"Uh, Paul?" Adam carefully knocked on the door to Paul's apartment. "Are you in here?"
Adam waited a few moments, bouncing on the balls of his feet. He looked over his shoulder and smiled at the kind, quiet woman standing a few feet behind him.
"Paul?" Adam knocked again.
No one answered.
"I don't think he's here," Adam said unnecessarily. "I haven't seen him today but I only work in the evenings."
"I see," Tori Narita responded. She was uncertain what she should do now. She was still shaken from the visit she received the day before.
"Did you call him?" Adam wondered.
"He did not answer," Tori replied, twisting a paperback book in her hands.
"Oh, well," Adam thought for a few moments. "I'm pretty sure Will has an extra key. He could let you inside."
"No!" Tori shouted.
Adam visibly startled.
"I mean, I would hate to bother anyone," Tori amended with a small smile. She lifted the well-worn copy of Wuthering Heights in her hand. "I'll just go back downstairs and wait."
"Okay," Adam looked at the woman suspiciously. "I can get you a menu."
Adam directed Tori to an open seat, promising to tell her if he saw Paul. Afterward, Adam hurried to Will's office. He hoped Will hadn't left for home yet.
"Will," Adam rushed through the open door of his office.
"Oh, hey," Will said as he gathered his belongs.
Ari sat at Will's desk coloring a picture, patiently waiting. Will, still shaken from his encounter with Sonny, had a hard time focusing on the bit of work he had left before he could leave. Chad's visit only distracted him more.
Will didn't know anything about running a business. Chad was teaching Will but it was slow going. Will was still cursing himself for not retaining any of the info he learned in his basic college business courses.
"Have you seen Paul walk by lately?" Adam questioned.
"No," Will swallowed. He didn't want to think about Paul anymore either. "Why do you ask?"
"His mother is waiting at a table and he's not upstairs," Adam answered.
"What?" Will dropped the folders he was holding. "His mom's in Salem?"
"I just thought you might want to know," Adam shrugged with a wide, charming smile.
"Right," Will nodded. "Thank you," Will offered a small smile of his own.
Will watched as Adam swaggered out of the room.
What a weird kid, Will thought with a shake of his head.
Will touched his folders again, deliberating.
Should I go out there and say something? Will contemplated. Or just go home?
Will didn't know what he should do. A part of him knew he should just go home, ignore anything to do with Paul and walk away. But another part, a curious, more dangerous part of himself, wanted to see Paul's mother. Wanted to introduce himself, find out why she came all the way to Salem.
And why now? Why not before? Why not when Paul found out he could never play again? Why not when he came out? It's been weeks since everything happened. Why did she suddenly drop everything now?
No, stop it, Will thought. You don't want anything to do with Paul, not anymore.
With that in mind, Will shoved his folders into his bag, smooshing his prescription bag down.
"Okay, baby girl," Will said, garnering Ari's attention. "You about ready to go home?"
Ari, finishing her scribbling, nodded. She presented Will a brightly colored picture.
"That's beautiful," Will praised. He added it to the collection he had on his office wall. The only decorations he had were a picture of Ari surrounded by all her artwork.
Will, shouldering his bag as well as Ari's diaper bag, held out his hand. The two walked out of the office, pausing so Will could lock it up.
While pocketing the key, Will heard two voices a little farther down the hall. The voices were near the entrance to the dining area. Customers weren't allowed back there. Concerned it was more paparazzi or an overzealous fan of Paul's, Will moved to guide them back.
When he turned the corner, Will paused, mid-step. John Black was standing there with a strange woman Will had never seen. The woman was pretty and petite.
And Asian, Will couldn't help but notice.
Will was fairly familiar with most people in Salem. He knew there were few minorities. He didn't want to assume anything but he was pretty certain this was Paul's mother.
But why is John talking to her? Will turned to Ari, putting his finger to his lips.
Ari mimicked Will, silently laughing.
"I told you," Tori said in a panicked voice. She held her book in front of her like a shield. "I'm here to see my son. That's it."
"I thought you were never returning to Salem again," John responded. "That's what you told me at least."
"Well, I never imagined my son would find his way here," Tori defensively replied. "Please, I must get back to my table."
"I just can't believe you're here," John nearly sighed, voice wistful.
Will's face scrunched together. What the fuck?
"John," Tori scolded in a small voice.
"You're right," John shook his head. "I apologize. I, um, I need to get back as well."
John and Tori stared at each other for a few moments, making Will uncomfortable. Finally, after Tori looked away, John left.
Tori leaned against the wall behind her, exhaling slowly.
"29 years, I kept my promise to never return to Salem," Tori mumbled to herself, hand stroking the spine of her book. "29 years. You can handle only a day or two."
With that, Tori straightened her dress and walked away.
Will waited until he was certain she left before moving for the exit.
29 years? Will thought. Why was she in Salem 29 years ago?
No, don't think about that, Will reminded himself. I don't care about that. I'm not curious about Paul's mother. I don't care. I shouldn't have eavesdropped. There's nothing here for me.
"Come on, baby," Will swung his and Ari's hands around. "Let's go home."
Adam handed an order over to the chef and paused to get a drink, leaning against the bartop. He noticed a familiar customer walk inside and sit in her usual spot in Adam's section.
