The Melaswen Paradox (Read 329,354 times)

[André DiMera]

Chapter 193

CHEZ ROUGE
Kate walked over to the table. Nicholas stood and held out his hand. He took Kate's hand in his and kissed it.
NICHOLAS: My goodness, you are just as gorgeous as I remembered. Actually, is it possible that you've grown more beautiful with age?
KATE: Nicky...
NICHOLAS: I'm sorry. I know, I said I'd behave. And I will. I was just caught off guard for a moment. It appears I wasn't wrong, you can still turn my head just by walking into the room.
KATE: Nicholas, if the only reason you've called me here is to flirt...
NICHOLAS: No, sorry. Please, stay. Sit.
Kate and Nicholas sat down across from each other.
NICHOLAS: You look well.
Kate rolled her eyes.
NICHOLAS: I wasn't flirting that time. It was a compliment.
KATE: Thank you. You look decent, as well. What are you doing here?
NICHOLAS: I'm bringing back my father's old company, Alamain Industries. I figured this would be the perfect place to start.
KATE: Why?
NICHOLAS: I have fond memories of Salem. I grew up here, for part of my childhood, anyway. And I miss the people here, some more than others.
KATE: I see.
NICHOLAS: Actually, I was just having a meeting with your son.
KATE: Philip?
Nicholas nodded.
KATE: What did you and Philip have to do with each other?
NICHOLAS: Well, let's not forget, we were growing up around the same time. We're both CEOs of major corporations. Or, we will be, once Victor decides to hand Titan over to him. Philip's the one who called the meeting, actually. He thinks I need to learn the rules.
KATE: Well, you can hardly blame him. It's been a long time since you were last in Salem.
NICHOLAS: True. But he also thought I needed a reminder about staying away from you.
KATE: Which you obviously didn't listen to.
NICHOLAS: Again, you agreed to it.
KATE: Well, I'd hardly let my son dictate whom I can and can't spend time with.
NICHOLAS: Kate, you really have missed me, haven't you?
Kate hesitated.
NICHOLAS: You have. I can see it in your eyes. It's written all over your face.
KATE: I have...thought of you softly from time to time. What we had was...exciting, let's say. But that's over now, Nicky. It's time to move on. I have.
NICHOLAS: With whom?
KATE: It doesn't matter. The point is, I no longer feel that way about you. I mean, come on, man. You're young enough to be my son.
NICHOLAS: That never stopped you before.
Kate stood up.
KATE: I have to go. It was a mistake coming here. I knew it would be, and I was right.
NICHOLAS: Kate, please, stay.
KATE: No, Nicholas. I'm not getting roped into this again. It is nice to know you're back in town, but don't expect me to be making any late night calls to you again. I'm far too old for this. Goodbye, Nicky.
Kate walked away. Nicholas sighed deeply.
NICHOLAS (thinking): You're wrong, Kate. I will have you back. I know how deeply you feel for me, otherwise you wouldn't have come. And somehow, you will love me again.

[heroicmuse]

Kate is not worth it Nicholas! Though I do like how she shut him down.

I wonder if she will have something to say to Philip.

Great chapter André DiMera!

[Kpatch]

That conversation was so fantastic! I could see it and I could hear it. Kate will not be able to resist, she never can. Very excited.

[André DiMera]

Thanks to some helpful tips from heroicmuse, I have made an image for today's chapter. Now you can see Nicholas and Kate's meeting.

[Kpatch]

That's incredible André DiMera!

[fluffysmom]

I enjoyed Kate and Nicholas's conversation. Great visual André DiMera.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 194

SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Chelsea and Max sat in one of the examination rooms. Addie was giving Chelsea a sonogram.
ADDIE: Well, as we enter the second trimester, it looks like the baby is perfectly healthy.
CHELSEA: That's good.
MAX: Very.
ADDIE: So, I suppose the only thing left to ask is, do you wish to know the baby's gender?
Chelsea and Max looked at each other.
MAX: It's up to you, Chels.
CHELSEA: Yes.
ADDIE: All right.
Addie turned to screen to Max and Chelsea.
ADDIE: Congratulations, you're going to give birth to a little boy.
CHELSEA: A boy?
Addie nodded.
MAX: This is great! We're gonna have a son!
CHELSEA: I've always wanted a boy!
Addie printed out a paper and handed it to Max.
ADDIE: Here are the test results. I'll give you two some privacy for a moment. Come out when you're ready.
CHELSEA: Thanks, Dr. Horton.
ADDIE: No problem. Congratulations again.
Addie left the room. Chelsea sat up and cleaned the excess fluid off of her stomach.
MAX: This is so great!
CHELSEA: I know. I was hoping it was a boy. And I think I've got the perfect name for him.
MAX: What is it?

