Fates' Destiny Page 5

  “Daddy never comes to our competitions. He’s too busy.”

  Sadly Destiny wasn’t the least bit surprised.

  “Well, maybe I could ask him if he’d take time out from work to go.” She wasn’t sure if he would but she had to do something to ease this child’s misery.

  “Really?” Her face lit up with hope. “You’ll talk to him?”

  Destiny nodded. “As soon as he gets home.”

  Anna cheered excitedly just as Destiny felt her phone vibrate in her back pocket.

  Well, speak of the devil. She thought when she seen ‘Mr. Fates’ on the screen. She’d programmed his number when he’d called her this morning.

  “Hello.” She answered.

  “Are my children home?” He asked and she smiled. “Yes sir. They got home about 15 minutes ago.”

  Out of the corner of her eye she saw Jason had reappeared in the kitchen, was again leaning over the cake. “Jason, don’t touch that cake.”

  Her warning received a huff from the young man.

  “Is he giving you a little trouble?” Mr. Fates pulled her back to the phone.

  “No sir.” She turned her back on Jason and focused on the call. “Just being himself.”

  “Then that’s a ‘yes’.” His deep chuckle vibrated through the phone.

  She let out a soft laugh. “Than ‘yes’ he’s giving me a little trouble.”

  “Well, let him know that if he gets out of line I will handle it. And don’t let him forget he still has to clean your bathroom.”

  “I won’t.”

  “Good. Now the reason I’m calling is I’m going to be running a little late today. I’m at a standstill on the interstate. Looks like there’s an accident or something.”

  “Oh.” Destiny lowered into one of the dining chairs. “Would you like us to wait to have dinner?”

  “No, no. You guys go ahead without me. I’m going to get home as quickly as I can. Traffic just started crawling.”

  “Ok.” Destiny felt slightly disappointed. After all, tonight she’d planned to somehow get this family talking to each other.

  Suddenly…

  POP!

  The sound bounced off every surface in the room. Her eyes darted around and that’s when she saw Jason leaning over the island. The knife she’d rigged up hovered over what was left of her exploding cake.

  Laughter burst out of her as she stood. Icing covered the young man’s face and hands. White splattered the front of his hair and shirt.

  Dela stood in front of the stove; hand over her mouth to smother her laughter.

  “What in the hell was that?” Mr. Fates’ voice rose over her hysterics.

  “Jason touched the cake.” She panted between laughs.

  “Excuse me?” He asked.

  “Exploding cake.” Was all she was able to get out.

  She watched as Jason gently laid down the knife, turned to her, and licked the icing at the corner of his lips.

  “Well played Destiny.” His voice held no disrespect. “Well played.”

  She bowed her head to him just as Mr. Fates said,

  “Exploding cake?” His deep voice a mixture of panic, concern, and anger.

  “Calm down Mr. Fates.” She made her way to the island as Jason went to the sink and turned on the water. “It was just a balloon covered in cake icing.” And it made one hell of a mess. She glanced to Dela to ask her where the cleaning supplies were but Dela was already holding a bottle of cleaner and a roll of paper towels.

  She tucked her phone between her shoulder and ear and accepted the cleaning supplies from Dela.

  “Thank you.” She mouthed as Mr. Fates said,

  “I was wondering how you were going to get him back.”

  Destiny laughed as she tore a paper towel from the roll. “I was trying to hold him off until you were here to witness it but didn’t work out that way.”

  He laughed. “I think my son may be in over his head with you.”

  “Maybe.” She shrugged as she wiped icing from the granite surface.

  “Well, I guess I’ll let you get back to tormenting my son. Traffic’s starting to move a little faster now. I should be home shortly.”

  “Oh, hey!” She rushed out. “There’s one more thing I wanted to talk to you about while you’re doing nothing.” She glanced over at Anna and smiled.

  “Trying to get out of rush hour traffic isn’t exactly ‘doing nothing’ Ms. Reece.” He said, a playful hint to his deep voice.

  “You know what I mean.” She teased.

