Tangled Webs (Read 22,633 times)

[MrsM]

Thanks for the previews!!

[Kpatch]

THE CABIN

After their shower, Philip and Chloe sat on the sofa in front of the fire with a couple glasses of Chianti. Her head rested on his shoulder as he stared into the fire.

Chloe: Philip, I have something I want to ask you.
Philip: Truth or dare?
Chloe: Truth. It’s serious. It’s been on my mind for a while.
Philip: Okay.
Chloe took a deep breath.
Philip: It’s okay Chloe. You can say anything to me. I want us to be honest with each other. About everything.
Chloe: That’s just it. You weren’t honest with me.
Philip: About what?
Chloe: About Brady. And Nicole.
Philip: You know?
Chloe nodded.
Philip: How? How did you find out?
Chloe: From Brady. He assumed you had already told me. She lifted her head off Philip’s shoulder and looked him in the eye. But you didn't. And you knew for a long time. You knew when we were stranded here that first night. And you didn’t say anything.
Philip: No, I didn’t.
Chloe: Why not, Philip? You let me go on and on about how I suspected Brady was cheating on me. Why wouldn't you tell me? Why didn’t you say anything?
Philip: Chloe, please calm down. I couldn’t say anything. I promised Brady I wouldn’t tell you.
Chloe: You promised Brady??? I didn’t realize the two of you were so thick. Or that your allegiance was to him and not me.
Philip: Well, the truth is that you and I hadn’t spoken to each other for years before you came back for the reunion. And Brady and I did. We talked pretty regularly because of work, and ...
Chloe: And?
Philip: The truth is I wanted to tell you.
Chloe: Bull.
Philip: I did! But ... I thought it would seem self-serving, like I was trying to ...
Chloe: Trying to what?
Philip: To give you the ammunition to leave him, as if I just wanted to get you to sleep with me. Jeez, I’m just making this sound worse than it is. See, I had something to gain by telling you about Brady and Nicole. Which is why I didn’t tell you about them. Damn, this is sounding so lame.
Chloe: Sure is.
Philip: Chloe, if you were going to leave Brady to be with me, it couldn’t be because I told you he was cheating on you. It had to be because you wanted to be with me. Not because you didn’t want to be with Brady. And because ...
Chloe: Because what?
Philip: Ever hear the phrase “don’t shoot the messenger”?
Chloe: Yes, of course.
Philip: Well, I didn’t want to be the one to shatter your world, to break your heart. I thought you might end up hating me for telling you. Does that make sense?
Chloe: Yes, a little. But ... What other secrets are you keeping from me?
Philip: None. I swear it. ... You mad at me?
Chloe softened.
Chloe: No, I’m not mad at you. She leaned her head back on Philip’s shoulder. You thought you were protecting me. You thought you were doing the right thing. ... Just don’t do it again, okay?
Philip: You got it.
He kissed her shower-damp hair.
Chloe: Philip?
Philip: Yeah?
Chloe: I have something else I want to ask you.
Philip: Please tell me this question is going to be easier than the last one.
Chloe: It’s not. ... What are you going to do?
Philip: Do? About what?
Chloe: About Belle. You’re going to have to go back to Salem and see her at some point.
Philip: Do I have to?
Chloe: You know you do. She might be having your baby.
Philip didn’t respond.
Chloe: Philip?
Philip: Huh?
Chloe: Suppose it turns out that the baby is yours? What then?
Philip pulled away from Chloe and took a deep breath.
Philip: I’ve given that a lot of thought.
Chloe: I figured you would.
Philip: Chloe, if it turns out that the baby is mine, I won’t divorce Belle. I’ll stay with her.
Chloe: Oh. I ... I understand. I guess. I mean ... I don’t know what I mean. I didn’t expect you to say that.
Philip: It’s the right thing to do, Chloe. I’ll stay married to her until the baby is born. For the baby's sake. Then I’ll file for divorce and petition for custody.
Chloe: Philip, you know that the courts seldom give full custody to the dad.
Philip: That’s only when the dad isn’t a Kiriakis. I’ll get custody. If not full, then joint. Would you ...
Chloe: Would I what?
Philip: Would you be okay with all this?
Chloe: I don’t really have a say in it.
Philip: Yes, you do. I want you to be part of the baby’s life. In fact, I’m counting on it. You’ll be the baby’s stepmother one day.
Chloe: Stepmother? I’m not sure I like the sound of that. She smiled and tried to lighten the mood a little. I see myself as more of a Cinderella type.
Philip: Hey, I didn’t say ugly stepmother.
Chloe: As long as you’re my prince charming, I’ll be anything you need me to be.
Philip sighed and took Chloe into his arms.
Philip: You know something? I hate to say this, but you’re right. Fantasy time is over. Time to face reality.
Chloe: Meaning?
Philip: I should go home, check on Belle. See what’s going on.
Chloe: Brady probably told her everything by now.
Philip: Oh I’m sure he has. And I’m sure she’ll have a few choice words for me.


To be continued...

[djm]

Wow. I am glad that Chloe understood about Philip not telling her about Brady. Cool that Chloe is going to be a stepmom someday. (I have a feeling the baby is Philip's) Can't wait for Belle and Philip to see each other. Thanks for the chapter Kpatch.

[DancingDays]

Glad they cleared the air. But what are Belle and Brady doing now? Inquiring minds want to know!!!

[MrsM]

Glad they had that conversation.

