Author's Note: Thanks for all the wonderful feedback from the Prologue and Chapter 1. Next week look for chapter 40 of SOTH. Till then here's the next chapter of Sweet Revenge enjoy.
Chapter Two
Philip and Rex had left for Salem the previous day. So Chloe decided to spent her time getting the estate ready for her children's return home. Although, the key house staff returned to the estate from their vacations and did the majority work around the estate. During the morning, she dealt with business, going over her schedule of personal appearances and responding to any invitations, her business manager, Amanda had left her to go over. Later that afternoon she and Mimi had lunch together. She spent the remainder of her day in her home just enjoying her solitude all the while but still missing her husband and children. Things just weren't the same when her whole family wasn't present.
Later that night she was so bored she was taking in the rich shades of blue and green, liberally augmented in the furnishing, and considering whether she should redecorate. She, Lily and Philip had all taken great lengths to decorate the house according to their moods before they had moved into the newly built house years before. Of all the rooms in the house, the living room was the one area of the house that she felt most at peace in. So it was the ideal place as any for the conversation she was having with Mimi.
"Rex was unusually closed mouth when I asked about what was going on at Titan. Did Philip tell you anything?" Mimi asked knowing of course that Philip had already spoken to his wife.
"No, not yet. I was under the impression that they, themselves, hadn't quite figured it out yet. But, once they know what happened I'm sure Philip will tell me. Have your sources been able to tell you anything?"
"No, Belle said that Shawn has been completely silent about whatever caused Philip and Rex to return to Salem. I haven't got a chance to speak with Sami yet, but I imagine the response would be pretty much the same. Now, either I'm imagining things or it would seem our husbands are doing a bit of fancy footwork to ensure that we have no way idea what's going on down there. And I don't like that one bit."
"Neither do I Meems. But short of hopping on plane to go to Salem, which is completely out of the question, I don't see what else we can do besides wait. There's only reason I could think of that Philip will keep me in the dark and that's if it concerns— Brady."
"No, Brady has nothing to do with this." Mimi protested. "I'm sure of it. Look, I realize that there is some bad blood between you and Brady but isn't it time you realize that every time something goes wrong with Titan or Phoenix, he's not at fault. He's out of your life and shouldn't be prime suspect number one every single time something goes wrong."
"Oh, I beg to differ Meems. The last time this happened we were caught off guard because we believed that Brady could never steal from his grandfather. And we were wrong. As far as I'm concerned he will always be a prime suspect, I will not be caught off guard again." Chloe knew that talking about Brady in any circumstance was a rather sore spot for Mimi. Although, Chloe wasn't sure why. So naturally they avoided the topic entirely of her dear nephew. "Look, Mimi I'm sorry. But, you know how I feel … about Brady."
"I know, I just … you know what, it doesn't matter. I need to get Xander ready for bed." Mimi said.
"Of course, kiss my godson goodnight for me."
"I will."
"Hey Mimi, since Lily and Nicky are coming home tomorrow why don't you and Xander come over for a late lunch?"
"That sounds like a plan, so I'll see you tomorrow. G'night Chloe."
"Night, Meems." Chloe hung up the phone on her end and then rose to headed to her room.
The next morning the Kiriakis household was a buzz with arrival of the children, Liliana Jade and Tristian Nikos. Chloe had gotten up early dressed in comfortable casual clothing for day as she fully expected Lily to drag her out the house once she got home to go shopping or to lunch either way, she was prepared. She was glancing over the newspaper when the security panel alerted her that someone was on the property only this time there was no buzz for her unlock the gate or doors. That could only mean one thing; Lily and Nicky had arrived home.
She stood up from the island in her grand five-star kitchen just as the front door sung open. "Mom, we're home." Lily called out from somewhere near the front door. The door closed and she could hear the footsteps of both her teenage daughter running upstairs and Nicky running down the hallway.
"Mama, where are you?" Nicky asked as he ran from room to room looking for his mother.
"I'm right here, sweetie." Chloe said as she leaned down and picked up her beautiful blonde, five-year-old son as he barreled into the kitchen and into her arms. "Oh baby, you've grown since Mama's last seen you." She said as she perched him on her hip as she kissed his baby soft cheek. "I missed you so much, did you miss me?"
"Yeah Mama, I missed you lots." Nicky wrapped his arms around Chloe's neck as he hugged her back. Nicky was a carbon copy of his father with dirty blonde hair, beautiful baby blue eyes, and dimples to kill for.
A few minutes later Nancy entered the kitchen placing her purse on the table. She hadn't changed much over the last few years just got a few more gray streaks in her fiery red hair that was still as vibrant as ever. She moved across the kitchen to kiss her daughter's cheek before retreating to sit at the breakfast bar. "How are you doing Chloe?"
"I'm fine Mother, especially now that my little man is home." Chloe leaned down and planted another kiss on Nicky's cheeks. "Did you have a good time with Grandma and Grandpa?"
