Chapter Thirty Six
1299 Words
“Hi,” before I could accept his handshake, Austin's arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me possessively towards him.
That had come as a surprise, which was evident in the widened eyes I stared at him with.
But his expression was unreadable with his gaze directed to Justin.
He didn't seem affected by it while my heart thumped aggressively, threatening to pop out.
Could they hear it?
I recalled where I was before forcing my head back to Justin whose smirk seemed somewhat knowing.
He dropped his hand, replacing it in the pocket of his pants, “I guess we'll meet each other around then.”
“No you won't,” Austin stated plainly, “so I think it'll be best for everyone if you got going already.”
His eyes glowed with mischief, “the party's not over yet, don't you think it's rude to chase a family member—”
“Guest,” Austin corrected, leading to a growing smirk from Justin.
“Even more rude to chase a guest out when the party's not over,”
“What's going on here?” Katie appeared beside me, rolling her eyes at the sight of the two men as though aware of what was happening.
“Hey dearie,” the smile he offered her was different from the one he gave Austin, at least there was evidence of genuineness in them.
“Hi,” she greeted, and they both shared a brief hug, “I think dad wants to talk to you about something.”
He nodded, turning to me, “see you some other time then,” after a wink, he was gone.
It was only then that I realized Austin's arm was still around my waist.
He seemed to notice that also, because he quickly left me, and gosh, the heat of his touch burned my waist.
Worst of all, Katie had a teasing smile on when I turned to her.
“Congrats,” she hugged her brother, still maintaining the smile, “why don't I borrow your girlfriend for the meantime?”
“Yeah, whatever,” he sounded like he couldn't care less if I got lost.
Without waiting a second longer, she grabbed my elbow, pulling me towards a less crowded part.
“Hmm, that seemed like a romantic scene?” Her tone was as teasing as I'd expected once we'd both taken a seat opposite each other.
“You know it wasn't like that,” though my heart still raced, I ensured to keep my tone steady.
“Hmm mmh,” she jumped her brows teasingly.
Before my cheeks would betray me, I changed the subject, “who is that guy? They don't seem to be on good terms.”
“They aren't,” she leaned back against the chair, “he's our cousin, and although we get along well, they don't.”
“Oh, is there a reason why?”
“What other reason would make two wealthy cousins hate each other if not the cliched hunger for position and power.”
“Austin hungers for power?” My brows furrowed at that thought, because, surprisingly, it annoyed me.
She quickly shook her head, “don't get the wrong idea, he's great and all,”
“Okay?”
“But the two have hated the other having something they don't and if Austin doesn't become the CEO, it'll be handed over to Justin, which gives Austin a high chance of not having a job after retirement.”
“He's retiring from basketball?” I didn't know that.
She ran a hand through her hair, “I think I'm letting you in on his private life too much, but this is the last question I'll answer, alright?”
At this point, she already made me curious enough with millions of questions, but I'd agree with her.
No use getting deeper into his personal life.
It might just make us seem like we're getting into being a real couple.
“About a few months back, he had to get surgery for a fifth metatarsal stress fracture” she began, and I had to blink, expressing my confusion.
“It's like bruising in the fifth metatarsal bone,” she explained, “his was caused by increased stress and him overusing his foot when he jumps and all, while playing the game.”
“Oh my, why was he overusing his foot?” I had to ask.
“Because he's the best player and someone that scores once he gets his hands on the ball. You don't think they'll want to substitute that type of player, do you now?”
“Was the pain a gradual thing?”
“Hmm, I think it started with swelling, but later became bruised.”
“Why didn't he stop playing if he knew he was in pains every time he jumped and all?”
It was weird how much concern was flowing through me, but I felt it'd be best to ignore that.
“Because of the pressure the team were throwing his way,” she didn't sound too comfortable revealing so much about him, which let me know I should probably stop the questioning.
“And now he can't play for a while,”
“Oh, thanks for telling.”
“Anytime, as long as it lets me know you're getting interested in his life for possible future occurrence,” her teasing smile was back.
I just rolled my eyes, though deep down, I knew she was right.
Especially with how annoyed I felt that Austin was stripped of something because of the pressure.
Now he wasn't playing.
Weren't they still living and breathing and not dead! Senseless and heartless people.
***
“Good night,” Katie wrapped me around her, before whispering, “I hope you two have a great night together.”
“And here's the cloth,” she handed a bag of what I'd wear to me.
I pulled apart, shaking my head at her first comment before turning to Kelvin who offered me a small smile though we both knew what ran through our minds.
Next tomorrow, we had planned on going shopping to get the ring, and I was the one opportuned to do that.
The next week was going to be busy as we were going to buy tons and tons of things needed for the proposal.
Wow, I couldn't wait.
“Night Kelvin, I'm sure you two will have a beautiful night,” I offered her a teasing wink, but it was his cheeks that colored.
When they left, Austin appeared beside me, “let me take you to my room.”
He started moving so I followed.
The thought of us being in his room overnight gave me a slightly nervous feeling.
Last time, I hadn't really thought about the fact we were alone in his room because of the fear in me.
But now.
Now we were both sane and would share the same room.
At least so his parents would believe we were truly a couple.
Soon, he'd gotten us to his room, closing the door behind him.
“You've had a long day, you should go get a shower,” he suggested, heading towards the closet.
“Hmm,” my feet moved me to the bathroom.
“Before I forget,” he stopped my movement, so I turned to him.
“Hmm?”
“I got the CCTV video,” with that, my attention was grabbed.
“Really? Who was it?”
My entire body felt more than eager to know who it was.
I was certain it was Suzy. It had to be her, she was the only one who could do such.
But what he said next was the least I'd expected to hear.
- Writer
