AN: well, here’s the next chapter. I am gonna finish this story I just have to get some ideas so if the next few chapters are posted slower than usual, I apologize in advance but you guys WILL get an end. Love ya lots.

~~

Destiny looked down at her feet and tapped her index and middle finger on her knees. she cleared her throat, opened her mouth to speak but closed it seconds later.
“Des, don’t procrastinate.” AJ pleaded as he forced her to look at him.
“Are you sure you want to know?” Destiny bit down on her lip.
“Considering how you’re reacting to this, no, I probably don’t want to know but I have a right to and you have a duty to tell me. Don’t you think?” AJ took a hold of her hand and squeezed it tightly.
“I want to move in with you.” Destiny shrugged.
“Is that all?” AJ looked relieved, he let go of the grasp on her hand and rubbed the back of his head.
“Yeah, fear of rejection, I guess.” Destiny’s conscious was repetitively condemning her actions. She lied to the person she loved more than life itself. But it was for the best. If she would have told him, their relationship would be over. And what good would that do for anyone? Destiny tried her best to keep her emotions and guilt to herself. She concentrated on her lie.
“If you really want to move in with me, I’d be more than happy to have you around.” AJ scooped her up in his arms and set her on his lap.
“Good.” Destiny grinned and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Must I help you pack, though?” AJ frowned and played with her hair.
“Yes you must and you’re going to enjoy every minute.” She put a finger on each side of his mouth and moved his lips to form a smile.
“Great, can I help carry those heavy boxes for you too? Please say yes.” He said, sarcastically. AJ moved his hands from her hair to her shoulders and began to massages them firmly.
“Hmm, sure. I thought you’d never ask.” She nuzzled her head into his neck with no intention to move anytime in the near future.

~~

“You’re married?” Richard Grant asked in surprise.
“Yeah dad, I’m married.” Coral showed him her left hand, presenting him with the wedding ring on her finger.
“This is a joke, right?” Richard asked, hopefully.”
“Sorry.” Coral lowered her hand under the table and rested it on Brian’s knee.
“You’re actually married?” He repeated himself.
“That’s what I said.” Coral’s heart beat quickened.
“To who?” Richard finally let go of the fork he was holding and crossed his arms.
Coral cringed. She didn’t believe her father could be so slow to understand that she was married to the man sitting beside her. She shot a glance over at Brian, who wasn’t doing much better than her. He was fidgeting with the tablecloth, twirling it between his fingers. Cheyenne seemed to know what was going on. She sat in silence, anticipating the outcome.
“To Brian. And before you ask, yes, this Brian.” Coral pointed at her husband.
“The only reason why I allowed your friend to stay on the same floor as you is because Cheyenne told me the two of you couldn’t even get along. Now you’re telling me you’re married?” Her father looked at her in disbelief.
“Dad, we’ve been married for 6 months. Brian’s not my friend, he’s my husband.” Coral stated.
“He’s a mistake that’s what he is.” Richard grumbled.

~~

Those words hurt Brian. He felt as if a knife was just stuck through his heart. Coral was still surprisingly calm. She found Brian’s hand under the table and held it.
“Why do you think he’s a mistake?” Coral winced her eyes.
“He’s going to leave you for some showbiz slut.” Richard’s voice was slowly getting louder.
“With all due respect sir, I love your daughter very much and I’m never going to leave her.” Brian’s voice was shaky.
“Don’t you dare speak in my house.” Richard demanded. He didn’t even bother looking at Brian’s face, his gaze was frozen on his younger daughter.
“Freedom of speech.” Brian muttered
“I don’t like your attitude.” Richard growled.
Cheyenne got sick of the tension between the two men. She grabbed Brian’s hand and led him into living room. They sat down on the couch, neither saying a word. Cheyenne made an attempt to comfort him, seeing how hurt he was but he pushed her off.
“Just stay here, okay? Let them figure it out.” She asked of him.
Brian simply nodded and looked through one of the magazines in the stand before him.
“I expected more from you. I thought we gave you the morals needed to choose the right partner for you. Instead you marry a guy who you couldn’t even stand.” Richard shook his head in disappointment.
“You did raise me with morals and you also raised me with love. And he’s the one for me. So we made a mistake and we didn’t get along for a while but we do now. We never fight. We’re good for eachother. The only mistake I made is not telling you sooner but how can you blame me for that, look how you’re acting.” Coral couldn’t believe the words that were coming out of her mouth but she was happy she was finally able to stand up for herself and what better cause than sticking up for her husband.
“Look what he’s done to you. He’s changed a sweet child into someone who talks back to her own father.” Richard gulped down the dry red wine he was drinking.

~~

Coral couldn’t help but laugh.
“Shows how much you know about me or Brian for that matter. I’ve always talked back to people who get on my bad side, it’s just never been you. Brian’s temper never shows. Her practically holy.” Coral ran a hand through her hair.
“He’s not holy, Coral. He’s in the music industry. Imagine what he’s exposed to. He’s probably on drugs, probably cheating on you with minors and probably drunk out of his mind when he’s not with you. I’m trying to protect you from this guy who’s going to ruin your life. He’s going to leave you with children and no money because knowingly, he probably made you sign a prenup so you don’t get any of his money when you two divorce. And you will divorce.” Richard lectured.
Coral’s face turned red with anger. She looked around her and found her glass of water on the table. She took it, got up and splashed the water on her father’s face. Coral rested the glass back on the table and marched into the livingroom. Brian’s face turned compassionate when he saw her. He jumped up and embraced her.
“I want you two to gather your things and get the hell out of my house. You’re not longer welcome here.” Richard violently separated the couple.
“Brian’s always welcome here.” Coral insisted.
“I wasn’t talking to Brian. You’re no longer welcome here, Coral. The child I raised would never throw a glass of water at her father. I refuse to take responsibility for your stupidity. I’m going to disown you. You’re no longer going to belong to this family. You don’t deserve a loving family. If you want to be with this jackass and get hurt, go right ahead. You’re alone in this world, there’s no one to stop you.” Richard left the room as soon as he finished the sentence. Coral sat down on the couch, looking at the familiar surroundings. A place she used to love and feel safe in turned into the location of the worst day of her life.

