Chapter Ten

Destiny

Destiny leaned against the frame of the doorway that lead into her father's home office. She raised her head to look down the hallway anticipating someone coming down it, but only shadows filled empty spaces that furniture, pictures, and vases did not preoccupy.  

She took several shuddering breathes to hold back an onset of emotions that lay waiting at the surface ready to explode at a moment's notice. Strained and angered voices could be heard in the office behind her even if they we're trying to retain some modicum of professionalism.

She wondered why her mom wasn't home and where she could be. It was bizarre that she wasn’t home this late in the day. There was a loud thud and cursing in the office that had her quickly turning around to see the cause.

Her personal attorney and father, a lawyer and statesman himself, arguing and Stephen sliding across the floor towards her. Her father had moved quickly from behind his desk and steadily advancing. 

Destiny was heading towards Stephen as he was scrambling to get up. He reached her first and took a hold of her shoulder leading her away.

He bent down and grabbed his stuff shoving it into his briefcase and speeding towards the exit as fast as their feet would allow.

“Mr. Kessinger, it's quite obvious that the status of your temper isn't stable enough for reasonable and private negotiations. You'll receive a subpoena from a judge for further discussions in court.”

Once outside Stephen ushered her into the car and threw his briefcase over her head into the backseat. Papers and folders were sticking out where they once were much more organized.

"That man is insane," he commented aloud. "Just a few questions and I'm halfway out the door. The absurdity!"

Destiny looked at him and smirked. "That's what I warned you about."

Stephen stepped on the gas but kept an eye out as they drive away for anyone trailing them. The ride back was only unsilenced by the music on the radio.

Destiny slumped into the seat as Stephen drove back to his law office. She wondered what question or what series of questions caused him to snap. Once they were back and safe, she would have her own questions to inquire.

Stephen struggled with the reaction shifting uncomfortably in the car seat, and recalling the retaliation that her father showed at the small hand full of questions he had for him. He took a deep breath and looked at the young lady in the seat next to him

She was beautiful, charming, intelligent yet vaguely naive. Even with all of her present disadvantages, she had her head on straight and the most important thing, her son and his well-being, as her top priority. Just by some of her comments and reflections, she was a well rounded person albeit young, but a good mother nonetheless.

It was unimaginable to him why her father was quick to dispute and reject not only his first born grandson, but his daughter as well. It was a thought that he couldn't quite wrap his mind around.

“What type of work does your father actually do?” Stephen asked as he pulled into the parking lot.

Destiny had been daydreaming looking out the window and it took a moment for her to realize the question he asked.. "He works for a variety of local and state governing bodies. He was also a lawyer, but that was before I came along. For a small time, he was the Lt. Governor. I don't know what happened or the circumstances, but it was short lived. I was a baby during that time. Of course all this being heard in passing conversations I came across at the various social events and gathering I was always dragged to with my family. Speculation, I know, not really acceptable in court.”

Stephen chuckled at her attention to detail whether legally or socially. She was smart, alert to details. “Are you a pre-law student and keeping it secret from me?”  

He looked down at her hand and reached to take it in his own, but quickly took it back the moment that their skin touched. A sting of electricity zapped from her to him and he recoiled realizing he was putting himself in a situation he didn't need to be in.  

“True, but it's a start.” He paused thinking as she turned in her seat to look at him as he thought.

She gave a shrug wishing she had more details. A stray thought crossed her mind and she started to disregard it but was too curious to not know an answer.  

“Why do you ask?” She said tilting her head at him like a canine looking at his owner when being spoken to.

Stephen turned his attention to her and shook his head a moment as he parked the car and shut it off. He refrained from his own private thoughts to answer hers. He had to keep this professional although there was something deliriously charming about her that he couldn't put his finger on without it becoming personal and intimate. First and foremost, she was still a minor for a few months yet, and second, his client.

He unbuckled and turned as well. He gave a quick look around the parking lot and surrounding area.

Whether Destiny could sense his growing attachment to her and she was disregarding it to focus on the matter at hand or if she honestly didn't know that Stephen had feelings for her, she responded akin to that of a professional to another professional.

"There's something more to your father. I'm wondering if he's involved in other things, seedier things that he wishes to not be known to the general public. With everything I’ve been reading up on him and all his “work” and charities, something seems off. Seriously off, especially for me asking him about his personal affairs, especially with Dominic’s parents. Something that could cost him a lot in his profession; Not only publically but personally. If I have to delve into the dark side to get what you want. Are you ready for what you may find out?"

Destiny tilted her head at his deductive reasoning. "I honestly do not know," she said. "If you think it's something worth looking into, by all means, proceed. I want my son back. I've not done anything wrong. I've not hurt anyone. Disappointed, yes. I have not harmed or maimed anyone in any form or fashion to cause a riot like he’s spawning. I simply became pregnant at a young age. I'm not saying it was the best idea I had, but I'm learning and making the most of an irreversible happenstance. My father is treating me like a suspect on the FBI's Most Wanted list. If he had anything to do with my son being taken away, I will play just as dirty."

She had already thought of the near to impossible and other very dark ideas and theories, but had to take a moment to gather her thoughts and realizations of it all starting to come out of the closet. “I'm by far not anything pre-law or otherwise, I know my father, and his business. I've seen and learned things that no child should ever see. Amid all that, I learned his own tricks. He's a dirty player. He uncovers dirt on other people that never even existed, but somehow all the skeletons come out to play when he's in the game. If you have any skeletons, I suggest you be prepared for them to be drawn out into the light as well. I don't have any skeletons, other than what you already know. My father and my son.”

She sits back and crosses her arms. “If you can find some uncovered treasures, by all means, put them on the on the table. I can guarantee that my father will retaliate in his own devious way. He's already split family. My mom won't talk to me. My baby sister thinks I'm the devil reincarnate. My older brothers, all three of them, blame me for this divide. The only one I talk to and can trust, is my Aunt. Then there's you. I can't even hire one of my dad's associates, they don't like the way he handles business and won't go against him. In a way, he even intimidates them. That, is what I call dangerous and a liability.”

Stephen nods in reply to Destiny. “Point taken. Unless I had a wild night out in Las Vegas several years ago that I don’t remember, I’ve no demons or skeletons in my closet. I was a midwest kid grown up with respectable, religious parents. I only moved out East because of a model girl friend, I finished law school here and we broke up not long afterwards. Nothing that is too out of the ordinary or outrageous. I’m pretty average, if not less than average. I think you have nothing to fear from me at least. On the other hand, your Father is trying to throw you under the train, the bus, and anything else he can concoct. Let’s call our Superman and have him whisk you away before all that happens. Okay?”

He looks to Destiny with a hopeful smile. Destiny was quite the opposite, she was careful, cautious, and already knew what they were about to unleash.