Chapter 3: Lose Yourself – Monday, August 19th, 2013

Sonny stood in his apartment frozen for a moment because he never thought he would see Chad standing there again. His thoughts returned to the last time he saw Chad in the apartment. He, Chad, Dario, and Will had just returned from a night at the Horton cabin to find his parents with Arianna and Manny to deliver the horrible news that Isobel had died. The sadness of that day and the days that followed hit him hard and almost rendered him motionless. Escaping his memories, Sonny shook his head as he continued to stare at his old friend. It was such a complete surprise; he could barely make out that Chad had actually said anything to him.

Somewhat impatient, Chad clapped his hands in front of Sonny's face and asked with an assured smile, "So are you going to help me?" He was confident Sonny would give him what he needed to best approach Will when he saw him again. Sonny was always so helpful in helping him with Will.

Sonny snapped out of the shock but didn't answer Chad's question. Instead, he asked, "What's with your sudden reappearance in Salem?"

Chad sighed and scratched his head. "I don't have time to talk about that because I need your help with Will."

Becoming offensive, Sonny gave Chad an unimpressed look. With an overtly confused tone in his voice, he let out with clear frustration, "You are really standing in front of me asking me to help you with Will? What the hell is wrong with you? Who do you think you are?!" He didn't stop there though. Moving closer to Chad, so his old friend could feel the anger from his body, he continued, "You have made so many wrong decisions and have proven to me and everyone else here in Salem that you are a terrible person who is extremely untrustworthy! There is no way in hell I am helping you hurt Will again. Will is so much better without you!"

Chad stepped back unsure of how to respond to Sonny's anger. After the warm welcome from his brother, EJ, this was the last thing he expected from Sonny – someone he considered to be a dear friend. He looked down for a moment before returning to his reason for coming to Sonny. With deep sincerity, he asked, "Is Will seeing anyone?"

Sonny placed his arms across his chest and sternly replied, "I refuse to answer that question. You should lose your keys to this place, or Will and I will replace the locks!"

It was Chad's turn to feel stunned. He rubbed his forehead because Sonny was so upset with him and didn't seem to want to let go of it. Chad didn't have time to fix this, but he knew he needed to try something, so he could get information about Will. "Sonny, I know I messed things up, but I have changed. I will make everything up to Will."

Sonny didn't give Chad's claims much thought and continued to call his onetime friend out. "You are so selfish, Chad. You think you have changed, but as I look at you, I don't think you have. I thought we were friends, but you haven't even asked me how I am doing. You haven't stopped to ask one thing about me – one thing! We haven't seen each other in over a year! It's all about what you need or want! It's all about you like it's always been!"

Chad took a moment to collect his thoughts because he was starting to get the idea that Sonny hated his guts. His mind was on over drive because of the surprising response. Swallowing hard, he remembered what he walked into when he first arrived in Salem and reflected on his conversation with EJ about it. He believed he had the question for Sonny to show he was still interested in being his friend but didn't have time to filter his thoughts. "Who are you having sex with these days since you and Dario didn't work out?" he let out realizing it came out wrong as soon as he said it.

Sonny immediately jumped on Chad verbally. "What? Did you seriously just ask me that question?" he scoffed rightfully defensive. He couldn't believe Chad could be so rude towards him. "You cannot fix this," he warned, "and I won't help you with Will!"

Chad shook his head feeling disappointed in himself for the way he was mishandling this situation. He figured asking Sonny why he was having sex in Will's bedroom would only make things worse at this point. Trying to get something from Sonny, he sincerely requested, "I only need to know what Will's favorite song is now."

Sonny shook his head in disbelief and made his way to the front door. After opening it, he yelled, "Get lost! I need to head out, and I don't want you here when I leave!"

Chad hesitated for a moment but conceded there was no calming Sonny at this point. Sonny was completely and unexpectedly different. Walking out of the apartment and towards his car, Chad recognized coming back to Salem was harder than he anticipated. He wondered who else he lost from leaving and hoped Will would give him a chance to explain everything.

