Is this destiny?

While Steve and Jeff handled Vera, Bridgette slumped on the sofa in her office.

She was upset at Vera and Jeff and Steve. It is one thing for Vera to be shameless, that is her own problem. But how can Jeff and Steve be so ignorant?

As soon as Vera stepped into Jeff\'s office, Bridgette knew that Vera is putting up an act.

Bridgette looked at Vera\'s employee file and there she saw that Vera\'s performance in the marketing department is stellar. Vera is a high-achiever with a great track record and amazing organization and communication skills. That is why Steve picked her as a candidate for his replacement.

When Vera entered Jeff\'s office with a submissive posture and a meek smile on her face, alarm bells rang in Bridgette\'s head.

Bridgette guessed that she could provoke Vera to show her true colors, and she went for it. That mission was a complete success!

Bridgette snorted while hoping that those two ignorant men handled Vera properly, and if they didn\'t, Steve does not deserve her, and Jeff does not deserve JoAnna. What is the point of two handsome men with great brains for business if one alluring woman with a smile and batting eyelashes can fool them easily like she is tempting children with candies?

While thinking about JoAnna, Bridgette sighed. She is concerned about JoAnna. She would like to reach out and at least talk to her, but she has no way of contacting her.

Bridgette wondered, how can a day turn so badly? Bridgette remembers that they were bickering in the morning, and that she teased JoAnna that she looks like a whale (or a turtle) when she was stuck in that luxurious chaise which Jeff purchased especially for JoAnna during pregnancy.

Bridgette shook her head. What is the point of a chaise or flowers or thousands of other romantic and luxurious gifts when he is not giving her his time? Allowing Vera close to him, obviously means that he didn\'t think about JoAnna and their relationship. Jeff and Steve are recently stuck in the office, attending meetings, and brainstorming how to make money and expand companies while broadening their influence, and forgetting the things that matter.

Bridgette is anxious about the possibility that looking at Jeff and JoAnna she is seeing Steve and herself (in the future). 

Bridgette remembers how excited JoAnna was at the thought of going to Vegas and… Bridgette paused. JoAnna wanted to go to Vegas and meet with Sarah because there were some girls in distress, and they needed JoAnna\'s help. JoAnna was talking about her happiness of getting out of the house, but Bridgette didn\'t miss that JoAnna was concerned about those girls.

Bridgette made sure that her office door is locked, and she made a phone call.

"Hey, Sarah… Do you know where Anna is? I know that she does not want to talk to Jeff, and I promise not to tell him anything, but I am worried… I know that she is hurting, and I would like to be by her side…"

Bridgette ended her call and stared at her phone. Sarah assured her that JoAnna is safe and told her that she will give her a call back in a minute, because she wants to confirm with JoAnna if it\'s OK for Bridgette to join her. With this, Bridgette solidified her assumption that JoAnna is with Sarah. Somewhere in Vegas.

About ten minutes later…

"What took you so long?", Bridgette said immediately when she answered the call from Sarah.

"Don\'t be snappy at me, missy…", Sarah said with a smile on her face. "I was also looking into your transportation options to meet with Anna. Considering the time, you will stay overnight, or you can leave meeting with Anna for tomorrow. Which one is it?"

Bridgette didn\'t need any time to think. She wants to see JoAnna and some time away from Steve would do them good. He is stupid and she is angry, and he needs to reflect on his actions, while she needs to cool off. "I will stay overnight."

"Great! How much time you need to pack?"

"I can be ready in half an hour.", Bridgette responded.

"OK. Don\'t forget that Anna does not want Jeff to know where she is, so if Steve can\'t keep quiet, don\'t tell him that you are going to meet with Anna. I don\'t know what excuse you will use, but I\'m sure you can think of something. If you are OK with that, get ready. Haru will give you a call in half an hour. He and few other kids will come here for a dinner and they will give you a lift… we will have barbeque…", Sarah explained excitedly.

~ Los Angeles, the Cliffside Villa ~

Sophia and Felix came to check on the kids.

Since Sarah and Aiden are on their honeymoon, Sophia and Felix stop by the Cliffside villa every evening, after Lia sleeps off for the night.

Lia normally sleeps from 5 PM to 5 AM the next morning, without waking up. Nanny is on a standby, just in case Lia stirs, so this is baby-free time for Sophia and Felix (until their second baby comes).

Sophia was surprised to see that all the kids are chatting excitedly. "Did something happen?"

"We will go and have barbeque with Sarah and Aiden for dinner.", Ade said cheerfully.

Sophia found that difficult to believe in. Aren\'t Sarah and Aiden on their honeymoon? How did it turn out into a group dinner? Her sight landed on Michael. As the oldest one, he seems to be the most credible. "Barbecue with Sarah and Aiden? Where are they? Why does it look like everyone is going?"

Michael confirmed. "They are in Vegas. It\'s less than an hour ride with a helicopter. They asked for the girls to come, and from the boys who wants, but everyone wants to go. In order to make sure there will be enough food, we are packing drinks and raw ingredients for the grill, and will leave in about fifteen minutes."

Sophia thought how that sounds wonderful. "Will you stay overnight?"

"No. We will return after dinner, probably before midnight."

Sophia\'s eyes sparkled. Since she is pregnant, other than going to work, she is spending the rest of her time at home in order to maximize family-time. And this barbecue-dinner in Vegas sounds… tasty.

Felix noticed that Sophia is excited about this. He asked Michael: "Do you have space for two more?"

Michael nodded. "I\'m about to call Noah for an additional helicopter because everyone is coming, so there will space."

Sophia leaned closer and asked Michael in a half-whisper. "You don\'t mind leaving the army without a command?"

Michael assured her that it\'s not a problem. "We will be in the newest base. Us being there or here does not make much difference."

Sophia and Felix thought that this sounds great, and they were excited to join.

Felix got on the phone to inform their cook that they will be back late so there is no need for him to prepare dinner. And he also called Lia\'s nanny to make sure the woman is extra-alert because she is the only one in charge of Lia now. 

Sophia saw that Oni is the only one not bouncing around. "Is everything OK?"

Oni yawned. "Yeah. I\'m tired and I would rather sleep, but Sarah said for all the girls to come. So, I need to storm through this."

Sophia checked the time and saw that it\'s only few minutes past five-thirty in the afternoon. "Since when you sleep so early?"

"I\'m busy during the day and studying at night, so…"

Sophia frowned. "Are you behind with your studying?"

Oni was startled. "No, no… I\'m just brushing up, last polish before the exams…"

Sophia didn\'t buy it, but she didn\'t want to expose Oni. "OK. As long as you know what you are doing. Keep in mind that health comes first."

Oni smiled and found a chance to get further away from Sophia. Sophia is too observant and might expose Oni to Sarah.

Sarah gave Oni few additional things to take care of, and she is cramming to study, so it all added up to her being exhausted. Oni is usually a fast learner, and it does not take her much to prepare for exams, but the only thing on her mind is that foreplay she and Michael did once, and she wants to do it again, so she is distracted.

Due to all this, they are not finding any time for intimacy. Michael told Oni that once her exams are over, they will go on a proper date. But that is still two exams away. And as much as her mind is thinking about touching and kissing, her body just wants to sleep.

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