Part 8:
Danielle Rayburn-Manning knocked on Nate Salinger's door. They had been dating for a year now, ever since she broke up with Matthew Buchanan. He told her that he loved her and she freaked out. She knew deep down she didn't feel the same for him. Besides, she had already met Nate and couldn't deny the feelings she had developed for him while she, Nate, Destiny and Matthew starred in their school play Star Crossed Lovers.
She remembered feeling pushed into a corner after Destiny reamed her for cheating on Matthew when she caught her & Nate kissing. She threatened to tell Matthew if Dani didn't. She knew Destiny was deadly serious so she told him that very night after his parents remarried. He pretty much despised Nate and her ever since. He'd be at best civil to them & that was only when Destiny was present.
This bad blood between Nate & Matthew is, at its root, because of her. Is that why he killed Nates's dad?
"Hi" Nate's new roommate Deanna answered. Not only was she smoking hot, she was older and more experienced than Dani. Although, she was Nate's brother James' ex-girlfriend, Dani hated her living with Nate and his Mom.
"Hey" Dani answered passing by her to speak to Nate. "Nate we have to talk in private. Deanna can you excuse us?"
"Sure" she answered disappearing into her bedroom.
"Hey Dani, what's wrong? You look upset."
"Nate you should sit down..." Dani warned relaying all she spied that night.
Matthew finally arrived home after running some errands. While entering his building, he noticed that newslady Blanca Morales leaving. Crap, this can't be good, he thought as she looked dead in his eyes and smirked on her way past.
Matthew shot up the stairs to the 2nd floor entering the apartment. His parents turned their worried expressions to him. "Was that Blanca Morales I saw leaving? What did she want?"
His dad Bo replied "Son she wanted to warn us that she plans to announce on TV that you killed Eddie Ford."
"I'd better head down to the station & turn myself in. I'm tired of this. Besides, you guys can't cover for me forever. Dad you're the commissioner. You can't tell your officers that I'm off limits. Mom you're the D.A. you can be disbarred."
Nora refused to entertain the thought of her only son going to jail, "No. There is no evidence linking you to the crime. She is just trying to scare a confession out of you Matthew."
"The only ones who know you killed Eddie Ford are the 3 of us and your Uncle Clint. I just can't figure out how she put this all together. Unless,Clint, that weasel, he must've told her. I know he hates us for falling back in love while you were still married to him, but to take it out on our son..?"
Matthew turned around " It wasn't Uncle Clint you guys, it was Destiny."
"What? Why would Destiny even talk to a reporter?" What was she thinking?"
"Don't blame Destiny she was trying to protect me. Morales was trying to accuse you, Mom. Destiny defended you."
"Look we're going to go play damage control. Don't leave & don't answer the door, son."
"I won't stay here like a prisoner."
"Look Matthew we'll discuss this as a family once your Dad & I get back ok?" Nora kissed him on the cheek while throwing her coat on and following Bo out the door.
I've got other plans guys, I'm sorry, Matthew thought as he dialed Destiny's number. "Destiny I... really need you. Can I meet you at your place?"
"Of course Matthew I'll be here waiting."
Matthew took a wad of cash out of his account at the ATM and packed as many clothes as he could. He drove his car to Destiny's place & pounded on her door, his nerves getting the better of him.
Once Destiny opened the door, he pulled her into his embrace burying his head into her hair. "Destiny everything's falling apart around me" Matthew's voice cracked.
Destiny put her fingers on his lips, "Shaun's home" she whispered. She intertwined her fingers with his and lead him to her room.
After she closed the door she ran her hands through his wavy hair then slid them down to cup his face. "Matthew what's wrong? What happened after..." Matthew kissed Destiny impossible to resist with her at arms length. She deepened the kiss her questions forgotten on his tongue.
Matthew removed his jacket throwing it on the floor before wrapping his arms around Destiny's waist and lifting her up. Destiny stifled her surprised squeal with her hand lest they be heard. He placed her down on the bed. They kneeled in front of each other his arms around her waist while hers were clasped around his neck.
"Did I tell you how incredibly sexy you are?" Matthew asked.
"Hmm, I was wondering why you were following me around all night." she giggled.
"Let me find out you have jokes!" he teased nibbling on her ear.
BANG, BANG, BANG.
They jumped as Shaun knocked on her bedroom door. "Destiny what's that noise & why is your door locked?"
Destiny and Matthew looked at each other wide eyed in fear. They both jumped off of her bed straightening their clothes. "Matthew hide in the closet NOW!" she whispered fiercely.
He rushed off, his hand on the closet door before turning back for his jacket almost forgotten on the floor.
After Matthew slipped into the closet Destiny took a deep breath and opened the door. "Gee, Shaun I was about 2 seconds from dreamland when you almost broke my whoa, excuse you!" Shaun pushed past her to examine the room. "I heard strange noises..."
"Shaun you're scaring me. Was it from outside?" She walked over to him placing her hand on his forearm. Shaun drew the curtains back looked around then closed them again. "Don't you worry Little D. I'll clobber anyone who tries to hurt you."
"I believe you Shaun" she got on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek.
"Goodnight Little D."
"Nite Shaun."
She waited until she saw Shaun ascend the stairs before again closing & locking her door. "Matthew its safe." Destiny opened the closet to reveal Matthew cramped behind her clothes.
He stood up with one of her panties twirling around his finger.
"Get your filthy paws off my silky drawers..." she sang.
Matthew chuckled "Only if I can see the ones you're wearing right now.." he cocked his eyebrow.
"You're crazy isn't Shaun almost catching us a deterrent for you?" Destiny rolled her eyes faking exasperation.
"Nope. Nothing can stop me from loving you" Matthew confessed kissing Destiny on the forehead.
"I love you too Matthew but your call worried me. What happened?"
They sat on her bed holding hands while Matthew told her about Blanca Morales.
"Oh my gosh. What are we gonna do?" Destiny wondered aloud.
"I'm sorry I'm always dumping my problems in your lap. You'd probably be better off with a normal guy who's not always in a crisis..." he lamented.
"Well maybe you're right but I love you Matthew & I'll be here no matter what; so get used to it."
"Destiny should I turn myself in, run away from Llanview...? I don't know what to do."
"Neither. Turning yourself in is NOT an option ok? Promise me you wont ever do that. There's no evidence linking you to the crime. You should stay here with me. We can figure something out as long we stay together."