Chapter 18
BRADY PUB
Sydney walked over to Sami and Lucas' table.
SYDNEY: Mom, is it okay if I go play basketball with Ciara and her friends?
SAMI: Sure, baby. Just be careful.
Sami kissed Sydney on the cheek.
SYDNEY: Okay.
SAMI: Wait a minute. Where's your brother?
SYDNEY: He said he went for a walk.
SAMI: Did he say where?
SYDNEY: I think so. I think he said he wanted to visit Uncle André.
SAMI: André?
Sydney nodded. Sami took one of Sydney's hands.
SAMI: Sydney, I need you to listen to me, okay? Now, I know that he's your uncle, and I know this won't sound fair, but I don't want you going over to that house anymore.
SYDNEY: Why not?
SAMI: Your Uncle André...he's not a good person.
SYDNEY: What do you mean?
SAMI: He's just...I don't want you hanging around that house. It's not good for you.
SYDNEY: What about Johnny?
SAMI: I will deal with Johnny. Just, go have fun with your cousin. Make new friends. We might be here for a while.
SYDNEY: Okay, mom.
Sydney walked outside.
LUCAS: You really gonna stay in town for a while?
SAMI: Well, yeah. Carrie, Eric and I have to go through Dad's things. That'll take at least a few days. Plus, there are other things I need to do here. Such as keep my son away from his evil uncle.
LUCAS: Do you want me to go over with you?
SAMI: No, I'll be fine. I'll see you back at the apartment.
LUCAS: Okay.
Sami turned to walk away.
LUCAS: Sami?
She turned back.
LUCAS: Be careful.
SAMI: I'm a big girl, Lucas.
LUCAS: I know. But I also know how devious André can be.
SAMI: And you think I don't?
LUCAS: I'm not saying that. I'm just saying that, if recent events are anything to go by, André's just as bad as always.
SAMI: And so am I.
Sami turned and walked away.
LUCAS (under his breath): That's what I'm afraid of.
DIMERA MANSION
ANDRE: Come now, Giovanni. I'm sure by now you're old enough to understand the concept of adoption.
JOHNNY: I am, yes.
ANDRE: There you go, then.
JOHNNY: That's all it is?
ANDRE: Certainly. Cassie and Rex were Roman's children, but they're mine. I adopted them.
André chuckled.
ANDRE: Actually, I'll let you in on a little secret, but don't tell anyone. Cassie and Rex were never really Roman's children. They were always mine.
JOHNNY: Then why make everyone think they were?
ANDRE: I was a different man back then. I was...temporarily misguided, let's say.
JOHNNY: Oh, okay. But, you're good now?
ANDRE: Oh, I'm so good. I'm much better now.
André rubbed his hands together.
ANDRE: Anyway, down to chess. You see, chess is more than just a simple board game. It is...
Bart ran into the room.
BART: Boss, there's someone here to see you, and they ain't happy!
Sami quickly followed.
SAMI: Get out of the way, Bart.
Bart moved. Sami ran over to the chess table.
SAMI: Johnny, go outside. Right now!
JOHNNY: Mom...
SAMI: Now!
She turned to André.
SAMI: And you...what the hell are you doing to my son?!
André stood up. He and Sami gazed at each other.