"A Single Yellow Rose" – Chapter Thirty-Four
Saturday night…Penthouse Grill, Titan Publishing Building"You look very nice tonight Miss Black."
Belle looked up at the tall, distinguished gentlemen across from her, her eyes taking in the beautiful woman next to him and the young man standing on the other side whose smile produced dimples, that according to Chloe, could make a girl forget every thought in her head. "You look very nice too Mr. Kiriakis," Belle replied. "If fact you're whole family looks wonderful."
"Thank you Belle," Kate said catching Marlena's eye and returning her smile. "The Black family is equally impressive this evening."
"Hey…what about me?" Shawn said with a wiry grin.
"You're beautiful Brady," Philip answered with a smirk.
"You too K-man," Shawn shot back. "But why is it that you seem a lot more comfortable in one of these monkey suits than I do?"
"It's an illusion man…all done with smoke and mirrors."
Shawn stared back at his friend, an uncomfortable silence filling the elevator as it rode up past the many floors of offices and businesses housed in the Titan Publishing building heading for the Penthouse Grill.
"So…what happened to you Shawn?" Kate asked, "you look like you had a run in with someone."
"Well…umm…"
"More like a something," Belle cut in. "This guy decides a few hours before the social event of the year to join in a start up ice hockey game in the park today and this is the result."
"Philip you were playing hockey in the park today," Kate said, her sharp eyes roaming over her son, "but you don't look like that."
"I guess I'm faster on my feet that Shawn is," Philip answered leveling a long stare at his friend, "or on my skates I should say."
"Well I'm just glad the snow finally stopped," Marlene said, smiling up at John as he covered her shoulders with her silk shawl, "I was afraid the roads would be a real mess."
"I think Nancy Wesley spoke with God himself about the weather," Victor replied. "She certainly took charge in planning tonight's events."
Everyone joined in the good natured laughter as they all knew about the meetings, telephone calls and memos that occurred in the preparation for this year's Holiday Ball.
"Speaking of Mrs. Wesley," Shawn said, "where is you date for this evening Phil?"
"Chloe's mother wanted her to ride over here with her and Dr. Wesley," he answered taking a quick look at his watch, "I'm sure they are here by now."
"Where is your father and Hope? He didn't get called into work tonight did he?" Victor asked.
"They're on their way," Shawn said, "when I left Mom was still grilling my brother's babysitter."
The elevator glided to a gentle stop and a special chime sounded signaling its arrival at the top floor of the building. As the door slid open, Shawn stepped aside and held the doors open as Belle, Marlena and Kate exited and then John and Victor before he and Philip were the last to step off.
"Are you and Shawn sitting with your mother and I?" John asked his daughter as he gently brushed a stray hair off her face.
"Ah…well…Dad, the group of us thought it would be cool if we all sat together," Belle said, shooting a quick look at Shawn and Philip. "Not that we would mind sitting with you and mom it's just that…"
"Say no more," John replied removing his outer coat and handing it to the girl behind the counter, "who wants to sit with the old folks when all the 'hip' people are at another table."
"Hip?" Belle said with a giggle.
"Wrong word?" John said with a smile.
"Yeah dad."
"Well, at least save a dance for your old man okay?"
Belle answered him with a long embrace as Marlena looked at the two of them with a serene smile. John slowly released her and stepped back to take a long look at his little girl who was quickly growing up into a woman. "You look beautiful tonight Izzy B."
"Thanks daddy."
"We'll see you later honey," Marlena said, linking her arm through John's and walking into the main room.
"Son, we are going to be sitting at the head table," Victor said, as he too handed over his and Kate's outer garments. "I assume you will be with your friends."
"Yes sir," Philip replied, taking a quick look around the lobby.
"Perhaps she's inside," Kate said.
"Who?"
"The young lady you are searching for," Kate answered as she accepted Victor's arm before they headed off to mingle with the rest of the hospital board members.
"You do look beautiful," Shawn said as he and Belle stood off to the side waiting for Philip to check his coat, his eyes roaming over the dark black dress that enhanced the radiant glow of Belle's face and neck, "very beautiful."
"Thank you," Belle said with a shy smile, "did you noticed I got your voice mail?"
Shawn smiled at he looked at Belle's hair, wore parted on the side but sleek, straight and soft as it grazed the black mesh material of her dress that covered her arms and shoulders. "I was hoping my asking you not to do something crazy with your hair wouldn't make you mad."