~~

Nick was sitting on the couch with Lin sleeping on his lap as a knock was heard on his door. Gently, he lifted Lin’s head from his lap and rested it on the couch. He made his way to the door and looked through the peep hole. Carrie.
Nick opened the door and allowed her to come in. Carrie looked different. She wasn’t as cheery as she usually was. Carrie looked a little sad and nervous. Nick noticed the change but didn’t say a word. He waited for her to speak.
“Nick, what’s going on with you?” She asked
“What do you mean?” He couldn’t help feel frustrated by her constant nagging.
“You’re PMSing.” Carrie shrugged.
“That’s cute. No, I’m fine.” Nick rubbed his eyes.
“You’ve changed.” Carrie observed.
“But change can be so good.” Nick replied, singing a line from ‘Time’
“Not longer than a month ago, we were really happy. You can’t expect me to believe that you changed your feelings so drastically in one month? What happened? Did you meet the girl of your dreams and realize that I meant nothing to you?” Carrie asked. She was sick of wondering. Sick of all the questions that were left unanswered. She wasn’t going to leave until she knew why they were no longer together.

~~

“Carrie, let it go.” Nick whined.
“I won’t.” Carrie sat down, and leaned against the door.
“You really should.” Lin, now awake approached the two.
“Who the hell are you?” Carrie recognized her voice from the conversation they had earlier.
“I’m Lin. I used to date Nick. I’m sure he told you all about me.” Lin curled her arm around Nick’s waist.
“Never heard of you.” Carrie rolled her eyes.
“Really, Nick? How could you not mention your first love. That’s not very nice.” Lin whispered in his ear.
“Just tell me, Nick.” Carrie repeated, ignoring Lin.
“I suggest you leave.” Lin said sternly.
“I suggest you shut up. This isn’t your property. Only Nick can tell me to leave and he’s not.” Carrie had a disgusted look on her face.
“Tell her to leave, Nick.” Lin poked him in the ribs.
“No.” Nick said.
“No? Fine.” Lin smiled wickedly.
“Fine?” He asked in surprise.
“Yes, come on, Carrie. I’ll make you a cup of coffee and we can talk.” Lin signaled for the girl to follow.
“Carrie, don’t go.” Nick pleaded.
“Why not? She’s being somewhat nice.” oblivious to the results her actions will cause, she followed innocently.

~~

“Sit down, sweetie.” Lin hopped around the kitchen, preparing a snack for the two of them.
Carrie sat on the stool beside the counter and munched on some cookies.
“I didn’t mean to be so rude earlier.” Lin’s apologized and flashed a fake smile.
“Yeah.” Carrie looked confused.
In the meanwhile Nick was sitting on the couch, his head resting in his hands. He was scolding himself for being so dumb. Carrie was going to find out and there was nothing he could do to stop it now. He screwed up by not following a simple order. It was over.
“Here you go.” Lin handed her the mug of coffee and sat beside her.
“We have something in common.” Lin began.
“We do?” Carrie asked, playing with zipper in her sweatshirt.
“Yes. We were both scarred by Nick.” Lin explained.
“I wouldn’t say I was scarred. He just broke up with me. Sure, it hurt but we can work it out.” Carrie opened up to the stranger.
“Silly, that wasn’t what I meant.” Lin laughed.
“Then what did you mean?” Carrie asked.
“Nick didn’t tell you?” Lin gasped.
“Tell me what?” Carrie was getting uneasy. She squirmed around in her seat.
“That he cheated on you.” Lin stated. She jumped off the seat and looked in the cupboards. Lin showed her a picture of Nick and a pretty blonde. They were kissing and looking a little more than comfortable around eachother. Carrie looked at the picture in disbelief, she turned to the back of the picture, checking the date. Sure enough, it was a date they were both together.
“Nick’s not even denying it, honey. That’s why he left you. So, I wouldn’t tell you. He did the same to me. I just felt it necessary to share this knowledge with you.” Lin gave Carrie a pat on the back.
“I have something else to take care of. Feel free to yell at Nick, he’s in the other room.” Lin smiled and ran into the bedroom. She picked up the phone and dialed a familiar number.

“Hello?” AJ’s voice sounded annoyed.
“Alex?” Lin squeaked in excitement.
“Lin?” AJ frowned at the sound of her voice.
“Yeah.” Lin licked her lips.
“It’s been a while. What’s up?” He asked, not really interested in her answer.
“Nothing. I just wanted to tell you something.” Lin stated.
“Hmm?” AJ asked as he looked over at Destiny, sleeping like an angel.
“Know what happened between Destiny and Nick?”
“He said something stupid and she smacked him?” AJ gave her his version of the story.
“No dear, they kissed.” Lin told him the truth and waited for a response. All she got was a dial tone. He hung up.