Chapter 3

Salem USA

Nina sat in a booth at drinking a cup of coffee and looking at all the information she'd managed to gather on John Black.

So this was her father? He was'nt what she imagined. He seemed successful and he had a family. A wife named Marelna. Was this Marlena woman her mother? And why had they throughen her away? How had she become Stefano's? They had a daughter. Belle. She had a sister?

Sighing she rubbed her head. This was just too much to handle all at once. She was so angry at everyone. Stefano had lied to her her entire life, her real family had abandoned her without a second thought or so it appeared, why hadnt they wanted her?

She put the picture of John in her pocket, and put down a five dollar bill and made her way out. She was going to go find Basic Black. She wanted to see him for herself.

But first things first, she needed to rent a car, and purchase a camera.

John Black stood outside Basic Black holding his granddaughter Claire and catching up with his daughter.

"Isabella, I really would like it if you and Claire came and stayed with your Mother and me. You could have your old room back and everything..."

"No Dad. But thank you. I don't want to intrude on Mom and you. After everything you two have been through, it just wouldnt be right."

"Izie, I don't like the idea of Claire and you all alone in the loft, and with another baby on the way, I'd just feel awhole lot better knowing you werent alone."

Sighing Belle shook her head. "No Dad, we'll be fine. And Shawn is just down the hallway if I need anything so please don't worry."

"Can't help it sweet heart." John pulled her in for a hug. "You just take care of yourself okay?"

"Of course. But I really need to get going, I have a Doctor's appiontment. Love you."

"Love you too Isabella." He said as he handed Clarie back to her mother and watched the two of them walk away.

Something wasnt right. He could feel it. The whole time he was with Belle he had felt as if someone was watching him. He scanned the area, but came up with nothing.

All the way home he just couldnt shake the uneasy feeling he had gotten, something just wasnt right.

Nina drove back to the hotel, cursing at herself. Why had'nt she approached him? She'd had the oppotunity outside of Basic Black while he was talking with Belle. She couldn't help but be jealous. All her life she envyed all the girls at school whose fathers were so loving and involved while hers was never around. No wonder Stefano had never really cared about the little things, like birthday parties, hoildays. He was always on some business trip. The whole time she wasnt even his. Why had he kept her? It was obvious he wasnt the fatherly type. It must have something to do with this "plan" he spoke of.

Sighning she decided to stop at The Brady Pub for dinner. It looked like a nice little diner, somewhere quite where she could go unnoticed. She parked her car and walked towards the dinner, she was so lost in her thoughts she didnt even notice the car coming straight at her, tell the driver blared the horns.

Phillip couldn't believe it. Who is this crazy girl who just stepped out onto the street causing him to run into a garabage bin? He climbed out of his car and appraoched the wide-eyed girl, who just starred at him trembling.

"What the hell where you thinking!" He grabbed her by the shoulders and gave her a good shake. "You could have killed yourself:"

The girl said nothing, and claming down Phillip realized he was scaring her, so he released her, and she immediatly stumbled away from him.

"Well arent you going to say anything? Are you hurt?"

Finally the girl took a deep breath and spoke. "N-No I'm fine. Just a little shooken up, no thanks to you! Who do you think you are almost running me down and then shaking the life out of me!"

"What! ME almost running YOU down! Your the one who jumped in front of MY car lady." He couldn't believe it, this girl really was a nut ball.

"I DID NOT!"

"Yeah you did, but I have more important things to do then argue with a mental woman!" And with that he turned and headed back to his car.

"ME MAD! YOUR THE MENTAL ONE!" She screamed to his back.

"Look honey, take my advice, and watch where your going."

And with that Phillip climbed back into his car, and took off.