Bitter Vengenace

Chapter One

Kiriakis has arrived

In celebration of the long waited engagement of Chloe Lane Wesley and Brady Black, the Brady's, Blacks, and the Wesley's met for dinner at Tuscany. The celebration fell just two days after they had put Victor Kiriakis into the ground for good.

Bo Brady returned to the table after a brief reprieve from taking to Billie . "Billie said that Philip left Japan days ago and she hasn't seen or heard from him since. She said she was surprised that he hadn't shown up for the funeral. According to her, he left Japan immediately after he found out. She assumed he'd arrived before the funeral."

"Well, it's not like Philip was so excited to get here in the first place, Bo. Hell, he hasn't stepped foot in Salem since he left town fifteen years ago. And frankly, I'm surprised that he was even going to show up at all." Brady replied as Bo sat down. He placed his arm over the back of Chloe's chair as he leaned toward her.

"Brady," Shawn said warningly. It seemed like every time they all got together Brady couldn't wait to defame Philip in some form, more often than not he used the fact that his uncle had yet to return to Salem after all these years— as it were some major crime. And after years of hearing the same litany of supposed sin of an uncle over and over again, Shawn was annoyed with Brady.

"What? It's not like I'm lying or anything. We all know that Philip never came to Salem for anything or anyone. Remember when Lucas and Sami were married, he didn't come back for that and Lucas is his brother. Take your own wedding for example, Shawn, he didn't come back for that either." Brady added. "So is there any doubt as to him coming here for the funeral of his father."

Shawn sighed and picked up his drink. It was true Philip hadn't come back for his wedding or Lucas' but he knew that Philip just wasn't ready to see Chloe again so soon after they had broken up finally. But, that was thirteen years ago and Shawn wasn't stuck on it. Brady obviously was…

Belle knew that Brady's evident dislike for Philip always got to Shawn. They had had several conversations on it in the past. She grasped his hand under the table squeezing it, before she replied to Brady. "That's not fair Brady. Philip make not have come back to Salem but he did sent us a wedding gift and a note which is more than he had to do."

"Yeah, that's Philip alright he shows off his wealth rather than to bother showing up for his best friend's wedding. Yeah that's real mature." Brady snorted.

"Now, wait a minute Brady, Philip did sent a lovely gift to Belle and Shawn for their wedding but it's not fair for you to condemn him for being born with money. It's not like he had a choice in the situation." Nancy reasoned out. Although, she was no fan of Philip's she knew that whenever he spent his money on gifts they had always been from the heart considering what she had seen from his time with Chloe when they were younger.

"Well either way, he still could have shown up for his father's funeral. Grandpa Vic loved his selfish son more than anything in the world and for Philip to disrespect him like that … it's just plain wrong." Brady commented. Everyone at the table was silent. They knew what Brady had said was true. Victor had loved his son more than anything. And it was one thing for Philip not to be in here when he died; it was quite another to not even show up for his funeral.

"You shouldn't go off making accusations like that Brady. We don't have any idea why Philip didn't come for the funeral. And I'm sure if he could of he would have been here–––," Bo started defending his younger brother.

"Well thanks for the vote of confidence, big brother. But, don't you think that's just the tiniest bit self-righteous considering that you didn't even tell me my own father died?" A voice said a few feet away from the table as everyone turned to see Philip Kiriakis standing there like a missing link to the party.

Philip had been in Japan on business when he had heard the news that his father had died. Shock couldn't even describe what he had felt after hearing that the only person to give him whatever he needed, to help him and always be there for him was gone. It didn't measure what he felt, it was only a mere portion of the grief and pain that he felt at that moment. The shock in fact, had been brief, but the feelings of anger rose like a bonfire within him. No one in Salem had bothered to inform him. Instead, he had to find out from an outdated newspaper in route from another destination at the airport. He'd hopped on the next available flight to Greece; there he knew that he would get to the truth of the matter about his father. He couldn't be dead, Philip assured himself, but if he was there would be hell to pay for the people in Salem.

Once he arrived back at his home in Greece, Billie called to tell him that Bo was planning the funeral and would wait for him to get home. Austin and Nicole had left message with Aida his housekeeper and Lucas sent a telegram expressing his sorrow for Philip from Africa. All his siblings had cared enough to get in touch with him—at least all his siblings on his mother's side.

His relationship with his siblings on his mother's side had gotten better once he had left Salem. Even Vivian had called and left her condolences. What really amazed him was that no one seemed to care on his father's side of the family. He did not receive a call, email or note from the Brady's or the Blacks. Though, every since he'd left Salem the ties between the other families were somewhat severed, he'd expected at least a call from someone.

That was not his only surprise though. His other surprise had been arriving in Salem that night to find out not only had they not called him about Victor's death. They had held Victor's funeral without him. Billie had been wrong, Bo did not decide to wait on him for the funeral, he just went ahead without him.

