The Melaswen Paradox (Read 329,270 times)

[Kpatch]

One meeting does not success make. This trio has a long way to go.

You've captured Nicole's testiness well.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 512

BRADY PUB
CIARA: What possible other reason would I have for not telling her?
CLAIRE: I don’t know. You tell me.
Ciara looked down at the table. Claire patted Ciara’s hand.
CLAIRE: Hey, whatever it is, you can tell me. You know I’m not gonna judge you, right?
CIARA: I know.
CLAIRE: So, what is it, then?
CIARA: Let’s go somewhere more private.
Claire nodded, then she and Ciara got up from the table. They walked into the back of the Pub into one of the storage closets.
CLAIRE: So, what’s going on?
Ciara took a deep breath.
CIARA: I wanna move into the dorms and stuff. And I know I said i didn’t tell my mom because I was afraid of how she’d react, but you were right, that’s not the truth.
CLAIRE: What is, then?
CIARA: You’re gonna think it’s totally stupid.
CLAIRE: No, I won’t. Promise.
Ciara hesitated.
CIARA: I’m kinda nervous about moving into the dorms, to be honest. I mean, I want to, I’m just...it just seems so final, you know? I mean, I’ll be moving out of the house I’ve grown up in my whole life.
CLAIRE: It’s a big step. You know, if you don’t think you’re ready, you don’t have to-
CIARA: I am ready. I’m ready to have the full college experience. It just feels a little weird to know that I’ll be moving out in a few weeks. It’ll be an adjustment.
Claire nodded.
CLAIRE: I’m sure it will be. But, you know, if you need anything, we’re all here for you.
CIARA: I know. I’m glad I have you with me. You, Trix, Chase, Joey and Theo. You’re the best.
Claire and Ciara hugged.
CIARA: I’ll tell my mom tonight after I get home, I promise.
CLAIRE: I’m gonna hold you to that. Hey, I know it’s gonna be weird. But isn’t it also kind of exciting?
Ciara nodded.
CIARA: It is, yeah. Thanks for everything.
CLAIRE: No problem. I’m always here.
CIARA: I know. Thanks. We should probably get out there.
CLAIRE: Yep.
Ciara and Claire put their aprons back on and walked back into the front part of the Pub.

SALEM INN
There was a knock on the door of Dante’s room. Dante walked over to the door and looked through the peephole, then he opened it. A rather stern looking man, with black hair and wearing a suite came in.
DANTE: You got here a lot quicker than I thought you would…sir.
The man looked hard at Dante, then surveyed the room.
MAN: We have work to do.
When he spoke, it was with an English accent.
MAN: I trust this room is secure?
DANTE: Of course, sir.
MAN: Check it again. And pack your bags. We’re going to a nicer hotel. We’re certainly not staying in a dump like this.
DANTE: All due respect, Mr. Green, the closest nice hotel is an hour away.
Mr. Green looked hard at Dante again.
GREEN: Well then, we’ll just have to commute, won’t we? The car is outside. Do not make me wait long.
Mr. Green walked out of the hotel room.

[heroicmuse]

I wonder who this Mr. Green is.

I thought Ciara was scared to move into the dorms! I'm glad she and Claire talked about this. I hope she talks to Hope like she promised.

Great chapter André DiMera! Will there be previews?

[André DiMera]

Thanks for reading and commenting, everyone!

---

Next week...

Brandon pays his father a visit.
ABE: Welcome back.

Plus, Dante's plans are moved along by the arrival of a mystery man.
GREEN: We have work to do.

But will Dante see this as helpful?
DANTE: I have things under control.
GREEN: If that were true, you'd have convinced her by now.

And, Ciara finally talks to Hope.
CIARA: I need to tell you something.

All this and more next week on THE MELASWEN PARADOX!

[heroicmuse]

I'm not sure which I'm looking forward to most. I think Brandon and Abe reconnecting.

I'm so glad Ciara is finally going to talk to Hope and I'm so curious about who this Mr Green is.

Thabks for the great previews André DiMera.

[Kpatch]

Well, it's understandable that Ciara has trepidations. It's a big change. If she's not ready, she should live at home.

