Friday, August 16, 2024

by Spalding

Melinda met up with Ava at the caf� in the square to discuss Connie. "Connie Vininski is a total fraud," Melinda said. Melinda explained that because of the timing of the acquisition, DiMera HR had not formally vetted Connie. Melinda added that Gabi should have completed the work, but Connie had made herself indispensable. "Gabi loves her," Melinda said. Melinda noted that Gabi had been swamped between work and Rafe.

"According to Gabi, she says Connie's an oddball, but it doesn't interfere with her work. In fact, she says she is outstanding," Ava said. Melinda informed Ava that she had followed up on Connie's history at Saxton's, and she had exaggerated her position. "But she was memorable enough that [the manager] knew exactly who I was talking about," Melinda said. Ava laughed. "She's not the first person to exaggerate her r�sum�," Ava said. Melinda shook her head.

"Overzealous and psychotic were the two words that came up the most," Melinda said. "I'm sure worse has been said about me," Ava countered. Melinda told Ava that within two weeks, Connie had threatened a lawsuit until the manager at Saxton's had given her a reference. "What do we do?" Ava asked. Melinda noted that under company policy, Connie needed to be terminated.

"I will break the news to Connie. I need you to break the news to Gabi," Melinda said. "I'm not sure which of us drew the shorter straw," Ava muttered. Melinda argued that Gabi would get over it because she had more important issues on which to focus. Melinda called Connie's cell phone, and she got a voicemail stating that Connie would be out of the office for the day.

Gabi was working in her office when she glanced over at a photo of Stefan. Gabi slammed the photo down on the table in disgust. Connie called in sick, and Gabi wished her well. Connie asked about Gabi's plan for revenge. Gabi said she wanted to wait for proof that Stefan had slept with Ava. Kristen entered the office. "And I know just how I'm going to get it," Gabi said. Gabi ended the call.

At Connie's apartment, she grinned as she hung up her phone. "Lose my number, Gabi. I may miss some fireworks at the office today, but that's fine by me. I played hooky so I can spend a glorious day with you," Connie said to her cardboard standee of Li Shin.

At DiMera, Kristen reached over and righted Gabi's picture. "You must have knocked it over by mistake," Kristen said. "Must have. What can I do for you," Gabi said. Kristen asked Gabi if she had worked all night, and Gabi nodded yes. "I appreciate that work ethic. Especially since I anticipate profiting from it," Kristen said with a grin. Kristen encouraged Gabi not to neglect her marriage.

As Gabi continued to work, Kristen talked about how she and Rachel had walked past the crime scene where a car had hit Sarah Horton. "God, do they know who did it?" Gabi asked. Kristen mentioned that the car had been gray. Gabi thought for a moment, and then she stifled a smile. "You know, I think Ava drives a gray car," Gabi said. With a smirk, Kristen asked if Gabi believed that Ava was the hit-and-run driver.

"Nah. She was too busy sleeping with my husband," Gabi said. Kristen's smile faltered, and then she forced a laugh. "What?" Kristen said. "You heard me. Though apparently, it was a one-off, so likely not going on now," Gabi said. Gabi told Kristen that she knew for a fact that Ava had slept with Stefan while Gabi had been in prison. "I just don't buy it. I'm sorry," Kristen said. "Really? You haven't heard any rumors?" Gabi asked. Kristen said no.

"The one thing that I do know is that Stefan loves you, and he's never stopped. I think your imagination is just running wild," Kristen said. With a nod, Gabi told Kristen that Connie had overheard Kristen talking to Ava about the affair. "Connie? I think she misunderstood," Kristen said. Gabi recited word for word what Connie had heard Ava say. Kristen stared daggers at Gabi, and she advised Gabi not to call her boss a liar.

"Do you like your job?" Gabi asked. "Excuse me?" Kristen snapped. Gabi reminded Kristen that she was helping Kristen keep control of DiMera. "On what planet?" Kristen asked. Gabi explained that under her contract, she could leave at any time prior to the relaunch of Gabi Chic. "If I were you, I'd stop with the games before I take my company to your biggest competitor," Gabi threatened. Kristen stared in silence.

"Do you want to lose everything because your brother was a cheating idiot?" Gabi asked. Kristen sighed. "You're right. Everything you said was true. Stefan and Ava slept together," Kristen said. Tears welled in Gabi's eyes. "I know that Stefan and Ava hate themselves for what they did. But listen, Gabi, it was just one time," Kristen said. "It should have been zero!" Gabi countered. Gabi said she was offended that they had only confessed to the kisses.

