It sounded perfect to him and a dark smile hovered on his face."How come he had never thought of it before?" The thoughts swiftly clouded his mind.Luther turned around towards Ariel with a smile still on his face."You are such a genius." He finally said.Meanwhile, back at the party, Austin could already notice the change in Miss. Jane's tone as he nodded his head and said."Okay." He finally said.The duo of Ramsey walked behind her until they finally got into a room where high words could hardly slip out because of the soundproof mechanisms that were already in place."So what was this that you wanted to tell me about?" He inquired, keeping a straight face.Miss. Jane paused again and after what seemed to be like forever, she opened up her mouth to speak but her words were lost in the air.His eyes farrowed, unable to take the suspense anymore. But before he could get to say anything, Ramsey already spoke on his behalf."Are you going to give a response to just keep moping?" She
The sun shined through the windows of the cab as it exited the State Parkway headed toward the inner city. Austin had just left the hospital after doing the necessary paperwork and making sure that everything about his father's funeral was set in place.Ramsey chose to bear the burden of relating the bad news to the family and make sure the business continued functioning as Rufus would have wanted with or without his presence.Austin was sure things would never be the same. He knew deep down that times would be tougher as the future seemed bleak at this point. His eyes were droopy, dark circles lined his eyes, it was obvious he hadn't had an hour of sleep the past two days.He was staring out the window like some lost tourist visiting for the first time. The neighborhood he had grown up in didn’t look anything like it had when he left home years ago. It had undergone a real transformation, he thought, as the cab passed a strip where a small row of stores had been torn down to make way
Austin entered the white-painted apartment building—a new, modern building of brick and glass. He approached the front door and swung it open. It has been almost a year since Austin packed into the apartment building. The rent was quite high for him but with working extra shifts with his taxi, he was able to pay the rent. He couldn't afford to live in a rundown apartment just because he was trying to save money on rent.Austin reached his apartment and unlocked the door. He entered the apartment, closing the door behind him. He traced his finger across the wall, finding the switch which he turned on. The room was illuminated with bright light from the ceiling. The living room was littered. Empty take-out boxes and soft drinks plastic bottles rest scattered on the center table. Austin sighed. He was supposed to clean this up whenever he returned but procrastination and tiredness from driving all day would never let him. He even felt worse now that his father was dead and being sacked f
Ramsey sat there on the sofa, speechless, because he didn’t know what to say. He sized up the situation. Austin was angrier than Ramsey had ever seen him. That made sense. This was the first time that Austin was losing someone very close to him, his father. He knew a large part of the anger was because of fear. Was he losing control of Austin? Could this be what would spiral Austin into depression? He couldn't afford to lose Austin, not when the company was in crisis. He stared at Austin and saw a mix of frustration and rage lingering behind those depressed eyes."Austin, I know you just lost your father and I know how hurt you must be but you just can't go around making such statements. It could land you in trouble." Ramsey cautioned."I know what I'm saying, Ramsey. I'm not depressed or anything. It's the facts." Austin stood his ground.A sudden knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Austin got up to open the door. There stood Ariel and Luther. But as soon as his eyes
Austin flops on the sofa as soon as the door shuts."Austin, it's time to move on. You saw what your father left for you before his death. He wants you to find someone who makes you happy." Ramsey consoles."I just wanted to hear it from her lips that I meant nothing to her." Austin says.Ramsey walks over to Austin, rests his hand on Austin's shoulder and gives him a comforting rub."Everything will be fine. You have me." Ramsey reassures. He returns to his seat and takes a sip of his wine."When are you returning to the company? We really need you." Ramsey asks."Once I lay my father to rest, I'll return to the company but I won't be there always. I still have to be careful who sees me because I haven't been announced as the heir." Austin says.It was not yet time for him to return to the company fully because he hasn't yet completed his family's tradition. If not for the crisis, he would not even be called to return. He has to complete the family's tradition before returning to hav
The security guard hurries over and crosses the thief's arms at his back before kneeling on him. The thief groans in pain. The security guard looks up at Austin."Thank you so much, young man. If not for your help, I would have lost my job today." The security guard appreciates it."Don't mention it." Austin smiles. He felt the urgency in the guard's tone. He gets to keep his job since the thief has been apprehended.Within moments, the company's security team arrives, their eyes conveying a mix of relief and surprise."Good catch." One of the guards, a veteran, compliments the guard kneeling on the thief."Thanks but I didn't catch him. He did." The guard points to Austin.Vincent, the president of EED company approaches with his own team of security. His eyes scan the scene, taking in the huddled security team and the apprehended thief."Have you got him?" Vincent inquires, his sharp gaze narrowing in on the unfolding situation.The veteran steps forward, "Sir, we have apprehended t
The path to Uncle Henry's house feels familiar yet laden with a history of strained relationships. As Austin approaches the imposing gates, memories of a painful childhood filled with distant glances and harsh words resurface. Henry, the uncle who treats him worse than any other family member looms over his past. Upon arriving at the grand entrance, Austin hesitates briefly before pressing the doorbell. The echoes of the chime resonate through the quiet estate, and the imposing wooden door slowly creaked open, revealing the imposing figure of Henry."Austin, what brings you here? You shouldn't be seen here." Henry's tone, as ever, carries an air of superiority. Austin knows he is not supposed to be here. Anyone could be watching and find out that if his uncle lives in such an extravagant, Austin is not the poor wretched man everyone knows.Austin takes a deep breath, dispelling the pains of past grievances, "Uncle Henry, we need to talk."Henry raises an eyebrow, a flicker of imp
"In the next thirty minutes, I will be at the factory." Vincent ends the call. He relaxes into his office chair. There is a knock on his door."Come in." Vincent answers. Ben swings the door open and walks in with an envelope in his hands."Good morning, sir." Ben greets."Have you found anything?" Vincent asks."Yes, sir." Ben hands over the envelope to Vincent.Vincent unfolds the envelope and takes out the documents that contain the information about Mr. Rufus' family. The air charges with anticipation as Vincent delves into the contents of the file."I've compiled everything I could find on Mr. Rufus' family." Ben speaks.Vincent nods, his eyes scanning through the papers. As he delves into the intricate details of Austin's life, a sudden familiarity grows. Austin feels familiar to Vincent but he can't pinpoint where."Where does he live?" Vincent asks, browsing through the documents hastily."That information is hard to come through, sir." Ben painfully admits. "I suspect he is