Author's Note: This is the final chapter of Bitter Vengeance and I hope
that everyone likes it. I just wanted to thank everyone for all their
feedback because I do actually read and I appreciate it always. Also I
wanted to give special thanks to my beta reader, Rookez, you know who you
are. Thanks for reading and I hope everyone has great holiday.
Chapter Eleven
Part Two - It All Comes Together
When Brady walked into his office the next morning, he surprised to see Belle at his desk. His sister seemed to be in the process of clearing it out. He had thought she would be at home with her husband and children definitely not at work and definitely not in his office.
"Belle what are you doing here?"
She glanced up from his desk. "I'm working Brady what does it look like?"
"Yes, I can see that but what are you doing here - in my office?"
Belle sat down on the desk putting the last of the files in the box. "Actually, Brady it's not your office. Not any longer. Didn't you hear the news there's new management." She gestured toward the door where his nameplate no longer resided.
"What's going on? Why isn't my name on the door?" He asked walking back from the door where his name was supposed to be.
Belle's expression remained innocent as she shrugged. "I have no idea. When I came in this morning I was told to report here and get this office ready for the new executive coming in for the position. You should take it up with the boss. I mean after all who would know better what's going on?" She replied watching as Brady stormed out the office without another word. She picked up her phone and dialed a number. "He's on his way."
Brady walked pass Stacy, his father's secretary, into his office. Or rather what used to be John Black's office. He barged into the office with Stacy at his heels. But, to his surprise, John wasn't behind the desk, Kate Roberts was.
"I'm sorry Ms. Roberts I couldn't stop him, he just rushed straight pass me."
"It's alright Stacy I'll see Mr. Black." Kate waited until Stacy left the office before returning to look upon Brady. "So Brady what can I do for you?" She inquired with a raised brow.
"For starters you can tell me what the hell you're doing here? And just where is my father?"
"Brady this is my office. As of yesterday morning I now own 50 percent of stock in this company-,"
"What! That's impossible, you don't have the kind of money it takes to buy all those shares."
"Well it's true Brady. You see I am a businesswoman of many means and when I want something I do everything in my power to make it happen. That means Brady that I have investors, people who back me with their money because they believe I am capable of doing exactly what it takes to make a company successful. I have work to do so if you don't mind, I'd like to get back to it." Kate settled back into her chair and promptly placed her glasses back on as she looked over her files ignoring that Brady was even there.
Brady knew something was up; no one Salem would give Kate Roberts any money to back up one of her schemes. And that was exactly what he believed was going on, this was another one of Kate's schemes. So he'd play along long enough to find out what she was up to. "Okay then explain to me what Belle is doing in my office? She says she's clearing it out for some new executive."
Kate peered up at Brady over the rim of her glasses. "Well, first of all it's no longer your office. Secondly, Belle is doing her job, which at the moment is clearing all of your junk out of the office. And after that she'll help me welcome the new Vice President of Basic Black."
"What new Vice President, I'm the Vice President." He replied confused as to what was going on.
Before Kate could respond to that her phone rang, she answered it, listened for a moment and then replied, "Yes, Stacy send them right in." Hanging up the phone she took off her glasses and stood up smoothing her skirt as she went. "Well, now there is no time like show time. So Brady I'm going to explain things to you quickly - you're fired. I expect you to have all of your things out of the office by close of business today. But, before you go I'd like you to meet your new replacement and the new CEO of Basic Black Industries soon to be Phoenix Enterprises." Kate gestured toward the doorway where Samantha Roberts and Alexandra Walker appeared.
"You've got to be kidding me, right? There's no way my father would allow a Dimera to take his company," the disbelief evident in his voice. "Besides, the three of you can't stand each other."
"It's good to see you too Brady." Sami said smiling brightly as she entered the office with Lexie by her side. "Oh Kate did we miss you telling my dear step-brother his was fired. Darn!" She snapped her fingers in faux disappointment. "Ah well I'll just have to get over that." She took a seat in front of Kate's desk.
"Well, Brady as you can see Kate, Sami, and I have some business to attend to. So if you'll gather your things and leave, it would be greatly appreciated." Lexie replied waving towards the door.
"I'm not leaving until someone tells me what the hell is going on here?" Brady declared angrily as he stubbornly crossed his arms over his chest.
Kate sighed as she went to her desk and pressed a button. "Stacy will please send for security." She requested.
"Right away, Ms. Roberts."
"What-what are you doing Kate?" Brady asked charging toward Kate to stop her from making the call.
"Ahh good security, would you please escort Mr. Black from the premises and make sure that you receive any keys he possess to enter the building. His services will no longer be needed." Lexie ordered to the black-garbed Shawn.
