Author's Note: Sorry it took so long for the update. I went on vacation, so here's the next chapter.

Chapter Five

A Learning Experience

Chloe sat in the limo pouting as she looked through the tinted windows. She was both shocked and annoyed about recent events. To learn that after twenty years, she had a family not only a grandfather, but an aunt as well. A whole family that she had never known living in the same town. Added to the fact that she didn't even get a chance to talk to this new found family before Philip had whisked her away from Salem without Lily as well, to put it lightly she wasn't happy.

"Chloe would you stop pouting already. You are acting like a child." Philip told her from his seat across from her drinking what looked to be brandy.

"For your information, Philip, I am not pouting. I'm trying to decide what I'm angrier about. You not telling me that Stefano Dimera is my grandfather or you are taking me away from Lily so we can keep up the pretense of some happy little couple. For someone who claims to want his daughter so much you certainly dropped her in a flash."

"First of all, I've only known that Stefano was your grandfather for six months. And if you recall, we've hardly been on speaking terms, so exactly when was I supposed to drop the bombshell on you? As for Lily, I do want my daughter but at the same time, I'd like to make this marriage at least seem real on the outside. So this pretense is a necessity. Besides, I really don't see what the big deal is. It's not like you've never left Lily before." Chloe kept her eyes on the passing scenery.

"I haven't."

"You haven't what?"

"I've never left Lily before." She turned to look at him. "Shortly, after I had Lily, I was scheduled to do a special show in Italy. I lasted about six hours before I came home and got her. I nearly missed my performance but I knew I'd never be able to perform knowing that she was here and I was there. I decided then that she would always come with me." She explained before going to look back out the window.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know. If it makes you feel any better Mimi will be bringing her up to island later this week so we can all go back together." Chloe nodded relieved but said nothing else. "Look, Chloe how about we call a truce. We're not going to get anywhere if we're always fighting or at war with each other. I know I blackmailed you into this marriage but I'd like to hope that we could get along with one another for the time being, if not for our own sakes then for Lily's. She deserves to have two parents that aren't always at each other's throats." He earnestly said hoping she would agree with him.

"Philip, we aren't your parents. It never for a second crossed my mind that we might do something that would hurt Lily. I know that we both want the best for her." Chloe replied as she faced him once again. "Regardless of anything that's happened between us, I've always known that you cared too much to deliberately hurt me and that goes for Lily as well. I know you'll be a good father to her. That's one thing I'm sure of."

"Then, why didn't you tell me when you first got pregnant?" He asked quietly.

Chloe considered the question before she answered. "I guess the simply answer is the first one I can think of. I honestly didn't know how to get in touch with you. And as you said before we weren't exactly on speaking terms. I thought about going to your father but somehow I doubt he would have told me."

"So you never considered not having Lily?" Philip asked wanting to know what frame of mind Chloe had been in when she found she was pregnant with his child.

"No, it never crossed my mind not to have her. I remember being shocked, I mean I was 25 and my career was just starting to take off." She shook her head. "But it never crossed my mind not to have her. I just thought I'm going to have a baby and I will love him or her to death because he or she would be our child." Chloe noted the shock and surprise on Philip's face from the mention of the word love. "What Philip did you think that I didn't love you?" His silence was her answer. "Philip, I never would have slept with you if I didn't have some feelings for you in the first place. And on top of that, you were my first love, my first boyfriend; there has always been a place for you in my heart. A part of me will always love you." Chloe could see that from Philip's expression that she had revealed too much of herself to him. So she did the only thing she could think of; she changed the subject. "Well, I think that's enough about me. So why don't you tell me about you."

Philip frowned as he tried to forget all that Chloe had just revealed to him. "You want to hear about me?" He asked incredulously arching one perfectly formed blonde brow.

Chloe nodded. "Of course, I do. You were right earlier when you said we needed to call a truce. We need to at least be friends because us fighting is no way for Lily to grow up. This marriage needs to start on common ground if we are to make it successful. So that means I need to know about you. Please tell me, what happened in the life of Philip Kiriakis after he saved mine."

Philip sighed. Obviously Chloe was extending an olive branch and it would behoove him to take it. "Okay you want to learn about me, I'll give you every little detail." He smiled stubbing out a cigarette and beginning to tell the tale of his life after saving hers.

It was Tuesday; almost a week since he had last since Chloe or his uncle Phil for that matter and frankly Brady thought something was going on. He'd seen Nancy already and she'd informed him that Chloe left on Friday with Lily claiming she had some business to attend to and would be back later. But, since Friday passed neither he or Nancy had heard anything from Chloe.

As he walked down the hallway of the exclusive condominium, he decided that this was probably his best time to investigate what was going on Philip. His dear old uncle had been absent from Titan as well as Salem in general since last Wednesday after the will reading. That meant only one thing ... Philip was up to something. And he intended to find out what before it was too late. Knocking on the door he waited for someone to answer it.