"Well at first I wasn't too happy," Belle teased, "but I wanted you to be proud to be with me tonight so I-"
Stepping into the shadows of a large palm plant, Shawn grabbed her around the waist and pulled her up hard against him, silencing the groan that filled him the moment her soft curves met the hard plane of his chest. "I am always proud to be with you Belle…no matter what you look like, no matter what you do…no matter what."
"I know that Shawn," she said, surprised at the serious tone of his voice.
"I love you Belle…I've never felt this way about anyone before…"
Reaching up to tenderly cup his bruised cheek with her hand, Belle brushed her thumb across his bottom lip. "I love you too Shawn."
"I would do anything for you," he whispered, he eyes closing the moment she touched him.
"I know that."
"No…no you don't…"Shawn murmured against her lips before his mouth covered hers in a powerful kiss that Belle returned for several moments before she remembered where they were.
"Shawn…wait," she said ending the kiss. "You're forgetting where we are."
"I didn't forget…I just can't resist you."
Belle returned his smile as she stepped away from him and moved towards where Philip was standing pulling Shawn with her. "Wow, there is a lot of people here already," she said.
Philip nodded in agreement, as he continued to look around the room.
"Let's grab a table before they are all gone," Belle said heading into the room.
"You go ahead," Philip said, placing a restraining hand on Shawn's arm, "we'll join you in a minute."
"Okay," Belle said looking back and forth between Shawn and Philip. "I look on the other side of the room but somewhere near the dance floor."
"You going to be okay in this crowd?" Shawn asked.
Belle nodded. "I'll be fine…I know just about everyone here."
Philip waited until Belle was a few feet away before he turned on his friend. "Okay…what gives?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You showed up on my doorstep with those colorful markings on your face…before we headed over to the rink this afternoon. What's going on?"
Shawn adverted his eyes from his friend and instead concentrated on watching Belle as she stopped and talked with Mickey and Maggie Horton. "Nothing's going on."
"Why are you lying to Belle?"
Shawn snapped his head back around and opened his mouth but nothing came out.
"Does this have anything to do with the fact that it took you and Jason a couple of hours to take Belle home last night from the cast party?"
"Hey, we were asked to pick up some more brews as well…that's not something a couple of seventeen-year-olds can get their hands on in a few minutes you know."
"Yeah except Jason came back alone with the beer, stayed long enough to down a few as he watched Mimi and Brady doing the bump and grind on the dance floor before he took off again too."
"So, that's what I missed huh?"
"That and Jason stopping to lay a big kiss on Heather before he walked out the door which didn't go over to well with Brady…or Mimi."
"He did what! That boy is never going to learn."
"Saw it myself…he said something to her afterwards that seemed to surprise them both and then he just walked out."
"I thought whatever was going on with Brady and Heather didn't work out."
"Who knows…but Brady wasn't too happy about that kiss, that much I could tell. Mimi and Brady were just dancing but you know Jason…he's got himself so twisted up about that girl he can't even see straight."
"Yeah…it's a condition that seems to be catchy now a days," Shawn said, his eyes straying to the last place he saw Belle. After a few minutes, he found her standing with her sister Sami and surprisingly Lucas was with them and Belle's sister and Philip's brother looked like they were actually getting along.
"So where did you end up?" Philip asked.
"Umm…christmas shopping?"
"Does this have anything to do with that guy that Belle thinks is following her around?"
"What makes you say that?"
"Because I've known you since we were kids and this is the first you I've seen you pull in the reins on that wild, Irish temper of yours…until last night. You were pacing around that party like a caged animal until Belle claimed she was tired and wanted to go home. Then you couldn't get out of there fast enough. I would've bet the two of you were going off to find so privacy if Jason didn't jump at the chance to…what did he say…get some fresh air?"
"Belle hasn't been sleeping well the last couple of nights and we did take her home. But I'm surprised you noticed anything but Chloe last night the way you two were stuck to each other. You know, I don't think I've ever seen Chloe drink at a party before."
"I know…it was a bit out of character but then again she's been acting weird for a while now. I was hoping we could talk but…well, she wanted to stay and since I wasn't sure how the mixture of booze plus Chloe was going to come out…I wanted to keep an eye on her."
"Why…in case Brady decided to ask her to dance too?"
"Chloe can do whatever she wants," Philip answered in a low voice, "she usually does anyway."
"And speaking of which…" Shawn voice trailed off as he saw Chloe through the crowd. Philip followed his friend's stare until he too saw her standing on the far side of the dance floor. Her emerald green dress clung to her from her breasts to her knees until it spread out in green waves to the floor. He felt his breath rush from his body as he took in her bare shoulders, her rosy skin glimmering in the soft lights and candlelight that lit the room as she wore her hair pulled up in an elaborate style.
