Chapter 30 - Christmas party (2)

JoAnna and Sarah looked at young men without showing any emotions. This put them in awkward position, and they struggled to start the conversation. Sisters did this on purpose. When they embarrass the pursuers like this, they usually don't try again.

"I hear you like dogs also, is that correct?", Mathew said to JoAnna.

"No.", JoAnna responded.

Mathew started sweating and fidgeting nervously. She just threw him under the bus! Her mom told him that she likes dogs, why is she denying it?

On the other side, Johnathan talked with Sarah, "Do you like sports cars?"

"Mhm", Sarah nodded lightly.

"Which one are your favorites?", he asked.

"Fast ones", Sarah responded.

"Do you like car races?"

"Depends on who is racing"

Johnathan started sweating in front of the Sarah who had an expression so cold that she could freeze whole venue. Johnathan is taller than Sarah by at least one head, but he felt so small in front of her, and it appeared like she is looking at him from above. 'She is only 19, how can she have such a domineering presence?', Johnathan was panicking inside. 'If I don't find a way to get her interested, I will blow my chance to make connections with Hill family'. He wrecked his brain trying to come up with a strategy that will work with Sarah.

Sarah was not impatient; she gave him time to think. Part of her enjoyed watching him burn himself while trying to get her attention. Sarah calmly stood in front of him, unaffected by his nervous fidgeting, while glancing at her sister who was giving hard time to the young man called Mathew.

'This requires a different approach', Johnathan thought, and then he came up a plan that will work 100%. He smiled, "It does not seem you are enjoying this event". His plan is that she will say that she is not enjoying and then he will suggest that they go somewhere else.

Aiden was watching as Stella left Sarah and JoAnna to talk with two men. The one facing Sarah was obviously interested in her. Aiden didn't like that. He was not able to see Sarah's expression, but he saw the man facing her nervously fidget. 'He is not successful in getting her interested.', Aiden smirked and walked toward Sarah. He admired her silhouette from the back. That dress exposed the skin on her back; it looked very inviting. He wanted to touch her. He heard the man say to Sarah, "It does not seem you are enjoying this event". Man's confident grin annoyed Aiden. 'Of course, she is not enjoying it when she needs to face you!' Aiden made another step toward Sarah, and responded to the man's remark, "Yes, it seems she is not enjoying. I wonder if I can help to fix that".

Aiden watched Sarah as she slowly turned toward him. When their eyes met, her face lit up and she smiled. She was like ice princess that melted and revealed a beautiful fairy who can dazzle anyone. But she was his. That smile was only for him.

"Excuse me, who are you?", Johnathan asked Aiden with a frown. But neither Aiden nor Sarah showed any sign that they acknowledged his presence. He was so mad that he clenched his teeth and squeezed his fists until his fingers turned white.

Aiden extended his hand to Sarah, palm up and she took it, without hesitation. They walked to the dance floor. Slow music was playing. When they reached middle of the dance floor, he stopped and faced her. His left hand held her right one, and his right hand landed on her back. He felt her skin under his palm and closed his eyes for a second, savoring the moment.

When Sarah felt his arm on her back, she shivered. She felt as her back is burning where he touched. They started moving with the beat of the music, without a word, their eyes locked at each other.

...

Back at the table with pastries, JoAnna noticed that Johnathan is by himself and has a big frown on his face. She followed his line of sight and saw Sarah dancing with Aiden. JoAnna raised her eyebrows, her expression showed curiosity. It was obvious that they are smitten with each other. "Do you know that young man who is dancing with my sister?", JoAnna asked Mathew.

"No", he responded. So far JoAnna was not responsive to his attempts to have a conversation, and since JoAnna asked him a question now, his hopes went up. But little did he know that this was the only time she would ask him anything, ever. From there onwards, she didn't even acknowledge his presence.

"Do you know who is that young man?", JoAnna asked Johnathan pointing towards Sarah and Aiden.

He just shook his head, still looking angry.

JoAnna was displeased that she didn't find out who that is. She curiously kept her eyes locked on her little sister and mystery young man who managed to pull her away. 'I need to find Sophia. She should know.'

...

