Chapter Twenty-One

Tuscany was crowded with eager partygoers for the annual Christmas Ball. Everyone who is anyone in Salem was in attendance, plus a horde of extras. The restaurant had once again been turned into a beautiful ballroom. The color scheme this year was blue and silver, which could be found everywhere. Large silver snowflakes hung from the ceiling, while Christmas trees were decorated with blue garland and glittery ornaments. Music poured out from an orchestra that was set up in the corner, allowing the guests to dance or mingle to their hearts' content. It was truly a festive atmosphere.

Stefano calmly sipped from his glass of champagne, enjoying the curious looks coming his way from the crowd. He loved the fact that people were always nervous around him. In fact, Stefano thrived on it. "Look at this," he said to Lexi. "Salem's finest, all in one place at one time."

Lexi laughed sarcastically at her father's description. "Right. Salem's finest. What hypocrites. There isn't a handful of people in this room that I even remotely care about anymore. I don't know why you wanted to come tonight, Father, I really don't."

Stefano looked at his daughter, a woman who was as ostracized in Salem as he was. She didn't revel in Salem's reception to them as he did. He loved the wariness people expressed with looks, murmurings, or downright nervousness in his presence. "I have not missed a ball since I returned three years ago. That particular ball holds beautiful memories for me."

Lexi couldn't help but grin with satisfaction in agreement with her father. "Yeah. I really enjoyed how you destroyed any chance of reconciliation for Hope and her family. I couldn't have done it better. You truly are the master of disaster," Lexi quipped in genuine admiration. "And you dedicated that part of your plan to me!"

Stefano waved his hand in the air and completed a short bow in her direction. "I appreciate your praise. I rarely get any positive feedback from anyone in this town. It's relieving to know that my efforts do not go unnoticed."

"Oh, never, Father," Lexi assured him. She glanced quickly at her elegant watch and then frowned. "It's nearly nine o'clock. I thought my lovely sisters and ex-friend would be here by now. Maybe they are doing all of Salem a favor and staying away for the night."

Stefano also frowned. He had also been wondering about the whereabouts of the notorious trio. "It is getting late, but I am certain they are planning on attending. If I know Greta, Chloe, and Hope, then I can say with certainty that they would not miss the ball for the world."

"They do liven things up," Lexi admitted to her father, "even if I despise the lot of them." There was no love lost between her and Hope Brady or her friends. Lexi felt nothing but contempt for them.

Stefano mused thoughtfully to his daughter, "I am surprised that they have yet to put in an appearance. I was looking forward to the drama of their presence. I mean, the stage is set perfectly for continuing heartbreak. All of the major players are here, just waiting for the three of them to enter." He sighed deeply as he continued with his insights, "I do hope they come. I have been anticipating this evening ever since their surprise return."

"I know. The more pain for them, the better." Lexi then felt a hand touch her shoulder and turned around, a look of pure delight crossing her features. "Brandon! I'm so glad you come."

Brandon nodded to Stefano in greeting and then asked Lexi, "I have been wanting to dance with the hottest lady here all evening. Would you do me the honors?"

Lexi, vindictive Lexi, actually blushed, revealing a softer side to herself that only Brandon was aware still existed behind her façade of bitterness. She complied simply by interlocking her hand through his arm, and they entered the dance floor.

Stefano watched his daughter dance with Brandon Walker, pleased with the possibility of a match between them. He knew that Brandon would be a good match for his daughter because he had been the victim of a rough childhood. Brandon would understand completely if Stefano had to "protect" his daughter through unusual means.

Stefano took his eyes off of the dancing couple and surveyed the room around him. John and Marlena were dancing, close together, as they nearly moved as one. "Ah, I have missed sparring with those two," he murmured quietly to himself. "But the pain Chloe has caused their family is definitely worth it. Of course, if Chloe would ever reconsider the deal…" He let his statement trail off as he continued with his insights into Chloe Lane. "She definitely has more courage, foolish courage, then I ever gave her credit for. It's too bad Chloe wouldn't accept my name. I could have made her into a serious force to be reckoned with." Stefano let the regret of losing his daughter slide over him, still pleased with the ultimate outcome of his plan for her. "All things considered, she made a very good pawn, causing so much pain to my enemies."

"There's Bo Brady, conversing with his son and his soon-to-be-daughter-in-law. I hear that Hope has not been invited to the wedding! My, oh, my, what a shock!" Stefano grinned evilly in eager response to his own statement, imagining the hurt that Hope would be feeling about the lack on an invitation. "The pain I have caused Hope Brady will be endless. She will never recover from it. That's what she deserves, for taking baby Isaac away from Lexi. I am pleased with our plans for the ex-Mrs. Bo Brady."

Stefano laughed evilly as he expounded on the subject of Hope Brady. His eyes glinted with pure pleasure. "She has been my best pawn ever. She has caused the most pain among my enemies. Lord, I would love to have her turn back into Princess Gina! What fun that would be!"

Next, he saw Sami and Colin Murphy by the orchestra, obviously having a heated discussion about something. Colin was looking at her with impatience and anger in his eyes. "Colin, I couldn't have designed a better plan of revenge for you! Imagine, being tied to that witch, Sami Brady, for the rest of your life! Hell on earth, Dr. Murphy, hell on earth. I have never seen a more fitting punishment for anyone in my life." A malicious twinkle appeared in his eyes at Colin's frustrated expression with his wife, and expression Stefano believed correctly was on Dr. Murphy's face a lot. "What a pair."

"I knew how you would react, Colin, when I revealed that Greta was my daughter. You feel right into my trap, like everyone does." He grinned malevolently as he continued reminiscing, "Ah, yes. I needed to show Greta that she couldn't hide from being a DiMera. To teach her a lesson, Stefano-style. She definitely learned.

His search led him to Brady Black, who was calmly talking with his grandfather and his surprising step-grandmother, Nicole Walker Kiriakis. "Brady, Brady, Brady," he said gloatingly as he witnessed their conversation, "you were hurt the most by Chloe's supposed rejection. The pain she caused you has been endless. I am so pleased that you will never know the ultimate sacrifice my daughter has committed for you, that she was protecting your family from me. All you will ever know is the pain she has caused you, not that I was the one who orchestrated it!"

Stefano couldn't help the pleased chuckle that escaped him. "I love my life!" he exclaimed as he accepted another glass of champagne from a waiter. "My plans have been so successful for the lovely people of Salem." He held his glass aloft in the air and then announced to himself, "Ain't life grand!" Stefano used his glass to toast himself and what he considered his successes in the air, never expecting the surprising events that would occur later on in the evening.