Author's Note: Well we've finally come to an end for this story. Well
almost because this chapter was so long I had to break it into two parts.
So here is the first part, I hope you like it. (
Chapter Eleven- Alls well that ends well
Part One
Philip awaited Shawn in the interrogation room of the Salem Police Department. The door to the room opened as Shawn was escorted into the room with handcuffs on his wrists. The guard silently took off the cuffs and then left the room without a word. Philip pointed to the chair across from him, Shawn eased down into it rubbing his wrists as he sat.
Philip came to the station with one thing on his mind, to seek vengeance for his father. To settle Victor's vendetta against the one who stole from him. But before he could do any of that he had one thing he wanted, needed to know, "Why?"
"Why what?" Shawn replied as if he hadn't been sitting in a jail cell that last three days.
"Why did you betray me, betray my father? He was your grandfather, Shawn. Man, you're like a brother to me. How could you steal from me what I would have given you freely?" Philip asked again but this time Shawn couldn't meet his eyes as he looked down at his orange jumpsuit. "Damn it Shawn, tell me why." He exclaimed.
Slowly Shawn's gaze rose from the table and fixed on Philip's blue-eyed gaze. "So you want to know why I betrayed the mighty Kiriakis family," he smirked in an evil amusement, leaning forward he replied without a hint of anger. "Just to prove that I could,"
Philip banged his fist down on the table. "I'm not playing games Shawn. I want the truth so stop playing games and tell me." His eyes held no warmth they blazed with a quiet fire as he awaited Shawn's response.
Shawn leaned back in his chair, silent for a while as he stared down at his clasped hands. "Do you know what it's like to be in the shadow of your family? To be the forgotten grandchild, the one no one ever remembers?" He paused briefly and raised his gaze to Philip the anger evident in his intense chocolate-colored eyes. "No, you don't have any idea what that's like because you are the all mighty Philip Kiriakis - heir to throne of the Titan Empire. Then there's Brady Black," contempt was evident in his voice as he spoke his brother in law's name. "The perfect child, grandson to Victor Kiriakis and son to the town hero, John Black. He who never does anything wrong or ever makes a mistake. He is the only grandchild anyone ever remembers--,"
"Wait a second, you expect me to believe that you stole millions of dollars from Titan over jealousy for Brady?" He interrupted incredulously. "Bullshit, Shawn you never lacked for anything and if you did you never had you never had your head out of your ass long enough to notice." Shaking his head he calmly rejected Shawn's explanation, there was no way Shawn could ever do something like that it was completely inconceivable. "Try again I'm not buying your excuse. No matter what you say I'd never believe you'd steal from me. You're too good to do something like that. Too honest."
Shawn grimaced; this was harder than he thought it would be. Convincing Philip of his guilt would take some doing but he had to do what he had to do. "Well, did you consider the fact that I'm the one who told Victor about Lily being yours. I knew the second I saw her when she was a three months old that she was yours. And I never said a word; I waited until Belle had convinced Chloe to move back to Salem and renew her relationship with Brady. It was so easy getting him to see her, I told him that Chloe was going to allow Brady to adopt her and be raised as a Black instead of a Kiriakis. He reacted just as I thought he would, plotting to take Lily away from her, it was so simple." He smiled thinking that he'd got Philip as his uncle's expression changed.
Suddenly, Philip clapped, remaining impassive as he did so only arching one fine blonde brow. Shawn's smile turned to one of confusion. "Bravo, Shawn- Douglas, thank you." Shawn was confused but something had changed because Philip's eyes returned to regular starling blue. "You know I'm surprised Shawn. You're going through all this trouble to make me want to hate you. Using Lily's paternity was a good selling point though. I always thought Meems told Father about her but I guess she didn't know either. Thanks."
"You're thanking me?"
"Of course I thank you Shawn. If not for you I wouldn't even know I had a child. However, that doesn't mean you won't pay for your deceit. While I am very much my father's son willing to do whatever it takes to seek vengeance against anyone who wrongs me, I draw the line at doing it to my family. So I'm going to drop the charges against you-,"
"You're dropping the charges but what about all the evidence against me - the files, surveillance videos and stuff? Can't the state still use it against me?" Shawn questioned still not quite sure what exactly Philip was doing.
Philip nodded, "Well yes but they can't if the evidence mysteriously disappears from evidence locker. And since I dropped the charges against as of 10 o'clock this morning and Gene is acquiring your release as well."
Shawn was speechless. "Phil, man I don't know what to say - how can I thank you-," Philip held up his hand and Shawn stopped talking.
"Don't thank me just yet, I've also arranged for you to have new employment position since you've been fired. So now, you can have it all - the charges dropped, your life back, and a new job if you tell me who gave you the codes." He stood and went to look out the window.
"What codes?"
