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'll be too funny if you fall for his little trick, young lady.''''So, tell me, what made you mistake this dead load for a VIP?'' Lana pushed her question further, ready to troll Austin once more.''That's none of your business— frogs in the well,'' Katerina said, her voice curt and sharp.''Y-you.'' Lana gritted her teeth, faced with such a ridiculing comment.''And why are you here?'' Katerina's eyebrows arched, her eyes fixed on Lana.''Hmph, of course, we're invited… we aren't some posers and a naive wannabe star girl.'' Lana snorted, flaunting their invite plaque.''Let me properly introduce myself, angel.'' Marcus adjusted his suit, a wide grin plastered on his face.''I'm Marcus Barrett, one of the new candidates of this esteemed gathering, an elegant lady like you should be in close quarters with an honourable gentleman like me, huh, beauty?'' Marcus offered a friendly handshake, not minding that Lana was right beside him.However, Marcus' hand hanged mid-air, as the time kept ticking until he finally couldn't bear the shame any more.His face turned ugly with embarrassment, having been shunned twice in the span of a few minutes.'This blood-sucking whore,' He thought inwardly.Treating the two people as farts, Katerina turned her attention to Austin, offering him a warm hug which lingered for a few seconds, making Marcus' face burn with a torrent of dark emotions.''Give me a few minutes please, lots of work.'' She smiled, her face radiating with a reassuring smile.After she left the three, Lana, who couldn't hold on to her fuming rage any more, finally got the chance to let it out.''A cheap slot with such a sickening, fake-ass personality.'' She mumbled, her face a shade of tomato.''Only a dimwit like you can she deceive with such poor acting, I saw through her right as she entered.''''And I don't remember asking for an explanation.'' Austin shot back in a calm tone.''You've got gut now, I see.'' Marcus sent Austin a contemptuous look.''Well, tell your fake slut that she'll regret choosing you over me by the time I become one of the candidates.'' Marcus raised his shoulder, flaunting his supposed new status.Sneering, Austin laughed. ''Heavens knew who will regret it very soon.''''You dare talk back at me, do you know who I am?''''A grumpy fellow who should get his depression level checked," Austin said, ignoring the look on Marcus' face.Marcus was about to call for the guards, but Lana pulled him away.''A mere destined-to-be-slave like him shouldn't make you flare up, baby.'' She whispered, making Marcus reason with her.''Hmph.'' Marcus snorted.'How could such a hot chick ignore me for that brat.' He wondered, licking his lower lips as he turned backwards in Austin's direction.There, he saw Austin busying himself with different dishes.'He's not even classy.' He frowned.Austin didn't care about his opinion, though. He had been starving all day long, owing to his swift change of schedule since yesterday. Hence, he dug into the food right away.After a while, the host gathered everyone's attention as she made the opening speech alongside the introduction of the important guest of the event.Following that, the hall fell into silence as a lady walked in slow steps filled with purpose onto the stage.The air around her commanded authority, her evening dress exuding brilliance and class.''Isn't she too beautiful?'' A man couldn't help but murmur, almost losing the grip of his wine cup.''Almost like a fairy from heaven,'' Another one added.However, the more shocked one was none other than Marcus.His eyes widened in horror, his chest tightening as realization dawned on him.That person he referred to as a cheap slut posing to be an influential guest was actually a big shot.Instantly, his palms felt sweaty as his mind raced with various thoughts.He could only hope that Katerina didn't take offence in his not-so-gentlemanly utterances. And at best, she wouldn't try to teach him a lesson.Otherwise… he would be risking his spot for one of the candidates. A position he had spent tons of money and energy on.Unfazed by the background noise and admiration, Katerina grasped the mic, ready to welcome the dignitaries present.However…''Bitch!'' A discordant voice beamed from nowhere, making everyone in the hall freeze in their thoughts.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
''Your promotion is already in progress,'' Manager Tom muttered, his hands flipping through the bunch of papers on his desk.Upon hearing this, Austin's heart couldn't help but quiver, realizing what that meant.He had been working for this delivery company for about half a decade now, and not even for once was the talk of promotion ever brought up.He watched as Manager Tom's round eyeglasses fell to his big nose bridge, as he pushed it back to his face.''Your next delivery is in an hour, make sure you get the job done perfectly.'' Manager Tom raised his head, his eyes finally meeting Austin's.''Remember, the item belongs to one of our VIP clients, and I assume you know what that means…'' the bald manager said, his eyes knitting with underlying intentions.''Yes, boss,'' Austin replied with a slight bow.''Good.'' Manager Tom nodded.Having nothing to do in the medium-sized office any more, Austin headed to the door, his face plastered with a big grin.Bam!Manager Tom's eyes locke
lAustin stood there, rooted to the spot, his heart pounding against his chest with every striking moment.‘’W-what’s going on here?’’ He stammered, his voice barely audible, getting drowned in the cacophony of pleasure and ecstasy that filled the room.However, his ashen face and the bulging veins on his arms spoke volumes.‘’Uh?’’ Oscar, the tall, well-built man who pinned Lana to the wall, arched his brows.His tongue remained in Lana’s mouth. But out of the corner of his eye, he saw a man who appeared to be a statue.Yet, seeing the figure in a delivery man's uniform, his knitted brows relaxed, making him snicker.‘’Baby, what if I tell you that I have something more special prepared for you…’’ Oscar caressed Lana, making her body shiver as though his hands were wrapped in a tiny electric current that coursed through her skin.‘’No, that can’t wait for later. It’s you I crave now,’’ Lana whispered, but her voice soon trailed off, realizing that they had a guest in the room.‘’H-how
Upon seeing the black SUV overtake him, Austin came to a halt, his gaze stuck on the graceful woman who walked out of the car.Her long, wavy, ink-black hair fell to her chest. Her red bodycon of luxurious material, revealing her tight curves and snow-white skin.''It's been ages, no?'' She smiled, her red lips curving into a knowing expression at the sight of Austin.However, Austin didn't reply, his eyebrows arching, confused at the sudden turn of events.''How did you locate me?'' Austin asked, removing his helmet.''Of all things to say?'' The woman chuckled, taking calculated steps towards Austin.''Rebecca, I said how did you locate me?''''Okay, okay… you win.'' Rebecca raised her hands, faking a pained look.''Can we at least get into the car? You know…'' She looked into the sky, snickering as she pointed at her skin.Knowing the kind of woman that Rebecca was, Austin could only look in silence before eventually agreeing to her request.''Fine,'' he said, shrugging as he walke
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,