Seconds later, the door opened to reveal Mimi in a pair of green silk pajama pants and a matching tank top. "Brady?" Mimi said surprised. "What are you doing here?" She closed the door coming outside of the condo.

It was clearly obvious from Mimi's appearance that she wasn't alone. "I came to see you actually. To get your help on something but, I can see you aren't alone so I'll come back later." He started to turn and leave when Mimi stopped him by grasping his arm.

"Brady wait, if there is something you need me to check in to." She started. "It wouldn't be a problem for me. Especially, if it's something important."

Brady looked hesitant but decided on telling her anyways. "It is real important but, I don't want to interrupt whatever it is you're doing now."

"You're not interrupting anything that I wouldn't put on hold for my best friend's big brother. So tell me what it is you need help with." She said figuring that it somehow would have something to do with Philip.

"It's about Philip," Mimi nodded prodding him on. "I think he's up to something and I just want to make sure that no one gets hurt."

"Meaning you want to make sure he's not doing anything to Chloe." Mimi said herself. Tilting her head to the side she asked, "Just what do you think he's up to?"

Brady frowned. "I'm not sure. But, I know whatever it is it can't be good. I just have this feeling."

Mimi almost smiled, Brady had no idea what Philip was up to or with whom he was up to it with. "Look Brady I'll look into things for you and let you know if--," Mimi was interrupted as Lily came outside.

"Aunt Mimi, the movie is starting." Then Lily saw Brady. "Oh, hi Uncle Brady, I didn't know you were here." Brady's gaze went from Mimi down to Lily surprised.

"I could say the same to you munchkin." He replied looking back up at Mimi. "Where's your Mom?"

"I'm watching her for Chloe, she had something she needed to do." Mimi explained.

"Yeah, Momma's with my Daddy." Lily added.

"She means that Chloe went to see Darren. Something about getting some papers signed." She walked back toward the apartment where Lily stood waiting for her. "I need to get back to watching Miss Lily here so I'll get back to you later. Okay?" She asked hoping Brady wouldn't make a fuss.

"Uhh, sure. Just call me tomorrow." Brady turned and left Mimi and Lily standing at the apartment accepting their explanations.

"Aunt Mimi, why did you tell Uncle Brady that Momma went to see Darren. Don't you mean remember Momma and Daddy are on their honeymoon?"

Mimi looked down at the little girl with the long ponytail. "Yes, of course I remembered. I just forgot for a second that's all. Let's go back inside before your movie starts." Mimi replied as she and Lily entered the apartment locking the door. Lily ran back into the living room and sat down on the floor. I better call Stefano and warn him not to be to obvious in setting up the party otherwise the things will hit the fan sooner rather then later. Either that or Brady might actually get suspicious, Mimi thought to herself as she settled back on the floor to watch Lily's favorite movie.

It was Friday; Mimi and Lily had arrived on Stefano's hideaway island, Eixel on Thursday. Eixel was a far cry from what Chloe had expected it to be. It truly was a lover's paradise. And in better circumstances she would have taken full advantage of that. The crystal clear indigo water, sandy white beach, and the majestic ambiance of the whole island made it hard to believe that anyone had lived there at all, let alone 15 years. Stefano's island was wonderfully glorious. Her grandfather, Chloe corrected herself mentally. It was hard to believe that Stefano was her grandfather, yet on some level it just seemed right.

Walking along the beach Chloe paused on a rock and sat down, just overlooking the sandy white beach. She put her legs into the cool water and thought over everything that she had learned of Philip's life after he'd saved hers. In truth, she could understand the reason for his angry at Shawn, Belle, and maybe even Salem as a whole. But, her reason for understanding hadn't come from him. No, it had come from Mimi who had told her all the glory details because Philip had thought to save her from knowing the truth of everyone's betrayal toward him. So he had given her the Reader's Digest synopsis of his life.

He'd gone to Harvard and majored in business with a minor in linguistics. Philip was fluent in seven different languages: Italian, Spanish, Greek (of course), Japanese, Russian, and Chinese. After graduating with a BA in Business, Government, and International Economy (BGIE) he'd moved to Crete to test out his language skills and take up and entry-level position in Titan. Victor had wanted him to get his Masters immediately after getting his BA but Philip decided against it, claiming he wanted to work for a year to get to know some of the business before going back to school. Then, he moved to London where he completed his Masters degree in two years with an exchange program from Columbia. From there, he returned to Crete and worked his way up the business chain of command to become the head of the Athens branch of Titan. He had been the Vice President of Titan Industries until Victor's death, he was now the President and CEO of the company.

That was all he'd told her about his life, the business side, telling her nothing about his personal life. Although, from what she'd heard about him, she doubted he had very much of a personal life in the first place. After getting that version of his life, she'd decided if she wanted the real dirt on Philip she'd have to ask someone who would know him well. And being that Mimi was the only one available she was the most logical option.

It had been just after Mimi arrived when Chloe pulled her aside ...

