To Give And Take

CHAPTER 2

The wind blew swiftly in the calm grave yard, as the sun descended, yet not hot but warm and comfortable, reminding Austin Kingston that it was summer. The green leaves and pretty butterflies flapped their wings from one flower to another. Honey bees were busy with their schedule not far away, but none came to bother Austin's quiet moment.

Infront of him was a cold tombstone, with birth and death date. It hadn't been long, but one year was enough for many changes in life and it was enough to make him discover shocking secrets, so what more of an additional double and tripple.

Clenching in his hand a piece of paper, the last letter from his sister, he pursed his lips into a thin straight line and felt bitter at the thought of the contents of the letter. He didn't know what to think about this letter and the words written on it, though it had been a year already, he had been unable to digest it so far.

..~*~*~*~..

Hi dear brother, I wouldn't ask you how you're doing, because I don't believe you're good in that place and it would be a lie if you said the contrary. I know it's my fault, I feel so guilty when I think of it, which makes it impossible for me to be happy. I admit life is unfair to the kind and innocent like you, while unruly people like me take the blessings. I gave birth to a beautiful son , met an angel like Lucy who changed my view of the world and I have people who care alot about me, but it's an undeserved happiness. little brother, Lucy is really an amazing person, if in this cruel world, they're at least two percent good people, Lucy is probably in those two percent. She's not perfect, but at least she's the exact frame of whom I've loved to be, yet I'm already so tainted and led astray to the point of no return.

I feel ashamed when I think of the past, I mean the past me and not the pure and graceful self I had portrayed in the past. That dignified image that I tried so hard to portray, but in reality, I was probably nothing more but a vicious s**t. It may surprise you, but that's just it, I'm a s**t and I probably deserved John's treatment.

But, what would he say if he knew that little treasure isn't his son, but I'm happy he doesn't know about his existence. I don't have the strenghth to protect him or give him what a mother should give her child, but I know Lucy will. Little brother, as my last request, please protect my son and Lucy ok. She might look valliant, but she's actually weak and pitiful, I owe her a lot.

And, sorry for dissappointing you and sorry towards those four men who loved me unconditionally, but had to suffer the pain of giving their hearts to a person like me.

Sorry brother,

Your sister, Jane Kingston

..~*~*~*~..

And so ended her words which did not explained anything much helpful, but were enough to make him realise how wrong he was in the past. He had always been very good at to observing people and he could tell their personality or thoughts from their expressions, regardless of how they hid it. But he failed to know his sister and wife, he failed to predict their dissappointment and betrayal.

Beatrice was his childhood friend and ended up as his wife due to certain circumstances, but he never completely saw through her, or perharps he just didn't expect such changes about her. People changed, so she probably ended up chaging as well. As for his sister, he had believed in the image of the perfect sister portrayed by her, but it turned out she wasn't what others thought, neither was she who he had always thought she was.

Vincent had asked him about the reason of his return to Province C, one reason was for Little treasure, but the main reason was because he wanted a change and to look into little treasure's biological father's background. One month ago, he had sent Lambert to do some investigations concerning the four men anynomousely mentioned by Jane in her letter and the results had proven to be more seriouse than he thought.

A child holding an inheritance right of a whole a hundred million dollars would easily attract unwanted attention. But everything would be fine if no one knew about the inheritance, but it was different when the hidden news had some how leaked.

As for how it had been leaked, he couldn't get an answer, but he was more busy on how to cover it up. However, the truth was like a pond leaking, no matter how we prevent it from overflowing, it wouldn't stop leaking, neither is it a solution. Finding the source was the best, but the situation became even more complicated, so before the news was completely leaked he had to find Little Treasure's biological father.

However, he had no idea how to start, according to the investigations, Jane had been entangled with several men. Though he didn't want to admit this other slutty side of hers, the truth couldn't be audited. It was a fact that she led a slutty and unruly life, but she only admitted four men. Searching for these men was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Jane had left a whole lot of mess behind her, but he didn't know if she had predicted the trouble she had caused her son, by leaving behind a billion dollar to him as a legacy. But he doubt she did, because she probably would never had thought her last motherly affection and guilt would become other's stepping stone to become wealthy.

Little Treasure might become the target of those men whom she had entangled with, whether they were his biological father or not. Thinking about the future chaos, Austin's electric blue eyes deepened with coldness. He gently rubbed the space between his brows with a frown.

Everything was a complete mess but he couldn't abandon his nephew either, that innocent child didn't have to suffer and the huge burden left by his mother.

"Sir... it's time..." Lambert asked tentatively, not sure if he should cut this moment short. However, he still decided to interrupt, fully well aware of his boss' personality and habits. Besides, it was getting late, and his boss hadn't rested after walking out of prison.

With no time to figure out his own life, he was dumped the responsibility of guarding his sister's treasure, a sister who suddenly became a stranger to him.

