To Give And Take

"You're free Mr. Austin Kingston." The screeching sounds of the iron gate being pulled reminded Austin Kingston that he had finally ended his three years as a jail bird. After so many years of being locked behind the cold iron bars and repeating thesame routine, watching thesame orange cloth walking pass him, for five years and one week in a whole. He took unhurried steps ahead, without looking back, because there was nothing to see about the four walls of that cold cell. He neither hastened his steps to escape that place which he had with no choice taken for a home. Three years weren't three days nor short weekends, but morethan a thousand days of testing his strong mentality and will to live. Prison life wasn't a simple task of being deprived of one's freedom and staying hidden behind bars, eating unhygienic meals. It was morethan than being trampled under the feets of the prison guards and treated as animals. It wasn't uncommon either to be bullied and serve as a punching bag to vent the prisoner's grievance and fustrations. Prison was like being jerked awake at any hour for constant search of the body, without the care of one's dignity. It would even be crazy to think about dignity as a prisoner, because there was no humanity to talk of, neither a single moment of privacy. It was a life said to help others reflect on their wrongs, but it was hard to tell if one could reflect among drunkards sniffling white powders and cold blooded murderers. He had to guard against those criminals and watch his back every moment. He had to guard against prisoners with restless and disgusting desires. After spending morethan a thousand days in this godforsaken place, his mind was clear and steady. Walking through the iron bars he didn't look back but straight ahead, facing a familiar face that he hadn't contacted for long. "Sir, welcome back!" "Thank you.", Austin replied with an apathetic expression, cold and expressionless, yet the other party didn't mind, as if used to such cold treatment. Standing in front of him was Lambert James, his assistant. It was likely to say his few in number loyal assistant and subordinate after his incarceration, he had lost his company and subordinates, Lambert turned out to be one of the only loyal subordinates. During his five years of incarceration, Lambert kept him updated about the outside world and helped him manage his affaires. Even his divorce. That's right, a year before his incarceration his wife walked out of his life thesame way she walked in, leaving him with countless unanswered questions. Due to those unanswered questions his divorce with her had been dragged for almost two years due to certain situations. Long enough for him to discover that he had been cuckold by his wife and cousin and second hand man. However, it didn't answer the countless questions that had been drowning him. Ironic, but reality had hit him so severely that he felt a numbing pain till date. As for the reason why he went to prison, he didn't want to remember nor forget about it, but perharps spending so much time in prison was enough for a new beginning. "Has everything been settled?" In a business like tone, Austin's cold voice reveberated in the silent hall way as he walked out, striding forward with his long legs with no intention of stopping, neither in haste. As someone who had worked with Austin for almost foueteen years, Lambert's efficiency was top notch. Without waiting to be surprised by his boss, he reported everything in an oderly manner. "All the shares of Kingston firm had been sold, the investment firm had given a profit of the estimated sum." "I see, go on." Lambert continued to give a full report as demanded by his boss, till the very moment they left the four walls of the prison's premises. He knew what a workaholic his boss was, that was the case when he was in his glorious years and even if he had lost everything, it didn't change. Infact, it couldn't be said that he had lost everything, perharps in the eyes of others that was the case, but it wasn't. He had always admired such a majestic boss who didn't falter no matter what circumstances came his way, as if his emotions had been frozen by time, he lived a robotic life, only moving forward and never looking back. But he knew that his boss wasn't perfect , he was human after all and he made mistakes, he just never repeats his mistakes. Yet he was sure that no matter how sturdy his heart proved to resist pains, he was human. Building a wall to his emotions didn't mean there would never exist. When his wife had left him for his cousin and demanded for a divorce, he didn't make a fuse but calmly demanded for an answer. It was unlike other men who might go crazy at the thought of their lover cheating on them. If he had to put himself in his boss place, he would have made that woman's life a living hell. Considering how good he had treated his wife, and doted on her, no woman would have a reason to cheat and no cousin would have a reason nor a thought of betrayal like the boss' cousin. But human's heart had always been a bottomless pit of incomprehension, so he didn't even think of trying to understand human hearts.It was best not to venture further forward. "That's it?" Unknowningly, they had reached the gate, with the creaching sound of the door, the gates of the prison were closed and Lambert had just ended his report. "Good, you've worked hard Lambert." His sentence was cassual, but every word made Lambert feel relieved, though he didn't feel that he had done enough, as long as he could support Austin with everything, his life would be fulfilled. He had lived in the slums, dressed in rags and on the verge of death. At the worst moment of his life, Austin Kingston walked into his life. While others looked at him with pity and disdain, only Austin Kingston didn't play by the rule, reason why he who had never lifted up his head, out of shame was impressed by the majestic aura of that man who seemed to be unreachable as heaven and earth. He saved his life and gave him a way to prove himself in front of those who despised him. And for this reason he vowed to follow Austin Kingston all his life. "Alright, that's enough for now, book a flight ticket, we're going to Province C." Austin added expressionlessly. "Are you leaving without a word, how cruel, that's a stab to my poor heart ?" Standing