"Yeah, Mama. I got to do lots of fun things with Grammie and 'Randpa. 'Randpa even took me to the zoo."
"What else did you do and I hope you told Grandpa thank you."
"I did, Mama." Nicky paused as he tried to think of what other fun things he got to do while he stayed at his grandparents home. "Oh, I got to a baseball game with 'Ieran's daddy and Grandpa. And 'Ieran took me and Lily to the park to play with his dog."
"'Ieran?" Chloe asked blankly looking at her mother for an explanation.
"Kieran, you know honey, Lily's little friend. I have to say Chloe I was very surprised when Kieran came by the house, he's such nice young man and smart as a whip too. I was a little concerned at first letting Lily go out with him – considering who his parents are – but he just won me over. I can't believe you didn't tell me Lily dating already." Nancy said then noticed Chloe incredulous gaze. "Wait a minute she is allowed to date, isn't she? I mean she distinctly told me that you and Philip had decided after meeting Kieran that since he was …" her voice trailed off as she realized that Lily had lied. "Why that little minx of granddaughter. You really have no idea what I'm talking about do you?" Chloe shook her head. "And I bet you don't even know who Kieran is?" Again Chloe shook her head, Nancy sighed.
"But, 'Ieran's Lily's boyfriend." Nicky added confused as to what his mother and grandmother were talking about. "Hi Auntie MeMe." He said as he wiggled for Chloe to put him down.
"Hi Sweetie, Lily has a boyfriend?" Mimi asked as she came back into the kitchen from checking on Xander.
"Mimi, how are you doing, darling?" Nancy asked as Mimi kissed the redhead on her cheek.
"I'm doing fine Nancy and you?"
"Just great."
"Sweetie, why don't you go play with Xander in the playroom for a little while so I can talk with your Grandmother about something." Chloe suggested tacitly trying to get her son out of the kitchen so she could openly interrogate her mother about Lily's alleged boyfriend.
"Okay, Mama." And with that Nicky Kiriakis was off like a light. As he left though he realized that Lily was in trouble because his Mama had used her serious, 'I mean business,' voice.
"So Lily has a boyfriend. Chloe you didn't tell me that yesterday." Mimi said grabbing a cup and pouring herself some coffee.
"That's because I didn't know."
"I don't really know that he's her boyfriend. She introduced him as just a friend. Tristian was just a bit confused. But, honestly, Chloe don't you think you'd rather hear about him from Lily." Nancy suggested not at all wanting to get involved in the little drama a granddaughter had created.
"No Mom, I'd like to hear about him from since you've actually met him."
"Yes, Nancy please enlighten us as to what little angel or devil has caught Lily's eye" Mimi chimed in.
"Well, his full name is Kieran Zephyr O'Neal. Apparently his mother was into Greek mythology when she was pregnant with him. He's—," Lily came into the kitchen interrupting her grandmother.
"Grandma!" She protested. At fourteen years old Lily had grown into a beautiful young woman. Her wavy, long brown hair with natural highlights that shown blonde in the sunlight now fell almost to her waist, her vibrant brown eyes were startling with mild condemnation. It was then that Mimi noticed how much Lily looked like Chloe. Over the years she had grown to resemble her mother both in face and body being as well developed as any teenage girl's body could to be. She had her father's temper and his dimples, which in the opinion of both her parents as her entered her preteen years, was a deadly combination. She could be angry with you one moment and yet charm you with her dimpled smile the next. "Hi Mom, Aunt Meems." Lily calmly stated after kissing both her mother and aunt on the cheek.
"Don't you hi Mom, me. Liliana Jade Kiriakis – since when do you have a boyfriend?" Chloe asked not at all allowing Lily to railroad them out of the topic of her love life. Love life? Since when did a fourteen year old have anything remotely resembling a love life? That renewed Chloe's ire.
Taking a breath she replied, "Well, Kieran isn't exactly my boyfriend … not yet anyway." She finished the last statement under her breath but her mother heard her anyway if the narrowing of her eyes was anything to go by.
"Would you look at the time Chloe, I have to be going Craig is expecting me back soon. Lily, be good." Nancy said and then left the kitchen before either her granddaughter or daughter could protest.
"Funny, your grandmother seemed to think he was and so did your brother."
"Nicky's only five he doesn't know anything about Kieran and I being friends. And I introduced Kieran as a friend to Grandma and Grandpa because otherwise I wouldn't have got to go out with him. And in any case mother he is just a friend." Lily added honestly as she blushed.
Chloe and Mimi shared a slight smile. "I have the sense that you would like to be more than friends with this boy. Is that true, Liliana?"
"Of course I want to be more than just friends with him. But, unfortunately I made the mistake of telling him about Daddy's rule and now he thinks we should just be friends." She huffed, flipping her hair behind her shoulder in disgust. "He's got this hang up about following your parents' wishes." She rolled her eyes in clear disgust.
"Imagine that, I think I'm liking this boy already.