"Of course, Mrs. Walker." Shawn walked toward Brady, grasped him by the arm and then pulled out of the door. Several minutes later Shawn returned, "Brady has been escorted off the premises and his keys have been collected. He won't be back. Will that be all?" He informed the three women.
"Yes, Shawn, tell Belle that she is expected to report promptly to Sami tomorrow morning to begin her training." Kate added before dismissing the guy. He nodded and left once he was gone, Kate placed a phone call. "He should be on his way, now." * * * * *
At the Kiriakis Mansion, Philip just replaced the phone on his desk as he looked up at his wife. "Everything is set, Brady's on his way." Philip said.
Chloe nodded but it was clear her mind was elsewhere. "That's good then this will all be over soon." She replied not noticing Philip's concerned look.
Philip frowned something was up with Chloe. "Are you okay?" He walked toward her and raised her chin so he could look into her eyes; they were troubled just as he had thought. "What's going on Chloe, what's going on in that head of yours?" He asked softly.
Chloe closed her eyes and turned away from him trying to remove herself from Philip's knowing gaze. "I'm fine Philip really. I'm - I'm just ready for all this to be over. Ready for us to move on."
He dropped his hand. "Chloe, everything's not fine. I can tell that something's not right. So why not just tell me?"
Chloe closed her eyes and opened them again. Things just had to be dealt with and that was that. She took a deep breath. "Last night, I was coming to say goodnight to Lily and . I heard you Philip . I heard you tell her about the tree necklace - your medallion." She turned around to face him as she confessed the secrets of her heart. "I knew then that I was playing a dangerous game with you, with your emotions and I can't do that anymore." The past couple of weeks, this month you've opened yourself up to me in more ways than I ever imagined except one. You never told me that you love me."
Philip attempted to interrupt her, "Chloe I-,"
She walked over to him and placed her fingers over his lips to stop him from speaking. "No Philip let me finish, please." He nodded in agreement not to speak and she removed her fingers from his lips. "For weeks, I'd been trying to figure out why you never admitted your love for me. Or even if you still loved me. And last night when I heard you tell Lily about your medallion I figured out why you hadn't said anything . because you don't want to be hurt or wonder if I could ever say the words back to you." She paused briefly to gather her courage to continue. "Your medallion says, "In pain, there is love," and I've had those words on my mind all day. Throughout our entire relationship everyone including myself always remembered the things you did that hurt me - the bet, the dance and even your date with Cynthia - but we always seemed to overlook the times you were hurt, by me. I never even knew until last night that I had the power to cause you pain, that I could hurt you. For a long time I used to think that the reason we kept breaking up and I got hurt was because you didn't love me enough." Philip clenched his jaw. "I know now that wasn't the reason. It's taken me fifteen years, having a child, your child and marrying you to figure it out but I finally did. A relationship won't survive if love comes from one side."
"What are you trying to say Chloe?" He asked weary because he didn't want to be hopeful for nothing.
Chloe looked up into his eyes and through caution to the wind as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "What I'm trying to say Philip Kiriakis, my husband, love of my life, father of my child is that . I love you."
Philip felt a burst of emotion and would have responded in kind if the door to his office hadn't slammed open and Brady Black walked in. "What the hell is going on Philip?"
Philip turned from Chloe to look at Brady; his nephew had some incredibly bad timing. "Brady, what do you want?
Brady looked from Chloe to Philip intently, realizing that he had inadvertently interrupted something. "Am I interrupting something?"
"Yes you are and I'd like to get back to it." Chloe replied walking to stand by her husband and wrapping her arms around his waist.
"I'm not leaving until you tell me what you did." He declared crossing his arms over his chest.
Chloe sighed and took her arms from around Philip's waist to walk back to sit down on the edge of his desk, while Philip returned to sit in the chair behind his desk. "Brady I have no idea what you mean. I haven't done anything."
"Stop lying. You know you had me fired -,"
"I don't see how I could manage that considering that you don't even work at Titan. Correct me, if I'm wrong but don't you work for your father at Basic Black? I mean, obviously, I have no control over that company."
Brady spoke through his clenched teeth. "That's a damn lie and you know it. My father sold his shares of the company to your mother. I have no idea how you're involved in this but I know you are."
"Well, then if Kate's running Basic Black, I don't see how you can blame my husband for being fired. Obviously, you must have done something that Kate didn't like and she fired you for it. Your mistakes aren't Philip's fault." Chloe informed her ex-fiancé much to his dismay.
"That's just it Chloe, Kate didn't bother to inform me as to why I was being fired. But, I think your husband might just know why, don't you Uncle Philip?" Brady replied nodding over to the man behind the desk.
Philip answered with a shrug. "Well, it might have something to do with your criminal activities."
"What criminal activities? Wait a minute she has both Lexie Walker and Sami working for her, both two known criminals so what difference would any alleged criminal activity I did have to do with anything?"