Working in her office at DiMera Enterprises, Sami wondered if this would be her life now – employed busily at the office and then spending time with the kids after work. Her time alone with EJ was limited because it seemed he was always in a meeting or on his phone during her available times. She thought things would calm down once EJ stepped down as mayor, but things seemed to be busier than ever. Hearing a knock on the door, Sami looked up and raised her voice to say, "Come in."

Maddalena entered Sami's office causing Sami to stand so they could greet each other properly. After kissing Sami's cheek, Maddalena inquired, "EJ is not in his office. Do you know where I can find him?"

Sami wondered why EJ hadn't arrived yet. "I believe he is on his way. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Maddalena shook her head. "I only need to talk to him about the family."

"I'm family," Sami reminded Maddalena before persisting, "I can help you with whatever you need to talk about."

Looking Sami over for a moment, Maddalena paused before admitting, "I truly admire your spirit, Sami, but I need to talk with your husband privately."

Sami returned to her chair and tried her hardest to hide her disappointment. This was already the second time of the day where someone needed to talk to her husband privately. The lingering thought of EJ keeping something from her bothered her more and more.

Stepping off the elevator, EJ looked at the time realizing he had arrived later than he wanted. He felt out of sync due to his brother's return and hoped he could refocus on what he needed to accomplish in the office. His thoughts couldn't escape the questions running in his head though. Did Chad know anything about the family situation? Even though he didn't mention what happened to Abe or Stefano, did Chad know anything about them? Walking into Sami's office, he stopped near the door because his aunt was there.

Maddalena was pleased to see EJ and gave him a smile. "EJ, I would appreciate your time. There is something we must discuss alone in your office."

When EJ nodded his head, Sami stood up again to call out to her husband before he left. "Please come back after you're done because I want to talk to you."

Chad. EJ wondered how Sami would take the news of Chad's return but chose not to say anything just yet. He figured he should set a few things up before he said a word to his wife about his baby brother. Knowing Chad's return put a lot more on his plate, EJ replied, "I will try. I have a lot to do."

Sami took her seat again as EJ led Maddalena out. She felt a tad rejected by EJ and wondered if he had any clue of how he was making her feel.

Once they were in his office, EJ offered his aunt a seat before taking his own behind his desk. "I take it you want to discuss my father."

"Correct," Maddalena began. "I am curious to know if you've thought what our family will do since Stefano is not showing signs of awaking." Waiting for her nephew's response, she pondered the fact that the solution was working longer than expected. She had managed to catch a break there.

EJ pulled out his phone to make sure he had no missed calls. "I haven't decided," he said with his eyes focused on his cell. "I tried to call Kate earlier and left a voicemail. I'll try calling her again soon, and hopefully I will know more afterwards."

Maddalena nodded her head. "Very well. What of the police investigation? Is anyone working towards finding the real culprit who framed Stefano?"

EJ gave his aunt an uneasy look. "Unfortunately, I am no longer privy to all the information since I am not the mayor of this town anymore. I have scheduled a meeting with Roman Brady and Arianna Hernandez at the beginning of next week. I will possibly know more then."

Maddalena gave EJ a smile even though she was not pleased by the lack of movement in regard to her brother. She knew her time was limited and wanted to make sure something happened to her brother before he got the chance to reveal everything. "I will take my leave for now, nipote. Please give me an update after you talk to Kate."

After Maddalena left, EJ eyed his phone once more and decided to try Kate again. Putting his phone to his ear after dialing, EJ was relieved when Kate picked up. "Kate. Did you get my voicemail? How is father doing?"

"I was just about to listen to it," Kate shared before continuing, "I was in a meeting. There haven't been any big changes, but his body continues to show signs he is indeed alive."

EJ was relieved to hear that. "I'm glad that is still the case."

Kate agreed before lamenting, "I wish Stefano hadn't locked me out because maybe I could have stopped him from trying to leave Salem that night."

EJ knew his father well. "No one could convince him to stay because his mind was already made up. Is there anything else happening on your end?"

