Lovely – Chapter 3

Although Salem was a small town, EJ hadn't run into Abby since they parted ways in Horton town square after finding out she wasn't pregnant. He wondered if she went out of her way to avoid him because it was as if she didn't exist until they collided at Sweat Bea's yogurt shop. He wanted to speak to her and ask her what she'd been doing but she wanted none of him.

Looking in the mirror, EJ placed a dimple in his dark blue and white argyle tie. His arms dropping to his sides, he stared long and hard at himself. "Do you even know who the real EJ is?" asked Abigail. Palming his mouth, he wiped it and turned away from the mirror that hung in his new office. Walking toward his chair, EJ stopped and looked at the view of the Horton town square, the neighboring park, and part of the suburbs which the DiMera mansion and its acres sat next to. It was a beautiful sight from the DiMera Enterprises high-rise but it was time to work.

EJ made his way around his desk, unbuttoned his suit jacket, and sat in his new seat as President and COO. Just as he opened a portfolio, the door to his office swung open.

"Samantha," said EJ as his assistant Kenzie walked in behind her.

"Mrs. DiMera is here to see you. I tried to tell her that you were busy," said Kenzie as she shook her head. She looked exhausted from the task.

"It's okay," replied EJ before walking from behind his desk. He shut the door behind Kenzie and turned to Sami.

"What the hell EJ!" yelled Sami. "You went from being the DE's lawyer to their COO in a couple of hours!"

"I was going to tell you –"

"When exactly where you going to tell me you accepted a job from the devil?" With a black clutch in her hand, wearing a red and black dress with black heels, Sami stood impatiently, her head slightly tilted.

"I don't see the big deal. We all work for my father in one way or another. You're an executive for Countess Wilhelmina Cosmetics."

'That's different."

"How so Samantha?" asked EJ.

Sami, ignoring EJ, walks around him and picks up the phone on his desk.

"What are you doing?" asked EJ.

"Making this right," answers Sami. "I'm going to call Stefano and you're going to tell him you want to go back to your old office in your old position as DE's lawyer."

"I've had about enough of this," said EJ as he grabbed Sami by the wrist and slung her around towards him while hanging up the phone with his free hand. "I will do no such thing. Do you hear me Samantha? Now, how did you find out about my promotion?"

"Let me go EJ," whispered Sami. EJ flung her arm back at. Slowly he took off his suit jacket and placed it delicately on the coat rack near the door. "The old fart found me in the kitchen eating breakfast when decided to break the news to me."

"I'm sorry. I should have told you so father didn't have the pleasure."

"Why are you doing this EJ? After what happened to Eric we said we'd keep our distance from the DiMeras and before you say it, yes we live in the mansion but that is only because we're being blackmailed!"

EJ paced back and forth exchanging angry glances with Samantha. He had to convince her that he wanted this promotion and he wasn't, again, being blackmailed because if Samantha didn't buy his reasoning, she'd push Stefano to tell her. Stefano would take immense pleasure in telling Samantha that EJ had a two and a half month long affair with Abigail which almost resulted in a pregnancy. Stefano would be setting off a bomb and putting Abigail in danger.

Abigail wanted none of EJ. She deserved to move on after the whirlwind that was her and EJ's affair.

"Abigail," EJ thought to himself before speaking. "Samantha this is what I wa–"

Sami shook her head. "What about my brother!"

"I AM NOT KRISTEN!" EJ shouted before looking down at the carpeted floor then looking up again. Sami looked even angrier than before but she remained quiet. "I am not Kristen, I am not my father but I am a DiMera. You knew that when you married me. You carry my last name, our only child, Johnny, carries that name. So if you hate my name this much and this is no longer what you want, walk out that door."