The Curiosities Concerning Fate

∷ Chapter 40 ∷

PARKER SAT IN his car, staring at the house in Rosewood Creek. Though they'd initially agreed to meet later that day, Sebastian had texted him saying he was held up at the hospital and wouldn't be home in time for their meeting. He'd informed Adine of Parker's arrival and mentioned that he could drop off the documents and leave. But for some reason, the notion felt unsettling. He didn't like the idea of leaving important documents in the hands of anyone other than the intended.

But there was little he could do in the face of Sebastian's tenacity and he soon found himself at the doorstep, folder tucked under his arm as he rang the bell once. The door opened shortly after and he was greeted by the familiarity of Adine Griffith, a friendly smile on her face.

"Can I help you?" she asked, wiping her hands on the front of her waist apron.

Parker recalled Sebastian mentioning her amnesia and figured he was likely one of the few she could not remember. He fumbled for the cardcase he kept in his inner pocket before handing her one of his name cards by way of introduction.

He watched as her eyes lit up after reading the card, stepping aside and gesturing for him to enter.

"Sebastian said you were going to drop off some documents for him. Why don't you come inside first?"

Parker thanked her and followed her into the kitchen, settling into one of the barstools by the counter while she set about brewing him a cup of coffee. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been to Rosewood Creek but the place hadn't changed much.

"I'm sorry if you don't seem familiar to me," she said conversationally.

"You don't have to apologise. We knew each other in passing, though we've met once or twice before."

"Are you friends with Sebastian?" she asked, glancing at the name card she'd left on the counter.

Sebastian didn't seem the kind who'd bother socialising outside his circle of normality and she'd assumed his friends would mostly be of the same profession. It was a surprise that he'd know someone from Wainwright & Strauss.

Parker made a face at her question and then said, "You could say that. Though professionally, I'm his attorney."

Adine thought his words odd but said nothing of it, asking instead, "How long have you known each other?"

"All our lives," he said. "We're cousins."

"Cousins?" she gasped, not having expected that at all.

The thought of being represented by an attorney from a famous law firm was surprising in itself, but for them to be related?

Parker nodded, "We're family. And since you're his wife, that makes us family too. I thought he'd at least tell you that much when he said I was coming over."

"You must be close if you're his lawyer too."

"Meh," he shrugged. "I wouldn't say we're close per se. Sebastian gets on my nerves more often than not, though ironically, he's the kind of person you just can't help but worry about. He's rash and makes stupid decisions when left alone because he's too rich for his own good. It's frustrating."

He paused, mulling over his thoughts before adding, "It's a good thing I'm his lawyer. If I was just his cousin, he probably wouldn't indulge me in any way. At least this way, he lets me in on whatever he plans to do and keeps me vaguely informed. It's not much, but the little he gives me is still enough for me to keep watch over him."

Adine smiled and handed him the mug of coffee.

"It sounds to me like the two of you are pretty close," she commented.