Chapter 11

Back in the coffeehouse main room, Will went straight to Drake and took the coffee he was handing him and they headed outside. They walked through Horton Town Square, Drake holding Will's hand before arriving to the park where they sat on the bench. They began checking nobody was here listening to their conversation.

Will: Was the hand holding really necessary?

Drake: Yes it was. We have to make it believable for everyone to make it believable to Sonny and Mason. Anyway how did it go? How did he react?

Will: It went exactly how you predicted. He was furious with me knowing I move on. I can't believe I lied to him; again!

Drake: You didn't lie to him, not really. You told me he asked you to move on.

Will: Yes it's true but I lied to him telling him you and I were an item.

Drake: Consider it a white lie! You're doing it for him.

Will: That's exactly what I was telling myself about 20 years ago when I lied about being the father of Arianna to "protect" and not to hurt him. And it ended in a disaster! I don't want to lie to him again. I don't want to live like this again!

Drake: Hey relax! We have a plan, remember? It can't fail and it won't! It's impossible!

Will: You're sure about this? In Salem, plans never end very well. You may be not familiar about that but I am. Everything here usually come out and not in the expected way!

Drake: Are you saying you don't want to according to the plan anymore?

Will: I don't know okay? I'm skeptical. I mean I barely know you and here I am agreeing to a plan and deciding to trust you. You better not betray me!

Drake: Don't worry about that! We have almost the same goal: I want to hurt Mason like he hurt me and you want Sonny back…

Will: I never said I wanted Sonny back. I just want him to live a life where he's not being lied to.

Drake: As you say! But you have to agree with me he was sick jealous when he learnt about us. He's still in love with you.

Will: No he's not. He was just mad I was getting involved with you. Because of Mason, he thinks you are the bad guy and he doesn't want to see me with you; that's all!

Drake: Do you hear yourself? Oh my God Will! It's crazy how blind you can be! It's not even funny at this point!

Will: Whatever! Can you remind me the next plan's parts?

Drake: We have to tease Sonny as much as possible. We have to show him how a happy couple we are.

Will: I hate that part. No offence!

Drake: None taken. So we have to make him jealous, so jealous that Mason has to notice it. When he notices, that will send him over the edge. And usually when he's really angry, Mason tends to do something stupid like cheating or getting in the trouble-maker face. In that case, that's us.

Will: So we have to be ready for whatever he plans to do.

Drake: Yes. In that case I think he will choose the second option. He'll try to threaten you or me but I don't think he'll ever do something. He's more the talk kind than the actions kind of guy! We have to be ready to record whatever he will say.

Will: And if he chooses the first option, we will shoot him with the camera, right?

Drake: Absolutely and then we will show everything to Sonny…

Will: … And hurt him… I so don't want to be the one hurting him.

Drake: I get it, I do. But this is necessary or are you willing to let Mason cheat on Sonny over and over again? If by chance, Sonny finds out the truth about Mason and he also learns that you knew, don't you think he'll be mad at you?

Will: I don't know anything about Mason cheating on him. It is just your word! What tells me you're not lying?

Drake: I know it can be hard to trust strangers but you have to trust me. We want the same thing, well almost the same thing. We want Sonny and Mason to be out of each other's life, for different reasons. So what do you say? You're in?

Will: Fine let's do it! But… I don't want my daughter to know just yet okay?

Drake: Deal!


In the end of the afternoon, at the coffeehouse…

It was earlier than the scheduled hour when Arianna and Parker made their entrance in the coffeehouse. Since he arrived 2 weeks ago, Parker has spent all this time between Arianna and his dad. Arianna was literally crazy with happiness. She was always seen a big bright smile on her face when she was with Parker and when she wasn't with him, she counted the hours, the minutes and the seconds before she could see him again. It was simply cute. Every single person was a little jealous of their happiness but they didn't care.

Once they were inside the coffeehouse, she made her way to the counter, holding Parker's hand like always. They seated and each ordered one coffee.

Parker: I told you we would be early.

Arianna: So what? (Smiling) You are always complaining that I'm late everyday so see that as a life's miracle.

Parker: True. I'm proud of you! It's just we could have spent our time in our room, (wiggling his eyebrows up and down)… Alone.

Arianna: You are such a tease, you know that?

Parker: Yeah I know but you love anyway!

Arianna (getting up and closer to Parker) That, I do! I. kiss. Love. Kiss. You. Kiss. So. Kiss. Very. Kiss; Much.

Their coffee left on the counter, the young couple began kissing, wrapping their arms around each other, even forgetting where they were until they were cut by a voice.

Sonny: Oh come on the lovebirds! Leave that for when you're alone. You are going to make customers jealous…

Parker (pulling away from Arianna): Sorry Sonny. I just can't resist this beautiful woman. I love her so much.

Arianna: Aww I love you too.

Sonny (laughing): Baah too much young love for me!

Parker (laughing): You are so envious... Ari I'm going to sit at the table over there. Don't take too much time to come. I'll miss you!

Parker got up, put a little peck on Arianna's lips, mouthed Love you and went to sit at the table while Arianna turned her head towards Sonny.

Sonny: Wow you guys seem so happy. You prove to me more and more every day that you two are meant for each other.

Arianna: Thank you Sonny. I'm so happy, I mean what are the chances I meet him in New York and we come from the same city. What about you? How are things with Mason? I'm sorry but you look like crap…

Sonny: Jeez thank you Arianna! Are you always so blunt with people?