by the car a tall figure dressed cassually in a t-shirt, and black pants smiled mischivousely at Austin Kingston. His Amber eyes looked straight at Austin playfully, ignoring the cold and indifferent look from Austin. Vincent stood up and walked towards Austin, then directed his attention towards Lambert and narrowed his Amber eyes with a teasing expression. The smile on his face was beautiful and angelic to the point of causing a flutter to maiden heart. Only God knows how many maiden hearts had been captures and trapped by his smile. But Lambert wasn't one of those maiden heart, he stood stiffly, yet stared at him calmly. He knew that this man was a devil in disguise, but that angelic smile was too deceiving. "Little Lambert, it's fine if Austin is cruel, but you...", He leaned forward with a hurt expression, which Lambert could tell at glance was mere act, which made him hold his breath subconsciously. He couldn't help it, this man was a sly fox, who could kill with just words. It was lucky he had set for the Law school instead of the acting department, his acting skills were worst at every moment. But Lambert didn't dare let his thoughts known, still it couldn't escape Lambert's scrutiny. "Little Lambert, you're not despising me, are you?" He wasn't despising him, he didn't dare despise this fabulouse lawyer who had never failed a case right from the first start of his career. It was luck that such a formidable persona had choosen to build a law firm from scratch. If it had been the other choice of acting, God knows what the world would have lost. "Let's meet an hour later at the ussual place." Austin finally said after referring to his watch, he calculated the time it would take him to clean himself and get everything settled. Though most of it had to be discussed with Vincent, he was still a clean freak. He needed a proper bath. "Alright, I'll book a room." His friend had already compromised so Vincent didn't continue teasing the little assistant. Lambert was relieved as well, anyway he didn't enjoy dealing with a guy who could set traps in his sentence and use his knowlegde of law to make you speechless. Only his boss could handle a person like Vincent White. *~*~*~* "I really don't understand why you choose to be incarcerated for so long?" Vincent complained as soon as he had the opportunity to vent his fustrations on Austin. "Whoever assaults or uses criminal force to any person otherwise than on grave and sudden provocation given by that person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months or more depending on the severity of the other party's injury, or with fine." Austin said calmly as if he wasn't the person involved. It made Vincent even more fustrated when he thought about it, though his words were reasonable. But he knew the Law and he could use it at his advantage. But he couldn't do anything if the clients weren't coorperative. Beating or assaulting was a crime, but the assaillant who should have been punished for domestic violence was left scot free. The memory of Jane's bruised body was still very vivid on his memory, she had barely escaped the hands of her assaillant alive. It would be surprising if the ussually calm Austin still maintained his calm after seeing his sister's battered and bruised body. If he wasn't restrained by the Law, he probably would have commited a crime. After all, he had always considered Jane as an elder sister, so he couldn't bear others hurting her as well. "You didn't need to be incarcerated for so long, you know." At his reminder, Austin paused in his actions, but soon ressumed his act of serving himself some food. He knew in his heart that everything could have been settled without him being incarcerated. Both parties were guilty, but he felt even guiltier and regretted his impulsiveness. "They were many ways to settle it, so it was my fault for being impulsive. Acting on impulse is spontaneous, there's no consideration to how it could affect others, which was wrong." Even if it was indeed wrong, Vincent still felt indignant, his friend shouldn't have spent those three years in prison. But he knew that Austin had always had the habit of either doing everything correctly or not doing it at all, it couldn't be changed. "Haven't you already vented your fustrations and indignance?" Austin added expressionlessly, while Vincent could only grin at him with satisfaction. His junior sister had suffered and his brother had payed a great deal, how could he just sit by and watch the culprit live comfortably. It was just... "It's a pity that past." Vincent looked at Austin with a sigh, he really had never been able to see through this guy at all. It just seems as if his emotions could never have a ripple, he never showed his emotions. As if one's death or happiness had nothing to do with him, but he knew that it was the exact opposite. After all, Austin was that type of man who spoke more with actions than words. He was a man of few words. Despite this fact he could be considered a national husband, it was just a pity that he had married that woman, he resented her but he didn't dare vent his anger on her. If Austin hadn't stopped him, that woman would be living a miserable life, besides he never understood why Austin didn't let him teach her a lesson. He didn't give one the impression of hate towards his ex wife, as if he still doted on her. However he quickly shook his head, waving the unsightly thoughts away. "What do you plan to do next ?" "Start over in Province C." Austin replied nonchalantly, while serving himself another plate of rice for himself. He didn't have the intention of explaining the reasons behind his intentions of leaving this Province for another, but Vincent was curiouse. "Why?" "Little treasure is in Province C, Chloé is in the viccinity, I'll need your help, so I'll tell you when I need your intervention." He replied simply, still not explaining any further, but Vincent felt this reason wasn't enough, Austin made it obvious that he wasn't willing to explain further. Vincent thought about it and decided not to ask any more, anyway there was nothing left for him in this province. Jane was already death, his father had been death for seven years already and his mother wasn't arround either. Honestly, there was nothing for him to look forward to, so going to Province C was the best. Besides, there was