Authors: Hailey Hogan
Three months later…
Garth
removed the blindfold from Eva’s eyes. “Wow,” she said. “This is beautiful.”
Eva
knew they were coming to the beach but she was not expecting to see a table holding a candlelight dinner in the sand near the water. Eva took a seat when Garth pulled out her chair.
“You’re the hardest person to surprise,”
Garth admitted.
Eva
said, “You got me good with this one. I thought we were just going to take a stroll near the water. I didn’t expect dinner.”
“I hope everything is to your satisfaction,”
Garth said.
“The food looks scrumptious,” she said, as a man dressed in black and white removed the cover showing a plate of shrimp fettuccine with marinated sauce.
The sounds of the ocean provided a romantic soundtrack to their meal. After they ate their main course, the same man came to their table and brought them desert. Instead of placing the desert in front of both of them, he handed them both to Garth. Garth stood up and placed the dish in front of Eva. He then got down on one knee. He removed the cover. On top of the cake was a ring. Garth held the dish and said, “Eva Ward, will you marry me?”
Eva
was ecstatic. She almost jumped out her seat. Without hesitating, Eva said, “Yes. Yes.”
Garth
removed the ring and tried to wipe out the icing, but Eva was too excited. “Put it on like that. I’ll worry about the icing later.”
They sealed their new engagement with a kiss under the moonlit night.
***
Eva
glanced at her reflection in the mirror several times. The form fitted gold dress showed all of her curves. The strapless floor length gown had been hand delivered to her by Fabio, one of her favorite designers. She really liked the fact that her back was out. Fortunately her workouts had been working, so she could show off her fit physique. Tonight was one of the biggest nights of her career. She vowed to enjoy every moment of it. What made it more special was the fact she would be sharing it with the man she loved. Eva smiled as she looked at the three carat princess cut diamond ring on her finger. Garth’s proposal caught her by surprise. Their relationship had moved at a fast pace, but she didn’t regret it. She knew in her heart that he was the only man for her and she was glad he felt the same way about her.
“There’s my favorite talk show host,”
Garth said, as he entered and planted a kiss on her lips.
Eva
released a few short breaths. “I’m so nervous,” she admitted.
“Baby, if you win, we’ll celebrate. If you lose, we’ll celebrate. Just enjoy the night,”
Garth said.
“I’m going to do my best. You just don’t know how bad I want to win.”
“I know. I was like that when I played ball. I hated losing, but I didn’t regret giving it my all, if we did lose. You’ve given your all—so regardless you’re a winner baby.”
“I think that deserves another kiss,”
Eva said, as she kissed him. That’s what Eva loved about Garth. He had a way of showing her a different side to a situation.
Jackie yelled from downstairs, “Your car is here.”
“Why is she still working for me again?” Eva asked Garth.
Garth
said, “I know when to say something and when to keep my mouth shut. I’m not touching that one.”
Eva
felt guilty after Jackie ate Caroline’s poisonous candy. Up until this point, Jackie was Eva’s best assistant. Jackie wasn’t aware of her promotion, but Eva planned to promote her to one of the assistant producer positions as soon as they came back from hiatus.
Eva
and Garth rode in one limousine and Jackie and other staff members rode to the awards show in another limousine. Eva said, “I wanted us to have our privacy.” Eva picked up the open bottle of champagne.
Garth
took the champagne bottle from her and placed it back in the silver container. He picked up her hand and kissed the back of it. “Baby, you don’t need another drink. We don’t want you tipsy when you walk on stage to accept your awards.”
“I need something to calm my nerves,”
Eva said.
“How about this?”
Garth asked, right before planting a kiss on her lips.
After moaning and kissing,
Eva said, “I’m more than calm. In fact, after a kiss like that, I can conquer the world.”
Garth
laughed. “What am I going to do with you Eva Ward?”
“Love me and kiss me like you just did,”
Eva responded, as Garth gave her what she wanted.
Soon they were pulling up in front of the auditorium. Cameras were flashing and the noise level was so high, it was hard to hear your neighbor talk. “Are you ready for the pandemonium?”
Eva asked, as Garth escorted her out of the limousine.
“Baby, I’m just your supporting cast. Lead the way and I’ll follow.”
Eva couldn’t help but love Garth. She threw her hair back with one hand and flashed her kilowatt smile as Garth followed her up the red carpet. Eva stopped and poised for a few pictures. Several reporters from different media outlets vied for her attention.
