Is this destiny?

Kaia was dejected to see that the store is open for business with a big sign 'up to 50% discount on selected items'.

She saw three salespeople inside, busying themselves with polishing the glass and chatting in a good mood while entertaining customers who came in. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but they were smiling like yesterday didn't happen.

Kaia felt small and insignificant. Her world collapsed, yet everyone continued with their day, not sparing her a single thought.

She focused on observing salespeople whose faces she didn't see before. It was two guys and one woman, all looking dashing in white uniforms with black accents that all customer-facing employees of Blanc are wearing.

'That was me, yesterday…', Kaia thought while dejection swelled inside her.

What Kaia didn't know was that those three are members of the Army of Chaos. Sarah thought of hiring local people, but when she analyzed the incident from the previous day, Sarah decided to hire people she can trust, and instead of getting her soldiers as a temporary solution, she offered them full-time jobs. Aiden agreed with this and he let Sarah deal with the employees.

When handling their businesses, Sarah is focused on managing employees while Aiden takes the lead in making business decisions and they complement each other perfectly. Both of them enjoy it when they discuss possibilities and give each other feedback.

Oni told Sarah that they have soldiers available who went through Blanc training as salespeople and that some of them are interested to work there. Sarah approved the idea and Oni sent her the files of potential candidates. 

Sarah decided on five people, two women and three men. Four are regular salespeople who will work in shifts, while the fifth one got a role of a manager because he had previous experience as an owner of a deli. Deli was not a jewelry business, but the man knows how to handle employees and how to interact with customers and he can provide guidance to four salespeople.

Allowing soldiers of the Army of Chaos in the Blanc store will provide employment options (other than being soldiers), and at the same time, they double as security. All five of them are versatile in hand-to-hand combat and they have at least one mastery in weapons.

In order to make them look more like 'regulars', Aiden arranged for them apartments in Fairfield, and they will live in the apartment building that is officially owned by Blanc. They used that building as a cover for soldiers of the Army of Chaos when they had practice missions to blend in with locals, but now it came handy for this purpose as well.

Things got settled quickly, and they opened the store that morning at 10:30 AM.

Back to the present…

Kaia was in that spot for more than an hour and she observed that it was much busier than usual. Customers would look at the items that are displayed and some sat in the lounging area, sipping beverages while checking out the store catalog. During the two months she worked there, Kaia and Bryn didn't allow people to linger and sip drinks, with the reasoning that people will only make a mess and no purchases. After all, their bonus was not given for serving drinks and chatting, but based on sales.

One couple stood next to the cash register for a minute and they exited with a fancy bag that had the Blanc logo on it. It was obvious that they purchased something.

Kaia noticed that the salespeople all straightened their postures and had big smiles on their faces when one person entered the store, and then she recognized him… Black jeans pants, white shirt, and a black leather jacket… his inky black hair had a few mischievous strands that danced on his forehead as he moved… it was none other than the owner of the store: Aiden White.

Kaia hated Aiden for firing her and for ignoring her yesterday, but she had to admit that he is the most handsome man she ever saw. Even from the back, she could admire his broad shoulders and the confidence he extruded was undeniably attractive.

Aiden came to see the store, and Kaia regretted her blunder from yesterday because if she didn't get fired, she would be right there, welcoming him with a smile and a handshake, and offering him a beverage.

'Oh, and he came without his wife this time. How lucky for that saleswoman…', Kaia thought.

When Kaia saw Aiden the first time, she wanted to chase him and Sarah out, seeing how their clothes were average and not worthy of Blanc, but then she saw his face and thought of flirting. Ah, now she regrets it. If she acted as expected, she would score some points and possibly a chance to get closer to him. And now it's all ruined.

With her thoughts about her lost job and Aiden, Kaia forgot about her last nights' activities from the hotel that spread online.

She was contemplating walking there and asking Aiden for another chance. She can push the blame onto Bryn and her Uncle (aka ex-manager Qin); she will say that they forced her to act like that. Aiden is a man, and he can't be stonehearted when she puts on her pitiful expression, and she might cry a little. If she gets her job back, her father might be pacified, and it will give her another chance to get close to Aiden, maybe during one of those company-organized events.

Aiden turned in the direction Kaia was, and his lips lifted into a devilish smile.

Kaia forgot how to breathe, and she was frozen in the spot. He was super-handsome.

Unfortunately for Kaia, from that distance, she could see that Aiden is looking her way, but she missed that he was not looking AT her.

Kaia was startled when the chair next to her moved and a young woman sat on it.

"How does it feel?", Sarah asked while looking at Kaia.

"What?", Kaia asked curtly, and she panicked when she realized that she can't move. Her body was completely stiff!

"How does it feel?", Sarah repeated the question. "You, sitting here and looking at everything you lost while thinking how only yesterday you had a job, friends, family, reputation… and now it's all gone. People who replaced you in the store are doing so well on their first day that we decided to give them a bonus."

Kaia's mind was spinning as dread consumed her. Why can't she move? Why is Sarah here? Is Sarah talking about what she did in the hotel last night? Did she see the photos online or... "It was you! You set me up!"

Sarah clicked her tongue. "Careful, Kaia. You already lost so much, do you want to lose your freedom as well when I sue you for slander?"

Part of Sarah enjoys sick pleasure as she watches unsuspecting people panic when they realize that something is wrong with their body, without knowing that it was done by the invisible drone.

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