The car screeched as the driver pressed the brakes, bringing it to a halt in front of Austin's flat. Well, his former flat.
Releasing a long breath, Austin opened the door, but Rebecca's voice stopped him.''Do you want me to come along with you?'' She asked, her soft voice filled with sincere worry.Turning back to meet her gaze, they both exchanged eye contact for a brief second before Austin shook his head.''That won't be necessary,'' he said, slamming the door.Knowing what awaited him inside, he didn't want outsiders to see the kind of humiliation he suffered daily.Most especially the people from his father's den. They wouldn't let him have peace of mind afterwards. And with the new plans in his head, he couldn't allow such embarrassment to repeat itself.Letting out a sigh, Austin shrugged, as he strode into the all-familiar flat. Taking a sharp turn from the courtyard, he walked into the sitting room, but he soon paused in his tracks.There, he saw Alicia, his mother-in-law, enjoying all life could offer her on the dining table.As soon as she saw him, though, the cup of wine in her hands froze mid-air. Likewise, her hands tightened on the fork in her hands, that dug right through the sizzling plate of mutton before her.''What is this lich doing in my flat again.'' She banged the table, dropping the cup of wine in her hands.''Your gut and clinginess are way out of this world, such level of shamelessness, huh?'' Alicia's eyes turned bloodshot with rage, as she rose to her feet.''I thought Lana said she had this under control, or haven't you received the divorce papers yet?'' Alicia pointed at Austin with the fork, her face wrinkling with every passing second.''So you knew all along?'' Austin asked, biting his lower lips.''And what about it?'' Alicia harrumphed, her face painted with disdain.''Fine, I just came here to discuss a few things with my wife,'' Austin replied, stressing his last word.''Your wife? Hahaha, don't be ridiculous, young man, and erase yourself this minute.'' Alicia pushed the chair behind her, her gaze not leaving Austin.''Perhaps I have to break it to you in the language you understand better… my daughter doesn't need a poor rat like you, she has moved on already with her new life, so young man.''''You-'' Austin wanted to snap back in defence, but he soon stopped mid-sentence.He and Alicia both turned in the direction of the door, making the latter smile as she saw the approaching duo.Upon seeing Lana and the other man he caught her with several minutes ago, Austin fell into silence, as an awkward atmosphere filled the room.''What are you doing here, when we're divorced already?'' Lana frowned, her eyes glinting with displeasure.''I haven't signed the papers yet.'' Austin retorted with knitted brows.''You're such a pest, huh? A mud that sticks to the shoe, no matter how much you try to remove it.'' The man with a tall frame flashed a smile at Austin.However, his cold stares said otherwise. And if looks could kill, Austin felt he would've been buried in the earth by now.''Umm, my in-law, he's just a stain that'll be wiped off in no time, please make yourself comfortable.'' Alicia flashed her teeth as she offered Marcus, Lana's new lover, a seat.Smiling in return, Marcus sat on the brown sofa, welcoming Lana who sat beside him, melting in his embrace.Seeing that everyone had been found where to sit, except him, Austin also walked forward to sit, since he still had something to say.However, just as he was about to sit…Bang!A middle-aged man from nowhere slammed the table, his bellows, echoing in the living room.''What made you think that you're qualified to sit here?'' The man snapped.''F-father?'' Austin stuttered, seeing his father-in-law appear.''Swallow that word, I can never give birth to a dirt like you.'' Matthew blurted out.''Now do yourself a favour and disappear forever from my sight,'' Matthew said, his fingers pointing at the door.''See Lana we need to talk, if it's money, I'll get it very soon.''''I know they're putting you up to this, you still love me, don't you? I'll get that money, you just give me a little-''''You mean money from the delivery shit?'' Lana rolled her eyes.''I'm afraid, even that is no longer available. He's as jobless as you can imagine.'' Marcus chided in, showering Lana with kisses here and there.Gulping, Austin clenched his fist as suppressed rage coursed through his veins.''Now leave young man before we call the police.'' Alicia pointed the fork in her hands once more at Austin.Realizing that his effort had gone down the drain, Austin could only grit his teeth, swallowing the humiliation as he walked towards the door.Stepping out of the flat, Austin froze, hearing what Matthew, his supposed father-in-law, said.''Hmph, even if that failure laboured for the next fifty years, he still can't amount to Mr Marcus' shoes.''''Phew.''Austin slumped into the car, his eyes looking distant, coupled with his swollen lips, a testament to how much he had bitten his lips.After a brief silence, Rebecca sighed, her eyes not leaving Austin.''How did it go?'' She asked, her eyes furrowed.However, another seconds of weighing silence padded, yet, no response came from Austin.''Those fuckers, what did they do this time around? Do you want me to intervene?''''Just give the permission, I can make those dimwits beg for forgiveness on their knees,'' Rebecca said, her contorted face full of resentment.''I can even-''''It's okay please.'' Austin waved his hands, interrupting Rebecca halfway.''I can't go back to that gloomy house, not now,'' he mumbled, dropping his shoulder.However, different thought processes were coursing through his brain. He might've hidden it from everyone, but deep inside he felt hurt, pained, and betrayed.Although he acted strong before Rebecca, posing as though he wasn't that bothered abo
Austin's eyes lingered in the direction of the familiar figure for a few seconds before shrugging his shoulders, as he followed Rebecca into the room.''You still haven't told me what this whole meeting is all about,'' Austin said, the door closing behind him.''Jeez, you saw those reporters?'' His eyes widened, still marvelled about why a bunch of reporters was flocking them.''You make it seem like something alien.'' Rebecca smiled, throwing a teasing gaze at Austin.''Well, to satisfy your curiosity… this is a family bidding meeting,'' ''A family bidding meeting?''''Yes, renowned, wealthy family come together to do… you know, business shit.'' Rebecca winked.''Oh…'' Austin nodded, a part of him still finding it difficult to connect the dots.However, he didn't have an opportunity to think much about it, as they soon entered the large hall connected to the room.Inside, all eyes turned in their direction, each person sending a warm gesture to the new arrivals.Austin's heart could