"Hello, Ms. Roberts," Adam grinned. "You just missed Will."
"Pity," Kate commented. "I've been so busy this week I haven't had time to speak with him."
"He's been busy too," Adam nodded. "I don't know how he does it all. Anyway," Adam directed. "What can I get you?"
Kate appraised Adam, looking him up and down, getting inspired. She'd seen the way Adam looked at Will, the way he spoke about Will. This would be almost too easy.
"Actually," Kate smirked up at Adam. "There is something you can do for me."
As Will and Ari walked home, Will's mind drifted. Being around Sonny and Paul confused him. It had been so long since he'd seen either and truly interacted. The last time Will's emotions controlled him. Today, he was able to withhold his anger and pain.
When he was around Paul and distracted, Will could handle it. But now that Will was alone with Ari and letting himself reflect, Will was surprised he made it through the day.
Theoretically, Will could understand why Paul did what he did. Paul didn't know Will when he slept with Sonny. In a way, Will didn't want to hold that against Paul. Only, it wasn't that simple. It didn't matter to Will if Paul didn't know him. Paul still slept with Will's husband. Sonny almost left Will, risked his family to be with Paul. Will didn't know how to forget that. Didn't know if he ever could forget it.
Ignoring how he lied to me, ignoring everything else, Will thought. Paul is always going to be the other man. I'm always going to wonder if Sonny would rather have Paul. Or, I guess, if Paul would rather have Sonny.
It wasn't so much that Will was angry with Paul over the situation. Will was angry at what Paul represented. Paul was the ideal, the standard. Paul was who Sonny compared Will to for years. Despite the therapy sessions, despite the new medication, Will didn't see how he could ever measure up to Paul Narita.
Ari tugged on Will's hand, lifting her arms up. She was too tired to continue walking.
Will adjusted both of his bags and heaved Ari into his arms. Her cold little nose buried against his collarbone.
And Sonny? Will shook his head. I trusted Sonny with everything I have. I loved him so blindly, so openly. And he hurt me more than anyone in the end.
Being around Sonny was much harder than Paul. Paul, while hurting Will, didn't break him open. That was all Sonny.
Sonny knew everything about me and he still cheated on me. He still lied about it, about so many things. What Sonny did was so much worse.
Ari lifted her head and smashed her tiny hands against Will's face. She lifted the edges of Will's downturned lips upward and smiled at him.
"Daddy happy," Ari said seriously, punctuating it with a nod.
"You always make me happy," Will informed her, bouncing her up and down in his arms until she giggled, holding on tight.
"Ag'n," Ari requested, little knees digging into Will's sides.
Ari's pearls of laughter distracted Will all the way home.
After getting home and watching Ari play with her toys for a time, Will attempted to make dinner. He still feared he would accidentally burn the apartment down or make something inedible. But, without Sonny, Will was on his own for food. He and Ari couldn't eat at the pub for every meal.
While carefully watching the pot full of boiling water, it dawned on Will.
Isn't Paul almost 29 years old?
"As you can see," the man sitting across from Sonny said. He gestured to his computer screen. "This is the plan I've created for you. If you follow this carefully, you'll manage to accomplish everything you requested."
"How do you have everything planned out?" Sonny moved closer, elbows on the man's desk.
"Well," the man pointed to one graphic on his computer screen. "This is your short-term financial plan. I believe you can do this one in less than a year. This is your emergency savings if something were to go wrong."
"Okay," Sonny nodded.
"This is your mid-term goal," the man pointed to the next graphic. "This will take anywhere from two to five years."
"That's to save for a house, right?" Sonny confirmed.
"Yes," the man replied. "To purchase a median-priced home in the area, you'd need to save approximately this much."
Sonny looked at the target number and nodded.
"And this is your long-term goal," the man finished. "Your daughter's tuition. As you can see, I took the list you gave me of your finances and compiled a budget for you."
The man handed Sonny a print out of the budget he created. Sonny looked at everything and nodded. It would be hard to follow but it would be worth it.
Sonny knew what Will wanted now, what would make Will feel safe. Will wanted stability. Will wanted Arianna to have every opportunity Will didn't.
Sonny recalled the picture his mother sent him of Will's wants and desires.
Will wants Ari to grow up in a house with a backyard and a puppy. He wants to never experience financial instability again. He wants Ari to go anywhere and do everything she wants when she grows up.
I know I can give them that.
The numbers Sonny sent the man to use towards the budget only included Sonny's income. Even if Will didn't plan on taking Sonny back anytime soon, he was going to follow the plan.
Getting Will back isn't something short-term just like saving won't be short-term. It's going to be long and arduous. Even if it takes years, I'm prepared to do it.
It didn't matter how long it took, Sonny was going to provide Will and Ari with everything they ever wanted. He was prepared to deal with Will's mistrust, with Will's anger and pain. He would ease his way into Will's heart again, regain his trust and love.
That was something Sonny understood better now than he did a few weeks ago. After Will found out about the cheating, Sonny wanted to force his way into Will's life. He wanted to forget everything that happened, wanted Will to forget. Now, Sonny knew that would never happen.
What he did was unforgettable. It was naïve and downright stupid for Sonny to downplay it the way he had.