"Well knowing my mother I'd say the fact that she knows about both Lexie and Sami's criminal activities she's not to bothered by them. But, now she knows nothing about yours."
"I don't have a criminal record, let alone committed any crimes-,"
"What about the money you stole from Titan and all the work you did to ensure that Shawn was caught red-handed? Now what about that?" Philip said as he leaned back in his chair with a wicked smile.
Brady walked to the chair before Chloe and Philip and took a seat. Leaning back against the chair, he crossed his legs and clasped his hands in a flexed pyramid. "So, how did you figure it out?"
Philip arched his blonde brow in surprised. "Are you admitting to doing it?"
Brady shook his head. "Not on your life. I'm only wondering how you figured out Shawn didn't take all that money out of the accounts himself, hypothetically speaking of course. I mean especially since we -that is you and I - caught Shawn red-handed as you say and that you can't prove it even if it was true."
"The codes, only four people have those codes and Shawn isn't one of them. So that only meant that he got them from someone who had them. And the only person to benefit from giving him the codes is you."
Brady nodded and smiled broadly. "Ah, the codes. I wondered if Victor had given them out. I guess now I know. It's a real shame that you can't prove I actually gave them to Shawn. Besides that who would believe I would give him some codes so he could frame me - that makes no sense."
"True, it would be hard to prove in a court of law. But, lucky for me and unlucky for you, you're not being tried in a court of law. You're being tried in the court of Kiriakis." Philip replied his blue eyes blazing with icy hue. Brady's arrogant smile disappeared.
"What does that mean?"
"It means Brady, that you have been tried and found guilty of betrayal of the family." Chloe informed him.
"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?" He asked frowning not getting it.
"What it means Brady is that when you leave here today you will have nothing. You are no longer an employee at Basic Black, your dividend from Titan is frozen, and as of tomorrow morning you are going to be evicted from your loft and your car will be repossessed. You are going to willingly sign over any and all stock interests you hold at Titan including from your inheritance. Then, you will get up and the hell out of my house and hopefully Salem."
Brady snorted arrogantly. "There is no way I am doing any of those things. I especially am not going to give you my stock options I got from Grandpa Vic. I earned-,"
"You earned nothing. You are getting a gift Brady I suggest you take it. Everything you've ever got has be given to you on a silver platter, well not this time, you've gotten away with your lies for too long. It's caught up to you, now. So here are your only options - sign the contracts and you can walk out of here all of your money including what Victor left you or you can stay and my grandfather will systematically release all of your dirty secrets and you'll be ruined." Chloe told Brady as she rose and moved to stand by Philip.
"Chloe," Brady tried to interrupt her but Chloe held her hand up to stop him.
"No. Your lies have led my life for too long. But, not any longer, Brady. Now, I'm going to ask you one last time and then it won't matter because I'll allow Stefano to do whatever he wants to ruin you. So please, sign the contracts." She dropped a silver pen on the desk by contracts.
Brady looked down at the pen and hesitantly picked it up. "I can't believe you're doing this to me, Chloe." He signed each of the contracts and then threw the pen back down on the desk as he rose to leave.
"Tell me Brady, why did you do this when Victor would give you anything."
At the doorway Brady paused and turned around. "For fifteen years, I was the model grandson, allowing Victor to shape me into what he wanted in an heir for Titan. Or so I thought until a year ago when he told me about his plans to bring Philip back to Salem to run Titan for him when he finally retired. All the years I wasted here do everything he wanted just so he could hand the company to you," the hatred was evident in his voice as he stared at Philip. "When you came back I would be forgotten like everything I had done was for nothing. So I devised a plan to steal money from the old fool right out from under his nose." He smiled grimly. "It was so easy just taking little bits of the money out and placing it into a separate account and then I decided I need a fall guy and Shawn . well he walked right into it. It was so perfect . everything fell right into place. Victor brought this onto himself for having two grandsons willing to do anything to please him and overlooking them. He brought this on himself." And with that he left. * * * * *
"We need to talk," Philip said as he rose from his chair and pulled Chloe with him in front of the desk as he tipped her face up to his. "Before Brady came, you said you loved me. Did you mean it?"
"I meant it Philip with all my heart."
"I love -," Philip started only to be silenced as Chloe's hand came over his mouth.
"No, Philip don't say it. I haven't earned the right to hear you say those words to me yet. And I don't want you to say again to me until I've earned them." She took her hand off his mouth, as the door to the office opened once again this time the interrupter was their daughter.
"Oh I love you too Mommy and Daddy. And I did not break that window with the baseball 'cause I'm not allowed to play baseball in the house. I also did not break the clasp on Mommy's favorite necklace because I'm not allowed to play with her jewelry. I don't do things like that." Lily finished moving to stand before her parents with her brown eyes peering up at them innocently.
