Chapter 410 - Sarah's birthday (10)

They watched the sunset over the cove. It was a beautiful sunset, for the ones who watched it.

Sarah was resting in Aiden's embrace, and enjoying company of her friends. These six people around her, that she considers friends are the only ones that so far didn't betray her trust. Aiden is not in this group; he has a separate place in her life.

With these six people, she can smile and relax. With Nick included that makes it seven, but he is not here now. Sarah wondered if Nick will come tomorrow to their hideout, or maybe day after tomorrow. Another question that popped in her head is if Nick was sincere as a friend, or was he acting nice only because he was interested in her. There is a chance she will never find out an answer to that.

As the sun went below the horizon, they started a bonfire and seated themselves sporadically around it.

Sarah's gaze paused on each face lit up by dancing flames and completely stopped when she saw that Lucija and Petar are kissing. 'Since when are these two together? Did they hook up just now?' She didn't know they are in a relationship. But no one else paid them any attention. Do they not see them? Or don't care about it?

Sarah tugged Tereza's arm who was sitting nearby. "Do you see that?" Sarah pointed with chin toward the couple who kissed like there is no tomorrow.

Tereza smiled and gave a small nod indicating that it's nothing new.

Sarah was surprised. "Since when?"

Tereza shrugged. "A year, maybe?"

"Oh..." Sarah fell into a daze. 'How come I didn't notice?'

Aiden observed people around them while playing with a strand of Sarah's hair. It was obvious that all of them, except for Eliza, are here together because of Sarah. She is the core of this group. And it seems that she did something for each of them. Something so important that they decided to follow her. Aiden wanted to find out the details, but he knows that Sarah will not tell him. She never likes to talk about good things she did, like she is ashamed of it. 'She thinks that is bragging, maybe?' Aiden wants to ask each of them about their story, but in order to get the information he craves for, he needs to catch them individually, when Sarah is not there.

Emir complained how there is no more beer.

"I will go and check!" Sarah volunteered. She was wondering if these rascals left any food in the fridge, or did they just take it all. Considering how much food they wolfed down, Sarah was concerned that there is nothing left. This is a good chance to check.

Sarah gave a quick kiss to Aiden. "I will be right back."

Aiden wanted to go with Sarah, but a moment later he changed his mind. 'This is a great chance to get some answers to questions which are burning inside me.'

When Sarah entered the house, Aiden looked around and noticed that Tereza is nearby, spacing out while staring unfocused at the bonfire.

He shifted closer to Tereza and tugged her arm. Tereza looked his way and froze. She was probably expecting Sarah. When she realized that it's Aiden, her body stiffened, and she blushed.

He found her reaction partly entertaining, and partly frustrating. 'Why is she blushing? Does she not know that I'm with Sarah?' He wanted to smile to loosen her up but decided not to.

Aiden cleared his throat. "Do you mind telling me why you are part of Sigma's army?"

He could see that she frowned for a second. 'Does she not want to tell me? Or did she expect a different question?'

Tereza was quiet. Aiden thought that she will not say anything and gave up. He looked away. A second later Tereza started speaking and he listened attentively.

Tereza cleared her throat first. "About five years ago, I was eighteen year old. I created a 'signal jammer' how I called it. It gets plugged between network card and a network cable, and it's supposed to jam any unwanted incoming signal. So, if you are hacking, they can't trace you back. I organized 'show and tell' in a local internet café. I plugged my 'signal jammer', and audience gathered to watch live demonstration. I hacked into police station... long story short, my jammer didn't jam anything. When I looked around, all my audience was gone. Everyone left, except for one girl who was looking back at me and asked: 'Do you need help?' I didn't hesitate. I was in panic... As she took my seat, I thought of fleeing the place, following example of my audience... and then I saw her fingers moving so fast that they became blur. I never saw such skills. She diverted their signal and sent them somewhere far away, in China maybe... and then she fixed my jammer... and then she left. It took some time for her to appear in the same internet café again. I know because I waited for her every day. In last five years, she taught me many things, she fixed many gadgets I created... and she never asked for anything in return. Sarah is a giver. I decided to follow Sarah because I'm selfish. Because she is able to do things no one else can, and I hope to get some scraps from her brilliance. Who knows, maybe some of that brilliance rubs off on me if I stick close enough to her?" Tereza laughed and her gaze went back on the bonfire.

Aiden concluded that she is done talking. "Thank you." Tereza didn't respond, but he was sure that she heard him because a faint smile appeared on her face.

Aiden moved back to his original position and thought about what he heard. 'That sounds like Sarah. Always ready to help.' He observed that now she is helping only her sisters, and to him, of course. It seems there was a time when she would extend her help to total strangers. He was now more eager to hear stories from others.

At that time Mishi and Eliza excused themselves. Mishi said that Eliza is tired, and he is going to give her company for some time. No one questioned them. Everyone wished them a good night. Well, everyone present, except for Lucija and Petar who were all over each other, unaware of anything that is happening around them. Few people wondered if Mishi will be coming back or sleep off with Eliza. They would like to return to the mainland that evening.

Aiden observed time, and at the thought that Sarah still didn't came back he got worried. 'What is taking so long?' He stood up and walked to check on her.

Aiden found Sarah in the kitchen. She was leaning on the wall while facing the window with a view of bonfire. Her back was facing him, and she was not moving.

"Sarah?" He called and saw the she flinched. She didn't turn around. Aiden walked to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Did something happen?" He gently turned her to face him. Aiden observed her face and touched her chin to make her lift her slightly lowered head. "Why are you sad?"

"I was just remembering some things... and I thought how it would be nice if Nick is here also." Sarah looked at Aiden. "It's nothing, really. He needs more time to get over it, and I'm impatient."

Aiden thought that there is more to it, and he was not wrong. "Are you sure that's it?"

Sarah hesitated. "I also thought that there is a possibility that he will not get over it. Is it wrong to have expectations from people?"

Aiden shrugged. "It depends on expectations."

"I just want that people don't try to take advantage of me." She lowered her head again.

He pulled her close to him. "Ah! But humans are inherently selfish. We don't do anything without benefit." Aiden's forearms rested in the cradles of her waist and his palms held her back firmly.

Sarah looked at him with a slight frown and tilted her head. "Are you with me for the sake of benefits?"

Aiden closed his eyes and let out a low humming sound from the back of his throat. "You have no idea, baby. I need to be with you for the sake of my sanity. When you are not close by, my whole existence crumbles... You can take that as a yes. Yes, I am with you because I'm selfish. Extremely selfish. I don't want to share you with anyone, and I don't care how anyone else feels about it. I was never this greedy before. And it feels so good that I can't describe it with words." His right arm went behind her neck while his lips found hers.