Sonny was shocked at that revelation. "What? When did you decide that?"
"This afternoon, actually." Will admitted. "I no longer want to be a part of all the underhanded scheming and backstabbing going on with the…articles people write, so…after the next deadline, I'm tendering my resignation."
"Are you sure that's what you want?" Sonny asked.
"Yes." Will nodded. "Sonix was the start of all my troubles. There's a job opening at the Salem Spectator for an editorialist. I'm going to apply."
Sonny nodded. "Okay. But, can I ask you something?"
"Shoot."
"Why not buy Sonix? That way you can control which articles are written." Sonny suggested.
"I don't have the money or the experience to run a magazine." Will shook his head slowly. "Besides, I want to write, not manage a magazine."
"Okay. Well, in that case, I hope you get the job at the Spectator." Sonny said, supportively.
Will smiled, grabbed Sonny's face, and pulled him into a kiss. "Thank you."
Sonny's phone rang. "Hey, Gabi."
"Hey, do you have a few minutes?" Gabi asked.
"Yeah. What's up?"
"This photoshoot is running longer than I thought, so would you mind picking Ari up from Lucas'?"
"Sure. I'm actually home now, so I'll pick her up."
"Thanks! You're the best." Gabi replied.
Sonny chuckled. "Bye, Gabi."
"What's going on?" Will asked.
"Her photoshoot is running longer than she thought, so, I'm going to pick Ari up." Sonny replied.
"Okay." Will nodded. He opened up his laptop, searched for the editorialist job, and started filling out the application. There was a knock on the door. Will got up to answer it. "Uncle Philip? This is a surprise." He stepped aside to let him in.
"Hi, Will." Philip walked in, and sighed. "Listen…normally I wouldn't come to you with this, but, I'm getting desperate."
Will was confused. "Okay…"
"I'm assuming my dad warned Sonny about Uncle Deimos, and Sonny relayed the message to you." Philip said. Will nodded. "Good. Ahem. I wish I had gotten that warning before it was too late."
"What do you mean?"
"I met Deimos a while before he came to Salem." Philip admitted. "He told me he was my Uncle- I ran a background check just to be sure. He tried to turn me against my father. But, when he failed, he started to blackmail me."
Will's eyes widened. "What does he have on you?"
Philip shook his head vigorously. "Never mind that! All you need to know is that it would ruin me beyond repair."
"So, what do you need me for?" Will asked.
"I'm hoping that the $250 million you're sitting on would shut Deimos up and make him disappear." Philip said.
"What if he doesn't disappear even with all that money?" Will asked.
"Then I'll threaten to tell my dad everything." Philip said simply. "He's after the serum that you and your great-grandmother took to feel better."
Will nodded, then something occurred to him. "Wait…Uncle Bo was kidnapped and tortured for information about the serum…did…did you know about that before he came back to Salem?"
"No!" Philip shook his head. "Will, Bo and I may have had our differences, and I may have been jealous of him my entire life, but I would never hurt him."
"Okay. Good." Will replied. "So, then…for once, Stefano actually didn't have anything to do with what Bo and Hope went through."
"Crazy, right?" Philip asked. "Now…about the money…"
"I'll give it to you, but first, you have to do something for me in return." Will said.
"Name it." Philip said eagerly.
Will explained about the article about the accident, and that he needs to find some way to save face for Eric. "I don't know what I'm gonna do."
"Well…you could still write that article." Philip replied, getting an idea. "Hear me out: you can break into this guy's computer, rewrite the article, print it out, and swap it with the original before it gets to the printer."
"Yeah…yeah. That will do." Will replied. "That sounds complicated, though."
"Not with my help." Philip replied, smiling. "So…I'll help you with the article and you can give me that money."
"It's not that easy." Will replied. "I put it in an offshore account in Moscow. I can't access the money until this November."
"You forget: I'm a Kiriakis." Philip stated simply. "I'll get that money out within the next week or so."
"Great! The deadline for the article is next Friday. I'll hack into Matt's computer tomorrow while he's on break." Will said.
