Chapter 5: Passionate Disagreements
Chloe smoothed out the wrinkles of her pale pink dress, adjusting the spaghetti straps as she admired herself in the full length mirror. The dress was plain, low-cut and form fitting, cutting off mid-thigh and conforming to every curve. It was Friday night, and Philip would be there to pick her up any minute. Chloe immediately agreed to go with him when he called Tuesday afternoon, mostly out of anger towards Brady. Chloe sighed, grabbing a pair of hoop earrings off her vanity.
"I am not letting you get me down, Black," Chloe muttered, although it was pretty much too late. Things had cooled down around town, although the Media was still a buzz over Victor's murder, but everyone was still extremely on edge. Brady still appeared the most upset, not only because of his grandfather's death, but the endless accusations, not to mention finding out Chloe did in fact agree to go to the dance with Philip. Jan, Jason and Victor's murders were no closer to being solved then day one. Chloe's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a car pulling up and honking for her to come down: Philip wasn't dumb enough to enter the house with Mama Wesley around. Chloe grabbed her purse and descended the stairs.
"Chloe sweetie, won't you reconsider going out tonight? Surely you'd be better off staying home, especially with things the way they are. Maybe you could even ask Brady to come over," Nancy suggested, pleading for her daughter not to leave. She wasn't particularly fond of either Brady or Philip right now, but at least with Brady she didn't have to fear for her daughter's safety!
"Nancy, Brady wouldn't come over, even if he wasn't chaperoning tonight"
"So he'll be at the dance too?" Nancy asked hopefully.
"Yes, Nancy, he'll be there. Now if you'll excuse me..."
"Chloe, you shouldn't be anywhere near that Kiriakis boy, let alone going out on a date with him!" Nancy exclaimed.
"Nancy, this is not open for discussion," Chloe said dryly, hearing the impatient honking once again. As she reached for the doorknob, Nancy's next words caused her to pause briefly.
"Do you honestly think you would be with Philip now if it weren't for Victor?" Nancy pressed. Chloe paused, but shook it off, opening the door without answering.
"Good night Nancy," Chloe murmured, disappearing out the door. Philip was waiting by her side of the car.
"Wow, you look amazing Chloe," Philip breathed, grinning widely and flashing those deep dimples of his. Chloe forced herself to smile.
"Thank you Philip," Chloe said softly, allowing him to open her door and help her into the car.
"We're going to have a great time tonight Chloe," Philip promised as he got into the drivers side. Staring out the window as they pulled away, Chloe didn't really think so...
Brady pulled on his white dress shirt, about this close to punching a hole in the wall. Belle and Mimi's giggles and rants could be heard through the whole penthouse. Mimi, who wasn't allowed to attend the dance, had come over right after school to help Belle finish their English assignment and get ready for the dance. And the two had been driving everyone in the house crazy since.
"Hey bro, can you and Nicole drop Mimi off at home? She needs to get her parents' car so she can pick up Kevin," Belle inquired, sticking her head in the open door to his room. Brady groaned, knowing he would have to leave early to drop off Mimi, but he couldn't deny his sister.
"Belle, I've got better things to do then drive your friends around."
"Please Brady? She'll be late if she walks!" Belle whined.
"Well then she should have thought of that before now shouldn't she?"
"Brady!" Belle pleaded. Brady sighed, not up to putting up a fight. Even if Mimi was one of Belle's best friends, Brady had a hard enough time trying to tolerate the girl at times these days. But he knew he just couldn't win.
"Fine, whatever Belle. I'll drop her off before I pick up Nicole," Brady muttered. Belle squealed, throwing her arms around him.
"Oh, thank you Brady!"
"Like I could say no," Brady murmured grabbing his keys as Belle dashed out the door to inform Mimi. "I'm ready to go, Meems. Hurry up or you'll be walking!"
"Alright, I'm coming," Mimi called, handing Belle the last clip for her hair. "Have a good time for me Belle."
"I will. I just wish you could come too," Belle said.
"So do I..."
"Miriam! Come on already!" Brady yelled, grabbing his jacket and rushing out the door. Mimi winced. She hated her full name! She gave Belle a quick hug and followed Brady out, not catching up to him till they reached his jeep.
"What's the big rush?" Mimi complained, out of breathe.
"Getting you to your precious boyfriend on time," Brady replied, seating himself behind the wheel. Mimi scowled, growing sick of everyone talking badly/sarcastically about Kevin.
"You're cute, but sure as hell one sarcastic pain in the ass," Mimi muttered getting into the jeep.
"Do you want a ride or not, Miriam?" Brady intentionally used her full name again, knowing it drove her crazy. Mimi narrowed her eyes at him but nodded, not wishing to walk. "Then shut up, sit back, and enjoy the fucking ride," Brady snapped. He didn't mean to take his frustrations out on Mimi. Really there were times he could stand the sight of her, but she was as good a target as any. Definitely no Chloe Lane when it came to countering his attacks, but no one was quite like her. Mimi crossed her arms in a huff, glaring out the passenger side window. Brady started the engine, pulling quickly out of the underground parking lot. The sooner he ditched Mimi, the better. After a few moments, Mimi noticed a small plastic box at her feet.
"What's this?" Mimi asked, picking up the clear box which held Chloe's forgotten teddy bear, the brandy rose long since been removed.
"Don't touch that! It's not yours," Brady demanded, attempting to grab the bear away from her while still keeping the car on the road. But Mimi held it just out of reach.
"Aw, big bad Brady Black got a crush on someone? Who's the lucky girl, Brady?" Mimi taunted.
"Mimi, just give me the..."
"Yuck, this is for Chloe isn't it?" Mimi wrinkled her nose in realization.
"That's none of your damn business Miriam. What does it matter to you anyway? It's just a stupid stuffed animal."
"Now I know you got this for Chloe. Please do not tell me Ghoul Girl put the same spell on you that she put on Philip."
"Don't call her that!" Brady commanded. "For your information, Mimi, her name, is Chloe, and yes, not that it's any of your fucking business, but I did get that for her." Mimi narrowed her eyes at him, face flushed with anger.
"How dare you talk to me like that!"
"How dare I talk to you like that? You're the one that started all this by opening your big fat mouth before thinking. If you can't handle the answers, Miriam, don't ask questions."
"Well excuse me for having a mind of my own! I can't help it that it disgusts me to see Chloe Lane turn all my friends into mindless love-sick zombies!"
"Ah, no wonder she hasn't gotten to you yet, you never had much of a mind in the first place."
"You listen here, Black, don't you ever..." she was cut off by Brady pulling the jeep to an abrupt stop.
"Out," Brady said simply. He'd already completely lost any sense of self-control, he couldn't stand one more minute in a car with Mimi.
"What? We're not to my house yet."
"Do I look like I give a damn Mimi? Get the hell out of my car, right now!" Brady demanded.
"Fine, whatever. Excuse me for trying to give some sound advice!" Mimi huffed, opening the car door and getting out. Brady barely gave her enough time to slam the door shut before speeding off towards the Kiriakis mansion. Nor did his anger-clouded mind give himself enough time to realize what an asshole he was for forcing someone out of his car in the middle of nowhere to walk alone, this late, with a serial killer on the lose. Nicole's apartment was being fumigated, and in one of his few and far between spouts of kindness, Philip was allowing her to stay in the Kiriakis mansion for a few days. As Brady sped off to pick up Nicole, he prayed to anyone that would listen Philip wouldn't be there, for the little runts own safety...