She was talking adamantly about a subject that excited her, Philip figured, from the wide smile on her face and the flurry of her hands as she spoke to someone whose back was to them.
"I'm gonna go find Belle," Shawn said, taking advantage of his friend's distraction.
"This conversation isn't over yet," Philip warned, as he started towards Chloe while flashing a quick look at Shawn's departing back. Shawn rewarded him with just a wave of a hand as he kept walking.
Focusing his gaze back on Chloe, Philip couldn't stop his lips from forming a smile as he watched her talk when she suddenly noticed him walking towards her. His own smile slipped a bit when he saw her fall silent and her eyes quickly darted to the man she was talking to. Philip's steps slowed to a stop as he waited for the stranger to turn around but he was afraid he already knew who she was talking-
Yup…Brady.
Philip returned his stare for a long moment before Brady broke away and turned back to Chloe. He said something Philip couldn't hear before he walked away and Chloe started to make her way over to where he stood.
Offering a quick hello to Dr. Carver and her husband as she walked past, Chloe saw the all too familiar gleam in Philip's eye. 'Please let that because of the dress and not because of Brady,' she thought.
"Hi there," she said, stopping in front of him, "don't you look handsome this evening."
"Thank you," Philip replied stiffly, "I hope I didn't interrupt anything between you and Brady."
"You didn't…I was just telling him some good news."
"Are you going to share that news with me or is it a secret…just between the two of you?"
Chloe's smile disappeared and Philip felt like a heel because it was his fault. "I'm sorry…that was uncalled for."
"This is a special night Philip…don't ruin it for me."
"That is the last thing I want to do…you should know that."
"Good…and I'm sorry my mother insisted that I come over here with her but she has been so crazy these last few days is all Craig and I can do just to live with her. She was a nervous wreak at the house so consider yourself lucky that you missed all that."
"That's alright," Philip said, reaching out to her hand in his, rubbing his thumb over the ridge of her knuckles. "God…you take my breath away."
Chloe smiled shyly at Philip's words, her gaze dropping to the yards of satin that surrounded her. "It's a beautiful dress."
"It's not the dress honey…it's all you. You are glowing brighter than that Christmas tree over in the corner. Its like something turned on a light switch inside of you."
"I kinda of feel that way tonight," Chloe answered moving closer and trailing her fingers down the lapel of Philip tuxedo. "There is something I want to talk to you about."
"And what might that be?" Philip asked, stealing his arms around her waist and pulling her close.
"Well…do you think we could find some place private to talk," Chloe whispered before dropping a light kiss on his lips.
"Are you kidding? This is my dad's building and my private playground…I know of all kinds of places but do you mean now? I came in with Belle and Shawn and she went off to find a table and Shawn is now looking for her and dinner is going to be served soon."
"You're right…I guess it can wait until after dinner," Chloe said, stepping away from Philip's embrace and dropping her hand to his before starting across the dance floor "Oh…did you drive over here or did you ride with your folks?"
Philip fell into step beside her. "I came in my own car…why?"
"Well I was hoping a certain young man would offer me a ride home."
"I think that can be arranged," Philip said with a smile. "Hey…there's Belle waving at us."
Chloe started to move towards the table Belle was standing at when Nancy suddenly appeared in front of her.
"There you are! I was looking for you! Craig and I have a seat for you at our table and I would appreciate it if you would go over there right away. I still need to check with the kitchen staff and make sure the band leader knows I only want soft music during the dinner and-"
"Mother!" Chloe interrupted, "I'm not sitting at the head table…I'm sitting with Philip."
"Oh no, I don't think so young lady…you will be sitting with me and Craig! And of course you are welcome to join us Philip," Nancy quickly added as she quickly glanced at their clasped hands, "since your parents are already seated there."
"Thank you Mrs. Wesley but I already told my parents I was sitting with my friends."
"And I am joining him!"
"Listen to me Chloe…I don't need this from you right now…there is still so many things here that still need my attention and the last thing I will deal with is your-"
"It's a beautiful ball Mrs. Wesley," Philip interrupted her the moment he saw the fire leap into Chloe's eyes. "My mother was commenting to the mayor's wife what a splendid job you have done with all of this."
