Is this destiny?

~ Los Angeles, the Cliffside Villa ~

Monday

8:33 PM

That evening, after dinner, Sarah and Aiden summoned a number of kids to the study to gather at half-past eight o'clock in the evening.

Right now, in the study are Nala, Oni, Zula, Imani, Masika, Ade, and Hande. They are seated on the sofas and looking at Sarah and Aiden while waiting eagerly to hear what this is about.

Sarah first spoke to Nala, Oni, Zula, Imani, and Masika.

"The five of you helped us organize our three-day vacation at the White Rock Lake. You spent many hours and did an amazing job, and Aiden and I want to reward you. We are thinking of giving to each of you two tickets for all-day VIP access to Disneyland."

Five girls, the recipients of this glorious theme park bonanza rewards, exchanged excited glances and grinned.

"If any of you thinks that something else might work, let us know and we will consider it." Aiden added.

"When can we go?" Oni asked.

None of them will skip the opportunity to go to Disneyland. All of them heard from Zula how the VIP access for Disneyland works when Sarah and Aiden arrange it: unlimited access to the rides without waiting in the line! And they can eat in any restaurant without reservations. It's like all employees are waiting to serve them first.

Sarah looked at the excited girls and smiled. Their good mood is contagious. "We need a day or two to prepare tickets. Other than that, you can go any day it works for you. Talk to your plus-one and decide on a date. You can also talk to each other if you want to go on the same day. You can spend the day in a group, or meet for a ride or lunch, or not meet at all."

"Can we go this weekend?" Nala asked. The school started and they have things to do over weekdays, but the weekend is mostly free.

"Weekend sounds good." Sarah confirmed and turned to Zula. "By then, you and Ron will be back from Minnesota."

Zula was happy to hear this. In the morning, she is going with Ron to Minnesota to deal with his father and the rest of the town. They plan to return on Friday evening and to assess their progress before deciding if that was enough or they need to go again. 

"Since they are here, will they join us?" Oni asked while gesturing toward Ade and Hande. She knows that Sarah and Aiden would not get someone to hear how another one is getting a reward without a reason.

"Ade and Hande earned something else.", Aiden responded. "And as part of their reward, they can go to Disneyland if they want. That is why they are here, to hear about Disneyland and how that works before they decide for themselves."

Ade and Hande exchanged glances. They earned something! A reward! They wondered, what could it be, and what did they earn? And did Aiden say that they can go to Disneyland!?

Five girls chatted about Disneyland and agreed that they want to go.

Imani and Masika murmured between each other before Imani said to Sarah: "The two of us don't need two tickets."

Ade stifled a laugh. If Jamari heard this he would pass out from frustration. How come Imani didn't think of Jamari? She will throw the ticket away instead of taking him with her?

Ade wondered, what would Imani say if she knew how happy Jamari was that the two of them held hands during the courage test? Would Imani care about it? It seems that the hand-holding doesn't mean much to Imani. Or at least it means much less than what it means to Jamari.

Ade felt sorry for his buddy. Jamari has a loooooong way to go before he captures the heart of Imani.

Sarah was expecting that Masika and Imani will not think of bringing guys (or other girls) with them. And she has a plan.

"Everyone gets two tickets. We can't give two tickets to Oni, Nala, and Zula while giving you only one. It's not fair. And it's a pity not to use them." Sarah turned to Masika. "I heard Zack say that he is in the Los Angeles area for a while and he never went to Disneyland. He loves rides but he is only training while spending his spare time teaching a certain girl knife throwing. Masika, this is a good chance to repay his kindness."

Masika understood. "You want Zack to go with me as my plus-one?"

Sarah waved her hands, indicating how that is not the case. "I am only suggesting. You have a ticket, and he never went to Disneyland. I was under the impression that the two of you are getting along well, so…"

"OK.", Masika interrupted Sarah. "I will ask Zack if he wants to join."

Sarah smiled. Mission accomplished! And Zack is already expecting Masika's call.

Imani frowned slightly. Is she going to be the only one going alone? But with whom can she go? She is best friends with Masika, and Masika is going with Zack. Will she go as the third wheel?

Imani looked at Sarah expectantly. "What about me?"

Sarah tilted her head. "What about you?"

"Aren't you going to suggest that I bring someone?"

"Do I need to suggest someone? Or do you have someone on your mind?"

Imani paused for a second before she realized… "I see what you are doing. You want me to go with Jamari."

Sarah laughed. "No one is forcing you. There are many others you can choose from."

Imani pouted. Who else can she pick if not Jamari? And if she picks anyone else, Jamari will complain until her ears bleed.

Sarah took Imani's expression as a 'yes' for Jamari.

Five girls left while chatting about Disneyland and rides and restaurants, leaving Ade and Hande in the room with Sarah and Aiden.

Aiden started. "The two of you have a significant amount of money, and we wanted to discuss it with you so that you are aware of it."

Ade and Hande exchanged confused glances.

"How much money, and how come we have it and others don't?" Ade asked.

"Do you remember Miss Payne who came to visit with her parents at the White Rock Lake while you were doing scavenger hunt?" Aiden answered with a question.

Both Ade and Hande remembered Sarah stretching her hand and showing three fingers and they nodded in confirmation.

Hande smiled. That reminded her that Ade showed her three fingers as well and they ended up promising to each other that in three years they will experience their first kiss. Together. The real one with two sets of lips. Oh, gosh!

Aiden put two sheets of paper, one in front of Ade and one in front of Hande and both kids widened their eyes at the sight of so many zeros.

Ade peeked at Hande's paper and saw that her number is matching his. Ade remembered that Miss Payne said that she will pay one million dollars, and he and Hande got a third each.

Ade also remembered how Sarah said that she never let them suffer a loss... and she means it.

Sarah and Aiden smiled. They love it when they can surprise their kids like this.

"We can spend this money?" Ade asked. In his mind, he was thinking about how many comic books he can buy for this money. That is A LOT of comic books!

"One day." Aiden responded vaguely before explaining: "We will invest this money for you, so by the time you get access to it, the amount will be higher."

Ade's image of comic book heaven shattered and his heart ached. "When can we spend it?"

Aiden wondered, why is Ade dejected suddenly? But he focused on answering the question. "The investments will be set in such a way that you get access to the full amount on your twenty-first birthday. However, if you show that you are responsible with money and you prove to us that you have a plan to use it wisely, you can get the money earlier. But not sooner than your sixteenth birthday. In the meantime, we will give you read access to your accounts so that you can see where your money is and how much you have."

Ade's comic book heaven disappeared completely, even the tiniest shattered bits were gone. Twenty-first birthday? That is ten years away! Twelve years for Hande! And if they work on it, it will be five years earlier. Still far away.

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