Is this destiny?

After the cake was served to everyone, lights dimmed, and all screens on the walls of the event hall were projecting JoAnna\'s presentation. She was explaining to the guests what they are seeing while few photos of her and Jeff from childhood until present were shown. It didn\'t take more than few minutes until she reached to the point of her presentation.

"We know that many of you think that this wedding is something that happened quickly, and some of you are even hoping that it will not last. To all the overconfident ladies out there and their ambitious parents, I\'m sorry to break your hopes of snatching my wonderful husband, but this between us started long time ago…" JoAnna had no problems using this \'public way\' of shutting down most of the girls who are coveting her husband.

She showed photos which she found during their visit to her grandparents. On those photos Jeff and she are kids, standing side by side… and she also showed the letter in which Jeff told her grandfather that he will marry JoAnna when he grows up.

"As you can see… we are technically engaged for more than seventeen years. And no matter what happened in between, our paths crossed again, and we found each other and ended up together." JoAnna looked at Jeff and met his loving smile. "No one can come in between us because this, what we have, can only be explained as destiny."

"What do you think?", JoAnna asked Sophia when she returned to her seat and band resumed their music.

"Direct. If anyone wants to come in between you two, that person will be hit with at least three lightning strikes as heaven\'s punishment." Sophia laughed.

"I think it\'s very romantic that two of you are childhood sweethearts.", Felix interjected. "I wish that I knew Sophia when she was five years old."

"You didn\'t miss much.", JoAnna waved her hand dismissively.

"Sophia was always bossy.", JoAnna added with a giggle and scooted closer to Jeff to hide in his embrace.

"How about a light walk after dinner?", Jasper asked Ellie.

Ellie smiled and responded with a small nod.

"Hey, don\'t go toward stables.", Sarah told Jasper and Ellie while they were standing up.

"Stables?", Ellie asked.

"Yup. Stables are that way.", Sarah pointed. "You can go anywhere else. Don\'t ask why, just trust me."

"I didn\'t agree to it.", Aiden whispered when Jasper and Ellie walked away.

Sarah gave him a big puppy-eyed look. "Come on, honey… you know it makes sense."

Aiden closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

~ Golden Ocean Resort, garden area ~

"Why is a beautiful young lady like yourself alone?", Aaron asked while approaching Sarah who is sitting on a bench.

"My date is busy playing games on his phone, and I have the need for fresh air. Maybe I ate too much.", Sarah responded with a smile.

"If you ate too much, you should not sit. Light walk will help more." Aaron showed his most charming smile, happy that Sarah is responding favorably to his approach.

"Oh, I didn\'t think about it…", she glanced around. "But unless I go back inside where it\'s stuffy, everywhere else is dark. I\'m not comfortable going by myself. Who knows who might be lurking around… it is a party, and a lot of people had more than few drinks."

Aaron observed Sarah and found her to be very attractive. Based on her body language, it seems that she does not have any defenses set up against him. Aaron is very confident in his looks which secured him many modeling contracts and so far, he didn\'t find a girl who can defend against his charms. "Since your date is busy, I will be happy to escort you. Don\'t worry, I\'m not a creep. I know Aiden, we were classmates in high school."

"Oh, really?", Sarah was surprised that Aaron brought up Aiden so quickly.

Of course, she will accept his offer for a walk. That is why she came here.

"That is nice of you." She stood up. "Which way should we go? I\'m fine with anything, I just want a small walk."

He gestured toward stables. "My name is Aaron, Aaron Keegan."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Keegan. I\'m Sarah." Sarah smiled and walked toward the direction he gestured, but she didn\'t take his hand which he offered.

Aaron doesn\'t mind that she didn\'t hold onto his hand. She will fall for him, soon. Definitely. She didn\'t reject him, so it\'s only a matter of time. "Please, call me Aaron."

"OK. Aaron… how come a handsome man like yourself is in the garden, alone?"

He chuckled. "You are with me, so I\'m not alone."

"Oh… I guess you are right."

…

Inside the event hall…

Aiden is watching a video stream on his phone from the drone\'s camera. He can see Sarah and Aaron walking away from the garden. 

He tapped his earpiece. "Eve, what is wrong with the audio?"

"There are no malfunctions or interferences. Audio is running at 100%", Eve responded.

Aiden checked volume again and confirmed that it is maxed out. "Why can\'t I hear what they are saying?"

"Master told me to disable audio."

Aiden closed his eyes and took few deep breaths to calm down. Sarah knew that if he hears Aaron flirting with her, he will blow a fuse, and it\'s probably better that he does not know what they are talking about, especially because Sarah needs to pretend that she is falling for it… but still… Aiden is fuming! He will make sure to break few extra bones for this when he gets his hands on Aaron.

"What is Sarah up to?", Sophia\'s voice startled Aiden.

Aiden turned around and saw Sophia behind him. He placed his phone in the pocket swiftly. "What? What makes you think she is up to something?" Aiden can\'t believe that he is actually covering up for Sarah. And that he agreed to this ridiculous plan!

Sophia narrowed her eyes at Aiden. "Don\'t lie to me… she is not here, and you look like you are about to jump inside that phone while your leg is nervously twitching. Now, let me ask you again: what is Sarah up to?"

Sophia saw that Aiden\'s eyes are darting around aimlessly, and he has no intention of talking. She shook her head. "Well, whatever it is, I\'m glad that you two are in it together. Take care of her, will you? She is known for being reckless."

Aiden nodded. He was relieved that Sophia didn\'t stay much. He pulled his phone out and resumed watching the video.

---

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