Lovely
"Mio figlio," greeted Stefano as EJ strolled happily into the morning room he stood in. The Phoenix removed a cigar from a blonde wooden case and placed it between his lips.
"Father," greeted EJ as he grabbed a newspaper and sat in gold grand bergere chair with red roses on them. "Today is beautiful isn't it father? Summer has had a beautiful effect on the garden. Samantha and I were thinking of filling up the pool and having a little picnic in the backyard with Johnny and Allie."
Stefano chuckled between puffs of smoke before sitting down in front of his game of chess.
"Do not start father. Samantha is the mother of my children, the love of my life. I've never been happier since I married her."
"Did you think that beast was the love of your life when you were fornicating with the Horton Princess?" EJ dropped the paper from his face, setting it in his lap. At that moment Harold walked in with a silver tray covered with the best pottery tea set in town. It was white and trimmed in gold around the brim with gold designs around the middle of the cup, gold on the handle, and a gold stripe near the bottom. On a matching plate were three grilled breakfast skewers that had sweet Italian sausage and orange peppers on them. Even though Stefano had lived in Salem for decades he still ate like he was home in Italy. He'd even gotten Johnny into eating a biscotti or brioche with hot chocolate for breakfast.
"Thank you Harold," said the Phoenix as he took his place in a grand bergere chair matching EJ's; a small cherry wood coffee table sitting in between them. Harold placed the tray before Stefano as EJ rose and walked towards the double doors. Harold exited and EJ quickly shut the doors.
"How long have you known? What do you want?" asked EJ as he sat down. Stefano chuckled again before starting in on his first skewer. EJ had no choice but to wait as the old man ate so he turned back to his newspaper, trying to focus on the words in the business section of the newspaper.
After the first skewer, Stefano placed his cigar back between his lips. He withdrew it again to dramatically puff smoke in EJ's direction before holding the cigar between his fingers. "You should know better figlio."
As he folded the newspaper neatly in his lap, EJ had regained his composer. "I know whenever you want something you use information as leverage. I have nothing father. All I want is a peaceful life with my wife and two children."
"You are no longer suited as a lawyer at DiMera enterprises. I want you to be my eyes and ears."
EJ's eyes darted back and forth as he watched his father's body language. Stefano didn't budge or blink as he stared right back at his son. "You know how Samantha feels about me getting back into the thick of things."
"You are a DIMERA. Giovanni is a DIMERA. That wild beast knew exactly what she was getting into when she married into this family." Stefano placed his tray on the coffee table, his face contorted in disgust.
"Father I've had about enough of your disrespect towards my wife!" shouted EJ as he stood to his feet.
"And what are you going to do about it?" demanded Stefano as he remained seated. "You will take your rightful place, Elvis, as my President and COO at DiMera." The Phoenix rose slowly, walking toward the side door near the desk that overlooked the garden. "You are right. The garden has turned out beautifully."