Half an hour after Jason and Mimi made their unique entrance, the party at
the Kiriakis mansion had returned to its previous state of enjoyment and
the music was blaring as loudly as ever. From her place in the corner of
the room, Chloe watched the crowd with a curious eye.
Near the refreshment table, Jeremy and Mimi were deeply involved in their conversation and each other. Not too far away, Jason was huddled with Philip. Chloe could only imagine what those two were discussing and how it would involve Mimi and her cowboy.
Shawn and Belle had disappeared some time ago. Though she had been unable to get the full scoop from Shawn before he whisked his girlfriend away, Chloe gathered that the charming young man had arranged for a special candlelight dinner for himself and Belle in the pool house. In a way, Chloe truly envied Shawn and Belle. Somehow, the two had discovered a love that was as innocent as it was deep.
As for her darling betrothed, Brady had received a phone call from the wedding planner he had hired and had stepped outside to discuss a few of the last minute details along with the final bill.
Chloe was almost glad that all her friends were distracted with their own lives. It gave her some much needed time to ponder the recent events of her own life.
Her engagement to Brady still seemed almost surreal - not too mention slightly frightening. The mere idea of being married sent a chill down her spine. It didn't matter that the marriage would be only name only, Chloe would still be becoming Mrs. Brady Black. It was a thought that was even more appealing than it was frightening.
~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~
Having finished listening to Jason grumble about Mimi, Jeremy, and their obvious incompatibility, Philip escaped to the safety of the front staircase with a cool cup of fruit punch.
Taking a sip of the red liquid, Philip allowed his eyes to drift shut and the world to fade away. Though he did his best to at least appear happy, Philip felt his heart tear apart each and every time he was near Brady and Chloe and saw the truly loving glances that they shared. He knew someday the pain would ease, but he wasn't sure if he could bear to wait until that day magically appeared.
"You know, Philip, you're never going to catch yourself a girl if you keep hiding from them," quietly joked Brady as he stepped inside the front door after finishing his phone call with the persistent wedding planner.
"Maybe I'm not looking for a girl at all," replied Philip while keeping his gaze lowered to the stairs.
Surprising not only Philip, but himself, Brady carefully sat down beside Philip on the stairs. Making another frail attempt at humor, Brady commented, "I'll give you this much, Uncle Phil. You are the only guy I have ever known who could actually pull off an Aladdin costume and look cool while doing it."
When he was greeted only by his uncle's silence, Brady added, "You know, the place looks great. You really did a great job throwing this party together."
"Yeah, thanks," mumbled Philip as he stared into his half empty cup of punch.
Brady released a frustrated sigh and attempted to not lose patience with Philip. Taking one last stab at pleasant conversation, Brady said, "I hear you're expected to lead Salem High to the state finals this year if you can beat Dutton at regionals. I suppose the team's working overtime prepping for that game, huh?"
Placing the punch cup on the step, Philip jumped to his feet and exclaimed, "Dammit, Brady! I don't care if you like the decorations, and I sure as hell don't want to talk about sports with you."
Following Philip's example and rising to his feet, Brady lowly growled, "Well, Philip, too bad. Because, this isn't about you - it's about Chloe. It's killing her to see you so miserable and angry with me."
His facial features softening, Philip quietly said, "I'd never purposely hurt Chloe. You know that. But, to be honest, I'm having a real hard time accepting the two of you as a couple. Do you have any idea how much it hurt to hear that you and Chloe were getting married? For God's sake, Brady, she and I had only been broken up for about two months! So, quit trying to lay the guilt trip on me. It's not like you really care how I feel." After a moment of silence, Philip quietly admitted, "I can't believe that I wanted to be just like you when we were kids. Things were so much simpler back then."
Brady placed his hands on his uncle's shoulders, forcing Philip to not be able to turn away from Brady and what he had to say. Glaring into the younger man's eyes, Brady said, "I have something to say, and you're going to listen to me. We're family, and nothing is ever going to change that - not even a girl we both fell in love with."
Breaking free of Brady's grasp, Philip took a few steps toward the living room and retorted, "That's pretty easy for you to say since you got the girl and I have nothing."
