A/N: Ok I got some feedback that some people got confused with the new characters in New York, so I will give a proper introduction.

Tameka Barrino – Will/Liam's late wife, died after giving birth to Devon.

Ernest Barrino – Tameka's father & Will/Liam's father-in-law. Pastor of Woodhaven Baptist Church

Tamela Barrino – Tameka's mother & Will/Liam's mother-in-law. Homemaker

Ezekiel "Zeke" Barrino – Tameka's brother & Will/Liam's brother-in-law.

Emoni Barrino – Tameka's sister & Will/Liam's sister-in-law.

Remonda Barrino – Zeke's daughter & Will/Liam's niece.

Alfonso Rodriguez – Will/Liam's best friend in New York. He bought over Will/Liam's restaurant when Will/Liam left New York for Salem.

Felicita Rodriguez – Alfonso's wife

Dorcas Johansson – The landlady of Will/Liam's former and Alfonso's current restaurant.

Wyatt – CEO of In-Print Modelling Agency

Noel Hultgren – The new tenant of Nitrogen Club or formerly known as. Club TBD. He's also Neil's brother

Kirsty – A waitress at Liam/Will's restaurant

Just to give you guys a better depiction of them in case you all didn't read the prequel, the Barrinos are African-American and Alfonso and his wife are Hispanic.

Liam/Will's restaurant in new York is called 'The LT' for Liam & Tameka! :P

Now that's out of the way, here we go! :D

Paul Narita sat across the table with his fingers on his lap from the man looking through his portfolio filled with various photos of him modelling.

"Please hire me." Paul closed his eyes, pleading in his mind. Although modelling isn't exactly his favourite thing to do, it is his main source of income. If he weren't modelling, he would be struggling to make ends meet with his pay checks from baseball coaching. He needed to get a new gig fast.

The man across the table closed the huge file and placed his elbows on the table.

"You have a very impressive portfolio. Aside from Basic Black, you have graced across many other magazine covers." The CEO of In-Print Modelling Agency praised.

"Thank you, Wyatt." Paul smiled.

"But I have to be really honest with you." Wyatt's tone became more serious. "You are a great model. And you are still extremely hot, even after all these years."

Paul was getting more worried.

"But the truth is, you are now 32. And you are in the modelling industry. You are lucky you have asian blood because asian models can last longer in the industry for the plain simple fact that asian don't raisin. But based on my years of experience, you can only last in this industry for only a few more years." Wyatt advised.

Dismay was written all over Paul's face.

"I'm telling you this because I want you to know that this is an extremely superficial industry. And you need to know when your time is up." Wyatt warned. "Even Fabio will fade out eventually."

Paul nodded his head in reluctance. He knew that his time will expire. He needed to plan for life after modelling.

"So why do you ask me out today?" Liam Robertson sat across the table from Alfonso's wife.

"First of all, I need you to promise me that you won't tell Alfonso about this meeting." Felicita told him.

"It's in the vault." Liam placed a hand on his chest. "Now, tell me what is this all about?"

"I heard from Alfonso that you are now checking through the accounts of the restaurant." Felicita informed. "I also heard that he hasn't had an easy time dealing with you whooping his ass 24/7."

Liam let out a troubled sigh. "Look, I'm sorry I'm giving him a hard time. But you know how he is. He's a terrific chef but he's always a yes-man! Always being pressured to do stuff he always doesn't want to do!"

"I totally understand where you're coming from! He's my husband!" The Latino lady concurred. "I also know that when it comes to the restaurant, he listens to nobody but you. I'm here to ask you to convince him to move out and find a better place. He keeps on telling me that the location is too good and it's near the subway station. Since Dorcas wants to kick us out anyway, why don't we just move the hell on?"

"He is right," The blonde nodded his head, "this place is near the subway station. It's also the reason why I was able to put up with Dorcas' shenanigans all these years."

In frustration, Felicita took out some documents from her handbag.

"Look at these! These are notices from the government!" Felicita pointed her finger repeatedly at the pieces of paper. "I saw these in Alfonso's office. And he doesn't know I know about this."

Liam took up the pieces of paper from the government and look through the details.

"These are property tax invoices for the past few months." Liam realized, "Are you telling me that she has yet to pay these?"

"Who knows?" Felicita shrugged her shoulders, "Her boyfriend right now is the state senator. All I know is that these tax invoices keep on coming in with the word 'Overdue' on them."

"If she doesn't start paying her taxes, we may get evicted." Liam gasped at the thought of his the restaurant he built from scratch.

