Isn't it a little late for a party? the cab driver inquired glancing in his rear view mirror over at Sami Brady as she found herself fidgeting with the dress she'd been wearing. While she'd selected it believing that it would certainly prove to be a stunning number, one that would show off an air of class along with offering up a hint of sexuality as well that she was certain would impress the potential investors that she's come to Chicago to help charm, she couldn't help but feel uncomfortable with the plunging neckline. Then again maybe strapless wasn't such a good idea after all, she thought to herself while tipping her head up just enough to see the cab driver's eyes widen when she attempted to pull the dress up over the swell of her breasts before she was borderline indecent.
Do you mind? she scoffed, her blue eyes glaring at the man behind the wheel. He let out a small laugh while his lecherous eyes fixed on hers once again.
Not at all, he replied in a vile tone that had her wondering all over again why she hadn't just taken the limo that the company had offered her long before the plans were finalized for this trip. Frowning she glared at the man again before bringing the thick, dark fabric of her black coat around her body once again, Just drive would you?The Ritz Carlton, yes? the man questioned giving her one last look before she circled her finger around in the air motioning for him to watch the busy road in front of them again before they wound up getting into an accident.
While it was the middle of winter in Chicago, there was no mistaking the fact that the weekend traffic was still as crazy as ever downtown even at this hour. She glanced out the window seeing the various Christmas lights and decorations bringing life to the various stores and restaurants that passed by her, but her mind was no where near the Christmas spirit. She couldn't help but find herself lingering back to what had gotten her out here in the first place. If her assistant Becky hadn't gone into labor at the last second, then Sami would be sitting back home in Salem commiserating about her losses like she often did, undoubtedly burying herself in thoughts of Will or even worse of Lucas. Unable to keep the thought of the man she'd loved out of her mind, she let out a long sigh and fought to keep herself under control when the memory of their last encounter with one another surrounded her.
Lucas please, she cried out, her voice broken by her emotions as he lay in her arms on their apartment floor. She could still remember every last detail of that night--of that time when they had promised to share the rest of their lives with one another. Of course that dream had faded after they'd gone to sleep that night. He'd bought her so many wonderful things for the baby, they'd talked about how happy they were to have a brother or sister for Will and then the intrusion happened. Admittedly Sami had been asleep the time of the break in. She'd been exhausted and overly stressed due to the fact that EJ hadn't let up on the situation. It was a ticking time bomb for her and she feared for herself, but mostly for Lucas and Will knowing full well that kind of danger EJ could present to her life. Still she never thought that EJ would cross that line with her.
she could still hear herself calling out to him. She'd reached for her robe and slipped into it just in time to hear the sound of the gunshot ringing out. Even now that sound pierced her heart and made her wish like hell she could've stopped him from leaving, that she could've told him the truth about everything that had played out, but instead she was left with the vision of the man she loved laying out on the floor and fighting for his life with his last dying breath upon his lips.
Please Lucas. Don't leave me, she sobbed unable to contain her fears as the color drained from his face. She could still remember the blood on her hands as she pressed on his chest fighting to keep him from fading from her. She kept struggling to hold onto him, to keep him alive, but with each passing second she knew that their dreams had been stolen from them. She wasn't strong enough to hold onto him. Lucas please. Just hold on for us. We need you. I love you. Will loves you Lucas reached up to touch the side of her face gently, his dark eyes filled with a strange combination of regret and love. He opened his mouth to say something more before he closed his eyes again and let out a long sigh, I'm sorry for all the years we spent hurting one another. All I ever wanted was to love you--to be loved by you, but I was too stubborn to admit that to you. You're my everything.Lucas, you're my everything too. You've always been my everything. Please don't leave me. I can't make it without you Lucas. I need you more than I've ever needed anyone in my life, Sami pleaded with him hot tears burning down her cheeks.
That's just it Sami, Lucas tipped his head up, You've never needed a man to make you strong. You've always had a strength about you and a spirit that no one would ever be able to take from you. You're stronger than I am.No I'm not Lucas. I've never been as strong as you are. I know you can beat this. I know you can keep holding on Sami continued to plead with him ready to do whatever it would take to hold onto him as long as she could.
We're here, the cab driver explained snapping Sami out of her memory now that she realized where she was. She glanced up at the hotel in front of her knowing full well that tonight was a big event and she couldn't let her emotions blow it. She had to prove that she was more than capable of running the show and bringing her modest cosmetics company to the top. This would be her first big showing, but she knew she could do it.
Here you are, she quickly shuffled to hand the cab driver a few dollar bills before turning to eye the building expectantly.
Your change, the man called out to her watching her exit the cab and step towards the building in front of her.