"Philip, man, you have to move on," responded Brady as he ran a hand through his temporarily dark hair and also neared the living to continue his conversation. "I understand that things look pretty bad from where you're standing, but you have to trust me when I say that it's going to get better. After I was shot, things weren't exactly great for me, but they did get better. And, things will get better for you, too. I guarantee it."
"All right, for Chloe's sake, I'll do whatever I can to get along with you, Brady. Besides, it's like you said. We're family."
Cracking a smile, Brady replied, "That we are." Looking past Philip, Brady asked with a perplexed expression, "I wonder what that's all about."
Turning, Philip found himself staring at the far corner of the living room were Chloe had been joined by one of her classmates. "Hmm, that is strange. Those two hate each other."
~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~
Offering Chloe a sugar cookie and a clear plastic cup filled with punch, Jason greeted, "Long time, no argument, Ghoul Girl."
Chloe eyed the cookie and drink suspiciously before accepting them and asking, "What do you want, Jason?"
"Gee, Chloe, don't get so defensive. I just wanted to come over and find out how you were enjoying your favorite holiday. I must admit that I was surprised to see that you and Brady didn't come as a pair of sex-crazed Vampires. Then again, you wouldn't need much of a costume for that, would you?"
"Are you trying to start a fight with me?"
Breaking off a bite of the cookie that Chloe held in her hand, Jason popped it in his mouth before commenting, "There you go getting all defensive again."
"Jason . . . what do you want?"
With a great deal of apprehension, Jason finally responded, "I wanted to say . . ."
"What? What did you want to say, Jason?"
Though he dreaded even letting the words leave his mouth, Jason finally grumbled, "Ah, screw it. I just came over to say that I was sorry for all the crap that happened when you first moved here. Okay?"
As Jason was stalking away, Chloe called out his name. When he turned to look at her, she simply said, "Me, too."
Smiling to himself, Jason turned away from Chloe and began to approach the refreshment table. He felt a huge sense of relief now that he had finally apologized to Chloe. Though he was still angered by walking in on Chloe and Brady making out while she was still Philip's girlfriend, Jason no longer wanted to battle Chloe Lane. Instead, he planned to focus all of his attention on one person. Jeremy Horton.
Just when Jason was within a few yards of the table, he accidentally bumped into another person struggling to work his way through the crowd. Jason choked back his apology when he realized just who he had bumped into.
After fully surveying the other young man's outfit, Jason glared at him and said, "Nice spurs, Horton."
"Yeah, nice boa, Masters."
Lifting the intricate part of his pimp costume up to his face and examining the purple feathers, Jason simply commented, "It is nice, isn't it?"
That said, Jason brushed past Jeremy and continued his journey to the coveted refreshment table. When he was close enough to actually smell the delicious cookies, another body blocked his path. However, this time, the person was significantly more feminine.
Taking a glance at the girl's costume, Jason realized that he was glancing at a lot more of the girl than he had expected.
Pushing herself up against Jason, Jan huskily asked, "What do you think of my costume, Jase? Don't I make the perfect Playboy bunny?"
Jason gulped and took another glance at Jan's extremely revealing costume. And, though he still despised his ex-girlfriend, he had to admit that she did look really good in the soft pink costume.
"Well, Jason. Aren't you going to say something?"
From a few feet away, Philip observed Jason and Jan for only moment before deciding to intervene. Quickly approaching the couple, Philip positioned himself at his friend's side and said, "Hey, Jase, no pets allowed. So, why don't you get your ex out of here?"
Glaring at Philip angrily, Jan scoffed, "Uh, hello!? I'm standing right here, Philip."
"And, I care, because?"
Biting back her own contemptuous reply, Jan turned away from the guys and stormed across the room, her bunny ears flopping wildly with each and every stomp.
Philip rolled his eyes as Jan made her dramatic retreat. Once she had disappeared into the crowd, Philip advised, "Jason, if you really care for Meems as much as I think you do, you'd better stay as far away from Jan as possible. Because, I have a feeling that Jan could ruin your relationship with Mimi before it even gets started."
"Yeah, I'll keep that in mind," mumbled Jason as he scanned the crowd for Mimi. As he spotted the beautiful girl clad in her fishnet stockings, a smile appeared on his face and all thoughts of the refreshment table were long forgotten.
Giving Philip a friendly pat on the back, Jason kept his gaze focused on Mimi and said, "Thanks for the advice, K-man. I'll catch you later."
