Is this destiny?

Chapter 1184 - First Scouting Mission (Shadow Ravens)

~ Los Angeles ~

8:23 PM

Aaron entered his apartment in the fashion district. It's a simple two bedroom apartment above a boutique which sells clothes from local designers. The location is great, close to many fashion events in Los Angeles.

Aaron is happy that he can afford the rent here with his own income from modeling, considering that his family still didn't recover from the retaliation of the Whites (after Jeff's wedding).

When he models in Chicago and New York, he crashes at friend's places. Anywhere else his work takes him, Aaron goes with whatever his fashion agency provides, which is usually an apartment with four-five people crammed in one bedroom. 

As usually, Aaron dropped his keys on the small table by the entry door and walked inside.

He turned on the lights and almost jumped out of his skin in fear when he noticed a person on the sofa in his living room.

"Hi Aaron…", Sarah greeted him and glanced around the apartment. "It seems you got back on your feet."

Aaron took few deep breaths before responding. "It's alright."

He could not believe that this is Sarah. In his apartment. Even in that simple black outfit, she is as beautiful as ever.

He smiled and walked toward the sofa. "I am surprised to see you here. How are you doing?"

Aaron was shocked when someone yanked his collar from the back, preventing him from advancing.

"Don't even think about it.", Aiden growled before letting go of Aaron.

Aaron rubbed his neck and frowned at Aiden who was already next to Sarah on the sofa.

"Why are you here?", Aaron didn't try to hide his displeasure because Aiden is here. Out of the two intruders, he is happy to see Sarah but Aiden is a different story.

"We have a job for you.", Sarah said while holding Aiden's hand in hers, trying to remind him to stay calm.

She knows that Aiden thinks how Aaron is always flirting with her, and she told him not to come, but Aiden insisted with a grumpy face and: "There is no way you are going there without me."

"A job for me?", Aaron was surprised.

He knows that Sarah told him how she will be in touch when she needs him, but that was months ago, and he thought that it will not happen… yet, here she is.

"Next week, in London." Sarah saw Aaron's confused expression, and she clarified: "Nothing weird. It's a modeling job for EY. A photoshoot and if your skills are satisfactory, you will get a fashion show as well. You leave on Tuesday."

Aaron mentally flipped through his schedule. "I have a gig in LA next Wednesday."

"Cancel it.", Sarah said curtly.

Aaron was taken aback. But he can't deny that modeling for EY is much better than the small brand which booked him for next week.

EY is a high-end brand and it's difficult to get a job with them because they have limited amount of shows every year and they want only the best to work for them.

Aaron's impulse was to ask for some confirmation that they are talking about THE EY, but then he remembered that he saw Sarah and Aiden in EY clothes in Chicago. They even did modeling! Aaron reminded himself that there is no need to confirm anything. He would be a fool to pass on this opportunity.

"OK."

As soon as he agreed, Aaron felt that this is too easy. Who just comes and gives a gig with EY like it's not a big deal?

"What's the catch?", Aaron asked reluctantly.

"You get to take two people along as your assistants." Sarah said and gestured to the side.

Aaron turned around and was startled to see Jesse and Oni. He didn't notice them. But he was not aware of Aiden either, until it was too late.

Aaron nervously glanced around the living room, to make sure there are no more people who will jump out from somewhere.

Sarah ignored Aaron's anxiousness. She introduced Jesse and Oni under aliases they will be using for their mission in London: "These are Jay and Boni. The two of them will join you as personal assistants. They have something else to do, so for the show and the shoot, another person assigned by EY will accompany you."

Aaron processed Sarah's words and wanted to verify: "They are only traveling with me?"

Sarah confirmed. "They are traveling as your assistants to London and back and you will stay in the same hotel, adjacent rooms. The plane tickets are booked. It's a three night stay. Rooms are paid and food will be provided. EY will pay you a standard fee that other models receive, don't negotiate. If anyone notices that your two assistants are missing, say that they are running some errands for you."

Aaron agreed. This is acceptable. Actually, it's more than acceptable. He got a great gig with EY, with all necessary expenses paid. Fantastic!

Sarah stood up and Aaron got a good look at her. She lost some weight. As a model, he notices those things. Her gaze is sharper, she matured. It makes her... more attractive.

"Thank you, Aaron. I hope you understand not to ask any questions.", Sarah warned him and added: "EY will be in touch with you in next two days."

Aaron smirked. "You don't think I will betray you?"

Sarah raised her eyebrows. "To whom?"

"To whoever should not find out that Jay and Boni are not really my assistants."

Sarah shrugged. "How I see it, you don't know who that is so it's in your interest to be obedient because… there might be a target on your back, and you have no idea who will be aiming at it."

Aaron frowned. He does not like being threatened. "What if I refuse?"

"It will be better for everyone if you stop playing those games, Aaron. Because I am much better in hurting people than you."

Aaron looked at Sarah with a complex expression.

"It seems we need to remind him of that evening in the Black & White nightclub.", Aiden said with an icy tone while his eyes didn't leave Aaron.

Images of Henry, Thomas, Liam, Noah, Paul, Patrick, and Madison present in the VIP room flashed in Aaron's mind. Knives, beatings, blood, screams… he shuddered.

"I will cooperate.", Aaron said.

Sarah smiled in response. She put her arm around Aiden's waist, and they walked out of Aaron's apartment.

Five seconds later, Aaron dashed after them. He looked in the hallway, down the stairs but no one was there. Is it possible that they left so quickly? He sighed. Why did he run after them? He wanted to ask Sarah to stay longer, but considering that Aiden was there... Aaron sighed and returned back to his apartment.

Aaron does not know that he was looking the wrong way. They went up, to the roof and left with their almost-soundless helicopter.

"Will this do?", Sarah asked Jesse.

"Yes, thank you.", Jesse confirmed.

Jesse is ready to start scouting selected hideouts of Shadow Ravens. Oni will join him. Their first target is located in an office building close to downtown London.

Sarah suggested that they take a private jet and go there, but Jesse rejected the offer. He said that Shadow Ravens have a monitoring system which does facial recognition of people nearby their hideouts with locals and people who entered the country, and if they find a face which is not matched, they are alerted. Jesse explained that the safest way to scout them and not draw attention is to approach them as people who entered the country in a regular way, like tourists; every time with different identities.

Sarah never heard of such a system which would match people from the port of entry at the airports, but that does not mean it's not real.

This is Jesse's mission and she allowed him to do his own planning, while Sarah and Aiden will support him. Sarah warned Jesse to take extra care of Oni, and Jesse assured Sarah that this is a scouting-only mission, first of many, and Oni will be safe.

While thinking of a cover for Jesse and Oni, Sarah remembered that Ellie's brand has an upcoming show in London. Going with business as a reason is always better than being a plain tourist, so Sarah asked Ellie if Aaron can be one of her models. 

"Let him take shots and if you don't like the results, discard the photos and I will cover expenses.", Sarah told Ellie. "If you like him, you can put him into the lineup for the runway show but don't feel pressured. Let your assistants decide if they will use Aaron or not."

Ellie understood that Sarah has her reasons, and seeing that Aaron is a seasoned model, Ellie had no objections.

Oni is excited for this mission. It will be just she and Jesse in London, three nights. Who knows what might happen? 

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