I have to earn Will back, Sonny knew. I have to start all over again, become the type of man he deserves. This is just one step in the right direction.
"I still can't believe you're here," Paul gushed as he ushered his mother into his apartment.
"Well," Tori scratched the back of her neck, avoiding Paul's eyes. "I knew you needed me."
Tori looked around the studio and frowned. It was quite different from Paul's usual accommodations.
"What do you think?" Paul asked. He nervously straightened a pillow on the small couch, desperate for his mother's approval.
"It's rather," Tori thought of an appropriate word. "Quaint."
"I don't need much," Paul responded, enthusiasm leaking out of him. "That's what I've learned in Salem, anyway."
"What don't you need?" Tori wondered. She primly sat down on the edge of the sofa, uncertain as to its cleanliness.
"My old life," Paul shook his head, sitting down. "I had so much excess. The fancy condo, the expensive cars, the models, I don't need any of that."
"You weren't like that, though," Tori argued. "You weren't flashy or, or anything. You worked so hard for those nice things."
"That's it, though, Mother," Paul sighed. "I had things, possessions. My money, my career brought me many things. But nothing that I needed."
"What did you need?" Tori asked.
"In the end, those things are replaceable. What I need-," Paul stopped himself. "What I want, I can't replace and I can't buy. This apartment is nice enough. It's got enough space for just me. It's a reasonable price, in a good location. I like it here."
"Alright," Tori replied, concerned. "You're talking as if this is your home, Paul. You're just staying here for your recovery, aren't you?"
"I-I don't know," Paul admitted.
Tori flashed back to the unexpected visitor she had the evening before, the strange, angry blonde. The threats the woman leveled at her, the dangerous knowledge she possessed.
"Paul-san," Tori switched to Japanese. "It's time for you to leave this town."
"Why do you say that?" Paul questioned.
"Look at all that has happened to you since you've arrived," Tori recalled the carefully crafted speech she planned during the long flight from San Francisco. "You're still hounded by the press. You're still in the news. You reinjured yourself."
"Those things didn't happen because I was in Salem," Paul defended. "The press would bother me even more in California. I aggravated my injury because of a stupid mistake."
"You don't belong here," Tori panicked. She hoped Paul would agree with her, follow her back to the bay area willingly.
"I like it here," Paul argued.
"You don't have any friends," Tori retorted. She didn't mean to sound cruel but she needed Paul to leave. He had to leave.
"I-," Paul frowned. He knew she was right. That wasn't the point. "I have a job," Paul weakly mumbled.
"A job?" Tori paused, stunned.
"At the rec center," Paul smiled. "I like it, actually. I mean, today was my first day but you should have seen all the kids. They loved it so much. I had the best time and W-," Paul cut himself off.
"Rec center? Kids?" Tori didn't understand.
"I'm teaching baseball," Paul explained. "I suppose it's not really a job since I just volunteer. But they made me a schedule and I was thinking about having an extra day for a friendly game. Or maybe seeing if some of the adults want to join a team. I've got so many ideas."
"Volunteer?" Tori shook her head. "You could do that at home."
"I want to do it here," Paul argued. "I made promises, Mother. Besides, San Francisco is such a different environment than here. Here, the kids at the rec center aren't going to get any other opportunities. I made a commitment."
"Paul," Tori sighed.
"You taught me to never break my promises," Paul reminded her.
Tori looked away, wracking her brain for something to help her along.
"There's no way you're willingly staying here," Tori realized. "Not in this small town when the whole world is available to you to teach children baseball. You could do that anywhere. No, there has to be another reason."
Paul averted his eyes.
"It's because of the boy in the pictures, isn't it?" Tori realized, stomach filling with dread. "You're staying for him."
"I didn't say that," Paul whispered.
"You didn't have to," Tori closed her eyes. "You cannot base your life on some boy."
"He isn't some boy," Paul insisted. "Will is so much more than that."
"He's married," Tori fired back, remembering what the boy's mother spat in her face. The terrible things she accused Paul of doing. "And you, you slept with his husband."
"I know!" Paul stood up, beginning to pace. "I know and I-wait," Paul stopped. "How do you know that? I don't remember-,"
"You told me," Tori lied, nearly giving herself away.
"I don't remember that," Paul repeated, arms crossed.
"Paul," Tori changed the subject. "This is what I was talking about. Ever since you arrived here, you've changed. You never behaved this way before. You would never. I raised you better than that."
"You don't know who I would have slept with," Paul pointed out. "You had no problem when you thought I was sleeping with supermodels."
"I never wanted to know about your sexual activities," Tori retorted. "But you never once slept with a married woman."
"I didn't plan on sleeping with Sonny," Paul threw his hands in the air. "I didn't plan on falling for Will. It just happened."
"Falling?" Tori repeated in disbelief.
"I," Paul sighed. "Yes," Paul confessed.
This was much worse than Tori anticipated. She thought Paul was merely infatuated with the journalist because he was there. She didn't realize it went beyond that.
"Do you, do you love him?" Tori had to know.
"I don't, I mean, I'm not sure," Paul responded. "It's complicated."
"Because he's married?" Tori's nose wrinkled.
"That, don't make that face," Paul implored. "You don't understand. Will didn't do anything. It's not his fault."
"He is married to another man," Tori stated.