"Sure, whatever, man," replied Philip as he shook his head and watched Jason approach Mimi and the girls she was speaking with. "He's got it so bad for her."
Of course, Philip wasn't the only person watching Jason and Mimi. On the opposite side of the room, Jan had positioned herself behind one of the indoor plants and stared intently at her ex-boyfriend as he obviously flirted with Mimi Lockhart.
To herself, Jan grumbled, "How could he possibly hit on that loser?" When she had dumped Jason at the Java Cafe that late August day, Jan had fully expected to have him back by her side no later than the second week of school. It was now Halloween, and Jason showed no signs of even wanting to rekindle the romance.
Her eyes narrowing into malicious slits, Jan continued to monitor Jason and Mimi. Somehow, Jason had managed to pull Mimi away from the others girls and was speaking to her in a hushed manner, a charming smile on his lips.
The more she watched the couple, the more infuriated Jan became. She could not even comprehend how or why Jason had not returned to her. At the time of the break-up, Jan had not meant to truly push Jason away. She had merely wanted to threaten him with loneliness so he would be more under her control than ever. Obviously, the plan had failed.
Running one of her fake nails over her deep red lips, Jan slyly said, "Well, my next plan won't fail. I'll make sure that little Miss Mimi keeps away from Jason. No matter what I have to do, I will keep those two apart."
"No, I don't think you will," commented a man as he gently laid his hands on Jan's shoulders.
Jerking away from the man who had so suddenly appeared behind her, Jan turned to face him. A mixture of uneasiness and scorn filled her eyes as she glared at him.
Despite the apparent coolness Jan showed the man, his eyes held a mild warmth that contrasted greatly with his stern words as he said, "I think it would be best for everyone if you stay away from Mimi and Jason. If you're really meant to be with Jason, then it'll happen. Sometimes we just have to let life lead us."
"Gee, where did you here that one, o' wise one? A fortune cookie?" Regaining her usual vicious attitude, Jan confidently continued, "Why don't you just scurry along, huh? It's not like I really care what you think. If Mimi thinks that she can actually win Jason, she is so wrong. Even if he wanted to throw his popularity away to be with a total reject like Meems, I wouldn't let him. I will keep those two apart."
Placing his hand under Jan's chin, the man gently lifted her face up so that she had no choice but to look into his eyes. In a quiet yet rigid tone, the man stated, "I'm not saying that Jason and Mimi belong together. But, I'm not saying that they don't."
"Then, what are you saying?"
"If they really do care for each other like I think they might, then no one has the right to interfere. That includes you. And, I guarantee you that I will make sure you leave them alone. Is that clear?"
Staring into the man's eyes with an odd curiosity, Jan tried to read him but found that she couldn't. She knew very little about the guy, but she had the distinct feeling that he could be even more stubborn than he was kind. And, from what she had heard from her fellow teens, that would result in quite a great deal of stubbornness.
Jan backed away from the guy, freeing her face of his soft grasp. Tossing him her usual look of indifference, Jan huffed as she walked away, "Whatever you say, Jeremy. But, when that geek Mimi chooses Jason over you, don't blame me."
~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~
Brady strategically wrapped his arms around Chloe as a few of her classmates passed. More than ever, Brady was beginning to look forward to his upcoming marriage. And, if he had his way, it would become much more than some silly arrangement - it would become a true marriage with true love.
Keeping his arms firmly placed around Chloe's body, Brady rested his head on her shoulder and lowly questioned, "How are things going with Nancy?"
Though he couldn't clearly see Chloe's face, Brady knew the sad expression that was surely there as his fiancée answered, "Not good. In fact, I think that things are worse than they have ever been."
"How so?"
"For starters, we're fighting more than we ever have. It seems like we can't agree on anything. And, if Craig actually sides with me, Nancy completely loses her cool and becomes angry with both of us."
Brady pulled Chloe just a little closer and asked, "What else is going on to stress you out so much?"
"I want to know who my father is. I have a right to know where I came from, Brady. But, Nancy either yells at me or just leaves the room any time I try to bring it up."
A bright smile appearing on his face, Brady relinquished his hold on Chloe and moved to be standing in front of her. Pulling Chloe's petite hands into his own, Brady said, "In that case, I must be your knight in shining armor, because, I have a feeling that I can solve your problems."