“How does it feel to be up for several awards?” one reporter asked.
Eva smiled and looked directly at the cameras and said, “I’m just honored to be nominated.”
“I love your dress. Who are you wearing?” another reporter asked.
“This is Fabio. It’s a one of kind,” Eva said, as she twirled around slowly so the camera could get a view of her dress at all angles.
Eva
heard the reporter say to their audience, “Don’t be surprised if you see Eva on the best dressed list for tonight.”
Garth
leaned and whispered in her ear. “I told you that dress was hot.”
Eva
blushed. Some people in the crowd chanted, “Eva! Eva!” as she and Garth finally made it inside.
“After we locate our seats, I’ll go back stage so I can get ready to make one of the first presentations,”
Eva said.
“I miss you already,”
Garth said, as his hands lightly grazed her back.
Eva
posed for more pictures as she watched the monitor of the opening ceremonies. Jackie peaked in the room and said, “They’re calling for you.”
Eva
wooed the crowd as she took center stage and presented the award for best children’s animation. After handing out the award to the winners, Eva exited the stage and made her way through the crowd backstage. She said, “Excuse me,” several times before taking a seat next to Garth.
“You did good,”
Garth said.
Eva
did her best to enjoy the ceremonies; although she couldn’t help but wish the show would move faster so she could learn the outcome of her categories. The camera stayed glued in Eva’s direction. Garth held her hand, as she sat nervously in her seat waiting for the presenter’s announcement. A soap opera star said, “This year’s Daytime Emmy Award for The Best Talk Show host goes to.”
The other presenter stepped in and said, “Wait. Let me.”He said, “
Eva Ward.”
Garth
nudged her. “Sweetheart, you won.”
“I won.”
Eva sounded shocked. She sat for a few seconds before the realization hit her. Once she did, she jumped out of her seat with excitement. She kissed Garth on the lips and John on the cheek as she made her way to the stage.
“Thank you. Needless to say I wasn’t expecting to win. I was just happy to be nominated.”
A few chuckles were heard. Eva went on to say, “I thank God for allowing me the opportunity to share with you my views every day. I want to thank my super producer John Woods and my staff. Of course my parents for instilling in me early that I could do or be whatever I wanted to be as long as I put my mind to it and worked hard at it.”
The music started playing, alerting
Eva it was time for her to leave the stage. “Okay, they’re playing that music. To the love of my life,” she said, as she looked in Garth’s direction. She was led to the back of the stage where she took pictures and answered questions in the winner’s corner.
Before
Eva could make it back to her seat, she heard her name called for another award. She was overjoyed. She didn’t take as long to accept the second award. She dedicated the win to her fans. After the show, Eva did short interviews and took pictures. Garth seemed to wait patiently for her on the sidelines. “I’m ready,” Eva said, after interviewing with one of the national morning shows.
Garth
led Eva to their awaiting limousine. “I really don’t feel like going to this party, but I must,” Eva said, as she stared at the two trophies she just won. They were now headed to her network’s sponsored party.
“How does it feel to walk away with two trophies?”
Garth asked.
“It wouldn’t mean a thing if I didn’t have you here with me,”
Eva said.
Garth
looked at her and then at the two trophies. “As much as I would like to believe that. Give it to me raw.”
“I’m on top of the world. Best talk show…best talk show host. I’m the b
est and now the world knows it,” she said, as she kissed the bottom of both of her trophies.
“Now that’s the
Eva I’ve come to know and love. One who is filled with confidence…sometimes a little too much confidence, but confidence nevertheless,” Garth said, as he took the trophies from Eva and laid them on the seat beside them.
“You’re the only man I’ll let come between me and my trophies,”
Eva teased.
Garth
hit the button on the glass separating them from the driver and said, “Take the long route to the party.”
“You’re bad,”
Eva said, as Garth kissed her and she slipped further down into the seat.
“I love you
Eva Ward and I’m about to show you how much,” Garth said, as he unzipped her dress.
“I love you too
Garth,” Eva responded, between moans.
THE END
MESSAGE FROM THE
AUTHOR
Dear Reader,
Thank you for taking the time out to read Eva and Garth's story. Although in the past they were both betrayed by love, they were able to find true love with one another.
Hailey Hogan