The Melaswen Paradox (Read 329,434 times)

[heroicmuse]

OMG I love the flashback! I'm glad Steve is insisting Ciara be safe unlike the version on the show *cough* And the song was perfect. I hope Ciara listens to Steve's rules. If not maybe David can talk to her about what can happen.

Great chapter André DiMera.

[Kpatch]

Such a poignant scene, especially with the song playing. The new version seemed very appropriate.

[mae00]

Awww. I loved the flashback. So glad that Steve laid the ground rules for the bike. She's more likely to listen to him than to her mom in some instances. And it will mean more coming from someone who actually drives a bike than from someone who just rode shotgun.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 549

SALEM UNIVERSITY
TRIX: A motorcycle? Are you serious?
CIARA: Yep!
TRIX: Bonzer! (awesome)
CIARA: I know, right!
TRIX: Okay, you have got to show me this thing!
CIARA: I will, tonight. And, once Uncle Steve teaches me and I get my license, I’ll take you for a ride.
TRIX: That’d be great! It’s really cool that it used to be your dad’s as well.
CIARA: Yeah. I love it. I’m so glad Uncle Steve gave it to me.

TITAN
Philip ran into the office Jody and Vic were packing up their things. Philip cleared his throat and the twins looked up.
PHILIP: You two wanna tell me what’s going on here? Why did I just receive a call telling me that there was a fire?
VIC: Apparently your secretary didn’t give you the message properly.
JODY: Vic, give her a break, our accents can be hard to understand. Anyway, Philip, it seems there was a little miscommunication. What the message was meant to say was that my brother and I have been called away to put out a fire.
PHILIP; In what sense?
JODY: Well, you know how you brought us out here from Titan’s Dubai office?
PHILIP: Of course.
VIC: And, you know how the quarterly figures came in at the end of the week just before the holiday weekend, but everyone left before we took a close look at them?
PHILIP: I recall.
JODY: It’s not good, boss. Titan’s Dubai office is floundering without us. Our assistants called us late last night and practically begged us to come back.
VIC: But we didn’t want to before talking to you.
Philip took a deep breath.
PHILIP: I see. Well, I will admit that I haven’t heard great things from the Dubai office since you two came here. And, much as I love having more family around, I think I’ve got a pretty good hold on things, now that I don’t have to pretend to be a DiMera.
JODY: Well, with that in mind, I think it’s time Vic and I get back to our original jobs.
Jody shook hands with Philip.
JODY: Philip, we’ll always be grateful to you for believing in us, and letting us take care of things while you were away.
PHILIP: I’m grateful to you two, as well.
Next, it was Vic’s turn to shake hands with Philip.
PHILIP: So, this is it, then?
VIC: Yep. We already said goodbye to Mum, Dad and Sonny. And of course, Big Vic, I mean, our uncle.
JODY: We would’ve said goodbye to Alex, but he’s off sailing again, so we’ll catch up with him when he finds a port.
Philip nodded.
PHILIP: Well, gentlemen, it has been...it’s been an experience.
VIC: It certainly has.
JODY: Thanks again, Philip.
PHILIP: Thank you two.
The twins turned to each other.
JODY: Ready, Vic?
VIC: Ready, bro.
JODY: We’ll be in touch, Philip.
VIC: See ya later.
PHILIP: Bye, you two.
Philip watched as the twins picked up their briefcases and left Titan.

[heroicmuse]

I wonder why the twins are really going to Dubai. I'm suspicious that they were actually fired. I also wonder if we've seen the last of them.

I'm looking forward to more of Ciara and Trix.

Great chapter André DiMera.

[Kpatch]

I'm actually glad to see the twins go. It was good getting to know Justin and Adrienne's other children, but Philip needs to have sole charge. It's the way it was meant to be!

[mae00]

The twins' departure sure seems sudden. And why would Philip not know about it? Does this have something to do with them seeing the email between Philip and "Tony". Are they trying to distance themselves from any backlash that meeting may have?