Keep it, she waved dismissively ready to take a movement forward when the cab driver sped off splashing her with an icy puddle of water that was on the side of the road. She let out a squeal feeling the cold wash up her back and into her neatly pinned up hair. She gasped horrified at what had happened when she noticed the doorman eyeing her with an amused grin. She glared at him before brushing past him. What are you looking at? he fought to keep his tone even as he moved towards the door, I'm sure that will dry quickly. Sami groaned turning down to see the way that the material of her dress was stuck to her body. While it hadn't gotten the front of her dress too badly, the back was a hopeless case. Now what?I don't think you'll have to worry about that Ms. Brady, the man smiled at her before stepping aside to let her enter the hotel.
How did you know my she couldn't help but ask her blue eyes shining with a sudden curiosity. She glanced over at the man once again before noticing his cryptic smirk.
Trust me you'll be just fine, he offered up turning his attention to flagging down a cab for the next set of patrons making their way out of the hotel.
She frowned for a moment thinking about what he'd said, but decided it wasn't worth overanalyzing when she was already late to the party. She'd gotten caught up at the hotel she was staying at when she'd called her Uncle Bo to make sure that Will was safe. While she hadn't spoke to her son in a while, she still wasn't sure about leaving Salem when EJ was still out there. She'd tried to pretend that EJ's presence wasn't still lingering, but it continually haunted her, reminding her over and over again of how your dreams could shatter in an instant.
Ms. Brady, the woman behind the table inside the lobby smiled at her. She rose from her chair and circled around the desk to stand in front of Sami, we're glad you could make it. They are expecting you upstairs.Yeah, I know that, Sami brought her hand up into her damp blonde hair, but I was wondering if maybe there was some place I could, um freshen up first at considering thatOf course, the woman nodded before welcoming her with a warm smile. She returned to her table once again and withdrew a keycard from a drawer. Walking back over to Sami, she handed her the card before smiling, Your room is waiting for you.My room, Sami replied with a strange expression noting the smile on the woman's face. No you don't understand. I'm not staying at this hotel. I'm just here becauseThis is your room key, the woman insisted before another couple entered the lobby, now if you'll excuse me. Sami paused taking a moment to ponder the situation. She eyed the keycard in her hand before taking a step forward. She paused glancing over at the woman once again, really if you could just direct me to the ladies room, thenI'm sure you'll find that the hotel accommodations are more than adequate, the woman explained leaving Sami with no other choice but to seek out the room she'd been given access to. She walked over to the elevators and pushed the button going up. The doors opened and she stepped inside catching a long, hard look at her appearance. While her dress had been traffic stopping when she'd put it on in her hotel room, now she looked more like she'd gotten run over by a truck. She ran her fingers through her blonde hair and noticed her smudged make up with a groan.
You're off to a great start, she threw her hands in the air cursing under her breath before looking around the elevator. If she didn't know better she would've thought that this would've been a clear cut case of sabotage since nothing had gone right since she'd arrived in Chicago, but there was no one to blame for any of this other than fate. Leaning back against the elevator wall she closed her eyes thinking about Will all over again and wondering if after she returned home if she could get him to speak to her again, but she knew that he was still stubborn. In that sense he was like both her and Lucas and she knew full well she would have to work to make progress with him, but one day she hoped he would understand. One day she just prayed he would see why she had to do what she did.
How could you do this to us mom? she could still hear Will's angry words lashing out at her. You slept with that monster before he killed dad.It wasn't like that Will. I would never betray your father, Sami pleaded with her son thinking about how burying Lucas had been one of the hardest experiences of her life. I would never, ever cheat on him Will. I love him.Not enough to stay faithful. Mom, everyone in this town is talking about how you slept with EJ--about how that baby you're carrying isn't even dad's, Will snarled at her, pain and anger twisting his features, You make me sick.Will please, Sami stepped forward reaching out to touch his arm gently, I did what I did to save your father. I had no choice becauseBecause you're exactly everything that Grandma Kate has been saying about you. You never deserved dad, Will spat at her coldly, He loved you and you destroyed him. He'd be crushed if he ever saw just how awful you really are.Will no, I did what I had to in order to keep your father from dying, Sami began thinking about the sacrifice she'd made for Lucas.
No mom, you didn't do anything but open the door to EJ murdering him, Will spat out at her before turning to leave.
Will wait. Please I'm your mother, Sami cried out her words coming out as small sobs.
As far as I'm concerned you're dead to me too, Will glared at her before walking out of the apartment and leaving her to her regret.
I just wish you'd knew the truth Will, Sami sighed remembering that dark point in her life that had never evaded her. She still had nightmares about EJ, about how he'd manipulated her to do his bidding and how by being associated with him, she'd unwittingly put those she loved in trouble. Even now she wondered how things would've turned out had her daughter made it to full term. Looking down at her abdomen, Sami could remember when she'd suffered the miscarriage shortly after Lucas died. She'd tried to stay strong--to ignore the fact that the baby could belong to EJ, but everything had been so overwhelming especially when Will turned his back on her. It was by far the lowest point in her life and yet
The elevator doors opened and Sami stepped out into the hallway moving towards the room she'd been informed was hers. She took her time in the walk moving to the grandiose door in front of her. Pausing she slid the card key into the lock and watched the green light flash indicating that she could walk inside. She entered the room blown away by what she saw, but before she could appreciate it in it's beauty, she heard a sound from behind her. Spinning around she noticed a man in a suit behind her holding a garment bag.