"Liliana," her parents called out simultaneously.
"What?" She replied moving to stand believe them. "I love you." She added smiling sweetly like the innocent child she wasn't. * * * * *
Several weeks had passed since Brady's demise from Titan and Basic Black aka Phoenix Enterprises. And in that time a lot of things had changed with the Bradys, Titan, and Kiriakis'.
Phoenix Enterprises, once known as Basic Black, was now run by Kate Roberts, finally giving her what she always wanted a company of her own. With Lexie on board as the CEO, in title only, Kate was the President and had full power to make any executive decisions. Her first official decision after firing Brady was to hire her daughter-in-law, Sami Brady Roberts as her Vice President. Sami and Lucas decided to move back to Salem enabling their son and daughter to get the chance meet Salem branch of their family. Over the years, Sami had learned the ropes of being an executive from her husband and mother-in-law. She was a true businesswoman who, like her mother-in-law, doing whatever was necessary to get her job done. So Kate knew she'd be the perfect choice for the Vice President of Basic Black. Lucas was also up in the ranks at Titan, as one of head executives in their London office. He transferred to Salem to take over the ranks there for Philip. He was now in charge of Salem branch of Titan Industries.
As for Shawn and Belle, well they were much better off, and then they had been before. Although, both of their prior positions were demoted. For Belle, she worked under Sami, as her assistant, but for intents and purposes she was in training to one day take over Sami's position. Her new position gave her more responsibility but at the same time was learning experience that in a few years would allow her up in the ranks at Basic Black. All in all, although she had been demoted it was a more lucrative position for her. As for Shawn, since he was no longer employed by the Salem Police Department, Philip arranged for him to have a position right up his alley, a security detail at Basic Black. It was a demotion from his position as a Detective at Salem PD but he did make more money and had more flexible hours. And like Belle, he too could move up in the ranks to become head of security after a few years. All in all their punishments weren't that bad at all in comparison to Brady.
Brady was given no mercy by either Philip or Chloe, he did exactly as he was told for fear that his lies would come back to haunt him. After he left the mansion he returned to his loft to find that Mimi served him an eviction notice as well as picked up any and all materials that had anything to do with Titan or Basic Black. He was given 24 hours to vacate the premises without his car, taking only the possessions he had left in his loft. His stock options for both Basic Black and Titan were gone. The only money he had available that was that in his bank account and his inheritance from Victor. Other than that he had nothing and was expected to make due with what he had. So Brady left Salem parts unknown and everyone was none the wiser for the real reason he left.
As for Philip and Chloe, well their relationship continued to grow as Chloe shared more and more about herself allowing for a new relationship between them to develop, this relationship was one of love and affection for one another. They had talked it over and decided that because of Lily's education they would remain in New York throughout most of the year, allotting for trips Philip would have to make at his headquarters in Europe of course. And the rest of the year and any vacations would be spent at Philip's home in Crete. This was after Chloe's announcement that she didn't need to be based solely in New York for her career she could be anywhere. Ultimately deciding that they would not raise their daughter in Salem because of all the deceit and betrayal they had both experienced there. Liliana couldn't have been more excited; she really didn't care where they lived as long as they were all together as a family. So now, they were on their way to the airport to leave Salem for good when they decided to make one last stop .
Philip left Chloe and Lily in the limo as he entered the mausoleum. He had a red rose that he placed on his father's plot. "Well, Dad, I've finished what I came here to do . keep the Kiriakis legacy alive and in fear. Our plans-your plans are complete Stefano is in his rightful place at the helm of the Dimera clan making the Brady's lives miserable, yet again." He snorted with laughter. "I guess that's what's you wanted. I came back to Salem do you what you asked of me to catch the extortionist and make them pay and I have. But, the one thing I can't for you is stay here in Salem."
"I kept trying to figure out why you wanted me back here. It's because you wanted me to face my past and let it go. But, as you know you can't always let the past go sometimes you have to face it and all the demons it brings. I've faced my demons and now I'm ready to move on and that means leaving Salem. This isn't the place for me, Dad, it never has been. I needed to come here and figure that out for myself. So, now I'm leaving here with my wife and daughter both of whom love me. Thank you for giving me the chance to finally have that family I always wanted but could never have."
"Daddy," Lily called out somewhere outside the mausoleum.
"Goodbye Dad." Philip said softly as he rose and headed out of the mausoleum to find his family. He picked Lily up on the way and headed to Chloe standing the limo.
"Are you ready to go?" Chloe asked as soon as he reached the limo.
Philip looked back at the mausoleum to the smiling face of his daughter then to his wife, Chloe. "Yeah, I'm ready. More than ready, let's go." Philip said as smiled down at his wife and took her hand as together the small family of three climbed back in to the limo and headed to the airport to leave Salem once and for all. As the last of the Kiriakis dynasty, left Salem to head off for a better horizon, a better future.
