Is this destiny?

~ Los Angeles, the Cliffside Villa ~

Saturday

Ellie and Jasper joined Sarah and Aiden for breakfast.

They arrived previous night to Ellie\'s villa because of Jeff\'s birthday which starts with a lunch at the Golden Ocean Resort.

Sarah and Aiden returned from the Cabin to the Cliffside villa on the previous night as well.

During breakfast, Ellie excitedly chatted about their wedding preparations, and Sarah listened attentively as her maid of honor. They agreed on few dates when Sarah will go to Chicago to help out. The wedding is less than two months away!

"There is this rose corner in the garden of the Kiani villa which is perfect for the ceremony…"

"Wait!", Sarah interrupted Ellie. "What happened with the resort?"

Sarah is confident that the last time they spoke, the wedding was supposed to be at the resort. They booked the whole place, she was there!

"I gave this one to my mother-in-law.", Ellie said helplessly. "She was almost crying to have the wedding in their home. And the villa can accommodate all the people…"

"I told you not to listen to Lisa. Do whatever you want. I will support you.", Jasper reminded Ellie while putting his hand around her waist.

Ellie smiled at her super-hot fiancé. "And I want to marry you. I don\'t care where. I know that Lisa has the best intentions."

Jasper could not be happier with Ellie\'s response: she wants to marry him. No matter how many times she says it, it never wears off. This perfect girl wants to spend her life with him. Every night he gets to sleep with her… for the rest of their lives.

Ellie felt Jasper\'s hand slip on her waist, and his thumb moved on her hip rhythmically, causing blush to invade her cheeks. Just what is he thinking? Well, she knows what he is thinking because she is very familiar with that movement of his thumb but… Sarah and Aiden are right there!

Jasper said that he forgot something at the Ellie\'s villa and Ellie responded that it must be important, and they should rush to get it. Lately the two of them are in perfect sync and share an understanding when it\'s time to go and enjoy some... privacy.

Before heading out, Ellie gave a USB stick to Sarah. "My father told me to give this to you in person. What business you have with my dad? Is it wedding related?"

"I will find out when I see what is on it.", Sarah said mysteriously while placing the USB into her pocket.

After Ellie and Jasper left (in a hurry), Sarah went to the office.

Just as she suspected, Matthew sent the information he uncovered related to Shadow Ravens, the group which created (and betrayed) Jesse. Shadow Ravens keep a lot of information offline (old school), which is not efficient, and at the same time it\'s the best defense against people like Sarah.

As part of the deal for their alliance, Sarah asked Matthew to look into Shadow Ravens whose base is in Dublin. Matthew\'s base is in Belfast, which is only about a hundred miles (160 km) away from Dublin, so it didn\'t take much for his men to uncover the information on this organization. Matthew already had a lot of people in Dublin, and it was only a matter of assigning them missions.

"You want to give this to Jesse?", Aiden asked while looking at the files with names of people and their position in the Shadow Ravens.

"Do you have any objections?", Sarah responded with a question.

"No. Jesse is with us for more than six months. He is a reliable person who showed only loyalty. I agree that we can show sincerity from our side as well.", Aiden confirmed.

Jesse joined them in the study shortly after and he was surprised to see the information in front of him.

"Here you have the data on locations, assets, and people associated with the Shadow Ravens.", Aiden told Jesse. "It is up to you to study it and to decide what you want to do about it."

Sarah confirmed and added: "Our only ask is that you don\'t do anything reckless. If you want to act against them, we will not stop you. We hope that you will discuss your plans with us and allow us to help you. We will not meddle in your things, but don\'t take unnecessary risks."

Jesse was grateful. "I don\'t know what to say. I had two concerns: my family and my revenge. And you helped me with both."

As a Christmas present, Sarah gave Jesse information on the whereabouts of his family which disappeared before he ended up in the diamond mine in Sierra Leone. They are currently in Kenya, and she gave to Jesse photos and few videos captured by the local security cameras. He was happy to know that they are safe and doing well, and he wants to visit them, to let them know he is alive and doing well also, but he decided not to approach them in person. Not until Shadow Ravens are still out there. He does not know if his family is being watched and he does not want to put them in danger by showing up. The way they disappeared is very suspicious and he believes that Shadow Ravens relocated them for some reason, maybe with a goal to lure Jesse out. He is not sure about that, but he knows that his family is doing well, and he does not want to jeopardize that.

"Don\'t worry about it.", Aiden said awkwardly. He is not used to stoic Jesse showing emotions. "You are doing a lot for us, and we are relying on you. I hope you realize that we see you as family."

"Yes.", Jesse acknowledged.

"I suspect that you will want to go for few reconnaissance missions before you act against them. Don\'t go alone.", Sarah advised. "Oni volunteered to be your partner. She can learn from you and she can help as well."

"I will consider it." Jesse was happy to hear that Oni wants to help him out. It is always nice to know that someone cares enough to offer help.

Jesse went to his \'thinking rock\' which is one large rock close to the cliff. He likes to sit there, facing the ocean while thinking about the past, present or planning for the future.

Kitty usually joins Jesse, but today she is not here. Eh, it seems that when mommy-Sarah is home, Kitty ditches him. He saw the treacherous panther rub her head on Sarah\'s legs while asking for head scratches back in the study.

"Hey…", Oni called when she was few steps away from Jesse. She knows not to get too close and startle him when he is sitting there, because he tends to reflexively attack.

"You are here again." Oni said with a smile while taking a seat by his side. She reminded herself to be quiet, because Jesse does not like to be disturbed when he sits here. The fact that he is not chasing her away is good enough for her.

Jesse nodded in acknowledgement of Oni\'s presence and then went back to his thoughts about Shadow Ravens. However, no matter how much he tried to focus on the organization that betrayed him, his mind wondered toward the girl by his side.

In the last week, Oni is sticking to him whenever she can. She is like his shadow during trainings, missions for the army of Chaos, and even during mealtime she makes sure to sit next to him.

It\'s not that he does not see the way she looks at him, but he thinks that she is young and has a lot to learn and grow before she is ready for a romantic relationship.

Well, if he is her age, he would probably ask her on a date because she is an attractive and an interesting girl.

Jesse sighed while thinking that by the time Oni grows up, she will probably forget about him. That will be for the better, Jesse told himself. He is not over his lover whom he lost because of the Shadow Ravens, and every time someone calls his name her face flashes in his mind, reminding him that her death is not avenged yet. Jesse\'s heart is broken, and Oni should not be tasked with mending it. She should find someone without an emotional baggage and enjoy her youth. Jesse is confident that eventually she will find that person. And that will not be him.

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