"Sonny treated Will like crap," Paul argued passionately. "He belittled him, shamed him. He told Will he was useless. Not to mention he cheated on Will! He slept with me and he didn't even once think about his husband when we were together. Sonny doesn't deserve Will."
"How do you know any of that? Did Will tell you?" Tori demanded. "Did he complain to you about his husband?"
"That isn't fair," Paul growled. "I had to force Will to tell me any of this. I could see he was hurting and I convinced him to open up. Will wanted this to stay professional but I pushed. He was only interested in friendship. You don't know Will. He doesn't think he deserves nice things or that anyone could be interested in him."
"And those pictures?" Tori crossed her arms. "They hardly look innocent."
"They aren't, not really," Paul replied. "But they were taken out of context. I found Will after Sonny admitted he cheated. I was comforting him. I was the one that pushed for more. I was the one taking advantage. It isn't Will's fault."
"He let you," Tori said.
"He also made sure I knew he couldn't offer me anything but friendship," Paul argued. "I thought that I could get something else out of him. I should have told him my part in everything and I didn't. I knew it would hurt him and I kept it a secret. I'm the one that pushed not Will."
"Even so," Tori shook her head. "He shouldn't be so close to another man if he's married."
"I don't even know if he feels anything for me," Paul grunted.
"You don't?" Tori asked, taken aback.
"He might have, eventually," Paul finally sat back down. "But now, he can barely look at me."
"Then why would you stay?" Tori questioned, frustrated. "He can't look at you. He's married. Why would you stay for that?"
"Because he might forgive me," Paul answered. "One day. Besides, I like being at the rec center. I like making a difference. I feel good about myself here. I don't feel like Paul Narita, failed baseball player. I feel like I'm still on top here. Everyone that recognizes me makes me feel like I'm still that guy. Like I'm still living the dream. I don't want to lose that."
"You can't base your life on a small possibility of forgiveness," Tori pressed. "I think it would be best if you return home with me."
"I'm not going to do that, Mother," Paul revealed. "You said it yourself, I'm not that guy. I'm not the one to go after married men or-or cause this type of drama. I have to fix things."
"Why won't you just leave?" Tori pleaded.
"I'm an adult, Mother," Paul reminded her. "It's my decision."
Tori knew it was no use to argue it any further right now. She wouldn't give up. She would get Paul out of Salem one way or another.
The next morning Will carried an unwilling Arianna towards the pub. It was much earlier than she was accustomed to arriving and waking up.
I'm in for a long morning.
"I know, baby," Will soothed Ari, bouncing her on his hip. They walked into the back entrance of the Brady Pub. "But Daddy needs to fill in for Brittany. Her tummy doesn't feel good. If it's not too busy we'll make it to your class."
Ari continued pouting, whines emitting from the back of her throat.
"I know," Will acknowledged. "It's not fun. But we'll have a nice breakfast and then we'll do something fun, I promise."
Will poked Ari in her side. When she didn't respond, Will did it again, over and over until a laugh burst forward.
Will laughed triumphantly when Ari giggled.
"Noooo, st'p," Ari wiggled all over.
"Oh, alright," Will agreed. "Now, I'm gonna bring you some eggies and you can color in your Valentine's Day book."
Will set Ari up at a single table, keeping a watchful eye over her.
I'll be happy when it's summertime, Will decided. And all my high schoolers can work morning shifts.
"What are you coloring?" Will asked, hovering over Ari's shoulder. He had a coffee pot in his hand.
"He'rt!" Ari exclaimed, gesturing to the purple-colored heart she scribbled all over.
"Wow," Will made a large production of admiring it. "It's beautiful. But who is it for?"
"Daddy'Son," Ari proclaimed. "This Daddy!"
Ari turned her coloring book to a different page with another purple-colored heart.
"That one is for me?" Will confirmed. "I love it!"
Will smiled at Ari's pictures. Despite his own confusion, Will loved that Ari would always see Sonny as another father. No matter what happened between Will and Sonny, Will would never keep the two of them apart.
Deep down, a part of Will resented his own father for separating him from Austin when he was younger. Lucas was so angry over Sami keeping Will's paternity a secret he took it out on Austin. Lucas was so jealous, so blinded, Will suffered the most.
'I'd never do that to Ari,' Will promised himself. I'll never put my own jealousy over my daughter.
Although, often times Will worried if Austin wasn't around as much because he felt free. He was no longer a father, wasn't shackled to Sami for 18 years. If Austin loved Will when he thought Will was his son but merely tolerated him when Will was nothing but a nephew.
Lately, Will's mind couldn't help but draw parallels from his past to his current situation.
Austin wanted to be with Carrie but got stuck with Mom and me. Sonny wanted Paul and got me instead.
Story of my life, Will thought. Wanting perfection and settling for Will Horton.
Shaking himself out of his melancholy thoughts, Will put down his coffeepot. He leaned down, rubbing his nose against Ari's.
"How about some bacon?" Will questioned, already knowing the answer.
"Yay!" Ari cheered. She grabbed another crayon in her fist and scribble-scrabbled all over the page.