"They didn't want to upset you if it meant nothing," Kristen said. "You wouldn't buy an excuse like that. You'd go nuclear. Why shouldn't I?" Gabi asked. Gabi argued that Stefan and Ava had not lied to protect her but to keep her from "wringing their necks." Kristen noted that Stefan and Ava had been drunk and lonely. Gabi grumbled that that was not a good reason.

"Stefan loves you. Do you want to lose him? I know that you love him, Gabi. And guess what? You also have to work with Ava," Kristen argued. "Oh, do I?" Gabi said. As Kristen nodded yes, Ava walked into the office. "We were just talking about you, Ava," Gabi said. Gabi lied and said they had been talking about their excellent work relationship.

"I see no reason why Gabi Chic would not be at DiMera for many years to come," Gabi said. Kristen smirked and nodded in agreement. Gabi offered to take Ava to lunch. Ava started to tell Gabi about Connie, but Gabi said they would talk at lunch. Gabi asked Ava to wait outside while she finished talking to Kristen. With a nod, Ava walked out. "What the hell are you going to do?" Kristen asked. "Patience. You'll find out. In the meantime, if you want this launch to happen, you'll do exactly what I tell you," Gabi said.

At Connie's apartment, Connie smirked at the caller ID. "Melinda Trask. I wonder if she's calling to tell me what a bore she is," Connie said. With a shake of her head, Connie noted that Melinda had treated Li badly. When Li did not respond, Connie asked him why he was giving her the silent treatment. Connie told Li that she was his retribution. Connie dismissively waved away her plans for revenge, and she suggested a game of charades.

As Connie played charades with her Li cardboard standee, Melinda knocked on the door. With a frown, Connie whispered to cardboard Li, "Give me a minute, and I'll get rid of this moron." Connie opened the door a crack, and she pretended to be too sick to let Melinda inside. "I'd rather talk to you in private," Melinda said. Connie argued that she only wanted to have work conversations at work, but Melinda noted that Connie did not need to return to the office. "You're terminated. Effective immediately," Melinda said.

"Fired? Does Gabi know about this?" Connie asked. "No, not yet," Melinda said. Connie argued that Gabi would not let that happen. Melinda explained that she had checked Connie's references, and her r�sum� had been full of lies. "Company policy is very clear and leaves me with no alternative," Melinda said. Melinda demanded that Connie turn over her badge and laptop. "No way in hell!" Connie said. Connie argued that Melinda did not have a right to show up at her apartment. Melinda threatened to call the police.

Gabi arrived at the Bistro with Ava, and she noted that Stefan had provided Champagne at their table. "I'm a very lucky woman," Gabi said. Ava agreed. Gabi asked Ava what she had wanted to talk about. Ava started to explain that Melinda had planned to fire Connie, but Gabi interrupted to call out to Stefan. "I asked Stefan to join us," Gabi said. "What are we celebrating?" Stefan said. "My relaunch, of course. Professionally, personally, my whole life is about to change -- and so much for the better," Gabi said. As Stefan poured the Champagne, he told Gabi that she deserved success.

"We all deserve a little something," Gabi said. Gabi added that she hoped having dinner together was not awkward. "It doesn't have to be awkward," Ava said. "I am so glad that we put everything behind us. Got everything out in the open, right?" Gabi said. Gabi toasted to Ava. "For taking a chance on me and reviving Gabi Chic. Even if it was out of guilt," Gabi said. Confused, Ava asked what Gabi meant. "To being the lying, cheating bitch who slept with my husband," Gabi growled.

At the Horton house, Julie welcomed Jack home, and she asked about his trip. Jack smiled. "It was Abigail [in the video]. Truly, she's alive," Jack said. Julie gasped with delight. Jack told Julie everything that had happened. "It's overwhelming," Jack said. "For her, too, of course," Julie said. Jack noted that Chad was proceeding with caution. "Abigail is a virtual stranger to herself," Jack said. With a shake of her head, Julie noted that they needed to tell Thomas, Charlotte, and the family the good news. Jack confirmed that Jennifer was on her way.

"I'm here! I'm here! And I need to see my daughter," Jennifer yelled as she ran into the house. Jack hugged his wife, and he cautioned her not to push Abigail. "If you hadn't already seen our daughter, would you let anything keep you away?" Jennifer asked. Jack smiled. "I'll call Chad," Jack said.

