Chapter Eleven
A couple of days later…
Mimi having was a cup of coffee at the isle in her kitchen when a knock alerted her that someone was at the backdoor. She went to open the door and saw that to her surprise it was Jason.
"Jason, what are you doing here?" She asked caught somewhat off guard by his presence.
"Well. You haven't been at your office lately when I've called you. And you missed our lunch date today. So I thought I would just come over and see if anything is wrong." He answered as Mimi stepped aside to allow him in the kitchen.
She raised her hands to her head in exasperation. "Oh Jason, I'm so sorry. I completely forgot about lunch today. I've just been so busy you know. Trying to keep up with Chloe and Belle."
"Chloe and Belle? Is something wrong with either them? Or their children?" He questioned as Mimi went back to her seat at the isle of the kitchen.
"No, no it's nothing like that." She sipped her coffee. "Um, have a seat. I seem to have lost my manners today. Do you want something to drink? A cup of coffee, a glass of water?"
"Oh… no coffee, the last thing I need is more caffeine in my system than I already have. But, a glass of water would be nice. So you were saying something about Belle and Chloe, what's up with them?" Jason responded as Mimi stood up and poured him a glass of water.
"Well, you mean besides the fact that they aren't speaking to one another and their husbands have gone AWOL." She said arching a brow in annoyance. "Other than that they're fine."
"Whoa, why aren't they speaking? Aren't they supposed to be best friends or something?" Jason asked to which Mimi responded by nodding.
"They are and now they won't even talk to each other. I think Belle said something to Chloe and from what I've seen it had to have been pretty bad. Belle has been on the edge lately; but that's a different issue entirely. And Chloe hasn't exactly been herself these days either though with the whole Jarod thing. And then being forced to take a leave of absence. Truth be told they are both having some serious issues that they need to deal with." Mimi answered. "That's why I forgot about lunch. I'm sorry this is like the second time I forgot about lunch in the last two weeks."
"Hey it's okay it seems like you have had your hands full dealing with other things. How are you actually handling things? It sort of seems like you've been caught between the two of them."
Mimi was a little taken back by his question, no one had asked her how she felt being caught between the two women she had come to think of as family and not only her best friends. Not even Brady had asked that. "I'm dealing with it alright. I think Brady probably has it worse than me though. I mean he's not only Belle's brother he is one of Chloe's best friends. He's caught more in the middle with me. What with going to see Chloe everyday to––," she paused. "You know what, never mind."
"No, no Mimi please continue. Look obviously you need to get this out. And we're friends you should feel comfortable telling me anything. I'm a good listener. Besides, with all the stuff I've told you about Jan and me; there's nothing you could say that would shock me." Jason told her trying to get her to open up to him.
"I can't." Mimi grimaced. "Even though, I really want to. I just don't feel comfortable talking about it. You're great friend and I shouldn't be bothering you about all that stuff anyway." Shaking her head she reached over and placed her hand over Jason's.
Jason stared down at Mimi manicured hand with her wedding ring on it. Although, he knew she was married, he felt totally sure that Mimi had some feelings for him. Or else she wouldn't be so friendly with him all of the time. Their feelings for each other were totally mutual. "Mimi, I––,"
"I know you are really a great friend to me. But, don't even worry about anything. Alright." Mimi said interrupting him as she stood and walked around to him gave a hug.
Jason stood still in shock at first. Before, he sighed and returned the hug wrapping his arms around her waist. And that was when Brady walked in.
"Momma, look what I drew today." Spencer said from Brady's arms. Mimi removed her arms from around Jason's waist and turned toward her son. "Hi Mr. Masters, what are you doing here?" Brady held his younger son closer to his body and that was a good thing. If it weren't for Spencer's presence in the room he probably would have throttled Jason.
Mimi who now held Spencer was looking at his drawing. She carried to the counter where she placed him on it. "Wow, you did this?" Spencer nodded. "What a great job. Momma is going to have to hang this beautiful picture in her office." She gave Spencer a kiss on his cheek and he smiled.
"Look, Mimi I'm gonna go ahead and go. We can go to lunch another time." Jason said feeling just a tad uncomfortable being there with Mimi, her son, and especially her irate husband. Yeah, he thought making eye contact with tall man with his arms crossed; he definitely didn't want to be in the same room with him. "I'll see you later."
Mimi looked up from Spencer to see Jason heading for the door. Lifting Spencer off the counter she carried him to the door where Jason was heading out. "Hey, I'll call you later to reschedule. Bye." She watched as he left the house and then closed the door to see her husband standing only a few feet from her.
"Spencer, why don't you go upstairs and play for a little while." Brady suggested lightly while taking the child from Mimi's arms and placing him on the floor.
"Okay Dad." Spencer took off running leaving his parents all alone.
"Now, what the hell was that about?" Brady asked Mimi angrily.
"What was what? What are you talking about Brady?" She asked clearly not understanding what had got him so upset.
"I'm talking about me walking into my house with my son and seeing my wife embracing some man." Before he could even begin to finish what he started to say Mimi interrupted him.
Putting her hands on his chest she pushed him back a little ways from her. "Whoa, hold up I am not having this conversation with you. I hugged Jason just like I would Shawn or Philip. And just like you hug Belle or Chloe nothing more. I refuse to even allow you to start this with me. I did nothing wrong. I don't want to hear it Brady." Mimi said before she walked out of the kitchen.
Brady knew that Mimi was right. But, he also knew his instincts were right about Jason. While he knew that hug meant nothing to Mimi it damn sure meant a lot to Jason. The look on his face said it all, he was in love with Mimi and he thinks that Mimi shares his feelings because of that hug. There was no way in hell he would ever trust Jason not to try something with his wife. "No way in hell."