After he'd arrived in Salem, he was picked up in a black limo and whisked to the Kiriakis Mansion, the place he had once called home only to be informed that the funeral had gone on without him. Upon hearing this bit of news he headed to the gravesite at the Kiriakis Mausoleum where Victor had been buried. Walking into the Mausoleum he went directly to the newest black marble tombstone enabled "Victor Kiriakis."

Sitting on the bench in front of it, he placed a red rose on the cold ground.

"Hey Dad, I bet you never thought that Venice would be the last time we saw each other uh? I know I sure didn't ... I always thought that you were invincible you know, someone who would never die." He traced the lettering of his father's name.

"…And now you're gone … you're gone and I never got to tell you that I need you. I never got to tell you that I love you." His gulped the last statement as his throat clogged with emotion. Standing he pinched his eyes with his fingers willing the tears not to drop.

"I know that I've been gone from Salem a long time." He looked off into the distance and laughed a harsh abrasive sound. "Hell, I'll be honest, I never expected to come back unless it was someone's funeral," Philip shoved his hand through his thick dark blonde hair. "Just, not yours." Reaching out his ran his hand over the engraved name of his father again as if trying to reach his father in the great beyond.

"I promise you this Dad, I've finalized the plans for everything we had planned and I will stay in Salem to see them through. I will make sure the name Kiriakis is never uttered without the respect and fear it deserves. We are the kings of the ocean, the kings of Titan. Salem may think that they've seen the last of the Kiriakis line but their wrong. I may have left here a pathetically, foolish boy in love. But, I return a man … a man with a name and enough power to punish anyone who dares to defy me. Gone is the boy who was the laughing stock of Salem."

"And it's time Salem knew just how powerful and ruthless Philip Kiriakis can be and nothing will get in my way, nothing." Philip said softly before raising and leaving the Mausoleum with a crack of thunder and lightening showing him the way.

Chloe sat in silence as she listened to Brady gripe about Philip. She had heard these things herself from Brady many times before and this was nothing new. It wasn't as if everything Brady had said wasn't true. No, Philip had left Salem 15 years before, after she had chose Brady. And while she had never meant to hurt Philip, she could never deny what her heart felt even all those years ago.

It was the time during her illness that she and Brady had bonded making the connection they already felt stronger as friends and then turn into something more. She knew that she would end up hurting Philip in the end by telling him the truth. The worse part was hurting him, especially after all he'd done for her. Philip had been a match and sat in the hospital with her donating his bone marrow. After they had both gotten better Chloe did the only thing she could do she leveled with Philip and told him the truth. She had feelings for Brady that she couldn't deny and they could never be together again.

To say that Philip hadn't taken the news well would be an understatement. He closed himself off to everyone except his family when he returned home. Never, did he let anyone talk to him not Belle, not Shawn, and not Mimi. He wouldn't accept calls or allow them to visit him. Weeks had pass by and no one heard a word from him. It was only when Belle had finally decided enough was enough and she went over the Mansion to see him that she was informed of Philip's departure from Salem with his father to go to school. He had simply packed up and left Salem without even saying goodbye. There was no tape sent, no little gifts or phone calls. He hadn't even returned her necklace that she had given back to him to hold. He just left.

At first, she had been sad and angry that Philip just cut her out of his life completely. But as time went by she understood why he did what he did. So she continued on with her life going to Julliard like she had planned before getting sick. Since that time she had only seen Philip once … eight years ago at one of her shows in New York. The encounter had been brief but the memory of it was everlasting. Even when, she had come back to Salem two short years ago and renewed her relationship with Brady she hadn't expected Philip to come back. Of course, she hadn't expected Victor to die either. When she learned of Victor's death she knew then that his return would be inevitably enforce Philip's arrival back to Salem. She had hoped that before he returned that she would be happily married to Brady.

Not that she was afraid of Philip's reaction to seeing her all these years later, she reasoned to herself. No, it was just that Philip had changed from what Belle had told her. He was no longer the sweet boy in love with her. No, he was a different person, more serious, more intense, more everything that he wasn't before he'd left now he was a man. The only thing that concerned Chloe the most out of all the changes in Philip was his unpredictability. As a teenager you could always see they rage growing within his eyes just waiting to be unleashed. All his emotions had been right there on his face for all to see. But, now as a man, he had learned to cover this rage so much so you could never see it coming.

Bo was the first to react. "Philip, that's not what you think is it?" He rose from the table to go to his half-brother. Not actually believing that Philip would think he would do such a thing to him. "I know you're upset about Victor's death but–––,"

"But what? You think I didn't want to know that my father had died? You honestly think that I preferred hearing the news from a newspaper?" Several people around the table sucked their breath. Philip looked over at the table eying each person smiling evilly. "Oh yes, my saintly brother Bo, here didn't even bother the tell me that my father died. But ,then again why would he even bother when he never considered Victor as his father in the first place." Philip said as he turned to back to Bo.

"That's not true Philip. I cared about your-our––,"

"That's exactly my point, Bo. You never cared about my father, he was nothing more than a sperm donor to your mother. The only reason you ever bothered to see him was to when you needed his money or his clout to get you something. You know nothing about my father or me. So I don't want or need your pathetic excuse of forgiveness. It's too damn late for that."