This is for you Ms. Brady. It just arrived, he explained holding the bag out to her.
For me? she paused tipping her head to the side and eyeing the white garment bag expectantly.
You are Sami Brady, aren't you? the man questioned as she nodded.
Yes, I am, she replied watching him hold it out for her once again.
Then this belongs to you. I had specific orders to give this to you as soon as you came in, the man explained passing the garment bag off to her before disappearing down the hallway and leaving her to the great many questions that were filling her mind.
Who would know that I she paused wondering if the woman downstairs had called for something in to help her. Though that would be crazy since none of them knew her. She wasn't a local to the city and she'd never been to the Ritz Carlton before, yetI wonder, she mouthed moving into the room and closing the door behind her. She carried the dress over to the bed and set it down. She began to unzip the bag only to discover an iridescent ivory colored gown before her. It was stunning, beyond anything she was certain she could be able to afford now that things were tight. Leaning forward she reached for the gown noticing the way that the rhinestones on it seemed to change color with the light. She pulled it completely out of the bag and held it up to her form noting that it appeared to be a perfect fit for her. She walked over to the mirror holding it up and staring at her reflection that now seemed to look all the more impressive once she'd had the dress to hide behind.
This is incredible, she thought to herself ready to say something more when she returned to the garment bag hoping to find some kind of indication about where the dress had come from. She spotted a tiny note attached to the hanger. Reaching for it, she read the words aloud, From your host she curled her lip in a frown thinking about the business associates she was meeting. While she'd thought that the party tonight was a bit unconventional since it was a private, unpublicized party, she couldn't help but find herself intrigued by the man who would have such great taste. She'd heard a lot of things about the great Donald Whitmore, but she wouldn't have expected him to know that she was in need of a change of attire. Still the dress presented delicious possibilities for the night ahead of her.
Maybe things are looking up after all, Sami thought to herself knowing full well she'd wasted enough time. Now was about getting things into perspective and reclaiming her life again.
Half an hour after the dress arrived at her door, Sami found her way to the floor where the ballroom was located. She'd stepped off of the elevators and found herself surrounded by the incredible surroundings that the Ritz Carlton offered up. It was by far one of the nicer places she'd been to over the years, with an oversized fountain in the middle of the lobby area, and a hallway that lead to a mini-pond of sorts in the area. What surprised her the most however, was the lack of people mingling in the area she was in. As she moved closer to the ballroom, she couldn't help but wonder if she'd missed all the night's activities. She stopped for a moment contemplating the thought of having missed out on possibly the most important party of her life, but before she could lose herself to her concerns, she heard the sound of music flooding through the closed doors in front of her.
I'm not too late, she smiled stepping forward and moving beyond the coat check area. While she'd had her coat earlier, she hadn't needed it after she'd been to the hotel room. She vowed to return later and collect her things since she was certain that the room hadn't been for her, but for now she was going to do what she'd come here to do in presenting her case to the potential investors.
You can do this, she mouthed moving to the steps in front of her. She could hear her heels clicking on the flooring as she turned around the corner to find herself surrounded by one of the most beautifully empty rooms she'd ever encountered. The room was draped with white canopy material, music was playing through the room, offering up the air of the festivities she'd anticipated, but no one was there. She moved in closer to the center of the ballroom seeing that there was a band playing at the far end of the room.
There has to be a party here. Why else would there be a band? she pondered aloud ready to turn around and seek out other party goers, but before she had the opportunity to do so she felt a thick hand slip over her shoulder surprising her.
Because the party tonight is for you alone Samantha, his words whispered over the back of her neck in a low, unidentifiable tone. Immediately she felt her heart hammer in her chest, her worries mount and as she closed her eyes she thought about the last man that had called her that--of that last time she'd seen him taunting her, ready to torture her over losing Lucas.
Get your hands off of me you creep! she shouted in a firm tone, not caring what the band thought of her outburst. There was no way in hell that EJ Wells would be able to do this to her--no way that he would manipulate her all over again whenSamantha, hey it's okay, the voice grew in volume and Sami's blue eyes snapped open with surprise behind them. She heard a comforting tone behind her and in that moment she knew she'd been wrong, dead wrong. You know I would never hurt you Samantha. I'm sorry if I frightened you. she gasped turning around to see the last man she'd anticipated running into on her trip. Suddenly nothing around her made any kind of sense and she wondered if she was losing her mind, What are you doing here?