"Mother," she sighed.
Chloe asked, "Why did you introduce him to your grandparents and brother before introducing him to me or your father?"
"How about we talk about this at lunch at Kaquistados. I'll go get the guys ready and we'll meet you in the garage. And when we get to the restaurant I'll tell you everything you want to know about Kieran. I promise." Lily turned and left the kitchen before Mimi or Chloe could get a word out edgewise.
"Umm, that only took her twenty minutes," Mimi declared glancing at her watch. "And lunch her favorite restaurant no less. I'm impressed."
"I told you she would want to go out as soon as she got home. See, I know my daughter that's why I set up a reservation at the restaurant earlier."
"VIP suite?"
"Of course, there are perks to being one of the owners to a five star restaurant. We better get going before Lily sets her sights on driving the car herself again."
"Oh that's true so what do you think her angle is? Do you think she's trying to sweeten you up?"
"I don't know I'll reserve my opinion until after I hear about Kieran." Chloe and Mimi made headway to the garage stopping in the private office just to give Amanda instructions for any calls from Philip or important business calls that couldn't wait to call her cell phone. But for anything else take a message and she'll get back to it later. With her business needs settled she and Mimi went into the garage where Lily and the boys were waiting for them.
It wasn't until they had finished off their lunch and sent off the kiddies that Lily finally talked.
"So how did you meet Kieran?"
"His mother runs the dance camp and during the summer he splits his time between attending his mother's dance classes and helping his father out at the studio."
"What exactly do his parents do for a living Lily? You never said." Mimi asked attempting to gain more information so that she could check out Kieran O'Neal and his family.
"Oh I forgot that's the best part. His mother is Tracy O'Neal, you remember her right mom?"
"Of course, she was a wonderful jazz dancer, one of the best in the business when I was just starting out. She was very popular on Broadway, I believe. She had what people would call the triple threat of talent; she could sing, dance, and had a wonderful stage presence and personality. But she retired from the business a while ago."
"Yeah, now she owns the dance studio where I'm taking my dance class at. Mom when you meet her, you'll love her; Grandma loved her when she met her. His father's name is Zion Zephyr O'Neal and he owns an art studio in the village."
"A professional dancer and an artist, that's quite a family. What's his specialty?"
"He's a dancer of course, he's trained in jazz and ballet since he was like three years old. Now he's taking ballroom, that's where we met he's my dance partner. Oh, yeah and before you ask he's fifteen. So you can't say he's too old for me or anything."
"Okay Lily you've spent the past half hour telling me about his every virtue including that he is the oldest child in his family with a younger brother and sister. He's on the honor roll, etc, etc. So tell me what exactly do you want from me sweetie?"
Biting on her lower lip for a moment. "I want you to help me convince Daddy to let me officially date Kieran. If you can convince Daddy to let me date earlier than the agreed upon time than Kieran won't have any excuse not to date me."
Chloe had known this was coming. "Lily are you even sure that Kieran wants to be more than friends. Did you ever consider that maybe he told you that because he just wants to be friends."
"Mom, please I think I know when a guy likes me. Kieran maybe shy but I can definitely tell that he likes me. So will you help me?"
"Honestly, Lily I don't know what I could do you are the one who made the deal with your father not to date until you were sixteen."
"Mom, I was seven years old at the time and obviously not interested in boys yet. Frankly, I think it was very underhanded of Daddy to make that deal with me than and honestly expect me to stick with it. It's not fair." Lily crossed her arms over her chest.
"She does have a point Chloe, it was a underhanded. I think you should help her." Mimi added sided with Lily. Her reward was a brillant dimpled smile that reminds Mimi of Philip. Alexander "Xander" Dimera wondered over to his mother and climbed onto her lap. As cute as the child was he didn't resemble Mimi at all. In fact, it could be said that he more closed resembled his father with straight black hair and his mother's green eyes. He was quite tall for his age almost the same height as Nicky with the child likeness of a cherub.
"I'll make a deal with you Lily. Let me meet Kieran for myself and if I decide he is worthy of you than I will do what I can with your father." Chloe resolved
"Oh thanks Mom." Lily rose from her seat and hugged her mother. "I'm finally going to get to go on my first date with Kieran."
"Not just yet I haven't met him yet and you don't know that I'll like him."
"You'll like him, I'm positive of it." Lily moved back from her mother and stood as she watched her mother and Mimi grab their purses. Mimi held Xander in her arms as they walked out of the VIP room and headed for the private back entrance. It was thought that by going through the private back entrance they could save themselves the aggravation of having cameras flashing in the face of their children. Chloe pulled her jacket, flipping out any hair that got caught under the jacket. "Besides, Mom if you like him I just know Daddy will have to agree with you." Lily added as she walked alongside her mother who was holding Nicky's hand as the walked along the street.
Unbeknownst to them across the street hidden amongst the veiled windows of a black SUV a person took photos of Kiriakis and Dimera wives and children.
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