"Oh come on Shawn let's not insult my intelligence. You accessed those accounts with a code that not even some of the highest execs at Titan know." He turned around, his eyes were the only thing that gave away the change in Philip's manner they were an icy sliver. "There are only four people who know those codes and you're not one of them. Someone had to give you the code and I want to know who. You see Shawn unlike my father I don't believe people should pay for a crime they didn't commit on their own. I want everyone who is responsible for it to pay, I won't settle for anything less than that. The choice is yours either tell me who gave you the codes or face the judge for extortion."
"I'll fight the charges, Uncle Mickey will-,"
"Now Shawn come on I caught you red handed there is no way you'll get off. I'm offering you a chance to get off without facing any jail time. Because believe me if you go to trial you will lose and there is nothing Uncle Mickey will be able to do to stop it."
Shawn faced his options, neither telling Philip who gave him the codes or going to jail were fates he wanted to face. But, he had to do what was right for his family. He had to protect his family no matter what the cost. "I'll tell you but you have to promise me that nothing will happen to Belle or the twins?"
"You have my word. Nothing will happen to Belle or the twins? Who gave you the codes?"
"Belle - someone sent them to her and she gave them to me. She never knew the money was being taken from Titan she thought I gave the codes back to Brady. I tried to find out who sent them to her but never did. I'm sorry Philip but this is the truth, I swear to God. So you'll drop the charges and everything like you said right?" Shawn asked Philip glad that he'd finally got everything off his chest, and didn't need to worry about Philip going after Belle.
Philip knew that Shawn was telling the truth and honestly didn't know who sent him the codes. But, now Philip was sure who had betrayed his family in the worse way. "The deal is still intact you will be released in time for dinner." He walked toward the door in back of Shawn and let someone in. "By the way Shawn I want you to introduce to your new employer," Shawn turned to see who it was and to his horror it was Stefano Dimera.
"I told you young Brady that we would meet again." Stefano said to Shawn's surprise as he looked from man to the other.
"You see Shawn I won't punish you for a crime you didn't commit on your own but I can't let you go completely unpunished. You stole from me and betrayed me that I can't forgive. No one steals from a Kiriakis, no matter who you are. So I arranged this little job for you. But, don't worry it's nothing too dangerous. You'll find that Stefano is a fair employer so I'll leave him to instruct you on your duties." And with that Philip left the room ~One down, two to go. ~ He thought as he left the Salem Police Department. * * * * *
Presently at the Kiriakis Mansion, Chloe was talking with Philip briefly with her Aunt Lexie awaiting their expectant guest.
"So everything went well then?" Chloe asked Philip.
"Of course, I knew Shawn would tell me the codes with the proper incentive." He replied.
Chloe could hear the smile in his voice. "You mean with the right blackmail material."
"Whatever works. Anyway, Stefano is informing him of the rest of the plan as we speak so he shouldn't be too disagreeable. After all it could be worse."
"I suppose it could be. Do you really think it was good idea to leave my grandfather with Shawn though, that seems a little ."
"Hey, I know what I'm doing so don't worry, everything will go as planned. I have to go or else your daughter will leave without me. We'll be home in a couple of hours." Philip said as he caught up with Lily and took her hand as they walked through the opening gates of the Chicago Zoo.
"Okay, wish me luck-,"
"You won't need luck Belle will agree."
"Alright then we'll see give Liliana my love."
"You know I will."
"Bye." Chloe said and then hung up the phone and turned back to her aunt.
"I take it everything went well then?"
"Yes, just as Philip had planned. Belle should be here in a few minutes." Chloe replied and took a sip of her coffee.
Lexie watched her niece as she took a sip of her own coffee. Chloe was nervous, although she had no reason to be everything would go as planned. "So have you and Philip discussed where you are going to live? I can't image you'll want to stay in Salem."
"To be honest, we really haven't really talked about it. My career and Lily's school are based in New York. So I'd like to stay in New York, but Philip's business requires him to remain in Greece most of the year. We have a month left to decide which before I need to return to New York and Lily goes back to school."
Henderson appeared at the doorway of the room. "Mrs. Brady has arrived." He said then stepped aside as Belle entered the room.
Belle walked into the room as cool as a cucumber for someone suspected of stealing from Titan. "Shawn called me and told me Philip dropped all the charges against. Thank you for that, now what is it you wanted to see me about?"
Chloe looked at Lexie before responding to the petite blonde. "Well there's no need to thank me. It was Philip's decision to drop the charges. However, the reason I asked to speak with you is because I wanted know why. Why would you help Shawn frame your brother? You've always been very protective of Brady so why is it now, that you let your brother be accused of a crime he didn't commit." Lexie took that as her cue to leave and left the room. "What possible reason could there have been for you to willingly help Shawn do something like that?"
Belle waited until Lexie left before she more fully walked into the room. "I'd do anything for the people I love. It doesn't matter who hurts them or why - no one and I mean no one hurts my family."