Wonder why Mr. Green is so big on being in a luxury hotel.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 513

HOPE & AIDEN’S HOUSE
Hope sat at the table, looking over some papers. The front door opened.
CIARA: I’m home.
Ciara walked into the dining room.
HOPE: Hi, honey. How was work?
Ciara took off her apron.
CIARA: Long. It was super busy. All the high school kids are going back this week, so a lot of families going out for one last dinner before the school year.
HOPE: That makes sense. Salem U starts the third of September, right?
CIARA: Yep. And speaking of that, I need to tell you something.
Hope took off her glasses.
HOPE: All right, what’s up?
CIARA: I, um, I kinda want to move into the dorms.
HOPE: That makes sense to me.
CIARA: Yeah. Wait, what?
HOPE: Well, when we went for registration, I assumed you were at least considering moving into the dorms since you went on that tour with Claire.
CIARA: And, you’re cool with it?
HOPE: Of course I am. Honey, I want you to have as much of the college experience as possible. Besides, living in a dorm could be fun.
CIARA: Yeah…
HOPE: You don’t look so convinced.
CIARA: No, I am. I just...I don’t know.
Hope pulled out the seat next to her and patted it.
HOPE: Let’s talk.
Ciara sat down.
HOPE: What’s going on, babe?
CIARA: Look, I totally want to move into the dorms. I’m super excited to live with whoever my roommate is, which hopefully it’s Claire. But, I dunno. I guess I’m just a little nervous.
HOPE: Because this is the first time you’ll be living away from home.
CIARA: Yeah.
HOPE: Honey, that’s perfectly natural. Everyone’s at least a little bit nervous before doing something like this. It’s a big step. I was nervous the first time I left home, too. The good thing is, you’ve got Claire with you. And, you know, if you need anything, home is just a fifteen minute drive from Salem U.
Ciara nodded.
CIARA: I know. I’m so glad Claire and Trix are moving in, too. I know I’m ready for this, it’ll just take a little bit of adjustment. Thanks, Mom.
Ciara and Hope hugged, and Hope kissed the top of her daughter’s head.
HOPE: Anytime, Little One.

SALEM P.D.
ABE: Of course. That makes perfect sense.
Abe was talking on the phone in his office. There was a knock on the door (which was already open) and Brandon walked in. Abe motioned to him to come inside.
ABE: All right. I”ll speak with you later, Rollins. Bye.
Abe hung up his phone and stood up.
ABE: Well, this is a surprise! Welcome back.
Abe and Brandon shook hands.
BRANDON: Thanks, Abe. Good to be back.
ABE: Take a seat, please.
Abe and Brandon sat down.
BRANDON: So, you’re back on the force, then?
ABE: Well, after my term as Mayor ended, I missed the feeling of helping to clean up the streets of Salem, and Roman offered me my old job back.
BRANDON: That’s great, I’m glad.
ABE: What are you up to these days? Still a therapist?
BRANDON: I’m not a therapist, I’m a youth counselor. I try to help troubled youths get on the right path.
ABE: Very good. You know, if you’re planning on sticking around for a while, I’m sure they could use your help at the Horton Center.
BRANDON: Well, to be honest, I’m not entirely sure how long I’m back for, so I might just look them up.
ABE: So, what brings you to Salem?
BRANDON: My sister called me a few days ago, said she needed help with some stuff.
ABE: Ah. What has Nicole done this time?

[heroicmuse]

Lol at Abe's reaction. Way to jump to conclusions there.

Rollins? Is Abe talking to SVU? Either way I'm curious what that conversation was about.

I'm glad Ciara and Hope had this talk.

Great chapter André DiMera.

[mae00]

Awww! Bo always called Ciara Little One. I'm sure this change has her missing him a lot more too.

So Mr. Green has an English accent. Is this EJ going under an assumed name?

I wonder how much Brandon will tell Abe about Dante.

[Kpatch]

Hope handled that talk perfectly!

I hope Brandon sticks around.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 514

SALEM P.D.
Brandon fixed Abe with a look.
BRANDON: Abe, really? Can’t you just lay off Nicole for once? She’s come a long way these last few years.
ABE: All right, I’m sorry. Perhaps I did jump to conclusions a bit. Let me rephrase that. What is going on with Nicole?
BRANDON: She called me because she wanted my help with some stuff.
ABE: Anything you’d like to elaborate on?
Brandon hesitated.
BRANDON: Look, you didn’t hear this from me, okay, but some guy’s been harassing her lately. It started with phone calls, but then he showed up at her door.
ABE: She hasn’t reported anything to the police.
BRANDON: When you guys never cut her any slack? Gee, I wonder why.
ABE: Son, Nicole should know that if she’s in trouble, we will help her, however, we would do it our way. By the book.
BRANDON: Yeah, that’s what I tried to tell her. Unfortunately, this is the bit that gets complicated. This creep who’s been harassing my sister, he claims he’s her half-brother by Paul Mendez.
ABE: That’s preposterous!
BRANDON: Is it, though? I mean, come on, Abe, we all know what Mendez was like. He had a string of affairs a mile long before you put him away.
ABE: I don’t suppose he had a D.N.A. test, or any proof that what he’s saying is true?
BRANDON: Not according to Nicole and Daniel.
ABE: Of course.
BRANDON: Look, Nicole called me because of all the stuff she and I went through because of Mendez. She wanted me to help her find out what this guy’s all about.
ABE: And so you came to me.
BRANDON: I’m trying to convince Nicole to do this the right way and not jump the gun. She won’t be thrilled that I’m talking to you, but hopefully Daniel and I can reason with her.
ABE: You were always good at that. You’re one of the few people I’ve met who can actually talk to her.
BRANDON: Nicole and I have been through a lot together. We understand each other better than I’d imagine most siblings do.
ABE: Well, when you tell Nicole about this discussion, please let her know that I am willing to help in any way that I can.
BRANDON: I appreciate it, Abe. First thing, we gotta figure out if this guy really is related to Mendez or not.