"She did? Well, isn't that nice. Perhaps we should have the mayor and his wife sit with us. You know he is up for re-election this coming year and since he is a shoe in there is the inaugural ball that needs to be planned…okay Chloe…you may sit with your friends but don't forget about later-"
"Yes mother I know," she cut her off as she moved past her. "You better get back to your table."
Moments later Chloe was giving Belle a warm hug and Philip walked up to Jason. "Hey man…you don't look to happy to be there."
Jason placed his hands on the back of one of the chairs and leaned into it. "Should I be?"
"She's not coming?"
"Who?"
Philip let out a short laugh as he turned away shaking his head. "You're not fooling anyone man."
"You look wonderful Belle," Chloe said stepping back to take a long look at her friend.
"Yeah you too…we do clean up nice don't we?' Belle said with a smile. "I just wish Mimi had changed her mind about coming tonight."
"Well maybe she didn't want to be the only one here without a date?"
Chloe and Belle turned around to find Jan standing behind them.
"Don't you ever take a night off?" Belle asked.
"Look Belle…Mimi knew no one would ask her and this is the most important social event of the year besides the prom…she did the right thing saving herself from looking like a fool being here all alone."
"Really?" Brady said, joining his sister and Chloe. "I guess you will have me to that list of fools Jan because I am here stag."
"Me too," Jason said, leveling a hard stare at his ex-girlfriend.
"Make that three," Reed said as he walked up to the group. "And for the record I did ask Mimi to the ball tonight."
"You did?" Jason asked.
"Yep…about two weeks ago but she turned me down."
"She turned me down too," Brady said, returning Philip's curt nod.
"You asked her too?" Jason demanded.
"Well I though someone should," Brady fired back, "and since you can't seem to get your head out of your ass about her I wanted to make sure she wasn't sitting home alone because you blew it."
"Oh really…was that just after she found out you sent her those flowers or did you wait until you two were hip to hip last night?"
"I wouldn't even mention last night if I were you," Brady warned.
"Brady…don't start," Belle pleaded.
Jason and Brady shared a long look and Philip stood by wondering he was going to have to get between the two of them and no one noticed that Jan wandered off. Brady broke away first, walking over to Belle and giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'll behave…I promise."
"Good," Belle said with a smile. "Now where is that boyfriend of mine?"
"Here I am," Shawn said walking up to the table, giving her a quick kiss. "I got sidetracked with my folks. They are sitting with your parents and Abe and Lexie Carver. Did I miss something?"
"Just Jan being…Jan," Belle said with a smile.
"No big loss," Shawn said as he held out a chair for her.
"You guys mind if I join you?" Brady asked.
"Of course we don't," Chloe said with a smile as she sat down next to Philip. "Do we?"
"Of course not," Philip repeated quietly.
"Room for another social reject?" Reed said with a smile.
"Sure," Jason said, "I'm not sure if you know everyone here" and he proceed to introduce one of his many new friends from the school play to his regular crowd.
"So how are you connected to the hospital?" Philip asked.
"My mom is surgical nurse," Reed smiled. "You know Salem, it seems like everyone in town either works at the hospital, the police station or for your dad."
Jason waited until Belle was seated before he grabbed Shawn as he was about to sit down and pulled him a few feet away from the table. "What happened to you last night?"
"Nothing…I'm fine," Shawn answered, matching Jason's low tone.
"I tried to go back and find you after I left the party but you were gone," Jason said, looking intently as his friend's face, "I assumed you went home but I guess I was wrong."
"Its no big deal…I just wanted to have a private discussion with the bastard."
"I hope the other guy looks worst."
"He does."
With a sudden fanfare from the band, Shawn and Jason quickly took their seats as Nancy Wesley took to the stage and welcomed everyone to the ball and announced that dinner would be served in a few moments and the band launched into soft music as she made her way back to her table.
"Great, I'm starved," Shawn said with a smile.
"You always are," Belle replied, her gaze continuing to stray to the archway that lead to the elevators.
"Do you really think she is going to show?"
"I hope so. I tried to call her today but we kept missing each other."
Shawn leaned close. "Did Chloe fill you in on her and Brady's performance at the party last night?"
"They were just dancing Shawn."
"Do you realize we are sitting at a table with two guys who asked her to the ball that she in fact turned down and one who is too stubborn to admit how much he really likes her?"
Belle offered him a dazzling smile. "What better reason for her to show up huh?"
Bending her head close to Philip, Chloe whispered. "Hey do you think we could steal away for a few minutes before dinner starts?"
"Whatever it is you want to tell me it must be pretty important." Chloe only nodded. "Okay, Titan's offices are a few floors down…we can go there," Philip said rising from his seat.