"Alright, let's leave.", Austin didn't resist, he felt a little exhausted, after walking out of prison he had rushed over to Province C after having a meal with Vincent. As soon as he arrived at Province C, he still didn't get time to rest, but had to rush here and there to settle this and that.

He was tired, but not once did he show it, his back was straight as ever and his steps were firm a and steady, while his dark orbit eyes were unfathomable as always, making it difficult to determine his thoughts. Not a single expression could be shown on his face, but Lambert knew fully well the heavy burden he was carrying.

As Austin's personal assistant, it was certain that Lambert would be aware of every big and small situation of his boss' life. He just never intervened until he was told to do so.

Perharps because of his efficacy and strong ability to understand his boss, Austin had always been satisfied with this little assistant of his. As the the black SUV moved out of the parking lot, it soon joined the other lines of cars and moved swiftly in the raod joining the rows of cars.

Austin took a deep breath, leaning behind with his eyes closed, looking a little tired. He hadn't rested for so long after leaving the prison cells. He was clearly tired, but as soon as he closed his dark obsidian eyes, the contents of Jane's letter invaded his thoughts. A frown settled on his brows and his thin lips pursed, looking a little displeased.

"Sir, you should rest a while, there's still an hour's journey."

Lambert reminded, through the rearview mirror, he had noticed the frown on Austin's brows. His boss hadn't slept a wink after getting out of prison but decided to travel all night to Province C and only arrived this morning. Without getting over the jet lag he came straight to Miss Jane Kingston's grave yard.

Though he had rested in the plain, it wasn't enough, even if he were the one, he definitely would have collapsed from exhaustion.

He finally sighed in relief when Austin finally closed his eyes.

Though the journey gave the illusion of being long, it was infact just a few minutes making up an hour. No matter how slowly Lambert drove, they eventually reached their destination.

As soon as the car stopped, Austin who had his eyes closed all the while finally opened them. They were cold and unfathomable, sendind chivers down Lambert's spine. He had known Austin for so many years, but he still couldn't get used to this overwhelming aura, it was too majestic, causing his heart to tremble.

Stepping out of the clear with his black leather shoes, Austin gazed at the 400 square meters villa. It was a beautiful, simple and sophisticated villa in a cozy environment, quiet with a refreshing scent to it. The villa had a green lush lawn in front of the two story building villa, with a fountain in the middle. Everything about the villa brought a totally different aspect about Jane, suite unfamiliar.

At least, he knew his sister's taste and the architecture of this villa was definitely not her idea. But from her letter she seemed to love this place a lot, she had even thought that if she could live longer, she would definitely stay here for her retirement. However, it was a pity that her life had to end as sooner as she realised its worth.

She thought it might have been karma, but Austin didn't think so, he didn't associate her terminal cancer to some certain superstition.

According to her letters, Jane admitted she had once been addicted to smoking, but later on forced herself to quit.So if there was to be any blame for her early death, then her addiction toward narcotic should be the case.

Thinking of it, that was another surprising discovery he made, yet he knew it wasn't the end of it.

Pushing the gate open, Austin walked on the tarred path that led towards the huge mahogany door. The beautiful design of the Mahogany door stood in place with the architecture of the house, showing how meticulouse the architect had worked to bring out it's sophisticated beauty.

He was curiouse about the interior, but he wasn't in a hurry to go inside, he decided to walk towards the flower bed a few meters away from the tarred road leading to the entrance of the house.

Everything was as Jane had described, a lush green carpet grass that had been maintained, a bunch of morning glories which symbolised affection, Carnations symbolising bravery, safety and strength. In the end there were also tulipe and its symbolism as Passion, rebirth, new beginning and Good Luck.

He had never been interested in flowers but Jane's letters about the flower bed and the flowers planted in it had made him learn a lot. Flowers had their means of communication, but he had never thought about it, neither was Jane knowlegeable about flowers, so there was only one person that could have thought her the symbolism behind flowers and found it meaningful to be planted here.

However, he barely had time to think it through when the water sprinkler swayed and splashed on him abruptly. If he had been in daze and almost unconsciouse, then the cold water had served to wake him up. The quiet garden was soon invaded by the splashing sound of water, while his body was drenched without exception.

The next minute, he abruptly turned his back and raised his hand to catch the base ball bat that was about to hit him. The pressure he felt on his hand made him frown in realisation. If his reflex wasn't good, he might have left his life in this garden.

But the figure that threatened his life didn't seem to have any intention of stopping, kicking and punching came from both direction. However, no matter how good the other party was, he still had a lot of advantage and quickly aprehended his assaillant, pushing and pinning the person to the floor.

But what came in his sight of view stunned him, yet he quickly regained his calm expression and looked coldly at the petite figure who was wriggling in vain underneath him.

"Who are you?", He coldly requested, which stunned the petite woman, causing her to blink at him with a glare. However, the moment her fierce appearance changed from panic to curiousity and finally it ended with astonishment and a stunning smile.

Austin had to admit that this was the first time he witnessed such a fast change of expression.