  “Yes,” He chuckled. “I know what you mean. Now what do you want to talk to me about?”

  “Well, Anna came home and told me that she and Ali have a gymnastics competition Saturday and asked me to go. I was thinking maybe you could take some time out of your day and join me.”

  With every second he was silent Destiny felt her hope diminishing. After what seemed like forever he finally said,

  “Saturday? I think I may be able to swing that.”

  “Really?” She squeaked excitedly and glanced at Anna who was watching her. Her eyes lit up when she heard Destiny’s excitment.

  “I just have to check my schedule.” He continued.

  “Awesome! Anna’s going to be thrilled. As will Ali.”

  “Ok.” He laughed. “Now I’m going to let you go and get through this traffic. These people are maniacs.”

  “Ok. See you soon.”

  The moment she lowered her phone Anna jumped out of her chair and threw her arms around Destiny’s neck.

  “Thank you Destiny.” She squeezed. “Thank you so much.” Then she pulled back as if she couldn’t contain her excitement. “I’m going to go tell Ali.” And in a flash she was running out of the kitchen screaming, “Ali! Ali! Guess what!”

  Destiny’s heart swelled as she looked down at her phone.

  Yep. She told herself. I made the right decision.

  ~ ~ ~

  Adam had no idea why he felt compelled to let her know he was going to be late. He just did.

  Nor why he was anxious to get home. He hadn’t felt like that in a long time. But he was. So much so that he cursed every person who slowed in front of him.

  As he finally reached his exit his phone went off in the console.

  He automatically rolled his eyes when he seen ‘Luke’ on the screen.

  “What do you want?” He answered.

  “To know why you didn’t tell me you were leaving?”

  “Didn’t know I had to answer to you Luke?”

  “You don’t.” Luke laughed. “I just found it odd you left without letting me know.”

  It was odd. He usually told his brother his every move. But tonight…

  “I guess I forgot.”

  “Forgot?” Luke asked incredulously. “Well, where are you going?”

  “Home.” Adam didn’t hide his agitation with his brother’s interrogation. “Where the hell else would I be going?”

  “Ah.” Luke sounded cynically. “Anxious to see Destiny?”

  “No.” Adam defended with a snort. What a ridiculous notion? “She requested I have dinner with the children tonight.”

  “They’ll probably like that.”

  Adam had to agree. They probably will.

  “Ok. Well, I just wanted to make sure you were ok. I’ll let you go.”

  “Alright. Talk to you later.”

  “Tell Destiny I said ‘Hi’.”

  Adam rolled his eyes and disconnected the call.

  Chapter 11

  “Destiny.” Jason growled when he spotted both his equipment bag and backpack in his chair.

  “Well,” Destiny shrugged from her seat across the table. “Put them where they belong and they won’t be in your way.”

  He scowled at her as he shoved the bags onto the floor and dropped in his seat.

  Stubborn as a mule. She shook her head.

  She glanced over at Ali and had to hold back the laugh when she saw the poor girl staring at the em
pty space in front of her, her hands twitching on the table.

  When she called them for dinner Ali walked in, eyes on her phone, and Destiny couldn’t take it anymore. She pulled out her phone and sent this message:

  If you bring your phone to the table it will have a tragic drowning accident in the toilet tonight.

  Ali texted back: You wouldn’t dare!

  Destiny replied with: Wanna try me? You have to sleep some time and when you do ‘Bye, Bye’ phone.

  Ali placed her phone on the island and sat down at the table. She’s been fidgeting like a drug addict going though withdrawals ever since.

  “Ali, it’s really not that bad.”

  A stone cold death glare was all the response she got from the girl.

  “Ok everyone.”

  Dela and Richard lowered platters of roast, potatoes, and other veggies in front of them.

  Destiny waited for Jason to say something about the dinner and smiled when he began to eat without a single word. Well, at least he listened to his father.

  The table was quiet for about ten minutes and then the sound of the front door closing caught everyone’s attention. No one moved which Destiny thought was odd. Shouldn’t at least Anna be running to her dad when he came home?

