Chapter One
It was another rainy crowded day on the streets of New York City. I opened my umbrella and yelled out for a taxi while trying to avoid being drenched by cars driving through puddles of water near the curbs. I checked my watch and frowned before desperately waiving at the next taxi that drove my way.
"Taxi!" I yelled waving frantically.
Thankfully the taxi stopped and a man with an accent I couldn't recognize asked me where I was heading. Shaking off my umbrella a little I closed the door and told him the name of the street.
It was a short ride and I paid the fare before rushing off. I walked a few blocks off of the main street before I came to a two story house. Unlike most of the houses in the city it was not crammed between two other houses but the perimeter was surrounded by a metal fence. It could definitely be described as old but it was in excellent condition. The house was a dark blue color with cream colored shutters and a porch that wrapped around one side. A two seater swing hung near the front door after you walked up the six brick stairs leading to it. Opening the dark cherry wood door with a glass center I could hear soft mumbling of conversations behind closed doors.
"Morning Destiny" A tall, brown skinned woman with dark hair trimmed in a pixie cut greeted with a smile. She was dressed business casual and stamping papers before stacking them in a neat pile. She sat a desk that could be seen right when you entered.
"Morning Maria. How are you today?" Destiny asked with a smile as she wiped her heels on the welcome mat inside the house.
"Pretty good. Did you watch the news?"
"Not last night, why? Another alien attack or something" I asked with a sigh.
"Close. Some kind of huge robot things. Thank God they didn't do too much damage. The justice League lured them to that old abandoned warehouse district" Maria said continuing to focus on her work.
"Well that's good I guess. It would have been better if they weren't here in the first place though. How have things been today?"
"Not that great honestly. I'm sure Evelyn will talk with you" Maria said with a saddened look.
I gave a supportive smile before heading to my office. The small re-purposed storage closet was crammed and that was putting it nicely. I barely had room to pull my chair out from my desk which had to be built inside the room. I glanced down at my fingers almost expecting to see the splinters that had come from the job. I unlocked the door to my office and smiled when I saw my diploma on the opposite wall. It had been two years now since I finished school to become a paralegal. I worked for a small firm known as Summers & Sanders. It is a law firm started by two women Miranda Summers and Evelyn Sanders. Most of the staff was female as well but we did have two men both lawyers. One was a guy straight out of Law school the other was Miranda's husband who was both lawyer and mentor to the new law student.
My name is Destiny Summers, no relation. In case you forget I have a shiny golden name plate on my desk to remind you. It was my second pride and joy. I remember the day I went to have it made and how proud I was to place it on my desk. To be honest I love being a paralegal, yes it is hard work with extremely long hours, but I feel like I am making a difference. Unfortunately it is only part time work for me, well mostly. Sometimes I have to work odd hours gathering information or filing paper work. I used to work full time but I lied and told Evelyn and Miranda that I wanted to switch to part-time. In truth I knew that they were struggling financially to keep this place up and running so all of us helped out. We all cleaned the house inside and outside while Miranda's husband cuts the grass. During the day time we usually don't use the lights seeing that we are not near any skyscrapers so we get plenty of sunlight. Although it is a struggle everyone manages to keep a smile on their faces and we get by.
Since I am part-time now I took up a second job as a lounge singer at a club downtown called Rubio. A lot of celebrities and the who's who of money piled into that place nearly every night. It was the crown jewel of New York City very classy and very expensive. I would never be able to afford eating there but being an employee had it's perks well more so if you were a singer or a part of the live band. It was pretty cool working there and I got to sing, which I love to do, so that made working for an ass kissing boss and snobby customers worth it. I began reviewing the details of upcoming cases when there was a knock. I looked up to see Evelyn standing in the doorway.
"Are those the files for the Lex Corp case?" She questioned as she closed the door.
"Yep. I managed to secure a contact and have visual proof they are dumping radioactive waste in their reservoir, which connects to a local lake, and ultimately makes it's way out to sea. No telling how much damage he has done to the ecosystem"
"That's great" Evelyn said happily.