"Liam, when you left Al the restaurant, we were so grateful to you. I just had Celia and he just got fired from his last job. I know Al treasures this restaurant and doesn't want to let you down. But since he took over, he's been working on how to bring in more customers. And I'm not going to lie, he's been working day and night trying to come up with new recipes. That also means he has less time for his wife and his daughter. So please, tell him to find another restaurant." Felicita begged.

Seeing the look on Felicita's face, Liam knew that this issue had been driving a wedge between their marriage.

"Got all your measurements down!" Theresa Donovan said. "I will call you as soon as I complete everything." She informed.

"Sure, I saw the designs and I love it!" Greg Lee complimented. "I look forward to wearing them." The two shook hands before the model took off.

"Theresa, we need your designs pronto." Nicole Walker urged.

"I'm just so used to Paul's measurements that I'm not really comfortable with him to be honest." Theresa lamented. "I still can't believe we fired him."

"When it comes to firing Paul, you know I have to agree with Kate." Nicole reminded, "Greg is younger, hotter and is massive in Asia. He will bring a lot of buzz to the Shanghai Fashion Week."

"But you know the real reason Kate fired Paul!" Theresa contended.

"Trust me, Kate wanted Paul fired the moment he started dating Sonny again." Nicole deadpanned. "She's been waiting for the right time to do so! And Greg was her ticket out."

Sonny Kiriakis entered the club formerly known as TBD.

"Hey Noel! You did a really good job with this place!" Sonny complimented his tenant.

"Thanks! Are you here for inspections?" Noel Hultgren asked.

"Yeah, I'm here to see how you guys are doing!" Sonny smiled.

"We spent these past few months trying to build up the stage. Look at it!" Noel pointed towards the stage, "It has a 5.2 surround sound system and it's fully-equipped with drums, keyboard and microphones!"

"Wow!" Sonny was impressed.

"I really wanted to make music the essence of the club!" Noel saw his brother entering the place. "Oh look! My brother's here! Neil!" He hollered.

Sonny turned his head and saw the man walking towards them. His eyes widened.

"Hello Sonny!" Neil greeted, "It's been a while!"

"Wait a minute," Sonny turned to Noel, "He's your brother?"

"Yeah, he's my younger brother." Noel nodded, "Wait a minute, you know each other?"

"Yeah, we go way back!" Neil laughed.

"I can't deal with this right now…" Sonny closed his eyes and massaged the bridge of his nose. He took a few seconds to compose himself.

"Yeah, I haven't met you since testifying for Will!" Neil said. "How long has it been? Eight, nine years? How's Will? I miss the guy!"

Sonny tried to hold back any form of groaning or sighing. Talking about Will Horton is the last thing he wanted to do right now.

"Paul, please try to understand why I decided to keep this from you." John pleaded.

"Dad, you know me! You know I rather be hurt with the hard truth than to live in some illusion!" Paul said sternly.

"You and Sonny have come too far!" John rationalized, "Both Marlena and I decided to keep this to ourselves! He wanted to leave Salem anyway!"

"I can't talk with you right now." Paul groaned in distress. "I need you to leave."

In order not to aggravate his son any further, John Black stood up and left the apartment.

Paul leaned back on the couch. Flashbacks of the Liam Robertson's words would not leave his head.

"You want him?" Liam pointed his own head towards Sonny's direction. "Congratulations, he's yours. I wish you two eternal bliss and lifelong happiness." Liam pulled his suitcase and left the apartment.

Paul could recall the look of despise in his eyes, and that devastated him greatly.

Liam Robertson saw the long line outside the restaurant. Based on his experience, some of these customers have queued for at least half an hour.

He entered the restaurant and saw the place filled with noise and people laughing and teasing one another.

He proceeded to the kitchen and saw his best friend and the rest of the kitchen crew at work.

"Okay, crayfish pasta is all ready!" Alfonso pressed the bell and the waiter came dashing pass him into the kitchen.

"Take this to Table 20!" Alfonso instructed.

The waiter took the plate on the tray and left the kitchen.

In order not to disrupt their workflow, he left the kitchen and immerse himself in the chit-chatting and laughing of the customers. His eyes slowly turned towards the stage at the corner. On the stage there was an upright piano and a mic stand. It made him recall the happier times he had in this restaurant.

"Ok, she's here!" Kirsty informed through the walkie-talkie.

"Ok go sit her down right in front of the stage! Over!" Liam instructed, spying on his girlfriend taking a seat at the table.

Liam stealthily sneaked into the bathroom to get changed.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Kirsty, have you set up the mic?" Liam asked.

"All set! Just the way you like it by the piano." Kirsty spoke through the walkie-talkie.