  Then it dawned on her. He probably didn’t greet the family when he came home. He probably went straight to his office.

  Her breath caught in her chest as she waited, hoping that he would do as she requested and have dinner with them.

  She didn’t release it until his tall form stepped through the archway. At that moment Anna squealed, “Daddy!” and darted for him.

  “Hey Beautiful.” He scooped her up and hugged her tight against his chest. “How was your day?”

  She lifted her head off his shoulder, her face radiating pure happiness. “It was great! What about yours?”

  “It was crazy. I’m happy to be home.”

  “I’m happy you’re home too, Daddy.” She wrapped her arms back around his neck.

  “Sir?”

  He glanced at Richard, still holding Anna against him.

  “Would you like me to bring your dinner to your office?”

  Destiny’s heart warmed when he shook his head. “I’ll be having dinner with the children, Richard.”

  Destiny could feel the shock fill the room as Richard nodded and made his way to the kitchen.

  “Daddy?”

  Destiny’s eyes snapped to Ali. It was the first time since she arrived at the Fates’ home a little over 24 hours ago Ali spoke.

  “Are you feeling ok?” She asked, eyeing her father curiously.

  “Yes Baby.” He laughed as he shifted Anna to his hip. “I have a little free time and thought it would be nice to join you guys.”

  The atmosphere in the room shifted from solemn to cheerful instantaneously.

  Mr. Fates lowered Anna to her feet and motioned for her to head back to her chair. Once he was seated at the head of the table Dela sat his platter in front of him.

  Silence filled the air as everyone went back to eating and after only a few minutes Destiny decided it was too quiet for her.

  “Anna.” She glanced at her. “Why don’t you tell your dad about your day?”

  Again Destiny’s heart warmed as her boss gave his daughter his full attention as she cheerfully chatted about how awesome it was that she got to lead the line and the book she’d read without any help from her teacher and swung really high on the swings at recess. Destiny and Mr. Fates both laughed as her nose scrunched in disgust as she talked about what was served for lunch.

  “Oh. And I drew a picture of my family.” Her cheerfulness dimmed a bit when she said, “But I left it in my room.” But perked back up when she continued with, “I’ll show you later.”

  “Sounds good Sweetheart.” He smiled at her and then turned his attention to his son.

  “So Jason. How was your cake?”

  A spark of laughter escaped Destiny when she heard his question. Same with Dela. Destiny glanced over Jason’s head to see the woman laughing silently behind hand.

  “It was good Dad.” Jason replied without a hint of anger. “Destiny is a worthy adversary.”

  “Why thank you Jason.” She said proudly as she gave him a respectful nod.

  Mr. Fates laughed as Jason returned her nod. Then his eyes veered to Ali and his brow furrowed.

  “Ali, are you ok? Where’s your phone?”

  Ali lifted her eyes from her food, the fork twitching her hand.

  “Ask Ms. Reece.” She retorted.

  “I told her I would throw it in the toilet if I saw it at the table.” Destiny explained when his attention fell on her.

  “You did?” He asked in surprise and she nodded.

  “Do you have any idea what my mother would do if I brought my phone to the table? She’d batter it and toss it into the deep fryer. Dinner time is family time.” She repeated the words she’d heard her mother say time and time again.

  “Yes Ms. Reece.” He agreed. “That’s how I was raised too.”

  That got her wondering about his parents. What were they like? Was his father as ridged as him? What about his mother? Was she stern and demanding? Did they demand the best of him and push him to be successful?

  So many questions flooded her mind and she was thinking seriously about asking a few of them but the sound of the doorbell stopped her.

  “Who could that be?” Mr. Fates asked as all eyes turned to the archway.

  His question was answered when Richard reappeared in the kitchen followed by Luke.

  “Uncle Luke!” Anna leapt out of her chair and darted for her uncle.

  “Hey midget.” He scooped her up and hugged her. “How are you tonight?”

  “Good. Daddy’s having dinner with us.” She chirped as she looked into his handsome face.

  “I see that.”

