A/N: This storyline takes place right after Stephanie broke off her and Philip's engagement.
~An Hour Later at Stephanie Johnson's Apartment~
Philip Kiriakis stands by Stephanie's door with a dozen red roses in hand. His mission was on thing and one thing and that's to get back together with Stephanie at all costs. He rings the door bell has he stands eager and patiently awaiting Stephanie. The door finally opens has Stephanie opens the door with a smile on her face.
"Hey." He greeted happily.
"Hey." She greeted."Come in."
Philip walks into Stephanie's apartment has Stephanie shuts the door behind Philip. Philip hands Stephanie the flowers has she looks at them and smiles. She smells them.
"Oh Philip they're beautiful thank you, I'll put them in some water." Stephanie said has walks over to the table.
"I am glad you like them." Philip has he sits down on the couch.
Stephanie grabs a empty vase from the table. She walks over to the sink has she turns on the water. She puts the water in the vase has then shuts the water off. She grabs the roses from the counter and puts the roses in the vase. She then walks over to the table and sets the vase on it.
"Would you like something to drink?" Stephanie asked has Philip shakes his head.
"No I am fine thank you." He replied has Stephanie sits next to him.
The two look at each other with smiles on their faces which could light up the room. The two obviously have feelings for each other.
"Stephanie I know I've hurt you and you haven't approved of what I've done, but I did it for you to protect you." Philip said honestly.
"I know that Philip and you have been so great to me buying me a car and giving me the engagement ring but……….."
Stephanie couldn't finish her sentence; she is so over come with emotion.
"But what Steph?" Philip asked.
"It's your father the things you do for him, it's like your always looks for his approval." Stephanie said looking at Philip with sadness.
Philip closed his eyes and then opened then looking at Stephanie with an angry looks on his face. It's has if he's a staring a hole right through her.
"He's my father Steph I am a Kiriakis and I am his heir." Philip said in a stern tone.
Why couldn't she understand this he thought to himself?
"Philip you're his puppet he pulls your strings it's sad why can't you be your own man?" Stephanie asked has he puts her right hand on this right cheek. "Be the man I love and adore the man I know you could be."
Tears streamed from Stephanie's eyes down her face. It pained her to say this to the man she loves but it had to be said. Philip wipes the tears from her eyes. Philip then looks down and sighs has he then stands up. He then looks down at Stephanie with a serious look on his face.
"Stephanie why are you trying to change me?!" Philip asked somewhat in an angry tone.
Stephanie stands up quickly."I am not trying to change you Philip!" Stephanie said sadly." Remember when you said you love who you are when you're with me?"
Philip nodded his head."Yes."
"Where is he Philip?" Stephanie asked.
"You're looking at him Steph."
"No I am not I am looking at Victor Kiriakis not Philip Kiriakis." Stephanie said wiping the tears from her eyes.
Philip puts his hands on his hips and looks down. He then looks back at Stephanie.
"I am my own man Stephanie you know that!" Philip said.
"Are you trying to convince me or yourself?" Stephanie asks while putting her hands on her hips has Philip shakes his head and sighs.
Stephanie points to her left ring finger has tears stream down her face, obviously messing her make up. Her ring finger is naked.
"This is where my engagement ring was I didn't care who was mad about it!" Stephanie said."I was proud to say I was going to be Mrs. Philip Kiriakis but now I am not so sure."
Philip walked up to Stephanie and gently grabs her hands. "I want to marry you Stephanie, I want a family with you and I want to grow old with you."
"And I with you Philip but until you step out of your father's shadow I don't think we have a future." Stephanie said has Philip let's go of her hands and backs away from her.
"Then I guess this is good bye Steph."
The two look at each other with love in pain in their eyes. The loved they share for each other and the pain of their situation. Philip turns toward the door has he grabs the door knob. He slowly turns the door knob and opening the door. He walks out of the apartment closing the door behind him. Stephanie slumps down in on the couch. She puts her hands over her face in sadness. Tears stream down her face has she wipes them from her face. Her cell phone rings has she then grabs it next to the lamp. She sees Nathan's caller Id. She answers it.
"Hey Nathan." Stephanie sobbed.
"What's wrong?" Nathan asked raising his brow.
"Philip and I aren't getting back together." Stephanie said. "I love him so much, I'll never love anyone has much has I love him."
Stephanie looks over by the lamp has she looks at a picture of she and Philip in the park. In the picture they are sitting on a blue picnic blanket smiling at each other, with his arms wrapped around her. She strokes the picture with her right hand.
~Awhile Later~
Philip walks into the Brady Pub with a sour looks on his face. He sees Belle sitting down has he sees him. She quickly stands up and walks up to him.
"Philip how did everything go with Stephanie are you two back together?" Belle asked.
"It's over Belle, Stephanie and I are done." Philip answered in a serious tone.
"I am sorry Philip." Belle said sympathetically.
"I would've given her anything she wanted; I love Stephanie I wanted to marry her." Philip said has he goes in his pocket and gets out Stephanie's engagement ring.
He looks at it and sighs.
To be continued. Please R&R God Bless.