Will left Ari to check on all of his tables and refill everyone's mugs. While he was interacting with the customers he felt a set of eyes on him. Over the past few weeks, Will's observational skills increased. He looked over his shoulder everywhere he went, hyper aware of who was looking at him and why. The town was always interested in his business but after the article everything intensified. Even the lingering paparazzi hoped against hope they'd catch Will in a nefarious act.
That was why Will knew someone was watching him now. He could sense it, feel it.
Will smiled at the couple sitting at the table before him, turning around to locate whoever was watching.
'Oh,' Will thought with a wince. He braced himself and walked over.
"Hi," Will greeted with a nervous smile. "Can I get you a refill?"
Tori Narita pushed her mug closer to Will, keeping an eye on him.
From the moment Tori sat down, her eyes caught sight of Will Horton. She recognized him from the photographs with her son.
Tori didn't have a favorable opinion of Will Horton. Her disagreement with Paul the night before made that clear. Despite Paul's argument, Tori didn't see how a married man and father could put himself into a situation like Will did.
But, Tori could admit, she was surprised so far by Will. Even though she saw the pictures with Will she didn't truly appreciate how young he was. Seeing Will interact with his small daughter made Tori smile. No one could deny how devoted Will appeared. For him to be so young and still appear to care so deeply was admirable.
No matter, though. Tori wouldn't encourage Paul to pursue any type of relationship with Will.
Not if he's anything like his mother, Tori frowned.
"Thank you," Tori curtly told Will, hands folding around her coffee mug.
"You're welcome," Will licked his lips. The strange encounter he witnessed between John and this woman wouldn't leave his mind. "Um," Will awkwardly said. "How long are you staying in town?"
"I hope to leave tonight, if possible," Tori replied.
"Oh," Will mumbled. "Are you, um, I mean, are you meeting Paul? For breakfast, I mean."
"He is at that rec center," Tori said disapprovingly. "But he recommended this place for breakfast."
"We're the best," Will weakly answered. He got the distinct impression the woman didn't like him.
Will made to leave Tori to her coffee but something held him back. While he was no longer in the habit of associating with people who didn't approve of him, he needed her to know something.
"Paul fits in at the rec center," Will divulged. "He's great there, already. Everyone likes him."
"How do you know that?" Tori narrowed her eyes.
"I take my daughter there," Will explained. "She was one of the first that Paul taught."
"I see," Tori responded. Reluctantly, she asked, "He enjoys it?"
"He looked happy," Will shrugged. "He said he liked it."
"He told you that?" Tori's eyebrows furrowed together.
"I, um, I'm at the rec center every morning so I ended up helping him out," Will bashfully replied. "I just taught him how to settle the kids down. He's a natural at teaching. I know it's not the same as playing but I think he would find it fulfilling."
"Thank you," Tori said with more sincerity than she did before. "For telling me that. I worry about him being here."
Tori wondered if Will would help her get Paul out of town.
"Why do you worry?" Will tilted his head.
"He is all alone," Tori looked into Will's eyes. "Despite this silly rec center business, you have to know why he's staying."
"I-," Will didn't know what to say.
"My son does not belong here," Tori stated.
"I didn't ask him to stay," Will defended himself, disliking her tone.
"You have not encouraged him to leave," Tori argued. "He thinks one day you will be with him the way he wants."
"I'm not in charge of Paul," Will huffed. "He is an adult. He makes his own decisions. It's not up to me to decide what he can or cannot do."
"You let him stay here," Tori frowned disapprovingly. "You helped him yesterday. You're giving him false hope."
"I'm not doing anything," Will denied.
Getting frustrated, Will turned to leave. Upset, he couldn't help himself from turning back around.
"I heard you yesterday," Will revealed. "With John."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Tori, visibly shaken, refused to look at Will's face.
"Right," Will shook his head.
Will returned the coffeepot back and sat down with Ari.
He didn't know why but he felt keyed up after the encounter with Paul's mother.
I haven't done anything to encourage Paul, Will sighed. I've seen him more in the past few days than I have in the past few weeks.
Will worried his lower lip, terrified that Tori was right. That he had been playing with Paul's emotions.
And why is she so cagey about John? Will wondered. What happened 29 years ago anyway?
Will drummed his fingers against the table, doing anything he could to distract himself from his worries.
Paul told me once he had daddy issues, Will recalled. But what exactly did he say about his father?
Will couldn't remember.
"So," Chad looked at Sonny with a smirk. "What you're saying is you finally pulled your head out of your ass?"
"Yes," Sonny rolled his eyes.
"I'm just saying," Chad held his hands up innocently. "It's taken you how long to realize Will isn't something you own?"
"I didn't think that," Sonny argued.
Chad openly stared.
"I just," Sonny tried to think of an explanation. "I just never considered that anyone else would want him."
"Do you know how fucked up that is?" Chad shook his head.
"Yes," Sonny answered. "I, once Will came out and settled, I just, I was all he wanted. He didn't pay attention to anyone else. Even when we broke up, it was just me. I thought it was only ever going to be me. And that was stupid. I know how sexy Will is. It just never clicked that I could lose him to someone else."
"You're kind of an idiot," Chad pointed out, resting his chin in the palm of his hand. "I never realized this about you."
"Thank you," Sonny snapped. "I'm trying now, okay? I'm trying to repair the damage I did."
"What you told me sounds good," Chad said. "But Will is messed up about this all. He's convinced you never loved him. And no offense, dude. But I don't want you hurting Will again."