"Ok be right out in just a bit." Liam turned off his walkie-talkie and left the bathroom.

Liam Robertson quickly left his uniform at the corner and hopped onto the stage.

"Li, babe what are you doing?" Tameka turned her head and noticed her boyfriend.

"Shh…" Liam placed a finger on his lips. "Just listen." He quickly turned on the mic. "Test, test is this thing on?" He cleared his throat before continuing. "Hey everyone! I would like your attention for a few minutes!"

"What the hell are you doing?" Tameka's cheeks were getting redder by the second. "Stop it right now!" She reprimanded.

"Hello everyone!" Liam greeted. "For those who don't know who I am, I'm Liam, the owner and the head chef of this restaurant!"

Tameka placed a hand over her palm.

"And today, I'm going to dedicate a song to my girlfriend who is sitting right there!." He pointed a finger at her. "Yeap, you see the lady in the cute pink blouse that's her."

"Liam!" Tameka mouthed angrily.

"Tammy, this is for you." Liam declared as he started gliding his hands, playing glissandos on the piano.

"Ok what's with the dramatic intro?" Tameka raised her eyebrow.

You could buy her diamonds

You could buy her pearls

Take her on a cruise around the world

Cos Baby you know she's worth it

Dinner lit by candles

Run her bubble bath

Make love tenderly to last and last

Baby you know she's worth it

Tameka Barrino sat there in awe, her mouth agape.

Wanna please wanna keep wanna treat your woman right

Not just dough but to show that you know she is worth your time

You will lose if you chose to refuse to put her first

She will and she can find a man who knows her worth

The piano came to a dramatic stop. Liam looked across the stage to the embarrassed black woman.

Noticing how flushed his girlfriend looked, he giggled for a few seconds before placing his focus back on the piano.

Cause a real man, knows a real woman when he sees her

And a real woman knows a real man

Ain't afraid to please her

And a real woman knows a real man always comes first

And a real man just can't deny a womans worth

MmmmMmmmmmm

Shoo-be-doo-be-doo-ba

As soon as the tune ended, everyone in the restaurant started applauding.

Tameka couldn't take her eyes off her boyfriend until she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned her head around.

"Kirsty, what's going on?" Tameka asked.

"One tiramisu for you!" Kirsty placed the plate on the table.

She saw a heart-shaped chocolate on top of the sponge-cake with the words 'Say Yes'.

"Is this going where I think this is going?" Tameka's eyes widened.

Liam took the mic off the stand and got off the stage.

"Tammy, you know we have been dating for about almost two years now. And what I learnt from dating you is life is a bed of roses. Because every rose has thorns." Liam laughed.

Tameka tried to fight back her tears.

"I'm a man with no past, no history. Yet you believe in me and you believe me. We faced various adversities from opening this restaurant to the many people who were against our relationship. Yet, we have conquered it all." Liam flashed a wistful smile.

Liam went down on one knee and took out a small red box.

Tameka gasped.

"You always criticize me for not being romantic or affectionate or cheesy for that matter." Liam shrugged his shoulders slightly. "So tonight I've decided to change your mind."

He opened the ring box.

Tameka gasped once more as she looked at the ruby ring.

"Tammy, we have been through a lot to get to where we are. And only the Lord knows what other crazy shit we will go through. I can't guarantee that we will be ok. We will disagree, we will argue. Hell, we may even want to strangle each other at times." Liam said. "But what I can say is that I will work for us to make it work. Because that's what love is. It's more than just passion and feelings, it's a commitment. So Tameka Fey Barrino, will you marry me?"

Tears were now flowing down Tameka's cheeks, her mascara smudged.

"Yes Li. I will marry you!" Tameka nodded her head vigorously.

Liam quickly put the ring on her finger before standing up to give her a embrace.

Everyone in the restaurant cheered loudly, with a few standing up.

Liam Robertson hesitated about doing this for days but looking at how well Alfonso has preserved the business when he left, he knew he had to protect the place he had built.

"I have to do this. For Alfonso, for Felicita and for everyone who helped me build this place." Liam took out his cellphone and began texting.

To: Dorcas Johansson

I need to see you now.

Sonny Kiriakis unlocked the door and saw Gabi Hernandez sitting on the couch. Ever since he found out Liam Robertson is Will Horton, Sonny and Gabi barely talked except during meal times or whenever Arianna was present for that matter.

"Hey Gabi!" Sonny greeted awkwardly.

"We need to talk." Gabi stated plainly.

"I've spent the whole day running inspection at the club, let's talk later." Sonny hung his coat and proceeded to the kitchen.

