CHAPTER 3

A black Audi pulled into the huge driveway of the Troyes’s estate, and a man stepped out of the car. It was Ben Rhys. He looked around the estate and nodded his head impressed.

“Not bad,” he said to himself.

His search for Aaron was almost over. Based on the information he had conjured, Aaron was likely living here. He had read all about him. After searching for him for over fifteen years, he was relieved to realize that he was still alive. And living well too. Ben walked up to the massive porch of the mansion before him and pressed the doorbell. He placed his hands behind him and waited.

Inside the house, Lilian was rushing down the stairs. It seemed she was the only one at home presently. She arrived at the door and opened it in disinterest. It revealed a dirty blonde-haired man with a shaved beard who looked to be in his late forties. His brown eyes which looked slightly hazel gazed at her in surprise. She was stunned to find the unfamiliar man on her porch. Where were the guards?

“Good evening, Mrs. Troyes,” Ben greeted gently.

Lilian who was holding the door raised an eyebrow at him not buying into his sincerity.

“Who are you? And how did you get in here?” She asked.

Ben chuckled and stretched out his hand.

“I am Ben Rhys,” he said.

Lilian’s eyes went to his hand. She was confused.

“How were you able to get in here?” She asked again.

“Well. I drove in,” he replied.

Lilian scoffed at the sincerity of his words.

“And the guards?” She asked.

Ben stepped aside and gave her a view of the situation. All the guards seemed to be lying across the lawn motionless. Lilian’s eyes widened in surprise. Her heart squeezed in her chest as she felt she was in danger.

“Then they wouldn't have let me in if I told them to,” he explained.

“So you killed them?” She asked, almost shrieking.

Ben chuckled.

“No. They are simply asleep,” he replied. “They’ll be fine in a couple of hours.”

Lilian realized that she had no one to protect her. She was in grave danger. She took a step backward in fear. Ben saw this and found it amusing.

“I’m not here to harm you, Mrs. Troyes,” he assured. “I’m looking for someone.”

Lilian paused, not completely buying his gentle attitude.

“Who?” She asked.

“Aaron Warren,” he replied.

Her eyes widened for a few moments and it confirmed that she knew about him.

“I assume he is your husband?” Ben added.

“He was,” Lilian replied, placing her hand on her forehead.

Ben was stunned by this.

“You guys are separated?” He asked.

Lilian nodded.

“A few weeks ago,” she replied.

“And where can I find him?” Ben asked.

“I don’t know,” Lilian replied too hastily. “I heard he moved to an apartment just downtown. I didn’t quite catch the name though.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Troyes,” he said, stepping backward. “Have a lovely evening.”

Lilian watched the strange man walk back into the black Audi that seemed to be parked amid the bodies of her sleeping guards which were scattered across her huge lawn. She didn’t move an inch until she saw the Audi drive out of the estate. As she gazed at the bodies of her sleeping guards once more, a question struck her mind.

What just happened?

***

Ben Rhys looked at the address on the paper in his hands now. He had traced down Aaron here. This was where he was staying presently. The downgrade he had faced made Ben feel ashamed for not finding him sooner. Aaron didn’t deserve what he was going through. He placed the piece of paper in the pocket of his black coat and walked into the apartment building.

A few minutes later, he was standing before a green door which was the door to Aaron’s apartment. And with a sigh of relief, he knocked on the door. He could hear movements in the house and could also hear the sound of loud piano music playing. Ben placed his hands in his pockets and shook his head. He waited patiently but an answer seemed unlikely. Ben knocked again, this time more impatiently.

Finally, the door swung open revealing Aaron. Ben almost took a step back as he saw him. He couldn’t believe his eyes. After a decade and a half of searching, he finally got to meet him. His silver eyes and black hair confirmed the conclusion of his search.

He was the one.

The loud piano music was now blaring out of the apartment. Aaron looked at the man in confusion and rage. He reeked of alcohol and Ben’s assumption was correct when his eyes fell to the bottle of scotch in Aaron’s free hand. Ben immediately felt pity for him. Aaron was waiting for an explanation from the strange blonde man at his door but nothing happened. He was resisting the urge to slam the door in his face.

“Aaron Warren?” The man called.

Aaron’s silver eyes gleamed in shock. The man seemed to know who he was. This left him perplexed. There was a searing question on his mind and it finally managed to slip off his lips.

“Who the hell are you?”