Chapter 24: Drinks and Stains

"I can't think of anything we would have to discuss about", Eric said to his brother-in-law as they waited for their drinks.
"I'm sure you can think of something. You're not as dull as most of your family. That's what you have in common with your sister", EJ smirked. Eric furrowed pondering his words and when he was ready, he asked EJ:
"Annie? Is that who you wanted to talk to me about?"
"Or we can start there", EJ said, "I don't know what she has told you, but you need to know that I promised to take care of her. Annie has saved my life more times than I can count and she's been a true friend to me. And now it's my time to repay that debt I owe her. So, make sure that she doesn't get hurt and we'll get along just fine."
"I don't think I'm in the position to be able to hurt her. We are slowly becoming friends", Eric said to the taller man and added then, "If you didn't want to warn me about hurting Annie, then what did you want to talk about originally? Sami?"
"Yes, your sister", EJ turned to thank the bartender and handed Eric two wines leaving himself take the two glasses of scotch.
"What about Sami?"
"You need to know that I do love her, but we are no good for each other and that's why I've decided to divorce her", EJ started, "This is best for both of us but Samantha can be stubborn. I hope you can help me by keeping her in line tonight. I wouldn't want her doing something irresponsible." Right then they heard a theatrical scream from across the room. It sounded a lot like Marie scolding someone and Eric turned to ask EJ:
"You mean something like that?" EJ didn't bother to answer him but started to navigate his way across the room.

Sami and Annie watched the two men walk away before turning to face each other. Annie had a small, condescending smile on her lips but she said nothing. Her eyes were full with fire and disdain but still she said nothing. Sami saw her smooth down her cream coloured dress and that's when she saw the ring again.
"Aren't you the least bit ashamed to wear that thing here and now? I mean, it's an engagement ring from a married man", Sami asked her sweetly.
"Oh this", Annie flashed the ring in front of Sami's face and lost herself in the depths of the aglow stone, "Why would I. If we hadn't overslept this morning, Eddie would have had time to meet with his advocate and start the divorce proceedings."
"You slept together? In the same bed?" Sami fought against the choking feeling in her throat.
"Yes", Annie kept nodding, "We had a long talk last night after Eddie had met you and we returned here. I was hungry, I'm sure you know the feeling, and Eddie was more than happy to indulge me even though we are under his fathers roof. I'm not normally as nitpicky about such things while visiting, but this is Stefano's house after all. And it did took some convincing on his part to have me go wild like I did last night. But luckily no one got hurt and we got to sleep in this morning." Sami listened as Annie kept on talking and talking. She had thought imagining all the things that could go on between EJ and this woman was torture, but it was nothing compared having to listen detailed account of their sexual appetites.
"EJ wouldn't do that. He wouldn't cheat on me", Sami whispered to herself, "He loves me. EJ loves me!"
"Sure he does", Annie agreed, "I'm aware of Eddies feelings towards you and as distasteful and misplaced as I find them, I'm willing to forgive and forget. It's actually an endearing flaw in him to find something amiable in a woman such as yourself, but for his own well-being, I think it's time for him to move on. Eddie will undoubtedly continue to love you, but I'm sure I can help him to find happiness and love in a life after you."
"What exactly do you mean with a woman such as myself?" Sami asked her voice resonating with the shaking of her body. Annie tilted her head and met her opponent with cold and almost dead eyes. She spoke slowly as if wanting to make sure Sami had time to taste each word before devouring them.
"I mean a selfish, spoiled brat who never stops to think about the other point of view. I mean the cold-hearted bitch who claims simply wanting to be loved only to throw away that unconditionally love and acceptance offered to her, because of a name. I mean the child in adults body who isn't strong enough to fight for what she really wants but gives in to her family's every whim. I mean the poor soul who has the most amazing gift of love given to her and who discards it. I mean the woman who isn't worthy of love." The fire returned to Annie's eyes and a sardonic grin lit her face as she continued speaking cheerfully at first but with promising tone in the end:
"You're not worthy of Eddie's love, you never were and you never will be. Once your divorce is finalised, I'm going to make him forget you ever existed." Sami couldn't contain her fury a second longer. She squeezed tightly the wineglass in her hand and threw it's content all over the smug whore who had stolen her husband.

