Is this destiny?

~ Hill family villa ~

Next morning, after breakfast, Sarah called Stella for a chat in private.

Sarah wanted to ask Stella about the technique that Stella taught her earlier which will allow Sarah to sense danger. Sarah wonders if that is related to her experiencing an unpleasant feeling when she met a man with number 71. But Sarah is cautious not to disclose too much because she knows that if her mom finds out that it might be something related to those Eastern European families, she will not like it. Not only that, but Stella might even give her incomplete or false information, just to keep Sarah away from that.

Sarah was confident that she has her questions figured out just right, so that she gets the information she needs without revealing too much.

"Mom, I have some questions. It's related to the methods for sensing danger you taught me a while back."

"Are you practicing?", Stella was pleasantly surprised that Sarah is asking about techniques she taught her.

"Yes. Regularly. I wanted to confirm… how do I know that it's working?"

"Think about it as if you can sense someone's presence, especially if there are intense feelings directed toward you. The more you practice the more refined it will be, and you will learn to differentiate between types of feelings such as anger, malice, maybe even love. I know a person who is an expert, and he says that he can without mistake differentiate between people because everyone has a different vibe."

"Are you are saying that I can differentiate between people?"

Stella gave a comforting smile, "Not now, that is something that requires a lot of practice… but someday, yes. You are a very fast learner, I'm sure that if you are diligent, you will see results soon."

"Is it possible that more than one person gives the exact same feeling?"

"No. But only experts are capable of making this distinction. Some people can give you a similar feeling, and with your inexperience you might not be able to tell the difference. At least not at this time. Practice, and you can reach that proficiency as well."

Stella observed Sarah and saw that she is in thoughts, recollecting something. "How about you tell me why are you asking me this? What is with sudden interest?"

Sarah wanted to avoid this, but at the same time she knew that Stella will get her suspicions. Sarah needs to say something, so that her mom does not launch full-blown investigation. "I saw a man, during our conference in Las Vegas. And he gave me an eerie feeling. I felt the same feeling more than once. Once I felt it, I'm almost certain that was it, but I could not see anyone… and at that time I also thought how the sensation was not unfamiliar. It was similar to unpleasant feeling I got from my neighbor King in Fairfield."

Stella listened to Sarah attentively, and at the end she frowned. "Who in Fairfield?"

"King. I don't know his name. Just King. He is my neighbor across the hall from the apartment you gave me for Christmas…" Sarah saw that Stella's frown deepened. "Is everything OK?"

Stella snapped out of her thoughts and smiled. "Yes, yes. Keep practicing and you will be more proficient… While we are on the topic of Fairfield, when do you plan to go back there?"

Sarah shrugged, "I don't know… but we will be here at least until Sophia's wedding."

Two of them chatted a bit more before Sarah left.

As soon as Sarah left, Stella got her phone and called her brother. "Oleg… we need to talk… Yes, it's urgent. Did I ever call you and it was not urgent? When can we meet? …"

…

At lunch, Sarah shared with Stella and Edward that Aiden and she plan to go to Sophia's house for few hours, and then they will return to Cabin. She also mentioned that they will pick up the car Aiden left at the hospital on the way. Edward gave them several warnings not to race because it's not safe. Sarah laughed.

"While on the topic of cars and racing… I got a call from Skipper. It seems two new vehicles arrived.", Edward looked at Sarah waiting for an explanation.

Skipper is a mechanic who is maintaining vehicles on their property in New Mexico. That is the property where Edward made a racetrack similar to Daytona Speedway. After cars passed checkup, they were sent to that property.

Sarah's eyes lit up. "Checkup passed! We will go and try them out when we get a chance."

She was looking at Aiden, but he obviously didn't understand what they are talking about. Edward's next sentence clarified to Aiden that they are talking about two cars that Sarah won in her big Las Vegas gambling match.

"SLR McLaren Roadster and Bugatti Divo. Are you going to explain how you got your hands on those?" Edward was doing his best to sound fatherly-stern, but he was not able to control his smile. He loves fast and exclusive cars, and these two are something that gets him excited.

"It was a legal transaction.", Sarah refused to say more than that. She saw that Edward does not mind. "When you go there, feel free to try them out."

This comment made Edward very happy. "Thank you for the permission to try out something that is taking refuge in MY garage!"

Sarah laughed and took a mental note that they should find a spot to keep their cars. Sarah loves motorized vehicles and so does Aiden. It's inevitable that in time they will collect more and need a place to keep them… and drive them to the max.

After lunch, Sarah and Aiden headed out, and Edward gave them few more warnings not to race.

…

At Sophia's and Felix's apartment, Sophia was working from her home office, and Felix spent morning resting. Anesthesia wore off during night, and painkillers were not doing much to alleviate pain. But it was bearable, as long as he didn't move his arm.

Sophia came few times to check on him and to bring him food and snacks as well as painkillers, but it was obvious that she is very busy. Felix knows that she has a lot of work, and always urged her to go back to the study room emphasizing that he is OK and does not need anything.

Before lunch time, doorbell sounded, and Sophia opened. Felix heard commotion and thought that it's too much for just a lunch delivery, so he went to see what is going on.

When Sophia saw Felix getting out of the bedroom, she gave him a stern look to go back to bed, but he was too confused with what he saw to react. He was standing in the hallway looking at numerous people lined up.

"Ma chéri… who are these people?", finally he asked.

Seeing that he is already there, without intention to go back to bed, Sophia called him to the living room. "You know Leah, right?"

Felix and Leah exchanged greetings.

"I called some people over, since we need to start making some changes… This is Tod and that is Erica, they are in charge of finding people who will work at our new home. Tod will find us candidates for security, and Erica for the staff who will handle maintenance and other daily needs… people behind are candidates they found so far. I will shortlist them and then we will do another round of interviews in few days. I will make sure that you are there for the house staff, and Sarah will assist with security…" Sophia wants to get staff for their new home. It's a big villa and they will need few maids, gardener as well as the cook and someone who will manage it all. She talked about that with Felix previously, but he brushed it off as something that will happen later.

After Sophia's talk with Sarah who brought out the possibility of those Eastern European families starting to look for them, Sophia decided to put security as important item as well. She contacted agency who provides security services and they sent her Tod to assist in finding suitable candidates.

Felix was obviously still taking all that in. "Do we need so many people?"

"Yes. Our house is much bigger than this and our family is expanding as well." She placed her hands over her belly. "You tried doing things alone, and look what happened.", Sophia gestured to his hand.

"Oh, and I've hired group of people to assemble furniture at the house. Sarah and Aiden will handle them, so you don't need to worry about my… safety." Sophia was on a roll, Felix had difficulty taking all this in without letting her see how stunned he is. And then she threw another bomb his way. "Before I forget… the most important person for you." Sophia gestured to young man who was standing next to Leah to step forward. "This is David. Starting now, he is your personal assistant."

"What?" Felix's head was buzzing. 'Is this what she was doing in the morning? I thought she was working… and what personal assistant???'

Sophia explained with a final tone which didn't give him any chance to think about refusing. "With your hand hurt, and big presentation coming, you need an assistant. It's temporary for now, but if he works well, it can become permanent."

"Hi, Mr. Martin. Nice to meet you! I'm excited for the opportunity to work with you.", David flashed a bright smile and spoke with enthusiasm.

Felix absentmindedly shook his head thinking how and when did all this happen. 'Too many changes…'