"Great. Let me know how it goes." Philip replied. "Thank you, Will. You're a good nephew."
"You're welcome. And thanks." Will stared at the door after Philip left. He wasn't completely sure if he could trust him to give his money back if bribing Deimos doesn't work. Just in case, he called his PI. "Hi. I need you to dig up dirt on Philip Kiriakis, please."
XXX
The next afternoon, Will snuck into Matt's office and successfully broke into his computer. He opened up the file on the article, which was complete. He e-mailed it to himself and deleted the e-mail from Trash. "Score!" Will whispered triumphantly. He pulled down his sleeve to wipe off fingerprints and left the office.
Once in his own office, Will opened up the e-mail and file. He saved the file and deleted the e-mail. He pulled out his phone and texted Philip. "Successfully stole the article. Let's plan on meeting at the printer's office next Friday to make the swap. They know who I am, so you're gonna have to be the distraction."
"Good for you! I'll make room in my calendar." Philip replied.
Will deleted the conversation, and started revising the article.
XXX
Chad and Abigail walked through the Horton house with Thomas. Jennifer was upstairs resting, and JJ was at school.
"Have you thought more about it? Moving into the mansion?" Chad asked as they sat down.
"Yes. And I want you to know that I'd be happy living anywhere. I don't need a mansion." Abigail said, raising an eyebrow.
"I get that. I totally do." Chad replied. "But, like I said, the bank is foreclosing soon, and we have next to no money thanks to Sami. Who knows what she did with it."
Abigail was a little surprised. "Did I forget to tell you?"
"What?" Chad asked, confused.
XXX
Will opened the door to Chad, Abigail, and Thomas. "Hey, guys. Come on in."
"Hey." Abigail rushed to put Thomas in the bathroom in his car seat, turned the fan on, and closed the door.
"Where's Ari?" Chad asked.
"Napping." Will replied.
Chad nodded. "So…what exactly did you guys forget to tell me?"
"First of all…we weren't sure if we could trust you." Sonny said. "And we wanted to make sure Sami and the kids were safe."
"Okay…" Chad nodded.
"Sami gave half the stolen money to me." Will admitted.
Chad blinked. "Wow. You were the last person I expected would get it."
"Yeah, well…"
Chad sighed. "Guess Andre brainwashed me for nothing."
"Belle still knows, though." Will shrugged. "And Brady, Philip, Gabi, and Paul."
Chad stared in shock. He couldn't blame them for not trusting him, but, still! "Is there anything else you would like to tell me?"
Sonny and Will glanced at each other, unsure whether or not to tell him about EJ. Will took a deep breath. "Just so we're clear…you definitely turned your back on your family, right?"
"One hundred and ten percent." Chad nodded. "Why?"
"It's EJ." Will replied. "He's alive."
That struck Chad. He sank down in a chair. "How is that possible?"
"Apparently, Kristen injected him with a revival drug." Will shrugged. "He was in a coma, then physical therapy, then he was held captive. He escaped and found my mom and the kids."
"Oh my God." Abigail breathed.
It took a few minutes for Chad to process this new information. EJ was alive. He's out there somewhere. He was surprised to find himself to be relieved. He sighed. "Do Stefano and Andre know?"
"Stefano does, but I don't know about Andre." Will shrugged.
"Why…why didn't they tell me, then?" Chad asked, his voice shaking.
"Beats me." Will replied.
Chad exhaled slowly. "If Andre doesn't know, then…maybe we should keep it that way."
"I agree." Will replied. "So, since you now know I have half the money, I'm guessing you want it back, right?"
Chad sighed inwardly, closed his eyes, and bowed his head. "No." He looked up at Will with a look of slight guilt. "Keep it. Call it making it up to you for basically screwing you guys over."
"Yeah, I never understood why you did that." Will said. "I mean, Sonny only saved you and Melanie from being kidnapped, was the best friend you could ever have, and offered to donate his blood after you got shot."
