Is this destiny?

~ Chicago ~

Saturday

12:57 PM

In a luxurious restaurant downtown Chicago, VIP room is reserved for the purpose of in-laws meeting each other for the upcoming Kiani-Young wedding.

Ellie and Jasper are there with Sarah and Aiden present.

Sarah told Ellie that as the maid-of-honor and the best man, the two of them would love to join this introductory lunch. Ellie was happy to hear that, the more the better.

Ellie was also surprised to hear that Sarah prepared a penthouse for her father.

"Why did you do that? Really… it's not necessary.", Ellie said helplessly.

"Don't worry about it. It would be empty otherwise. Out of two penthouse apartments, we are using only one. Like this, your dad does not need to stay in the hotel. The penthouse is his to use and the floor below has six apartments, all available to his men. With a private elevator access, it's a secure place where he can relax.", Sarah explained.

Matthew was pleasantly surprised to hear about this arrangement. He never liked staying in hotels. He approved Ellie's choice for the maid-of-honor. Sarah and Aiden were not available to welcome him personally, but they left the cardkeys to access the rooms at the reception, as well as the instructions for the security system. His men checked the penthouse for security issues, and once they declared it safe, Matthew moved in. The view from the 56th floor is stunning. He will enjoy this weekend in Chicago.

Back to present...

Norman and Melissa arrived at the VIP room.

Melisa rushed to Ellie to give her a big hug, leaving Norman behind at the door.

The woman can't wrap her head around the fact that the sweetest girl EVER is going to be her daughter-in-law. Melissa had several nearly endless talks with Jasper that if he messes this up, she is NEVER going to forgive him.

Norman approached the table while supporting himself with a four-legged walker which has wheels on front two legs. His fractures healed (Matthew and his men hurt him because of the attack on Ellie in October after her show), but he is still not stable on his legs, and is using a walker.

Norman took a seat at the table when the door swung open and four Matthew's people entered while Ellie was introducing Sarah and Aiden to Jasper's parents.

"Young Miss…", Matthew's men greeted Ellie while checking the VIP room for safety issues swiftly. They exited and few seconds later the door opened again and... Matthew made his appearance.

Norman paled, like he has seen a ghost… but the ghost didn't seem to recognize him.

"This is my dad, Matthew Young.", Ellie introduced him.

"Dad, this is Jasper's mother, Melissa…"

"Ellie, you didn't tell me that Jasper's mother is so young and good looking. If I knew I would put my good suit on.", Matthew smiled while kissing the back of Melissa's hand.

Melissa giggled. "Ellie, you didn't tell me that you father is such a charmer."

Ellie's face darkened while thinking, 'yes, dad is a charmer'. That is why she fell out with him.

Ellie moved on to introduce Norman when she noticed that his soul almost left his body. She remembered that they are suspecting how Matthew is responsible for Norman's injuries. Well, Norman's current state confirms it: her father beat him up, causing multiple fractures… and he probably intimidated him with various threats as well. Talk about awkward.

"Dad, this is Norman. Jasper's father.", Ellie stiffly said while forcing a smile.

"Nice to meet you.", Matthew smugly smirked. "It seems that we are going to be related."

Norman shook Matthew's hand limply while words from that horrible evening echoed in his mind: 'My Ellie… My Ellie…' Now he knows what that meant. The man from his nightmares escaped into the reality, and he is Ellie's father! And he looks even scarier while smiling.

Norman felt that disappearing is a good option. First Ellie embarrassed him in his own company, took over majority of stocks in Jasper's favor, and now this gangster-bully is her father!

Norman looked at Jasper while wondering, how did he end up with a girl who has such a sketchy background?

Matthew showed interest in Sarah and Aiden and how they met Ellie. Of course, he knows that Sarah is Ellie's neighbor in Seattle, and he is aware who Whites are as well. Matthew likes to ask questions to which he knows answers already, it gives him a chance to check how truthful someone is. Matthew is pleased with this choice of the maid-of-honor and best man. They look like good kids and they scored bonus points for allowing him (and his men) to stay at that penthouse.

The lunch went well. Topics of conversation were focused on Ellie and Jasper.

Norman was silent while trying to become invisible.

To Norman's horror, Matthew agreed to come to Kiani family villa for dinner.

Matthew left first, and Melissa and Norman left shortly after.

"This went well.", Jasper told Ellie.

"Yeah. I didn't expect my dad to be this… cooperative.", Ellie admitted and added: "After this lunch, I am confident that my dad is the one who hurt Norman in October."

Jasper shrugged. "If Norman is the one who ordered that attack on you, he deserved it."

"You guys will join us for dinner, right?", Ellie asked Sarah and Aiden. They didn't confirm that they will come.

Sarah looked at Aiden, telling him that it's up to him.

"We have few things to handle… but I believe that we can make it.", Aiden responded to Ellie's question.

"We want to check how your dad settled in the apartment. As good hosts we should make sure he has everything he needs. Can you let him know that we will stop by later this afternoon?", Sarah asked Ellie.

"Sure.", Ellie didn't find anything strange about it. "I don't know how to thank you for letting him use that apartment. And for his men as well. I was not aware that you own property in Chicago."

Sarah repeated to Ellie that it's not a problem. "It's a recent investment we made."

…

The 56th floor has two apartments, one is where Sarah and Aiden are staying, and the other one is currently occupied by Matthew. Top two levels have a separate private elevator. That is why Sarah and Aiden purchased all the apartments, to ensure that no one other than them will use that elevator.

55th floor has six apartments, all currently occupied by Matthew's men. They are happy with the accommodations as well.

Sarah and Aiden gave access to Matthew's men to the security surveillance which monitors the garage, the private elevator and staircase access. This gives them a sense of safety because unless the enemy is using a helicopter, they can't reach their Boss. Or so they thought…

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