"I am keeping an eye out for everything," Kate claimed. "I haven't been able to uncover anything substantial though."

EJ sighed as he picked up a folder. He hoped his father would have made more progress by now. "Thank you Kate for being there with him. I know I can trust you to look out for him."

Kate let out a sigh deciding not to share her suspicions aloud. Reflecting on her long and complicated history with Stefano, she confessed, "I don't know how your father did it, but he has me completely. I won't ever let go of him."

After running into each other at the Horton Town Square, Jen and Jack arrived at the hospital together. Jack followed Jen over because he needed to talk to Joselyn in person and work on a few things. "Hopefully Joselyn will be okay with my rescheduling our therapy appointment. I really need to follow-up on a story."

Jennifer gave her ex a concerned look as she questioned, "Are you putting the story before your health?"

Jack shook his head and waved his hands to dismiss the notion. "No. I have been in therapy for a year, and I feel great. I think it's almost time to stop individual therapy actually," he claimed.

Having overheard Jack as she walked towards him with Chelsea, Joselyn asked, "Do you really think you're ready?" She quickly realized her mistake and apologized. "I should not have asked you that question. How about we head to my office, so we can talk privately?"

Jack nodded his head and left with Joselyn.

Before Chelsea could walk away, Jen grabbed her hand and requested, "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Sure," Chelsea gladly obliged.

Jennifer gave her daughter's best friend an appreciative look. "I work in this hospital, but I honestly don't know much about Joselyn. Would you consider her a good therapist?"

"I think so," Chelsea responded. "I haven't worked with her that long, and I'm still getting to know her, but she seems committed and professional."

Jennifer was glad to hear that but still had questions. "I've actually tried to get to know her, but she seems to keep me at bay."

Chelsea pulled her hair behind her ear before pointing out, "Well, Jack is her client. Maybe she wants to make sure to keep good boundaries and avoid any kind of complicated dual relationship."

Jennifer nodded her head and agreed with Chelsea. "I never thought of that. That's a really good point."

In Joselyn's office, Jack chose to remain standing as he informed his therapist, "I want to reschedule."

Joselyn paused for a moment to study Jack. "I wonder if you'd rather take the week off and reconvene next week."

Jack took a moment to think as well. "This week feels like it is busy, and I feel like I am doing well. Do you think it's time to bring in the family for sessions?"

"I told you I would be ready when you wanted them to come in," Joselyn reminded Jack. "It's up to you."

Jack nodded his head and decided, "How about I take a week and let you know at our next session. I'll also think of some new personal goals."

Joselyn gave Jack a smile as she shared, "You're a pro at this therapy business now, aren't you?" After Jack returned her smile and added a nod, she suggested, "Next time you want to cancel or reschedule, you can just give me a call. You didn't have to waste a trip up here to tell me face to face."

"I know," Jack replied. "I didn't come only to talk to you. I have a follow-up on a story here, and that is why I asked to reschedule."

Standing up from her seat and adjusting her glasses, Joselyn put her hand out and stated, "That's good then. I will talk to you next week."

Jack shook Joselyn's hand and left.

Lexie arrived home and threw her purse on the couch. Rubbing her head, she decided to take some medication that would help calm herself down. She wondered why she was having a harder time functioning through the day and knew others were noticing because Maxine suggested she take the rest of the day off. "I need to do something different," she whispered to herself.

After drowning the pills with a glass of water, she placed the bottle back in her purse when she heard a noise come from the kitchen. She looked around the living room to notice if anything was out of sorts, but everything seemed normal. Heading into the kitchen, her jaw dropped when she saw her mother making tea. "Mom, what are you doing here?"

Celeste almost jumped because she didn't expect Lexie to come home so early. Trying to keep things calm with her daughter, she answered, "It is time I return to Salem."

Lexie was not okay with how nonchalant Celeste was about this and showed it through the anger in her voice. "You think it's time? Mom, you went M.I.A. when Theo and I needed you most!" The meds clearly hadn't set in yet.

Celeste slightly lowered her head in remorse. "I apologize, darling. I had some things I needed to give my full attention."

