Fates' Destiny Read online

  Still she couldn’t move. What’s happening to her?

  “Ms. Reece!” He pounded harder. “I’m going to break the door down!”

  That snapped her out of it. She’d just barely pulled her robe around her when his body slammed into the door. The frame cracked and the door flung open, slamming into the wall behind it.

  ~ ~ ~

  “Ms. Reece, are you…” His words trailed off at the sight of her. She stood wrapped in a bathrobe, her hair twisted in a towel. Pure terror twisted her…

  “Your face?” He gasped as he seen red streaks veining her skin. “What happened?” He asked in confusion and disbelief.

  “I don’t know.” She shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I took a shower and when I was getting my clothes I noticed this.”

  She held up her arms for his inspection. Her palms and fingers were red. Red lines traveled from her hands and disappeared under her sleeves.

  He was at a loss as he rolled her arms around in his hands. He’d never seen anything like this before.

  “Are you allergic to something?”

  Again she shook her head. “It doesn’t hurt like an allergic reaction would.”

  “Daddy.” Anna’s voice pulled both their attention to her. She stood in the bathroom doorway. “There’s red stuff in the shower.” She held up two fingers that were a shade darker than Destiny’s streaks.

  “What?”

  He dropped her arms and headed to the bathroom, Destiny right behind him.

  It was hard to tell on the black marble but when he ran his finger down the wall his fingertip was the same color as Anna’s. A sweet, unfamiliar scent perfumed the room.

  He looked up and saw a red droplet fall from the shower head. He reached up and unscrewed it. Inside was a red powder residue.

  “What is this?” He ran his finger around the rim and lifted it to his nose. Fruity?

  “I don’t know.” Destiny answered. “It’s in my shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.”

  “It kinda smells like the fruit drink Mrs. Brewton makes for me.” Anna’s voice came from the doorway and instantly he knew.

  “Jason.” He growled deep in his throat. A red haze clouded his vision as he gripped the metal shower head and stormed out of the bathroom.

  “Jason!” He bellowed as he scanned the room for his son.

  “Sir?” Jason appeared in the doorway. The look of innocence he wore did nothing but raise Adam’s already elevated blood pressure.

  “Did you do this?” He held out the shower head as he approached the 13 year old.

  “No Dad. I would never do something like that.” But Adam spotted the red tint to Jason’s finger nails.

  The muscle under his eye twitched as his anger hit its peak.

  “Jason, this is unacceptable.” He shook the shower head at him. “You are officially grounded… for eternity.”

  His dark eyes widened. “But Dad! It’s not permanent. Just powdered drink mix.” He argued and Adam shook his head. “I don’t care. I’ve had enough of your behavior. I want…”

  His words were interrupted by a sound he didn’t think he’d be hearing at that moment. He turned to see Destiny standing in front of the bathroom door, hold her shampoo and conditioner bottles in each hand… Laughing?

  Yes, she was laughing. She was laughing so hard she could barely catch her breath.

  Adam’s brow furrowed in concern. “Ms. Reece? You ok?”

  “Oh, yes.” She panted. “My brother, Ry, is going to get the biggest kick out of this.” She held up the bottles and veered her attention to Jason. “Well played Jason. Well played.”

  The young man straightened proudly, a hint of a smile lifted the corner of his lips.

  Ok, so now Adam was officially confused. He looked from her to him and then back.

  “You’re not mad?” He asked and was surprised when she shook her head, her smile lighting up her red stained face.

  “No. I’m not mad. It was a harmless prank. My brother and I have been pranking each other since we were old enough to walk. And he is going to love this one.” She broke back into laughter.

  Ok, so she thinks it’s funny that his son dyed her skin? Adam was dumbfounded. Never in a million years would he have thought someone would think that was funny. He was just… amazed.

  Never the less, Jason still shouldn’t had done it and he’s still in big trouble.

  “Jason,” He turned to him. “I want the power cord to your computer and all your video games now!”

  Jason’s mouth fell open.