Bo was neither shocked nor surprised by Philip's reaction. Probably because the most of what Philip said was true. He had long ago resolved that while Victor had fathered him, Shawn Brady would forever be the man he addressed as father. However, he knew that Philip was just lashing out so he ignored it. "Look Philip, you're right. But, I had no idea that you were coming back to Salem. If I had known I would have waited for you. I–––,"

"You're what, sorry? Well it's too little, too late for your apologies. My father is gone and I wasn't even given the chance to say goodbye. I am the only child who ever," his eyes cut at Bo. "Acknowledged him and you didn't even bother to wait for me to get here. To make matters worse, you throw a goddamned party not even two days after he's buried." His eyes scorched everyone in the little group at the table.

Nancy, who like the rest had remained silent as Philip ranted could take no more as she stood, she advanced toward him, smoothing her dress down. "Philip, I think we all understand what you're going through with the death of your father. I'm sure everyone here feels horrible about that. However, it does not give you the right to come here and take your anger out on everyone. You should go home." Nancy said calmly all the while taking in the change in the man who now stood before her. His hair was darker graying slightly at the temples. His dark blue eyes were molten with a slivery anger. Dressed in the black suit, which spoke of his wealth. His whole aura screamed money. She was hard-pressed to believe that this man had once been the boy in love with her daughter. But, when he turned those cold, icy blue eyes at her even she felt the chills. This was not the same person who had been in love with Chloe, no this man was dangerous. Nancy was taken back when he boldly laughed at her, it was a rich and contempt filled laugh.

"Mrs. Wesley, or should I say Nancy. Do you honestly think I give a damn what you think? You may be the mouth of Salem but my dear you are wasting your time. I don't care one iota about your little celebration. But. enlighten me as to what is the all important occasion for this party?" He asked looking around the table at the people sitting before him. It was then that Philip finally noticed Chloe sitting at the table. She hadn't changed much since when he last saw her eight years ago, she just looked more sophisticated. More beautiful than she had even when they were together as kids.

Chloe knew Philip's eyes were on her and she instinctively knew that if she wanted to salvage her engagement celebration she had to make Philip leave. "Philip, please don't cause a scene. Just leave." Chloe said as she walked over to stand by her mother and Bo. She placed her hand on Nancy's shoulder forgetting about the engagement ring on her finger.

Philip's razor sharp gaze didn't miss a thing. He walked over and grabbed Chloe's hand off of Nancy's shoulder and clutched it in his. Chloe grasped at the strong hold he had on her hand. Brady stood up in the background, intending to make Philip release his fiancé's hand. But, Shawn held him off. Philip looked up from staring at Chloe's hand to look at her. "I see why now," he sang low in his voice, the vaguest hint of dimples showing, with none of the benevolence of his youth. His mouth twisted in a cruel rendition of a smile "… Brady finally got you right where he wanted you." He said his gaze glued to Chloe's. Then he dropped hand as if it were some infectious disease. For a brief moment Chloe thought that she saw a glimpse of hurt in Philip's eyes. But, it was later masked with his icy blue eyes. "I'm leaving, don't worry I don't want to ruin your little celebration." He said to the room in general. He headed to the door and everyone let out a sigh of relief. Abruptly though, he turned and came back to Chloe, "Oh, how silly of me I almost forgot," he said cold eyes glimmering "I can't leave without honoring the engaged couple." Philip said before jerking Chloe to him and kissing her.

Chloe didn't know what to do as Philip kissed her. At first, she didn't react asshe was swept into the past as the when she was a teenager. However, that lasted briefly as Philip ended the turbulent kiss just as quick as he started.

He just stared down at Chloe for a moment, he couldn't understand why she hadn't pulled away or tried to push him away. Chloe just seemed just as stunned as him. Philip took a few steps back from her, only looking at her with an unanswered question in his eyes. "See you at the will reading." Then, he just turned and left the restaurant.

Chloe watched as he left the restaurant, unconsciously lifting her hand to her lips. "Are you okay?" Brady asked as he came up besides her, placing an arm around her shoulder comfortingly as he stared after Philip. He moved in front of her blocking her vision of the restaurant doors. "He didn't hurt you, did he?" Brady asked looking down his brow furrowed.

Chloe moved her gaze to her fiancé standing before her and answered his question. "Yeah, I'm fine. Brady, really Philip didn't hurt me."

"That's good because if he had I probably would have killed him. Are you sure, you're fine?" He asked his voice filled with concern. Chloe looked up at him and smiled.

"I'm fine Brady let's just get back to our party." She smiled reassuring at him as he led her back to the table. All the while talking about Philip's sudden appearance back in their lives. But, Chloe said nothing as she sat down. She was thinking about the man who had just kissed her. Her first true love, Philip Kiriakis, the man who she betrayed by falling in love with another.

She tried to immerse herself into the celebration but her eyes wondered to the door time after time, as she wonder about the boy she once knew and the man that he had become.