"Doesn't that apply to Brady? Belle, you're making absolutely no sense. Brady is your family and he's never done anything to deserve-,"
"Oh wake-up Chloe." Belle shook her head in disbelief, "I would have thought your marriage to Philip would have taken the blinders off your eyes. Its time you take Brady off his damn pedestal and realize for once that he doesn't deserve to be on it and never has."
Chloe did her best to hide her surprise at the rage rolling off the petite blonde as she talked about her brother. She had to get Belle talking and then everything would fall into place for the plan to work. "Why don't you enlighten me then Belle? What Brady has done to get you so enraged."
Belle took the bait and started talking. "You don't know what it's like to have a family where no matter how hard you work its never enough to move up. To always be thought of as the baby, never able to move up from the position of being able to handle problems without my big brother coming and save me like he's my supposed to the hero. My brother got everything he ever wanted handed to him on a sliver platter; he's never had to work for anything. Sure he went and got his degree but that was just to be close to you in New York. And when he came back his degree in hand, Daddy just handed him his job as Vice President. I, on the other hand, had to start from the bottom and work my way up. Did you know my father would give me a titled position until I got my Masters' degree? I worked hard from the bottom up to earn my position in the business and Brady did nothing." Belle smirked. "That's not even the cream of the crop. I mean hurting me is one thing but my husband and my best friend are another issue entirely."
"What are you talking about Belle? Brady never hurt me." Chloe said confused as played at being naïve.
Belle cut her eyes at Chloe. "Who said anything about you? I was talking about Mimi. Geez are you so self-absorbed that you think everything's about you? Newsflash, Chloe the world doesn't revolve around you. Things happen and people get hurt and that has nothing to do with you. Brady hurt my husband and my best friend and he deserves everything he gets." She turned away from Chloe to stare at a picture of Victor on the mantle. "And so did the mighty Victor Kiriakis." She picked up the photo, "you know Chloe he never acknowledged Shawn as his grandson. It was always Brady this or Brady that as if Shawn wasn't his grandson too." She put the photo back on the mantle. "After Philip left, Shawn stayed in Salem to watch over Victor, he was there whenever Victor needed him. For three years Shawn was at his beck and call. Then Brady came back into town and it was like he forgot Shawn existed. He dropped him like a bad habit."
"Belle, you know Victor was a bastard, I don't deny that but he did care about Shawn after all he did leave him and inheritance."
Belle snorted. "Oh yes, he did but, that was after he told Shawn that coming to see him wouldn't increase his inheritance, as if that mattered. The only thing Shawn ever wanted from him was acceptance, the money never mattered; he didn't deserve to be hurt like that." Belle's eyes full of anguish as she thought about what they had done to her husband.
Chloe didn't know how to respond to that, she'd always hated the way Victor seemingly only cared about money, that's part of the reason she'd kept Lily from him. But, she'd never suspected he'd be so heartless especially to someone as goodhearted as Shawn. The surprise was evident on her face as Belle continued.
"I see you're surprised by that but you really shouldn't be after all look what he did to you. Victor was always ruthless and uncaring and we were naive to think that he would care about Shawn. But, ironically my dear brother has done worse than that. I suppose you know that he got Mimi pregnant and then she lost the baby because of him-,"
"Yes, I know about the accident and the miscarriage you really can't blame that on him."
"You want to bet. Of course I blame him for it. He seduced her while he was sleeping with some woman at the office. It was the same women he was with when Mimi caught them together. That's why she ran out into the storm to get away from him." Chloe gasped and Belle twisted her mouth in a slight smirk. "He never bothered to show up until it was too late. That's when Philip was visiting Mimi and they got into a fight. Shawn had to break them up." She added as an afterthought. "After that I encouraged Mimi to take Philip up on his offer to go with him to Crete to recover. I never expected them to become so close that she would become a part of the Kiriakis dynasty though." She said in an aside bitterly. "But, she always wanted to be known for more than just Belle Black best friend. So the minute she could she jumped at the chance to be aligned with Kiriakis family. The rest as they say is history." Belle said and crossed the room a few moments later to pick up her purse. "I need to be going so just tell Philip I said thanks." She said and turned to leave.
"Oh B-elle," Chloe called out. "Don't leave just yet, I have one more thing I to tell you. You see to go along with Shawn's freedom there are some stipulations." Knowing she got Belle attention she waited for Belle to turn around.
Belle turned around promptly with her fine blonde brow arched in a perfect John Black impression. "What stipulations?"
Chloe smiled as Lexie reentered the room this time with Kate in her wake. "Well they aren't really stipulations more like new business arrangements. You see, I've been expecting your visit because I was certain you'd want to meet the new CEO and President of Basic Black." She gestured toward the doorway.
Belle turned her confused gaze from Kate to Lexie back to Chloe. "I don't understand what's going on?"
