Is this destiny?

Aiden and Sarah exchanged glances and slowly kept two boxes from their hands on the ground, between them, slightly in the back. Their eyes were darting over bodyguards. Bodyguards glared at them with body postures which showed that they are ready to pounce at them any minute.

Sarah was not sure where these men came from. They didn't look like people who surrounded them previously. Just whose men are these? She didn't need to wait long to find out. A low, slow laugh came from behind bodyguards. It took few seconds for the man to stand in front of them so that they can see him.

"Akmal…" Sarah recognized pompous man. "What a surprise to see you here."

He glared at her with eyes full of hate. "Woman, wait your turn to speak!"

Sarah was outraged. "What age do you live in?"

"Silence! If you don't know your place, maybe I should teach you." Akmal sneered.

Aiden stood protectively in front of Sarah and glared at Akmal. 'Who does he think he is to talk to my Sarah like that?' He was ready to jump on him and to use his fists to show him that no one is allowed to speak to her in such a crude manner.

Sarah placed her hand on Aiden's shoulder to hold him back and stood next to him. "I know my place. I'm first. I proved that in the game tonight… or did you forget?" She grinned.

Sarah understood their disadvantage in numbers, but this man was out of line. Even if they get some beating, she is sure that she will give more than few good hits to this arrogant man in front of her. Talking rubbish and threatening her, obviously upset because he lost. Well, if he is not ready to lose, he should either improve his skills or not play. To add to the insult, he seems to hate that he lost to a woman. It seems that there are still men in this world who think of women as a lower grade citizen.

Akmal looked at Sarah with disgust. As if he is looking at a dirty animal. "Of course, I didn't forget. That is why I'm here."

"Just what are you trying to accomplish?" Sarah sees that he came to look for trouble. But after taking a glance around, she realizes that they are in a tight spot. She needs to come up with a plan. Chatting him up will give her some time to think of one.

"To take back what is mine and teach you a lesson. Woman like you needs discipline." He squeezed through his teeth and spat in front of him on the ground.

"Watch your mouth!" Aiden could not hold back his anger. He will beat this creepy man into a pulp.

Sarah realized that Aiden is about to snap and held his hand. Even she is upset, but they need to calm down and think rationally, they need a plan. If they just jump into this, they are at great disadvantage. Outnumbered and surrounded.

Just as Sarah was thinking what their next move should be, another group of men approached them in matching, steady footsteps. They all wore dark blue suits, which were obviously of high quality. Based on their clothes and movements, they belonged to the same group, probably under someone rich enough to afford dressing up all of them in such expensive outfits and to train them.

Sarah felt her head swelling. 'Now what?!' But her mood improved a bit when she saw that Akmal is confused as well. 'Ha! At least they are not his… but that does not mean they will be on our side.' She held Aiden's hand tightly and braced herself for what is coming.

Aiden held onto her hand as well. He will not let go. No matter how bad the situation is, he will make sure she gets out of this safely. Sarah is his first priority. Now he just needs to come up with a plan how to accomplish that…

They were both glancing at the buildings surrounding them, trying to find an escape route. If needed, they will abandon those two boxes on the ground between them and run for it.

"You have no honor!" Angry voice came from behind two rows of precisely lined up men in dark blue suits. Man stepped in front and Sarah saw that it's Shing.

Sarah inhaled and held her breath for a while. 'Great! He was not very friendly during the game…' She was not sure what he wants. 'Why is Shing here? Is this common that after game players meet in the back alley and fight for it? Then we could just skip the cards and earn prizes with our fists! If I knew, we would bring all those bodyguards which work for White family!' Sarah was upset by all this crazy development but reminded herself to stay calm. If Shing joins Akmal, Aiden and she are doomed.

"What honor? What are you talking about?!!" Akmal was raging. "Do you think this woman has honor? A woman does not have right to have any honor!"

Shing frowned. "She won fairly. It should not matter if she is a woman or not."

"You are defending her? A woman? Why?" Akmal didn't make any sense. Sarah started assuming that Akmal just hates women. Period.

"I don't defend her because she is a woman. I defend her because you are wrong. She won. You need to accept your loss and move on. Leave." Shing saw that Akmal has no intention of backing down. "If you refuse, my men will add on to the loss you experienced at the table."

Akmal looked at the men behind Shing. He was definitely outnumbered. And compared to Shing's men who look trained, Akmal's men look like bunch of random ruffians. He realized that he has no choice and reluctantly signaled his men to leave. He glared at Sarah as he walked away. "This is not over, woman…" He squeezed through his teeth before leaving.

Sarah and Aiden glanced at each other, and then looked at Shing, not knowing what to expect. Akmal is gone, but if Shing decides to attack them, they will be in even bigger trouble. Or so it seems. Sarah took a mental note to hire some men next time they might end up into dangerous situation, like this.

Shing looked at Sarah and gave a small smile. He seemed uncomfortable.

Sarah didn't speak. She was observing him. After some time she relaxed, realizing that whatever Shing's reason is for being here, he is not here to attack them. But she still didn't let go of Aiden's hand. And he didn't let go of her either.

"You must be wondering why I'm here." Shing started.

Sarah and Aiden both nodded.

"I didn't come to fight with Akmal. I didn't know that he will be here. I was waiting for you…" Shing glanced between Sarah and Aiden and his sight fell on a larger box, where Ming dynasty vase is. "That vase is the reason I joined tonight's game. I am hoping that you are willing to sell it to me. Name your price."

"Why do you want it?" Sarah was curious if there is anything else hidden here other than just an old vase.

"I'm not at a liberty to disclose that. Are you willing to sell it to me?"

Sarah actually appreciated his honestly. How she sees it, it's better to say that you won't tell then to lie. Her opinion of Shing improved. "What if it's not for sale?"

Shing's mood fell. He took some time before answering. "That is your decision to make. I am a man of honor. I don't steal things. But I hope that you are willing to sell it to me."

Sarah's opinion of him improved even more. She observed this middle-aged Asian man in front of her for some time and had a feeling that he is sincere. 'A vase? What will I do with a vase… keep flowers in it?' Sarah glanced at Aiden before reaching for the box with the vase and handing it to Shing.

Shing took the box, and stood there in anticipation, waiting to hear price or whatever he needs to give for the vase.

"It's not for sale. But I will give it to you..", Sarah smiled.

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