Is this destiny?

Hong met with Sarah and Aiden and informed them about his talk with Zdravko while they walked back to their rooms. It was not lunchtime yet, and there was no need to linger next to the swimming pool or other areas where they are exposing themselves to being attacked.

Sarah was optimistic. "They will let us go because they won't dare to risk Aiden leaving the competition."

Hong was not so sure. "I asked around and we are not the only ones who want to leave. If they allow it, we will be first."

Aiden saw another problem. "You said that if we don't want to participate, we can leave. Can we?"

Hong shrugged. "Zdravko said yes, however… my instincts are telling me that leaving unscathed is not an easy feat. By now, they saw you and your potential, and I am confident they are greedy to reel you in. And you are not the only one. That is why they have the policy of not leaving."

Sarah snorted. "If he does not want to participate, what can they do?"

Hong did his best not to sound patronizing. "They think that we are from Natalia's camp, and even if we leave this base, they will know where to find us. Other than that, they can take you hostage. By now, everyone knows that he cares about you."

Sarah didn't think it's a big deal. "Cares about me? They believe that I'm Natalia's underling and that I'm drugging him. As for taking me hostage, I hope they try because my hands are itchy to break some necks. I am sick being looked at like some vase."

Aiden put his arm around Sarah's shoulders and pulled her closer to him.

"The most beautiful vase in the world.", Aiden said dotingly. 

Sarah rolled her eyes and giggled at the same time. "I can't be angry when you are sweet-talking me into obedience."

"Stop flirting and be serious.", Hong reprimanded them. "We need to stick together and not separate. The next three days will be filled with events, and in between those, things will be intense. On the fourth day, they will announce results and then the final test will take place. Only after that is over, we can relax."

Sarah disagreed. "After the competition is over, things will become serious. Now we are dealing with petty tricks and backstabbers who are clawing their way up. When this is over, the real game will begin with people who are above us and who want to exploit us while keeping us on a tight leash, and we need to balance doing what they want and what we came to do, while not exposing ourselves."

Hong snorted. Well, Sarah is right, but that does not mean that they are not in danger now.

"Any rumors about Igor missing?", Aiden asked Hong.

Hong's expression stiffened. He does not approve that Sarah and Aiden risked their cover and potentially their lives to save Igor. And he believes that it's a big gamble if Igor is truly cutting off his existing ties and looking for a refuge, or he is a spy sent by Iskra (and potentially Voronins). But Hong knows that Sarah gives a chance to everyone who wants one, him included, so he didn't want to voice his objections. Sarah and Aiden are probably aware of the potential dangers and he does not want to sound like a paranoid old man because he is already warning them about too many things.

"No one mentioned anything about Igor.", Hong responded. "Those two from Iskra's camp either didn't tell the truth to Iskra or Iskra is also keeping mum about last night."

"Both are likely possibilities.", Sarah said. "In the first case, Igor's attackers didn't dare to report a failure. They lost Igor and their guns and who knows how Iskra punishes such blunders. And the other option is that Iskra wants to be quiet because she is not sure from where Igor might pop-out and get his vengeance. How much Iskra knows, Igor disappeared. Maybe he fled, or maybe Voronins took Igor under their wing, and if she talks recklessly, she will only incriminate herself."

They all regretted that Igor is not by Iskra's side, because now they don't have a way to eavesdrop on her plans and are stuck to guessing. Well, at least it keeps them busy. There is not much to do anyway. 

They went to their rooms and Hong made Sarah and Aiden promise not to go anywhere without him.

"From now on, we move as three. I don't want to take risk of anyone attacking while we are separated…", Hong said and waited for both Sarah and Aiden to agree before he let them go.

"So much for romantic moments…", Sarah exhaled as she plopped on the bed in their room.

Aiden was not sure how to respond to this. He sat next to her and observed her expression. Sarah talks about romance and he agrees that their every moment is precious and should be used to the fullest but… "We need to prioritize safety, love. I will do whatever it takes to keep you and our daughter safe."

Sarah's lips twitched. "I am sure that our son will have complexes because you are addressing him as a girl."

"You don't know it's a son.", Aiden stated a fact.

"And you don't know it's a girl.", Sarah responded without missing a beat.

Aiden had to agree with this. He scooted back on the bed and laid down with his hands behind his head while thinking about their last few exchanges.

Having a girl is Aiden's wish. Not because he prefers girls, but because he adores Sarah, and he would love to have mini-Sarah clung to his neck and slobber over him while giving him sloppy kisses and saying 'my daddy is the best'… A mini-Aiden doing that would be awkward at best. Or maybe it can be a boy that looks like Sarah… now that would be awkward.

Sarah observed Aiden's complex expression and she had to ask: "What is on your mind?"

"Uhm… When can we find out the gender?"

"Do you want to find out?"

"Our baby will be a girl until I am proven otherwise."

Sarah laughed. "Will you tell me why you are so set on a girl?"

"Hmm… The girls are cute. Like you.", Aiden said vaguely.

Sarah's eyes flashed with mischief and she was ready to push his buttons. "Yup… Your daughter will be the cutest. She will grow into a beautiful teenager and catch many eyes…"

"What eyes?", Aiden cut off Sarah.

"You didn't think about it, did you? All those boys flocking after your baby-girl… asking her on a date… you know what happens when…"

"Stop it!", Aiden hissed while doing his best not to create mental images of some lecherous boys touching his baby-daughter.

"Ah, I see that you might start thinking that boy is a better option…", Sarah continued teasing Aiden.

Aiden grumbled for something unintelligible until he got an idea. "I will teach her how to fight. She will be fierce, just like her mommy and no one will be able to touch her. As an added protection, Eve will watch over her and whoever gets some funny ideas, Eve will knock him out."

Sarah laughed. "Where do you get those ideas?"

"By watching you.", Aiden said matter-of-factly. "With us as parents, no one will dare to mess with our kids."

Sarah hummed in agreement and snuggled in Aiden's embrace. "How many kids you want?"

Sarah felt silly that after all this time, they didn't have this conversation.

"As many as you want. One is enough, two is better… but it's your body so I will let you decide. OK?" Aiden saw that Sarah is getting emotional, so he decided to lighten up the mood. "We already have a house full of kids, they are smart, good fighters, and they can double-time as nannies. Also, I will give them instructions to protect all our daughters from lecherous teenagers. No one will taint them."

 Sarah's eyebrows shoot up. "Taint them? Like what you did to me?"

"I would not call that tainting, my love. I showed you a way to reach Heaven.", Aiden said smugly.

Sarah decided not to bring up the point about his double-standards when he talks about her and their (fictional) daughters. She still had difficulty absorbing the wonderful fact that there is a life inside her… something she and Aiden created. A miracle.

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