First Lesson, Observer

Alia was delighted upon seeing the two. She did not think that her future sister in law would really come here.

She just thought that Sarah just perfunctory agreed to her request, seeing that she is Aiden's sister.

But it seems that she was wrong. Sarah indeed took her request seriously.

So her smile was wide enough to make it look like it was going to split her face.

Her smile infected both Aiden and Sarah. They can't help but smile brightly too.

Sarah then remembered that Alia just arrived, so she said, "Little sister, why don't you change and rest for a while?"

"Oh. Okay! I'll be back in a while!" Alia energetically replied.

She walked up to her and changed from her school uniform to her home clothes.

She rested for a while inside her room to give the couple time to bond. Alia knows that the two were almost always busy, leading them to have little time to bond. .

When she walked down the stairs, she saw the two talking while drinking tea.

Alia wrinkled her nose. She doesn't know why they liked tea so much. She's not against drinking it, but doing it everyday? No way!

Sarah laughed as she saw Alia's reaction. Aiden also turned around to look at her as he noticed where Sarah was looking.

Aiden smiled and teased his sister, "What happened to you? Why do you look so sour? Don't be jealous, you're still my baby!"

Alia was shocked yet again by her brother's teasing. What she doesn't know was, her brother can't help but be affected by her ever since he had dreamed about her dying.

Besides, he realized this past few days, how cute Lia is. Aiden doesn't want to miss bonding with her.

Alia recovered from her shock, she hurriedly replied, "It was nothing. And I'm not jealous!"

Her answer almost became a shout at the end.

"Really? You're not jealous?" Aiden teased again.

"Yes!"

"Really?" Aiden looked serious, but he's still teasing Alia.

"Yep!"

"Sure?" Alia's face was now turning pink, and her lips were now pouting.

"Brother!"

"Hahaha!"

Aiden's laugh shocked not only Alia, but also Sarah and the people nearby.

This was the first time ever that they heard Aiden Qin laugh! Even when he's with Sarah, he never laughs like this.

If it's some other fiance, they would be jealous of this. Yes, Alia was Aiden's sister, but when the man you love doesn't laugh even when he's with you, then suddenly laughs because of another person, wouldn't you feel even a bit sad or jealous?

That's why Alia looked at Sarah as soon as she recovered from her shock. She doesn't want any misunderstanding between the two of them. She's not like some other sister that wants to make it hard for their brother's girlfriend or wife.

But instead of animosity, a bright smile was the reaction that she saw, which made her sigh in relief.

Sarah was truly a nice person. Aiden had chosen well.

Alia wished that they can become closer in the future.

"Lia, come, sit with us. Just ignore your brother, he seemed to have eaten something wrong." Sarah called Alia over.

Alia walked over, and sat near Sarah.

Aiden was still chuckling as this happened. Even though it's quieter, it can still be heard easily by those near the area.

Alia and Sarah started to talk about what dinner they would be having, since Sarah was going to eat dinner with the siblings.

Sarah asked Lia if she wanted to eat a shrimp stew. The younger of the two agreed since Sarah told her that she can teach her to cook the dish, if she wanted.

As Aiden stopped laughing, he listened as the two talked. He was happy that the two got along. His worries were squelled by this.

When it was six p.m. Sarah and Alia walked into the kitchen and started their cooking lesson.

Sarah instructed Alia, "Since this is your first lesson, just wash then slice the vegetables for now, I'll handle the shrimp."

Alia nodded and started washing the vegetables. Then she started slicing them one after another afterwards.

Sarah showed her how to do it, so it was easy for Alia, even at her first try. She paid close attention as Sarah was teaching her, so she finished it in just a few minutes.

Alia then proceeded to watch how Sarah cooked. They both had an agreement that by the weekend, Sarah would allow her to cook on her own.

Since the reason that Alia gave to Kara was just a fluke, she can do the cooking at peace. Actually, she wasn't sure at first that Sarah will agree, but she's glad that Sarah did.

Alia doesn't like to lie, but she really doesn't want to see Alex nor spend longer time with Kara, so she lied.