[André DiMera]

Chapter 550

KIRIAKIS MANSION
Victor was reading the paper. He looked up when he heard the door open, and saw Philip walk in.
VICTOR: You’re home early.
PHILIP: And you’re observant.
Victor put the paper down.
VICTOR: Rough morning at the office?
Philip chuckled bitterly. He took a deep breath.
PHILIP: The twins left this morning. Yeah, just packed up their things and left. Only knew about it because my assistant called me in from that out of town meeting I mentioned. I walked in on them just as they finished packing.
Philip sat down across from Victor.
PHILIP: But, you already know all about that, don’t you?
VICTOR: I am aware that my two nephews have left, yes.
PHILIP: That’s not what I mean, Dad, and you know it.
VICTOR: Isn’t it?
PHILIP: No. And I think it’s time we had a little chat.
VICTOR: Then stop beating about the bush and spit out what precisely you think I know that you mean.
PHILIP: When Jody and Vic were on their way out, they mentioned that they had to go back to Dubai immediately because the figures at Titan’s Dubai office had plummeted in their absence. Now, I know the figures only came in late Friday and I took the weekend off and was busy this morning, but I would think that I’d know if one of our offices was doing poorly.
VICTOR: As any good businessman would.
PHILIP: So, my only conclusion can be that that isn’t why they left.
VICTOR: I see. Well, do I have to play a round of Twenty Questions, or do you intend to tell me your suspicions as to why they really left?
PHILIP: I was hoping you could tell me that. You’re right, I do have my suspicions, but I want you to tell me. I’m hoping you’ll tell me I’m wrong, actually.
VICTOR: Dammit, Philip, stop talking in riddles and get to the point!
PHILIP: Okay. Did Jody and Vic leave because of an emergency at Titan’s Dubai office, or did they leave because you told them to?

ST. LUKE’S
Eric knelt by the altar, praying.
ERIC: For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. Lord, I pray that you help all those who are missing find their way, both home and to you. But this night, I especially pray for Emerald Michaels. That you soften the heart of her great-aunt Simone and lead her to return Emmy to her mother, Jade. I pray that you give Aunt Hope and the officers with whom she works the necessary tools to track down Simone and Emmy. And I pray that you give Jade patience, and give those around her the right words of comfort and support to speak to her. And I ask that you bless and keep all for whom we pray. In Your Holy name I pray. Amen.
Eric got up from the altar and turned around. Sister Mary Moira stood at the back of the church.
ERIC: Sister.
MOIRA: Good afternoon, Eric. I did not wish to disrupt your prayers, so I stayed back.
ERIC: I appreciate that. What can I do for you?
MOIRA: You have a visitor waiting for you in rev lounge.
ERIC: I see. Thank you.

[heroicmuse]

Love seeing Eric in religious mode! Wonder who is there to visit.

I'm with Philip. This is suspicious.

Great chapter André DiMera.

[Kpatch]

Victor is be cagey. He knows all, but isn't talking.

I wonder if Jade is the one who is there to see Eric.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 551