SALEM HIGH
Claire, Chase and Ciara walked through the hallway to their lockers.
CIARA: I'm assuming you two saw that the posters are up finally?
CLAIRE: Yep. I actually got one of them from Ms. Schuler.
Claire pulled a pink piece of paper out of her locker. She unfolded it and showed it to the other two.
CLAIRE: Last Blast 2017!
CHASE: Awesome! What have we got for a theme this year?

DIMERA MANSION
In Rolf's lab, André sat, watching the screen on his computer. It was showing the various goings on in Salem at the time. He was paying particular attention to Sami and Lucas' apartment, where the kids were getting ready for school. Rolf entered.
ROLF: I am sorry to disturb you, sir, but it seems you've received another telephone call from that unregistered number.
ANDRE: And?
ROLF: This time, I have been able to trace it to a different phone than the one it was registered to previously.
Rolf handed André the phone number and a piece of paper.
ANDRE: Ah, it's a local line.
ROLF: Local, but a cell phone.
ANDRE: But this gets us closer. Now we just need to find out who the cell phone belongs to.
ROLF: I'll get right on it, sir.
The phone rang.
ANDRE: Trace it.
ROLF: Right away.
Rolf went over to a separate computer and began typing. André opened the phone.
ANDRE: Yes?

SALEM INN
Nicholas was in his room. In one hand, he held his phone. In the other, he held a small device up to his mouth that distorted his voice.
NICHOLAS: André DiMera, I have news for you. Stefano is alive. And he's coming for you.
Nicholas hung up the phone, put down the voice distorter, and chuckled.
NICHOLAS: This is where the fun begins.
MAN: I suppose you find yourself very amusing.
Nicholas looked up. Standing before him was none other than his own father, Lawrence Alamain.
NICHOLAS: Father...
LAWRENCE: Nicholas, we need to talk.

[heroicmuse]

I think Nicholas can find better things to do than prank call Andre. I wonder what Lawrence will say to him, and what Andre will do once he finds out who he is.

Yay! Last Blast 2017! Can't wait for this. I hope Noelle lost her flyer.

Awesome that Max and Chelsea are having a baby boy. I wonder what name Chelsea has picked out and if she'll name him after Bo.

Great chapter André DiMera!

[gapeach]

OMG Lawrence is alive???

[Kpatch]

I have a feeling that Lawrence is in Nicholas's imagination and not really alive. Nicholas is looking to start trouble everywhere he goes!

I can't believe it's time for the Last Blast already. Thanks for keeping the tradition alive!

[fluffysmom]

I wonder what Nicholas is planning for Andre.

I'm looking forward to the Last Blast.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 195

SALEM HIGH
Claire pointed to one spot on the paper.
CLAIRE: Gilmore Girls!
CIARA: What?
CHASE: You know, that old show that was on back when we were little kids.
CIARA: Does anyone even watch that anymore? I mean, it ended way back in 2007.
CLAIRE: Of course people still watch it. And, it's popularity grew thanks to Netflix releasing a four part series of reunion specials late last year. My mom used to watch it when I was little, and the music in it was so good!
CHASE: That sounds awesome! I vaguely remember it, too.
CIARA: Yeah, should be good.
CHASE: And, at least we won't have you know who to mess things up.
CLAIRE: Yeah, thankfully.
CIARA: Yeah, this year, instead, we'll have Noelle to mess things up.
CHASE: Look, you know that if Noelle tries anything, we've got your back.
CLAIRE: Yeah. Just like you guys had mine last year.
CIARA: Thanks, guys.
Claire, Chase and Ciara hugged.

TITAN
Philip was sitting at his desk. He was thinking about what had happened between Nicholas and Kate nearly seventeen years ago. Back then, he had been in high school, and Nicholas in college. Nicholas was a few years older than him, but still far too young to date his mother.