Joining him, Chloe was about to explain their disappearance to their friends when she felt a pair of warm hands on her bare shoulders.
"You heading over to see me I hope?" Craig said as he gave her a gentle squeeze before releasing her to offer his hand to Philip. "Good evening Mr. Kiriakis."
"Evening Dr. Wesley."
"I hate to do this but I must steal your lovely date here for a few moments. There are a few people I would like to intro my step daughter too."
Looking into Chloe's disappointed eyes, Philip offered her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. "Sure you can take her…just bring her back okay?"
"Before her salad plate hits the table," Craig promised as he escorted Chloe through the crowd and Philip retook his seat. About fifteen minutes later a waiter began serving their dinners and Chloe returned to the table.
"I guess it will have to wait," Philip said, standing and holding out her chair as she sat back down.
"I guess so."
Everyone enjoyed their meal as talking and laughter filled the table but a few times Shawn caught Philip eye and nodded in Jason's direction who seemed to grow quieter as each course was served. As their empty plates were being taken away to make room for dessert, Brady suddenly stared hard at an approaching figure dressed in a cocktail dress of shimmering gold that hung from her shoulders on thin gold strands and a hem that swayed high on her thighs as she walked. Stopping behind Jason's chair, she returned Brady's solemn stare before taking a moment to look at everyone at the table.
"Hello everyone. Enjoying your evening?"
"What do you want Heather?" Brady said curtly.
"Brady…" Belle pleaded.
"If you're here to get busy with Jason we would appreciate it if you took it somewhere else."
Jason jumped from his chair but Heather quickly placed a hand on his arm stopping him. "You know Brady…you and I had something really special there but you let one thing get in the way."
"Oh yeah? What's that?"
"I'm not Chloe," Heather said softly, offering a smile of apology to a surprised Chloe and Philip. "I was hoping that was something you could get past but I guess not. You see I like to think I learn from my mistakes and last night…after Jason kissed me but called me-"
"Heather," Jason interrupted.
"Well, let's just say he was a bit confused as to who he just kissed…not that it surprised me," Heather said, turning to look at him with a smile. "We all know Jase…I just hope you admit it before its too late. Anyway, dating one guy who…what's that saying…can't see the forest for the trees…it's not something I plan on doing again in the future."
"Are you done?" Brady demanded.
"There's just one more thing," Heather said, walking around the table to where Brady sat and the closer she got the stiffer his posture became. He knew he had ended things badly with her but since they had managed to stay clear of each other for the last month he'd hoped the smoke had cleared… apparently he was wrong.
She made her way to his side and leaned down until her face was inches away from his. "You still get to me Black…I can't figure it out and I've stopped trying." Her voice dropped to a low whisper, her next words meant for no one but him. "If you ever get it figured out…let me know."
"Merry Christmas," she said, placing a lingering kiss on his cheek before straightening. "Sorry about all this guys but it was a New Year's resolution that I was able to fulfill early. Have fun tonight."
Everyone except Brady turned and watched as Heather disappeared into the crowd and then six pairs of eyes focused back on Brady who was staring intently at the droplets forming on his water glass. Belle turned away from her brother and looked at Shawn and silently mouthed, 'five, four, three, two-'
Pushing back his chair, Brady rose, tossing his napkin on the table. "I'm sorry Chloe," he said without looking at her before he turned on his heels heading in the same direction that Heather did moments earlier.
"Well…that was interesting," Shawn said.
Belle offered him a smug smile. "I knew he would go after her."
"What was he apologizing to you for?" Philip asked.
Chloe blinked away her shock and confusion at what just happened and Brady's words. "I-I have no idea."
"Are you sure about that?"
Chloe stared hard at Philip as he pushed away the untouched dessert just put in front of him, crumpling his napkin into a tight ball before tossing it on the table as Jason turned around to pick up his own napkin from the floor. Suddenly transfixed, he froze and stared at spot on the far side of the room.
"Hey Jase the coast is clear," Shawn said, digging into his dessert, "you can sit back down."
"Jason…are you going to join us here or can I have yours?" Reed asked, looking up at him, his spoon poised at his mouth.
"What's going on?" Chloe asked, looking back and forth between Philip's angry scowl and Jason's motionless stance. Suddenly turning back to the table, Jason gave his head a little shake as if to clear it before he again turned back to look across the room.
"What is so interesting Jason…" Belle said, pushing back her chair and rising. "Oh…oh my…"
to be continued…