Is this destiny?

~ San Antonio, the Opulence hotel ~

Later that night…

[Suite 1123]

Oni is in her bed, staring at the ceiling and thinking about the day.

The whole day was awesome! She spent the day with Jesse! They didn't talk much, but they never do, so it's not unusual.

It was interesting to observe how Penny met with various people. Lesson learned: people will look at you and smile and laugh and… lie. Despicable. If not for the analysis shown on the lenses, some of those people would not be caught. It seems that they are so used to their behavior, that they are not finding anything wrong with taking what does not belong to them.

Jesse and Oni grabbed some food on the way from Penny's meeting with Marcy and headed for styling. Now that she thinks about it, the styling session was the only time they were separated (and shortly after that, while dressing up).

In the nightclub was nice, but it would be soooo much nicer if Jesse joined her for a dance. Oni saw all the couples dancing, holding each other, kissing… Ah, how she wishes that Jesse holds her like that. She saw a man who was ogling at her and she directed a playful wink at him on purpose. Not because she liked that man, but because she saw on her lens that the distance between her and Jesse is reducing, which meant that he is coming toward her! Oni wanted to make him jealous, and maybe he would see that she is not a little girl, and maybe he would acknowledge that she is an attractive young lady, and maybe, just maybe he would treat her like such. But he turned on his 'big brother' mode and ended up carrying her out of the nightclub. However, after that was not bad.

The two of them were in a restaurant and he actually told her some bits about his past. She remembers how he started…

"Sarah and Aiden told me that you want to join me on missions. Is that offer still valid?"

Oni swallowed French fries which were in her mouth and looked at him with eyes wide open, unsure if she heard correctly. "Yes."

Jesse scratched his head while talking. He does that when he is uncomfortable. "I want to do something… personal. Think about it and let me know if that changes anything."

"No! Nothing changes!", Oni responded immediately. "I am happy to help you with whatever you need." She realized that she was too eager and took a deep breath before continuing in a slower pace: "I know that I can learn a lot from you. So please, teach me well."

Jesse nodded. "Before joining Sarah and Aiden, I belonged to a different organization. They betrayed me and that is how I ended up in the diamond mine. I want… revenge. I am planning few scouting missions, mostly in Europe, and I will plan thoroughly so that the danger is minimized. Will you join me?"

Oni held her breath while he talked, afraid that she might miss something.

"Yes. I can help with planning as well…"

Corners of Jesse's lips curved upward a bit. "I know. You are the best strategist we have. I have few targets selected and a rough plan in place, we can discuss them when we are back home, and then you can give your inputs…"

Oni could not believe that he included her! And he almost-smiled! Well, she is not completely sure if she is the best strategist, but Jesse said so and she will take it!

Oh, how she wishes to sing and dance and shout from happiness. Or at least share this with someone. Nala was her closest friend since they joined Sarah and Aiden, but lately Nala is busy with Haru so Oni talks with Zula. Where is Zula? Ah, Oni has so much to tell her! But she can't tell her anything about Jesse's past or his plans. That should be confidential. If she excludes that part, what is left? That he scolded her in the nightclub and carried her out so that she has a late night snack in the restaurant? That is not much, is it?

…

When Zula returned to the suite, she found Oni in the bed. Sleeping.

Zula hummed a tune and twirled happily while heading to freshen up before sleep. Her day was awesome!

She spend the day with Ron. And he was nothing other than super-sweet.

The best part was the nightclub!

They danced and danced… ah, she can dance with Ron the whole night, and it would not be enough. She loves how sometimes he pulls her closer and sneaks a kiss.

The only regret is that they didn't find any privacy for more steamy kisses, like what they had after their Disneyland date.

When they returned to the hotel, Ron escorted her all the way to the door of her suite and she hoped that will be a chance for some kissing, but she didn't anticipate so much foot traffic after midnight. Staff was carrying trays with food to nearby suites, clothes which came back from drycleaners, extra towels… long story short, no privacy. Well, there will be other chances. She looks forward to tomorrow.

[Suite 1173]

Ron got inside his suite (which he shares with Jesse) and did his best not to make noise, in case Jesse is sleeping.

He was surprised to see that Jesse is not there, but he didn't want to check with lens where Jesse is. It's none of Ron's business. He went to freshen up before sleep.

In the shower, Ron thought about Zula. Somehow, he started looking forward to every minute he spends with her. The way she looks at him, brightens up his whole day. And her voice is so sweet. He still can't believe that such a cute and smart girl wants to be his girlfriend. Mind-blowing!

Ron's mood fell when he pondered if Zula would still like him if she knew about his past. Will she still want to kiss him if she knew what his lips touched? He was forced, at first… and later he thought how that is normal, or he didn't care… or was it the other way around? It took him a long time to comprehend that he is being molested and that is wrong and that it's not his fault. No, the last part is not right. He still thinks that it was his fault. Why else would he feel nauseated whenever those memories resurface?

Ron balled his hand into a fist and hit the tiles in the shower enclosure. Once, twice… pain helps him to focus on something else, and not think about what happened with that despicable woman. He does not want to think about it. He has a good life, friends, a family, and a wonderful girlfriend. Why is that woman lingering in his mind and torturing him?

Ron got out of the bathroom and saw Jesse who was removing his jacket.

Ron inhaled through his nose and frowned at the scent. "Since when are you smoking?"

"I don't." Jesse responded. "It's something I do occasionally."

Ron lifted his eyebrow. "You can't say that you don't smoke, but you do it occasionally. You either smoke or not, and based on the smell, you do. I'm not judging you, I asked 'since when', but if you don't want to answer, that is fine."

Ron didn't wait for Jesse to answer. He hopped into his bed and pulled the cover over him. Jesse was always silent (and unapproachable) and Ron will not allow Jesse to spoil his good mood.

They cooperate well for the missions, but anything other than that, Jesse is not friendly. Ron does not blame him, everyone has a story.

"Good night.", Ron said and sank deeper under the cover.

Ron smiled at the thought how in the morning he will meet with Zula and spend another day with her by his side. And she will smile brightly at him with a smile which can chase all bad thoughts away.

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