"What was more important than your family?" Lexie demanded with even more anger in the tone of her voice.

Celeste turned off the stove because the water for her tea had heated. "Alexandra, my reasons for being away had to do with the family."

Unsatisfied, Lexie commanded, "Give me specifics."

Celeste felt uneasy with this conversation and tried to let her daughter down gently as she claimed, "The time is not right, darling. You must trust me on this."

Lexie let out a huge sigh of frustration and shook her head in disappointment. "I don't have time for this, mom. I really don't. I came home early to take a nap, so that is exactly what I am going to do. When you're ready to talk, I'll try to be available."

Celeste watched as her daughter stormed out of the kitchen. She exhaled deeply and hoped she would be able to talk to Lexie soon. After pouring herself a cup of tea, she grabbed her purse to search through it. Finding a crumpled piece of paper, she straightened it out as she spoke to herself, "Everyone will discover the truth soon enough."

Back at DiMera Enterprises, Sami was still in her office. She had finished some paperwork and looked at the time. Standing up, she pulled back her hair and grabbed her purse, so she could take her lunch break. EJ never returned, and she was upset with him about it because it seemed she wasn't important enough to her husband anymore.

Heading out of her office, Sami ran into EJ, who was about to walk into her office. She stopped in her tracks and looked down to avoid making eye contact with him.

EJ sensed Sami's discontent and apologized. "I should have come sooner."

"I'm over it," Sami stated. "I'm grabbing lunch alone, so I will talk to you when I'm ready to talk again."

EJ tried to stop Sami, so they could talk, but Sami did not allow any time for him to do so. He watched her walk down the hall towards the elevators and contemplated how he would fix this. "There are too many secrets," he lamented before turning around to head toward his office.

Arriving to his door, Ignazio and Dario approached EJ because they were waiting outside of EJ's office. "What needs to be done today, cugino?" Ignazio asked.

EJ shook his head after placing his right hand on his forehead. "I completely forgot I asked you two to come in today," he admitted. His brother's return had really thrown him. "Follow me into my office, so I can tell you what I want you to do. Do you two want lunch? I can order in."

Dario and Ignazio replied they were open to lunch because they hadn't eaten anything since breakfast. After sitting down, Dario glanced over to Ignazio and wondered what EJ would have them look over today. He was still getting used to working in a business setting. Turning to EJ, he asked, "What are you ordering?"

EJ pulled out his phone as he answered, "I'm thinking Chinese or Thai."

"I vote Thai," Ignazio offered his input.

All of a sudden, Chad burst through EJ's office door exclaiming, "EJ, I need a favor." His brother had already delivered on the address, but he needed something else from him now.

Ignazio and Dario were both shocked to see Chad standing before them. Ignazio wondered how long Chad had been in town because EJ didn't seem surprised at all. He knew he needed to inform Maddalena but couldn't do it just yet.

Chad continued, "I need the DiMera jet, so I can head out to Chicago as soon as possible."

Seeing his brother before him again reminded EJ of the proposal Chad handed him at the mansion. He quickly pulled out a pad of paper and wrote a phone number on it. Handing it to his brother, he said, "You can have it. This is the number you need to talk to our pilot. Good luck."

Chad gave his brother an appreciative smile and turned towards the others hoping they weren't upset to see him. "I'll catch up with the two of you when I'm back."

With Chad out of the room again, Ignazio turned around in his chair thinking of ways he could tell his grandmother about Chad. He needed an excuse to get out of there and believed he had one. "Since you forgot we were coming today, maybe we should just work tomorrow. You have not ordered lunch yet."

EJ opened his briefcase and pulled out the manila envelope Chad handed him at the mansion earlier. "Actually, I have something special for you and Dario to look over." Handing the envelope to the guys, he announced, "This is a proposal my dear brother handed me when he arrived in Salem today. We can look it over and discuss it over lunch."

Dario, who was also curious about Chad's return, pulled out the contents from the envelope. He wondered if the proposal contained information on why Chad would come back to Salem. Once he looked over the pages, a smile crept on his face. "Is this for real?"

