“Wait…Olivia Miller as in Ms. USA? The famous supermodel?” Sam asked.

Aaron closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Yes…I have heard about her…one of the interns followed the Ms. Universe pageant” Elaine said but she was confused as if why Aaron got the news personally.

“Yeah and apparently she had this scandal recently, her fiancée or ex fiancée forced her to abort and what not. I just heard, my co workers are big on this stuff, heard them talking.”

Aaron shot up. He couldn’t believe this. Of course he had his issues with her but her being dead was…unbelievable. He needed to get back to the States. Her parents must be devastated. He had met them on several occasions and her father had called him recently to apologize on behalf of Olivia. Her parents knew how viciously ambitious she was.

“Aaron…how does this involve you?” Elaine asked.

Aaron looked down at Elaine.

“She was my ex fiancée”

Elaine just stared at him while Sam gasped.

“The abortion and that whole story…” Sam asked

“None of it was true. I would never do that” Aaron ground out as he glared at Sam and walked away from them. He had to pack and get back.

“Aaron wait…” Elaine said as she got and ran after him.

Aaron walked into his bedroom and threw open his suitcase.

“Tell me what is going on…did I know about her?” Elaine asked as she entered the room.

“Not now…I need to get back to New York”

“Aaron…” Elaine walked up to him and took hold of face. “Calm down for a minute please and tell me what is happening.”

Aaron was about to argue back but decided against it and sighed as he sat down on the bed.

“You have met her. We fought as well because I didn’t tell you about her from the moment we met but we had already broken up when I met you. She had come to return the engagement ring the day you met her and you had presumed wrong. We had been together for four years but our relation was cold, void of any real feelings. She was too ambitious, I was too held up by my past. She got pregnant and aborted the child without my knowledge and then told the media I forced her and now she is dead.”

“I am so sorry” Elaine hugged him.

“I don’t even know how to feel about this…” Aaron said quietly. “But I need to be there, at least for her parents”

“I am coming with you”

“Elaine… you should stay here. You already have too much on your plate. I will come back as soon as I can. If not then you can fly out to the States later on.”

“But…”

“Please don’t argue about this right now. I want you to be safe and away from all that drama”

“I want to…”

“I SAID NO!”

Elaine yelped and shot out of the bed, her heart beat rocketing off.

Aaron mentally cursed. “Please, it is better if you leave me alone for now.”

Elaine nodded and turned to leave but Aaron grabbed her by the arm and pulled her against his chest.

“I am sorry love but I need time” He said and kissed her forehead.

“It’s okay.” Elaine said softly and left.

Aaron’s walked out to the speed boat waiting by the dock.

“Take care love” Aaron said as he kissed Elaine.

“Call me if anything comes up. I will keep you guys updated” He said to Sam who nodded in response.

The moment his private jet landed at the JFK airport, all hell broke loose.

Dante and his whole security team were waiting for him at the airport.

“It is raining shit here” Dante said as he walked up to Aaron.

“What the fuck happened? How was she shot dead?”

“It was a paid job. A clear shot between her eyes. Dead on the spot. She was walking out the café with her morning coffee.”

“Starbucks at 44th and West” Aaron muttered.

“The NYPD is all over it. Forensics is sweeping all the building in the area for a possible site for shooting.”

“No clue so far?”

“None. It was a damn clean job.”

“Her parents?” Aaron asked as they both slid into the waiting SUV.

“They are here. Staying at your hotel in Manhattan.”

“What could have gotten her killed?” Aaron muttered as he looked out of the window. Olivia was too conscious about her image. He doubted she did anything illegal.

“That’s the million dollar question” Dante remarked.

They reached the hotel which was swarmed by the media outside.

“Mr. Clark when did you find out about Ms. Miller’s murder?”

“Mr. Aaron, how are you feeling about this whole situation!?”

“Mr. Clark is it true you and Ms Miller had a fight when she was in Milan?”

Aaron ignored all the reporters and their questions and walked inside.

“Double the security around the hotel” Aaron said to Dante who nodded and walked into the other direction.

“Good afternoon Sir” His manager Joseph greeted him.

“Mrs. and Mr. Miller?” Aaron asked.

“They are settled in the presidential suite.”

“Good. Don’t charge out anything to their name. Keep it on the tab”

“Okay Sir.”

Aaron nodded and walked into the elevator, pressing the button for the top floor where the presidential suites were located.

He knocked on their door and waited.

A second later Deborah Miller opened the door.

“Aaron darling” Deborah sobbed out and hugged Aaron.

“I am so sorry Deborah” Aaron said as he patted the older woman’s back.

Olivia was an only child and this was a horrible time for the parents.

“Aaron, how are you son?” Graham Miller said as he came up behind his wife and kept a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

“Fine Sir.”

“Thank you so much for coming. It means a lot to us” Deborah said as she smiled sadly.

“The funeral is tomorrow” Graham said

“I will be there” Aaron said solemnly. “I have to leave now.”

“Aaron…” Deborah called out to him just as he was about to turn and leave

“Yes?”

“I know things were long over between you and Liv. Moreover the events that followed later on must have completely shattered any bond you two had. But my daughter must have meant something to you….”

“She did. I cared for Olivia regardless of what happened.”

“Then can you promise me one thing? Promise me you will find out who is behind the murder of my girl. Please…we are small town people. We don’t have the sources or the aids. We would just have to suffice with what is told to us by the police but please Aaron; I want my little girl to rest in peace”

“I promise I will try”

“Cheers moi princesse!” Jacques said as he clinked his glass with his daughter's. “Aaron is all yours!”

“Merci papa” Josephine smiled as she sipped her drink. Her way was clear. Poor man must be devastated by the loss of his fiancée and it was the perfect time for her to sweep in to show sympathy and much more to the grieving man.

Josephine was eighteen when she had found out her dad was a mafia leader underneath all this façade of being a businessman. She was horrified but then she had realized that things were done easily if you were on the dark side. She always got what she wanted and she was okay with that.

“I will tell Giuseppe to get the plane ready for New York”

“Yes. I want to get back there as soon as possible.”

An urgent knock on the door halted their celebration.

“Come in!” Jacques said.

“Monsieur, we have a problem.” Charles, his right handed man said.

“Que c’est? What now?” Jacques asked.

“We got the wrong girl. She was not his fiancée. They broke up a while ago”

“Merde! You all are good for nothing. Who the hell was supposed to keep a tab on the information? You assholes!” Jacques roared.

“I was out of the country when you passed that order. If I had known I would have looked into it.” Charles said.

Jacques started pacing his office.

“But how does this change anything?” Josephine asked quietly. She glanced at Charles who had his jaw clenched. Jesus, he was pissed. Josephine gulped and looked away. Charles was four years elder to her and was her first lover.

“He is with another woman and it is serious.” Charles explained.

“Then I guess we have to make another payment. Call in the sniper again.” Jacques said as he faced Charles.

Josephine looked at her father. She wanted to protest but she wanted Aaron at the same time so she kept her mouth shut.

“Alright consider it done.” Charles said and with one last glare at Josephine he walked out.

“Anything for you my princesse”

“Oui papa. Merci”

.

❤