"Oh, really?" Chloe questioned with evident skepticism.
"Yes, really. You see, once we tie the knot, you'll be able to finally get out of that house and away from Nancy. That'll definitely cut down on the number of arguments. As for that other problem, I may have that solved, too."
Chloe tried to keep from becoming too hopeful, but when Brady was there to help her deal with her problems, it was quite hard to not be hopeful. Her voice feathery soft, Chloe asked, "Brady, what exactly are you saying?"
"I'm saying that a few weeks ago, I hired a private investigator to help you find your father. Now, he hasn't really turned anything up yet, but maybe he will."
Instinctively throwing her arms around Brady's neck, Chloe forced back the mist that suddenly appeared in her eyes and whispered, "Thank you, Brady. Thank you so much."
As Chloe took a step back from him, Brady quietly said, "Chloe, you know that I would do anything for you. So, if finding your father will make you happy, that's what I want to do."
It seemed to Chloe that the moment was almost frozen in time. Her eyes locked with Brady's, and she knew that she would give her very soul just to spend eternity looking into those glorious blue eyes.
Yet again, Chloe had found herself in a situation that left her wondering just where she stood with the mysterious Brady Black. Just when she thought she understood her relationship with him, he would say or do something that would cause her to lose her footing and fall for him all over again.
Chloe's voice erupted in a low whisper as she asked, "Why is it that we always end up talking about me? How about we forget about my problems for at least one night and focus on you, Brady Black?"
"Me? Nah, I'm sure you're far more interesting than me, Chloe."
"You're doing it again," observed Chloe as she kept a watchful eye on Brady's every move.
"I'm doing what again?"
"What you always do. You're avoiding talking about yourself. Brady, you've been back in Salem for quite awhile, but I've hardly ever heard you even mention all the years you were away in boarding schools and at college."
Clearing his throat, Brady offered Chloe what he hoped appeared to be a carefree smile and replied, "Well, there's not really much to say unless you want me to start telling you about the various uptight teachers I've had over the years." When Chloe merely stared at him with that same determined look in her eyes, Brady continued, "Seriously, Chloe, I don't know what you want me to say, so let's just change the subject, okay?"
"Okay," replied Chloe. She'd let him off the hook - for now.
Near the refreshment table, Jeremy and Mimi were deeply involved in their conversation and each other. Not too far away, Jason was huddled with Philip. Chloe could only imagine what those two were discussing and how it would involve Mimi and her cowboy.
Shawn and Belle had disappeared some time ago. Though she had been unable to get the full scoop from Shawn before he whisked his girlfriend away, Chloe gathered that the charming young man had arranged for a special candlelight dinner for himself and Belle in the pool house. In a way, Chloe truly envied Shawn and Belle. Somehow, the two had discovered a love that was as innocent as it was deep.
As for her darling betrothed, Brady had received a phone call from the wedding planner he had hired and had stepped outside to discuss a few of the last minute details along with the final bill.
Chloe was almost glad that all her friends were distracted with their own lives. It gave her some much needed time to ponder the recent events of her own life.
Her engagement to Brady still seemed almost surreal - not too mention slightly frightening. The mere idea of being married sent a chill down her spine. It didn't matter that the marriage would be only name only, Chloe would still be becoming Mrs. Brady Black. It was a thought that was even more appealing than it was frightening.
~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~
Having finished listening to Jason grumble about Mimi, Jeremy, and their obvious incompatibility, Philip escaped to the safety of the front staircase with a cool cup of fruit punch.
Taking a sip of the red liquid, Philip allowed his eyes to drift shut and the world to fade away. Though he did his best to at least appear happy, Philip felt his heart tear apart each and every time he was near Brady and Chloe and saw the truly loving glances that they shared. He knew someday the pain would ease, but he wasn't sure if he could bear to wait until that day magically appeared.
"You know, Philip, you're never going to catch yourself a girl if you keep hiding from them," quietly joked Brady as he stepped inside the front door after finishing his phone call with the persistent wedding planner.
"Maybe I'm not looking for a girl at all," replied Philip while keeping his gaze lowered to the stairs.
Surprising not only Philip, but himself, Brady carefully sat down beside Philip on the stairs. Making another frail attempt at humor, Brady commented, "I'll give you this much, Uncle Phil. You are the only guy I have ever known who could actually pull off an Aladdin costume and look cool while doing it."