"Sami!" Marie shouted her name, but Sami kept staring at her adversary defiantly. Slowly Annie raised her ring bedecked hand and wiped her lips dry. Then she placed her finger in her mouth and tasted the drink:
"What a waste", Annie sighed mournfully, "It was such a good year for Chardonnay."
"What happened?" EJ and Eric stormed to the site of confusion at that moment.
"Oh my god, Annie! Are you all right?" EJ asked and set down his drinks on the nearest surface reaching for a handkerchief to wipe Annie's face.
"I'm fine luv", Annie said and stopped EJ, "I just think I need to change after all. You were right, the red dress looks so much better on me. If you'll excuse me." She gathered her skirt and glided across the room to the stairs. Once she was out of sight, everyone turned their eyes back to Sami who remained silent.
"Samantha, you don't know it, but you were just given a second chance in life. Had this happened anywhere else and had you been anyone else", EJ paused to give his wife a cryptic look, "nothing could have saved you from certain death." And with that EJ walked away to make sure his friend wasn't just putting on a strong face.

"What happened?" Eric whispered. Sami shot an angry look at him and he understood.
"Sami, you are bleeding", Marie exclaimed and removed the shattered glass from her hand, "We need to take care of this. Let's go." Before they could make through the front door, Rolf stepped to stop them.
"Thiz way, pleaze." He ushered them to Stefano's personal hospital room and searched for the tools and chemicals to clean Sami's wound. Once he was done Sami spoke.
"I want to leave. I want to go home."
"I'm afraid that'z not pozzible", Rolf replied, "Master Elvis gave direct instructions to keep you here until he haz the chance to zpeak to you again. You are welcome to wait here or in the third parlour where ever you prefer. But you muzn't leave the manzion."
"He can't keep us here against our will", Marie pointed out sweetly.
"If you truly wish to leave, I've been instructed to call the Salem Police Department and ask their officers to escort Mrs Wells-Dimera to the station. Az Mz Luckafält's attorney, Mr Wells-DiMera wantz to make sure assault charges are made against Mrs Wells-DiMera while the incident is still fresh in witnesses minds."
"As her attorney?" Marie repeated, "Sami, I think it would be wise to stay here and wait to hear what he has to say."
"Fine. I just want to be left alone", Sami said staring into the distance.
"I'll ezcort you to the third parlour", Rolf offered and ushered Marie and Eric out of the room. He lead them through a narrow hall into a dark room and quickly lit a fire into the fireplace.
"Electricity waz never introduced to this room and the lights of the house wont reach here from anywhere. I'll have to fetch you some candles and it might take a moment", Rolf said before backing out of the room and closing the door behind him.

Marie should have felt like a prisoner in that room but she didn't. She walked to the grand glass windows at the end of the room and the mansion and gazed upon the most beautiful view she had seen. From where she stood she could see the stars in the sky and the moonlight sweep over the garden leaving long shadows to define the scenery.
"It's beautiful", Eric whispered to her ear. He had sneaked up on her and was standing right behind her. She took a deep breath and tried to silence the flutter in her heart.
"It is, but you would know it better after seeing it so close", Marie said without really thinking it.
"Why do you say that?" Eric asked and Marie didn't need to see confusion in his eyes to know it was there.
"For no reason, for no reason at all", Marie stepped aside and tried to escape.
"Please don't do that", he asked, "I've had enough evasive answers for the time being. Please tell me what you meant by that?" Marie shook her head.
"You remind me so much of him", she threw her head back and sighed, "I swore I wouldn't let this happen again, but here I am, falling for a womanizer and a cheat. I thought Logan Dean was the worst of them, but he would have had nothing on you."
"Who is Logan?" baffled Eric asked.
"He was the love of my life", Marie smiled a sad little smile and fought back the tears she had held in for years, "I loved him and he betrayed me. And in the end I betrayed him. I lost the one chance I had and now I'm doomed to repeat my mistakes." Eric took a step closer to her.
"I want to kiss you right now", he said and saw her face change in the moonlight, "I want to kiss you and hold you in my arms so much it hurts, but I'm not going to do that right now. There's something I need to finish first, but once that's done you'll have my undivided attention. And then, I'm going to chase you. I'm going to pursue you and seduce you. I'm going to make you wait and beg for me to hold you, kiss you, make love to you. And once we do, you wont want to ever leave my arms." Marie had stopped breathing. She could feel her heart stopping and starting again in her chest and testing the bone bars restraining it. But he wasn't finished yet.
"All that can wait, because right now, you need to talk. You need to tell me a story of that past love of yours and you need to cry. You need to let out that venom that has been poisoning you for years so you can be free, free to to love me." Once Eric was done speaking, he stood in silence and waited. Marie, choking in her emotions could only utter:
"I need a drink."