DESTINY (Book 2 of the Unconditional Saga)

Chapter 11: Who?

It's already the weekend and their last day in San Franciso. They spend most of the day in Iona's hotel room. At five thirty Eric picked them up and took them to his house. Chris sat in front while Iona and Sebastian sat in the back. Iona stared outside the whole trip and Sebastian kept looking at her, worried. Once they arrived at Eric's, Sarah welcomed them. She hugged Iona and Iona asked if she can help prepare dinner, Sarah said okay and took her to the kitchen with her while the boys went to the backyard.

'How was the surprise?' Eric asked them.

'She's sneaky.' Chris said as Eric handed him a beer.

'I had a feeling she was hiding something the night before we left LA but didn't push on it. I should have known though.' Sebastian laughed Eric handed him his beer.

'Hey boys. What are you three talking about?' Sarah asked as she and Iona came out with the food and set it on the table.

'Just how sneaky Iona is.' Sebastian winked.

Iona rolled her eyes and smiled.

'Come on, let's eat before the food gets cold.' Sarah smiled and held Eric's hand and lead him to the table. The three followed. Iona sat between Chris and Sebastian and they both started putting food on her plate.

Sarah watched them, puzzled while Eric just went on and ate, 'Do these two always do that?' Sarah asked.

'She doesn't eat much. But when the food is already on her plate, she has this thing that she needs to finish everything on her plate.' Sebastian explained.

'She also sometimes forget to eat when she's working.' Eric added, 'OW!' He said as Iona stomped his feet under the table.

'Okay.' Chris said, eyeing Iona.

'I'm in trouble, huh?' She smiled biting her lip. 'I hate you so much Eric.' She laughed.

'So, Iona I heard you're not a California local.' Sarah asked

'Yes, I'm not. I'm originally from Washington but have moved around every two to three years since I was little because dad was in the Army.' Iona smiled before taking a bite of her food.

'What places did you guys ended up in during that time' Eric asked this time.

'I've lived in Germany, Korea, pretty much all over the US. Dad's last tour was in Hawaii but I moved back to Washington that time to finish college.' She explained.

'You didn't like the islands?' Sarah put her fork down.

'I did, well I loved going there for vacations but with asthma and all I can't stay there long specially during spring.' Iona took a bite of the baked ziti, 'Sarah this is so good.'

'I'll make sure to pack some for you to take back tonight.' She smiled.

'Iona, you should tell her how you met Sebastian.' Eric took a drink of his beer.

'He harassed me in a restaurant.' Iona laughed.

'I did not. You're the one who did. You were on your phone.' Sebastian held her hand.

'We bumped into each other the day she moved to LA.' Sebastian said.

'And everything is history.' Iona smiled and rested her head on Sebastian's shoulder and he kissed her forehead.

'You two look so much in love.' Saran smiled at them as Eric pulled her close for a quick hug. Sebastian and Iona looked at Chris and she held his hand.

'Chris, don't you feel like a third wheel when you hang out with these two?' Sarah looked at him and smiled.

'Not at all.' He said after taking a sip of his beer, 'Iona, Sebastian and I have this very complicated relationship. I guess what I'm trying to say is that, I may be just the best friend here but I have balanced the two a lot.' He laughed.