  “But…”

  “I’m not finished.” Adam held up a hand to silence him. “When you get home today you are to scrub every red speck off that bathroom.” He pointed to the door for emphasis.

  Jason’s head dropped in defeat. “Yes sir.” His voice barely audible.

  “Mr. Fates.” Destiny’s voice pulled his attention back to her. “There’s no need to ground him.” She took a step closer to him. “Make him clean his mess, yes. But you don’t have to take his things away. He’s just playing a game.” A devious glint flashed in her green eyes as she closed in on him and whispered. “A game I play very well.” When she winked two things happened. His heart skipped a beat and he read her message very clearly. Jason wasn’t getting away with this.

  He lifted his chin and said, “I see.” And he was very curious what she had in mind but he would wait till later to find out.

  “Jason,” He turned back to his son. “Thank Ms. Reece for getting you out of this. But,” He raised a finger. “you will clean this bathroom when you get home. Understood?”

  “Yes sir.” He perked back up. “Thank you Ms. Reece.”

  She gave him a soft nod but by the look in her eyes she was going to make Jason regret his prank.

  Chapter 9

  Breakfast wasn’t as eventful as she thought it was going to be. Mr. Fates focused on a newspaper, Jason scowled probably because when he came to the table his equipment bag was waiting for him (it quickly met the floor again), and Ali tapped away on her phone. The only conversation Destiny had was with the 6 year old angel about how excited she was to go to school. Apparently it was her week to lead the line and she was thrilled.

  One thing was very clear in the time she’d spent with the entire family at breakfast: They made absolutely no effort to communicate. An issue that Destiny was determined to fix. She just wasn’t sure how yet.

  After everyone was gone Destiny called Kenna and told her that she had an emergency situation that required every form of body and face cleanser she could scrape up. Kenna told her she’d be there within the hour.

  After hanging up with Kenna she decided to call her brother. He probably needed a good laugh and was sure to get it when she told him about her little incident this morning.

  “What do you mean he dyed you?” Ry asked as she slid onto one of the wooden barstools and wrapped her free hand around her cup of coffee.

  “He put powdered drink mix in my shower head and mixed it with my shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. I’m streaked red from head to toe.”

  “Ohmygod!” Ryan erupted into laughter. “That was genius.”

  “Yes it was.” Destiny had to give credit where credit was due.

  “Are you going to retaliate?” Her brother asked on a pant.

  “Of course.” Destiny took a sip of her coffee. “I’m just not sure how yet. Got any ideas?”

  “Well,” He paused for a moment, rolling thoughts around in his head. “You could do rubber snakes in the bed or spiders from the ceiling or perhaps bucket of water over his door…”

  “Na.” Destiny shook her head. “Those are all lame. I need something good.”

  “You could get some drywall and paint and seal his room up.” He suggested. “I’ve always wanted to do that.”

  Good idea but… “Too much work and time. Plus, I don’t want to damage my boss’s house.”

  “Ok… Well… What about exploding cake?”


  She perked up, her curiosity sparked. “What’s that?”

  “You take a balloon and set it in something to make it take the form of a cake. Then you spread icing all over it. You tape a small needle to a knife and when someone cuts into it BOOM, icing everywhere. I heard it was pretty cool.”

  “Oh, now that sounds interesting.” She remembered how many times Jason went to the cookie jar which meant he enjoys sweets. A grin formed her lips as a plan hatched in her devious mind.

  “You may want to try it with some shaving cream first and make sure it explodes.” He suggested.

  Just then the doorbell rang.

  “Oh.” She glanced at the archway. “That’s Kenna. I’ll have to call you back.”

  “Ok. Let me know how it goes.”

  “I will.”

  She told her brother she loved him and hung up just as Richard led Kenna into the kitchen.

  Her dark hair was pulled back and draped over her shoulder. A fitted black tee and jeans hugged her thin, tall figure. Her blue eyes widened when they landed on her.

  “Oh god Des.” She gasped. “What happened to you?”

