Chapter 54: You and I
"I was just gonna go talk to Cam, but I don't think I'm gonna meet him tonight. I'm too busy. What about you?"
"I was just walking through. I like to go for some nice long walks, clear my head a bit from the day's events...You look a bit upset, Abigail. Is something wrong?"
"Abby hesitated to talk to Chad. Maybe she just misunderstood, or stuck her nose where it didn't belong, like Maggie. But maybe she was right to be worried.
"Yes. I went up to the hall, but I heard Cameron making this weird, urgent-sounding, shady phone call, and he mentioned me. He told the other person on the line to 'leave me out of this'." Abby used the finger quotations as she spoke. "He didn't see me, so I just left and texted him that I couldn't make it tonight. But he almost caught me eavesdropping!"
"Maybe you're just overreacting," Chad suggested. But Abby could tell from his eyes that he knew something must be suspicious or wrong.
"That's what I thought too, but we're always so honest with each other. Look, I don't confront him about it. Otherwise he'd know I eavesdropped, and be mad at me."
"Well, you two wanted to be honest with each other. You've a right to be mad! He's keeping a secret! You know what? I'm gonna go talk to him right now!" Chad started to walk forward, but Abby stopped him by placing her hand on his stomach. He looked down, and they shared a moment.
"You can't! He'll know I told you!"
"No, I can say I was the one who overheard him."
"Chad, please. I don't want your family connection ruined! Just do a background check on him," Abby pleaded. "Make sure he has no enemies that might be bothering him. You're a DiMera, afterall. You can easily get that done."
"I'm not like the rest of my family," Chad said.
"I know. I know that better than anyone!" Abby and Chad gazed into each other's brown eyes, smiling.
"Thanks. But for you, I'll do it. I'll call you tomorrow afternoon with whatever I find."
"Thank you, thank you so much! You're the best!" Abigail hugged Chad, and he hugged her back. Then, they let go and he departed.
"Sami, what the hell are you doing here?" Rafe yelled. He seemed angry, but his mad face was directed not at Nicole, but at his ex.
"I came by to talk to you, and lo and behold, this one is setting up candles on your table with dinner! What, Nicole, have you become so pathetic that you're turned into a maid?"
"Well, it takes pathetic to know pathetic!" Nicole snarked. The two women almost went at each other again, but Rafe stepped between them.
"Sami, what's going on here is none of your business!"
"Well, what exactly is it that's 'none of my business'? Seems like you've taken up with Nicole!"
"No one's taken up with anyone." Rafe shouted.
"Sami, the truth is, I quit my job, and then EJ learned I was staying at the hotel. Rafe's being a good friend and good Samaritan, as usual, by taking me in, provided I help out here a bit."
"And you expect me to believe you? Everyone knows you're a liar, Nicole!"
"And you're Honest Abe?" Rafe defended her. Sami looked down with shame, and Rafe looked at her with disgust. "You're nothing but a hypocrite," Rafe said in a demeaning tone.
"Rafe, I'm begging you, kick her out! She'll ruin your life! She does it to every man!"
"Well, Sami, on the contrary, I think the title of 'relationship screw-up' belongs to you," Nicole countered.
"Sami, Nicole has changed. And I enjoy her company. But I appreciate your 'concern'. Now, just go. Nicole and I need to eat our dinner, and my appetite is going away every minute you're here."
Sami looked a bit taken aback. Nicole could tell she was saddened by Rafe's harsh attitude towards her, but she put on an angry face as she stormed out of the loft and slammed the door shut, like an irritated child. Nicole didn't pity her. Sami had brought it upon herself.
"Rafe, I'm sorry. I thought you'd come home, and of course Sami was there instead, and ruined everything like she always does-"
"It's fine, Nicole," Rafe said quietly, looking away. "I don't blame you. And thanks for the dinner. Smells good, looks good."
"And it'll taste good. But thanks for the compliments. I enjoyed making it." Nicole smiled. "Now, let's eat."