When he was greeted only by his uncle's silence, Brady added, "You know, the place looks great. You really did a great job throwing this party together."
"Yeah, thanks," mumbled Philip as he stared into his half empty cup of punch.
Brady released a frustrated sigh and attempted to not lose patience with Philip. Taking one last stab at pleasant conversation, Brady said, "I hear you're expected to lead Salem High to the state finals this year if you can beat Dutton at regionals. I suppose the team's working overtime prepping for that game, huh?"
Placing the punch cup on the step, Philip jumped to his feet and exclaimed, "Dammit, Brady! I don't care if you like the decorations, and I sure as hell don't want to talk about sports with you."
Following Philip's example and rising to his feet, Brady lowly growled, "Well, Philip, too bad. Because, this isn't about you - it's about Chloe. It's killing her to see you so miserable and angry with me."
His facial features softening, Philip quietly said, "I'd never purposely hurt Chloe. You know that. But, to be honest, I'm having a real hard time accepting the two of you as a couple. Do you have any idea how much it hurt to hear that you and Chloe were getting married? For God's sake, Brady, she and I had only been broken up for about two months! So, quit trying to lay the guilt trip on me. It's not like you really care how I feel." After a moment of silence, Philip quietly admitted, "I can't believe that I wanted to be just like you when we were kids. Things were so much simpler back then."
Brady placed his hands on his uncle's shoulders, forcing Philip to not be able to turn away from Brady and what he had to say. Glaring into the younger man's eyes, Brady said, "I have something to say, and you're going to listen to me. We're family, and nothing is ever going to change that - not even a girl we both fell in love with."
Breaking free of Brady's grasp, Philip took a few steps toward the living room and retorted, "That's pretty easy for you to say since you got the girl and I have nothing."
"Philip, man, you have to move on," responded Brady as he ran a hand through his temporarily dark hair and also neared the living to continue his conversation. "I understand that things look pretty bad from where you're standing, but you have to trust me when I say that it's going to get better. After I was shot, things weren't exactly great for me, but they did get better. And, things will get better for you, too. I guarantee it."
"All right, for Chloe's sake, I'll do whatever I can to get along with you, Brady. Besides, it's like you said. We're family."
Cracking a smile, Brady replied, "That we are." Looking past Philip, Brady asked with a perplexed expression, "I wonder what that's all about."
Turning, Philip found himself staring at the far corner of the living room were Chloe had been joined by one of her classmates. "Hmm, that is strange. Those two hate each other."
~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~
Offering Chloe a sugar cookie and a clear plastic cup filled with punch, Jason greeted, "Long time, no argument, Ghoul Girl."
Chloe eyed the cookie and drink suspiciously before accepting them and asking, "What do you want, Jason?"
"Gee, Chloe, don't get so defensive. I just wanted to come over and find out how you were enjoying your favorite holiday. I must admit that I was surprised to see that you and Brady didn't come as a pair of sex-crazed Vampires. Then again, you wouldn't need much of a costume for that, would you?"
"Are you trying to start a fight with me?"
Breaking off a bite of the cookie that Chloe held in her hand, Jason popped it in his mouth before commenting, "There you go getting all defensive again."
"Jason . . . what do you want?"
With a great deal of apprehension, Jason finally responded, "I wanted to say . . ."
"What? What did you want to say, Jason?"
Though he dreaded even letting the words leave his mouth, Jason finally grumbled, "Ah, screw it. I just came over to say that I was sorry for all the crap that happened when you first moved here. Okay?"
As Jason was stalking away, Chloe called out his name. When he turned to look at her, she simply said, "Me, too."
Smiling to himself, Jason turned away from Chloe and began to approach the refreshment table. He felt a huge sense of relief now that he had finally apologized to Chloe. Though he was still angered by walking in on Chloe and Brady making out while she was still Philip's girlfriend, Jason no longer wanted to battle Chloe Lane. Instead, he planned to focus all of his attention on one person. Jeremy Horton.
Just when Jason was within a few yards of the table, he accidentally bumped into another person struggling to work his way through the crowd. Jason choked back his apology when he realized just who he had bumped into.