  Destiny slid off her stool, gave her friend a hug, and explained.

  “Apparently young Jason Fates is a bit of a prankster.”

  Kenna took her chin between her thumb and index finger and lifted to get a better view of her neck.

  “A bit?” She asked as she examined her face. “What is this? Is it permanent?”

  Destiny laughed as she shook her head. “It’s powdered drink mix. Fruit punch I think.”

  “Wow!” Kenna took a step back. “You’re taking this a lot better than I would.”

  “Oh, don’t be mistaken Kenna. I’ll get my revenge. Now, can you help me?”

  Kenna gave her one more intense look over. “I don’t know. I’ve never faced this kind of issue before.”

  “I’m sure you have something in your black bag there,” She glanced to the bag Kenna carried. “Miss Skin Care Specialist.”

  “Well,” Kenna sat her bag on the island with a laugh. “If I can clean this mess up you can change my title to Miracle Worker. Now, sit.”

  Destiny did as directed and slid back onto the bar stool as Kenna unloaded bottle after bottle onto the granite surface.

  “So,” Kenna started as she grabbed a dark green bottle and saturated a cotton ball with its clear contents. “Other than this little issue how’s everything going here?”

  “Actually,” Destiny held still as Kenna started wiping her cheek. “it’s not that bad. They need a lot of help though.”

  “Tell me.”

  Destiny told her friend about all she’s observed and witnessed in her short time there. She told her about the equipment bag and the bet she had going with Mr. Fates. Also about the conversation they’d had about how to go about handling the children and about his help with Jason last night.

  “He seems to care for his children but too busy to give them a little attention.”

  “Well,” Keena put a little pressure to her wipe down of her cheek. “it has to be hard balancing a successful business and family.”

  “Oh, no doubt.” Destiny agreed. “But I think he could take a little time out of his schedule to hang out with them.”

  “You should talk to him about that.” She suggested as she reached for another bottle and cotton ball. “He seems like a reasonable man. Maybe he could work in a few hours on the weekends or something.”

  It was actually sad to think that she was going to have to ask him to try to fit time with his children in his busy schedule but it had to be done.

  “I think I will. Thank you Kenna.”

  “Hey, what are friends for.” She smiled as she scrubbed Destiny’s face a little harder.

  “Destiny!”

  The sound of Dela’s voice came from the living room.

  “In here!”

  Dela came into the kitchen, carrying a purse that was as big as one of Destiny’s suitcases. “There you are. I’ve been looking everywhere… Oh,” She spotted Kenna. “I didn’t know you had company.”

  “Dela Brewton,” She motioned to Kenna. “This is my best friend Kenna Roberts. Kenna,” She motioned to Dela. “This is Dela, Mr. Fates’ chef and Richard’s wife.”

  “Kenna,” Dela strolled across the floor, hand extended. “It’s very nice to meet you.”

  “You too Dela.” Kenna accepted her hand.

  “Kenna’s here to clean me up.” Destiny explained as Kenna went back to work on her.

  “Oh, I heard.” Dela said on a quiet breath. “I can’t believe you didn’t quit… Or smack him.”

  “Me too.” Kenna added as she scrubbed Destiny’s forehead.

  Destiny just laughed. “It’ll take a lot more than a little dye to get rid of me.”

  “Tough girl.” Dela patted her shoulder. “Tough girl. I have to make a run to the store. Is there anything you may want?”

  “Oh yes.” Destiny slid off the stool, happy that she wasn’t going to have to go out looking like she did. She walked to the dining table and grabbed her wallet.

  “I need some balloons, needles, and cake icing.”

  Dela’s brow furrowed as Destiny held out some money to her.

  “What in the world is all that for?” She asked as she took the money.

  Destiny smiled her devious, wicked smile and said,

  “Retaliation.”

  Chapter 10

  The day passed by quietly. Kenna worked endlessly to remove the dye from her face. Bottle of expensive cleaner after bottle of expensive cleaner. It was agony. When she had tried each one without success Destiny had suggested searching the internet for a solution. They were both surprised when the two ways they found was using toothpaste or baking soda.

