18 Chapter 18 - Sleep, marry and murder

"Witness, your name and profession please."

"My name is Edward Acker.I am 24 and a rising model of Atlantic Star Agency."

Here is a brief description of Edward Acker. He is a charmer.The guy has been charming his way out of everything.He uses his dimpled-smile, puppy eyes and broad-shoulders to get out of unwanted situations.

Physically, he is tall, handsome and muscular yet boyish. Characteristically, he is incompetent, way too outgoing, fame-craving, uncompassionate and insensitive jerk.

In a nut shell, I don't like him.

If I were to play "sleep, marry and murder" with Josh, Mr.Palton and him, I would sleep with Mr.Palton, marry Josh and murder him.That is how much I hate this guy.And I have a valid reason for that.

Edward didn't really love Devvy.He dated her only because he thought that would make him gain more popularity as a model.

It was Mr.Palton who encouraged them to make their relationship official when he found out they were secretly dating.

He said that it would yield benefits to everyone. Devvy would gain more love from the public, Edward's popularity would be boosted and consequently, the agency would prosper more. It actually did. (I connected the dots and when I tried to warn Devvy about that, she refused to believe.)

Edward got an offer from a sportwear company to promote their products as soon as the news got out and now he is their brand ambassador.

Going official got Devvy consecutive appearences in talk shows and for about 3 weeks she was featured on every cover of popular magazines.

And the major profiteer, the agency, was able to expand their league. Not so long after the news, Mr.Palton bought a massively spacious building and recrucited more potential stars.

They were a cute celebrity couple in the public's eyes. But what they don't know is that the only one sincere about the relationship was Devvy.That guy was just using her as a career-booster.Though, their relaionship had become slacken lately.Using their tight schedules as an excuse, they seldom called each other, didn't even make public appearences anymore that was until the concert night.

Rumor has it that Edward had a brief flirtation with female co-worker/model in his last swimsuit photo shoot and that he was cheating on Devvy. Perhaps that rumor turned out to be true, Devvy found out and maybe that's why she broke up with him.

He may not love her but he couldn't just part away with her.He will be seen as a cheater and that would drag him down to the bottom back.All of his reputation that the others had HELPED him build will be wrecked by a single blow.

So even though she broke up with him, he didn't take a no, they fought, he followed her to her secluded place, they argued again, he killed her and then cowardicely framed Mr.Palton. It must have been an accident but still a crime is a crime.That's my theory and I am fairly, hatefully sure that he did it.

"Before we proceed, do you know blackmailing someone to falsely testify is considered a felony, Witness?"

"...Yes...Your Honor.I am deeply sorry for that. I shouldn''t have done that cowardly move.And I am really sorry that I framed you Mr.Palton. I swear to the court that from this point on I will say nothing but truth about that night."

"Ok then.You can begin your TRUTH-CONFESSING by telling us why you were at the crime scene Mr.Acker."

"Yes sir."

You are going to blurt out nothing but truth buddy or else I am gonna rip off that charming mask of yours piece by piece here in my territory.

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WITNESS TESTIMONY 3 - EDWARD ACKER (I DIDN"T KILL HER)

"It is true.That I was at the scene.But I didn't kill her.I wouldn't and I couldn't.Just as Mr.Palton's words, I was badly wasted.He drove me to her condo, handed me the receipt which has the access code on its back and then he left.He was never really in the apartment and I am terribly sorry that I blackmailed you to testify in the first place.(Lookint at now-relieved Mr.Palton).Anyway got to the elevator and got to her floor.ButI fainted as soon as I got there.Really, it's true.Before I couldn't say a word I passed out at her doorstep.

She had to carry me to the couch.And I am shameful to admit that the vomit was my doing.I am the one who threw up.I was already feeling super dizzy taking the elevator.

The receipt must have fallen out of my hands."

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