Katerina Blake, a relative of Austin, walked down to the scene with poise, her face, forever impassive.Her evening dress clung to her body, revealing her tight curves, and silky skin that bounced back the evening's subtle glow.Upon sighting her, Marcus felt a familiar sensation down his pelvic region, making his face flush. ''What a sweet angel, if I may ask who you are, though?'' He asked, his face softening with a smile.Unfortunately for him, his question fell on deaf ears. Katerina walked past him, not even sparing him a glance.The air around Marcus turned awkward, realizing that a lady had just ignored him, and he couldn't help but grimace. His face wrinkling with displeasure.Lana, on the other hand, also glimpsed at Katerina as she harrumphed, unable to hide her envy, seeing a beautiful lady with a refined composure.''And why did you call this thing a VIP, wait don't tell me he has been going around, posing as a fake, hahaha.'' Lana burst into laughter.''Pardon me, but it
Lana's utterance sounded like a jarring bell in the silent setting, quickly grasping the attention of others. All eyes, falling on her.Katerina paused her speech, her hand still on the mic as she sent Lana a cold look, irritation written all over her face.Yet, she didn't lose her composure or act brashly, considering the important personalities present in the hall.''Who is she?'' a man in a brown suit asked.''I wish I knew.'' The blonde-haired lady sitting beside him shrugged.''Most likely one of these naive heiresses of those tiny families.'' A third company chided in, a man in a black suit, holding a glass of wine.''My thoughts too,'' the first man said. ''This is why I was against the new system, some of those hillbillies think we're equals, leaving their manners unchecked.''”Regardless, messing with Katerina is an unwise decision, even the other powerful families tend to avoid getting in her bad book,'' the lady whispered, glancing left and right before heaving a soft sigh.
''Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome Mr Austin Blake as he comes onto the stage.'' Katerina's sonorous voice rang in the hall, making everyone hold their breath for a second.Clap!Clap!A resounding applause rang from one corner, and it soon spread across the hall, submerging the atmosphere in a standing ovation.The guests cheered, seeing the young man climb the stage, his face not at all aloof.Over to Marcus and Lana's table, their bulging eyes and sagging jaw said everything they were feeling inside.''W-what is going on?'' Lana stammered, her eyes fixed on the young man on the stage.The same could be said for Marcus. He had encountered way too many surprises in his life, but this was off the chart.''What… isn't that your ex-husband?''''I think so.''''You think so?'' Marcus rolled his eyes, his attention still on Austin.''See I'm equally lost here, he's supposed to be homeless by now… or could it be that you worked the way for him?''''Worked the way for him? Damn, do you
''I will-'' Just as Lana opened her mouth to speak, Marcus covered her mouth with his two palms, making her gag. He shot her a cold gaze, his veins bulging with fury. ''You're not fucking qualified to go on that damn stage, you dead brain.'' Marcus blurted out, his voice sounding hoarse, exhausted from all the drama. ''Not only did you not keep shut like I warned, but also picked on that woman again, wait… is your brain leaking?'' He released his hold on her, his eyes glinting with fury. ''Keep your doll in check, or she will face the consequences of her rash behaviour,'' Katerina warned in a cold tone, unfazed by the little scene the duo once again created. Lana, on the other hand, still felt as though she wasn't done speaking her mind. But the fiendish look coming from Marcus made her stop whatever thing she planned to do. Seeing that he had got the situation under control to a certain degree, Marcus heaved a sigh of relief. However, his mind remained unsettled, thrown into t
Lana's eyes twitched as a burning sensation zapped to her head, the after effect of the slap lingering on her face.''And what gave you the audacity to think you can judge him?'' Katerina chided in, finally not buying her shit.''Yes, I'm asking.''''You think those few years of humiliation that you and your entourage called marriage is enough to know the real him?''''For someone who can't even afford the basic needs of life without sucking up to a man, you sure think highly of yourself, huh?''A momentary silence hovered in the air, making everyone hold their breath after Katerina's piercing words.''W-what did you just say?'' Lana's face turned aghast, hearing those venous words Katerina spat on her face.However, she didn't receive any reply from Katerina, if anything… the cold gaze from the elegant, but scary lady made her shrink back in apprehension.''And you.'' Lana shifted her gaze to Marcus, her bloodshot eyes, relaying her resentment.''Is this how you want to keep humiliat
After a few hours had passed, the gatherings of the elite finally neared its end.The important personalities bade one another farewell, some drowning in business discussion, while others simply talked about the current trends in the world.Austin and Katerina had extricated themselves from the spotlight, leaving everything for Rebecca to handle.Although Katerina hosted the gathering, everyone still gave her face. Although some still tried their luck to rope in the new, ambitious young man, beaming with valour.Inside a private office, Austin and Katerina sat opposite each other. The subtle golden glow from the chandeliers, basking their faces in a beautiful allure.''So, when can I see my father?'' Austin asked, his eyes filled with a myriad of emotions.Upon hearing his question, Katerina Blake mustered a smile, letting out a soft sigh.''Very soon.''''He's in a business meeting abroad, and it may take a while before his arrival. However, I'm sure he wouldn't take that long,'' she