Chapter 681 - Meeting with Smiths in New York (1)

~ New York ~

Sarah and Aiden are in the cab, heading for their lunch meeting with Jarred Smith, old man who Sarah met during their gambling-outing in Las Vegas three months ago.

Unintentionally, Sarah and Aiden helped Jarred get revenge for his nephew. At that time, they also gifted him a 34-carrat perfect blue diamond which was one of the reasons why Jarred's nephew got hurt. Jarred was touched by their generosity and said in return that Sarah can call him for anything. ANYTHING.

Sarah decided to use Jarred's favor now, and that 'anything' is a helicopter (or two). Since Jarred is involved in working with military, and Sarah and Aiden want to buy a military grade helicopter, they decided to see if Jarred can help them out get what they are looking for.

Sarah is a bit upset because when they reached apartment where Sophia and Felix are staying, two of them already left for work. Sophia left instructions to the doorman to let Sarah and Aiden in, so they managed to leave their things and freshen up before heading out for lunch, but Sarah was hoping to see Sophia. Sarah is missing her sister, and she wanted to rub baby bump because it always makes Sophia eyeroll and she heard that it will bring good luck. Sarah is not really a superstitious person, but hey… it can't hurt.

Sarah consoled herself with the fact that they will see each other in the evening, when Sophia and Felix return from work.

Sarah's phone buzzed and she checked the text she received. It's from Ellie, JoAnna's official maid of honor. Ellie is from Seattle, and her home is close to Hill family villa. All three sisters know Ellie for many years and have a good relationship with that bubbly girl. Out of three Hill sisters, Ellie is definitely closest to JoAnna. Their personalities match very well.

While reading the text, Sarah giggled and started typing the response. Aiden usually does not pry into her messages, but she giggled, and he feels a bit neglected, so he leaned closer to see what caused the giggles.

Sarah sent quick response and tilted her head to look at Aiden. She smiled and raised one eyebrow. "Since when do you check my texts?"

Aiden cleared his throat and straightened his back while trying to play it cool. "It was an accident."

Sarah thought that he is adorable while pretending not to be interested. She scooted closer to him and leaned her head on his shoulder. "It's Ellie. I'm helping her with bachelorette's party."

Aiden put his arm around Sarah. "What do you have so far?"

"Lunch and dinner. Somewhere in between those two we will go for few hours of paintball massacre." Sarah's eyes sparkled from excitement.

Aiden's expression showed that he likes the paintball idea very much. "Can I join?"

Sarah scrunched her nose. "Sorry, girls only."

Aiden pouted. "That is not fair… what happened with facials and manicures and other girly things?"

Sarah laughed seeing how silly he is. "We are doing what Anna likes. And that is shooting. Besides, the resort has an amazing spa, complimentary for wedding guests, so we can go for girly things anytime."

Aiden had to agree that does not make sense to go for a spa when full spa is already available for free at the resort. "How long will the party last?"

Sarah understood that he wants to know at what time he can get her back. "After dinner, we plan to book a VIP room in some nightclub for the girls who want to continue. But Anna, Sophia and I will not stay beyond dinner. And we are not repeating the 'sleep-apart' fiasco from Sophia's wedding."

She saw that he is not very happy about their plans for girls. "Don't you guys have something going on?"

Aiden shrugged. "I don't know. I just go a message to keep my afternoon and evening free."

"Who is planning?"

"Best man, Jasper. Family friend, so we know each other for a long time, but Jeff and he got close only at University and now they are working on several projects together. Hey, if you are not partying with girls after dinner, maybe six of us can meet and do something until it's time to call it a night? I know that Jeff would rather be with Anna than spend evening on anything else."

Aiden also knows that Sarah is missing her sister-time and he likes spending time with Sarah. If they all meet together, Sarah can spend time with her sisters, and he will not be excluded.

Sarah paused for a moment and then her face lit up. "That is a brilliant idea! I will talk to Anna and see what she thinks… You know what? If we end up in their villa that evening, it will be a great time to reveal Eve to Jeff!"

She had to admit that it's an amazing idea. All six of them are aware of Eve, so there is no need to hide anything. They can probably sit and relax and then Sarah asks something to Eve and Eve responds and Jeff collapses… Sarah burst into laugh while imagining Jeff in shock, pinching himself to make sure it's real.

"What is funny?" Aiden was confused with Sarah's sudden laughter.

"Your brother.", Sarah responded while catching her breath.

Aiden looked at Sarah and his lips twitched. 'Since when is Jeff funny?'

…

Sarah and Aiden entered private room in a high-end Asian restaurant in East Village.

"Little girl!", Jarred's voice boomed as soon as his eyes landed on Sarah.

"Old man!", Sarah greeted him back.

"I hope you are not waiting long." She checked time and saw that they are few minutes early.

"Not at all. We just reached." Jarred responded with a big smile which made his aged face more wrinkled.

Sarah's eyes landed on a man in maybe late twenties. He was in a wheelchair.

"This is my nephew, Charles. He wanted to meet the little girl who got revenge for his injuries." Jarred introduced man in the wheelchair.

"Call me Charlie.", he smiled and extended his arm. "Nice to meet you."

"Hi, call me Sarah.", she shook his hand and turned to Aiden. "This is Aiden."

After introductions, they ordered food.

Jarred was the same how Sarah remembers him: cheerful and noisy. Skin on his face shows signs of aging, but his eyes are clear like he is in the prime of his youth.

Sarah was curious about Charlie. He is a friendly young man, and his look is… smart. His eyes show that he is very intelligent. She can't see Charlie's overall body because he is sitting, but his upper body, especially broad shoulders and toned arms show that he is someone who is exercising, but he is not too bulky... Martial arts, maybe? Sarah wondered if he is in the wheelchair because of what happened to him in Vegas. Based on her calculations that should be almost one year ago. If he is still in the wheelchair since then, does that mean that the damage he received is permanent? That is harsh. On the other side, was he in the wheelchair from before? In that case, those men from Las Vegas attacked a disabled person! How despicable!

"Little girl! Why are you looking at my Charlie so intently? Are you interested in him? He is single, you know?", Jarred looked serious, but Sarah knows that he is teasing her. Or at least she hopes that is the case because Aiden is right there, next to her...

Sarah awkwardly laughed while doing her best to avoid Aiden's questioning gaze. "What are you saying, old man? My fiancé is right here!"

Jarred frowned. "Fiancé? I thought you are married."

"Oh…" Sarah forgot that in Las Vegas two of them were going as a married couple, under identities of Mr. and Mrs. Black. This is the reason she does not lie. She forgets!

"That was then…", Sarah awkwardly half-mumbled while thinking that she needs to stop digging holes for herself.

"Are you saying that you went from being married to being engaged? Isn't that in reverse?", Jarred looked at her in disbelief.