"It's simple really, Belle. As of 10 o'clock this morning I am now the owner of most stock and therefore I taken my position as the President of Basic Black. But, of course I couldn't have brought those stocks without the aid of my backer and the new CEO of Basic Black, Alexandra Dimera Walker." Kate calmly explained to which Belle's mouth dropped open.
"Th-that's impossible Daddy would never sell to a Dimera-," Belle started.
"True but he would sell to a Nicole Walker Reed wouldn't he?" Kate asked sardonically. Belle swallowed nervously unable to believe that the company was now in the hands of a Dimera.
"Now don't you worry Isabella, I have no intention of firing you. As a matter of fact we've got a proposition to offer you that would allow for some changes at Basic Black starting with management."
"Oh and don't worry about Brady, Belle, he'll be taken care off believe me." Chloe said smiling broadly. ~Brady will definitely be taken care of. ~ * * * * *
Later that night, Philip was just putting Lily to bed while Chloe showered. He and Chloe had spent the afternoon with their daughter after getting Belle and Shawn set up with Lexie and Stefano to work out the details of their new positions in the family. Although, they virtually betrayed their families by working for a Dimera it had been their own decision and they were ready to face whatever came their way. It was all part of the grand plan to ensure that the real culprit in stealing from Victor was caught and would never dare to attempt be able to do it again. But, that would all be dealt with tomorrow. For now, he'd rather focus on his daughter.
"Alright, Lily it's time for you to go to bed before you get me in trouble for letting you stay up." He said as he tucked her into her bed.
"Okay Daddy," Lily said as she allowed her father tuck her in. "I had fun today Daddy."
"Well, I did too angel face."
"Could we do it again before I go back to school?"
"Of course." Lily nodded but hesitantly bit her lip. He knew that meant that she had a question but for some reason wasn't asking it. That was unlike his daughter, she was usually very talkative. "Did you have something you wanted to ask me Lily?" He asked sitting down on her bed next to her.
"Do you love me?"
Philip's eyes widened in surprise, "Of course I love you. How could I not; you're my special girl." He replied leaning down and kissing her cheek for good measure.
"That's means you love Mommy too, right? Because you never say so, but you and Mommy always tell me that you love me."
Once again surprised by her question he answered her anyway. "Yes, I love Mommy. Why are you asking, Lily? Did someone say something to you about Mommy and me?" He asked suspiciously wondering if one of his loving relatives had something inadvertently to Lily to make her question her parents love for one another.
She shook her head empathetically. "No, no one said anything. It's just that you and Mommy are always kissing and stuff and Melissa says that's how Mommy's and Daddy's show their love. But, you and Mommy never say it and other mommies and daddies do. So why don't you and Mommy ever say it?"
Philip didn't know what to tell her. How could he tell his daughter that while he always loved her mother, Chloe had never returned those feelings for him. Although, he'd suspected she had loved him when he'd been younger he didn't know about now. Sure he and Chloe had taken their relationship to another level physically but they'd yet to admit any other type of emotion in their relationship other than a mutual passion and caring for one another. But, love . as far as he'd been concerned the emotion was there however, he couldn't admit it not yet. Maybe never for the fear of being hurt by Chloe once again after admitting that he was in love with her. But, he had to tell her something and he would . the truth. "Sit up for a second Lily I want to show you something." As Lily moved to sit up he pulled a gold chain from under his shirt. Holding out his hand he placed the gold medallion he always wore around his neck in his palm. "You've seen me wear this necklace, right?"
"Yeah," Lily replied as she leaned over to see the medallion in her father's hand.
"I've this as long as I've had my tattoo. When I was younger and your Mom and I were dating I had this tree necklace made her to commemorate our special tree where I carved our initials in heart for her. But, when your Mom got sick she had to give me back the necklace. Once she got well I never got a chance to give it back to her so I made into this medallion so I could always wear it close to my heart to remind me of her even when we weren't together." The medallion one side had a tree on it with the same symbols on it as on his tattoo, they made up the bark of the tree. On the other side, there was and inscription with the words, "In pain there is love."
Lily picked up the medallion and examined both sides of it. "These look like the symbols on your tattoo they mean love, trust, pain, and faith, right?" She questioned as she handed him back the medallion.
"Yeah. I surprised you remember that." He tucked the medallion back in his shirt. "I had the necklace melted down into a medallion to remind me that no matter what happened in my life, I had loved someone and even if they weren't always there, the love was." Thinking that was too deep for his daughter he said nothing else. "Besides, if I didn't love your mother do you think you would be here?" He tapped her nose as she settled back into her bed giggling. "Now, enough with the psychological questions, off to bed with you." He rose from her bed and walked to the doorway. "Goodnight angel."
"Night, Daddy." Philip flicked off the light and closed her door.
Little did the father and daughter know their conversation hadn't been as private as they thought. A three party had witnessed the talk and now was left with something to think about on her own as she brushed her hair. "He loved me," she thought to herself as her husband entered the room and closed the door. "Even when I rejected him he loved me."