Arianna: Sorry! Dad taught me we always have to be honest no matter what. So what's wrong?

Sonny: I don't really know. Mason and I spent a lot of time fighting these last couple of days. I hope it will be better in the near future. I'm very tired! (And your dad found a new boyfriend that I hate)

Arianna: You're fighting? About what?

Sonny: If I tell you, promise me you won't do anything!

Arianna: What do you mean?

Sonny: I perfectly know what you were trying to do with your father and me 2 weeks ago.

Arianna: Okay I admit I tried something but I stopped when dad told me to. If you're talking about that, does it mean you were fighting about dad?

Sonny: Well yes. Mason has been particularly jealous since you dad came back.

Arianna: Really? (That's good…) Oh speaking of the devil, dad sent me a text telling me he wasn't sure he would be on time but he didn't tell me why.

Sonny (whispering): I think I know why…

Arianna: So, why?

Sonny: What?

Arianna: Well you just said that you knew why he would be late so tell me…

Sonny: Oh did I? Forget that!

Arianna: Hum, no I won't forget that so tell me please!

Sonny: I think your dad was with his b-boyfriend (the smug and arrogant Drake…)

Arianna (nervously laughing): What? No, no way. Dad doesn't have a boyfriend. He would have told me.

Sonny: I guess he didn't have the time to tell you but he introduced him to me even if I already knew him. (And I hate him with all my heart)

Arianna (shocked): You know him from where? Who is he? (It makes absolutely no sense! Why would dad do this? He's still hung up on Sonny)

Sonny: His name is Drake; he's my husband's ex-boyfriend. (Did I already say that I really, really, really hate him?)

Arianna: WHAT?

Will chose this moment to make his appearance in the coffeehouse under the shocked looks from Arianna and Sonny. He went to kiss his daughter on the cheek. Arianna was so shocked by what she just heard that she was unable to move.

Will: I'm sorry I said I would be late but I managed to get here on time.

Arianna: Where were you dad?

Will: I was at work. That's true I didn't tell you I got a new job. I'm going to work for your step-grandfather in the Dimera Enterprises.

Arianna: It's great, Congratulations dad!

Will: Can we begin the meeting now? I have some things to do after! (Going towards the table where Parker was sat) Hey Parker! How are you doing today?

Parker: I'm fine sir!

Will: Parker, for the 100th time, call me Will please. Sir makes me so old.

Parker: Okay si-Will.

Will: Let this meeting begin! Sonny you're coming?

The meeting began smoothly, Sonny giving the last news. Later, some family members, Sami and Lucas joined them to share some ideas. At the end, the flowers were chosen, the food was ordered and the guest's list has been made.

Arianna (contemptuously): Well dad, we can add your new boyfriend if you want…

Will was shocked by his daughter's bluntness. How could she know? Did Drake spill the beans? No he couldn't, he had never seen Arianna. So who could have told her? His gaze landed on Sonny who was pretending to look at the furniture list. It was him who told her. That meant that he was troubled by this, maybe Sonny told Arianna for her to stop Will from getting involved with Drake. Maybe he was really jealous? So it was good for their plan. Now he had to explain to his daughter without saying too much detail.

Will: Arianna, outside now! Parker, Sonny, mom, dad; excuse us!

Everyone: Sure!

Will took his daughter's arm and dragged her outside the coffeehouse. He took her to a bench and made her sit down.

Will: What was that?

Arianna (acting innocent): What? I asked you if you wanted to take your boyfriend with you. What's the matter?

Will (exasperated): The matter is you don't get to talk to me that way, chiefly in front of other people. As I recall, I'm your father not your best friend.

Arianna: When were you going to tell me about that new boyfriend?

Will: It's none of your business. I have the right to keep that for myself. I don't have to tell you everything!

Arianna: Oh come on! You always tell me everything. I'm not 10 anymore.

Will: So stop acting like you are! Why did you put me on the spot? I was waiting to tell you somewhere privately. By the way, who told you that?

Arianna: Sonny told me just before you arrived. He didn't seem very happy. I mean he's right you are hooking up with his husband's ex-boyfriend! You deserve so much better!

Will: Arianna, stop meddling with my private life! I repeat I'm your father, not your friend. And I do what I want! Understood?

Arianna (with sarcasm): Yes daddy dear! But whatever you are telling me, I won't stop believing you're scheming something… I see you looking at Sonny every day and I know that you still love him. And now you're telling me you're over him with somebody else. Plus this guy is not being unknown to Sonny and to his husband? There are too many coincidences…

Will: Oh my god! What did I do to have such a clever daughter? You inherited that from me! Okay you caught me. I'll tell you everything. But you have to promise me not to tell anyone. ANYONE!

Arianna: Pinky swear! By the way, dad?

Will: Hum?

Arianna: You were almost believable just now when you were trying to scold me!

Will: But I was really scolding you! After that, you have to stop meddling with my life! (looking at his daughter smiling) What? You were never scared when I punished you when you were little?

Arianna: Not really! You were always so cool with me; you were the best dad a girl could ask for…

Arianna got up to hug her father tightly before pulling away.

Arianna: Now tell me!

And he told her everything from how he met Drake to their plan. But he never mentioned how drunk he was the previous night, because seriously (you don't tell your children about things like that even when they are all grown-up).

Arianna: Wow! I want to take part in this plan!

To be continued…