KIRIAKIS MANSION
VICTOR: You think that I had something to do with this?
PHILIP: Well, it’s not hard to figure out, is it? You haven’t been happy with the twins since they got here. I mean, I should have known you’d find some reason to send them back as soon as possible.
VICTOR: I will admit that I did not think much of them when you first brought them into the mansion. However, during your time away, we came to an understanding. I may not have liked the idea of them working with you, but I certainly didn’t send them away.
PHILIP: Oh please! This has your handiwork written all over it! What did you do, call Nico, have him intimidate them into going back?
VICTOR: That isn’t a question worth answering.
PHILIP: Look, I don’t disagree that the twins had to go back eventually. But the situation was working. We were doing well.
VICTOR: If that’s the case, then why was one of our biggest offices failing?
PHILIP: So, you admit it, then!
VICTOR: I did not ship the twins back to Dubai, as you seem to think I did, Philip. I merely implied that they might want to take a look at the quarterly reports. Whatever decision they made, it was on their own.
Philip shook his head.
PHILIP: I don’t believe this.
VICTOR: Believe what you want. If it makes you happy to believe I’m the villain in this, then that’s your prerogative.
PHILIP: I never said that I think you’re the villain in this!
Philip sighed.
PHILIP: I just, I wish you would trust my judgment more. I’m not Brady, I don’t think with my other head first. All the other times in the past that I’ve been in a position of power, Titan has thrived. But every time, you find some reason to take Titan away from me. I mean, come on, Dad, why don’t you trust me?
VICTOR: I do! I gave you Titan, didn’t I?
PHILIP: In theory, yes. You said you gave me Titan. When I came back two years ago, you said you were stepping down. But ever since you stepped down, you’ve continuously questioned my decisions!
VICTOR: Yes, I did step down. Yes, I gave you Titan. But make no mistake, son, even though I gave you Titan, I still own the company. I may not be CEO, but I still know all that goes on there. Personally, I wish the twins had stayed. They might have been able to talk you out of making a deal with Tony DiMera!
PHILIP: It makes good business sense to take the deal. It’s not like we’re gonna become best friends or anything. We’re just working together to take out a common enemy. After that, we’ll go back to being business rivals again. But getting back to my point, it’s my decision to make. Titan’s my company now.
VICTOR: Titan is the family’s company. You’re the one running it for the moment.
PHILIP: Don’t threaten me, Dad. Because I will call your bluff. Just cut the crap. You know that I’m the one who should be running Titan. I’m the only one who can. Brady’s still recovering from that brain injury, Sonny has no interest in Titan, Justin’s busy being a lawyer, the twins are back in Dubai, and Alex is busy giving cruise tours in the tropics half the year.
VICTOR: Oh, get off the soapbox, will you? I never said or implied that you weren’t the right one for the job. If I didn’t think you could do it, I’d have stripped you of your position long before now. But, I haven’t. Now, as I said, you want to blame me for the twins leaving because you think I’m trying to control things from behind the scenes, go right ahead. I’ve been accused of much worse, and for much better reason. But don’t you dare accuse me of trying to cut you out completely. I should hope you would know me better than that by now. Regardless of what has happened in the past, you are my son, Philip. Despite what you may think, what I do, I do for your benefit.
PHILIP: If that’s what you have to tell yourself.
Philip got up and walked towards the stairs.
VICTOR: Where do you think you’re going?
PHILIP: I’m going upstairs to shower off, and then I’m going back to my office to figure out my next move, now that my company is without two-thirds of its CEOs. I’ll be back in time for dinner.

ST. LUKE’S
Eric walked into the lounge. Hope stood up.
ERIC: Aunt Hope.
HOPE: Good to see you, Eric.
ERIC: You too. What’s going on? Have you found Simone and Emmy?
HOPE: Not yet, but I do have a lead.

SALEM P.D. - FLASHBACK
Hope’s office phone rang.
HOPE: Commissioner Brady.
MAN (over phone): Good to hear your voice, Hope.
HOPE: Danny, what’ve you got for me? Tell me it’s good news.
DANNY (over phone): I found a lady with a kid matching the description you sent over.
HOPE: You found them?
DANNY (over phone): Only for a second, though. I was out on lunch when I saw them, but before I could do anything, she got away from me.
Hope sighed.
DANNY: Good news is, we know she’s in the city or nearby. I’m gonna see if I can track her down.
HOPE: Okay. Thanks, Danny.