Chapter Eleven
Part Two - It All Comes Together
When Brady walked into his office the next morning, he surprised to see Belle at his desk. His sister seemed to be in the process of clearing it out. He had thought she would be at home with her husband and children definitely not at work and definitely not in his office.
"Belle what are you doing here?"
She glanced up from his desk. "I'm working Brady what does it look like?"
"Yes, I can see that but what are you doing here - in my office?"
Belle sat down on the desk putting the last of the files in the box. "Actually, Brady it's not your office. Not any longer. Didn't you hear the news there's new management." She gestured toward the door where his nameplate no longer resided.
"What's going on? Why isn't my name on the door?" He asked walking back from the door where his name was supposed to be.
Belle's expression remained innocent as she shrugged. "I have no idea. When I came in this morning I was told to report here and get this office ready for the new executive coming in for the position. You should take it up with the boss. I mean after all who would know better what's going on?" She replied watching as Brady stormed out the office without another word. She picked up her phone and dialed a number. "He's on his way."
Brady walked pass Stacy, his father's secretary, into his office. Or rather what used to be John Black's office. He barged into the office with Stacy at his heels. But, to his surprise, John wasn't behind the desk, Kate Roberts was.
"I'm sorry Ms. Roberts I couldn't stop him, he just rushed straight pass me."
"It's alright Stacy I'll see Mr. Black." Kate waited until Stacy left the office before returning to look upon Brady. "So Brady what can I do for you?" She inquired with a raised brow.
"For starters you can tell me what the hell you're doing here? And just where is my father?"
"Brady this is my office. As of yesterday morning I now own 50 percent of stock in this company-,"
"What! That's impossible, you don't have the kind of money it takes to buy all those shares."
"Well it's true Brady. You see I am a businesswoman of many means and when I want something I do everything in my power to make it happen. That means Brady that I have investors, people who back me with their money because they believe I am capable of doing exactly what it takes to make a company successful. I have work to do so if you don't mind, I'd like to get back to it." Kate settled back into her chair and promptly placed her glasses back on as she looked over her files ignoring that Brady was even there.
Brady knew something was up; no one Salem would give Kate Roberts any money to back up one of her schemes. And that was exactly what he believed was going on, this was another one of Kate's schemes. So he'd play along long enough to find out what she was up to. "Okay then explain to me what Belle is doing in my office? She says she's clearing it out for some new executive."
Kate peered up at Brady over the rim of her glasses. "Well, first of all it's no longer your office. Secondly, Belle is doing her job, which at the moment is clearing all of your junk out of the office. And after that she'll help me welcome the new Vice President of Basic Black."
"What new Vice President, I'm the Vice President." He replied confused as to what was going on.
Before Kate could respond to that her phone rang, she answered it, listened for a moment and then replied, "Yes, Stacy send them right in." Hanging up the phone she took off her glasses and stood up smoothing her skirt as she went. "Well, now there is no time like show time. So Brady I'm going to explain things to you quickly - you're fired. I expect you to have all of your things out of the office by close of business today. But, before you go I'd like you to meet your new replacement and the new CEO of Basic Black Industries soon to be Phoenix Enterprises." Kate gestured toward the doorway where Samantha Roberts and Alexandra Walker appeared.
"You've got to be kidding me, right? There's no way my father would allow a Dimera to take his company," the disbelief evident in his voice. "Besides, the three of you can't stand each other."
"It's good to see you too Brady." Sami said smiling brightly as she entered the office with Lexie by her side. "Oh Kate did we miss you telling my dear step-brother his was fired. Darn!" She snapped her fingers in faux disappointment. "Ah well I'll just have to get over that." She took a seat in front of Kate's desk.
"Well, Brady as you can see Kate, Sami, and I have some business to attend to. So if you'll gather your things and leave, it would be greatly appreciated." Lexie replied waving towards the door.
"I'm not leaving until someone tells me what the hell is going on here?" Brady declared angrily as he stubbornly crossed his arms over his chest.
Kate sighed as she went to her desk and pressed a button. "Stacy will please send for security." She requested.
"Right away, Ms. Roberts."
"What-what are you doing Kate?" Brady asked charging toward Kate to stop her from making the call.
"Ahh good security, would you please escort Mr. Black from the premises and make sure that you receive any keys he possess to enter the building. His services will no longer be needed." Lexie ordered to the black-garbed Shawn.
"Of course, Mrs. Walker." Shawn walked toward Brady, grasped him by the arm and then pulled out of the door. Several minutes later Shawn returned, "Brady has been escorted off the premises and his keys have been collected. He won't be back. Will that be all?" He informed the three women.