"I don't want to do that either," Sonny revealed. "That's the last thing I want. If Will can't forgive me, if it's better for him in the long run, I'd step aside. I know that I screwed up. I know that I ruined almost everything.
"I wasn't honest with Will before," Sonny added. "I lied to him and to myself. I wasn't over Paul, not completely. But that's over with now. The only man in my heart is Will."
"You're certain of that?" Chad asked.
"Yes," Sonny nodded. "I love Will and only Will. I'm willing to do whatever I have to, whatever he needs from me. I don't want what we had before. I want something new, something better. I want him to fall in love with me again, rebuild everything we had. I want him to know without a doubt that I'm the only one for him."
"Not to rain on your parade or anything," Chad lifted his eyebrows. "But what are you going to do about Paul?"
"I don't want him anywhere near Will or Ari," Sonny firmly replied. "I don't see how he would be anyway. Will isn't going to want the man I cheated on him with around. It's just creepy."
"Well," Chad agreed. "It might not be that easy. Salem is relatively small. You're bound to see him around. I mean, he lives at the pub."
"He can't be there that often," Sonny dismissed. "Will said he's only talked to him twice."
"No," Chad stated. "I mean he literally lives there, in the studio. You didn't know that?"
"No," Sonny answered, alarmed. "What the hell? How could I not know that? I talked to Will yesterday and he never said anything. Paul's been that close to Will the whole time?"
"Well, he's been in the same building," Chad answered. "Will was honest. He hasn't seen Paul at all. I'm pretty sure Will told him to stay away."
Sonny slumped in his seat.
"What if-?" Sonny cut himself off.
"What if what?" Chad repeated.
"Do you think Will has feelings for Paul?" Sonny questioned. "That would be some kind of karma, right?"
"Honestly?" Chad waited to see Sonny nod. "I think Will was developing something with Paul. When you were treating him like crap," Chad bluntly explained. "Paul was there for Will, encouraging him. I'm pretty sure Will had a crush at the least. If given some time it might have developed into something more. Paul was definitely pushing for it. But everything came out and Will shut down. He refused to think about either of you."
"How did I let this happen?" Sonny put his head in his hands. "If I just told Will the truth when I got to Salem none of this would have happened."
"Maybe not," Chad said. "But you wouldn't have had the good times either."
"Will thinks there are no good times," Sonny reminded Chad. "He thinks I never loved him."
"Speaking of that," Chad remembered his visit with Will the day before. "Did you ever give Paul a ring?"
"What?" Sonny frowned.
"A ring," Chad repeated. "Did you give one to him?"
"I-," Sonny opened his mouth to respond.
"Sonny," T knocked on his open office door. "Oh good, you're here too, Chad. There's a problem with this vodka you ordered."
Sonny and Chad both stood up and reached out to grab a few of the bottles T precariously held in his arms.
"What's wrong with them?" Sonny demanded. He unscrewed the top of one and sniffed. "I don't smell anything."
"Taste it," T dared.
With a shrug, Sonny shot back a swallow.
"Well?" Chad wondered.
"It's not vodka," Sonny stated with an annoyed frown. "It's water."
"Who the hell did you buy this from?" Chad groaned. "Is it the whole case?"
"Yeah, about that," T tilted his head, indicating they should follow him.
"What is it?" Sonny asked, frustration leaking into his voice.
"I don't think our suppliers or the fed-ex guy did this," T pointed to the box the vodka was shipped in.
On the address label, someone scribbled over Club TBD. In its place, there was a giant letter A written in bright red marker.
"What the hell is this about?" Sonny shook his head.
"I think someone is Scarlet Lettering you," Chad realized. If he wasn't so irritated about their product being ruined he would find it funny.
"The box was fine when I signed for it last night," T explained as he watched Sonny's face get redder and redder.
"What? So someone broke in, dumped everything out and replaced it with water today?" Chad questioned. "Why would anyone do that?"
"Why wouldn't they steal the stuff or anything else that's in here," T shrugged. "It doesn't make any sense. I'm sure they could have made some cash from the bottles at least. Besides, not that many people know what you did," T said in Sonny's direction.
"No, they don't," Sonny mumbled, staring at the inscription. He never understood that book, The Scarlet Letter. Now, though, now he appreciated the amount of shame the punishment intended to inflict.
"Well, we all know Will wouldn't do anything like this," Chad firmly stated.
"Will wouldn't but someone close to him might," T pointed out. "Like, oh, I don't know, his mother."
"Or Paul," Sonny spoke.
"Would he be that petty?" Chad asked. He never met the guy so he had no idea.
"You said he lives at the pub maybe he saw me with Will yesterday," Sonny shrugged, doing all he could to not overreact.
"Maybe," T agreed. "But he hasn't been in here. I would have noticed and kicked him out."
"Well, would one of our employees do something like this?" Chad wondered. "I don't think so."
"I trust them," Sonny responded. "We don't have cameras back here. It could have been anyone."
"Not anyone," T reminded them. "There was a short window of time between when the boxes arrived and when we closed last night."
"We were busy last night," Sonny pointed out. "Anyone could have snuck back here and tampered with the stuff."