Please tell me what you thinkStay tuned for Part Two . the last and final part of Bitter Vengeance.
Chapter Eleven- Alls well that ends well
Part One
Philip awaited Shawn in the interrogation room of the Salem Police Department. The door to the room opened as Shawn was escorted into the room with handcuffs on his wrists. The guard silently took off the cuffs and then left the room without a word. Philip pointed to the chair across from him, Shawn eased down into it rubbing his wrists as he sat.
Philip came to the station with one thing on his mind, to seek vengeance for his father. To settle Victor's vendetta against the one who stole from him. But before he could do any of that he had one thing he wanted, needed to know, "Why?"
"Why what?" Shawn replied as if he hadn't been sitting in a jail cell that last three days.
"Why did you betray me, betray my father? He was your grandfather, Shawn. Man, you're like a brother to me. How could you steal from me what I would have given you freely?" Philip asked again but this time Shawn couldn't meet his eyes as he looked down at his orange jumpsuit. "Damn it Shawn, tell me why." He exclaimed.
Slowly Shawn's gaze rose from the table and fixed on Philip's blue-eyed gaze. "So you want to know why I betrayed the mighty Kiriakis family," he smirked in an evil amusement, leaning forward he replied without a hint of anger. "Just to prove that I could,"
Philip banged his fist down on the table. "I'm not playing games Shawn. I want the truth so stop playing games and tell me." His eyes held no warmth they blazed with a quiet fire as he awaited Shawn's response.
Shawn leaned back in his chair, silent for a while as he stared down at his clasped hands. "Do you know what it's like to be in the shadow of your family? To be the forgotten grandchild, the one no one ever remembers?" He paused briefly and raised his gaze to Philip the anger evident in his intense chocolate-colored eyes. "No, you don't have any idea what that's like because you are the all mighty Philip Kiriakis - heir to throne of the Titan Empire. Then there's Brady Black," contempt was evident in his voice as he spoke his brother in law's name. "The perfect child, grandson to Victor Kiriakis and son to the town hero, John Black. He who never does anything wrong or ever makes a mistake. He is the only grandchild anyone ever remembers--,"
"Wait a second, you expect me to believe that you stole millions of dollars from Titan over jealousy for Brady?" He interrupted incredulously. "Bullshit, Shawn you never lacked for anything and if you did you never had you never had your head out of your ass long enough to notice." Shaking his head he calmly rejected Shawn's explanation, there was no way Shawn could ever do something like that it was completely inconceivable. "Try again I'm not buying your excuse. No matter what you say I'd never believe you'd steal from me. You're too good to do something like that. Too honest."
Shawn grimaced; this was harder than he thought it would be. Convincing Philip of his guilt would take some doing but he had to do what he had to do. "Well, did you consider the fact that I'm the one who told Victor about Lily being yours. I knew the second I saw her when she was a three months old that she was yours. And I never said a word; I waited until Belle had convinced Chloe to move back to Salem and renew her relationship with Brady. It was so easy getting him to see her, I told him that Chloe was going to allow Brady to adopt her and be raised as a Black instead of a Kiriakis. He reacted just as I thought he would, plotting to take Lily away from her, it was so simple." He smiled thinking that he'd got Philip as his uncle's expression changed.
Suddenly, Philip clapped, remaining impassive as he did so only arching one fine blonde brow. Shawn's smile turned to one of confusion. "Bravo, Shawn- Douglas, thank you." Shawn was confused but something had changed because Philip's eyes returned to regular starling blue. "You know I'm surprised Shawn. You're going through all this trouble to make me want to hate you. Using Lily's paternity was a good selling point though. I always thought Meems told Father about her but I guess she didn't know either. Thanks."
"You're thanking me?"
"Of course I thank you Shawn. If not for you I wouldn't even know I had a child. However, that doesn't mean you won't pay for your deceit. While I am very much my father's son willing to do whatever it takes to seek vengeance against anyone who wrongs me, I draw the line at doing it to my family. So I'm going to drop the charges against you-,"
"You're dropping the charges but what about all the evidence against me - the files, surveillance videos and stuff? Can't the state still use it against me?" Shawn questioned still not quite sure what exactly Philip was doing.
Philip nodded, "Well yes but they can't if the evidence mysteriously disappears from evidence locker. And since I dropped the charges against as of 10 o'clock this morning and Gene is acquiring your release as well."
Shawn was speechless. "Phil, man I don't know what to say - how can I thank you-," Philip held up his hand and Shawn stopped talking.
"Don't thank me just yet, I've also arranged for you to have new employment position since you've been fired. So now, you can have it all - the charges dropped, your life back, and a new job if you tell me who gave you the codes." He stood and went to look out the window.
"What codes?"
