Days of Our Lives Update
Update written by Joseph
In Monte Carlo, Sydney is getting dressed when she gets a call from Marlena. Marlena says she’s glad she caught her and glad to hear her voice. Sydney notes that she sounds stressed and asks if everything is okay. Marlena says she’s fine, especially now that she’s hearing her. Marlena mentions Sydney texting her that she was on the Riviera. Sydney confirms that she is in Monte Carlo. Marlena asks what that’s all about. Sydney calls a little work and a little play. Marlena informs her that Belle and Chad are in Italy and she knows Belle would like to catch up with her. Sydney questions why nobody told her they were coming since EJ is there as well. Sydney guesses she’s missing out on all the fun.
Chad and Belle approach the building on the address. Belle starts to worry about no one answering the door and that they are trespassing. Chad then calls out, asking if anyone is there. Someone is watching them on a tablet while having a drink.
Sydney tells Marlena she loves her and promises to visit soon as they hang up.
Philip and Gabi arrive for the poker game. Gabi asks if he’s sure he’s okay. Philip thought he was as he’s been in places like this plenty of times, but he’s never gambled with stakes this high before for him and his family. Philip declares that everything is on the line. Gabi encourages that he’s got this. Philip responds that with her by his side, he’s never felt luckier. Philip and Gabi kiss until Dante Vitali arrives and introduces himself as Sami Brady’s fiancee. Dante recognizes Gabi as the founder of Gabi Chic and comments that her overseas expansion has been quite impressive. Sydney then enters and adds that Gabi is also the mother of her niece as they hug. Dante notes that Sami mentioned how many people in Salem are related. Sydney jokes that it’s low key incestuous and hard to find someone who is not your cousin. Philip mentions being related to Sami in more than one way. Dante brings up that Sydney mentioned Philip not wanting it to be told that he’s there. Philip hopes that won’t be a problem but Dante calls it a big problem because he never keeps secrets from Sami. Gabi says she wouldn’t keep secrets from Sami either and going into a marriage makes openness and honesty essential. Gabi adds that she doesn’t need to know everything Philip is up to, especially if it doesn’t concern her, and them being here doesn’t really concern Sami. Philip declares that when he wins tonight, they can shout it from the rooftops. Dante agrees but warns that Sydney is quite the card shark and won’t show any mercy at the table. Philip suggests they get this party started.
Marlena sits at home and gets emotional as she looks at a photo of her, John, and Belle on her laptop. Julie arrives, excitedly telling Marlena that the novel she ordered finally came in. Julie then sees Marlena is upset and asks if she’s alright.
Belle questions the big building having no staff or security and says they are obviously in Dominic Marino’s house but starts to worry if it could be a trap. Chad offers to go ahead if she wants to bail but Belle says not after coming this far and just feels weird that they are alone. Belle insists someone wanted them to be there while Mr. Marino wasn’t home but the question is why. Chad decides there’s only one way to find out.
The poker game begins as Dante talks about hosting quite a few games in Monte Carlo and his favorites are where he gets to welcome newcomers to the table and play with new people as it makes the game that much more exciting. Dante goes over the rules with himself, Sydney, a man named Otto, and Philip, four rounds of Texas Hold ‘Em and mentions the $5 million buy in.
Julie asks Marlena what’s wrong. Marlena thinks she’s feeling a little glum since the house is empty and quiet. Marlena points out that Belle isn’t home and John is gone, so it’s her first time alone in the night in a long time.
Dante remarks to Philip that it’s about time his family had some good luck. Philip asks how Sydney became such a card shark. Sydney explains that while Stefano was teaching Theo and Johnny chess, Roman taught her how to play cards. Sydney adds that by the time she got to boarding school, she was pretty good and thus not very popular. Gabi asks Dante if his cousin Ava taught him to play cards. Dante responds that he and Ava share the Vitali name, but they aren’t close. Gabi responds that she likes him already. Dante asks Philip about working with Ava. Philip says it’s not a fond memory. Sydney remarks that she’s heard stories. Gabi calls Ava bonkers while Dante warns that he and Ava might not be close, but he won’t allow her to be disparaged because they are family and his family looks out for one another. Sydney comments that this obviously isn’t boarding school as she fold another hand. Dante jokes that the card shark has become a goldfish. Philip remarks that he wouldn’t underestimate Sami’s daughter. Dante insists that she knows he’s just joking while Sydney says that she doesn’t joke about poker.
Chad and Belle enter the building where they find an exact copy of the chess set that Stefano left for John and Marlena. Belle notes that all the pawns are there. They then hear footsteps of someone coming and it turns out to be EJ. Belle questions what the hell he’s doing here. EJ responds that he could ask them the same thing.