"Then we'll look at the security footage and see if we can narrow down who went back here," Chad suggested. "We are not putting up with any more of this crap. First, it was the stupid online reviews. Then it was the rock in the window. All the employees that keep leaving. This is all getting too much."
Sonny opened his mouth when his phone began to ring.
"Hello?" Sonny answered.
"Sweetie, I'm going to pick up Ari," Adrienne divulged. "Are you still at the club?"
"No," Sonny huffed. "No, don't get Ari."
"Why not?" Adrienne frowned. "You see her every day."
"I'm picking up Ari myself," Sonny stated. "Where is she?"
Sonny was done with the trivial problems, with all the little things that happened to the club, to him ever since Will left.
I'm done waiting. I'm getting them both back.
Will sat in his office, going over papers, trying to make sense of it all. His lessons with Chad and with Caroline helped him understand a few things but it was slow going. Secretly, Will wondered if he should start looking into taking business classes.
Will wanted to do the best he could taking care of the pub. He wanted to show everyone in his family, in the town, that he could do this. He wanted everyone to know he wasn't a colossal failure.
I couldn't get anything right when it came to writing, Will leaned back into his desk chair. I have to succeed at this.
Ari sat on the floor playing with a collection of toys.
God, I've lucked out in the kid department, Will thought. She's so good no matter where she is.
Will felt guilty he couldn't take her to the rec center for her gymnastics class today.
I'll make it up to her, Will decided. Somehow.
Beep Beep Beep
Will glanced at his phone lying atop the desk. He set an alarm for the new medication he needed to take.
Reluctantly, Will opened his bag and rummaged around for his pill bottles. He didn't want to take the drugs. He knew, realistically, that these pills were different than the types of drugs someone could get addicted to. These were medications, things that would help him, nothing dangerous. He knew others might not think so. They'd hear his diagnosis and think about how crazy he was. How all their cruel thoughts about Will were true.
Will didn't want to be crazy. He didn't want there to be an explanation, an easy way to wave away all his dumb decisions or poor choices. A part of Will didn't want the help the medication could provide either. Taking the pills meant facing his problems, accepting what he was and what he had. It seemed almost worse than getting help.
What if it doesn't work too? Will thought. What if I'm just crazy and nothing will ever help?
Knowing Will's luck, that would be what happened. He'd go through every pill imaginable and find no help.
Will tapped the pill bottle against his desk, deliberating.
It won't hurt to try, Will decided. I need to be better for Ari, that's why I'm doing all this. Every decision I make, every choice has to be to make her life better. I have to give her the life I never had.
With that in mind, Will unscrewed the child-safe cap and swallowed his first dose.
Afterward, Will turned back to his paperwork. He looked over the expense reports compared to the incoming figures.
We really would have been sunk without Paul's help, Will realized.
Will bit his lip, frowning.
The pub was making a steady profit now. They didn't struggle to get by anymore.
We have enough coming in that Paul should be getting a real investment, Will knew. He isn't throwing his money at us to get nothing.
If Will wanted this business relationship to work, he knew what he needed to do.
"Ari, clean up your toys," Will said. "We need to go upstairs."
"I'm telling you, Mother," Paul nearly rolled his eyes. He wouldn't though. His grandfather drilled respect into him from an early age. "I am not leaving."
"Paul," Tori wanted to scream out of frustration. "I want you to leave."
"And I want to stay," Paul interjected.
Before either could argue anymore, a knock sounded at the door.
Paul rarely, if ever, got visitors. He hadn't ordered anything to eat yet. Paul almost wanted it to be a reporter. He was itching to yell at someone.
"What?" Paul demanded, ripping the door open.
Will took a step backward, surprised.
"Will," Paul breathed. "Shit," Paul caught sight of Ari's big eyes staring up at him. "Shoot, I mean shoot."
"Uh, it's alright," Will shifted from foot to foot, nervous about this now that he was facing Paul.
"Come in," Paul stepped aside. He scratched the back of his head, running his eyes around the small studio. He was ridiculously glad the place was cleaned. For some reason, Paul thought that mattered to Will. That Will deserved to see a clean, ordered space.
Ari pushed past Will and Paul to dive towards Paul's bed, starfishing across it.
Will smiled with a fond shake of his head before spotting Tori.
"Oh, uh, Will, this is my mother, Tori," Paul gestured between them. "Mother, this is Will."
"We met downstairs," Tori revealed in a tight voice.
She did not appreciate that a few hours after her discussion with Will he was seeing her son.
Will nodded at her once, uncomfortable under her stare.
I'm not encouraging Paul, Will insisted, rubbing his sweaty hands against the back of his jeans. This is about business. This is the opposite of encouraging.
The longer I stay away from Paul the guiltier I look. If I can't be around him it must say something about my own feelings. I don't feel that way anymore.
Will shook his head, focusing his thoughts.
All Paul is now is the man that slept with my husband, Will told himself. He felt a familiar swell of anger coursing up his spine, settling in his chest. He isn't the man that encouraged me or kept me strong. He's the man that meant more to Sonny than me.
Will cleared his throat, watching as Ari sneakily grabbed Paul's phone off his nightstand.
"Ari," Will scolded. "You can't just take things."
"It's alright," Paul appeased, unable to deny Ari anything. "She can play with it."