"Oh come on Shawn let's not insult my intelligence. You accessed those accounts with a code that not even some of the highest execs at Titan know." He turned around, his eyes were the only thing that gave away the change in Philip's manner they were an icy sliver. "There are only four people who know those codes and you're not one of them. Someone had to give you the code and I want to know who. You see Shawn unlike my father I don't believe people should pay for a crime they didn't commit on their own. I want everyone who is responsible for it to pay, I won't settle for anything less than that. The choice is yours either tell me who gave you the codes or face the judge for extortion."
"I'll fight the charges, Uncle Mickey will-,"
"Now Shawn come on I caught you red handed there is no way you'll get off. I'm offering you a chance to get off without facing any jail time. Because believe me if you go to trial you will lose and there is nothing Uncle Mickey will be able to do to stop it."
Shawn faced his options, neither telling Philip who gave him the codes or going to jail were fates he wanted to face. But, he had to do what was right for his family. He had to protect his family no matter what the cost. "I'll tell you but you have to promise me that nothing will happen to Belle or the twins?"
"You have my word. Nothing will happen to Belle or the twins? Who gave you the codes?"
"Belle - someone sent them to her and she gave them to me. She never knew the money was being taken from Titan she thought I gave the codes back to Brady. I tried to find out who sent them to her but never did. I'm sorry Philip but this is the truth, I swear to God. So you'll drop the charges and everything like you said right?" Shawn asked Philip glad that he'd finally got everything off his chest, and didn't need to worry about Philip going after Belle.
Philip knew that Shawn was telling the truth and honestly didn't know who sent him the codes. But, now Philip was sure who had betrayed his family in the worse way. "The deal is still intact you will be released in time for dinner." He walked toward the door in back of Shawn and let someone in. "By the way Shawn I want you to introduce to your new employer," Shawn turned to see who it was and to his horror it was Stefano Dimera.
"I told you young Brady that we would meet again." Stefano said to Shawn's surprise as he looked from man to the other.
"You see Shawn I won't punish you for a crime you didn't commit on your own but I can't let you go completely unpunished. You stole from me and betrayed me that I can't forgive. No one steals from a Kiriakis, no matter who you are. So I arranged this little job for you. But, don't worry it's nothing too dangerous. You'll find that Stefano is a fair employer so I'll leave him to instruct you on your duties." And with that Philip left the room ~One down, two to go. ~ He thought as he left the Salem Police Department. * * * * *
Presently at the Kiriakis Mansion, Chloe was talking with Philip briefly with her Aunt Lexie awaiting their expectant guest.
"So everything went well then?" Chloe asked Philip.
"Of course, I knew Shawn would tell me the codes with the proper incentive." He replied.
Chloe could hear the smile in his voice. "You mean with the right blackmail material."
"Whatever works. Anyway, Stefano is informing him of the rest of the plan as we speak so he shouldn't be too disagreeable. After all it could be worse."
"I suppose it could be. Do you really think it was good idea to leave my grandfather with Shawn though, that seems a little ."
"Hey, I know what I'm doing so don't worry, everything will go as planned. I have to go or else your daughter will leave without me. We'll be home in a couple of hours." Philip said as he caught up with Lily and took her hand as they walked through the opening gates of the Chicago Zoo.
"Okay, wish me luck-,"
"You won't need luck Belle will agree."
"Alright then we'll see give Liliana my love."
"You know I will."
"Bye." Chloe said and then hung up the phone and turned back to her aunt.
"I take it everything went well then?"
"Yes, just as Philip had planned. Belle should be here in a few minutes." Chloe replied and took a sip of her coffee.
Lexie watched her niece as she took a sip of her own coffee. Chloe was nervous, although she had no reason to be everything would go as planned. "So have you and Philip discussed where you are going to live? I can't image you'll want to stay in Salem."
"To be honest, we really haven't really talked about it. My career and Lily's school are based in New York. So I'd like to stay in New York, but Philip's business requires him to remain in Greece most of the year. We have a month left to decide which before I need to return to New York and Lily goes back to school."
Henderson appeared at the doorway of the room. "Mrs. Brady has arrived." He said then stepped aside as Belle entered the room.
Belle walked into the room as cool as a cucumber for someone suspected of stealing from Titan. "Shawn called me and told me Philip dropped all the charges against. Thank you for that, now what is it you wanted to see me about?"
Chloe looked at Lexie before responding to the petite blonde. "Well there's no need to thank me. It was Philip's decision to drop the charges. However, the reason I asked to speak with you is because I wanted know why. Why would you help Shawn frame your brother? You've always been very protective of Brady so why is it now, that you let your brother be accused of a crime he didn't commit." Lexie took that as her cue to leave and left the room. "What possible reason could there have been for you to willingly help Shawn do something like that?"
Belle waited until Lexie left before she more fully walked into the room. "I'd do anything for the people I love. It doesn't matter who hurts them or why - no one and I mean no one hurts my family."