"Meems, I need you to tell me something and you have to be completely honest about it." Chloe said as she and Mimi walked out onto the deck overlooking the beach.

"Sure, Chloe what is it you want to know exactly?"

"I want to know why Philip has this vendetta on practically everyone in Salem. Why he's so willing to let my grandfather destroy the people who are his friends and family?" Chloe replied moving to lean against the arm of the deck.

"Why don't you ask him?" Mimi asked.

"You know I've already tried and he won't tell me. Now, I know you know what happened. I just want you to tell me." Mimi looked out at the beach seeing Philip and Lily playing in the water. "What came between his family and his friends to let him allow Stefano to take his revenge out on them?" She asked again. "I have a right to know, please tell me."

Mimi nodded, "Yes, you do have a right to know and if he won't tell I will." She moved to a table on the deck and sat down. Chloe followed her and sat down next to her. "You're what came between Philip and his family if you really want to call them that."

Chloe was surprised. "Me, I don't understand."

"You don't but you will. Did Belle or Shawn ever tell you that Philip came back to Salem just a couple months after you left for Julliard?" Chloe shook her head. Mimi sighed. "Well I didn't figure they did. Philip did indeed return to Salem right before he went to school. Apparently he hadn't expected you to go away so soon because he initially returned to give you your necklace. He told Belle and Shawn that he planned to give it to and asked for your address. Belle told him she didn't have it but she would get it for him. Needless to say after getting her brush-offs for the address for weeks Philip finally decided to get the address from your mother. Nancy had no idea what was going on with Belle but she gave him the address telling him it was the least she could do for the man that saved her daughter's life." Chloe nodded.

"So after he got the address the shipped the necklace to you with a note giving you his email address and phone number where he could be reached telling you to give him a buzz. It was about three weeks later when he was out to dinner one night with Lucas and Sami, they were doing their usual bickering when Sami happened to mention that Belle had just got this necklace in the mail and how weird it was. It was a tree. That got to Philip immediately because he knew it had to be his necklace. He got a few more details out of Sami before he'd left the restaurant and stormed over to Belle's place and demanded to know where she got the necklace. She tried to lie about it at first claiming it was something her father had given her. But, he wasn't buying it. So she told him you sent it back to her to give to him."

"Wait a minute I never even got the necklace so how did she get it."

Mimi frowned. "Be patient, I'm getting to that part. Belle told him you sent it back with a message that you didn't want it because you had moved on with your life and wanted to start a new life without any connections to the past. Then, she told him that you were better off without Philip because you had a more mature man in Brady with you. She told him that you said he should just go back to wherever he was and just let you live your life in peace without him."

Chloe gasped surprised. "I was never with Brady until just recently. How could she lie to Philip like that? What did Shawn have to say?"

"Well after Belle told him that he went to Shawn to ask him if it was true that you didn't want anything to do with him. And Shawn told him that his behavior proved that Brady was clearly the better man for you. Brady was your soul mate; everyone could see that except him. Shawn told him he was fooling himself if he thought you guys had any sort of meaningful relationship. Because you never did and now you were with someone who was better for you in the long run. So Philip took the necklace and left Salem. After he'd left I found out what happened from Lucas - don't ask. I had intercepted the letter in New York and brought it to Belle. So to make a long story short, after a conversation with Lucas I convinced him to tell me where Philip was, which he did. And I went to Philip and confessed that you never even saw the necklace. He forgave me and I offered to take it to you but he'd said he had it destroyed. He told me you had moved on it was time he did to..."

After finding out everything she did about Belle and Shawn and their backstabbing behavior she could understand why Philip had some bitterness between them. They had crossed the line by interfering in her relationship with Philip. Betrayed not only Philip but herself and for that they deserved whatever was coming to them. But, Brady was a different story. When she asked Mimi about him the response she'd gotten there was somewhat surprising as well...

"Now Brady is a different story and that's one thing you're going to have to learn on your own. But, Chloe I will tell you that his betrayal is about more than just you. It's about Titan as well."

As shocking as it was confusing it still left one piece of the puzzle unsolved. But from what Mimi had said Brady's betrayal was bigger than even Shawn and Belle's. Powered with new information Chloe had made a decision, one that would change the outcome of her marriage with Philip as well as the people in Salem. Walking up the beach she spotted Philip standing watching Mimi and Lily play. She walked over to him.

"Philip, I've made a decision."

Philip looked at her with a mild interest reflected in his eyes. "A decision about what?"

"I won't stand in your way anymore. I'm not longer Chloe Wesley, Opera Diva engaged to Brady Black. I am Chloe Lane Kiriakis, granddaughter to Stefano Dimera and wife to Philip Kiriakis."

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" He asked surprised as Chloe moved next to him and took her hand in his.

"Yes, together we are going to rock Salem off its core."

Philip and Chloe shared a secret smile as they walked off over to their daughter.

Please tell me what you think I appreciate your feedback greatly.