Is this destiny?

Oni noticed that Chloe was looking at her skeptically. 

"You don't seem to believe me, so let me tell you something...", Oni made a dramatic pause before continuing, "Approximately four years ago, I was in a basement, about to be sold to whoever was willing to pay, either to work as a house help or in the field. I prayed to be picked for hard labor because then I won't be close to lecherous masters who might want to use me for their entertainment. I have no idea where I would be now if Sarah and Aiden didn't show up and got us out of that dark place."

Chloe's mouth hung open. She never imagined that Oni had such a past.

"I was in that same basement.", Nala said, shocking Chloe even more.

Chloe's head snapped toward Xiaohui who shared her story next. "Three years ago, I went on a school trip and was kidnapped. For two months I was stuck in a shipping crate and transported toward a man in Las Vegas who was selling girls. I thought that I will never be able to smile again, but then Sarah showed up with Aiden and a bunch of other people in black uniforms. I was rescued and now I have a new family."

After Xiaohui ended talking, Panya, Harini, and Rosa also shared their stories. To say that Chloe was shocked would be an understatement.

"Uhm… I'm sorry if I'm staring. I didn't know…", Chloe said.

Merve waved, indicating that it's not a big deal. "My story is similar to Xiaohui's, Harini's, Panya's, and Rosa's. We all came from different parts of the world, yet we found ourselves with the same man who wanted to sell us.", Merve said while omitting a few gruesome details. "Thanks to Sarah and Aiden, we got a second family and another chance for happiness. The lovely ladies at this table are my sisters, I have a fiancé, and I start every day by thanking the heavens for being alive."

"It seems that Sarah and Aiden are admirable people.", Chloe said while still processing all the information she received.

Hande nodded. "They are. They taught us that bad things can happen to good people and that unless we fight back, others will keep on taking advantage of us. However, sometimes one person standing for herself is not enough, and that is why we support each other. We know how it feels to be abandoned by people who should take care of you, and how a bad situation appears much worse when you are on your own."

"Everyone in this place experienced cruel treatment and is now living a second chance.", Rosa continued. "That is why we appreciate what we have."

Harini nodded in agreement. "We are all aware how someone's circumstances can be dire without them doing anything bad. We come here with the goal to help others, just how we were helped."

"There is no shame in what happened to us.", Panya added. "We were rescued and are enjoying a wonderful lifestyle. If after all that, we don't show goodwill toward others, that would be shameful and will bring us bad karma…"

Chloe needed some time to digest this information. Everyone talks about mysterious kids who are associated with the White family, but Chloe never knew that they have this background. Chloe was curious to know more about from where these girls are coming from, but she didn't dare to ask. She comes from an environment where everyone is putting their best face forward and trying to maintain a clean image, and stories like these are shared in dark corners during malicious gossip-sessions.

"Did your guys also go through something like that?", Chloe asked after some time. She knew that she might be crossing the line of what should be shared, but with everyone talking openly, she had to ask.

Oni spoke with pain in her voice while remembering the scars on Michael's back, "Michael was chained and forced to work in a mine with Daniel, Tejan, and a bunch of other people when Sarah and Aiden showed up."

Chloe looked at the young ladies who were sitting at the table with her and she thought how they went through a lot and the guys didn't have it easy either. No wonder they look so mature and capable. The challenges in life can make you or break you, and all these people came out victorious, and now they are helping others find their way.

Chloe nervously glanced toward the door from where Noah and the others left. "What about… Noah?"

"You will need to ask him.", Nala responded.

Chloe thought that she hit a nerve. With everyone nearly worshiping Noah, it's probably not a wise decision to ask questions about him. "I apologize. It's OK. I understand that is a sensitive topic."

"No, no, no…", Nala said swiftly. "None of us is ashamed of our background. We use it as a testament that anything is possible. I hit the bottom and I thought that only misery is waiting for me, yet here I am, standing tall and proud with a wonderful family and a supportive boyfriend. I can come here and help other kids learn things and become independent. I tell them my story with the hope that they will be inspired to pursue their dreams and not give up."

"It's not that we don't want to tell you about Noah…", Oni said. "But we really don't know. All of us at this table are adopted by Sarah and Aiden and we live with them. Noah is the only executive in Blanc with the highest level of privileges who is not related to Sarah and Aiden. That means they definitely have some history, but we are not aware of it."

"Sarah and Aiden never talked about Noah, and he keeps to himself.", Hande said. "Noah is always alone and focused on work. That is why we all got excited that he brought you with him."

"Do you think he is in love with Chloe?", Panya asked in a half-whisper.

"It certainly looks like it.", Harini said with a snicker. "So many women are trying to get his attention and nothing... I thought that he might be gay, but even then, he should have someone."

"Hey, I'm right here!", Chloe hissed.

"Don't pretend to be shy…", Xiaohui said teasingly. "We all saw you holding hands."

"They held hands?", Oni asked like she heard something important.

"Oh, I saw it too!", Hande exclaimed. "They were soooo cute. Almost as cute as me and Ade."

Rosa rolled her eyes exaggeratedly. "Oh, pleaseee... Who wants to hear about your puppy-love? Let's hear about the latest couple..."

The girls giggled and ignored Hande's pout. It's not Hande's fault that her relationship with Ade is not progressing beyond kisses. She is only twelve years old, alright?

The chatter started where girls were sharing their observations related to Chloe and Noah, and Chloe tried to diminish her presence.

Chloe smiled when Xiaohui described to others how Noah looked at Chloe with a silly expression. She liked to hear that the girls noticed how Noah acted out of character today, and Chloe hoped that it was because of her. Even if it's only for the weekend.

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