Is this destiny?

~ Los Angeles, the Cliffside Villa ~

Friday

10:12 AM

A large table is set next to the training ground where girls are having a brunch and chatting lively. 

Sarah, JoAnna, Sophia, Bridgette, Leah, Pam, Penny, Emma and Tiffany gathered for their first meeting after the lunch where Emma requested to learn some ways to protect herself and other girls joined in as well.

Sophia has loads of work, but she decided to leave it to her team in the office so that she can take a break and join the lady-group for the morning. She regrets that she missed their lively lunch last week. Unless she is facing another pressing issue, Sophia will not miss another gathering. And she felt guilty to leave Leah and Pam behind, who are helping her tirelessly, so she asked them to join as well. Even if they are not interested in learning some moves, they can relax and feel as part of the group. After all, Leah is one of Sophia's best friends, and she sees Pam as more than just an assistant and Sophia does not feel comfortable leaving them in the office to work while she socializes with the girls.  

How did Tiffany end up here? Last few weeks she is staying at the safehouse owned by the White family and taking various business courses online. Jeff and JoAnna visited Tiffany in the safehouse to discuss what she wants to do with the assets of Fortin family after her parents lose it, and to Jeff's surprise, Tiffany asked if he could manage it.

"Now that I'm learning things about business and assets and money I realize how much I'm lacking. If I take it now, I will probably ruin it.", Tiffany explained.

"What do you suggest?", Jeff asked. He saw that she has something on her mind.

"If assets can live without any involvement from my side, like stocks and bonds, they can go on my name. Anything that requires me to make decisions in order to prosper, I hope that you can take care of it. As for the business, I know it's profitable, you can take it under White corp. as my payment for your troubles."

Jeff thought about it. He never saw a young heiress who is willingly giving away things while having such a sound reasoning. However, what she said makes sense. With her plan, she will have a lot of free time with a steady income from her investments. "What do you plan to do?"

"I still need a lot to learn and I was thinking where can I start. Maybe in a financial department, or like a personal assistant… I hope you can give me some suggestions that make sense."

JoAnna listened to all this and thought how Emma will need a personal assistant. After all, her rehabilitation center will open soon, and Emma will join as the board member of LA Medical Center once her rehabilitation facilities start working. And she is preparing to be Mrs. Smith. All that clubbed with number of properties that are under Emma's name, Emma could use a person who will help her stay organized.

JoAnna spoke with Emma and Emma agreed to meet with Tiffany and see if they click well and if their interests will overlap.

Back to present…

JoAnna is glancing at Emma and Tiffany who are chatting lively and she can see that those two clicked well. She expects to hear soon that Tiffany is Emma's assistant. JoAnna found it silly how the tables have turned: a young heiress will be an assistant to a nurse (how some people describe Emma).

JoAnna admires Tiffany and her zeal in becoming self-sufficient. That is not something that people born with a silver spoon usually have.

Aiden stepped behind the neatly trimmed bush and paused at the sight of all the females chatting and giggling. Sarah told him that there will be brunch with the girls, but he assumed JoAnna, Sophia and maybe Penny. There are few more faces he didn't expect. Don't they need to work? And why is Tiffany Fortin here?

He has to admit that lately he is busy waaaay more than usually. Other than his regular work at White corp., Aiden is managing things related to the White foundation because Jeff is swamped with acquisitions and tying up loose ends after their ordeal with Marcus. Also, Aiden is looking into that meadow behind Sarah's back. It's not that he is hiding things, but he wants to surprise her… which is technically: hiding things but with good intentions.

"Why are you standing there?", Sarah's question pulled Aiden out of his thoughts.

"I came for food. I didn't expect to see so many faces.", Aiden bluntly said.

"Food is on the table. No need to be rude.", Sarah reminded him in a hushed tone.

Aiden took a seat next to Sarah and exhaled. "Sorry, I'm just tired."

"Why don't you rest?"

Aiden shook his head. "There are so many things to do… Jeff told me that it should all be done in few days. I will rest then."

"You are exhausted because you are doing things for several people. You know, Jeff manages the White foundation with Steve, and you are doing it on your own, and Jesse is not here to help with managing people."

"Mhm…", Aiden agreed. "Jesse will be back today so he can take over some of the load."

"What are you two whispering?", JoAnna asked Sarah and Aiden.

"I was asking her why did you all gather here.", Aiden responded.

"Sarah will teach us self-defense.", Emma said excitedly.

Aiden looked at Sarah. He wondered if she told him and he forgot about it, or she didn't mention this at all. "Oh?"

"Yup. We are forming a girl-squad.", JoAnna said through giggles.

Aiden swept his eyes over the ladies seated around the table before focusing on the food choices on the table.

His smile told Sarah that he likes the selection.

Aiden took two plates and filled them with food, ready to take them with him to the study.

"You could have asked Genie to get the food for you if you didn't plan to eat here.", Sarah reminded Aiden.

"Yes. But then I would not have an excuse to come and see you.", he flashed a charming smile before walking away.

Sarah looked after Aiden and sighed. A sweet talker.

11:00 AM

Nala, Zula, Masika and Imani finished their morning studies and joined on the training ground to help out Sarah.

Tiffany was excited to see Nala. "I was hoping to see you again!"

Nala smiled. She has a good impression of Tiffany. Nala remembered her meeting with Tiffany and their chat after they reached the safehouse and her thoughts connected how that evening was the first time she went all the way with Haru.

"Are you OK?", Tiffany asked when she noticed Nala's flushed expression.

"Yes, yes…", Nala did her best to compose herself. "Ready for some exercise? I will be your personal trainer…"

All of them did light stretching together. Well, all of them except for Sophia who took her laptop and got busy with work.

Bridgette, Leah, Pam, and Emma followed Sarah (and her kids) to the training ground for some simple drills which will help them figure out what works.

JoAnna, Penny and Tiffany went one level underground to the shooting range.

Tiffany was curiously observing her surroundings. Things like hidden passages and underground shooting ranges are something out of adventure movies!

"How come you are not up there kicking tractor tires with the rest?", JoAnna asked Tiffany.

"I am ashamed to admit that I'm out of breath after stretching only.", Tiffany said in a small voice. "Besides, if I work for Emma and someone attacks us, she can kick ass while I shoot them."

JoAnna approved. Tiffany should do what she can. "Work on increasing your stamina. That will help in more than one way. What do you think of Emma? Do you see yourself as her assistant?"

"I think she is great. But for the assistant… it matters more what she thinks, right?"

"Not really.", JoAnna responded. "Being a personal assistant means that the two of you will spend a lot of time together. The connection needs to be there on both sides. Bridgette is my assistant, but she is my friend first."

It didn't take long before Bridgette came down, and the other girls trickled down one by one. Each with red cheeks, sweating and panting... not willing to give up but not able to continue either.

Sarah came down last and said that before they start anything serious, all of them need to work on improving their stamina: "Do at least thirty minutes run every morning and let's meet again one week from now. If you need company or some support, we are running here every morning, and you are welcome to join…"

After each of them took several rounds at the shooting range, they went back to the table with refreshments and ended their training-day there.

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