The petite woman beneath him looked like a teenager, but he could still tell that she was in her early twenties. Her long light golden hair was sprawled on the grass like sea weeds, few strands glued on her face and her cherry lips were slightly pale from being drenched, yet they had an alluring texture to it. Her palmsized face looked exquisite, doll-like and there was only one word about her...

Etheral beauty should be her second name.

She blinked at him with her baby blue eyes that seems to carry the light of the world. Her skin was so white that it seemed to be glowing, it even looked sexy and glistened under the sun. Her clothes were wet, alligning her slender figure and voluptuouse chest with the right amount of bulge.

He didn't know if it was the wet grass or something else, but he smelled the sweet fragrance of apple milk on her body, which was clean and refreshing. He had never inhaled such type of refreshing fragrance before on anyone.

He didn't say a word until she finally broke the silence with a sweet and gentle voice.

"It's you... it's really you."

Austin frowned and kept his gaze on her, he didn't seem to know this girl, but from her past change of expression as soon as she saw him, he realised in her eyes he wasn't actually a stranger.

However, before he could process her word, Lambert who had heard the commotion immediately rushed over in panic.

"Boss."

Both parties turned their heads to look at the flustered Lambert, but their position didn't change, as if they had totally ignored the lawn sprinkler that was still spraying water at them.

Witnessing this scene of his boss who had pinned a girl down, Lambert didn't know how to react. If others saw this scene, they might think the girl was being molested, but he had known Austin for morethan a decade to be able to judge him fairly.

Austin wasn't one to look at other women with desires, but he was gentle and upright, as for the scene in front of him, he didn't think much of it and rushed forward to help.

Snapping out of his revery, Austin calmly moved away from the girl's body, releasing her from his earlier strong grip. He did everything swiftly, yet his expression was still calm and unfathomable. It was as if he wasn't the one who had pinned a girl earlier.

"Sir, are you okay?", Lambert quickly rushed forward to help him up, he didn't even bother about his shirt which was all drenched. The sprinkler hadn't stopped, so he rushed to stop it, however he failed to do it, he wasn't familiar with the place. Still it didn't stop his determination to turn of the sprinkler at all cost, even getting himself drenched as well. He had never been one to easily give up so he wasn't going to give up just on a sprinkler.

However, the sprinkler that had been wildly crazy suddenly stopped by itself, as if given a command to stop. Lambert raised his head, and saw a woman carefully fiddling with something nearby the flower bed, her head was drooped low, while her golden like seaweed like hair stucked on her white skin. Probably because she was drenched, her already white skin looked pale, slightly revealing her blood vessels.

Her petite figure looked sexy after being drenched to the bone, Lambert was embarrased to continue looking, so he turned to look at his boss who had been staring at the little girl without saying a word.

He was still dripping wet but he didn't seem to mind and stood motionless on the same position, his lips were pursed into a straight line.

He stared at the girl who methodically turned off the sprinkler before walking up to him with a cheeky smile.

"Sorry, it was my fault just now, I thought it was an intruder so..."

She explained calmly with a gentle expression, her words were neither hurried or deliberate. Contrary to the cold expression on her face when she had attacked him, she looked harmless and gentle. Austin didn't say a word but kept observing her, as if trying to read her expression, however he couldn't see through, at most everything about her looked natural, but there was a certain coldness about her that seemed to be ingrained in her bones. However, this type of coldness make her look even more attractive.

After a moment of silence, Austin finally broke the unusual silence.

"You seem to know me?"

He remembered her rapid change of expression while she had been pinned down by him, though surprise was one of them, he saw a look of familiarity in her eyes. It was like that of meeting an idol for the very first time.

Her gaze didn't contain the usual infatuation he had been used to seeing in women's eyes, neither was there any greed. It was a look of surprise and curiousity with a tinge of scrutiny, as if ascertaining and making a confirmation.

"Technically not, but I guess you should be Mr. Austin Kingston."

Austin's expression didn't change, as if he wasn't curiouse as to why the little woman in front of him had a certain degree of familiarity with his name, as if she had heard and called it several times. However, before today's incident, he had never met this little woman before, but he had a strange feeling about her that he couldn't comprehend yet.

"I'm Kingston."

Austin replied coldly with a tone that was neither friendly nor distant, just neutral and polite.

"That's great, nice to meet you, Mr Kingston, I'm Lucy Grey."

She raised her white hand towards him, smiling vibrantly at him with a pearl white teeth that looked milky. Perharps due to her drenched clothes, she shivered a little.

She was clearly cold, but her expression was still calm and gentle, she looked neither submissive nor arrogant.

Austin Kingston he thought to himself.

If she hadn't said it he wouldn't have known, but now that she did, it didn't take him long to know her identity.

He had long heard about her, but he never expected to meet her in such circumstances. It completely abolished his previous comprehension about her. He felt that he would have to observe a little longer. Raising his hands, he held hers in his and responded lightly.

"Nice to meet you Miss Grey."

.......