ST. LUKE’S
ERIC: So, she got away?
HOPE: Yes, but at least now we know what city she’s in.
ERIC: Well, then I need to go there, then!
HOPE: Eric, let the police do their job. The guy I’ve got looking into this, he knows his stuff. He’ll track down Simone and help us get Emmy back where she belongs as soon as he can.
Eric took a deep breath.
ERIC: You’re right. You’re right, the police know what they’re doing. We just have to have faith. I’ll let Jade know what your man found next time I see her.
HOPE: That’s why I came here. I figured you would want to be the one to tell her.
ERIC: I appreciate that. Thank you.

[heroicmuse]

I'm glad Hope told Eric and that she convinced him not to go running off on any missions on his own.

I wondered if her contact was Danny Reagan. LOL

I'm not so sure I believe Victor.

Great chapter André DiMera.

[Kpatch]

I always love those friction-laden conversations between Philip and Victor. They are great together.

I wonder what the police are going to do to get Emmy back to Jade.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 552

KIRIAKIS MANSION
Philip turned over in his bed and looked at the clock on his bedside table.
PHILIP (thinking): 4:30 a.m., great…
Philip sighed, rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling. He thought about Melanie, and everything she had been through the last few months. He also thought about the question she had asked him the day before. He supposed that the best way to answer her would have been the truth, but he had gotten that call from his assistant asking him to come to the office before he’d had the chance. But what did it mean that she remembered being married to Philip, but potentially not any of her other relationships? Why had it been Philip, specifically, and not her engagement to Chad, or relationships with Nathan or Brady? Philip knew that, in her current state, there was no hope of a relationship, and he would never even consider trying to take advantage of her in that way. But still, there had to be something to the fact that it was their relationship and marriage that Melanie remembered first, but not the others. Philip supposed he would have to talk to Marlena about that sometime soon. But, he had other things to worry about, particularly a meeting with the Board in a few hours about why Titan was down to one CEO. He rolled over and tried to go back to sleep.

BRADY PUB
Chelsea opened the door to the upstairs bedroom that she and Max shared. She went into the connected bathroom and came out a few minutes later. Max stirred and slowly sat up.
CHELSEA: Morning.
MAX: Morning.
CHELSEA: Did I wake you?
MAX: Hey, there is no better wake up call than you.
Max and Chelsea chuckled and kissed.
MAX: What time is it?
CHELSEA: 4:30.
MAX: What are you doing up so early?
CHELSEA: Little Isaac was being fussy, so I sat up with him for a little while and rocked him. Plus, I knew it would be time for you to get up soon, so I made some pumpkin pancakes.
MAX: Ooh. You spoil me, Mrs. Brady.
Max and Chelsea chuckled again.
MAX: So, here’s what I’m thinking. I’m gonna kiss my lovely wife.
Max and Chelsea kissed.
MAX: Then I’m gonna get up, take a shower, eat, check on Ma, and open the Pub.
CHELSEA: Sounds good to me. Since it’s Wednesday, Claire doesn’t have school, so she’ll be by in a little bit to help you open up.
MAX: Fantastic.
Max looked at Chelsea.
CHELSEA: What?
MAX: I was just thinking about how lucky I am to have you in my life. And how I still need that kiss I mentioned before I can take a shower. And don’t even think about telling me I’ve already had two, because those were good morning kisses, not get ready for your day kisses.
Chelsea giggled.
CHELSEA: Well, aren’t we specific today?
MAX: You know it.
Max and Chelsea kissed again.
CHELSEA: There we go. Now, it’s time to get ready.
MAX: Oh, all right.
Max stood up and put on his robe.
CHELSEA: I made some pancakes for Grandma, too, if she wants some.
MAX: I’m sure she’ll appreciate that. I know I do.
CHELSEA: I’ll be down in a little bit.
MAX: Sounds good.
Max walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind him.

[heroicmuse]

Max and Chelsea are so sweet.

It's funny everyone is up at 4:30 AM. I wonder if there's a reason for that.

I'm glad Philip wouldn't try to take advantage of Melanie. It'll be interesting when he tells her the truth.

Great chapter André DiMera.