"Doesn't that apply to Brady? Belle, you're making absolutely no sense. Brady is your family and he's never done anything to deserve-,"
"Oh wake-up Chloe." Belle shook her head in disbelief, "I would have thought your marriage to Philip would have taken the blinders off your eyes. Its time you take Brady off his damn pedestal and realize for once that he doesn't deserve to be on it and never has."
Chloe did her best to hide her surprise at the rage rolling off the petite blonde as she talked about her brother. She had to get Belle talking and then everything would fall into place for the plan to work. "Why don't you enlighten me then Belle? What Brady has done to get you so enraged."
Belle took the bait and started talking. "You don't know what it's like to have a family where no matter how hard you work its never enough to move up. To always be thought of as the baby, never able to move up from the position of being able to handle problems without my big brother coming and save me like he's my supposed to the hero. My brother got everything he ever wanted handed to him on a sliver platter; he's never had to work for anything. Sure he went and got his degree but that was just to be close to you in New York. And when he came back his degree in hand, Daddy just handed him his job as Vice President. I, on the other hand, had to start from the bottom and work my way up. Did you know my father would give me a titled position until I got my Masters' degree? I worked hard from the bottom up to earn my position in the business and Brady did nothing." Belle smirked. "That's not even the cream of the crop. I mean hurting me is one thing but my husband and my best friend are another issue entirely."
"What are you talking about Belle? Brady never hurt me." Chloe said confused as played at being naïve.
Belle cut her eyes at Chloe. "Who said anything about you? I was talking about Mimi. Geez are you so self-absorbed that you think everything's about you? Newsflash, Chloe the world doesn't revolve around you. Things happen and people get hurt and that has nothing to do with you. Brady hurt my husband and my best friend and he deserves everything he gets." She turned away from Chloe to stare at a picture of Victor on the mantle. "And so did the mighty Victor Kiriakis." She picked up the photo, "you know Chloe he never acknowledged Shawn as his grandson. It was always Brady this or Brady that as if Shawn wasn't his grandson too." She put the photo back on the mantle. "After Philip left, Shawn stayed in Salem to watch over Victor, he was there whenever Victor needed him. For three years Shawn was at his beck and call. Then Brady came back into town and it was like he forgot Shawn existed. He dropped him like a bad habit."
"Belle, you know Victor was a bastard, I don't deny that but he did care about Shawn after all he did leave him and inheritance."
Belle snorted. "Oh yes, he did but, that was after he told Shawn that coming to see him wouldn't increase his inheritance, as if that mattered. The only thing Shawn ever wanted from him was acceptance, the money never mattered; he didn't deserve to be hurt like that." Belle's eyes full of anguish as she thought about what they had done to her husband.
Chloe didn't know how to respond to that, she'd always hated the way Victor seemingly only cared about money, that's part of the reason she'd kept Lily from him. But, she'd never suspected he'd be so heartless especially to someone as goodhearted as Shawn. The surprise was evident on her face as Belle continued.
"I see you're surprised by that but you really shouldn't be after all look what he did to you. Victor was always ruthless and uncaring and we were naive to think that he would care about Shawn. But, ironically my dear brother has done worse than that. I suppose you know that he got Mimi pregnant and then she lost the baby because of him-,"
"Yes, I know about the accident and the miscarriage you really can't blame that on him."
"You want to bet. Of course I blame him for it. He seduced her while he was sleeping with some woman at the office. It was the same women he was with when Mimi caught them together. That's why she ran out into the storm to get away from him." Chloe gasped and Belle twisted her mouth in a slight smirk. "He never bothered to show up until it was too late. That's when Philip was visiting Mimi and they got into a fight. Shawn had to break them up." She added as an afterthought. "After that I encouraged Mimi to take Philip up on his offer to go with him to Crete to recover. I never expected them to become so close that she would become a part of the Kiriakis dynasty though." She said in an aside bitterly. "But, she always wanted to be known for more than just Belle Black best friend. So the minute she could she jumped at the chance to be aligned with Kiriakis family. The rest as they say is history." Belle said and crossed the room a few moments later to pick up her purse. "I need to be going so just tell Philip I said thanks." She said and turned to leave.
"Oh B-elle," Chloe called out. "Don't leave just yet, I have one more thing I to tell you. You see to go along with Shawn's freedom there are some stipulations." Knowing she got Belle attention she waited for Belle to turn around.
Belle turned around promptly with her fine blonde brow arched in a perfect John Black impression. "What stipulations?"
Chloe smiled as Lexie reentered the room this time with Kate in her wake. "Well they aren't really stipulations more like new business arrangements. You see, I've been expecting your visit because I was certain you'd want to meet the new CEO and President of Basic Black." She gestured toward the doorway.
Belle turned her confused gaze from Kate to Lexie back to Chloe. "I don't understand what's going on?"
"It's simple really, Belle. As of 10 o'clock this morning I am now the owner of most stock and therefore I taken my position as the President of Basic Black. But, of course I couldn't have brought those stocks without the aid of my backer and the new CEO of Basic Black, Alexandra Dimera Walker." Kate calmly explained to which Belle's mouth dropped open.
