2.11: Arianna's Rejection
Thursday, February 16th, 2012
Arriving at the Kiriakis mansion, Manny and Arianna got out of her car and looked around. After looking at his watch, he turned to Arianna and said, "Dario said he would meet us here."
Hearing a car pull up, Arianna turned around to see if it was Dario, but she didn't recognize the car. After it parked, Dario exited the car from the passenger side. "Dario, who drove you here?"
Dario moved closer to Manny and Arianna as he answered, "Ignazio is actually in the driver's seat, but he's not leaving because I'm not staying for this whole meeting with Victor."
"What do you mean?" Arianna asked.
"I came here to tell you that I'm not moving in that condo with you," Dario announced.
Manny gave Dario a curious look. "Don't be foolish, Dario. Victor has offered us a place to stay. We don't have any other option, so you will move in with us. Where else would you go?"
Dario became defensive because Manny had called him a fool and hinted to the idea that he couldn't take care of himself. "You think I would tell you I'm not moving in with you two without a plan. I am staying at the guesthouse. After you two move out, Ignazio is moving in and invited me to stay with him."
Arianna gave Dario a disappointed look. Thinking about her argument with EJ, she declared, "There is no way you are staying on DiMera property. We will find a place of our own eventually, but for now it's better that we all get out of that place."
Remembering his promise to Isobel to keep Dario away from the DiMeras, Manny wondered how this could happen. Trying to hide his frustration more than Arianna, he added, "Your sister is right. We are not splitting up this family. We are moving into that condo together and that's what has been decided for our family."
Dario gave Manny and Arianna an offended look. "How old do you think I am? I've already made my decision. I'm doing what is best for me, and moving in with Ignazio is just that. There's nothing you can say that will change my mind."
Manny quickly got in Dario's face unable to hide his frustration anymore. "What about our family?"
Dario took a deep breath because he didn't want to fight with Manny or Arianna about this. He didn't want to put distance between them. "I love you guys, and I am not going to ignore you or anything. I just have to do this. Please don't take this personally."
Arianna placed her hand on Manny's shoulder to get him to back off for now. She didn't want a repeat of how Gabi walked out on them. "Do what you have to do, Dario, but I am holding you to your word. We will still see each other like a family. Not living together changes nothing."
Dario appreciated Arianna for supporting him and decided not to call her out on her quick turnaround. He wanted to keep the peace. "I promise it won't change anything. I'll let you have that meeting with Victor now. Good luck with all of that."
Manny and Arianna watched as Dario returned to Ignazio's car. After they drove off, Arianna turned to her brother and encouraged, "Everything will be fine, Manny. I don't like it that Dario will be around the DiMeras, but we are his family. Some friend can't get in the way of that."
Manny gave Arianna an apprehensive look because he knew Ignazio wasn't just a friend to Dario. He wondered if he should tell Arianna the truth about Dario and Ignazio being brothers, but when he remembered where they were, he decided against it for now. "Let's go in and talk to Victor. Hopefully he will be understanding."
Henderson showed Arianna and Manny into the Kiriakis living room, where Victor sat alone reading The Salem Spectator. "Can I get you two anything?"
Arianna shook her head as Victor folded up his newspaper. After Henderson left the room, she stepped forward. "I want to talk to you about your job offer before we move into the condo."
Victor stood up and questioned, "Are you having second thoughts about taking me up on my offer? I need a new right hand to run security now that Nico has decided to suddenly retire."
When Victor turned to him, Manny stated, "I am here to support my sister."
"Well, isn't that just precious," Victor let out with a straight face before returning his gaze to Arianna. With a bit more agitation in his voice, he questioned, "Are you about to blindside me? You know I don't like any sort of surprise."
Arianna figured it would be best to just come out with it. "I told you before Roman offered me a job on the force, and I have decided to take him up on it. I know it's a downgrade in pay and benefits, but I believe this is the right decision for me." She decided not to explain that what happened with EJ and Marco caused her to sway her in that direction. She didn't want to be the Marco of the Kiriakis family even if she still had a great deal of respect for Victor.
Victor remained quiet for a moment but kept his eyes on Arianna. Finally breaking his silence, he shared, "I understand you must do what is best for you, but I have a condo and a position to fill."
Manny began to panic that they no longer had a place to move into. "Victor…"
"Manny, do you want the job?" Victor quickly offered.
Arianna looked at her brother and could see Victor's offer caught Manny off guard just as much as it did her. Knowing that her brother was having a hard time landing a job due to his prison past, she recommended, "You should take the job if you want it.
Manny put his hand out to Victor after taking a quick breath. "I'll take it if you really think I am right for the job."
Victor chose to be honest with Manny. "Well, obviously you're not my first choice, and I do remember the game you played on my great-nephew last summer. Even so, I know your sister will keep you in check to make sure you don't screw me or my family over. I need someone who is willing to do whatever to protect my family, and I know you will do what you have to do because your family is my family as far as I'm concerned."
Manny turned to Arianna to make sure she was really okay with this. In her silence, he replied, "I will do what is necessary to keep everyone safe. I accept your offer."
Victor shook Manny's hand and nodded. "Nico is leaving his post in June. He will train you between now and then, so you will report to him after you have moved into the condo."
