Is this destiny?

Corey glanced around and met several pairs of eyes directed his way. "Whoever wants to get some exercise should proceed first to change into more comfortable clothes. On the left side, before the training grounds, there is a building…", he gestured in that direction, toward the trees which concealed the building he mentioned. "Second door on the right has training-appropriate clothes you can change into. You will see signs on the doors of the dressing rooms which one is for men and which one is for women. There are showers as well…"

The word spread quickly how there will be sparring, and most of the youngsters moved toward the training grounds. Some wanted to participate and were reluctant to speak up, but all of them were curious to see what is about to happen.

Jasper and Ellie arrived at the party and met with Steve and Bridgette at the main entrance. When they stepped into the garden, they noticed the crowd moving toward the back, so they followed after them. As soon as they heard why the party is moving that way, Jasper issued a challenge to Steve. Jasper does not care about his reputation or anything like that. He came to enjoy the party.

When guests gathered in front of the building, before anyone went inside to change, Corey stopped them and took initiative to set up a few rules: "Anyone can challenge whomever they want, and the one who received the challenge has the right to refuse. Upon mutual agreement, they will change clothes and queue to wait for their turn in the ring. I expect to see friendly spars with rules as usual: no weapons, no killing blows, and it ends when one person can't fight or gives up."

"Can we place bets!?", Jamari shouted from the side while his eyes sparkled greedily.

Corey shrugged, indicating that he has no objections. "Sure."

Sean and Ryan were quick to challenge Allen and Julius respectively, Ron was next with a challenge for Haru. Imani was in charge of taking notes on who will be sparring so that everything gets done in an orderly manner.

Jamari opened a betting pool and the staff brought out a black chalkboard where Imani could write names of the challengers and odds. Other than money, for bets, they accepted jewelry and other valuables as well. Harini and Chione took the responsibility of evaluating jewelry that people were willing to place as bets. Harini and Chione have quite an experience working in Blanc as designers, so they know a thing or two about putting a price tag on jewelry and gadgets.

By the time Sean, Ryan, Allen, and Julius exited the changing rooms wearing sweatpants and t-shirts, everything was set for them to start.

Guests who remained in the garden stirred when they heard that there will be some physical competition. They were mostly from the older generation.

"Shouldn't we stop them?"

"What if they get hurt?"

"Isn't this a party? How come it became a boxing event?"

Sarah and Aiden arrived in time to hear that sparring matches are about to start, and several people identified them as the culprits since the youngsters who initiated that insanity were their kids.

"Are you going to stop them?", one older lady asked Sarah.

Sarah looked at the woman like she asked something silly. "Why?"

"Someone will get hurt!", the woman responded.

"The spars are going to happen only if both sides are willing. No one is forcing anyone to participate. If you doubt that, you are welcome to watch. Who knows? Maybe you find this to be a good opportunity to settle some grudges." Sarah laughed at the outraged expressions directed her way. None of those old-timers thought that settling grudges in a fighting ring in front of the audience is the right approach.

"If you excuse us, we don't want to miss the fights.", Aiden said as he led away toward the training grounds.

Jeff and Gabriel were there as well, eyeing each other while contemplating if they should get in the ring as well. If this is a party at the Cliffside Villa, they would definitely go for it, but here…

"I challenge you, Jeffrey White!", Charlie's voice boomed from the side, making Gabriel frown.

Charlie ignored Gabriel's grumpy expression. If he wanted to spar with Jeff, he had enough time to challenge him. Charlie and Jeff are extremely competitive and the only one who can match their silly game of 'who has it more' is Steve.

"Are you a chicken?", Charlie taunted Jeff, making the latter snort in response.

JoAnna giggled. "You know how to push his buttons." She turned to her husband and gave him a smacking kiss on the lips. "Go, get him, tiger! Make me proud."

Jeff's chest swelled and he walked into the side-house to change. Charlie was two steps behind him and his smug grin matched Jeff's.

JoAnna smiled while looking at her husband. A fist-fight in a ring in front of an audience is not something that would match the status of the Master of the White family, but since Jeff found out that his parents (and his grandparents) manipulated him, he is exhibiting rebellious behavior. It's like he is going through teenage defiance, but with a fifteen years delay. JoAnna does not mind. She approves that Jeff is doing whatever he wants and disregards the opinions of others, he was always cold and stiff and now she gets to see him get excited and fired up outside the privacy of their home. Jeff is doing well at work, and he is a wonderful husband and a father, and if he feels the need to enter a friendly fight with Charlie, then so be it. She will support him wholeheartedly.

"Are you upset that you missed fighting against Jeff?", Aiden asked Gabriel.

"I only wanted a bit of exercise.", Gabriel said with a stiff smile. He wanted a spar, but if he shows any fighting spirit, that might stir Aiden, and Gabriel is not foolish enough to go in the ring against Aiden. He will surely lose, and Becca is watching.

"I can help you with exercise…", Felix said from the side. "I could use some myself."

Gabriel's face lit up, and he nodded in agreement. Gabriel and Felix are not really exercise-buddies, but Gabriel saw Steve and Felix sparring more than once, and he was comfortable taking him on.

Gabriel gave shocked Becca a quick kiss before walking with Felix to change. She had no idea that Gabriel will fight and his acceptance of Felix's challenge caught her by surprise. 

With Charlie and Emma coming to the training grounds, most of the guests moved there as well and it became quite crowded. They were curious to see what is going on. More than a few people from the guests practiced some form of martial arts and they were eager to show off and compare their skills with others, but they didn't dare issue a challenge, not yet.

Sophia walked with Emma toward the area where the staff was setting up the chairs, and guests parted to make way for the pregnant woman (aka Emma).

Sophia hates when Felix enters the fighting ring, but she knows that he has a need to steam out, so she lets him be.

Bridgette emerged from the crowd and linked her arm with Becca's before pulling her toward the table that Jamari set up. "Let's place bets and then we can find a good spot to watch."

Becca was not sure what to think about this. It all happened too fast. A moment ago, she was sitting at the table, picking appetizers, and avoiding Ben's gaze, and now she needs to place bets and watch her boyfriend fight? What kind of a baby shower is this? And how can Bridgette be so relaxed about this? Felix is her brother.

"Where is Steve?", Becca asked Bridgette.

"He will spar with Jasper. They went to change…"

"Oh…", a sound escaped Becca's lips. She thought how it's not only Gabriel, everyone is crazy.

Nala joined Imani and Jamari with registering challengers and taking bets, and Michael and Oni stayed at the ring as referees and to make sure everything is in order.

Sarah sat on the chair next to her sisters. Ellie was with them as well.

"Your kids know how to liven up any party…", Emma said to Sarah.

Sarah grinned proudly. Those are her kids!

"I've seen the list of participants…", JoAnna said. "Only familiar faces are on it. Considering how our guys are eager to fight, I assumed that there will be more interested parties."

Sophia nodded knowingly. There is a mix of people listed in the queue to fight, but if one looks closely, they are all people who (at least once) came to the party at the Cliffside Villa, so they were familiar with this activity. Sophia understood why others didn't show interest. "No one will dare to get in the ring with anyone related to Whites, Smiths, or Longs. They can't win out of fear to make an offense, and they don't want to fight if the only outcome is to lose."

Sarah didn't think about it, but now that Sophia explained what is going on, Sarah understood the problem and spoke to Aiden only for him to hear. A minute later, Aiden nodded and went to the ring where Sean and Allen were stretching before their fight.

"This will take just a minute, guys…", Aiden said to Sean and Allen who looked at him in confusion. They feared that he will stop the fights.

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