Abigail and Ezra decided to stop at the Brady Pub for lunch. On their way in, they ran into Dustin, one of Will's Kappa brothers. Abigail immediately recognized him and greeted him. "Hey Dustin. Looks like you had the same idea as Ezra and me. Want to join us?"

Dustin, who was waiting for his order, politely declined, "I wish I could, but I have some Kappa stuff I need to do, and I'm meeting Brett on campus with take out."

Ezra's face lit up when Dustin mentioned Brett. "Brett as in, Horton's music major friend, Brett?"

Dustin nodded his head to confirm he was meeting that Brett. "Yeah. We decided to try things out about a month ago."

Ezra was really happy to hear that. He had hoped having Will join Kappa would help Dustin feel more comfortable about what he was experiencing. "That's great man. How is all that going?"

Dustin was still getting used to the idea of dating a guy and didn't want to make it a big deal. He decided to focus on what was happening with Kappa. "All the guys still miss you, Ezra, but we're excited for what's coming this year. Will is VP."

Ezra nodded his head with pride. "Yeah, I know. I think that's great, and I'm proud of Horton because he's stepped up so much."

Abigail felt proud of her cousin as well. "I know you helped him out."

Caroline walked out with Dustin's order and handed it to him. "There you go, Dustin. Did you get to see Will this weekend?"

Looking through his bag to make sure he got everything, Dustin answered, "Yeah, I hung out with him for a bit on Saturday at the Kappa house." After closing the bag again, he gave Caroline a smile. "Everything smells great, Mrs. Brady."

Caroline gave Dustin a warm smile. "I hope you and your friend enjoy it."

"Well, I should go," Dustin announced before turning back to Abigail and Ezra. "I'll see you two around."

Caroline looked at Abigail and Ezra and grinned. "It's great to see you two here again. Do you two want your usual?" She really loved it when Will's friends came to the pub.

Ezra looked to Abigail before nodding his head. "Sounds good, Mrs. Brady."

Caroline was about to head back to the kitchen but stopped in her tracks. Placing her hands on her hips, she joked, "When are you going to make things official between you and Abigail, Ezra? You two come here together a lot!"

Abigail immediately blushed but also responded just as fast. "Ezra and I are just friends."

Caroline turned to Abigail and responded matter-of-factly, "Well, people who are married to each other are allowed to be friends, too." After giving both a wink, she headed off.

Ezra raised his eyes to Abigail and wondered how she felt about the whole exchange. He knew how he felt about it.

At the recording studio in Chicago, Will rushed around trying to make sure everything was in order before Taylor West arrived. Jay Yang, the producer and owner of the studio stopped Will because he needed to talk to him. "What happens tonight and the rest of the week is extremely important for the future of my studio. I hope nothing goes wrong while Taylor West is here. Please be open and prepare for anything she wants."

Will felt even more pressure now but managed it so it did not show on his face. "I understand, Jay. I've prepared for this week since I started my internship here. My priority is to give my best every second she's in Chicago."

A man walked through the door and introduced himself. "My name is Kahn Swift, and I'm Taylor West's personal assistant. I'm here to make sure everything is in order before Taylor arrives."

Jay shook Kahn's hand as he introduced himself and Will. Moving on, he directed, "Will, how about you show Mr. Swift around so he knows where everything is."

Will nodded his head but took Jay to the side to reaffirm everything was in control. "I promise nothing will go wrong. I will make sure Taylor West is smiling ear to ear the entire time she is here."

Patting Will on his back and then rubbing it, Jay gave a calm look. "You have not let me down so far, so I am putting my full trust in you."

Will nodded his head feeling anxious about the entire thing. Turning to Kahn, he made sure not to show it. "If you'll follow me..."

Now on the DiMera jet, Chad looked at his phone and debated whether he should take a nap, so he was more rested when he landed in Chicago. Taking a deep breath, he said to himself, "This is it. It has to work out. I'm going to give Will the biggest surprise of his life."