Is this destiny?

~ Los Angeles, Charlie's villa ~

Sunday

8:32 AM

Charlie and Emma are in the dining room with Mike.

Emma is checking photos which Ryan and Sean sent her on the phone. Charlie leaned closer to see them also.

"They are up from early…", Emma mumbled while looking at the photos of Ryan and Sean sparring with Allen and Julius.

"And they are already hiking now, look at this view!", Emma exclaimed before passing her phone to Mike.

"Looks like they are having fun.", Charlie said before returning to the food on his plate.

Emma saw that Mike only glanced at the screen before returning the phone and she assumed that Mike is dejected because he is stuck here with her. "I am sorry. You came all the way to Los Angeles, and I am dragging you with me. You know that I am boring… I am not a hiking type, but do you want me to locate them so that you can join?"

Mike was about to respond but paused at the sight of Tiffany who entered the dining room. Her hair is braided to the side, and she is wearing a light green silky short-sleeved shirt and a blue knee-length skirt, and he was slightly irritated that her gaze just flew over him like he does not exist.

Tiffany's brain almost short-circuited when she spotted Mike. He is wearing a white casual polo shirt and even though the fabric is covering him, the image from previous night is overlapping with this one and she can't help herself from imagining his bare torso. Ripped! She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself.

"Good morning.", Tiffany wished everyone and took a seat at the table.

"Good morning, Tiff. This is Mike, my brother...", Emma started the introduction.

"We met.", Mike said.

"Oh?" Emma could not remember that she introduced them.

"Mhm…", Tiffany hummed in confirmation. "Last night I caught him in the fridge."

Mike frowned. "I was not in the fridge."

Tiffany narrowed her eyes at him. "Only your butt was sticking out of it while you drank the juice from the box."

Mike was outraged. Why is she ratting on him drinking out of the box? On the other side, she indirectly admitted that she was checking him out. "I didn't realize that you were looking at my…"

Emma burst into giggles, interrupting Mike. "And I didn't realize that the two of you are getting along so well."

Mike and Tiffany smiled and exchanged glances before focusing on food.

"Emma…", Mike started. "I was thinking of continuing my education."

Emma immediately noticed reluctance in Mike's voice, and she guessed right away what is causing it.

"Mike, I hope you know that if you need financial help, I am here. For anything else, if I can't help I will find someone who can."

Charlie confirmed that he will help as well.

Mike smiled: "I was hoping to get your guidance first. To hear what makes sense. Based on that I can come up with some learning plan and only then I can get an idea how much it would cost."

"What are your strengths and interests?", Charlie asked Mike.

"I was always good at math, physics, electronics. Other courses as well, but I have a desire to create things."

"Mike always had a 4.0 GPA. The best student in his class.", Emma proudly said.

"That sounds like a good base for an engineer.", Charlie offered his opinion. "Would you be interested in working for Smithsonite corp.?"

Mike's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

Charlie chuckled. "The question is, are you serious? Smithsonite corp. is much more than guns and missiles. We are working on satellites, guidance systems, supersonic engines, communication systems and many more. We are always in the need of skillful engineers. If you do good in school, I can guarantee you internship with Smithsonite corp. But that is only opening a small crack in the door for you. What will you do with it, it's totally up to you."

Mike inhaled more than necessary. "I don't know what to say."

Emma looked at Charlie gratefully and then at her brother. "No need to say anything but start working on it."

"One thing to keep in mind.", Charlie added. "Internships with Smithsonite corp. are available only in Los Angeles area. I am not sure if that changes anything for you."

Emma pressed her lips into a line. She knows that their mom does not want to leave Seattle, and Mike would be troubled to leave her by herself. Especially because Sean and Ryan will start college in few months and (probably) move out.

Emma put her hand over Mike's. "Don't worry about mom and think what you want to do for yourself. I will help you talk to her."

Mike nodded gratefully before clearing his throat. "I was hoping that you can provide me with some information on how to balance work and education. How does that work?"

Emma noticed Mike's eyes darting toward Tiffany who was busy with her eggs.

"Tiff? Can you give him some tips?", Emma asked after she grinned knowingly at her brother, making him break into a cold sweat.

Tiffany lifted her gaze and looked blankly at Emma. "What tips?"

Emma gestured toward Mike, so that he takes over the conversation.

"About working while studying. How do you balance your time? … And pick your courses … And… stuff." Mike said clumsily. "You see, I want a college degree, but I can't afford to stop working and I don't know where to start."

Tiffany's gaze moved back on her eggs. Her mind was spinning while image of his ripped body refused to leave her mind. Does he not know that she had difficulty sleeping last night because she was having lewd thoughts about him? And now he wants to spend time with her? To talk? Or maybe something more…? Well… she should not get her hopes up. They will just talk. In the living room, or a garden.

"OK. After breakfast?", Tiffany said without lifting her gaze.

Mike blinked. He was not sure if he heard her right. After such a long delay, he was confident that she will find an excuse to ditch him, but this...

"OK. After breakfast.", Mike confirmed. After a second he looked at Emma guiltily. "Is that OK? Or did you have any plans?"

Emma paused. Why is Mike talking like he will have a long conversation with Tiffany? It should not be more than fifteen minutes, right? Maybe half an hour… Or, maybe Mike hopes that it will last longer.

"Don't worry about me.", Emma waved her hand dismissively. "I didn't make any plans. Feel free to do with your time whatever you want. Charlie and I usually reserve Sundays for lazing around. But if you want to go somewhere, let me know. How does that work?"

Charlie glanced at Emma. What is she talking about? Didn't they talk about taking Mike to do touristy stuff like Angels Flight and Hollywood Walk of Fame and The Grove… and he even made a reservation for lunch in that fancy Japanese restaurant Emma likes because she said how she wants to show it to her brother! But none of that matters.

Charlie smiled at the thought of a day ahead of them: Emma and he lazing around. Suddenly, Charlie felt… thirsty. He rubbed his neck while licking his lips and he smiled when he noticed Emma's bashful expression focused on him, confirming that she understood his intention. Yup, a Sunday of lazing around with Emma sounds great.

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