Sarah was just staring at Jeff and JoAnna. She was not sure how to respond. Sarah is happy that they got them the house, but at the same time she knows that it's something expensive. Considering size, location and all the extra features, that house was at least tens of millions! She didn't expect this.
JoAnna moved closer to Sarah and held her hand. "Hey… I can see what you are thinking. How I see it, without your help I would not have my man or the resort. The resort is worth a lot, and thanks to you, we got it for one hundred dollars. Don't think that us getting you the house is too much, because you did a lot more for us."
Jeff was very happy to hear that JoAnna is talking about two of them as 'us'. That was music to his ears.
Sarah wanted to ask Aiden when he found out about Jeff's intention to buy that house for them. And how come he didn't tell her about it. But that can wait. She was still processing the fact that two of them are now owning that spy-dungeon cliffside house. Together with a topic of her stamp signature, list of things to talk about in private with Aiden was increasing.
"Thank you…", she said in a weak voice. Somehow all strength seeped out of her and she could not speak normally.
Aiden pulled her into a hug. "Now we have our home...", he whispered into her ear.
Sarah nodded and relaxed in his embrace.
"It seems we will need to hire staff for that house as well." Sarah was happy.
"I want to see how that house looks like.", Sophia reminded Sarah.
"Yes, yes… you can see photos on my phone.", Sarah beamed while fiddling with her phone. "And I will let you know as soon as we settle in, so that you come and see it in person."
"I have one more announcement…" JoAnna grinned. "I got approved to add second area of specialization to my residenship: DNA research!"
"Second focus?", Sophia was surprised. "Don't you have already a lot on your plate? With surgery, and the resort, all the work you are doing with Felix, and you will soon be Mrs. Jeffrey White… I don't mean that you should not do it, I'm just concerned that it might be too much."
JoAnna shrugged. "I don't know if it's too much. Deep dive into DNA is something I wanted to do for a long time. When we spoke about those two families going after us, it made me think what I can do. And this is something I CAN do. We already have strong anesthetics that can target different things. Now imagine if I make that something that is DNA dependent? Like a virus which targets only one person, or one family based on their DNA."
"Sounds like science fiction.", Sarah was excited.
"People flying was science fiction, until first plane got off the ground." JoAnna responded right away. "In new house I will set up my lab, so I can do a lot of work from there."
"Mad scientist", Sarah mumbled, teasing JoAnna. "That would be cool. If all that is too much, you can always slow down or drop something."
JoAnna was pleased that Sarah supports her. "Big sis, I can do this.", she told Sophia.
"I didn't mean to discourage you. I'm just concerned that you are stretching yourself thin over too many things. I am happy for you. But remember to rest and take care of your body." Sophia advised sincerely.
Jeff wanted to say that he is taking good care of JoAnna's body, but he swallowed his words. It was not appropriate to say that at loud.
JoAnna thanked Sophia for support. "I admit that I'm juggling many things. But I'm not alone. Besides you two, I have Jeff. And Bridgette is helping a lot as well. I don't feel overworked."
"Talking about Jeff's support…", Sarah interjected. "Who is Regina?"
JoAnna rolled her eyes. "How do you know about her?"
"Does it matter?"
"Bridgette…", JoAnna mumbled when she figured out who Sarah's source is.
"Who is Regina?" Sophia asked.
JoAnna realized that she needs to talk about that unpleasant woman. "Regina is a headache which Jeff brought into my resort. He is, as always, oblivious of women lusting over him. So, he brought one in, and by the time he realized what he did, she already made it clear that she is not going to back down easily."
"Please, give details… don't just summarize.", Sophia frowned.
JoAnna told them how Regina reacted when they met, during lunch and later in the afternoon. She also mentioned that next morning Regina went to White corp. HQ and demanded to get transportation.
Sarah didn't understand why is JoAnna playing with that unreasonable woman. "And you are not kicking her out because…?"
"Because I have a feeling that this one is like a boomerang. She will come back. I would rather keep my eyes on her, than kick her out and then I need to watch my back." JoAnna explained.
Sarah nodded in understanding. "I will go and visit your financial department when I come to the resort. I am curious to meet the woman who threatens you so much that you want to keep her close."
"Who said that she is threatening? And who said that I'm keeping her close? She can't get near Jeff or me if we are not at the resort. How I see it, she will spend a lot of time at the resort while I will be with Jeff in LA doing our thing." JoAnna was proud of her plan.
Sarah didn't think it's a good plan. "You know that she can spend all that lonely time plotting how to get to you?"
"That is a possibility." JoAnna had to admit. "But we are aware of her intentions, and with Steve and Bridgette always present, it will not be easy for her to make a move."
Sarah was not convinced. "When I come for a visit, I will set up some surveillance. It will help you keep an eye on her."
"Sounds good." JoAnna agreed. She saw that both Sophia and Sarah are worried. She wanted them to cheer up. "Relax you two. It's just one more wanna-be-girlfriend. They come as freebies when you get yourself a handsome man."
Sarah was frustrated seeing JoAnna being so relaxed. "Do not joke about this! It seems you forgot nightclub incident in Reno… That Roxy or whatever her name is… she tried to drug us, and she was close to succeeding! Is it possible that after that experience you are still taking wanna-be-girlfriends lightly? When they get desperate, they can do anything, and you saw it firsthand."
Jeff stiffened up, and so did Aiden. Both of them remember that incident clearly.
JoAnna also frowned and nodded. She had to admit that Sarah is right. "What do you suggest?"
Sarah spoke her mind: "I don't understand why you don't just fire her. But since you seem determined to keep her around, we will start with surveillance and when we observe some common behavior, we use that against her. I will look into her and see what I can find. Don't relax while waiting for her to make a move. You need to strike first, shake her up and send her packing. Aiden and I will be in Los Angeles, so we are close by. Every time you want to provoke her, call me. If you suspect anything, call me. Don't take unnecessary risks. You can always count on me."
"And you can count on me as well.", Aiden added.
"If we need to call it out, Felix and I are also available to support you in whatever you need.", Sophia told JoAnna.
JoAnna was happy that she has everyone's support.
She was sure that she has Regina under control. But after Sarah reminded her of Roxy, she became unsettled. JoAnna understands that she needs to get rid of Regina, otherwise she will always need to watch her back.