a branch of his firm in Province C. Vincent thought about it and decided to follow allong, he had never met little treasure before, so it was best to meet him. "I'll follow you along." "Don't you have a case to follow ?" Stroke at an instant, Vincent realised that he was indeed following up a seriouse case, travelling won't be possible for now. He no longer insisted on following Austin to Province C, but rummaged through his briefcase and sorted out some files. Austin didn't stop him and continued to feed himself, from the corner of his side gaze he noticed several files in order of names and colors. Vincent had always been always particular about orderliness, so was he. "I had my assistant prepare this for you, you might need it in Province C." Vincent said, taking out a single pink file from his brief, extracting it from the other files. Without looking at it, Austin could already tell what it contained. He was familiar with Vincent's order of colours in arrangement to be able to tell it was a document containing a background check. "You made a background check on her?" Of course, the 'her' mentioned was no one else but Lucy Grey, the lady whom Jane had spent her last days with. Jane's little treasure was probably left with her. There weren't many people who aroused his interest, so he didn't move forward to grab the pink file. He wasn't in a hurry to know about a total stranger and he had never been. Apart from his close friends and relatives he wasn't interested in other individuals, unless they involved his interest and changes in his life. Humans were connected together by strings of fate, as for how other's life were linked to several thread called 'fate' he had no interest or believe in it. He didn't believe in fate, neither in coincidence, everything meeting and every situation had to have a scientifique explanation and reason. Not a coincidence ? "I don't know if it was a coincidence that Jane actually met that little girl, but from my investigation,her character shouldn't pose a problem." Austin pursed his lips and didn't reply. "She's good." Vincent added while putting away the briefcase, while Austin quietly perused through the file. Everything was detailed and simple, so he was able digest everything in not much amount of time. However, his nonchalance as he placed the file back reminded Vincent that Austin believed more on his observation skills than results of investigations. His observation skills were deep and thorough, making it impossible for one to escape his vision and judegement. Because he studied a lot about human behaviour and Anatomy, coupled with the best results he had obtained in the university, he obtained a licence and certificate in human and animal psychology. He had even once worked with the criminal police department to settle a difficult criminal psychological case as an internship program. it was just a pity he was wasn't interested in going further, which was quite a lost to the police department, because After he settled the case that had bordered the police department for two years, he decided to delve into business. He recalled that the police criminal department were reluctant to let go of such a genius like Austin and had tried several ways to persuade him into joining their departement and it was to no avail. Austin remained apathetic, which really fustrated the higher ups in the criminal police department. Austin had always been firm in his decisions and quite stubborn but reasonable. Once he made up his mind, no one could change his plan, his life was well planned and in order as his life style. It was just a pity, the incredible Austin hadn't been able to see through that woman. As for that cousin of his who snatched the family company, he honestly foolishly thoughts he had won due to his wits, but everything was in Austin's control. It was just, he never predicted the betrayal of that woman. The first time he had met Beatrice Lorez, he had marvelled over her beauty and gracefullness. She was a beautiful woman, large coffee brown eyes, her chestnut hair were a beautiful brush out wave that didn't surpass her back, with a slender figure she looked delicate and pure, just like a little fairy. But thinking about the picture he saw and the investigation results, he didn't think Beatrice was good, it was good that Austin had divorced her. However, those thoughts he kept it for himself, he didn't intend to share them with Austin. "You didn't obtain a picture?", Austin reminded, though he wasn't really interested on how the other party looked like, he thought it might still be better to know about her appearance in advance. So he even after demanding for a picture, he continued to eat leisurely, as if everything had nothing to do with him. While Vincent flipped through the file and realised that it was indeed missing an extra information. He thought about it and realised that he might have left it in his office, he probably forgot to place it back in the file after perusing it. "It was left in the office.", He thought about it again and added. "I'll search for it and give to you three hours later." He still had to meet a client after this meal, so he couldn't go back to get it. Austin didn't say anything and simply glanced at his watch. "It's unecessary." Austin informed Vincent that he had a flight to catch in less than two hours, as for the photos he had yet to set his eyes on, he wasn't interested. Anyway, he'll be meeting the other party soon enough, it was better to have physical view that a hard copy at hand.. And though Vincent was a little puzzled because he didn't understand why Austin would leave as soon as he got out of prison, he didn't question him despite his curiousity. Austin had never done anything without reason and he wasn't an unreasonable person either. "Alright, you should go ahead, I'll come once I'm done here." It's been two years already, long enough for several changes even in an adult's life like his. Realising that two years had indeed passed, Vincent looked at the briefcase besides him with a deep thought. "You should get a secretary and make a difference between an assistant and a secretary." Vincent smiled at Austin's words but didn't add anything, he simply lowered his head and continued eating his food. Austin didn't say anything either, as long as they both understood each other, words were meaningless.