Fates' Destiny (4 page)

“…And they all lived happily ever after.”

Destiny closed the book and smiled at the sleeping angel curled up with her pink stuffed pony.

At that moment she couldn’t help but wonder if she’ll ever settle down and have a child of her own. She wanted children but that was the easy part. The hard part was finding a guy who
wouldn’t start out as Prince Charming and end up a toad. So far all the guys she’s ever dated turned out to be toads. A few started off that way.

At 25
she was an unmarried physiatrist turned nanny. Some would say that was sad. Hell, she would say it was sad. But at this moment, admiring this sweet little baby who warmed up to her so quickly she had to admit she was satisfied with her life.

She pushed a strand of Anna’s hair back off her face and hooked it behind her ear. A soft sigh came from her as she snuggled deeper into her pillow and drifted away.

Destiny watched her for another moment but a sound from the doorway startled her. She snapped up to the door to see Mr. Fates leaning against the frame, arms folded over his white button down shirt. The dark khakis he wore were creased in the front from sitting for a long period of time.

“Sorry.” He whispered with a smile that Destiny had to admit made him ten times more good looking then his scowl.

“It’s ok.” She rose out of the chair and laid the book in her place. “She’s so sweet.” She gazed down at her.

A couple of long strides and Mr. Fates
was at her side. “Yes she is.” He agreed as he stared admiringly at her.

“I’ll let you say goodnight. I’m going to go check on Jason and Ali.”

He nodded and she walked out of the room. She went to the door to the right of Anna’s room and tapped lightly. There was no sound so she pushed the door open and spotted Jason at his computer.

“Jason it’s time for bed.”

He didn’t make a move. Just continued with the game he was playing.

She sighed at the boy’s defiance. “Please don’t make me take the power cord to your computer.”

That got a response. Just not the one she wanted.

“I dare you.” He growled without taking his eyes off the monitor.

Suddenly a very deep ‘A-hem’ came from behind her. She and Jason both jumped at the sound of Mr. Fates clearing his throat.

“Dad!”
Jason shot up out of his chair, his face paled.

Destiny felt his warm hand land on her shoulder and then he spoke.

“Jason I’m only going to tell you this one time. I don’t want to hear anymore disrespectful comments come from your mouth again. Not to Ms. Reece and not to Dela or Richard. Do I make myself clear?”

Oh, hell yeah!
Destiny mentally cheered.

“Y-yes sir.”
Jason gave him a stiff nod.

“Good. Now, Ms. Reece told you it was time for bed. I suggest you do as she says.”

“Yes sir.” He turned back to his computer and turned it off.

“Good night Jason.”

All she got in response was a scowl. Destiny chuckled softly as she closed his door but made no effort to move. Instead she pressed her ear to the door and listened. She knew what was about to happen and she couldn’t wait for it.

“Ms. Reece?” Mr. Fates stared at her in confusion.

“Shush.” She raised a finger to her lips.

He continued to stare at her as if she was crazy but did as she asked. Seconds later she heard the clatter of Jason’
s baseball equipment bag crash onto the floor. She had to cover her mouth to keep from bursting into laughter.

“What the hell was that?” Mr. Fates darted for the door but stopped when Destiny stepped in his way.

“It was his equipment bag.” She giggled, her hand on his chest.

“What?” He asked looking more confused than he had before.

She moved away from Jason’s door as she explained how Dela had asked him to put his equipment away and he had refused.

“So at dinner I had the bag waiting for him in his seat. He shoved it to the ground. When he went to get his shower I took the bag and put it in his bed and obviously he tossed it on the ground. Tomorrow the bag will be waiting for him at his door and in his seat at the table and wherever else he goes in this house until he puts it where it belongs.”

“Wow!” Mr. Fates stared at her as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “He’s a stubborn one you know. He gets it honest.”

Destiny laughed. “I am too. And we’re going to find out
who’s more stubborn. I can promise you that.”

“Well Ms.
Reece, I’m rooting for you but I think you’re fighting a battle you’re not going to win.”

A challenge.
Destiny loved a good challenge. “Would you care to make a wager on that sir?”

“A bet?”
He asked in disbelief and she nodded. “I love a good challenge.”

“Alright.”
He held out his hand to her. “I bet you’ll fold before he will.”

“You’re on.” She slapped her hand into his and gave it one good shake.

“What’s the reward?” He asked as he released her hand.

She rolled around a few ideas in her
mind, money… jewels… a yacht… All sounded good but nothing she could match if she lost.

“How about winner decides?”

His smile lit up the dim hallway. “Deal.”

“Ok… Well, I guess I’m going to turn in for the night.” She motioned to her room with her thumb.

“Yeah, me too. I’ve got a long day ahead of me.”

“I bet.” She laughed.

A playful glint softened his dark eyes. “As do you. We have a wager now.”

Again she laughed and nodded. “Just be ready to pay up when the time comes.”

“No. You better be ready to pay up.”

“Yeah right.”
She snorted and turned to head for her room. She was just about to open her door when she remembered something she needed to do.

“Oh, Mr. Fates
.” She turned back to see him standing in the same spot she’d left him. “I wanted to thank you for your help with Jason. I was just about to take the power cord off his computer.”

His deep laugh filled the hallway. “And I’m sure you would’ve.”

“Of course I would’ve. I never make hollow threats.”

Again he laughed. “Good night Ms. Reece.”

“Good night Mr. Fates.”

“How many air conditioning units?”

Adam rushed around his bedroom, phone to his ear. He couldn’t have heard his brother right.

“You heard me. Every ac in both apartment complexes needs to be replaced. At least that’s what James Wilson’s e-mail said.”

Shit! That’s a lot of money but… “E-mail him back and tell him to go ahead and have new units installed immediately.” It was already unseasonably warm in Miami. He couldn’t allow his tenets to go without air conditioning.

“Alright. Are you on your way to the office?”

“I will be shortly.” He said as he buttoned the cuffs of his black shirt.

“K, see you then.”

Adam slid his phone into his pocket and was going to his closet to get the grey blazer he’
d planned to wear today when a blood-chilling scream ripped through the silence of his room.

~              ~              ~

Destiny slept surprisingly well considering she was in a new place. She’d woke minutes before her alarm had went off well rested and ready to face the day.

After a very nice shower in her new bathroom she’d wrapped her hair in a plush white towel and her favorite
teal blue robe around her body and walked into her room. 

She was digging through her suitcase in search of her underwear when she noticed something on her hands.

Her fingers and palms were tinted red. Pale but very noticeable red streaks traveled up under her sleeves. Panic started to settle in as she pushed the sleeves up and followed the streaks to her elbows. She shot up, untied her robe, and looked down. Streaks were entwined down her breasts, her belly, her thighs…

She darted for her dresser mirror and when she seen the red streaks mapping around her face and down her neck she let out a scream of sheer terror.

What in the hell could this be?
She tried to scrub the marks on her arm away with her hand but they wouldn’t vanish. Had she had an allergic reaction to something? They didn’t itch or burn. They just discolored her skin.

“Destiny!”
She heard Anna’s panicked voice followed by soft pounds on the door. “You ok?”

She was frozen in panic and confusion, staring at her red streaked body.

Suddenly…

“Ms. Reece!” Mr.
Fates voice boomed through the door. The pictures on the wall shook with every hit of his fist to the door.

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 pow
der residue.

“What is this?” He ran his finger around the rim an
d 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 so
n 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 f
ell 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.