Is this destiny?

Aiden knew that Sarah wanted to handle these two, but they heard enough, and he didn't want to risk Sarah getting angrier. He gave Sarah a small squeeze on her shoulder, silently telling her that he will take over.

"You want to call security? Based on what? We didn't even approach the merchandise or you. Instead of them, how about you call your manager? When there is a conflict between a low-level salesperson like you and a customer, the manager should handle the situation, right?"

Bryn panicked at Aiden's words. If their manager comes here, which side will he take? Manager Qin is a vain person who puts his reputation first. What if they get in trouble? If these two are thieves, they would leave and not demand to see the manager… or maybe this is the tactic to confuse them.

Kaia smirked confidently. "You want to see the manager? Fine. Stay here." She walked through the door at the back and left them alone with Bryn.

"Is it always like this?", Sarah asked Bryn and a second later shook her head. "Don't answer because I know that it is."

Sarah glanced toward the mall through the large glass windows and observed the crowd that walked and chatted in a good mood, some with hands full of shopping bags… however, other than a few people who threw quick glances a the jewelry displayed in the mall-facing windows, no one paid attention to the Blanc store.

"With this attitude, no wonder we don't have customers…", Sarah mumbled.

Aiden rubbed Sarah's shoulder and pulled her toward the counter whose glass top served as a display case. "Don't let this spoil your mood. How about you look at these necklaces? Maybe you like something? Look… matching sets for men and women… and they even come in baby-sizes… you know that we can customize them, right?"

Sarah appreciated Aiden's efforts to distract her, but she was too upset to enjoy the shopping. She wondered if only Kaia is a lost cause, and where Bryn fits in.

"I like this one with rubies…", Sarah said and poked her finger in the glass display before gesturing to Bryn to come closer. "Can you show it to me?"

Bryn bit her lower lip nervously and she didn't move. She didn't know what to do. What if they are really thieves? What if they are taking advantage because Kaia stepped away? Who knows when Kaia will return? Will she be able to get ahold of the manager? Manager Qin should be around, but he usually leaves and stays out for hours.

"Uhm… I think that we should wait for the manager…", Bryn responded timidly, unaware that her words sealed the envelope with her employee termination letter.

A minute later, Kaia reappeared with a smug expression. "Manager Qin will be here in two minutes."

"Alright…", Sarah mumbled and tugged Aiden toward the lounging area. She is pregnant and upset and she wanted to sit.

Sarah got her phone and browsed through the employee files of two women in front of her, and everyone else associated with this store. The timid one is Bryn Landler, and the arrogant one is Kaia Qin.

Sarah pressed her lips into a line when she realized that the manager of the store, Lance Qin and Kaia Qin have the same last name. Are they related? Probably… and that could be the reason why Kaia is so full of herself. Sarah continued looking at the reports for other employees who work here or interact with this store in any way.

Aiden leaned closer to read the files as well while rubbing Sarah's shoulder, silently telling her that he supports her. He didn't want Sarah to get stressed, but he couldn't tell her to step away from the situation either… it will be a way for Sarah to vent her anger. At the same time, he was surprised that Sarah is so calm. That is not like her and Aiden was confident that Sarah is waiting for the right time to punish these two. As for Kaia and Bryn, Aiden wondered what possessed them to provoke his wife. Just as Sarah has several hidden identities, so might others. How can Kaia and Bryn assume that they are nobodies?

He decided to rock the boat and see if something comes out.

"This is a very nice store.", Aiden said. "I would never imagine that an exclusive jewelry maker like Blanc would open up a store in Fairfield."

Kaia took the bait. "Of course, you don't know. Why would you think that Fairfield is a shabby place?"

"I would not think of it as shabby. Not, when it has such an impressive mall like this one."

Kaia narrowed her eyes at Aiden, unsure if he was serious or not. Before she could say anything, Aiden spoke again…

"It must be good to work in a store like this. Where can I apply for a job? Is there an online form to fill out?"

Kaia stifled a laugh. "Dream on. A hillbilly like you does not stand a chance. You will fail at the background check."

Aiden made a face of exaggerated surprise. "You need to pass a background check?"

"Yes. And there are also tests of aptitude and teamwork. After you pass, you get training."

Aiden nodded. "I see your teamwork is impeccable. You are talking, while the brunette (aka Bryn) is a silent sidekick. And what did they train you? How to clean the display glass? How to assess jewelry? Or how to distinguish between customers and thieves?"

A man in his mid-forties entered the store and his gaze fell on Sarah and Aiden. Based on his white suit and nametag, they identified him as Manager Qin.

He looked at Sarah and Aiden from top to bottom before his expression settled into a frown which told Sarah and Aiden that he didn't recognize them as owners either.

"Kaia told me what is going on, and I will appreciate it if you leave before I call security."

"Just like that?", Sarah asked. "You will not introduce yourself and ask us what happened?"

Manager Qin smiled smugly. "I am the manager of this store. Consider yourself lucky that my employees didn't call security right away, and that I am giving you a chance to leave without causing a scene."

"How generous of you...", Sarah said and looked at Aiden. "This is worse than I thought."

Aiden nodded and resumed rubbing her shoulder.

Bryn and Kaia were happy to see Manager Qin handling Sarah and Aiden so firmly. How they see it, Blanc is for exclusive customers and Sarah and Aiden look plain (aka not rich).

Manager Qin was losing his patience. Why are they not leaving? Anyone normal would scram by now. "Are you deaf? You have five seconds to leave before I call security."

He reached for his phone and frowned at the sight of Aiden who reached for his wallet.

"Instead of calling security, you should call your manager…", Aiden said stiffly while fiddling through his wallet.

"Who are you to tell me to call…", Manager Qin's voice trailed off when he saw Aiden placing a white card with Blanc logo on the coffee table in front of him.

Manager Qin reached for the card and flipped it a few times as if making sure that he is not imagining it. The card had a hologram of Blanc logo and Blanc designs etched into its surface.

Bryn and Kaia looked at the card with confusion obvious on their faces, and then at Manager Qin whose face paled. The two salesgirls had no idea about that card and its significance.

---

If you are not reading this at 'W e b n o v e l .. c o m', then the content you're reading is stolen! Please support the author by reading this novel from the original source.