Destiny

Chapter 11: Secret Crush

Lini was about to leave under the amazed eyes of her daughter. She is dressed in a blue dress with white heels, her hair done in a bun. Agnès is already in her pajamas with her cuddly toy in her arms, wondering if the babysitter her mother has chosen will be nice to her. "Mom ?"

"Yes my darling ?" Said Lini to her daughter putting lipstick on her lips and looking at herself one last time before putting on mascara.

"Do you still love dad?" Agnes asked.

Lini finished her makeup, she knew her daughter was going to ask that question. A child cannot understand why one day or another the feelings of one person can turn against another. Lini turns off the light in her bathroom, walks over to her daughter and kneels down in front of her.

"It doesn't matter if mom is with someone else, your mom will love dad forever. But don't worry mom is in love with no one right now but your dad." Lini reassured, holding her hands.

"But I want you to be happy mom." Said to her mom before giving her a big hug when the babysitter arrives, Will arrives shortly after, bouquet of flowers in hand, red roses, his favorite. She puts them in a vase, kisses Agnès one last time before leaving.

~!~

Arriving at the party organized by Will's job, the place is crowded with people, some arrive as a couple, others alone. There's a big all-you-can-eat buffet, musicians, waiters, Lini hasn't been to an event since the officers' ball with Josh in '96. Will is very happy to be in Lini's arms, very happy that she finally agreed to go out. For two years, he has been trying to get her to change her mind, to get her out, but in vain. This year, he feels she's ready to move on and maybe start a relationship with someone else.

Will's co-workers walk over to greet them, they are all surprised that Will is accompanied this year. Will is described by his colleagues as a quiet, solitary man who only speaks when necessary, but he does a good job as a mechanic in the garage. Will has gone to get glasses of champagne for himself and Lini when his boss approaches him.

"You are in very good company tonight." said Justin, her boss looking at Lini. "Yes, lovely isn't it?" Said he has his boss smiling, with the glasses of champagne in his hands.

"Very cute", Justin said before patting Will on the shoulder before taking his drinks and leaving to join the other guests. Will watches Lini talk to a few women, smiles at the thought that maybe he could wrap things up with her tonight. He joined Lini, gave her the glass of champagne, she thanked him and listened to the conversation.

~!~

The evening is perfect for Will, they sang, danced with Lini, he laughed a lot with her. He feels very close to her, the feeling of having her in his arms when they dance together makes him love Lini more and more. It was already past midnight when the party is over, Will walks Lini home, they stop at the foot of the door, Will takes Lini's hand, kisses her hand. "Thank you for accompanying me, I spent a beautiful evening by your side." Said Will smiling at her, his beautiful eyes drowning hers.

"Thanks to you Will, it's been a long time since I had fun like this." She says.

She smiled at him, her hands still in his, Will smiled back. He walks over and gives her an affectionate kiss on the forehead, feeling that it could finally be reciprocated. Soon.

~!~

As soon as Lini gets home, Will goes home to his seedy apartment, he quietly closes his front door, puts his keys in a bowl purposely placed near the door. He took off his coat and started taking off his tie when he turned on the TV. "The case of the police officer killed outside the Donuts store begins to move forward after finding the black van of the suspected shooter who killed Officer Josh Mclay and two people two years ago..." When he heard that, he stopped short, didn't move, shocked that it took them two years to find the van that killed his best friend. His legs suddenly start to shake, sits down and listens to the reporter.