I handed her the file she flipped through it before giving me a to do list which I quickly wrote down. After making a few phone calls and grabbing a few documents I grabbed my coat once again along with my umbrella and left the office.
After running around the entire city, well not really but my feet sure felt like it, I rested on a bench in Central park and ate my lunch. I looked out over the families and children playing and felt my eyes mist with unshed tears. Lowering my eyes back to my lunch I quickly finished crumpling up my trash and tossing it in the trash. Checking my watch I sighed realizing it was close to closing time at the office. I called Evelyn but Miranda answered and I asked her if there was anything else that needed to be done.
"No sweetheart you enjoy your weekend" Miranda said over the phone.
"Alright see you Monday, bye" I said before hanging up.
I wasn't far from my apartment maybe a ten minute's walk. I decided to save some cash and take a scenic route home. I groaned checking the time and knowing I wouldn't have enough for a nap before I had to shower and get to my second job. I showered and changed my under garments before putting the same clothes on from work earlier and doing my hair and makeup. Grabbing a black dress bag with my two outfits for the lounge and a small duffle bag I left to catch a cab. I thanked the Cabbie and handed him some bills before going through a side entrance into Rubio. I smiled and said good evening to some of the waiters and waitresses before heading to my dressing room. Well it wasn't exactly my dressing room I shared it with three other singers but tonight I was solo.
I changed into my gown and sprayed on some perfume before checking my makeup and locking my things in my personal locker. The band was changing over and I smiled to the few familiar faces as well as the ones I didn't know. I took my place on stage as the band prepared to accompany me. The night was going smoothly and I easily lost myself in the music. It was fairly easy to tune out everyone else in the room besides myself and the music. This job was the only job I ever had that made me feel completely at peace that is until the music stopped playing. The sound of applause brought me out of my own world and I did a small curtsy towards the crowd before motioning that I was going to take a break. Mario was working bar tonight and I smiled happily. Him and I started working at the same time but he was only a bus boy then. He handed me a slightly warmed mug with tea, lemon and honey.
"Thanks Mario you're the best" I smirked.
He gave a wink before helping the other customers. I sipped on my drink on a backless seat at the bar.
"Destiny" Someone called. I looked around and found my manger motioning for me to join him and a group of people mostly men but there were two women hanging off both arms of one of the gentlemen.
I fought back an eye roll and sipped my tea before joining the group. I was briefly introduced to the other men who did not seem that interested in me so I was wondering why my boss was trying to show me off.
"Destiny Summers this is Mr. Bruce Wayne" My boss said motioning to the man with a woman on either arm.
"Nice to meet you" I said simply trying to give a smile that seemed friendly.
"You have quite the talent" Mr. Wayne said genuinely.
"Thank you Mr. Wayne"
"Please Mr. Wayne was my father call me Bruce"
"Mr. Wayne is one of my best customers" My boss beamed proudly.
I could not stop the roll of my eyes although I was glad my boss did not see me. I saw Bruce smile amused.
"Have we met before?" Bruce asked as if he was searching his memory.
"I doubt it" I said with a small smile.
He looked as if he didn't believe me but let the subject drop.
"Well if you would excuse me I have to get back but it was a pleasure to meet you Mr. Wayne...I mean Bruce" I said sincerely.
Mr. Wayne nodded as I turned and headed back to the bar placing my half drunken mug on the counter before walking on stage. Work went by quickly like always and before I knew it I was changing back into the clothes I came in and placing my second outfit in the dress bag.
I nearly sank to the floor of my apartment when I finally got back. Thank God it was the weekend although I did have to work at the club this weekend. On the bright side I had the entire day to myself or just about. Plus I was only working on Saturday since the club was closed on Sunday. I dropped everything by the door before stumbling over to my couch. I fell face first and told myself I was only going to rest here for a few minutes but I didn't wake until the next morning.