28 Back home

Third week of a semester at Tesla University is dedicated to practical part of the course. For this week students have a goal to pick topics for their projects, form teams and to start working on the projects. During this week professors and assistants are available for open consultations during several hours every day. If students need to see professors after this week, that can be done by appointment only. Students try to complete all necessary tasks during this week, since later availability of professors is sporadic, as they have other non-University projects and work.

Sarah has six projects for this semester, out of those four are with Aiden.

…

It's Thursday evening, Sarah is in the train, heading home.

She is absentmindedly observing blurry lights through the window as train is moving through December night. Sarah is thinking of what happened in last few days.

She was able to complete all planned course-project related tasks by Wednesday evening.

During these last few days she didn't have any encounters with Philip or Mimi, probably because Aiden was sticking close to her, and his presence didn't allow them to find the opportunity to approach Sarah even if they wanted to. He was so protective, that for the projects he is not involved in, he would wait for her outside classroom, just to make sure no one is bothering her.

Sarah optimized her time, cramming week worth of tasks into three days, because she planned to spend Thursday with Aiden, and then on Friday morning to go home. That Friday "Orion Enterprise" was organizing a Christmas party for employees and partners. She didn't feel like going, but that is the company her parents founded from ground up, and her sister is now CEO. Besides, she promised.

Sarah pulled her phone and texted her family group: "I will be home in time for dinner tonight".

Then she switched to message history with Aiden and read his last message: "I need to go home. Will be in touch." Message had a timestamp from that morning. 'I didn't even give him Christmas present', Sarah thought.

She planned to stay longer on campus because of Aiden, but since he left, she decided to go home earlier. In this way she will have more time to rest and prepare for the party on Friday evening.

Sarah thought about Vivian and decided to text her.

[Sarah]: I'm on my way home. Any news from Gabriel?

[Vivian]: Enjoy the break. No news yet

[Sarah]: Do you want me to look into it?

[Vivian]: If you can find something, that would be great. It's a week already.

[Sarah]: I will let you know if I find anything.

[Vivian]: Thank you

Sarah does not want to tell Vivian what 'look into it' means, and it seems that at this point, Vivian does not care. Depending on what Sarah finds out, she will come up with some coverup on how she got the information. 'Great. In this way I will have something to keep me busy.', Sarah knows that if she is not busy with something, she will just miss Aiden. 'It's going to be long two weeks', Sarah sighed.

~Hill family villa~

As car approached Sarah's home, she observed that Christmas lights are set up. On each side of the long driveway lights are on. Trees and shrubs are wrapped in lights. House is framed with clear white lights, each window with decorated with a lit-up wreath. In front of the house there are lit-up deers, wrapped presents, and Santa waving from his sleigh. 'Dad really did great this year', Sarah thought.

...

"Miss Sarah!", old butler greeted her as she entered and closed the doors behind her.

"Good evening, Mr. Joe", Sarah responded. "Am I in time for dinner?"

"Dinner will be in half an hour. Your room is ready, you can go and freshen up", he responded while taking her suitcase from her hand.

"Thank you". As Sarah headed up the stairs, she observed Christmas decorations through the house. 'Mom added more décor, as usual', Sarah smiled.

...

In her room an evening gown is hanging. 'For the party tomorrow', Sarah thought. She removed the cover to expose the gown fully. It is a long dark green sleeveless gown, with a V-shape front, and a deep v-shaped opening in the back. The material shimmers like it has specs of glitter embedded in it, and it's very soft to touch. On the side table is a matching purse, and below the gown is a pair of high heel shoes, which match the gown perfectly.

Sarah took a shower and put the gown on. The gown hugs her body perfectly, showing off her curves and a thin waist. Top of the gown fits tight, while below hips falls loosely. It ends below her knees in front, and in the back is longer, below her ankles. At front, V-shape opening shows just a hint of her cleavage, and at the back-opening ends at her lower back, displaying her white skin. The gown is simple, yet elegant and accentuates curves on her slender body flawlessly.

