Chapter 342 - Give Steve a chance (3)

In the restaurant, group of six was waiting for more than an hour.

They already got third round of appetizers. As the time passed, the atmosphere was getting gloomier, and every once in a while, they would ask Felix to call his sister and check on her, especially Aiden, who was getting cranky because Sarah didn't let him order food before Bridgette and Steve arrived. At this time, Aiden saw two of them as biggest villains in LA. Aiden told Sarah that he suspects Steve is doing this on purpose, just to starve him to death. Sarah tried pacifying him, but she already knew that when Aiden is hungry, he can act... strange. Like a toddler. The best she could hope for is that Bridgette and Steve come soon.

Felix tried calling Bridgette, but it went to voicemail right away. Bridgette's phone was powered off.

Just as they were about to give up and order food, Bridgette and Steve arrived.

Bridgette wanted to sit next to the Sarah, but still decided to go next to Felix, and be a barrier between him and Steve who ended up next to Sarah.

They apologized for being late, but no one cared about their apologies. They were happy that finally food can be ordered.

No one noticed that Steve's behavior was unusual, well Bridgette noticed, but she assumed that he is a bit stiff because of Felix.

Sophia asked Jeff about his trip to Salina, because she needs to plan her schedule, and was surprised when he told her that he still does not have details ready.

"I thought you wanted to deal with this as soon as possible?", Sophia was confused.

"Yes..." Jeff was carefully choosing his words. "But I hope that JoAnna can join. I'm waiting to hear about her availability."

Sophia saw that Jeff was apprehensive and that JoAnna frowned lightly and didn't continue on that topic further with Jeff. Sophia could guess what is bothering her sister. She took her phone and texted JoAnna. "Don't make a big deal out of it. Whatever the case is, you need to decide between two things: are you going to support your fiancé or not."

JoAnna read the text under the table and stared at it for few seconds. She was surprised how Sophia knew what is bothering her, and how the solution was so simple. JoAnna looked at Sophia and smiled gratefully. Sophia nodded lightly in response. Two sisters shared understanding and didn't need to talk about it.

It took one text from Sophia to make JoAnna see what's important. Of course, she is going to support him. Jeff took so many days off from work, just to be with her when she needed him. How can she allow him to face this alone? JoAnna held Jeff's hand, and squeezed it gently.

"Sorry, big sis, if I'm causing you any inconvenience." JoAnna told Sophia, "First thing tomorrow at work I will check the schedule and see when I can get some time off so that I accompany Jeff."

Jeff's face brightened up when he heard JoAnna's words. He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed back of her palm gently. "Thank you."

The food arrived.

Jeff was staring amorously at JoAnna, and it seemed that he didn't even notice that there is food in front of him. JoAnna's attention was divided between food and Jeff, but she really wanted them to go somewhere private so that she can leap into his arms and kiss him until her lips go numb. Seeing that Jeff is not eating, JoAnna started feeding him. Jeff didn't object, he obediently opened his mouth every time food approached his lips.

Steve was nervously sweating while sitting between Sarah and Bridgette. Two ladies were like security cushions who kept others away from him.

How Steve saw this dinner party, it was not a pleasant bunch of people. Next to Sarah was Aiden, who was giving him mean looks. Steve does not know that it was just because Aiden was hungry, and he blamed Steve for his hunger. Next to Aiden is JoAnna, mystery Miss Hill who managed to capture heart of his frightening boss. He is not sure what her secret power is, but she must have one if she can make his boss look like an enamored teenager. Then there is his boss, Jeff. Steve can't even think of having a relaxed meal with this man. Jeff calls in the middle of the night, asking Steve to get ice cream and chips, and Steve can only obey without asking any questions. Next to Jeff is Sophia, she is also a CEO with a domineering presence. And then there is Felix. Steve does not even dare look his way. 'How did it end up like this? I was mentally prepared for dinner with four of us... Why is it a dinner of eight? And everyone looks so frightening?' Steve hoped that this dinner will end soon.

Sophia noticed that Felix is not talking to Steve. She approached Felix and whispered, "Why are you not talking to Steve?"

Felix shrugged, "He is not looking my way."

"Even if he looks, he will only see you glaring. Relax! ... And make an effort."

Felix did his best not to frown. He does not want to offend Sophia.

At that time, Sarah's and Aiden's phones beeped, with notification of secure message. Sarah was puzzled. It feels like forever since last time she heard that notification tone. It's the specific one she uses for inbox under alias Sigma.

Next to her, Aiden was also intrigued while getting his phone out, reluctantly. He just started eating but this is a notification that Omega got a secure message.

Two of them checked their messages, glanced at each other and showed their phones to one another. The messages were identical, informing them about security event in Las Vegas, one month from now. To get an invitation, you need to crack the encryption on a file which will reveal next steps.

'Is this one of those hidden events where hackers gather and discuss latest technologies and strategies anonymously?' Sarah was brimming with excitement. She wanted to go. She looked at Aiden and faced his smile. He pointed at the backpack that they got with them. "Do you want to do it now, or when we get back home?"

"Oh, you know me so well." She gushed and kissed him. "We need to do it now, the seats are first come first serve, and we don't know how many seats are there or how many people got these invitations."

Aiden agreed with her and they asked waiter to move them to a more private table. "Sorry, we have something that just came up." They got their drinks and followed waiters who carried their food.

The other six looked at them with a puzzled expression. None of them had an idea why Sarah and Aiden suddenly moved to the table by themselves. They heard them talking, but no one understood what their words mean.

Two of them settled in front of their laptops, facing each other. Between them are two matching, custom laptops, each with as black case and silver letters, one Σ (Sigma), and one Ω (Omega).

Just by glancing at each other, they knew that it's going to be a competition.

"Besides bragging rights, what does winner get?", Sarah asked.

"One wish.", Aiden winked.

"Oh, I am motivated!" Sarah exclaimed. "Do the countdown."

Aiden nodded, "Three, Two, Go!"

"Ah! I wish I could learn!" Sarah complained, but her fingers over keyboard were not idle.