Is this destiny?

~ Los Angeles, the Cliffside Villa ~

Sunday

7:15 AM

In the house for kids (and staff)…

Sarah and Ade are in the common area on the main floor. Sarah is sitting on the sofa with Kitty's head on her lap and Ade is standing in attention in front of her. The agenda: his failure to complete the mission.

Aiden is not present. Education and training of the kids is Sarah's responsibility. Of course, Aiden is helping out, but Sarah is in charge. Disciplining included.

Ade was looking everywhere except at Sarah. And that hallway which leads to outside looks like a good target, it's summoning him to dash through it and avoid whatever is coming… and based on Sarah's expression, whatever is coming, it's not good.

The house for kids (and staff) is a five story dwelling, with two levels above and three levels underground (currently). The building is 'X' shaped and it has four wings: one is for girls, other is for boys, the third one is consisted of larger suites which are in use by other staff members (grown-ups) and the fourth one is for miscellaneous use, such as the indoor gym, study room, kitchen and dining area. The four wings meet in the middle with hallways connecting to the common areas which are equipped with sofas, television, tables and chairs where people can relax and mingle.

Most of the rooms don't have a direct access to daylight, but Felix collaborated with Louis (the architect) and Cash (the construction manager) and used a complex system of pipes and mirrors to bring in the sunshine even to the third level below ground. It is amazing what they achieved.

Back to the common area…

"You know that you are the only one who failed a mission?", Sarah voice was stern.

Ade didn't respond. He was looking at his feet.

"Silence will not help you.", Sarah warned him. "I need to know that you understand what happened. Why did you fail?"

"Because I didn't mind my own business.", Ade said in a weak voice.

"Explain."

"I was looking what others are doing…"

"Instead?", Sarah was frustrated how this cheeky boy who always does mischief and speaks over others is now barely talking and she needs to force words out of him.

"Instead of doing what I should do…", Ade said after some time.

"Assuming that I give you another chance. What will be different?"

"I will not tease others."

Sarah sighed. "You got this wrong. As much as I don't like you teasing others, that is the part of your personality and no one should force you to change. However, I hope that you are aware how your behavior is pushing people away. No one wants to be friends with a person who is always waiting for an opportunity to make a joke at their expense. But that is not the reason you failed. You failed because you were unable to focus on your mission and you didn't follow my instructions. Yesterday was a practice, but it showed what I can expect from you and I saw that you will neglect your duty in order to have fun."

Ade panicked. "Will I get another chance?"

Sarah was pleased that she got his attention. "For what?"

"To prove that I can focus and complete a mission successfully."

Ade was looking at Sarah and he thought that he will pass out. Why is her expression not good? Is it possible that she will not give him a second chance?

Her next words made his heart drop… Sarah's voice was soft and soothing, but there was nothing soothing about her words!

"Ade, not everyone is made to be a spy or a soldier… and there is nothing wrong with that. Maybe you can be a singer, or an architect, or a comedian, an astronaut... You can be whatever you want. Think about it…"

"No!" Ade's eyes filled with tears in a second. "I want to be a bodyguard. I trained hard. I have skills!"

Sarah told herself not to waver. Being a bodyguard, going on missions is very dangerous, and unless he takes it seriously, she will not allow him. Even if her heart breaks at the sight of him crying.

"Yes, you have the skills. But your attitude is lacking. Even if you are the best fighter available, we will not send you on the field or rely on you to protect us if we fear that you will neglect your mission. We spoke more than once that every mission is treated equally, and you need to be serious. Your performance from last night showed that you are not ready. Retrieving information is an important skill just like beating up people. When a mission fails, lives could be in danger. I am not so disappointed by your failure how much I am by the reason behind it."

To Kitty's displeasure, Sarah stood up and looked at Ade who was reaching her chin even with his head lowered. The boy is growing.

"Starting today, your math and science assignments will double, and I will send you two violin pieces which you need to learn in next three weeks. Your updated schedule will be in your email by lunch time. You will not go on any missions, and your privileges as a general are revoked starting immediately. As for trainings…"

"Don't cut them!", Ade pleaded.

Sarah looked into his tear filled face and pressed her lips into a line. It's hard to punish him, but she can't let him play around and allow him to go on missions if he is not taking it seriously. Out there, any mistake can be costly, and Ade needs to understand that fun comes after the mission is over.

"Alright. But trainings will be removed from your schedule. If you are serious about becoming a bodyguard and you want to train, you will do it on your own, AFTER you finish mandatory tasks. When we measure performance, you can participate if you wish. If your overall results are within top five, I will reconsider adding trainings as part of your schedule and reinstating you as a general."

"I will prove that I am serious!", Ade said defiantly.

Sarah gave a small nod. "I will be watching."

Ade watched Sarah walk out with Kitty by her side and slumped on the sofa as soon as they were out of sight.

"I really messed up this time…", Ade's voice cracked.

He pressed his palms over his eyes, hoping to stop the tears which fell relentlessly, but he was not successful.

Outside…

Sarah exhaled and glanced at the black panther who was walking by her right side.

"What do you think? Did I do good? Or was it too much?"

Kitty rubbed her head on Sarah's thigh.

"I will take that as you approve.", Sarah was relieved that Kitty agrees with the punishment.

Sarah is confident that Kitty understands everything and asks for Kitty's inputs often.

Sarah glanced at the time. It's almost 7:30 AM.

She spoke to Kitty: "Should we go for a run, or should we go and tell daddy how it went?"

"Daddy knows how it went.", Aiden's voice sounded through Sarah's ear stud. "You did very good."

Sarah smiled. Aiden's voice makes her smile.

"Daddy, will you join us for a run?", Sarah asked Aiden through giggles. It is funny to call him 'daddy'.

"Look at your two o'clock…", he responded.

Sarah looked slightly to her right and saw Aiden standing on the training ground, geared up for exercise, waving at her. Ah, only he can look so dashing in white t-shirt and black sweatpants.

Sarah thought that she will find him in the bed, considering that both of them like to sleep in. But he woke up early because of her and listened to her conversation with Ade, giving her silent support.

Sarah broke into a jog to reach him faster, while thinking that there is no one more amazing than her fiancé and she is lucky to have him.

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