Is this destiny?

Ron and Zula hugged while dancing for an unknown measure of time. It was at least three songs, how much Zula observed. But she didn\'t mind. Sticking close to Ron felt good. Even the scent of his aftershave smelled so good to the point of making her feel dizzy. She didn\'t know if he really shaves or he just applied it for the sake of smelling manly… either way, it worked in getting her to inhale deeply more than once.

"You will not ask me what that was about?", Ron asked Zula.

"I saw how that woman wants to be close to you, and you don\'t. That\'s all I need to know.", Zula responded.

It\'s not that she is not curious, but she can see that Ron is uncomfortable and she does not want to demand of him to tell her more. If he wants to explain, he will.

He inched away from her and looked her in the eyes. "Thanks."

"Not a problem.", she winked. "You are my date. I need to take care of you."

Ron observed Zula\'s cheerful expression and thought about her words: date. He never dated a girl. He was young when his stepmother started abusing him and he was so messed up that he never thought of dating a normal girl, someone his age. But now: here he is. Holding a girl in his arms, and she is smiling at him, and she said that he is her date. It is a pairing that Sarah and Aiden determined for this mission, but it\'s the closest to the real thing he ever was.

Ron always thought that Zula is cute and smart, and her sniping skills are mind blowing… and he wondered if Zula would be with him without this \'special situation\'.

"If you had a chance to pick someone else to be a pair with for this mission. Who would you pick?", Ron asked.

Zula frowned slightly. "Why would I pick anyone else?"

"Are you saying that you would pick me?"

Zula paused and her eyes darted over his face nervously. "I guess."

"What if there is no mission?"

Zula was not sure where he is going with these questions. "You are not making any sense. What are you trying to say?"

"What I\'m trying to say is… Will you go on a date with me? A real one?" Ron held his breath while waiting for her response.

Zula blinked few times while wondering, is this real or a dream? Did Ron just ask her on a date? Does that mean they are dating if she says \'yes\'? Gosh! Her first date! And with Ron!

With her mind racing a thousand thoughts a second, she blurted a question: "Where?"

Ron saw how nervous Zula is, and somehow… that made him relax. He smiled. "I don\'t know. Say \'yes\' and we can figure it out."

Zula lowered her head. "OK."

Ron touched her chin, tipping her head up to look at him. Without any warning, he lowered his head and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.

Zula froze. The only thing moving was her heart which pounded violently, threatening to burst out of her ribcage. Two seconds later, she swiftly covered her lips with tips of her fingers.

"That was my first kiss…", she said weakly.

Ron smiled and pulled her hand down before placing it on his shoulder in a position for dancing. "You are my first date. It\'s only fair that I take your first two kisses."

"Two?", Zula asked, and her eyes widened in shock when she felt Ron\'s lips on hers again. It was a quick peck, quicker than the first one, but it still counts as a kiss!

"Ron!", she whispered furiously.

He chuckled, finding her angry expression adorable. "OK. I will stop because you don\'t like it."

"I didn\'t say I don\'t like it.", Zula mumbled shyly.

Ron wanted to say something, but Sarah\'s icy voice drifted from the side: "Ron. What are you doing?"

Ron\'s grin faded as an ominous feeling enveloped him and he was not sure how to answer. Based on Sarah\'s tone, she saw him kissing Zula. Why does she need to ask?

"Keep in mind where you are.", Aiden said sternly. "This is not a high school dance where it\'s OK to smooch around."

"Yes, Boss.", Ron and Zula said quietly in unison.

Aiden twirled Sarah few times and they danced away from Ron and Zula.

Ron grinned when he saw that Aiden and Sarah moved away and the scolding is over, and he looked at Zula.

Zula narrowed her eyes on him. "What is funny?"

"You said that you like when I kiss you."

She looked away, unable to face his adorable boyish grin and be angry at him. "Let\'s get something to eat."

Ron nodded in agreement and extended his arm for Zula to take. "Sure, my dear. Let\'s focus on the mission…", Ron leaned closer and added: "We can kiss more later."

…

"Are you guys enjoying the party?", Jeff asked his friends when he approached their table and sat on Steve\'s chair. Steve was dancing with Bridgette at the moment.

Bradley, Vincent, Christopher and Russel looked at Jeff and nodded politely.

"Are you enjoying?", Bradley asked.

"So far, other than dinner I\'m just shaking hands. How is that enjoyable?", Jeff indirectly said that he is not having fun.

"A meeting without me?", Jasper sat on Bridgette\'s chair.

"How can that be?", Russel responded jokingly.

They all laughed.

Bradley\'s, Vincent\'s, Christopher\'s and Russel\'s dates went to the ladies\' room. All four of them are from prominent families and they are sensible to give space to their dates to work on their business network.

Felix and Charlie joined the table.

Jeff introduced Charlie to others. They know each other from their business reputation, but not in person. They all clicked well immediately, and the mood was good at the table.

It didn\'t take long for Jarred to notice Charlie chatting and laughing with all those young men whose names are well known in business and he teared up a bit. This is more than he expected... Charlie is doing great. Jarred\'s smile faded when he saw Marcus approach the table with youngsters. He brought that to Elanor\'s attention.

"Hi Jeffrey…", Marcus called when he approached Jeff.

"Uncle…", Jeff called back.

Marcus contemptuously looked at young men seated at the table. "I see you have your loyal dogs."

Jeff knew that Marcus is provoking him, but he was unable to let it go. He stood up and faced his Uncle.

Aiden saw the scene from the dancefloor and gestured to Sarah. Aiden was next to Jeff in a second.

Jeff glanced at Aiden and adjusted his mood slightly, but he was still angry.

"They are called friends. Something you don\'t know about.", Jeff sneered at Marcus.

Marcus looked at two brothers side-by-side and the scene irked him more than he wanted to admit. "No respect.", Marcus squeezed through his teeth.

Jeff nodded slightly, confirming Marcus\' words. "Respect needs to be earned."

"Brother…", Oscar approached Marcus, interrupting whatever he wanted to say. "I would expect you to come and greet us at the table and leave youngsters to entertain themselves."

Oscar gestured toward their table and Marcus looked at Jeff for a second before going there.

"That is your Uncle?", Vincent asked.

"Yeah.", Jeff went back to his seat.

Aiden sat by his side.

"Do you know when he will make his move?", Jasper asked Jeff.

"Soon. In next few weeks probably.", Jeff responded.

"Let us know when you need assistance.", Russel told Jeff.

All of them are aware that Marcus is coveting Jeff\'s position and they told Jeff that he can count on them.

They all agreed that the old man came to provoke them. 

"Eh...", Christopher threw a mocking glance at Marcus. "Did he think we will all start fighting with him and cause a scene?"

Bradley smiled maliciously. "We will take all of his wealth. That is how we fight."

They all raised their glasses and cheered to that.

Jeff knows that his friends would help him when needed, but hearing it still felt good.

They chatted for a bit more and then Jeff and Aiden went to join Sarah and JoAnna who were picking items from the table with desserts.

It was a remarkable sight: Jeff in white, JoAnna in silver and Sarah and Aiden in black, like their opposites. Four royals, representing the light and the dark side.

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