said and looked around appreciatively.  “Business seems to be picking up around here.  Has it been like this a lot lately?”

She nodded.  “Yes, it’s been very busy.  The hotel’s been sold out nearly every night this week.  Those two conventions didn’t hurt business either.  I’m hoping that this summer will be our best yet.”

The news came as a great relief to James.  With his recent financial problems, it was good to know that at least one of his businesses was making money.  He may need it as a backup if things got worse at Sunset Studios.  “Sweetheart, I’d like to take a look at the first quarter earnings.  Do you think you could have it ready for me to review by tomorrow?”

Miranda frowned.  “Well sure, Daddy.  But why?”

He didn’t want to divulge too much to her.  No need in worrying the entire family about something before it became an issue.  “I need to provide a solid account of our assets to Kenny.  It’s just boring tax stuff.  Nothing for you to worry about.”

Miranda trusted her father so no further explanation was necessary.  She picked up a glass of champagne and glanced around the room, her eyes landing on Stormy and Kelly as they entered, both dressed elegantly in formal evening attire.  She set her jaw, fixated on the woman dangling from her brother’s arm, and quickly excused herself.

“Daddy, I’ll be back,” she said, starting purposefully across the room.

After she’d gone, Roz made her move.  She approached James steadfastly, each step more determined than the last.   By the time she arrived at his side, James had already  been alerted to her presence.

“Roz, how lovely to see you,” he said.  “Are you here with Brooke?”

She shook her head and accepted a glass of champagne from a passing waiter.  “No, she’s at home with Michael. I thought I’d venture out on my own for the evening.”

“Well, I’m glad you did.  Tell me, how long are you planning on staying in Los Angeles?”

“For as long as Brooke needs me,” she replied ominously.  Her eyes bore into James’s while she planned what she was going to say.  “I’m very worried about her, James.”

“Why?” he asked with a frown.  “I thought Brooke was doing well.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” Roz said in disagreement.  “My daughter is headed for a very big heartache.  If she continues seeing David Jenner it will be to our absolute detriment.”

James was more confused than ever.  “David Jenner is a fine young man.  I've known his family for years.”

“Is that what you said when he broke your daughter’s heart?”

“Miranda is still very young and naive.  She lets her heart run her mind.  I have a feeling things with her and David weren’t as serious as she’d let herself believe.  She’ll be fine.  I do, however, think that David would be very good for Brooke.”

Roz regarded him suspiciously.  “Why do I get the feeling that any man who isn’t Ethan would be good for Brooke in your eyes?”

James knew where she was coming from.  Maybe she was right.  Maybe he just didn’t want Brooke with Ethan.  He was only human, after all.

“I think that Brooke is an independent woman and can make her own decisions,” he finally said and made an attempt at walking away.  He didn’t see Renee DeWitt standing several feet away listening to their conversation.

“I think you are the man my daughter wants,” Roz said and stopped him with a tug at his arm.

“And yet we’re divorced,” James said with exasperation.

“Do you still love her?”

He took a deep breath and dropped his hands to his sides.  “I care very much about what happens to Brooke.  I always will.  But that doesn’t mean we belong together.”

“I’m not so sure,” Roz said.  “I think it would be in everyone’s best interests if you worked things out with my daughter.  It’s never too late, you know.”

Just as she walked away, James turned and bumped into Renee.  “Renee, how good to see you,” he said and kissed her on the cheek.  “How are you?”

“Call me curious,” she said, her ebony hair cascading in curls down to her shoulders.  “Who was that woman?”

“That was Brooke’s mother.  Roz Taylor.  She’s visiting from Phoenix.  Why?”

Renee shook her head with uncertainty.  “I don’t know.  I could swear I’ve seen her someplace before.”

“Really?” he asked.  “Roz Taylor isn’t exactly a jet-setter.  I doubt that she’s been to many places you’ve visited.”  A slight chuckle followed.  “Brooke’s parents aren’t exactly well off.”

Renee raised an eyebrow and gestured across the room with a  nod of her head.  “Well those earrings beg to differ,” she began.  “Those are Harry Winston diamonds.  They cost nearly a quarter of a million dollars.”

James appeared awed.  “Where on earth would Roz Taylor get a quarter of a million dollars for earrings?” he asked.  “Her husband is a salesman for God’s sake.”

Renee didn’t appear as stunned.  “And why was she so eager to get you and Brooke back together?” she asked.  “No offense, James, but the two of you didn’t have the soundest of marriages.”

James shrugged.  “All I can tell is that she obviously doesn’t want Brooke involved with David Jenner.”

Renee grew into a daze, struggling to remember where she’d seen the woman before.   “Well, whatever the reason.  I don’t think Roz Taylor is being upfront about some things.  I can’t quite place it, but I know her from somewhere.”

Miranda knew that Kelly was avoiding her.  The minute she saw her approaching she excused herself from Stormy’s side and ducked into the ladies room just off the lobby.   Miranda followed her with determination, pushing open the door and scouting around to make sure they were alone.  Once she knew they were, she pulled the stall door open and glared angrily at her.

“You’re hiding from me,” Miranda said and surveyed her up and down.  “Good.  You should hide from me.”

“I’m not hiding from you,” Kelly said with a frown and went to vanity where she pulled a tube of lipstick from her purse and began applying it liberally.  “You like to think of yourself as this intimidating force of nature, but I’m not afraid you, Miranda.”

“Oh really?” Miranda asked and pulled at her arm, causing her to draw her lipstick across her cheek.

“Nice,” Kelly groaned and pulled a handful of tissues from the countertop.  “Look, if this is about me and your brother-“

“You’re damn right it’s about you and my brother,” Miranda exclaimed.  “You must think you’re pretty smart, sneaking around all this time, playing house with Stormy and keeping my father and Leilani in the dark.  How convenient was it that your room was down the hall from his?  Those late night rendezvous must have been so easy with everyone asleep, not knowing what was going on-“

“Why do you care?” Kelly interrupted.  “I mean, what difference does it make to you who your brother chooses to be with?  Unless since your boyfriend dumped you and your life has turned into such a mess that you don’t want to see anyone else happy either.”

Angrily, Miranda drew her hand back and slapped her hard across the face.

Kelly brought her hand up to her cheek and glared heatedly at her.    “You know what your problem is?” she asked, ignoring the stinging sensation from the startling blow.  “You think you’re so much better than everyone else.”

“Okay, here we go,” Miranda said with a sigh of resignation.  “The old caste system card.  Well I’ve got news for you, Kelly.  I’m not a snob.”

“Then why don’t you want me seeing your brother?”

“I don’t like outsiders coming into my house and taking advantage of my family,” Miranda spat.  “The only reason I gave you a job is because you’re Leilani’s daughter, and she is a very special person to me.  I knew the minute you showed up on our doorstep with your hand-me-down suitcase and your hot pink mini skirt that you were going to be trouble.  Well, now you’ve officially proven me right.”

“Stormy doesn’t think the same way you do,” Kelly said, turning and wiping the lipstick from her cheek.   “He loves me, and that means I’m here to stay.”