KIRIAKIS MANSION – FLASHBACK
Philip was having a pool party in the Mansion. It was a few nights after the Last Blast. Everyone in Salem was there. Philip had gone in to get some more towels, when he heard people talking in the hallway. This wasn't a surprise, people always talked in dark hallways in the mansion. But this time, the voices sounded like Nicholas and his mother. As Philip walked down the hall, he could hear what they were saying.
KATE (whispering): Nicky, we can't be doing this anymore. After tonight, this has to end.
NICHOLAS (whispering): I don't want that, Kate, and I know you don't either. If you're worried about Victor...
KATE (whispering): I am. You know what he's like.
NICHOLAS (whispering): Aunt Viv can take care of him, don't worry.
KATE (whispering): Nicholas, I'm putting my foot down on this. No more after tonight.
NICHOLAS (whispering): Well, then I guess we should make the most of tonight.
Philip watched from the doorway in horror as Nicholas and Kate embraced each other in passion. He quickly turned and ran the other way.

TITAN
But that wasn't the last night. There had been several.
PHILIP (thinking): That's not gonna happen this time. Too much time has gone buy. My mother has moved on. I won't allow what happened before to happen again.
Philip was awoken from his thoughts by the sound of a telephone. He picked it up.
PHILIP: Kiriakis.
He heard some heavy breathing on the other end.
PHILIP: Who is this? Who's there?
The breathing continued. It sounded like a woman's.
PHILIP: Is this someone's immature idea of a joke?
He heard a noise in the background, like someone talking, but he couldn't make out the words.
PHILIP: Okay, I'm hanging up now. This is enough.
There was a pause in the breathing, and a small voice said “Philip”. Though, it was quiet, it was a voice Philip thought he recognized.
PHILIP: Melanie?

[heroicmuse]

Ooh... I wonder what's going on with Melanie now. Of course this could be Nicholas playing around with his voice distorter again.

I also hope Noelle doesn't try anything.

Great chapter André DiMera.

[Kpatch]

Sounds like Melanie could be in trouble.

I'm shocked Philip didn't flat-out confront Nicholas and Kate when he found them together.

Gilmore Girls is a cute theme! You know I love it. "There she goes again…."

[André DiMera]

Chapter 196

SALEM INN
LAWRENCE: You're becoming distracted again, son.
NICHOLAS: What?
LAWRENCE: Don't worry, I knew this would happen. As soon as you made up your mind to come back to Salem, I knew you wouldn't be able to stay away from Kate Roberts. But, my boy, you must. You've got to keep your eye on the prize.
NICHOLAS: Father, Kate is not a distraction. She's already said she wants nothing to do with me.
LAWRENCE: None the less, you are distracted by her. Still, after all this time. That's why I'm sending in reinforcements.
NICHOLAS: What do you mean?
There was a knock at the door. Nicholas opened it. Vivian Alamain walked in.
VIVIAN: Hello, Nicky.
She embraced Nicholas warmly.

TITAN
PHILIP: Melanie, it's me. It's Philip. Are you there? Hello?
He heard a click on the phone, and then nothing. Philip put the phone down, picked it up again, and tried to redial the number that had just called him. He heard three tones. Then...
OPERATOR: We're sorry, the number you have reached is no longer in service. Please hang up and try again.
PHILIP: Dammit!
Philip hung up, and then dialed a different number.
PHILIP: I need you to check something for me. Look up the last number that called my personal cell phone and see who's using it. When I call back, it claims to be no longer in service, but I'm sure I heard...somebody on the other end when they called earlier. How soon? Good. Thank you.
Philip put the phone down, and rubbed his face. He looked up at the clock hanging on his wall. His mouth dropped open. He hadn't realized it was that late. He stood up, threw his sport coat on and ran down the hall to the meeting rooms. He slowed down as he approached the appropriate one, then went inside. All of the major shareholders and businesses that were part of Titan were there, including Victor.
VICTOR: Ah, Philip, so glad you decided to grace us with your presence.
PHILIP: Apologies, father. I had some business to attend to.
VICTOR: Running a 5K, it seems, from how out of breath you are.
Philip said nothing and sat down into his seat.
VICTOR: Well, now that the last of our party has arrived, we can officially begin this meeting. As I'm sure all of you know, I hate small talk and I cannot stand rambling, so I'll just cut to the chase. Over the last several months, I've been reevaluating my life, and thinking about what's truly important. Now, don't get me wrong, I still have a lot of love for this company. However, it has become apparent to me that even I am a mere mortal, and the day will, eventually, come when I am no longer fit for duty. So, I am going out on a high note. Effective July 1st, I am stepping down as CEO and Head of Titan Industries. And, as he has done a suitable job acting in my stead recently, I am promoting my son, Philip, to CEO. As of July 1st, he shall be the new Head of Titan Industries. Any questions?