Is this destiny?

~ Golden Ocean Resort ~

4:43 PM… Seventeen minutes until the wedding dinner rehearsal starts…

At the side entrance of the event hall which is close to the garden, Sarah welcomed Sophia and Felix who arrived with Jesse following two steps behind.

Their bodyguards, Levi and Ryan are out of the hospital, and Sarah recommended that they rest and recuperate for few days. Until then, Jesse will follow Sophia and Felix around.

"You look nice.", Sophia commented on Sarah's look.

Sarah is wearing a just-above-knee-length sleeveless metallic-silver dress which is hugging her body at the top and flares from hips down. It's a simple dress with a black belt around her waist. Together with black high heeled pumps, and hair lifted into a messy bun, Sarah looks elegant and youthful.

"Thank you, so do you.", Sarah returned the compliment to Sophia who is glowing in her dark red maternity summer dress. "Both of you.", Sarah has to include Felix who is dashing in gray suit pants and jacket with a dark red necktie on top of light gray shirt.

"You are matching!" Sarah exclaimed when she noticed coordinated colors and design of Sophia's and Felix's outfits. Felix's necktie has the same pattern as Sophia's dress.

"Did you come with Jeff?" Sarah knows that Jeff offered to pick them up on the way to the resort.

"No. Helicopters are noisy.", Felix answered while wrapping his arms around Sophia and placing his palms on her belly protectively.

Sarah understood that the comment about noisy helicopters was for the baby.

"Since you are at the back door welcoming people, I assume that mom is inside?", Sophia asked Sarah. She knows that Sarah is avoiding their mother.

Sarah answered with a faint smile. She gestured to Jesse to stay outside, he is working today.

Sophia glanced around before heading in. "You are by yourself? Where is Aiden?"

"Aiden is taking care of few last minute things. He should be here any minute." Sarah ushered Sophia and Felix toward the hall but didn't enter herself. "Go in, relax and enjoy. Aiden and I are in charge of security tonight and Eve is watching."

…

Sarah is facing four men who were sent by Jeff. "You will join resort security at the main entry from the building. At any given time, don't have less than two people at the door. If a person does not have an invitation, even if he is the president of the universe, he is not allowed inside. Don't underestimate ladies who are determined to crash the party, no matter how fragile they look. If you can't handle the situation, let me or Aiden know…"

When those four men left, she faced other Jeff's men and Jesse. "There are two entry points from the outside. Same thing, no less than two people at the door at any given time. You have the drones above, even if you don't see them, they are there. If anyone approaches, ask for an invitation. No invitation, no entry. If they are persistent, drones will handle them; in that case your job is to drag them out of the way."

Jeff's men and Jesse know not to ask too much, and if Sarah said that drones will handle them, that means that drones will handle them. But…

"Miss Hill, where should we drag them?", one bodyguard asked.

Sarah shrugged indicating that she does not care about that detail. "Out of sight. Find a bush or a rock… as long as they are out of sight, it's fine. They will wake up after few hours."

Security guards went to their stations.

Sarah doesn't want to go inside. Not without Aiden. He is her shield, and she does not want to face her mother without him.

Few minutes earlier… Inside main building of the resort…

Aiden finished final checks in the security surveillance room and is heading to meet up with Sarah. He knows that she must be waiting for him at the side entrance while avoiding her mother.

"Aiden, Aiden White!", Aiden heard someone call as he passed through the lounge area next to the reception.

Aiden turned toward the voice and saw an older gentleman. He glanced at the time, he doesn't want to be late, but he can spare a minute for a friend of the family.

"Mr. Rodrigues, it's nice to see you. Where is Mrs. Rodrigues?", Aiden greeted as he walked toward the man for a handshake.

"She is enjoying at the spa. Are your parents here?"

"They should be around."

Mr. Rodrigues observed Aiden's outfit. "Is there an event tonight?"

"There is a small gathering for younger generation.", Aiden vaguely responded. If he says that it's a wedding dinner rehearsal, there is a chance that Mr. Rodrigues will want to join. "As the wedding is approaching, there is something going on every day. Jeffrey does not want to miss any opportunity to celebrate."

Mr. Rodrigues was slightly surprised by the last part. "I never thought that Jeffrey is someone who is into parties."

"I never thought that Jeffrey is someone who would get married.", Aiden returned the comment and both of them lightly laughed.

After about one minute of idle chat, Aiden glanced at his phone to check time. "Excuse me, I need to do few more things. Please, enjoy your stay." Aiden didn't give him a chance to respond before turning away and walking out.

Mr. Rodrigues looked after Aiden and sighed.

"Is that you, Mr. Rodrigues?", female voice made him turn around.

"Oh, if this isn't Madison? You look nice." He observed her dress. "Are you also going to the gathering for youngsters?"

"Gathering for youngsters?", Madison could not hide that his words piqued her interest.

"Yes, just now I met Aiden and he mentioned…"

"Aiden? When? Where?", Madison almost frantically asked.

"Just now, he went that way…", Mr. Rodrigues pointed toward the main entrance and was surprised to see that Madison dashed toward there without saying anything. "Eh, youngsters…", he sighed while shaking his head.

At the side entrance of the event hall…

Sarah is wondering where Aiden is, the event is about to start. She is relieved to see him walk toward her.

His light gray shirt decorated only with a black tie, and black pants with metallic-silver thin strip on each of the side seams make him look as dashing as ever. The most important part is that their outfits are coordinated. Couple's outfits!

"Jeff and Anna will come through the main entrance.", Aiden told Sarah before she could ask anything because she knows that he went to meet with Jeff before going to the room for security surveillance. He glanced at his phone. "Actually, they are in already."

Aiden gave Sarah a peck on the cheek and placed his hand on her waist. "Let's go. The guys arrived. Let me introduce you." He was referring to Jeff's groomsmen.

One minute earlier…

Madison is outside. She can see a person on the right in a gray shirt and black pants walking away. The man has a black short hair, so it can't be Aiden… Madison paused. Even if it's not him, that man is definitely dressed up. Which means he is going to an event! And the only event here is the rehearsal dinner she is trying to get information on, so far, unsuccessfully.

No time to think, she dashed after him.

She was few steps behind the man when…

"Excuse us, miss.", two bodyguards said in unison as they blocked her path.

"This is a private event. Do you have an invitation?", one of the bodyguards addressed her.

She didn't respond. She was peeking between them, toward the man who approached a young woman in a silvery dress. It seems she was waiting for him. He kissed her cheek, put his arm around her waist and two of them walked inside building.

It was only for a moment, but when he turned to lead the woman inside, his profile was visible.. Madison felt like the lightning struck her. 'That is Aiden!' She finally got to see him! He is right there! And now she confirmed where the event is…