Chapter 603 - Plans, plans, and more plans (1)

~ Los Angeles ~

When JoAnna and Jeff arrived at the restaurant, Sarah and Aiden were working on their third order of appetizers. Well, it was mostly Aiden, since Sarah had only few bites.

They didn't mind the wait. Two of them talked about progress and future plans related to their cliffside home which seemed like never-ending topic for them.

"Sorry we are late…", JoAnna apologized when she took her seat at the table.

Jeff gave a nod, which had a meaning: ' what she said '.

Aiden was about to voice his displeasure because they had to wait with ordering food due to Jeff and JoAnna coming late, but Sarah distracted him by giving him the menu. "You can order now." He was not really upset, but he wanted to make a point that it's not OK to leave them waiting.

"I will make a double order and Jeff gets to pay for it.", Aiden glared at Jeff.

Jeff smiled and didn't object. He glanced at JoAnna and remembered why they are late. That is worth more than many dinners.

Sarah asked JoAnna how she is doing, and JoAnna did her best to convince her sister that she is fine. Sarah didn't believe her. She was able to see that something is weighing on JoAnna's mind no matter how much she smiled. And Sarah was right that JoAnna has something grim on her mind, but she was wrong related to the reason.

Sarah thought that JoAnna is stressed about the kidnapping incident.

The truth is that JoAnna's mood is clouded with thoughts about Enrique and what she will do to him after dinner. She craved for revenge. JoAnna wanted to punish him because he wanted to use her against Jeff. And because he dared to hurt her, Bridgette and bodyguards who accompanied them. She was still not sure what Enrique's goal was for the kidnaping, but JoAnna was confident that by end of this night, she will get all her questions answered. She already had all her necessities packed in her bag, and she is ready to go with Jeff after dinner to the place they are holding Enrique.

Food arrived and based on the elegantly plated dishes and mouthwatering aroma, they all agreed that Jeff made a great choice in picking this restaurant.

Sarah looked at Aiden's satisfied expression and thought how he really behaves like a small child when he is hungry. She wondered who will be fussier when hungry, between Aiden and their children… one day, when they have them.

She smiled at the realization that she actually thought of two of them having children. And it was not even an IF, but it was with WHEN.

"Why are you not eating?", Aiden asked between bites when he observed Sarah staring at him, looking bashful and happy at the same time. He wondered what she was thinking, but when he saw her lowering her head and avoiding his gaze, he realized that she will not tell him even if he asks.

"Do you need me to feed you?", Aiden made an innocent offer, but his devilish smile told Sarah there is more to it.

She remembered that every time he feeds her, some food 'accidentally' ends up on her. And she likes ' cleaning service ' Aiden provides, but this is not the time or place for such activities. She picked up her utensils and started eating.

"Did you guys see our email about graduation?", Sarah asked JoAnna and Jeff while trying to distract herself from memories of Aiden's ' cleaning service ' which started flashing in her mind.

JoAnna nodded. "We will be there."

Sarah was happy to hear that. "Mom and dad confirmed that they are coming. We are not sure about Oscar and Elanor…"

"They are coming.", Aiden said.

"Oh… then we only need to hear from Sophia and Felix."

"I'm sure they will also come.", JoAnna said. "You look happy about graduation."

Sarah leaned on Aiden and spoke to JoAnna. "Besides my handsome fiancé being a valedictorian, you realize that this will be the first time our parents meet in person?"

"Oh, you are right. Let's plan for something." Suddenly JoAnna was excited about this graduation event as well.

Sarah was happy with JoAnna's reaction. "I was thinking that we all go for a dinner. The graduation ceremony is in the afternoon, and with a cocktail party at University after that, there will be not much time to do anything other than dinner. I assume that most people will head back by morning."

JoAnna frowned. "So, besides that cocktail party and a dinner, they won't have much time to talk…"

"Why are you worried?" Jeff looked at JoAnna. "Knowing Elanor and Stella, if they want to talk, they will create the opportunity. And Oscar and Edward will not talk no matter what you do. There is no need for us to make any plans."

They all had to agree with this assessment.

"What do you think about your security enhancements for the resort?" Sarah looked at JoAnna expectantly.

"It's great. If Regina tries anything I will know. Thank you." JoAnna remembered that she needs to deal with that pesky woman also. "Did you find anything about Regina that I can use?"

Sarah glanced at Aiden, and he realized that he needs to talk about this. He spoke to Jeff and did his best to avoid JoAnna: "Besides regular stuff about their company, we also found something interesting from their security video backups… her father encouraged her to approach you. It seems he has plans of expanding his business with help of White corp."

Jeff frowned. "What do you mean?"

Aiden nudged Sarah, telling her to take over.

Sara was not happy to talk about this, but Aiden stuffed his mouth with food on purpose, and Jeff was now looking at her. She took a deep breath before speaking: "Her family will be happy if Regina hooks up with you, so that they use White corp. to increase their profits… but it's probably best if you listen to the recordings yourself. There is more than one."

JoAnna exhaled. She was frustrated, but she didn't want to say anything. At this point, JoAnna was mentally exhausted and wanted this Regina-drama to end as soon as possible.

JoAnna turned to Jeff: "Do I need to wait for you to investigate Regina's family before I take care of her?"

Jeff held JoAnna's hand in his. "You can take care of her anytime. But it will be safer if we first cut off her escape routes. As long as her family has money, they will have influence to bail her out from almost any predicament."

Sarah saw that JoAnna is considering to take care of Regina later. "If you are pushing Regina-thing for later, we can use this weekend for the mystery activity that Aiden planned for guys."

'Mystery activity' is the team-building event which Aiden planned after Edward scolded them for lack of teamwork on the day of Sophia's and Felix's wedding.

Sarah was surprised that Aiden planned everything to quickly, and she was irritated that he was hiding the reason why they need to go to a mountain cabin in Canada and spend three full days surrounded with snow. It's not that he didn't want to tell her, but he was ashamed to say that Edward caught and scolded them because each of them sneaked in the bed of their loved one. As a compromise, he showed her photos of luxurious cabin where they will stay and told her that girls can hang out inside and enjoy hot cocoa and roast marshmallows in the fireplace while guys are busy with their activities. She wanted to know more, but his lips were sealed. And he made her promise not to hack into his personal files. 

Aiden lit up at the thought that they will get to move this earlier than originally planned.

JoAnna laughed when she saw how Aiden's mood suddenly improved. "Are Sophia and Felix available?"

Sarah confirmed. "Big sis said that this weekend they don't have other plans."

JoAnna glanced at Jeff and saw that he does not mind either way. "OK, then. I could use some change in scenery." JoAnna looked at Aiden. "There will be change in scenery, right?"

"Absolutely!" Aiden's mind moved immediately in planning for all arrangements for their trip.