  “Luke?” Dela asked. “Would you like me to prepare you a plate?”

  “Thank you Dela but I’m not hungry.” He replied politely and then his eyes went to his brother. “I need to speak to you privately.”

  The abrupt change in his tone from polite to serious was slightly alarming to Destiny. She watched curiously as he lowered Anna to the ground and walked out of the kitchen.

  “Excuse me guys.” Mr. Fates rose from his chair and followed.

  All was quiet for a few seconds and then…

  “What?!”

  The bass in his voice made everyone in the kitchen jump. Suddenly he darted back into the room.

  “Ms. Reece,” His voice hard. “I need to speak with you.”

  Instantly her mind went to ‘What did I do?’. As she rose out of her chair and followed him to the living room her mind played back the past day and a half. She didn’t remember doing anything that would cause him to be angry with her. Ok, so she may have made a cake that blew up in his son’s face but it didn’t harm him. If anything the little prank earned her some respect from him.

  “Sir?” She asked once she was clear of the kitchen, hoping like hell he didn’t hear her nervousness in her voice. She glanced around the room to see Luke pacing in front of the fireplace, talking quietly into his phone.

  “Ms. Reece,” His voice calmer but still hard. “I have to leave for Miami first thing in the morning.”

  Oh thank heavens. It wasn’t anything she had done. But still this wasn’t good.

  “What? Why?”

  “I’m being sued.” He held up the packet of papers gripped in his thick hand. “Every tenet in both my Miami apartment complexes has filed complaints against my company. I have to get there and figure out what the hell is going on.”

  “You’re leaving Daddy?” Anna’s voice came from the archway. Both of them turned to see all three children peaking around the corner, obviously eavesdropping.

  “Yes Sweetheart.” Mr. Fates answered gently. “But only for a couple of days.”

  Anna stepped from behind the wall, her blue eyes glittering with tears that ha
dn’t yet fallen. “But what about our competition?”

  “Yea Daddy.” Ali stepped out. “We were looking forward to you being there.”

  “I’m sorry girls. I’ll just have to go to the next one.” Then he looked at Richard. “Richard, please get my suitcase out.”

  “Yes sir.” Richard said with a nod and made his way up the stairs.

  Destiny’s heart broke when she saw Anna in Ali’s arms, her face buried in her sister’s shoulder. Her little body trembled as she cried silently. Destiny had to say something. She couldn’t just let him disappoint his girls like this.

  “Mr. Fates.” She turned to see him now standing with Luke by the fireplace. Their conversation ceased as she made her way to them. “Couldn’t this at least wait till Sunday?”

  “I’m sorry Ms. Reece but this is important.” Then he turned his attention back to his brother.

  Important? More important than his children? That was it. In a split second Destiny’s anger had reached an all time high and she couldn’t hold back.

  “Your children are important, damn it!”

  He stood solid for a moment and then turned to her.

  “Excuse me?” He asked as if he couldn’t believe what he’d just heard.

  “You heard me.” She folded her arms across her chest, unwilling to back down or shut up. “I’ve only been here a day and a half and I can already tell you one of the things wrong with your children. You!”

  A muscle under his right eye twitched as he glared at her.

  “Ms. Reece,” He growled deep in his throat. “I’m warning you, you are about to cross a line you don’t want to cross.”

  Right now she didn’t care. He needed to hear her thoughts. He needed to hear her opinion.

  “Ali ignores everyone because you ignore her. Jason acts up because when he’s in trouble is the only time you give him any attention. And Anna…” She glanced back at the little girl who was still in her sister’s arms but now watching the scene before her. Tears clogged Destiny’s throat at the thought of what may happen to that sweet little girl if things didn’t change around here. She swallowed them back as she turned back to the man she was scolding. “Anna’s heading down the same damn path.”

  His ruggedly handsome features darkened as he glared. His face reddened, nostrils flared. At that moment she felt fear slither all through her but she wasn’t backing down and she wasn’t apologizing for telling him the truth. He could hit her, kill her, or whatever but she wasn’t going to let him hurt these children anymore.