  They decided on baking soda and both were shocked when Kenna wiped Destiny’s face with a mixture of baking soda and water and the red streaks lightened with each stroke. It was funny. After all that baking soda was the key.

  Sometime during the late morning Mr. Fates had sent a carpenter over to repair her bedroom door. Even called her to make sure it was exactly as it was before.

  About an hour before the children were due home Destiny decided to start her exploding cake.

  Dela chuckled behind her as Destiny blew up a few balloons and tested them with shaving cream. She was almost 100 percent positive this was going to be her best prank yet.

  She molded a paper bag around a balloon that she’d blown up extra tight, leaving the top of the balloon exposed. She had to make it look like an actual cake.

  Then she smeared two containers of white icing all over the concoction. Once she was done with that she pulled a dinner knife from the drawer and carefully taped a needle to the end of it. She studied the knife to make sure the needle wasn’t noticeable. Then she took the cake and sat it on the island.

  “Done.” She said to Dela.

  Dela turned her attention from the roast she had cooking most of the day and smiled.

  “Good job. You can’t even tell it’s fake.”

  Destiny studied her work and had to agree. If she didn’t know better she would’ve thought it was real too.

  “Let’s hope Jason likes it.”

  Dela laughed as she went back to what she was doing. At that moment Destiny heard the door open and Anna’s voice.

  “Destiny!”

  Oh, they’re here. She moved the cake in place, laying the knife half on/ half off the platter it rested on.

  “In here Anna!”

  A second later Anna came bouncing through the archway, her pink backpack hanging off one shoulder.

  “Hey Anna.” Destiny knelt down to intercept her hug. “How was your day?”

  “Great!” She sparked excitedly and then her little brow drew together. “You don’t look like a candy cane anymore.”

  “No,” She shook her head, stifling her laugh. “I don’t look like a candy cane anymore.” Well, at least her face didn’t. The rest of her was go
ing to take a little more time and a lot more baking soda.

  “That’s good. I have something exciting to tell you.” Her blue eyes lit up.

  “Ok, you can tell me after you put your backpack away.” Destiny touched her fingertip to Anna’s nose and she giggled.

  “K.” The little sweetie skipped out of the kitchen.

  Destiny straightened to her full height and turned just in time to see Jason eyeing the cake.

  “No sweets before dinner Jason.” She told him with the hope he wouldn’t listen.

  She held back her chuckle as she watched the boy smirk at her and swipe his finger through the icing and shoved the icing covered finger in his mouth, taunting her with his dark eyes.

  “You can dare me all you want.” She just couldn’t help herself. “But if you touch that cake I can promise you, you will regret it.”

  Again he swiped his finger across the icing with enough force to worry Destiny that the bag may crumple underneath (thankfully, it didn’t) and shove his finger in his mouth.

  Her smile only widened. “Will you please go put your equipment bag and backpack away?”

  When she didn’t respond to his dare he shoved away from the island and snapped, “You do it.” Then he stormed toward the archway, leaving both his bags on the floor next to the island.

  As she watched him walk out of the room she let out a soft, sad sigh. That’s one troubled child.

  As he walked out Anna reappeared, skipping cheerfully.

  “Ok Destiny. You ready for my exciting news?”

  Destiny forced her smile back and lowered in front of Anna.

  “Yes Sweetheart,” She gently tugged the hem of Anna’s shirt, straitening the pattern of pink hearts displayed on it. “Tell me your news.”

  “Ali and I are in the gymnastics competition Saturday.” She looked like she was about to burst with excitement.

  “Really?”

  She nodded. “And I want you to come.”

  “Awe Sweetheart.” Her heart melted as she hugged Anna. “I would love to. I’ll ask your father as soon as he gets home if I can join him.”

  All excitement faded from the little girl’s face in an instant. Her blue eyes dimmed with sadness.