After fully surveying the other young man's outfit, Jason glared at him and said, "Nice spurs, Horton."
"Yeah, nice boa, Masters."
Lifting the intricate part of his pimp costume up to his face and examining the purple feathers, Jason simply commented, "It is nice, isn't it?"
That said, Jason brushed past Jeremy and continued his journey to the coveted refreshment table. When he was close enough to actually smell the delicious cookies, another body blocked his path. However, this time, the person was significantly more feminine.
Taking a glance at the girl's costume, Jason realized that he was glancing at a lot more of the girl than he had expected.
Pushing herself up against Jason, Jan huskily asked, "What do you think of my costume, Jase? Don't I make the perfect Playboy bunny?"
Jason gulped and took another glance at Jan's extremely revealing costume. And, though he still despised his ex-girlfriend, he had to admit that she did look really good in the soft pink costume.
"Well, Jason. Aren't you going to say something?"
From a few feet away, Philip observed Jason and Jan for only moment before deciding to intervene. Quickly approaching the couple, Philip positioned himself at his friend's side and said, "Hey, Jase, no pets allowed. So, why don't you get your ex out of here?"
Glaring at Philip angrily, Jan scoffed, "Uh, hello!? I'm standing right here, Philip."
"And, I care, because?"
Biting back her own contemptuous reply, Jan turned away from the guys and stormed across the room, her bunny ears flopping wildly with each and every stomp.
Philip rolled his eyes as Jan made her dramatic retreat. Once she had disappeared into the crowd, Philip advised, "Jason, if you really care for Meems as much as I think you do, you'd better stay as far away from Jan as possible. Because, I have a feeling that Jan could ruin your relationship with Mimi before it even gets started."
"Yeah, I'll keep that in mind," mumbled Jason as he scanned the crowd for Mimi. As he spotted the beautiful girl clad in her fishnet stockings, a smile appeared on his face and all thoughts of the refreshment table were long forgotten.
Giving Philip a friendly pat on the back, Jason kept his gaze focused on Mimi and said, "Thanks for the advice, K-man. I'll catch you later."
"Sure, whatever, man," replied Philip as he shook his head and watched Jason approach Mimi and the girls she was speaking with. "He's got it so bad for her."
Of course, Philip wasn't the only person watching Jason and Mimi. On the opposite side of the room, Jan had positioned herself behind one of the indoor plants and stared intently at her ex-boyfriend as he obviously flirted with Mimi Lockhart.
To herself, Jan grumbled, "How could he possibly hit on that loser?" When she had dumped Jason at the Java Cafe that late August day, Jan had fully expected to have him back by her side no later than the second week of school. It was now Halloween, and Jason showed no signs of even wanting to rekindle the romance.
Her eyes narrowing into malicious slits, Jan continued to monitor Jason and Mimi. Somehow, Jason had managed to pull Mimi away from the others girls and was speaking to her in a hushed manner, a charming smile on his lips.
The more she watched the couple, the more infuriated Jan became. She could not even comprehend how or why Jason had not returned to her. At the time of the break-up, Jan had not meant to truly push Jason away. She had merely wanted to threaten him with loneliness so he would be more under her control than ever. Obviously, the plan had failed.
Running one of her fake nails over her deep red lips, Jan slyly said, "Well, my next plan won't fail. I'll make sure that little Miss Mimi keeps away from Jason. No matter what I have to do, I will keep those two apart."
"No, I don't think you will," commented a man as he gently laid his hands on Jan's shoulders.
Jerking away from the man who had so suddenly appeared behind her, Jan turned to face him. A mixture of uneasiness and scorn filled her eyes as she glared at him.
Despite the apparent coolness Jan showed the man, his eyes held a mild warmth that contrasted greatly with his stern words as he said, "I think it would be best for everyone if you stay away from Mimi and Jason. If you're really meant to be with Jason, then it'll happen. Sometimes we just have to let life lead us."
"Gee, where did you here that one, o' wise one? A fortune cookie?" Regaining her usual vicious attitude, Jan confidently continued, "Why don't you just scurry along, huh? It's not like I really care what you think. If Mimi thinks that she can actually win Jason, she is so wrong. Even if he wanted to throw his popularity away to be with a total reject like Meems, I wouldn't let him. I will keep those two apart."