Sarah and Aiden danced without word spoken, lost in each other's gazes. Not noticing anyone around them. It took a while before Sarah asked, "Why didn't you tell me that you will be here?"

"And to spoil the surprise?", he asked with an innocent expression.

Her eyebrows twitched slightly at his response.

"Are you surprised?", he asked.

She nodded. She remembered that he texted last night saying that they will meet each other soon. 'This is what he meant by soon', she thought. Sarah was so happy that he is right next to her, she felt like she is about to burst from emotion overload. It took her long time to notice, "Your hair..."

"What about it?", he smiled while waiting for her to comment on his new image.

"It's short", she stated the obvious. His haircut is now short on the sides, and longer on top. Top has a few messy strands, giving him a mischievous look.

"Do you like it?", he nervously ran his hand through his hair.

"Absolutely dashing", she reassured him with a wide smile. Sarah lifted her hand and touched his soft hair. She didn't touch his hair while it was long out of fear that she will mess it up. 'It's so soft…'

He could see that she approves his new look. His smile widened and he placed his hand back on Sarah's back. As she felt his palm landing on her back again, she closed her eyes and smiled. He noticed and liked her reaction. He slowly moved his fingers across her back. Sarah took a deep breath to steady herself.

They continued dancing like it's just the two of them in the world.

...

On the other side, JoAnna found Sophia, and was waiting for Sophia to be by herself so that she can ask her about the identity of the mystery man who is dancing with their sister. But even after more than half an hour, she was not able to talk to Sophia, since there seem to be an endless supply of people who wanted a chance to interact with the CEO of company in a casual atmosphere. Just as JoAnna was about to give up, Sophia looked at her after few people left.

"Hey, our baby sister is dancing with a young man. I wonder if you know who he is", JoAnna made use of her chance.

"Where?", Sophia asked.

"There...", JoAnna showed towards the middle of the dance floor, but Sarah was not in sight. "Give me a second. Maybe they moved". JoAnna was not able to find them on the dance floor. "Seems they are not there. He is few inches taller than Sarah even with her heels included, short black hair, straight nose, handsome young man. Do you know who that is?"

Sophia was looking at JoAnna with a sour expression, "I can point at least 50 people here that match that description. You don't have anything more specific?"

"Well, I didn't get close enough to see more.", JoAnna defended herself.

"CEO Hill, I was wondering if you can spare me few minutes of your time...", a young man approached them.

JoAnna nodded at Sophia and moved away to give her sister space to chat. 'Where did they disappear?', she continued searching for Sarah and Aiden.

"You are Jeffrey White, from White corp. Correct?", Sophia asked man who approached her.

"Correct.", he acknowledged.

"Thank you for coming to our humble event. I hope you are enjoying", Sophia said.

Jeffrey nodded, "Yes. It is well organized."

"Did you come by yourself? Do you want me to arrange some networking for you?"

"Thank you. I came with my younger brother.", he gestured toward the dance floor. "It was a productive evening. I'm heading home early tonight. Thank you for inviting us."

"Very kind of you. We appreciate our relationship with White corp. and hope that our successful collaboration will continue.", Sophia said. "Let me know if we can make your stay and trip more comfortable."

"Thank you for your kindness. Have a good night", Jeffrey said as he shook Sophia's hand and walked away.

...

Sarah and Aiden were sitting at a table with snacks and beverages, chatting. Young man approached them. "I'm leaving.", he said to Aiden.

"OK", Aiden responded.

Young man looked at Sarah and asked, "You are here because of her?"

Aiden nodded, and said "This is Sarah." Then he looked at Sarah while pointing at the young man, "My big brother, Jeffrey."

Jeffrey extended his hand, "Nice to meet you."

Sarah accepted his handshake, "Same here."

Jeffrey looked at Sarah and then at Aiden, "You two take care." He turned around and left without waiting for a response.

As she looked at Jeffrey's back, Sarah turned towards Aiden, "How long are you staying?"

"Until tomorrow evening", Aiden responded. "Do you want us to do something tomorrow?"

"Absolutely!", Sarah beamed.

"What do you want to do?", he asked.

"I don't know yet. Give me some time to think.", she said with a big smile.

He laughed.