Is this destiny?

Sarah and Aiden arrived at the Villa of Mr. Patel for dinner later that evening.

The villa was white, and it had blue and purple lights pointing at its façade. After the sunset, the visual appeal of the Villa was amazing. Sarah thought that it looks like a castle from an online game that needs to be conquered.

Mr. Patel and Mrs. Patel welcomed them in.

Sarah and Aiden observed that it's just two of them beside hosts. They were not sure if others didn't arrive yet, or are they the only guests. Soon they found out, when they saw that the dining table was set up only for four people.

Sarah and Aiden discussed in their hotel room various possibilities, so they shared an understanding just with one glance at each other. Them being the only guests means that they will have best chance to find out information they are looking for, and at the same time that means that Mr. Patel wants something from them or with them.

But this is the scenario that brings the most possibilities. As option one: Mr. Patel knows that there is some connection between that man with 71 and two of them and he wants to use them against him; option two: Mr. Patel is working with that man; option three: Mr. Patel knows that they accessed his data, or… there are so many possibilities and none of them seem optimistic. But the only way to find out is to be patient and careful.

During dinner, Mr. Patel had a casual chat with them. Nothing stood up.

Only after dinner, when they went to inside for drinks did Mr. Patel asked question to Sarah which made him show that he is onto something. "Mrs. Black, pardon my intrusion, but are you willing to let me know if you have connections with any organization from Eastern Europe?"

Sarah froze, but only for a moment. She hid her discomfort behind a smile. "Why would you ask me that?"

"Do you mind answering my question?", Mr. Patel's gaze firmly locked on Sarah. This made Aiden put arm around Sarah's shoulders protectively.

Sarah squinted. This is the first time that he asked something on point, and she can't let it slide. "I don't mind. How about we play a game? I answer your question, and you answer mine?"

Mr. Patel tilted his head, "How will we know if the answer is truthful?"

"We don't.", Sarah smiled. "But questions can reveal more than answers."

Mr. Patel gave a small nod of agreement.

Sarah had an answer prepared: "I have many contacts in Eastern Europe. It's inevitable that some of them belong to organizations."

"So, your answer is yes?"

Sarah shook her head, "That is second question."

Mr. Patel smiled and gave a small nod. He saw that Sarah is sharp. He gestured with his hand that she can ask next question.

Sarah knows that she needs to ask questions carefully. She wants to find out as much as possible, while revealing as least as possible. "Why did you call us here?"

"I am curious to find out more about you."

That answer was too generic, and Sarah immediately asked next question, "Why?"

Mr. Patel gave her a meaningful look. "Mrs. Black, that is second question in a row."

Now Sarah smiled and waited for his next question. Her smile hid displeasure. This reminded her of a genie from the magic lamp, you need to make your wish specific, or it will be useless.

Mr. Patel saw that Sarah is alerted and decided to loosen her up. "Here, an easy one: are you two really married?"

Sarah looked at Aiden and smiled, "If you define marriage as a commitment to spend the rest of your life with someone, then yes." She looked back at Mr. Patel.

Aiden felt his heart swell. He wanted to hold her tightly and never let go… but they were in Mr. Patel's house. It's not safe to be relaxed, he needs to stay vigilant. He will remember what she said when it's just two of them, and he will hold her then… and tell her how she makes him feel.

Sarah was ready with her next question for Mr. Patel. "Why do you want to find out more about us?"

He paused before answering, "Because someone showed interest in you." He gestured toward Sarah.

Sarah was connecting his questions and answers. Someone from Eastern Europe, organization was showing interest in her... And it's related to her marriage status? It does not make sense. Was man with 71 the one showing interest? And how does marriage fit into that puzzle? She needs more information. And man in front of her has it. Maybe not all of it, but he knows something. And she can't just ask her questions, she might reveal more than she intended. Of course, there is a chance that he asked something at random, just to throw her off track…

Aiden saw Sarah's discomfort and his arm on her shoulder gripped harder to get her attention. "Maybe you should not play this game.", he advised. Aiden is also aware that by asking questions Sarah is revealing things about them. They already talked about this… they can dig out the information themselves, from home, from safety. This place is not safe for them.

Sarah looked at Aiden and nodded in agreement. She faced their host, "Mr. Patel, we will head out now."

"Already? But we just started…", he objected to them leaving. He had more questions to ask, more secrets to uncover. He wanted to know why is that man interested in her. Sure, she is pretty, smart, has skills in hacking and in gambling… even her husband is talented… but is that enough for that man to show interest in her? He is missing something, and he hopes to find out. Maybe he can even use her against that man…

Sarah stood up and looked at Mr. Patel. "Thank you for diner, and for giving us VIP spots. We enjoyed. As a token of gratitude, we will reveal something to you."

Mr. Patel perked up, waiting to hear what she will say.

"You should improve security for your data." Sarah was not able to conceal her smirk.

He squinted. "What does that mean?"

"Let's say that we know that participants with numbers from 71 to 75 are… different."

His eyes flashed. "You hacked into our files?"

Aiden handed a flash drive to Sarah and she kept it on the side table next to Mr. Patel, "Here are details how we did it, so you can prevent that from happening in the future."

He glanced at the flash drive. His displeasure was obvious.

"Oh, before we go… " She got the Patel family token he gave them and held it in her palm in front of him. "Why did you give us this? Don't insult our intelligence by telling us it's to repay for earlier misunderstanding, because we know what this is."

Mr. Patel glanced at his wife and then at Aiden and Sarah. "Let's say that I will need your services in future."

"What services?", Aiden asked while pulling Sarah close to him. He felt the need to leave this place, it's not safe.

Mr. Patel shook his head slightly. "I can't disclose at this time."

Sarah glanced at Aiden and he gave her a small nod.

Sarah kept the token on the side table next to the flash drive and stepped back next to Aiden. "We don't want to be in debt with anyone. You know how to reach us if you need our services. At that time, we can discuss compensation."

Sarah and Aiden wished them good night and left the villa.

Mr. Patel looked after them with a complex expression. His subordinate appeared from behind, "Saheb, should we stop them?"

Mr. Patel shook his head. "No, let them go." He turned to his wife. "Sudarsini, you were right."

Sudarsini smiled as she reached for the Patel family token, "Of course… I know how to judge female's heart."

He looked at her questionably, "Since you know her heart, how do we get her on our side?"

"We wait. It's not time yet.", his wife responded.

…

Sarah and Aiden are in the cab, heading back to their hotel in Las Vegas.

Sarah was facing back and looking at the blue-purple villa as it shrank behind them. She exhaled in relief, "I thought they would not let us leave just like that."

He pulled her to lean on him, "It's over now. Tomorrow we are heading to Seattle."

"I look forward to it... Do you think Sophia's belly is showing by now?"

Aiden laughed. "We were gone only one week."

She laughed with him when she realized that between Reno and Las Vegas, it is only a week how she saw Sophia last time.. So many things happened, that it feels like they were gone for a long time.