"Yes, Shawn, tell Belle that she is expected to report promptly to Sami tomorrow morning to begin her training." Kate added before dismissing the guy. He nodded and left once he was gone, Kate placed a phone call. "He should be on his way, now." * * * * *
At the Kiriakis Mansion, Philip just replaced the phone on his desk as he looked up at his wife. "Everything is set, Brady's on his way." Philip said.
Chloe nodded but it was clear her mind was elsewhere. "That's good then this will all be over soon." She replied not noticing Philip's concerned look.
Philip frowned something was up with Chloe. "Are you okay?" He walked toward her and raised her chin so he could look into her eyes; they were troubled just as he had thought. "What's going on Chloe, what's going on in that head of yours?" He asked softly.
Chloe closed her eyes and turned away from him trying to remove herself from Philip's knowing gaze. "I'm fine Philip really. I'm - I'm just ready for all this to be over. Ready for us to move on."
He dropped his hand. "Chloe, everything's not fine. I can tell that something's not right. So why not just tell me?"
Chloe closed her eyes and opened them again. Things just had to be dealt with and that was that. She took a deep breath. "Last night, I was coming to say goodnight to Lily and . I heard you Philip . I heard you tell her about the tree necklace - your medallion." She turned around to face him as she confessed the secrets of her heart. "I knew then that I was playing a dangerous game with you, with your emotions and I can't do that anymore." The past couple of weeks, this month you've opened yourself up to me in more ways than I ever imagined except one. You never told me that you love me."
Philip attempted to interrupt her, "Chloe I-,"
She walked over to him and placed her fingers over his lips to stop him from speaking. "No Philip let me finish, please." He nodded in agreement not to speak and she removed her fingers from his lips. "For weeks, I'd been trying to figure out why you never admitted your love for me. Or even if you still loved me. And last night when I heard you tell Lily about your medallion I figured out why you hadn't said anything . because you don't want to be hurt or wonder if I could ever say the words back to you." She paused briefly to gather her courage to continue. "Your medallion says, "In pain, there is love," and I've had those words on my mind all day. Throughout our entire relationship everyone including myself always remembered the things you did that hurt me - the bet, the dance and even your date with Cynthia - but we always seemed to overlook the times you were hurt, by me. I never even knew until last night that I had the power to cause you pain, that I could hurt you. For a long time I used to think that the reason we kept breaking up and I got hurt was because you didn't love me enough." Philip clenched his jaw. "I know now that wasn't the reason. It's taken me fifteen years, having a child, your child and marrying you to figure it out but I finally did. A relationship won't survive if love comes from one side."
"What are you trying to say Chloe?" He asked weary because he didn't want to be hopeful for nothing.
Chloe looked up into his eyes and through caution to the wind as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "What I'm trying to say Philip Kiriakis, my husband, love of my life, father of my child is that . I love you."
Philip felt a burst of emotion and would have responded in kind if the door to his office hadn't slammed open and Brady Black walked in. "What the hell is going on Philip?"
Philip turned from Chloe to look at Brady; his nephew had some incredibly bad timing. "Brady, what do you want?
Brady looked from Chloe to Philip intently, realizing that he had inadvertently interrupted something. "Am I interrupting something?"
"Yes you are and I'd like to get back to it." Chloe replied walking to stand by her husband and wrapping her arms around his waist.
"I'm not leaving until you tell me what you did." He declared crossing his arms over his chest.
Chloe sighed and took her arms from around Philip's waist to walk back to sit down on the edge of his desk, while Philip returned to sit in the chair behind his desk. "Brady I have no idea what you mean. I haven't done anything."
"Stop lying. You know you had me fired -,"
"I don't see how I could manage that considering that you don't even work at Titan. Correct me, if I'm wrong but don't you work for your father at Basic Black? I mean, obviously, I have no control over that company."
Brady spoke through his clenched teeth. "That's a damn lie and you know it. My father sold his shares of the company to your mother. I have no idea how you're involved in this but I know you are."
"Well, then if Kate's running Basic Black, I don't see how you can blame my husband for being fired. Obviously, you must have done something that Kate didn't like and she fired you for it. Your mistakes aren't Philip's fault." Chloe informed her ex-fiancé much to his dismay.
"That's just it Chloe, Kate didn't bother to inform me as to why I was being fired. But, I think your husband might just know why, don't you Uncle Philip?" Brady replied nodding over to the man behind the desk.
Philip answered with a shrug. "Well, it might have something to do with your criminal activities."
"What criminal activities? Wait a minute she has both Lexie Walker and Sami working for her, both two known criminals so what difference would any alleged criminal activity I did have to do with anything?"
"Well knowing my mother I'd say the fact that she knows about both Lexie and Sami's criminal activities she's not to bothered by them. But, now she knows nothing about yours."
