BXBX NOVEL Chapter 604 - Plans, Plans, And More Plans (2)
"Are you still getting that Mediterranean villa?" Sarah asked Jeff and JoAnna.
JoAnna and Jeff glanced at each other. Two of them understood that she is asking because now there are some bad memories tied up to that place and they don\'t even own it yet.
"It\'s up to you.", Jeff told JoAnna.
"What happened today didn\'t change the fact that I like it. I think we should take it.", JoAnna responded. "But it did show that we should improve security."
JoAnna remembered that her bodyguards ended up in the hospital. Doctor said that they are should be able to leave next day, just like Bridgette. She was happy that it\'s nothing more serious, but it pointed out how easily someone can cause trouble and hurt them. Just bodyguards are not enough to ensure their security, and JoAnna looks forward to having Eve\'s protection. Besides sensors, they will have number of drones as well as other equipment that Felix created. Their property will be safe, but what happens when they get out?
Sarah\'s voice pulled JoAnna out of her thoughts: "I am curious. Why do you think that those men deserve jobs instead of beatings?" She was referring to the men that kept JoAnna captive in the back room of the warehouse.
"I believe that Juan is victim of his circumstances. He has people who depend on him, and he was only looking for a way to provide for them."
Sarah thought that JoAnna is very kind. People will take advantage of that. "Not everyone deserves a second chance."
"True. Some people don\'t. But when I spoke with Juan, I could see that he is ashamed of stooping to the level of a paid bully, and if he had another option, he would not do it. I decided to give him a second chance. Maybe I am wrong, but what if I\'m not?"
Sarah smiled while thinking how her sister is forgiving. She lost that ability long ago. "Only you are capable of thinking how to help your kidnappers. I admire your leniency, but don\'t you think that you are too soft?"
JoAnna kept her fork and knife down and faced Sarah. "You know that I don\'t like violence, and usually, I\'m not capable of hurting anyone. But recently I found out that it all depends on the situation I am in. When I see that someone is jeopardizing my loved ones, I can be vicious. I guess it was always like that. The only thing that changed is that now I realized and accepted it… and I also know that you accepted this part of you long ago. I was just resisting it, for some reason... I hope you don\'t think of me as too soft. I believe that people can change and be good if they are faced with right conditions. At the same time, I\'m not blind. For people with bad intentions, I will show no mercy."
Aiden didn\'t like where this conversation is going. He could see Sarah getting tense, probably because she was worried about JoAnna, and he decided to change the topic: "We did our homework on this Enrique character. We sent you links."
"Anything unusual?", Jeff asked. He opened link and it had a lot of data. He prefers if Sarah and Aiden give him a short summary, considering that he plans to go and chat with Enrique after this dinner.
Sarah saw that Aiden\'s mouth is full, so she took over providing information: "You told us that you went to that villa three times. Every time you went, Enrique got a call from…" She checked file on her phone. "…Blanca Fernandez." Sarah was about to say more, but she noticed change in Jeff\'s expression. "You know her?"
Jeff confirmed. "She is the person I contacted to get hidden property listings."
Sarah continued: "She owns real-estate agency \'Heavenly Homes\' which specializes catering to high profile clients in Los Angeles area. We have the proof that she can find out whenever someone visits any property her company manages."
"What is the relationship between Blanca and Enrique?" Jeff knows that both Blanca and Enrique are somehow connected to him, but how did two of them find each other? He didn\'t introduce them.
"Besides these calls and few common shallow connections, we didn\'t find much. Probably a common friend introduced them. Blanca\'s family is in Venezuela. There is a chance they met there. But we found a connection between her and you." Sarah pointed at Jeff.
JoAnna\'s fork fell in her plate with a loud clang. "What connection?"
Jeff met JoAnna\'s glare and he shrank. "I have no idea, honey. Let\'s see what Sarah and Aiden found… OK?" He patted her back nervously.
Jeff urged Sarah with his eyes to hurry up.
Sarah enjoyed seeing Jeff squirm like that and she could not help but grin.
Aiden nudged Sarah reminding her that this is not the time to play around. JoAnna looked like she is about to blow up any minute.
Sarah was displeased that she can\'t tease Jeff more. But she didn\'t want to mess with JoAnna, so she decided to talk. "We found on her personal laptop detailed files on you. It would not be unusual for her to do research on her potential clients, but this is not her work computer, and information she has on you is much more than looking into your finances and credibility. She collected your information starting from your school days, it also has information on Anna… How do you know her?"
Jeff thought for few seconds before responding. "I don\'t remember how we met, probably someone introduced us. Over the years, we met few times during social events, but nothing that would stand out. This was the first time I reached out to her."
"The information she has on you and where it\'s stored points to the strong possibility that she has a personal interest in you." Sarah enjoyed this more than expected, and could not stop herself from adding: "Are you sure you don\'t remember more than that?"
"If you can\'t remember, I have the thing that can help…", JoAnna implied to the truth serum. Seeing Jeff\'s outraged expression, she laughed.
JoAnna\'s laugh stopped abruptly, and her expression turned dark. "Can we have that woman in the safe house tonight as well? I would like to talk to her. As soon as possible!" JoAnna was already irritated with Regina, and now another woman showed up?! She was fuming!
JoAnna told herself that she needs to find an efficient way to deal with all these pesky women, otherwise her fulltime job as Mrs. White will be handling them! She decided to talk to Elanor related to this. JoAnna remembered that Elanor more than once mentioned how women meddled with her family. Maybe her mother-in-law has some useful tips.
Sarah was surprised to see JoAnna so angry. "Uhm… that woman has in her schedule for tonight a party. It\'s some social for real-estate people and their VIP clients… few blocks away from here. Do you want an invitation?"
"You can do that?", JoAnna asked and immediately regretted her question when she saw Sarah\'s of-course-I-can look.
"I can get you into the guest list. And with Jeff\'s background, no one will doubt that you are VIPs."
"Don\'t you want to go? Par-tay?", Aiden asked Sarah playfully.
Sarah thought for a second and then saw that Aiden really wants to go. "Sure… After dinner we can dress up and go."
"Leave dressing up to me!" Aiden got his phone and made a call.
Jeff was not willing to go, but those three already made decision for all four of them.. And if he says he does not want to go, JoAnna might think that he is protecting Blanca… and JoAnna will convince him to go anyway. Jeff exhaled while in his mind Aiden\'s voice repeated: \'Par-tay it is…\'