[gapeach]

Glad they cleared the air and that Phillip is going back to face Belle. I too am wondering about the Brady / Belle conversation and the Phillip / Shawn confrontation.

[sportsgirl]

First Philip throws hos money around, now he's throwing his name around? He is a bit arrogant...Let's hope the baby is Shawn's...

[fluffysmom]

I'm glad Philip and Chloe talked about the Brady/Nicole affair and about Belle and the baby. I'm looking forward to Philip seeing both Belle and Shawn. I really liked Philip declaring his intentions toward Chloe.

[ghoulgirl]

I enjoyed the way this confrontation went! Looking forward to unraveling some more of these tangled webs

[Kpatch]

PHILIP AND BELLE’S HOUSE

Chloe persuaded Philip that it was time for him to see Belle, so he reluctantly drove back to Salem. He turned the key in the lock and walked into his house.

He heard voices coming from another room, so he walked toward the sound of the voices. Belle and Shawn were in the kitchen, talking comfortably and chopping vegetables on the marble kitchen countertop. The picture of domestic bliss, Philip thought. He smiled sadly, realizing that Belle was doing with Shawn exactly what Philip was doing with Chloe. But Belle had been cheating on him for a long time, and she didn’t even have the good sense to appear to feel guilty about it.

Their laughter broke his thoughts. He had had enough. It was time to make his presence known.

Philip: Hey babe, I’m home.
Belle and Shawn whirled around, wide-eyed and red-faced. Belle pressed her lips together in anger and folded her arms across her chest. She defiantly walked toward Philip.

Belle: Where the hell have you been?
Philip: What? No kiss hello? No welcome home greeting?
Belle: You think I’m a puppy? How dare you come waltzing in here after being out of touch with me for a week!
Philip: I didn’t think you’d notice.
Belle: Notice? I’m your wife, dammit. You came back from Europe a week ago and you didn’t come home, you didn’t call me, you didn’t return my messages.
Philip: Sorry, I lost my cell.
Belle: I’m gonna have to get you a chain so you can wear your iPhone around your neck and stop losing it.
Philip chuckled for a second. Then Belle shocked him by putting her arms around him. He stood stiffly without returning the hug. He and Shawn both looked equally surprised as they eyed each other.
Philip: What’s he doing here?
Belle stepped back to look at Philip.
Belle: Who?
Philip: Who do you think? Frodo over there.
Shawn: I’m just keeping Belle company.
Belle: As a friend.
Philip: You mean, a friend with fringe benefits.
Shawn: Same way you’re keeping Chloe company.
Philip: I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Belle: Don’t lie, Philip. Brady called me. He told me all about you and Chloe. Where is she?
Philip: I don’t have any idea. As far as I know, she’s in Austria. Now, why don’t you tell me the truth.
Belle: The truth about what?
Philip: About the two of you.
Belle: There’s nothing to tell.
Philip: Drop the innocent act, Belle.
Belle: Not until you do.

Philip sidestepped Belle and walked toward Shawn.
Philip: Here’s what I really want to know. How can someone who claims to be my lifelong best friend sneak around behind my back and sleep with my wife.
Shawn: Why don’t you get off your high horse, Philip. Admit you never loved Belle the way I love her.
Belle: Shawn! Don’t.
Philip: Is that so? How the hell do you know how I feel about Belle?
Shawn: Because you told me, you jackass. I know for a fact you’ve been pining for Chloe since high school.
Philip: Now you’re skating on thin ice, Shawn.
Shawn: I’m your best friend, remember? You told me more than once that you never got over Chloe. And let me give you some advice, “friend.” Not everyone will tell you this, but since we’re best buds, I feel I should be the one to say it. You’re nobody’s first choice, Philip. Not Belle’s. And not Chloe’s. Chloe dumped you for Brady once, and you’d better believe she’ll do it again.
Philip: You son of a bitch.
Philip pulled his fist back and punched Shawn squarely in the nose.
Belle: Oh my god! Philip don’t.
Shawn touched his nose and saw blood on his fingers. He smiled wryly.
Shawn: I’ve been waiting for this for a long time.
Shawn threw a punch at Philip but Philip ducked. He put his arms around Shawn’s torso and pushed him further into the kitchen. Shawn got loose and threw a punch that hit Philip’s ear. Philip went into Marine mode and he kicked Shawn in the chin. Both men lost their footing and fell onto the floor, with Philip landing on top of Shawn. They proceeded to wrestle on the kitchen floor.
Belle: Stop it! Stop it! You’ll kill each other!
Philip got up and pulled Shawn to his feet. He began smashing Shawn’s head into the kitchen counter as Belle screamed.
Belle: Oh god. Oh god. Oh god. Stop it!


To be continued ...

[DancingDays]

Thought #1. Frodo? PERFECT!!! ;D

Thought #2. This fight has been a long time coming and I loved every second of it.

[MrsM]

Hopefully Philip stops before he has a murder charge waiting for him.

[gapeach]

Dec 11, 2012 8:04:47 GMT -5 MrsM said:

Hopefully Philip stops before he has a murder charge waiting for him.

I agree. Glad the fight happened, as they both needed to get it out of their system, but I sure do hope Phillip stops soon.

[fluffysmom]

So glad that Philip confronted Shawn. Loved the fight. It reminds me of a brawl they had in the Brady Pub.

[Trey]

So much for being civil...

Phil disappoints me. I was hoping that he'd be more understanding considering he's currently shacking up with Chloe.