Chapter 106 - Security enhancement (1)

~ Fairfield ~

Sarah is on the sofa in the living room of their penthouse, with her laptop. She is completing her proposal for security enhancement for White corp. "I'm almost done. Just to review few points... Will you have time to review it before I send it to Jeff?", Sarah asked Aiden.

Aiden was sitting next to her, working on his laptop. "I will always make time for you.", he responded with a smile.

Sarah stared at his devilish smile and blushed. "Don't get me all flustered!" She fidgeted for a second, "Just a simple 'yes' would be enough. You don't need to flirt."

He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. "I can't help myself."

Sarah pouted and shook her head in disapproval. But she could not remove her smile. She loves that they can sit together like this, and flirt, and kiss. 'Being this close to Aiden is the best!'

...

Later that day, Aiden was reviewing Sarah's proposal, and she was anxiously expecting his comments.

"Sarah, this is a lot", he said when he finished.

His voice was flat, and Sarah was not able to read if he likes it or not. "Not good?"

"I didn't say that. I said that it's a lot. You are about to change almost everything. It will be a large project if Jeff agrees to it.", he explained.

"But it will improve security, right?", Sarah needed confirmation.

"Definitely, it will be much better.", he nodded.

"And also, this is just a proposal. It's open for discussion. When I wrote the document, I thought that this will be close to ideal, but if there is a restriction in terms of time or resources, we can negotiate. Right?"

Aiden looked at her in disbelief. "Negotiate? With Jeff? You don't know my brother. He does not negotiate. It's always a yes-no situation with him."

Sarah frowned, but didn't comment further. She thought how Jeff sounds non-flexible.

Aiden looked at the document with complex expression, it seemed that he has more to say, but he is careful how to say it. Sarah was patiently waiting for him to continue.

"You should keep in mind that Jeff is not very technical. I would add more non-technical information in section about benefits, operational efforts, automation... That will help him understand better what you are trying to do. And he will see that even with this initial investment, the payoff will be great."

Sarah's face lit up thinking that Aiden does like her proposal. "OK. Thanks! I will work on this now." She took her laptop from Aiden and started typing.

"What do you think you are doing?", Aiden frowned.

"Adding information", she glanced at him and continued typing.

"What about my payment?"

"For what?", Sarah was confused.

Aiden smiled, "For reviewing your proposal."

Sarah didn't look at him, her attention was on her laptop. "You spent less than ten minutes on this. What do you want for payment?"

He kept her laptop on the coffee table and started moving toward her while licking his lips.

Only then Sarah looked at him and his intention was obvious. "Oh, that is doable...", Sarah giggled while wrapping her arms around his neck.

...

That evening Sarah sent final version of her proposal to Jeff.

"That is done. Now to try and reach Vivian again.", Sarah got her phone and unlocked it.

"Still no luck with her?", Aiden asked.

"She responded to my texts, so I know she is alive. But she is not picking up when I call, and two times already she found excuses to avoid meeting in person. Something is going on.", Sarah was worried.

"Maybe she is busy.", Aiden guessed.

"Busy? With what? Look at us... there is no schoolwork."

"But we are busy", he hugged her and kissed tip of her nose.

"You are flirting again!"

"I want more than just to flirt with you", he kissed her on the lips.

"Wait, wait... let me try calling her.", Sarah wiggled out of his hug.

Aiden pouted, but he let Sarah have some space to call Vivian.

After few rings, Vivian's voice responded. "Yes?"

Sarah almost held her breath. "Finally you picked up! Do you know how worried I am?"

"Sorry, I was just busy with stuff." Vivian mumbled.

"It's OK. I'm sure you have your reasons. How are you? Are you OK?"

"I'm fine, thanks."

"How is your schedule? Do you want us to meet? I would love to talk... I have so much to tell you. I was in Los Angeles last week, and it was very eventful." Sarah was excited when thinking about all that happened.

Vivian hesitated for few seconds before responding. "Sure, how about tomorrow afternoon we meet for a drink?"

Sarah's face lit up. "Sounds great! Do you want to come to my place and check it out?"

"No. How about this place?"

Sarah got a text message with an address. She looked it up on her laptop. She was not very enthusiastic about the location. "That is a bar... but OK. It's only three blocks from my apartment. What time?"

"Will 4 in the afternoon work?"

Even though Sarah does not like bars, it's in the afternoon. It should not be packed with drunkards. She thinks it's safe. "Yes, works. Let me know if something comes up on your side. Otherwise I will see you there."

"Sounds like a plan!"

"Yes, bye"

Sarah was happy that she got a hold of Vivian, and that Vivian sounds OK.

Sarah informed Aiden about the outcome of her talk with Vivian. "I will see Vivian tomorrow for a chat. In a B1S (Bones) bar three blocks away from here."

He frowned, "A bar? Why there?"

Sarah shrugged. "I don't know, Vivian picked a place. But it's close to here, so it's not a problem. At least I know it's in a good neighborhood... Do you want to join?"

Aiden thought about it, "I would like to... but at the same time I think you girls should have time to chat. Have fun and text me when you reach there, so I don't worry."

"Oh... I was not thinking of going without you...", Sarah was not happy to be away from him. "But you would probably be bored."

"Make sure you are safe. And always have your drink in front of you. If you lose sight of your drink, get another one.", he warned.

"Yes.", Sarah was happy he is cares about her, but sometimes he sounds like a worried parent. "You know I don't drink; I will be back before you know it."

Short amount of time apart might be good for them. Right?