Placing his hand under Jan's chin, the man gently lifted her face up so that she had no choice but to look into his eyes. In a quiet yet rigid tone, the man stated, "I'm not saying that Jason and Mimi belong together. But, I'm not saying that they don't."
"Then, what are you saying?"
"If they really do care for each other like I think they might, then no one has the right to interfere. That includes you. And, I guarantee you that I will make sure you leave them alone. Is that clear?"
Staring into the man's eyes with an odd curiosity, Jan tried to read him but found that she couldn't. She knew very little about the guy, but she had the distinct feeling that he could be even more stubborn than he was kind. And, from what she had heard from her fellow teens, that would result in quite a great deal of stubbornness.
Jan backed away from the guy, freeing her face of his soft grasp. Tossing him her usual look of indifference, Jan huffed as she walked away, "Whatever you say, Jeremy. But, when that geek Mimi chooses Jason over you, don't blame me."
~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~
Brady strategically wrapped his arms around Chloe as a few of her classmates passed. More than ever, Brady was beginning to look forward to his upcoming marriage. And, if he had his way, it would become much more than some silly arrangement - it would become a true marriage with true love.
Keeping his arms firmly placed around Chloe's body, Brady rested his head on her shoulder and lowly questioned, "How are things going with Nancy?"
Though he couldn't clearly see Chloe's face, Brady knew the sad expression that was surely there as his fiancée answered, "Not good. In fact, I think that things are worse than they have ever been."
"How so?"
"For starters, we're fighting more than we ever have. It seems like we can't agree on anything. And, if Craig actually sides with me, Nancy completely loses her cool and becomes angry with both of us."
Brady pulled Chloe just a little closer and asked, "What else is going on to stress you out so much?"
"I want to know who my father is. I have a right to know where I came from, Brady. But, Nancy either yells at me or just leaves the room any time I try to bring it up."
A bright smile appearing on his face, Brady relinquished his hold on Chloe and moved to be standing in front of her. Pulling Chloe's petite hands into his own, Brady said, "In that case, I must be your knight in shining armor, because, I have a feeling that I can solve your problems."
"Oh, really?" Chloe questioned with evident skepticism.
"Yes, really. You see, once we tie the knot, you'll be able to finally get out of that house and away from Nancy. That'll definitely cut down on the number of arguments. As for that other problem, I may have that solved, too."
Chloe tried to keep from becoming too hopeful, but when Brady was there to help her deal with her problems, it was quite hard to not be hopeful. Her voice feathery soft, Chloe asked, "Brady, what exactly are you saying?"
"I'm saying that a few weeks ago, I hired a private investigator to help you find your father. Now, he hasn't really turned anything up yet, but maybe he will."
Instinctively throwing her arms around Brady's neck, Chloe forced back the mist that suddenly appeared in her eyes and whispered, "Thank you, Brady. Thank you so much."
As Chloe took a step back from him, Brady quietly said, "Chloe, you know that I would do anything for you. So, if finding your father will make you happy, that's what I want to do."
It seemed to Chloe that the moment was almost frozen in time. Her eyes locked with Brady's, and she knew that she would give her very soul just to spend eternity looking into those glorious blue eyes.
Yet again, Chloe had found herself in a situation that left her wondering just where she stood with the mysterious Brady Black. Just when she thought she understood her relationship with him, he would say or do something that would cause her to lose her footing and fall for him all over again.
Chloe's voice erupted in a low whisper as she asked, "Why is it that we always end up talking about me? How about we forget about my problems for at least one night and focus on you, Brady Black?"
"Me? Nah, I'm sure you're far more interesting than me, Chloe."
"You're doing it again," observed Chloe as she kept a watchful eye on Brady's every move.
"I'm doing what again?"
"What you always do. You're avoiding talking about yourself. Brady, you've been back in Salem for quite awhile, but I've hardly ever heard you even mention all the years you were away in boarding schools and at college."
Clearing his throat, Brady offered Chloe what he hoped appeared to be a carefree smile and replied, "Well, there's not really much to say unless you want me to start telling you about the various uptight teachers I've had over the years." When Chloe merely stared at him with that same determined look in her eyes, Brady continued, "Seriously, Chloe, I don't know what you want me to say, so let's just change the subject, okay?"
"Okay," replied Chloe. She'd let him off the hook - for now.