~*~*~*~*~*~@~*~*~*~*~*~
Chloe was coming down the stairs with her purse in hand. She was going to lunch with her mother. Before she would go pick up the children from school. As she reached the bottom of the staircase the doorbell rang. Nicolette came to get it but Chloe waved her away.
"I'll get it. It's probably my mother. I'll be going out to lunch with her. If anyone calls to speak with me you can give them my cell number." Chloe told the girl as she opened the door. When she turned around and faced the doorway she was surprised to see Victor standing there. "Oh Victor I was just on my way out, what are you doing here?"
"I'm here to find out where the hell my son is!" He answered walking into the house pass Chloe. As he walked into the living room Chloe was struck with the memory of him being the controlling, domineering man he had been when she and Philip had first started seeing each other back in high school.
"Hello, to you to Victor." Chloe said as she closed the door and followed him into the living room. "Now, what is it you need Philip for? I thought he went away to attend some meetings for you."
Victor frowned as he turned around to answer her. "I would like to know where Philip is. You have talked to him haven't you?"
"Yes, of course I have. You know he calls every night to speak with the children. He hasn't missed a call in the two weeks he's been gone. I talked to him just last night as a matter of fact." She sat down on a stool by the minibar and crossed her legs. "Why? What's the big deal?"
"The big deal is that Philip isn't in the London branch like he said he was. I called them and was informed that he hasn't been there since October of last––" Chloe interrupted him.
"Are you certain? No… that can't be right. Philip specifically told me he was in London on business. Why would he lie to me about that?" Chloe stood up and thought about it, it just made no sense. "No Philip wouldn't lie to me. I don't believe it."
"Look I'll call the London Branch and you will see for yourself." He walked over to the desk phone and dialed the London head office number and then turned the phone on to speaker as it rang.
"Titan Industries, this is Elizabeth speaking how may I direct your call," a proper British voice answered.
"This is Victor Kiriakis. Would you tell me if my son is working there?"
"Oh Mr. Kiriakis, your son is not working here, sir. Should we be expecting him, sir?"
"No. That will be all Elizabeth. "
"Yes, sir. I have a good day Mr. Kiriakis." The phone was then clicked off and only a dial tone could be heard.
"I … I don't understand … why would he lie to me." Chloe pondered out loud in confusion.
"Well, I'd think that was obvious. Philip is clearly in the process of divorcing you."
All thoughts ran out of Chloe's head as she turned to face Victor. "What did you say?" She asked him because she couldn't believe that he had honestly said that. "Where would you get an idea like that?" she practically screamed.
"There is certainly no need to yell. Chloe if you think about it you'll realize I'm right. In any case why shouldn't he divorce you. It's not as if you've been completely honest with him anyway. Jarod's appearance in your lives is hardly something you could expect him deal with." Victor explained calmly to her as if it were some sort business deal.
"Victor I realize you have had problems with Jarod's appearance in my life. But it is none of your business or your concern. Besides, that Philip does not have a problem with him. He sees Jarod as his son. And he is the only person whose opinion of Jarod has any bearing to me. I am not going to discuss this with you." Chloe placed her hand on her forehead because she could feel a headache coming on.
"Of course he's accepted the boy. He's always been a bit soft concerning you. Perfectly willing to accept all your excuses. Every since that rape incident, he has been unwilling to see or understand all my concerns for him about you. But, at least now he has finally come to his senses. He finally sees that I am right."
Chloe had enough. "Look Victor I'm going to tell you this only once. Philip is not divorcing me. He wouldn't do that because he loves me. And if you resent that I'm sorry." She looked sternly toward him. "But, you had better deal with it because I don't want you saying anything to my children about this."
"Ahh, yes the children. It would be good for Philip to get them away from you. Considering that you aren't hardly a good influence for them."
"What? There is no way in hell I would let you take my children away from me. You are out of your mind if you think you could do that." Chloe yelled at him feeling her stress headache start to become a full-blown migraine. "Victor, I know that we decided to try to be a family when the twins were born. But, as of right now that is not possible. I want you to get out of my house." She pointed to the door.
"Chloe I'm only––,"
"You're only trying to get me upset by threatening my marriage. I won't have your interference ruin my marriage. I know Philip is not divorcing because he loves me. And I swear to God Victor if you ever try to take my children away from me I will fight you to the death. Now get out of my house." She walked to the door and opened it to see her mother there with her hand raised like she were going to ring the door bell.
"What on earth is going on here? Chloe I could hear you out here. Why are you so angry? Honey what's wrong?" Nancy asked walking into the house.
"Nothing Mother. Victor was just paying me a visit and now he is leaving? Aren't you Victor?"
"Yes, I'll be leaving. Let me warn you Chloe this is not over. Not by a long shot." Victor walked out of the house and to his waiting chauffeured car.
"What is Victor talking about Chloe? What's not over and what has got you so upset?" She asked as Chloe turned to her with tears in her eyes.
"He said Philip is divorcing me." Chloe didn't get a chance to say another word as Nancy hugged her. Then as she released her, Nancy gently grasp her shoulders.
"Chloe, sweetie, listen to me. You know as well as I do that Philip is not divorcing you. I've said a lot of things about him in the past but the one thing I could never say about him was that he didn't love you. Because he does and that alone tells me that he isn't divorcing you. Now, I don't know why or where Victor got his information but clearly he has been misinformed. Come on let's go inside and you can tell me what happened." Nancy said as she pushed her daughter back into the house. She was going to get down to the bottom of this, Victor Kiriakis be damned.