Chapter 475 - Security conference (3)

Aiden ordered dinner to their room and two of them chatted while eating.

"What are your first impressions about the event?", Sarah asked.

He shrugged. "It's still early… the first event was OK. I found interesting how Viper handled…"

As much as Aiden started in indifferent tone, as he spoke about Viper's talk, Sarah cold see excitement in him rising. It was obvious that Aiden liked it, but she didn't want to rub it in. Sarah knows that Aiden wants to maintain his façade of an indifferent-cool-manly guy, and she is happy that in front of her he lowers his guard and acts freely. These moments when his face is lit up, and he shows a smile which reaches his eyes, are only for her to see. And she loves that very much.

They discussed Viper's strategies for a long time. It was a topic that attracted both Sarah and Aiden and they always enjoyed having technical discussions with each other. These discussions usually had an effect of them admiring each other's knowledge, and then making out and... but this chat got interrupted when event staff member brought in two laptops, one marked with 30 and other with 31.

"It's for the VIP event this evening. It seems we will need to our skills." Sarah assumed when she read note that came with laptops. "We need to dress up again, it will be video conference."

…

Video conference started, in attendance are three people in white cloaks and eight in dark red. Everyone's face was covered with a mask.

Each of the participants had their 'name' in bottom left corner of their respective chat windows. Sarah was curious about symbols for people in white.

One had a flamenco dancer. 'Man who spoke during social after event.', Sarah confirmed.

Second man had a lotus flower. 'This must be Patel.', Sarah remembered token that he left in their room.

Third man had something that resembles Chinese Imperial dragon. Sarah didn't know who this man could be, but based on his symbol, she assumed that he is Chinese.

Besides Aiden and her, there was five more participants wearing dark red cloaks. Sarah could tell that everyone was male. Sarah paid attention to their numbers: 8, 24, 62, 13, 1, 47.

Sarah's eyes opened wide when she saw number 1. That means that person finished the challenge first! Not to mention that four people in that group were faster than she is, based on their numbers. Sarah had to remind herself that no matter how good you are, there is always someone better. She needs to stay humble and improve her skills. Only when she claims spot number one will she have the right to relax.

She was itching to hear what this event will be. And based on the eyes of other participants, they were curious as well.

"Thank you for taking your time to join us in this event.", man with flamenco dancer symbol started, not leaving them much time to wait idly. "Introductions are not necessary, so I will go straight to the point. For this event, we have one server hiding sensitive information. We want you to find it, read it, and leave without trace."

"Hmph…", participant number one scoffed. "This looks like a job… what is the payment?"

"There will be money, of course.", man with lotus flower symbol said confidently.

Participant number one chuckled and said lazily, "I believe I speak for all of us when I say that we don't need money."

"And job opportunities!", man with flamenco dancer symbol added.

"Neither of us is lacking those either…", number 1 man shook his head.

Three people in white were obviously distressed, their eyes betrayed them.

After some time, man with dragon symbol spoke with urgency, "Viper agreed to provide assistance on one job to the winner of this challenge."

Man with number one paused, edges of his lips curved into a smile. It was obvious that he was satisfied with this. "You should have said that first…", he arrogantly said and leaned back into his chair.

Sarah was impressed with this man who had number one in his lower left corner. She could tell he is older than her, with white complexion… but other than that and his brown eyes Sarah had no other clues.

It is common knowledge that hackers like to keep their privacy and low profile for safety, but other than that they are arrogant and competitive. Without those two traits, they would not climb up on the hacker ladder.

Aiden could not see her expression under the mask, but he can tell that Sarah is dazzled by that man, obviously approving his behavior. Aiden reached toward Sarah and pinched her on the arm.

She winced and glared at him.

His head moved. Aiden probably made some expression, but Sarah could not tell because he had a mask. She grabbed pen and paper and wrote him a note: "What the hell?"

He took the pen and wrote a response: "Focus!"

She responded with large letters, trying to show her anger: "I am focusing!"

Aiden was frowning while writing his response, but she could not see that with his mask on: "On what exactly?" He was jealous. She was staring at someone else, in front of him!

She was about to give some response, when man with flamenco dancer symbol started giving instructions for the event. Sarah had to drop the note-exchange and to listen carefully. Having Viper assist you means you get his contact info as well… if all goes well, there is a possibility for more than one interaction. And having someone as Viper on your side is a good incentive for many, including Sarah.

Sarah and Aiden didn't see the challenge presented as a difficult task. It was very similar to what they did regularly at their job at White corp. Two of them were youngest amongst participants, but they had the most experience with this type of hacking. It showed. Sarah and Aiden successfully completed their task at almost the exact time way ahead of everyone else.

Man with flamenco dancer symbol was conflicted. "Hmm… you finished at about the same time. How do we resolve who gets the award?"

"I will yield and let 30 get the award.", Aiden said magnanimously.

Sarah knows that no matter who gets it, it's for both of them, but it still made her heart melt seeing that he is letting her take the first spot. "Thank you, hubby…", she responded without thinking.

Everyone in the conference was stunned. 'Did she just call him hubby?!!' Everyone was surprised except for a man with lotus flower symbol, he was smiling and shaking his head.

Sarah realized that she said more than necessary, but there was no going back. She awkwardly smiled and was happy that her embarrassment is covered by a mask.

Aiden didn't mind. He was happy. "You are welcome, wifey…" He had no problems showing their affection in front of anyone, even if they had masks on.

Man with the dragon symbol cleared his throat and concluded the event wishing everyone good night.

…

Three men in white stayed online after people in red got disconnected.

"Saurabh, is that why you are looking at 30? Because you get two in one?", man with dragon symbol asked.

Man with lotus symbol chuckled, "You saw through that, didn't you?" Then he switched to serious mode and gave them a warning, "They are mine. You can pick anyone else."

Man with flamenco dancer symbol didn't respond, and his expression didn't change either. Only his eyes flashed showing that he has something on his mind.

…

"Oh… I said too much!", Sarah was a bit upset for her slip of tongue after they disconnected. But she was not too much upset, after all, no one except for Patel has any idea who they are, right? So, who cares if they think they are married or not… "I hope you don't mind.", she looked at Aiden and relaxed when she saw him smiling.

Less than a minute later, she got three emails in her inbox: first one was with instructions how to contact Viper; second one was confirmation that $50k was deposited on her account; third one was a job offer to join a company in Spain. Name of company would be disclosed if she shows interest. Sarah was happy with this but decided to ignore third email. She has no intention to leave White corp. where Aiden is, and it's connected to Jeffrey, her brother-in-law and JoAnna.

"This is not bad… I wonder what the event will be tomorrow…", she giggled as she kept tablet away. Sarah reminded herself that tomorrow she needs to give way to Aiden and let him take the prize. If she always wins, he might develop a complex of inferiority.

Sarah was not aware that Aiden does not mind being second, as long as she wins. He loves to see her shine no matter what position he gets. If Sarah allows him to be by her side, nothing else matters.