Chapter 1196 - Ronin Brothers Visit LA (1)

~ Los Angeles, the Cliffside Villa ~

Saturday

8:04 AM

Emma arrived for her Saturday's morning training with her brothers: Mike, Ryan and Sean.

Charlie invited Ronin family to come and visit them in Los Angeles when Emma introduced him to her family, and Emma's brothers didn't waste any time. None of them ever went to Los Angeles, and they see this is like a big vacation-adventure, even though it is only one weekend. Emma's mom, Mrs. Ronin was not interested to join but she followed her three sons out of the apartment with plenty of warnings to behave and not cause any trouble.

The three Ronin brothers arrived late last night and when Emma told them that she will meet with Hill sisters in the morning for training, they all decided to join.

Tiffany joins with Emma for trainings on the weekdays, but this is Saturday, so she is not in attendance.

Tiffany accepted to work with Emma as her assistant earlier that week, and she moved into Charlie's (and Emma's) villa two days ago. She requested that every evening after 9 PM and weekends are her free time and unless it's something really urgent that Emma does not count on her help during those hours. Tiffany wants to have that time dedicated to online courses she is attending. For the accommodation, she requested one room with a PC and internet access (so that she can study). These are acceptable requests for Emma, so she agreed (with Charlie's blessings).

Tiffany promised that as soon as she saves some money, she will look for a place of her own. But for now, she will live with them (in one of the guestrooms), because it is more convenient than the safehouse.

Charlie is happy that Emma found an assistant, and he approves of Tiffany. The woman has smart eyes and she is not too loud and not to quiet either… she knows her place. As a bonus, Charlie is aware of Tiffany's background and he trusts that Tiffany can help Emma in any socially awkward situation, because Emma still fears that the 'upper class' is something outside her reach. Silly girl. Charlie believes that in time, Emma will realize that there is nothing special about people who are born rich and that she will find her confidence, but until then, he is pleased that Tiffany is by her side.

Charlie is not concerned that Tiffany endangers Emma's safety, because he asked the staff in the villa to watch over Tiffany from the shadows. Also, he got the latest security surveillance system in the house (courtesy of Sarah and Felix), and whenever they leave the house, at least four bodyguards are with them.

Back to present…

Tiffany is not with them because it is Saturday, her day off.

Penny is also not present. She moved with Ben into the penthouse which Emma gifted them, and she is enjoying the relaxing Saturday with Ben. He does not go to work on weekends, so this is their time to unwind.

Bridgette and Steve are on their way.

Charlie joined this Saturday morning exercise as well. He looks forward to sparing with Felix.

As part of the agreement with Sarah and Aiden to train Charlie's personal security, Charlie brought twenty bodyguards, and they are on the training ground, warming up before their private lesson from Haru and Nala. After combat training, they will move underground to the shooting range where Imani and Masika will give their guidance.

It became normal that in the garden, in a spot with a good view of the training grounds, there is a massive table set up with breakfast items where they gather before (and after) their exercise.

JoAnna is sitting at the table and chatting lively with Emma's brothers.

Jeff greeted them all before he went inside with Aiden. With only few more acquisitions and loose ends pending, Jeff is ready to take over management of the White Foundation from Aiden and he wants to hear the status.

Sarah is happy that Aiden's workload will reduce after this. She hopes that they can take few days off. Just the two of them, to relax and unwind.

Steve joined Jeff and Aiden when he arrived with Bridgette who immediately bolted to Sophia, asking her to hold Lia.

Leah and Sophia laughed at the sight of the over-enthusiastic aunt-Bridgette.

"She is so much like her brother… Felix also gets completely immersed when he is nearby that precious bun.", Sophia said through giggles while observing Bridgette who is cradling Lia and talking in baby-language while making silly faces, all in an effort to see that precious toothless smile.

Lia's nanny is on a standby, ready to take Lia as soon as Sophia tells her to. But now that Lia's aunt is here, nanny knows that it might take a while before she gets any work.

Emma's brothers made 'OOOHH!' sounds when JoAnna told them that she is pregnant with twins.

The much louder 'OOOHH!' came when the three brothers spotted Kitty!

"Can we pet him?!", Sean asked enthusiastically.

"It's a girl. Approach her slowly and if she does not avoid you, you can pet her. But don't force it.", Sarah responded.

Ryan and Sean were vexed that Kitty obviously does not like them. Whenever they came close, the panther would hiss and show her teeth threateningly.

Ryan and Sean were drowning in sorrow when they realized that Mike CAN pet Kitty! What kind of injustice that is?

"Can one of you take my photo?", Mike asked with a big smile while crouching next to Kitty who was rubbing her head on his palm.

"Take it yourself!", Sean said dejectedly and stomped away.

"You know, she does not like you because she can sense that you are a mean person!", Mike shouted after his brother.

JoAnna rolled her eyes at the immature behavior. "I will take it. Give me your phone…"

"Remember that Kitty being here is a secret. If anyone sees the photo, don't tell them where it was taken.", JoAnna warned Mike.

"Got it. Got it. This is only for me… memories.", Mike responded.

"It is nice of you to join.", Sophia told Pam when she saw her approach them.

Pam was wearing clothes comfortable for exercising and a backpack with a change of clothes, for later.

Pam smiled. "Yeah. It's Saturday and if I didn't come I would spend the morning lazing in bed."

"No lazing here, let's go and warm up.", Leah invited Pam.

Pam glanced at the table filled with inviting food. "How about some snack first? I didn't have breakfast."

"Sure. Just don't eat too much before strenuous activity. We can eat more when we are done.", Leah responded.

Pam and Leah sat next to each other and chatted happily while snacking on pastries and fruits. After that dinner in an Indian restaurant, where they shared their painful past, they feel close and comfortable in each other's company.

At first, Leah was surprised when Pam told her how she was assaulted and a runaway. But Pam said that it's not a big deal.

"It was embarrassing to tell that story the first ten to fifteen times. But I had to say it in every shelter and to every social worker, and after a while I decided that I didn't do anything bad and that story should not be my shame, but my pride because it conveys how far I've reached… From an insecure girl who was manipulated, I am strong and self-sufficient, and I refuse to be a victim. Isn't that enough to be proud?"

Leah admires Pam's ability to see positive in everything.

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