"Th-that's impossible Daddy would never sell to a Dimera-," Belle started.
"True but he would sell to a Nicole Walker Reed wouldn't he?" Kate asked sardonically. Belle swallowed nervously unable to believe that the company was now in the hands of a Dimera.
"Now don't you worry Isabella, I have no intention of firing you. As a matter of fact we've got a proposition to offer you that would allow for some changes at Basic Black starting with management."
"Oh and don't worry about Brady, Belle, he'll be taken care off believe me." Chloe said smiling broadly. ~Brady will definitely be taken care of. ~ * * * * *
Later that night, Philip was just putting Lily to bed while Chloe showered. He and Chloe had spent the afternoon with their daughter after getting Belle and Shawn set up with Lexie and Stefano to work out the details of their new positions in the family. Although, they virtually betrayed their families by working for a Dimera it had been their own decision and they were ready to face whatever came their way. It was all part of the grand plan to ensure that the real culprit in stealing from Victor was caught and would never dare to attempt be able to do it again. But, that would all be dealt with tomorrow. For now, he'd rather focus on his daughter.
"Alright, Lily it's time for you to go to bed before you get me in trouble for letting you stay up." He said as he tucked her into her bed.
"Okay Daddy," Lily said as she allowed her father tuck her in. "I had fun today Daddy."
"Well, I did too angel face."
"Could we do it again before I go back to school?"
"Of course." Lily nodded but hesitantly bit her lip. He knew that meant that she had a question but for some reason wasn't asking it. That was unlike his daughter, she was usually very talkative. "Did you have something you wanted to ask me Lily?" He asked sitting down on her bed next to her.
"Do you love me?"
Philip's eyes widened in surprise, "Of course I love you. How could I not; you're my special girl." He replied leaning down and kissing her cheek for good measure.
"That's means you love Mommy too, right? Because you never say so, but you and Mommy always tell me that you love me."
Once again surprised by her question he answered her anyway. "Yes, I love Mommy. Why are you asking, Lily? Did someone say something to you about Mommy and me?" He asked suspiciously wondering if one of his loving relatives had something inadvertently to Lily to make her question her parents love for one another.
She shook her head empathetically. "No, no one said anything. It's just that you and Mommy are always kissing and stuff and Melissa says that's how Mommy's and Daddy's show their love. But, you and Mommy never say it and other mommies and daddies do. So why don't you and Mommy ever say it?"
Philip didn't know what to tell her. How could he tell his daughter that while he always loved her mother, Chloe had never returned those feelings for him. Although, he'd suspected she had loved him when he'd been younger he didn't know about now. Sure he and Chloe had taken their relationship to another level physically but they'd yet to admit any other type of emotion in their relationship other than a mutual passion and caring for one another. But, love . as far as he'd been concerned the emotion was there however, he couldn't admit it not yet. Maybe never for the fear of being hurt by Chloe once again after admitting that he was in love with her. But, he had to tell her something and he would . the truth. "Sit up for a second Lily I want to show you something." As Lily moved to sit up he pulled a gold chain from under his shirt. Holding out his hand he placed the gold medallion he always wore around his neck in his palm. "You've seen me wear this necklace, right?"
"Yeah," Lily replied as she leaned over to see the medallion in her father's hand.
"I've this as long as I've had my tattoo. When I was younger and your Mom and I were dating I had this tree necklace made her to commemorate our special tree where I carved our initials in heart for her. But, when your Mom got sick she had to give me back the necklace. Once she got well I never got a chance to give it back to her so I made into this medallion so I could always wear it close to my heart to remind me of her even when we weren't together." The medallion one side had a tree on it with the same symbols on it as on his tattoo, they made up the bark of the tree. On the other side, there was and inscription with the words, "In pain there is love."
Lily picked up the medallion and examined both sides of it. "These look like the symbols on your tattoo they mean love, trust, pain, and faith, right?" She questioned as she handed him back the medallion.
"Yeah. I surprised you remember that." He tucked the medallion back in his shirt. "I had the necklace melted down into a medallion to remind me that no matter what happened in my life, I had loved someone and even if they weren't always there, the love was." Thinking that was too deep for his daughter he said nothing else. "Besides, if I didn't love your mother do you think you would be here?" He tapped her nose as she settled back into her bed giggling. "Now, enough with the psychological questions, off to bed with you." He rose from her bed and walked to the doorway. "Goodnight angel."
"Night, Daddy." Philip flicked off the light and closed her door.
Little did the father and daughter know their conversation hadn't been as private as they thought. A three party had witnessed the talk and now was left with something to think about on her own as she brushed her hair. "He loved me," she thought to herself as her husband entered the room and closed the door. "Even when I rejected him he loved me."
Please tell me what you thinkStay tuned for Part Two . the last and final part of Bitter Vengeance.