Is this destiny?

~ Croatia, Split ~

Wednesday

September 9

1:43 PM

Marija is making her way through a maze of streets while checking her location on the GPS with her phone.

She is grateful that the buildings are tall and close together, providing shade from the heat of the early September sun. But the air is hot, and she is sweating even while walking slowly, away from direct sunlight.

Marija stopped at the end of a narrow alley filled with shops. After a second of hesitation, she entered a small whimsical bar with poor lighting and local rock-pop music setting up the mood.

It's early afternoon, so not many patrons are present. Marija read the reviews, and it says that this place is packed in the evening. What they didn't say online is that the bar does not have an air conditioner. She will get a drink with ice to cool off.

She found Nick sitting in the corner, on a sofa chair. There are two girls with him, one on each side, seated on regular looking chairs. With a cocktail in blue and brown colors in front of him, and a spotlight from the ceiling directed at him, he reminded her of a final boss in a game.

Nick eyed Marija with a smug smirk at the corner of his lips before speaking: "You are here."

Marija wondered, isn't he only sixteen, seventeen maybe? What is he doing with girls who are obviously in their early twenties by his side? But that is none of her business. However, she does not want to have witnesses. Marija glanced at two girls by Nick's side. "I thought you said that we can talk."

Nick nodded and whispered something to each of the girls after which they stood up and walked away.

Marija saw them leave the pub. She wondered where Nick sent them, but then she reminded herself that it does not matter.

"Sit…", Nick gestured to both of the now empty chairs, indicating to Marija that she can pick.

Nick lifted his arm and a few seconds later, a waitress was there to take his (and Marija's) order.

They sat in silence until the drinks arrived.

Nick watched her take a sip of her cold flavored sparkling water before asking irritably: "Will you tell me why you are here?"

Marija exhaled. "Did you look into what I sent you?"

Nick nodded. "I confirmed your information. The Ceresc Solutions is being opened with Mishi as the CEO and Petar, Lucija, Emir, and Tereza as top executives. Today is their first day. There is a big media campaign, so it's not a secret."

"Anything else?"

Nick tilted his head. "Are you expecting anything else?"

"I told you. Sarah and Aiden are behind that company. Don't tell me you believe it's a legit business."

Nick observed Marija before asking: "Why are you dragging me into this?"

"I told you. They kicked me out. We are the same."

Nick shook his head. "They kicked you out, but I left. There is a difference. So, let me ask you again: why are you dragging me into this?"

Marija scrutinized Nick before voicing her thoughts. "You tried hacking to get more data, but you were unable to get in."

Nick's lips twitched. She is correct, but that does not mean that he will suffer a loss. "And if it's simple to get in, you would do it yourself."

Marija could not deny this. He is right. She tried and failed. "I thought that you are more skilled."

"Based on what? I was always the greenest member who needed guidance." Nick saw that Marija pressed her lips into a line, and he snorted in frustration. "If you don't want to talk, then leave. I have better things to do than to run your errands. And you are not the most pleasing company for the afternoon."

"What do you want?"

"The truth.", Nick responded like she is asking something obvious.

Marija took a deep breath and said in one breath: "They kicked me out because I caused a scene which included two of Sarah's people. A guy and a girl. The guy was more interested in me than in that teenage girl, and the girl threw a fit."

Nick thought that Marija skipped something important. "You were kicked out because you argued with a girl over a man? Why would Sarah care?"

"She told me how that girl is her daughter."

Nick stifled a laugh. "Sarah's daughter, fighting with you over a man? Didn't you say that she is a teenager? Why would you allow a teenager to even consider herself as your competition? And how can Sarah have a teenage daughter?"

Marija rolled her eyes. "It's obviously not her biological child. Focus. She just treats her as such. But the interesting thing is that the girl is very fast and strong. Like she knows some ninja-kungfu stuff. And based on what saw, that girl is not the only one. There are more of them. And they are very loyal to Sarah."

Nick propped his chin on his palm and looked at Marija with his eyelids half-closed. "If you don't move to the important part soon, I will sleep off. Or leave."

"That girl dislocated my fingers like it's nothing."

Nick shrugged. "I can dislocate your fingers and I am not a ninja."

Marija snorted. "What do you want to hear?"

"I told you. The truth. You are asking me to hack into a system that is probably built by Sarah and Aiden. I see that you are angry that they kicked you out, and honestly, I don't care about your circumstances. You need me to do something for you, and I am not opposed to it. Everyone has a price. I need something in return; something that will be worth of my time and effort as well as the risk I am exposing myself to; something that will prove to me that you are not here to set me up."

"They all know that you are Nu and that you are keeping your eye on them."

Nick paused for a second before breaking into a smile. "They are watching me; I am watching them. It's mutual."

Marija saw that Nick is not convinced. She gave it another shot. "Sarah is married."

Nick froze. His gaze slowly moved toward Marija and he visually examined her face carefully. "You are lying."

"Why would I?", she got her phone and showed him a photo of Sarah and Aiden, standing at the altar in the meadow, both wearing white. "It was in June in Switzerland. Sigma and Omega are married."

Nick wanted to take the phone, but Marija jerked it away. "Look only. I will not give you my phone."

Nick nodded and leaned closer. He didn't say a word, but his expression revealed that he is shaken up.

Marija wondered, what is with that reaction? Nick knew they are dating, why is he so surprised that they are married?

The realization hit Marija like a thunderbolt: he is obsessed with Sarah!

She knew that Nick has a crush on Sarah (everyone knew that), but this… this is something Marija can use.

"I have more photos. And videos.", Marija said while taking the phone away. "Don't try to hack into it. You know that I have ways to protect my data. And if you force your way, the data will be destroyed."

Nick looked after her phone like a child whose candy was taken away. "What do you want?"

"Cooperation."

Nick looked at Marija with a slight frown. "What kind of cooperation? You obviously know more than I do."

"True. But that blasted girl dislocated two of my fingers and since then, I am unable to move as fast as I need to. I will teach you and in return, you be my fingers.", Marija explained.

"For what purpose?"

Marija can see that he is interested and just needs one final push. "We will dig out the information about Sigma and Omega. Depending on what we find, we will decide what to do next. They are not simple people. They have a castle in France, and they opened a company in Romania. Sarah has a private army of teenagers who treat her like a mother. And this is only what I found out while hanging out with her casually. Her wedding party was full of very imposing people, the ones you only look at and you can see that they have power and influence. Imagine what secrets Sarah holds…"

Nick thought about it. He does not like Marija or working against Sarah. However, the idea to learn about hacking from Marija and to find out more information related to Sarah is… irresistible.

In the end, he can learn things from Marija and then ditch her. Once he masters the techniques Marija offers, he does not need her.

Nick Has a feeling that Marija knows more, and she is keeping it for herself. In time, he will gain her trust and she will open up. After all, she sees him as a cocky teenager that can be used for her purpose. He will let her think that. For now.

He extended his hand for a handshake and Marija took it without delay.

"When do we start?", Nick asked with a smile.

"The sooner the better."

Nick stood up and gestured toward the exit. "I have a place nearby."

Marija followed after him happily. Ah, if she knew that Nick would be so easily triggered by Sarah's love life, she would approach him earlier. 

Now that Nick decided to work with her, she has a chance to get her vengeance. And if they fail, it will be Nu's fault because Marija will ensure that she does not leave any traces behind. Perfect.

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