"I don't have a criminal record, let alone committed any crimes-,"
"What about the money you stole from Titan and all the work you did to ensure that Shawn was caught red-handed? Now what about that?" Philip said as he leaned back in his chair with a wicked smile.
Brady walked to the chair before Chloe and Philip and took a seat. Leaning back against the chair, he crossed his legs and clasped his hands in a flexed pyramid. "So, how did you figure it out?"
Philip arched his blonde brow in surprised. "Are you admitting to doing it?"
Brady shook his head. "Not on your life. I'm only wondering how you figured out Shawn didn't take all that money out of the accounts himself, hypothetically speaking of course. I mean especially since we -that is you and I - caught Shawn red-handed as you say and that you can't prove it even if it was true."
"The codes, only four people have those codes and Shawn isn't one of them. So that only meant that he got them from someone who had them. And the only person to benefit from giving him the codes is you."
Brady nodded and smiled broadly. "Ah, the codes. I wondered if Victor had given them out. I guess now I know. It's a real shame that you can't prove I actually gave them to Shawn. Besides that who would believe I would give him some codes so he could frame me - that makes no sense."
"True, it would be hard to prove in a court of law. But, lucky for me and unlucky for you, you're not being tried in a court of law. You're being tried in the court of Kiriakis." Philip replied his blue eyes blazing with icy hue. Brady's arrogant smile disappeared.
"What does that mean?"
"It means Brady, that you have been tried and found guilty of betrayal of the family." Chloe informed him.
"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?" He asked frowning not getting it.
"What it means Brady is that when you leave here today you will have nothing. You are no longer an employee at Basic Black, your dividend from Titan is frozen, and as of tomorrow morning you are going to be evicted from your loft and your car will be repossessed. You are going to willingly sign over any and all stock interests you hold at Titan including from your inheritance. Then, you will get up and the hell out of my house and hopefully Salem."
Brady snorted arrogantly. "There is no way I am doing any of those things. I especially am not going to give you my stock options I got from Grandpa Vic. I earned-,"
"You earned nothing. You are getting a gift Brady I suggest you take it. Everything you've ever got has be given to you on a silver platter, well not this time, you've gotten away with your lies for too long. It's caught up to you, now. So here are your only options - sign the contracts and you can walk out of here all of your money including what Victor left you or you can stay and my grandfather will systematically release all of your dirty secrets and you'll be ruined." Chloe told Brady as she rose and moved to stand by Philip.
"Chloe," Brady tried to interrupt her but Chloe held her hand up to stop him.
"No. Your lies have led my life for too long. But, not any longer, Brady. Now, I'm going to ask you one last time and then it won't matter because I'll allow Stefano to do whatever he wants to ruin you. So please, sign the contracts." She dropped a silver pen on the desk by contracts.
Brady looked down at the pen and hesitantly picked it up. "I can't believe you're doing this to me, Chloe." He signed each of the contracts and then threw the pen back down on the desk as he rose to leave.
"Tell me Brady, why did you do this when Victor would give you anything."
At the doorway Brady paused and turned around. "For fifteen years, I was the model grandson, allowing Victor to shape me into what he wanted in an heir for Titan. Or so I thought until a year ago when he told me about his plans to bring Philip back to Salem to run Titan for him when he finally retired. All the years I wasted here do everything he wanted just so he could hand the company to you," the hatred was evident in his voice as he stared at Philip. "When you came back I would be forgotten like everything I had done was for nothing. So I devised a plan to steal money from the old fool right out from under his nose." He smiled grimly. "It was so easy just taking little bits of the money out and placing it into a separate account and then I decided I need a fall guy and Shawn . well he walked right into it. It was so perfect . everything fell right into place. Victor brought this onto himself for having two grandsons willing to do anything to please him and overlooking them. He brought this on himself." And with that he left. * * * * *
"We need to talk," Philip said as he rose from his chair and pulled Chloe with him in front of the desk as he tipped her face up to his. "Before Brady came, you said you loved me. Did you mean it?"
"I meant it Philip with all my heart."
"I love -," Philip started only to be silenced as Chloe's hand came over his mouth.
"No, Philip don't say it. I haven't earned the right to hear you say those words to me yet. And I don't want you to say again to me until I've earned them." She took her hand off his mouth, as the door to the office opened once again this time the interrupter was their daughter.
"Oh I love you too Mommy and Daddy. And I did not break that window with the baseball 'cause I'm not allowed to play baseball in the house. I also did not break the clasp on Mommy's favorite necklace because I'm not allowed to play with her jewelry. I don't do things like that." Lily finished moving to stand before her parents with her brown eyes peering up at them innocently.
"Liliana," her parents called out simultaneously.
