Chapter 111 - Weekend in New York (1)

At the apartment, Sarah was planning what to pack for their trip to LA. "I'm thinking of taking Eve to LA, but I'm low on equipment.", she told Aiden.

"How do you get it?"

"From Orion Enterprise. Dad sends it to me... but I can't contact him now.", Sarah frowned.

"Why don't you ask Sophia?", he suggested.

Sarah thought about it. "I will try that." she sent a text to Sophia:

[Sarah]: "When you have few minutes, give me a call"

About half an hour later, Sophia called her: "I have ten minutes until next meeting."

"This will take three minutes." Sarah was happy that she got a hold of Sophia.

"I'm timing you. Go!" Sophia was joking, but she didn't have much time.

Sarah laughed. "Is there a chance that you can give me some of the small security equipment that Eve uses? ...I will pay you."

Sophia thought for some time before responding. "Yes, I can. Actually, I'm just looking at latest prototypes. Let me just check something."

After about thirty seconds, Sophia talked again. "I have a good batch here: sensors, microphones, cameras. They are latest products that we got with an acquisition. Smaller than our previous ones, and performance is better. No need to pay me, as long as you tell me your feedback when you use them. I can send them to you."

Sarah was excited. "Oh, they sound good. But I need them over weekend. If you send them, they will not be here on time."

"What's the rush?"

"Sunday evening, I have flight to LA. I need those for my LA location."

Sophia immediately thought of a solution. "If you are in such a rush, come to New York and pick them up. You can stay overnight at my place."

"That might work actually..." Sarah hesitated. "Aiden will come with me."

Sophia knew that this is coming. Sooner or later. "He can stay at my place also if that is your concern. I know you are living together. What's the point in me separating you?"

Sarah felt a relief. "Oh, you are the best! I will talk to him and let you know in a bit."

Sophia paused for a second before asking, "Do you want to meet the designer behind new equipment?"

"That would be amazing. I would love to hear more about it." Sarah honestly responded.

"I will see to arrange lunch or dinner. Depending on when you are here."

"OK. I will text you our flight information in a bit."

"I will be waiting." Sophia was happy that she will get to see her baby sister. They didn't see each other since Christmas.

...

Sarah went to the study, where Aiden was working. When he looked at her, she asked, "What do you think about a weekend in New York?"

"Business or pleasure?"

"Why not both?", she smiled.

"Sounds good.", Aiden nodded.

"Uhm... Sophia offered that we stay at her place overnight."

Aiden squinted his eyes. "Is there a question in there, or are you just letting me know?"

"If you have objections, then it's a question."

"I will leave that up to you, no objections from my side." After few seconds, Aiden added with a mischievous smile, "Make sure to ask if her place is soundproof."

"Oh...", Sarah blushed and cleared her throat. "I will check for plane tickets to New York, and then move ours for LA to depart from NY"

Aiden laughed seeing Sarah so bashful. "Let me know if you need help."

"I got it. You finish work and start packing.", Sarah left the study. She got the tickets for night flight. With time difference, they will be in New York on Saturday morning. She also moved their flight to LA to leave on Sunday evening from New York, and they will reach LA on Sunday at ten in the evening.

She texted Sophia that they will be in NY on Saturday morning, and Sophia called her. "Do you want me to pick you up?"

"We are good. I will call you when we settle in a hotel."

Sophia was outraged. "Hotel?! I thought you are staying at my place! I have a bedroom and a bathroom. What is that about staying in a hotel? Is it Aiden? He does not want to stay at my place? Does he want to avoid me?"

Sarah panicked. "No, no, no... it's not like that."

"Don't tell me that you don't want to stay with me."

"Nothing like that..."

"Then what is it? Without a proper explanation, you are not going to a hotel."

Sarah could not find a proper way to smooth out the situation, so she decided to play dumb. "Uhm... did I say hotel? Silly me. I meant that it would be great to spend a night at your place. No need to pick us up, we will take a cab. I have your address."

"Good. See you in the morning. How long are you staying?"

"Sunday at seven in the evening we have a flight for LA"

"OK. Based on these I will arrange for lunch or dinner with Felix."

"Felix?" Sarah never heard Sophia mention this name before.

Sophia explained. "Designer of security equipment that you are interested in."

"I see. Sounds good. We will see you tomorrow morning." Sarah hanged up, and saw Aiden looking at her.

He flashed a smile. "So… we will stay at Sophia's place?"

"She used emotional blackmail. I was helpless." Sarah shook her head.

"No problem. We will manage."

"I'm afraid to ask for clarifications of this vague statement."

"Then don't ask. Let's go and pack... Who is Felix?"

"Sophia has some new prototypes that Eve can use, she said that they are smaller and perform better. He is the designer..."

...

Sophia sent a message to Felix on the company chat app: "When you have few minutes, can you come to my office?"

He responded within seconds, "Two minutes."

Felix entered Sophia's office. "You asked me to come?"

"Yes. I have a personal request for you."

Felix perked up. "Tell me."

"Are you available for lunch tomorrow?"

Felix's eyes widened, and smile flashed across his face. "Yes, I am."

"Oh, good. I was concerned that you might have some plans. Can we meet for lunch?", Sophia looked at him.

Felix could not believe it... did he hear that right? He blinked few times and responded, "I am available."

"OK. I will send you the details after I make a reservation.", Sophia got on the phone, and asked her assistant. "Hi Susan, can you find a quiet restaurant that is open tomorrow for lunch? ... Yes, something downtown... Nice view is preferred... Nothing crowded, we will need privacy... Send me options when you have them."

Sophia hanged up and looked at Felix who was frozen, staring at her. She cleared her throat, "I will send you details after I make a reservation."

Felix woke up from a daze, and finally realized that she is telling him to leave. "OK... I will wait to hear back from you." He turned around and left Sophia's office walking stiff like a robot. 'Lunch?! With Sophia?!! On a Saturday?! Place with privacy and a nice view? WOW!' Felix thought that his mind is going to explode. 'She is interested in me! And so bold!'

Sophia observed his behavior with a complex expression, 'Today he is stranger than usual.'