One by one they ca to the sa conclusion: Aiden is Oga.
For them, that was a huge deal. It was like mystical being suddenly appeared in front of them. After unknown period of silence, they all started talking at the sa ti. Everyone wanted to know more about Aiden and how he t Sarah and what is he doing here and where his skills ca from...
"Boss, how did you recruit him?" Emir was half-dazed.
"Actually, he recruited ." Sarah giggled when she rembered that Aiden approached her for a project. She drifted into sweet mories how they t.
"Details, please!" Lucija pleaded.
Sarah smiled and then moved to block Marija. "Where are you going?" Sarah noticed that Marija is ogling at Aiden and advancing toward him.
"Just an autograph..." Marija mumbled.
"No. Keep your distance from him." Sarah warned her.
Aiden was happy to see Sarah's reaction. He pulled Sarah to sit in his lap and gave 'not interested' look to Marija.
The only one not understanding what the commotion is about was Nick. He probably did understand, but didn't want to accept that Oga, person he idolized, is the sa man as the one he hates to the core. How can a person he worships be the sa person who is taking away the girl he loves? He was conflicted. Nick stood up and walked out without a word.
Mishi saw Nick walking away and followed him.
When they stepped outside, Mishi called after him. "Where are you going?"
Nick stopped. "I don't know."
Mishi stood in front of Nick and scrutinized him while lighting up a cigarette. He inhaled. "Don't tell you honestly thought that you have a chance with Boss?"
Nick didn't respond. Of course, he thought that he has a chance with Sarah. He was learning and improving himself to impress her. He went to the gym and worked hard in school just so that she can see that he is more manly and responsible and smart. He was ecstatic with every centiter he grew, because that ant that soon he will be taller than Sarah, tall enough for her. He found out that she loves to dance, and he took dance lessons so that when opportunity arises, he can be a good dance partner for her and amaze her with his moves. She was always so nice to him, never rejected his requests. It was obvious that she cares for him. Why would he not think that there is a possibility for a romance between them?
"Think about it." Mishi interrupted his thoughts. "How old were you when you t her?"
"Ten." Nick didn't see the point of that question.
"That is how she sees you. Like a ten year old child. In her eyes you are not a man. Do you understand? All these years you are saying that you will marry her one day. Not just Boss, but all of us took it as a nonsense coming from a child."
Nick glanced at Mishi, and then looked down again in an attempt to hide his embarrassnt.
Mishi continued. "It was a matter of ti before Boss found soone, and it happened to be now. You have a choice. Do you want to be close to her? If that is your choice, you will need to accept that she has a man by her side, and that you don't stand a chance. She brought him here. That ans that they are not playing. They have deep feelings toward each other."
Nick was not willing to accept that. He lifted his head and looked at Mishi. "How can you be so indifferent? Don't you think that Boss is amazing and beautiful?"
Mishi chuckled. "Of course, I do. I'm not blind. But I see her in the sa way she sees you, like a child. My feelings for her are sothing between older brother and a father. It's not romantic."
Mishi inhaled one more smoke and pressed cigarette on a bottom of the rock which already has nurous burn marks on it. He turned to go back inside.
"What if I can't accept it?" Nick's voice ca from behind Mishi.
Mishi sighed. "Then you should not be near Boss. Not like this. And that ans that you will not be near us as well."
Mishi went inside, leaving Nick to think about what he wants to do.
...
Inside was mini riot which started when Sarah said that she will not co tomorrow.
"We all took ti to co here, and you say that tomorrow you are not available? Where are you going?" Petar fud.
Sarah frowned. "We never had an agreent that this is exclusive."
"Can we join you?" Emir asked eagerly.
"You will co to the party in the evening, right?" Marija asked while glancing at Aiden.
"Yes. It's a yes for the party." Sarah confird and gave a threatening look to Marija. "How many tis I need to tell you that he is not available?"
"I can't help it... when I realized he is Oga, his attractiveness factor went up tenfold!"
"You can't help it?" Sarah felt her temper rising. "Then we are leaving!"
"No, no, no!" Emir blocked the door. "Marija, go and keep busy with sothing! You are showing disrespect to the Boss! How would you feel if soone stares like that at your boyfriend?!" Emir was scolding Marija and then turned to Sarah with a big smile. "I was hoping we get to watch a good match." Emir's eyes darted from Sarah to Aiden few tis.
Sarah checked her phone. "Maybe next ti. We are going now." She stood up and didn't give them ti to object.
Sarah looked at Mishi. "Send location of the party tomorrow. We will show up after six."
...
When Sarah and Aiden walked out, they saw Nick sitting on a rock nearby.
Nick glanced at them and looked down.
Sarah patted Aiden's hand. "Give a minute."
Sarah walked to Nick, while Aiden was left behind. He was thinking how he will break that brat if he tries anything funny.
"Hey..." Sarah called as she approached Nick. "How are you doing?"
He didn't respond. He was trying to sort out his thoughts. For such a long ti he was looking forward to seeing her, and this day finally ca only to turn into a disaster. Not only did he lose Sarah, but he lost his dignity as a hacker as well.
"This is not just about losing the challenge, is it?" Sarah was persistent.
Nick glanced at her, but still didn't speak.
Sarah sighed. "I still rember that ten year old boy who was following everywhere, and buying those sour candies, even though I never liked them."
"You still ate them." Nick mumbled.
"Because it made you happy."
Nick paused for a mont before speaking. "I was in a bad place then and getting candies for you made my day. The sour candies were the only ones I could afford."
"I know, that is why I ate them..." Sarah was happy to see that Nick lifted his head and looked at her. "Nick, it's good to have dreams and to keep them alive. It's sothing that gives us a reason to wake up in the morning and push forward. Also, there is a ti when we need to assess those dreams and make adjustnts where needed. If the dream consus you so much that you can't tell it apart from reality, it's ti to wake up. I never gave you hope, and I'm sorry if you believe I did. You have skills and talent, and it will be a pity to throw it all away." Sarah made a step away from Nick and stopped. "Day after tomorrow we will be back here again. If you are interested, your idol can give you so pointers."
Sarah went to Aiden. "Let's go."
Nick watched Sarah and Aiden as they walked down, toward the small coastal town.. Even after they disappeared between bushes, Nick was still looking that way.
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