Is this destiny?

~ Chicago, downtown ~

Thursday

1:14 PM

It's two days before Jasper's and Ellie's wedding.

In a restaurant downtown, Sarah, Aiden, Jasper and Ellie are discussing the pre-wedding party and the wedding itself over lunch.

Ellie wanted to confirm that their plans are still good for the pre-wedding party, considering the number of pregnant women. She is not sure if escape rooms are pregnancy-approved, and it will not be good if half of the wedding party waits on the side because they can't participate. OK. Not half of them are pregnant, but their men will not go and play without their pregnant women, so that adds up to the total number of people who would stay on the side if the escape rooms are dangerous or physically strenuous.

"I don't want two out three Hill sisters not to participate.", Ellie clarified. "And Penny is pregnant also."

Sarah assured her that it's OK. "Each team will have at minimum four people, so even if there is a task to crawl or jump, someone else can do it."

For the big day itself, Ellie gave up. Current status: Melissa and the wedding planners are in charge of almost all decision making. There are few details that she wants to have control over, and that includes bridesmaids, groomsmen, clothes and the ceremony itself.

Ellie (EY) designed her wedding dress and outfits for her wedding party.

Ellie will have nine bridesmaids: all three Hill sisters (Sarah is the maid-of-honor), Paulette (Ellie's main assistant at EY), Emma, Ashley (Vincent's girlfriend) and three young women from the fashion industry.

On Jasper's side are nine groomsmen: Aiden (as the best man), Jeff, Felix, Charlie, Vincent, Russel, Brian, and two of Jasper's friends from Chicago.

Just how Ashley is a bridesmaid because of Jasper (she is Vincent's girlfriend), Brian is the groomsman because he is a very good friend with Ellie.

They sent an invitation to Tom also, but he didn't respond. Ellie is not sure if Tom is very busy or still not over the fact that they will never be more than friends. But Ellie can't forget years they spent working together and helping each other. If Tom shows up, Ellie will welcome him with open arms.

Ellie gave a heads up to Emma that Brian will be there, but Emma said how that is not a problem. They are just friends and even though they didn't see each other in a while, they are in touch over the phone and messages. Charlie's expression didn't look good, but only because he knows that Brian was (and probably still is) interested in Emma. Charlie trusts that Emma is faithful to him and that she has no romantic feelings toward Brian.

Ellie is hoping that this whole two-day thing can go without drama and incidents.

"I was not much into a big party. I just wanted a day to celebrate with my friends. I tried to organize an intimate party and that is why I accepted it to be on the property of the Kiani villa, but little by little Melissa took over.", Ellie admitted. "At the end, I realized that I don't care." She looked lovingly at Jasper. "As long as we get married, I am fine. We will enjoy our pre-wedding party and the wedding day and then head to Europe, and they will be left with the cleanup anyway."

Sarah stifled a laugh. Hill sisters warned Ellie that her mother-in-law will take over the moment she said that the ceremony will be in the Kiani family villa, and Ellie didn't believe them.

"Did you finalize number of guests?", Sarah asked.

Ellie rolled her eyes helplessly. "Lisa is adding them daily. I try not to think about it. I have about thirty people I care about, they are invited, as for the rest, Lisa can invite the whole country if she wants…"

"Mathew is here?", Aiden wanted to confirm. They are having a meeting with Mathew (aka Boss Young) later in the evening.

"Yes. Dad is at the Kiani villa. He will handle the security…", Ellie explained the details.

~ Chicago, Burr Ridge neighborhood ~

In the Kiani family villa…

Mathew came to the Kiani family villa with few of his men. They toured the property and the area which will be used for the wedding ceremony, and after that they went inside to discuss the best options for securing the event.

Norman, Melissa and Mathew are in the study room, looking at the map of the property and talking about the security for the big day.

Well, Melissa and Mathew are looking at the map spread on the desk. Norman is sitting on the sofa in the back and trying to diminish his presence. It was more than half a year ago, but his memories of who broke his bones are still vivid.

In addition to the security which Kianis and Mathew will provide, Sarah and Aiden brought with them a number of drones and about half of their kids will attend the event as personal security for people coming from Los Angeles. No matter how good Mathew's people are, Sarah and Aiden believe in their people (and technology). You can never be too careful.

"Thank you Mathew.", Melissa ended the talk with pleasantries. "Knowing that your people will assist ours in making sure the guest are safe is putting us at ease."

"It's my pleasure, Melissa.", Mathew flashed a smile and was ready to leave. "If there is nothing else…"

"Actually, there is.", Melissa interrupted him and glanced at Norman. "Dear, can you give us some privacy?"

Norman responded with a small nod before swiftly leaving the study. He wished that his legs move faster.

Mathew looked at Norman scurrying out and smirked. He will not deny that he enjoys this silent display of power. It never gets old.

When Norman was out of the study, Mathew turned to Melissa and his eyebrows shot up questionably, waiting for her to say why she wants him to stay back and why did she chase away her husband? He was sitting there quietly for more than an hour like a statue, Mathew does not see the reason why he had to leave.

Melissa gestured toward the comfortable chair. "Boss Young, please, take a seat."

Mathew would lie if he said that he is not surprised, hearing how Melissa addressed him. 'Boss Young' is how his people call him. Using this title, only means that she wants to talk… business.

Mathew took a seat and looked at Melissa. "I wonder what Madam Kiani wants to talk about."

Melissa's wide smile showed her white teeth. "I see that Boss Young did his homework."

"I will take that as a praise."

"Of course.", Melissa confirmed. "Since you know that I am Madam Kiani, you should also have a good idea what I want to talk about."

Mathew didn't deny it. "I have few ideas, but I would rather not guess. Please, tell me."

"I want to offer Ellie to be the next Madam.", Melissa went straight to the point.

Mathew was surprised. He expected few things, but this…"Offer?"

"Yes. I will not force her.", Melissa clarified. "I was prepared that the Kiani underground will be dissolved with me as the last matriarch, but I changed my mind because I believe that Ellie is a good choice for a successor. If she is willing."

Mathew pursed his lips while thinking about Melissa's words. "So, it's true that your organization is led by a matriarch. However, don't you have as a prerequisite that a Kiani is at the top?"

Melissa smiled widely. "Ellie will be a Kiani in two days. Not by blood, but with my blessing and her capabilities, I believe that she will do great. Once she gives birth to a daughter, her position will only stabilize further, and until then I will be around to support her..."

If Sarah and Aiden could hear this, they would facepalm few times.

The two of them spent countless hours digging out information on Jasper's assets and resources which Norman locked away from Jasper. They found plenty of assets while at the same time hitting dead ends in figuring out what those resources are. No matter how much Sarah and Aiden looked into Jasper's grandfather and father, they came up empty. The problem is that they were looking in the wrong place (or in this case, the wrong people).

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