The Toast, The Move, The Game

People were gathering around the tables in the great hall waiting for the host of the party arrive. They didn't realize they were merely pawns moving on a not so imaginary chess board. Perhaps Hope and Bo had some inkling of what was about to happen and they were trying to come up with original moves while others settled for the parts written for them. Sami found herself avoiding her mother and John waiting for what ever EJ had planned. Then there was a collective stir. The host of the party had arrived.

"Welcome, welcome", Stefano greeted his guests. Tony and Benji were right behind him searching for something in the crowd. A silent and discreet signal was made for the waiters to serve glasses to all those who did not yet have one.

"A toast is in order. It's time for you all to know why you've arrived here tonight", Stefano started not noticing that someone crucial to his plans was missing.

EJ pulled Sophia aside and hid her in the shadows from her husbands eyes.

"Tell me, tell me everything", he demanded.

"EJ I don't know what you are talking about", she protested reaching fo the light.

"I know Benji is behind this. Somehow he sent me that package and somehow he talked my father into throwing this surprise party. I need to know why."

"EJ as I said, I don't know", she could be as stubborn as she was sweet and EJ knew why his brother had married this woman. If only EJ had been as lucky.

"This is not the time to be loyal to your partner. Benjis plans are going to hurt several people if I don't stop this. I don't mind him assaulting me but I do mind him tangling other innocent people into his webs", EJ almost sounded convincing to Sophia. She bit her lip trying to decide what to do. Then Sophia decided to stir the soup little and said:

"All he said to me that it was the time to make all your dreams come true." Sophia saw the blanching and felt his hold loosening. Sophia snuck out of the shadows and rushed to stand by her husbands side.

Benji grabbed his wife's hand and smiled encouragingly. She had done her part immaculately though he hadn't had the time to instruct her in her role. Benji had planned to give EJ some time to adjust to his surprise before pulling the rug under him but Teks incompetence was about to turn out to be a blessing. He was now taken care of and as far as Lexie knew, Benji was her saviour. Tony too would soon thank him and father would have no choice but to change his mind.

EJ searched for Samantha with his eyes. She hadn't taken his advice and ran and would now witness something mind-boggling if EJ wouldn't find a way to stop Stefano making that toast. Unfortunately Benji had anticipated most of his moves and instructed the servants to direct him to a quiet room to change before being able to meet their father. EJ had been too late to talk to his father before he entered the hall. Petrified he watched as Stefano rose his hand and the glass.

Sami could did her best to stay calm. She had just noticed EJ talking to a beautiful woman in the shadows before she walked away to be near Benji. Sami couldn't believe it was horror she saw on EJs face as Stefano was about to make his toast.

"Welcome to the engagement party of my son EJ Wells and the beautiful Samantha Brady."