"It actually, um…it had more to do with his dad helping EJ bring him- my dad- down." Chad admitted.
Sonny exhaled sharply and rolled his eyes. "Oh. Wow. I'm used against my dad and my uncle. Who next- Will?"
"Hey, don't jinx it!" Will exclaimed. They chuckled.
"You should also know that Andre thinks Hope killed our father." Chad admitted.
Will and Sonny just stared at him, dumbfounded. "Hope? Seriously? Why?"
"Because she thinks my father is responsible for Bo's kidnapping, torture, and death." Chad replied. "He's not."
Will had a flashback of Philip telling him Deimos was interested in the serum. "Hmm. You know, if Stefano really is innocent… and if Hope really did kill him…she killed an innocent old man in a wheelchair."
"Well, innocent at the time of his death, anyway." Sonny shrugged.
"Regardless…this means that Andre is going to be even more on edge and all the more desperate and determined to get his money back. So, you better pray he doesn't find out you have it." Chad said. Will nodded. "Now…on to happier news…" He put an arm around Abigail's shoulders and they both smiled.
"Chad asked me to marry him, and I said yes!" Abigail exclaimed excitedly.
Will and Sonny gaped happily. "Oh my God! Congratulations!" They hugged the newly engaged couple.
"Sonny, I would love for you to be my best man." Chad said, grinning.
"Of course." Sonny replied. "Maybe after all this drama with your family ends, we can be better friends."
"I'd like that." Chad said. They hugged.
Will was suddenly hit with inspiration. He gasped slowly, and a smile formed on his lips. "Oh my god…I just got an idea!"
"Should we be worried?" Sonny asked.
"No! This is a great idea for a novel!" Will exclaimed. "Two guys from rival crime families becoming best friends- kind of like a platonic Romeo and Juliet- the story writes itself!" Will squealed, kissed Sonny on the mouth, and kissed Chad on the cheek. "I love you guys."
Chad cleared his throat. "We love you, too. Uh…heh…you're…gonna use different names, though, right?"
"Of course, of course." Will replied.
Sonny chuckled. "Chad, we better get to work. We'll see you guys later."
"Bye." Abigail kissed Chad, and Sonny kissed Will. After Chad and Sonny left, Abigail turned to Will. "Would you mind if I just hang out here 'til Thomas wakes up?"
"Sure!" Will replied. They sat on the couch. "So, have you set a date, yet?"
"Well, we were going to do it on Valentine's Day, but…" Abigail shrugged sadly. "We are going to get married next month, though."
"Well, I can't wait." Will said, grinning. "You two look so happy together."
"Aw, thanks. So do you and Sonny." Abigail replied.
"Where are you guys going to live?"
"Well…Chad wants us to move to the DiMera mansion." Abigail said, sounding unsure.
"And you're not happy about that?" Will guessed.
Abigail shook her head. "I just don't like what that house represents, you know? And…children can get lost in that huge house. It's better if someone who doesn't know who the DiMeras are buy that house."
Will nodded in understanding. "True, but…you could redecorate. Maybe add a little more color, get rid of all that gothic furniture…"
"True, but, the exterior alone…it looks like something out of The Addams Family." They both laughed.
"You can always remodel and repaint." Will suggested.
"Why do you want me to move into the DiMera mansion?" Abigail asked.
"I just…" Will sighed. "A lot of people would kill for a chance to live in a mansion. I mean, big rooms, butlers, maids, a cook, a limo! Why wouldn't you want all that?"
"Because unlike you, I'm not high-maintenance." Abigail smirked.
Will huffed and pretended to be insulted. "Fine."
XXX
Chad and Sonny busied themselves at TBD. "So, have you bought an engagement ring yet?"
"No. I'm going shopping sometime this weekend." Chad carried a tray of food to a table and placed the plates in front of a few customers. He headed back just as Sonny served drinks to a couple.
"Where are you going to live?" Sonny asked.
"Well, I'm trying to talk her into moving into the mansion." Chad admitted as he clipped an order to a rotating rack.