Ari giggled, scrolling through his apps.
"You haven't been up here in a while," Paul said, trying to ignore that his mother was nearby. He was relishing having Will nearby, willingly.
"No," Will agreed in a short tone. "I, um, I have something for you."
Will pulled a check out of his pocket and handed it to Paul.
"What is this?" Paul looked from the check back to Will, lost.
"It's not a lot," Will admitted. "But it's something."
"Why are you giving me this?" Paul asked forehead wrinkled.
"It's your investment," Will answered, looking Paul in the eyes for the first time in a long time.
"My invest-?" Paul repeated. "No. No, you need this money for the pub."
"I have that money," Will said calmly. "There's enough this month for you to get some sort of payment back."
"That isn't why I'm doing this," Paul argued, handing the check back.
"Yes, it is," Will shook his head, smacking the check against Paul's chest. "Take the money."
"Will," Paul wanted to crumple the check into a ball and toss it. "I-,"
"No," Will cut Paul off. "I need to do this, okay. If I'm in charge and if you want to help, you're taking that money. It isn't much, I know. But I need you to take this."
"Will," Paul sighed.
"Please," Will set his jaw, staring at Paul. "I need you to do this."
Paul knew there was something else beyond Will wanting him to have the money. He knew there had to be something more, something that he was missing.
I can't hurt Will anymore, Paul knew. I promised I'd never do that again. If this is that important to Will, I'll do it.
"Okay," Paul took the check, smoothing it out. "Okay."
"Thank you," Will mumbled, turning away from Paul.
Tori watched the proceedings with a keen eye. She had never seen Paul act this way before, nervous. Her son was never nervous. But here, before this young, damaged blonde, Paul acted in a way Tori had never seen.
The way he looks at Will, Tori shook her head. It's like he's looking at the sun.
Tori found herself staring at Will too, taking him in.
Will felt uncomfortable. He knew everyone was looking at him. He didn't know what to do with the attention and found himself making nervous small talk.
Awkwardly, Will asked Tori, "Has Salem changed much since you were here last?"
"What?" Tori startled, unprepared by the question.
"Salem," Will stated again. "Has it changed since you were here?"
Paul frowned. As far as he knew his mother had never been to Salem before.
"No," Tori answered, tone changing. "No, I've never been here before. I wouldn't know if it changed."
"But yesterday you said-," Will's eyebrows furrowed together, recalling the overheard conversation with John.
"No," Tori maintained, avoiding Will and Paul's eyes. "You are mistaken. This is the first time I've been in Salem."
"Right," Will lifted one eyebrow, suspicious.
Why is she acting like this? Will wondered. So secretive.
Before he could help himself, Will asked the first thing that popped into his mind.
"Paul, whatever happened with your father?" Will questioned watching as Tori's eyes nearly popped out of her head.
"What?" Paul wrinkled his nose. "Why do you ask?"
"I just, you mentioned having daddy issues once," Will explained off-handedly. "But you never said much about him. I was just curious."
Paul had to bite down a smile. Will's been thinking about me?
"Well," Paul described. "My dad is dead, actually. Died a few weeks after my conception."
"Really?" Will hummed, watching Tori carefully.
"I told you all about how I missed having him around," Paul shrugged. "But my grandfather was a perfect father-figure. My mother," Paul walked over and put his arm around Tori's shoulders. "Was fantastic as well."
"I'm sure," Will nodded, seeing the way Tori squirmed against Paul.
"Paul-san," Tori patted his hand with a strained smile. "I'm sure Will, here, is busy. He must have things to attend to. We shouldn't keep him."
"Oh," Paul's smile fell. "Right, yeah, of course. Um, thanks for coming up."
Will hummed instead of answering. "Ari, say goodbye."
Ari dropped Paul's phone and hopped off the bed. She tightly hugged Paul's leg.
"Bye bye," Ari grinned up at Paul.
"Bye, cutie," Paul tickled behind her sensitive ear.
Will and Ari headed for the door, pausing when Paul called out.
"Um, Will," Paul said, not really sure what to say. "I, I just, um, I know I've said it too often but I'm sorry. I never wanted to hurt you."
Will stared at Paul for a few seconds in silence. He nodded once before turning away, still uncertain if he believed Paul or not.
It doesn't matter anyway, Will believed. Even if I can forgive Paul for what he did to me, I'll never forget what he did with Sonny.
Tori waited until the door closed behind Will and his little girl. She caught the expression on Paul's face, the hopeful look in his eyes.
"You aren't going leave Salem, are you?" Tori realized with a sinking feeling.
"No," Paul answered.
"Come on, baby girl. I think Grandma is coming to get you soon. She sent me a message, anyway," Will revealed.
Ari stubbornly insisted she could walk down the steep steps herself, trying to give Will a heart attack.
Will focused on making sure Ari didn't tumble down the stairs. He didn't notice the figure at the bottom of the staircase. Will put his foot on the last step and looked up.
"Sonny," Will gasped.
"Will," Sonny's eyes trailed up the staircase. "What were you doing up there?"
Will opened and closed his mouth a few times, stumped.
Author's note:
Thanks for reading!
There were several reviews I got email notifications for but they haven't showed up yet in the actual reviews. So, if I haven't responded to you I will as soon as I can.