"What?" She replied moving to stand believe them. "I love you." She added smiling sweetly like the innocent child she wasn't. * * * * *
Several weeks had passed since Brady's demise from Titan and Basic Black aka Phoenix Enterprises. And in that time a lot of things had changed with the Bradys, Titan, and Kiriakis'.
Phoenix Enterprises, once known as Basic Black, was now run by Kate Roberts, finally giving her what she always wanted a company of her own. With Lexie on board as the CEO, in title only, Kate was the President and had full power to make any executive decisions. Her first official decision after firing Brady was to hire her daughter-in-law, Sami Brady Roberts as her Vice President. Sami and Lucas decided to move back to Salem enabling their son and daughter to get the chance meet Salem branch of their family. Over the years, Sami had learned the ropes of being an executive from her husband and mother-in-law. She was a true businesswoman who, like her mother-in-law, doing whatever was necessary to get her job done. So Kate knew she'd be the perfect choice for the Vice President of Basic Black. Lucas was also up in the ranks at Titan, as one of head executives in their London office. He transferred to Salem to take over the ranks there for Philip. He was now in charge of Salem branch of Titan Industries.
As for Shawn and Belle, well they were much better off, and then they had been before. Although, both of their prior positions were demoted. For Belle, she worked under Sami, as her assistant, but for intents and purposes she was in training to one day take over Sami's position. Her new position gave her more responsibility but at the same time was learning experience that in a few years would allow her up in the ranks at Basic Black. All in all, although she had been demoted it was a more lucrative position for her. As for Shawn, since he was no longer employed by the Salem Police Department, Philip arranged for him to have a position right up his alley, a security detail at Basic Black. It was a demotion from his position as a Detective at Salem PD but he did make more money and had more flexible hours. And like Belle, he too could move up in the ranks to become head of security after a few years. All in all their punishments weren't that bad at all in comparison to Brady.
Brady was given no mercy by either Philip or Chloe, he did exactly as he was told for fear that his lies would come back to haunt him. After he left the mansion he returned to his loft to find that Mimi served him an eviction notice as well as picked up any and all materials that had anything to do with Titan or Basic Black. He was given 24 hours to vacate the premises without his car, taking only the possessions he had left in his loft. His stock options for both Basic Black and Titan were gone. The only money he had available that was that in his bank account and his inheritance from Victor. Other than that he had nothing and was expected to make due with what he had. So Brady left Salem parts unknown and everyone was none the wiser for the real reason he left.
As for Philip and Chloe, well their relationship continued to grow as Chloe shared more and more about herself allowing for a new relationship between them to develop, this relationship was one of love and affection for one another. They had talked it over and decided that because of Lily's education they would remain in New York throughout most of the year, allotting for trips Philip would have to make at his headquarters in Europe of course. And the rest of the year and any vacations would be spent at Philip's home in Crete. This was after Chloe's announcement that she didn't need to be based solely in New York for her career she could be anywhere. Ultimately deciding that they would not raise their daughter in Salem because of all the deceit and betrayal they had both experienced there. Liliana couldn't have been more excited; she really didn't care where they lived as long as they were all together as a family. So now, they were on their way to the airport to leave Salem for good when they decided to make one last stop .
Philip left Chloe and Lily in the limo as he entered the mausoleum. He had a red rose that he placed on his father's plot. "Well, Dad, I've finished what I came here to do . keep the Kiriakis legacy alive and in fear. Our plans-your plans are complete Stefano is in his rightful place at the helm of the Dimera clan making the Brady's lives miserable, yet again." He snorted with laughter. "I guess that's what's you wanted. I came back to Salem do you what you asked of me to catch the extortionist and make them pay and I have. But, the one thing I can't for you is stay here in Salem."
"I kept trying to figure out why you wanted me back here. It's because you wanted me to face my past and let it go. But, as you know you can't always let the past go sometimes you have to face it and all the demons it brings. I've faced my demons and now I'm ready to move on and that means leaving Salem. This isn't the place for me, Dad, it never has been. I needed to come here and figure that out for myself. So, now I'm leaving here with my wife and daughter both of whom love me. Thank you for giving me the chance to finally have that family I always wanted but could never have."
"Daddy," Lily called out somewhere outside the mausoleum.
"Goodbye Dad." Philip said softly as he rose and headed out of the mausoleum to find his family. He picked Lily up on the way and headed to Chloe standing the limo.
"Are you ready to go?" Chloe asked as soon as he reached the limo.
Philip looked back at the mausoleum to the smiling face of his daughter then to his wife, Chloe. "Yeah, I'm ready. More than ready, let's go." Philip said as smiled down at his wife and took her hand as together the small family of three climbed back in to the limo and headed to the airport to leave Salem once and for all. As the last of the Kiriakis dynasty, left Salem to head off for a better horizon, a better future.