Abigail made her way down to the living room in a bathrobe, and she frowned at Stefano's portrait. "Why do you always look at us like you know something the rest of us don't?" Abigail said. Chad walked in with a breakfast tray. Abigail admitted that she had slept better than she had in a long time. "That's Abigail's favorite breakfast I take it," Abigail said. "No. Abby wasn't much of a breakfast person. Sorry, you weren't much of a breakfast person," Chad said. Abigail admitted that she did not care for breakfast.

Stefan walked in the room, and he was surprised to see Chad there. "I slept here last night," Chad said. Stefan furrowed his brow, and he noted that Chad's houseguest was wearing one of Gabi's robes. Abigail apologized. "It was in one of those bathrooms," Abigail explained. "You gonna introduce us?" Stefan asked Chad. "You've met. This is Abby," Chad said. Stefan scoffed. Chad explained that the woman in the video was Abigail, and a DNA test had confirmed it.

After Chad explained the whole story, he introduced Abigail to Stefan. "So, were we close?" Abigail asked. "Let's just say that we had a complicated relationship," Stefan said. "That would be an understatement," Chad added. Worried, Abigail asked if there was something she should know. With a sigh, Stefan noted that he was happy that Abigail was back. Abigail relaxed, and she noted that she was glad, too.

After Abigail went upstairs to shower, Stefan asked if Chad was okay. "If she needs any help with coming back from the dead, you can send her to me," Stefan joked. Chad held his tongue. As Stefan started to thank Chad for not telling Abigail about their past history, Chad interrupted and said, "I didn't do that for you. I did that for her." Chad noted that Abigail was not ready to meet the kids, much less hear about her past traumas. Stefan said he understood.

"You might want to fill her in on some things, because being back here might trigger some memories that she's not quite prepared for," Stefan advised. Chad said he had not forgotten, and he yelped, "I'm doing my best!" Stefan nodded, and he asked if Chad knew if Rolf had been involved in Abigail's survival. Overwhelmed, Chad said he had a lot of unanswered questions.

Upstairs, Abigail passed by a doorway, and she stopped. Curious, Abigail entered the room. As Abigail looked around, she picked up a photo of Chad with Abigail. Abigail crossed to the bed, and she sat down. Chad walked in. "What are you doing in here?" Chad asked. "I don't know. Something drew me in here," Abigail said. Reluctantly, Chad admitted that he and Abigail had lived in that room.

"Why didn't you take me here last night?" Abigail asked. "Because it's also where you were stabbed," Chad said. Abigail stood up and backed away. "I found you lying right there on the bed," Chad said. Abigail asked about the assailant. Chad told Abigail that Clyde had stabbed her. Abigail was stunned.

"Clyde Weston? The man who took care of me, who helped me with all my surgeries and watched over me all this time? I don't understand," Abigail said. "I don't understand, either," Chad admitted. Chad called Clyde a sociopath who had hated Abigail for her involvement with Clyde's son. "If you knew the circumstances of your death, you wouldn't believe that you are standing here right now," Chad said. Abigail looked around the room.

"So, it happened in this room?" Abigail said. Chad swallowed his emotions. "It's not an easy thing to remember or think about," Chad whispered. Chad told Abigail that he wanted her to regain her memory, but he was thankful that she did not remember what had happened in the room. "Some things to look forward to then?" Abigail asked. "There's gonna be a lot of surprises. And I promise you, most of them are going to be really beautiful," Chad said. With a grin, Chad noted that the first surprise was that Abigail's mom had flown in from Boston.

"I told them they could come over. If it's gonna be too much for you, I can call them," Chad said. Abigail shook her head no, and she said she wanted to meet her mother. "I guess it's time to figure out where I come from and where I belong," Abigail said.

At the Horton house, Julie went upstairs to check on Thomas and Charlotte. Jack told Jennifer that he needed to prepare her for the situation. "Our daughter does not look like Abigail. She has no memory of her life, and she doesn't recognize me or Chad," Jack said. "I'm aware!" Jennifer countered. Jack said he knew that Jennifer hoped that Abigail's memories would flood back when she saw her mother. "But I want you to be ready, just ready that this reunion may not be everything you want or need," Jack cautioned.

When Jack and Jennifer arrived at the DiMera mansion, Chad greeted them in the living room. "Where is she?" Jennifer asked. "She'll be down in a minute," Chad said. Upstairs, Abigail called someone on her cell phone. "It's me. Everything's going to plan," Abigail said.