"No Sonny, this has gone on for way too long! How long are you going to avoid the issue?" Gabi asked.

"Lower your volume, Arianna is doing her homework." Sonny warned.

"Arianna is over at Theresa and Brady's playing with Tate." Gabi informed, "You can't escape this conversation."

"What do you want me say?" Sonny raised is voice in frustration, "That I still think about Will? That I want him back? That he should be here helping Arianna out with her homework? Because yes, I think about him everyday since he arrived Salem and yes, I think about him everyday since he left Salem. Are you happy?"

"Then what about Paul?" Gabi questioned.

"Paul's right. Ever since he returned to Salem, I put all my focus on him. I neglected Paul in some ways. The truth is he has always been in my heart, even after all these years. I'm still unable to forget him." Sonny confessed.

Gabi nodded her head in acknowledgement.

"So what are you going to do?" Gabi asked.

"I don't know anymore." Sonny answered honestly.

Liam Robertson and Dorcas Johansson sat across the table at the latter's townhouse.

"I was expecting you to flake on me." Liam told Dorcas.

"You may have sold the business to Alfonso, but at the end of the day, Alfonso is just someone who takes care of your baby." Dorcas stated, "I have known you for so many years. I know you wouldn't pass on the fruit of your labour entirely. You are the true owner of 'The LT'."

"You really do know me." Liam giggled. "Since you know me so well, you should also know that if someone tries to mess with the business, I will hunt them down."

Dorcas' hands began trembling once more. However, she tried to put on her best poker face.

"Remember what I told you when I left New York?" Liam asked.

"You said plenty of things, how am I supposed to remember what you said?" Dorcas countered.

"I told you, you mess with the restaurant, you mess with me. You mess with the rent, you mess with me. You mess with Alfonso, you mess with me." Liam refreshed her memory. "And not only did you increase the rent, you evaded Alfonso's calls and ignore his emails whenever he asked you for to fix the fridge and the stove. You have failed to fulfil your responsibilities as a landlady."

Dorcas flashed the chef a sly smile. What Liam couldn't see was her hands on her lap, trembling.

"So you left me with no choice but to do this." Liam took folded pieces of paper out of his coat, unfolded it and placed them on the table.

"These are tax invoices. Tax invoices which are overdue for the past six months." Liam informed. "It seems like you haven't paid them."

"What are you up to?" Dorcas furrowed her eyebrows.

"We all know you are screwing Senator Collins. I mean, it's not a secret." Liam stated the obvious. "So I'm wondering if I make a police report and just make a simple inquiry about these notices showing up in the mail. I wonder how will this affect him."

Dorcas' face went completely pale.

"If you send me to the cops, the entire restaurant can't be open for operation! Are you crazy?" She raised her voice in frenzy.

"You have wanted to see us go down for years. If the restaurant isn't doing well at all, we will be incurring heavy losses. Alfonso has a family to feed now that he has a child and you have treated him like trash. So frankly speaking, I think you should be punished for your behaviour towards him."

"Doing this will destroy everything you had built!" Dorcas reminded.

"If we're going down, you are going down with us." Liam pointed out.

Dorcas gritted her teeth. She was at a loss for words.

"Of course, there is a simple way out for everyone. Would you like to hear it?" Liam offered with a smile.

"Cut the bullshit!" Dorcas growled, "What do you want?"

"Chilax!" Liam tried to soothe, "I agree on a few things you say like no pets in the restaurant. I agree that that was a fault on my part." He cajoled, "But I want a 20 per cent cut in monthly rental and reimbursement for fixing the leakage on the roof, the exhaust pipe, the fridge and the stove. If you don't, you know what will happen."

Nostrils flaring, Dorcas glared into Liam's blue eyes. The two held each other's gaze for a few seconds before the lady finally broke the silence.

"Ok fine, I will take up on your terms." Dorcas conceded.

"Brilliant! You have made a smart choice." The blonde chef complimented. "It has been a pleasure doing business with you!" He stood up from his seat and adjusted his coat. "If a new lease agreement doesn't enter our doorstep within the next 72 hours, you know what will happen."

Liam pushed the chair in. "Let this be a lesson. Never mess with Liam Robertson." He sauntered towards the entrance and placed his hand on the doorknob. Before he left, he turned around.

"Oh I forgot to add one more thing, pay your damn taxes." He smirked before opening the door and leaving the house.

A/N: Ok, that's it for now. I know some of you may find this chapter a bit storyfiller-ish but I promise we will get to the good parts real soon!

Song is 'A Woman's worth' by Alicia Keys

So what do you think? Love it? Hate it? REVIEW! I appreciate all constructive criticisms! :D