Marlena envies Julie having her beautiful home and so much family in Salem. Julie tells Marlena that she’s part of the family too. Julie quotes Maya Angelou saying family isn’t only about blood, but the people who want you in their life and respect you for who you are. Julie assures Marlena that she is loved no matter what.
The poker game continues until Otto looks to win the game, but Gabi interjects and exposes that Otto was cheating by having the ace cards marked so he knew who had them. Dante tries to say that’s not how it works but Gabi insists and demands having the cards checked. Dante reluctantly agrees to have the cards checked and confirms Gabi was correct. He tells Otto he’s done and to get out, warning that he will deal with him later. Otto exits as Dante thanks Gabi.
Marlena tells Julie that she’s sure she will be a lot better when Belle gets home, but she’s worried about her in Italy. Julie questions why she’s worried since she’s on a vacation with Chad. Marlena reveals that it’s not just a vacation and it’s not just with Chad.
Belle questions if EJ is following them. EJ explains that he came to see Dominic Marino to ask him why he’s purchasing the Kiriakis Mansion as he wants to know what his intentions are before he plants roots in Salem. EJ then questions what they are doing there. Chad reveals this is where the clues in Stefano’s chess set led them.
Julie asks Marlena why Belle and Chad are really in Italy. Marlena explains that they are trying to uncover some answers to the mystery of Stefano’s chess set. Julie asks why EJ is there. Marlena informs her that EJ said he was going to see Sydney, but Sydney is in Monte Carlo as she had no idea EJ was coming. Julie says she can why she’s worried. Marlena says she spoke to Belle about the clues and it brought back some very unwelcome memories about being on Stefano’s island. Julie complains that even from the grave, Stefano wants them to pay attention to him. Marlena remarks that she thought they were rid of him and she’s tired of his games.
Dante decides that after the unfortunate incident with Otto, they will play two more additional hands of poker, winner take all which Sydney and Philip agree to. Sydney wins one hand but it comes down to Dante and Philip in the end as they go all in.
EJ tells Chad and Belle that he has a bad feeling about this and questions who this Dominic Marino is. Chad admits he has no idea. EJ argues that they hardly no anything about him despite trying. Belle calls it not unusual for a billionaire to have a low profile. EJ argues that it’s more than that as there’s not even a photo of him online. Chad agrees that it’s a little weird. EJ questions why a European hedge fund maker would be so determined to purchase the Kiriakis Estate. Chad suggests maybe it’s not their business. EJ agrees and suspects Stefano put all of this in motion because Dominic Marino has some connection to their family or to the Kiriakis family. Belle says it could be to her parents as well. EJ acknowledges the chess set being identical to the one Stefano left for Marlena and John. EJ points out a Wagner album in the room, who was Stefano’s favorite, as well as his favorite drink. EJ then opens a box of cigars. Someone is watching them on a tablet while sitting near a fireplace with a drink and a cigar. EJ tells Chad and Belle that he can’t believe it as Stefano had these cigars made in Cuba before he went under the radar, but notes that was years ago and no one makes them anymore. EJ questions what the hell is going on, what this place is and who this man is.
Dante shows his cards in the poker game, revealing four of a kind. Philip then shows his cards and wins the game with a straight flush. Dante steps away as Gabi exclaims that Philip did it and won it all. Philip thanks her as his good luck charm. Philip thanks Gabi as she kisses him.
EJ comments on Dominic Marino having the same taste as Stefano. Chad agrees that it can’t be a coincidence so EJ wonders what the hell is going on here. Belle brings up this all starting at Stefano’s will reading with the chess set. Belle then reminds them that their chess set had a hidden panel which is where they found the first clue. Chad then picks up the chess set in the house and opens the hidden panel.
Julie asks Marlena what she thinks is the meaning of her memories. Marlena says she doesn’t know and isn’t even sure they are from Stefano’s island. Marlena complains that Stefano stole so much from her that she can’t bear to give him another minute of her time. Julie urges Marlena not to let a dead man have any power over her. Marlena responds that what scares her the most is that there are still some memories that she doesn’t have and doesn’t really want to have.
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Chad, Belle, and EJ go over the hidden panel in the first chess set. Belle wants to do the honors but Chad suggests he do it because a lot has changed and he’s not taking any chances. Chad then opens it up and finds a photo of Stefano holding a child, dated 1992. EJ says he has no idea who the kid is, but then wonders if it could be Dominic Marino. The person watching them closes their tablet and raises their glass while wearing Stefano’s ring. Someone else walks in to the room and he informs them that everything went as planned.
Gabi tells Philip that she just knew he would win and asks how much he has. Philip opens the case and reveals it’s not enough.
Dante is with the man who was watching Chad, Belle, and EJ. Dante informs him that Philip won and he didn’t even have to bust Otto as Gabi beat him to it. Dante adds that without Otto, the pot was never going to be enough to pay the loan and he’d never be able to save Titan. Dante declares “well played, Dom.”
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