She doesn't want anything to do with them. Unless it was necessary, to prevent them from ruining her now blossoming bond with her family, nor their family business.

Yes, her bond with them was still on the fragile stage, but at least, there was some improvement. Especially her bond with Aiden and Sarah.

Alia shook her head a little. She shouldn't think about them. She should focus on observing and listening on how to cook a shrimp stew.

Some may say that it was just an easy to do thing, but Alia wants to be a professional chef. Or if that wasn't possible, at least at the level near it. So she should concentrate and focus.

After forty five minutes, the three of them sat down at the dining hall. The maids prepared their utensils. After that, they settled the rice and viand at the center.

Sarah and the siblings ate quietly but they also occasionally talked with one another. After they finished eating, they continued to talk for a while, then it was time for Sarah to go home.

Aiden was going to accompany Sarah, so Alia was going to be alone since everyone else was resting already.

But then, Sarah whispered something to Aiden, "You should let Lia go with us, since everyone else is resting now, aside from her and the guards."

Aiden thought for a few seconds, then agreed,

"You're right." He turned towards Alia and talked to her, "Lia, do you want to go with us?"

"Is it okay?" Alia asked, a little hesitant.

She felt that she may intrude on their couple time if she goes with them, but at the same time,she wanted to.

Sarah, upon noticing Alia's hesitation, encouraged her, " No need to worry Lia, we'll be happy if you go with us. Think of it as a joy ride."

Alia's face brightened.

"Really?!?"

"Of course. So…. Come with us?"

"Yes!"

Alia got her phone from the side table, then got up and walked towards Aiden and Sarah.

~~~

In a Villa, West from where the Qins' Mansion, a young man wearing eyeglasses was sitting on his bed while reading a file sent by his subordinate.

Alia Ada Mendoza Qin. The name was written on the upper left corner of the paper on his hands.

"So…. This is your name…." The guy murmured as he saw the name.

He continued to read everything that was written on the file.

He finished reading it in just a matter of minutes.

He tucked the file in a folder then set it aside.

He got his phone then called someone.

The person answered immediately, "Hello sir?"

"Give the private investigator a bonus payment."

"Yes sir, right away!"

"Good."

The person on the other line wasn't given a te to respond. Before he was able to do so, the call had ended already. All he could hear was the dial tone signaling that his boss wasn't on the other end anymore. In the end, he could only swallow back his words and sigh.

~~~

Aiden, together with his sister and his fiance, got in on the car. Alia was at the backseat, while Aiden and Sarah were both on the front.

"Put on your seatbelts." Aiden reminded the two girls with him as he fastened his seatbelt. He was now back into his calm and collected self. But somehow, the two still felt his affection and care for them.

As he made sure that the two had their seatbelts on already, Aiden started the engine then started to drive off the garage.

There aren't many cars on the road so in just twenty minutes, they arrived at Sarah's home. Her parents were both at the door, so the siblings greeted them after Sarah did.

"Good evening Aunt, Uncle." They both greeted simultaneously.

Both smiled at them and greeted back.

Mrs. Maria turned to Alia and asked with a smile, "Are you Aiden's younger sister?"

Alia shyly replied, "Yes."

"Really? Nice meeting you dear." Sarah's mother warmly said to Alia.

"Nice meeting you too, Auntie." Alia replied back and then bowed.

"Come in for a tea, you two." Mrs. Maria invited the siblings, but Aiden declined.

"Thank you, but it's a little late, Aunt. Lia still needs to attend school tomorrow. Maybe next time?"

"Oh. Okay. Next time it is then." Maria understandingly replied.

"Bye Aunt, Uncle."

"Bye, take care on your way home!"

The brother and sister both got in on the car. This time, Alia was on the passenger seat.

Aiden turned on the radio and put in on a music station.

"You should sleep Lia, I'll wake you when we arrive home." He instructed Alia, who nodded and obeyed her brother's instruction.

When they arrived, Aiden tried waking up his sister, but she wouldn't budge.

In the end, he just carried her to her room and laid her on the bed.

He tucked her in, they went out quietly.

Alia continued to sleep peacefully, unaware of what's going to happen.

~~~