'Sophia has a good taste', Sarah could only praise her sister. 'I wonder what would Aiden say if he sees me dressed up in this', she was saddened when she thought that she will not see him in a while.

…

Sarah was all smiles as she entered the dining room. It filled her heart to see her whole family together again.

"The getup for tomorrow looks amazing!", Sarah praised her sister.

"You know your big sister always delivers", Sophia was laughing. "Did you try it on?"

"Yes. It fits perfectly. Are we going as triplets again?", Sarah asked.

"You know Sophia, she will not miss a chance to get us into matching clothes.", JoAnna rolled her eyes.

"I see I'm going in green. Anna you will be in blue, and big sister in red. Am I right?", Sarah was guessing.

"These colors complement our eyes. It needs to be matching!", Sophia justified her color choices.

"Only you think that clothes need to match eyes", JoAnna teased.

"That makes her special. Stop teasing her.", Stella scolded JoAnna.

"Tomorrow at 3 PM we have appointments for hair and makeup", Sophia reminded.

Sarah laughed, "You got everything planned."

"Of course, this year is the biggest party so far. We will use bottom two floors of our main building, all employees are invited, branch offices included. Also, many partners will attend as well. We are spending a lot of time and resources to celebrate end of another successful year. How can the three of us go and not look perfect?", Sophia was excited. "Mom resisted me this year, so she is arranging for her own styling. But if it's up to me, we would be going as quadruplets!"

"You three just enjoy. Leave me out of it", Stella laughed. "Oh, don't forget to keep your eyes open. You three will be center of the party. And many will be looking for the opportunity to get close to you. Maybe a handsome opportunity catches your eyes?"

"Mom!", all three daughters said in unison.

"What? I'm just saying... few concerned moms of promising youngsters who will be there tomorrow reached out to me in hope to put few good words in. I will point them to out tomorrow. I'm not forcing you into anything. Just keep an open mind.", Stella added.

"Let's not make this a matchmaking party, OK?", JoAnna was grumpy.

"I'm giving you an advice to keep an open mind. How is that matchmaking?", Stella defended. "You are my precious daughters and I love you very much. But I worry that if you keep your usual cold bearings, you will stay single!"

"Nothing wrong with being picky. If a man can't manage to break through some ice, how can he be worthy of my daughters?", Edward chimed in.

They all laughed, and the atmosphere during dinner was very good. Sophia shared details of arrangements for the tomorrow's party while they enjoyed their meal.

As they parted for the night, Edward said, "It seems that we are expecting some snow starting tomorrow."

"Oh, it would be great if we can have a white Christmas!", JoAnna exclaimed.

"Let's hope snow sticks and does not melt until then", Stella said. "Christmas is so much better with snow outside."

"Last Christmas we had no snow. But this year, it will start tomorrow and go strong all the way up to New Year! Christmas lights outside look so much better in white background!", Edward is in charge of Christmas lights outside, and he wants it to have the best visual impact.

…

Sarah was in her bed, unable to sleep. She felt like she has a knot in her chest which restricted her breathing. She took her phone, and texted Aiden.

[Sarah]: "You know, I miss you"

Few seconds later she got a response.

[Aiden]: "I know"

Sarah was speechless, 'I make such a bold statement, and he shows no sympathy!'

[Sarah]: "Shameless!"

[Aiden]: "We will see each other soon"

'Yeah, soon. In two weeks! It's only one day and it feels like forever', she thought.

[Sarah]: "I'm not sure that we have the same understanding of word 'soon'"

[Aiden]: "Time will tell"

She was thinking about last two weeks, and the sweet moments she spent with Aiden filled her heart with warmth. 'I don't know him so long, but he is already an irreplaceable existence in my life', Sarah realized that time spent with him is very precious to her. Anything else paled in comparison. 'Is this love at first sight? I don't remember falling head over heels when I first met him. But everything about him feels right, like he is pulling me in, and I'm not able to put up any resistance. I was always able to analyze and control myself, but in front of him I feel helpless and empowered at the same time.'