Sonny scoffed. "Good luck with that."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Chad asked.
"Abigail isn't Sami. Or Nicole, or Will, even." Sonny explained. "She's very low-maintenance. She doesn't need butlers and maids and fancy dinners at expensive restaurants. Or designer clothes and fine jewelry. She's okay with living in the suburbs, making dinner herself and eating at family restaurants in jeans."
Chad took a deep breath and leaned against the counter. "I know, I get that. It's just…."
"You want all those things." Sonny guessed.
"Yeah." Chad nodded.
"You do know it's important to make your spouse happy, right? Love is full of compromises." Sonny advised.
"I know." Chad replied. He went back to work.
Sonny wiped down the counter and heard someone sit on a stool. "Be right with you." He finished up and turned in surprise. "Shawn! Hey, when did you get back?"
"A few days ago, actually." Shawn replied. "I actually have been thinking a lot about what you said around Thanksgiving. About really not going to bed angry and what almost happened to you and Will. Because of that, I decided to fight for my marriage."
"Really? Well, good for you." Sonny smiled.
"Thanks. And I owe you." Shawn replied.
Sonny chuckled. "Can I get you anything?"
"Hmm. I'll just have hot chocolate. I'm too afraid to drink after what happened on New Years'." Shawn admitted.
"Whipped cream? Marshmallows?"
"Yes to both."
"Coming right up." Sonny scribbled the order down and hung it on the order rack, and turned back to his cousin. He looked around before addressing him. "Now that you're here, I should probably let you know. Uncle Vic has a long-lost baby brother- Deimos."
"Really?" Shawn raised an eyebrow.
"Yep. He's dangerous, though. You need to steer clear." Sonny said. "He hates Uncle Vic with a vengeance and will use his family to hurt him."
"What'd he do?" Shawn asked.
"According to Uncle Vic, Deimos killed his- Uncle Vic's- fiancée after sleeping with her." Sonny answered. "Deimos went to jail for thirty years."
Shawn nodded. "Wow. Does it matter that I don't identify myself as a Kiriakis? No offense."
"None taken." Sonny shook his head.
"I'll relay the warning to Ciara and Claire."
XXX
Will looked over his draft of the article. It looked okay. It didn't glorify drunk driving or manslaughter, and it didn't piss on Daniel's grave. He nodded in satisfaction and saved it. He gathered up his laptop and went to Matt's office. He was glad to find it empty. He hurried and emailed the new article to Matt's email, and opened the original article, erased it, and pasted the new article over it. He then deleted the email from the inbox and trash. He wiped his fingerprints, and headed back to his office to print the article out.
Later that evening, Philip pulled up to the magazine office. Will was dressed in all black. "Are you ready for this?"
"No. Let's go." Will got out of the car, clutching the new article. They snuck up to Zoe's office. Philip knocked on the door.
"Hi, Zoe Browning?" Philip asked. "I'm Philip Kiriakis, CEO of Titan."
"Oh, hi." Zoe greeted. "What brings you here at this ungodly hour?"
Philip stole a quick glance towards Will, who climbed in through the window. "I was hoping you could be bought back to Titan Publishing. It's obvious that DiMera Enterpises is slowly on the decline. I would hate for such a good magazine to get caught in the crosshairs."
Zoe folded her arms and leaned against the doorway. "We can take care of ourselves. If you didn't want DiMera Enterprises to buy us, then you shouldn't have sold us to them."
Philip smirked. "You never know just what you got 'til it's gone."
Zoe chuckled and smiled. "Too bad, blondie. DiMera is stuck with us."
He crept over to the box of manila envelopes of articles that would go in the magazine. He quietly leafed through the envelopes until he found one with Matt's name on it. He quickly and quietly replaced the original article with the one he wrote, and quietly snuck back out the window.
Philip sighed in defeat and pulled out his card. "All right. But, just in case you changed your mind, here's my card."
Zoe took the card and ripped it in half. "I'm not going to change my mind. Good night, Mr. Kiriakis."