OMNI CHICAGO HOTEL
Mr. Green had examined the room from top to bottom. He and Dante had gotten a suite in Chicago.
GREEN: Much better. And much more secure.
Dante reclined and put his legs on a nearby table.
GREEN: Shoes off the furniture, boy. You’re not in a frat house now.
Dante rolled his eyes but put his legs down.
DANTE: Look, no offense, Mr. Green, but why are we here?
GREEN: Were you not listening all the other times that I’ve explained my plan to you?
DANTE: Of course I was. But, and please don’t take this the wrong way, I don’t get why you felt the need to come down. I have things under control.
Mr. Green looked at Dante hard.

[heroicmuse]

I really want to know what Mr Green is up to! Great job building suspense.

I'm glad Brandon put Abe in his place regarding Nicole.

Great chapter André DiMera.

[mae00]

I'm so glad that Brandon stood up for Nicole. I can't blame her for not trusting the Salem PD for help. I'm not sure I would either at this point.

[Kpatch]

It's nice that Nicole has both Brandon and Daniel on her side.

I have a feeling Mr. Green is someone we know well.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 515

SIDE-BY-SIDE: HOPE & AIDEN’S HOUSE/ALAMAIN MANSION
Ciara and Trix were sitting in their rooms, on the phone to each other.
TRIX: So, how’d it go with your mum?
CIARA: Really good, actually. You know, I was kinda nervous about moving out, but she made me feel better.
TRIX: Well, that’s good.
CIARA: And, at least I’ll have you and Claire there with me. Even if neither of us share a room together.
TRIX: Well, at least we’re all in the same section. We can hang out in the common room all the time.
CIARA: True.
TRIX: So, who’s your roomie?
CIARA: No idea. The e-mail said they were still looking for someone to share my room.
TRIX: Well, maybe you won’t have one, then.
CIARA: I guess. Honestly, though, I’d rather have one than not. Even if I don’t know them, it’d be nice to have somebody around.
TRIX: I get that.
CIARA: So, what about you?
TRIX: Well, they only send you the first initial and last name, but mine seems to be an R. Gilmore.
Ciara laughed slightly.
TRIX: What?
CIARA: I was just thinking, it’d be a really crazy coincidence if her first name was Rory.
TRIX: I don’t get it.
CIARA: You know, Rory Gilmore, like in Gilmore Girls.
TRIX: Ah, right. Never seen that.
CIARA: Seriously? I can’t believe we’ve been together this long and neither Claire, Chase or I have shown you Gilmore Girls.
TRIX: Well, you’ll have to get on that, then. You’ve piqued my interest now.
CIARA: Oh, you better believe I will!
TRIX: Good.
Both Ciara and Trix laughed.
CIARA: I’m just really excited to start college in September. And to move in next week.
TRIX: I’m excited for it, too.

OMNI CHICAGO HOTEL
Mr. Green chuckled bitterly.
GREEN: “Under control”? You think you had things under control? If that were true, Nicole Walker would be on our side by now. You’d have convinced her that you are her half-brother, and we’d have the money by now.
DANTE: These things take time.
GREEN: Do they? Do you know that when Paul and I started this business, we had next to nothing? Paul and his family were poor. But we both knew how to work the system. It took a little creative financing, but soon, with my business skills and Paul’s, shall we say, eye for talent, we were raking it in. I came down here because you were taking too long.
DANTE: Okay, maybe I can do better.
GREEN: Maybe? Maybe is not an option. You either do it, or you will pay me back for all of those surgeries I signed you up for to make you look enough like Paul. Now, I know you don’t have that kind of money, and I’m sure you know what I do to people who are in my debt. Now, let me tell you something, boy. You may look a lot like a younger him, but you are no Paul Mendez. I knew the real Paul Mendez, and you are not him. You’re not even Chicago’s top Paul Mendez tribute band. Remember your place, boy.
DANTE: All right, all right. I will do better.
GREEN: Good. Do not disappoint me.