Is this destiny?

~ Austin, the White Mansion ~

5:34 PM

Sarah entered one of the bedrooms and saw that Aiden is already there.

The event officially starts at 6 PM and Sarah's hair and makeup is done. She will put her gown on last. However, Aiden is ready. He is dressed up in his black formal suit and looks absolutely dashing.

"What do you think?", Aiden asked while walking toward Sarah.

He noticed that she is dazed by his good looks, and he loves that he has that effect on her.

"Why are you getting more handsome every time I look at you?", Sarah asked while tugging on Aiden's bowtie to straighten it up.

Jesse cleared his throat from the back of the room, to remind them that they are not by themselves. And he did it just in time, because they were about to kiss.

Sarah looked behind Aiden.

"You are all very elegant.", she said to the kids they brought with them from the Cliffside Villa.

Besides Jesse and Ron, present are Oni and Zula. The four of them are considered as seniors in this group. Besides them, there are four kids from Sierra Leone: Allen, Julius, Tejan and Daniel. They are the four oldest ones and Sarah and Aiden decided to bring them to get some experience. For the four boys, this is their first real mission and they are excited.

Other kids wanted to come as well, but regretfully, they had to stay home. They are too young to attend such an event, and Sarah and Aiden fear that too many first-timers might be too much to handle.

"Looking at you all dressed up like this, I can't call you kids anymore, you are young adults.", Sarah praised them.

The male young adults had matching dark blue formal suits and looked sharp. They all grinned happily at Sarah's praise.

Oni and Zula wore elegant gowns. Oni's gown is black with red roses embroidered on the fabric, and Zula's gown is dark green with purple violet flowers at the bottom and on her right side. Both girls are stunning. Oni and Zula had hair and makeup done previously in the room where stylists are. Their well-fitting long gowns have high slits on both sides. The fabric is overlapping slightly so unless they take large strides, the slits are not visible. This is convenient in case they need to fight.

"Where are you with the final reminders?", Sarah asked Aiden.

"Almost done. I told them to watch each other and that other than Jesse and Ron, everyone has to stay with someone at any time."

Sarah confirmed that and added: "This is a party. You are free to enjoy yourself but keep in mind that you are on a mission as security tonight. Listen to what people are talking and be alert. Triple check your earpieces and lenses, and make sure they are working, and you know how to use them. If anything happens and you can't handle it, contact Jesse, Aiden or me. The event today is full of people with special background, but no one will dare openly act hostile. If in doubt, step back and ask for assistance. Got it?"

The kids nodded vigorously and started checking their earpieces and options on the lenses.

Sarah and Aiden know that Eve will be watching tonight's event and drones will neutralize anyone who thinks about causing trouble, but they still want their kids to gain experience. They don't want them only to be fighting machines, because a lot of work needs to happen undercover.

Looking at the eight people in front of them, Sarah and Aiden felt pride swell inside them. These are eight people who are relying on them, and at the same time are willing to work with no questions asked. Loyalty and respect are evident, and to Sarah and Aiden, that means a lot.

Sarah and Aiden got text messages at the same time. They checked and both smiled. It's from Nala. She sent a selfie from the restaurant in Huston: Haru and Nala are having dinner. From the background and the part of the table visible on the photo, it's evident that Haru went up a notch on the romance. And based on their grins, Sarah can see that both of them are ecstatic.

Sarah is happy that Nala remembered that they are thinking about them and by sharing their status, Nala told Sarah that they are doing fine.

Sarah typed a response 'take care', but after a second of hesitation she deleted it and sent 'enjoy'.

When kids finished checking their equipment, Sarah and Aiden told them that they can go down, and join the event, since there is a number of people already present.

"You should get going as well, or you will be late.", Aiden warned Sarah.

She agreed with him. "I know, but I can't stay away from you. Don't go down without me, I'm afraid that many women will stick to you without me by your side. And if I see any of them close to you I will go into rage and trash the whole party."

Aiden chuckled. "Don't worry. I will go and check on Jeff. We will go down together."

Only then Sarah left.

Aiden went few doors down the hall, where Jeff was with Felix, Jasper, Charlie, Bradley, Christopher, Russel, Vincent and Steve. Three stylists were helping them with suits and hairstyles.

"This reminds me of your wedding.", Aiden told Jeff when he observed that all these people (other than Charlie) were part of Jeff's groomsmen party.

Everyone was in a good mood. Jeff was happy that all these friends came to support him. He is not sure about the thoughts of people who are downstairs, but he knows that these nine people don't have ulterior motives.

Jeff is checking himself in the mirror, and he is dashing in a white suit. The only non-white things are a black bowtie and black handkerchief sticking out of his left chest pocket. He has subtle silver embroidery on the lapels, to match the silver dress his wife will be wearing.

Aiden approached Jeff and asked in a low voice. "When do you plan to meet with Melodie?"

Jeff paused his movements for a second. "Soon."

"You said that yesterday.", Aiden reminded him. "I'm getting pings from security that she is not happy."

Jeff snorted. "She is welcome to leave."

Aiden narrowed his eyes at Jeff. "You agreed to get her to safety for information. Did you change your mind? Why are you not answering security in the safehouse to such extent that your people are calling me?"

Jeff lowered his voice and explained: "You know that after Anna heard from Sarah how Melodie was seducing you, she remembered that Melodie was after me previously. When she connected Melodie to that shooting match at our wedding, she was on the verge to send Melodie back to Dallas. Until Anna calms down, there is nothing I can do."

Aiden stifled a laugh. "Powerful Master who shrinks in front of his wife.", Aiden teased his brother.

Jeff scowled. "Look who is talking… Anyway, lately Anna's mood is unpredictable. I don't want to aggravate her needlessly."

Aiden paused. "Is she pregnant?"

"Why would you think so?"

Aiden shrugged. "I don't know… pregnant women have mood swings."

Jeff pursed his lips for a second but then rejected the idea. "This is not a mood swing. It's just bad mood."

"Hey, you two!", Vincent gestured to Jeff and Aiden to join them in the sitting area. "Why are you whispering there? …"

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