"Good night." Philip walked off. Once both he and Will were in the car, he took a deep breath. "Were you successful?"
"Oh, yeah." Will nodded triumphantly. "My heart's still beating pretty fast and I have chills, though."
Philip chuckled. "That's normal. Have you seriously never done something like this before?"
Will shook his head. "By the way, I got the job at the Spectator."
"Congrats!"
"Thanks. Tomorrow, I pack up my office and give Zoe my two-week's notice." Will nodded. "Were you able to get the money?"
"Yep. It's in my bank account, actually." Philip nodded. "I have a meeting with Uncle Deimos tomorrow, so, wish me luck."
"Good luck."
XXX
Sonny lay on the couch, crossing his ankles, and looking up the new Sonix articles online. He already read the article Will wrote about a homeless person becoming a billionaire overnight, which he thought was pretty good. Then, he moved on to the article about the New Year's Eve car accident. It wasn't written by Will, but, the writing was so similar to Will's writing style…
"Oh, dammit, Will. What did you do?" Sonny asked out loud.
XXX
Zoe walked into Matt's office carrying the newest copy of Sonix. "This just came in. I gotta say, Matt, your article is pretty damn impressive!"
"Oh, thank you." Matt grinned.
"I'm just curious, though…why does it sound like you're apologizing for Eric Brady's actions and making him out to be the victim?" Zoe asked.
Matt was confused. "What?" He grabbed the magazine and scanned the article. His face fell into a horrified expression. "Zoe, this isn't my work."
"Excuse me?"
"I didn't write this article." Matt replied. He sat down in front of his laptop. "I kept the original copy." He searched for the article, but couldn't find it. "What the hell? Even my backups are gone!"
"Wait…what is going on?"
"Someone freaking stole my article and rewrote it!" Matt flung his laptop off his desk in fury.
Zoe scoffed and shook her head. "Who would do that?"
"I don't know!" Matt sighed and slumped in his chair.
Zoe had a flashback of Philip Kiriakis paying her a visit the night before. Was it just a coincidence that he visited the night before the next issue went out? Hmm. Kiriakis…as in Sonny Kiriakis? "You know…the CEO of Titan, Philip Kiriakis came to my office last night. I wonder if he's related to Sonny Kiriakis. Will Horton's husband."
Matt had a sudden burst of realization. Will had tried to get him to let Will write the article and Matt would take credit…then he tried to bribe him. Fury bubbled up inside him. "Mother…" He spat on the ground in fury.
XX
Will packed up one last box in his now-empty office. He had set the letter of resignation on his desk. He heard a distant scream of fury, then crashing. Will quickly packed up the box then taped it up. He heard running footsteps, then jumped as the door to his office slammed open.
Matt panted for breath and glared at Will, who stood behind his chair, using it as a shield. "You. Stole. My. Article."
"Now, now, Matt…Matt, listen," Will said as Matt slowly advanced towards him. "I know you're upset, but, think about it. This wouldn't have happened if you had just let me-"
"Don't you dare blame this on me!" Matt hissed. "My entire career could be on the line because you just couldn't stand to see your precious uncle on the firing squad. Well, you know what? Now you will suffer the consequences. Mark my words, Horton: you will pay." He stormed out of the office.
Zoe scoffed, shook her head, and glared at Will. "What the hell were you thinking?"
"My uncle has been through enough in the last few years. You should have read Matt's original article! He completely trashed him!"
"You had no problem throwing your own mother under the bus." Zoe pointed out. "Why is your uncle any different?"
"My mother was hell-bent on revenge against my cousin-"
"Your uncle nearly killed your aunt and uncle and actually killed this town's most beloved surgeons!" Zoe argued. "I think that's a little stronger than just being mean."
"My uncle didn't set out to kill anyone! He wasn't in his right mind." Will argued. "Anyway, what's done is done." He handed Zoe his letter of resignation.
Zoe read it and nodded. "I really hope you can live with yourself." With that, she left, slamming the door behind her.