CHAPTER fIVE

Reina

When I got close, he seemed to be deeply engrossed in a conversation with one of his friends.

"Hey, Winnie," I called at his friend who sneered at me and walked away like I didn't exist.

With a scowl, Austin turned and his expression only hardened. "What do you want?"

I swallowed but before I could speak, he was stepping closer. Too close. "Listen to me, weirdo. I already told you to stay away from me. You and your thieving mom."

My chest squeezed but I couldn't just let that slide, so I grabbed his arm with both hands and pushed him in the chest.

"No, you listen to me! You don't get to tell me what to do. Okay? And you don't you dare call my mom a thief!"

"Well, what is she? Less than two months into courting and she already wants a ring." The people around us seemed oblivious to our bickering and I was grateful for that. Especially since I could practically feel his weight crushed on mine, pressing me against the counter.

My heart was racing, but it wasn't because I was scared of him. Nothing about this proximity seemed appropriate and something about that made my thighs clench.

"Austin?" A soft, velvety voice called from behind him, making him tense.

I straightened, brushing creases off my trousers as I looked away. Austin took a step back, revealing a tall, slender dark haired woman of about the same age as him. Her bangs are light and curled, brushing over her forehead, the side curls framing her round face that looked like she was a carved orange with a dark smile. Her red lips straightened the minute her gaze landed on me.

"What are you doing here, Beth?" Austin asked, his expression changing into something a bit emotional for the first time since I'd known him.

Beth gave me a one over before turning to Austin, her long lashes fluttering as she pouted. "Won't you at least give me a hug? I'm pretty sure you missed me."

She sounded like an annoying toy but all I could do was stick to the counter, waiting for the peefect opportunity to escape.

"By the way," her attention returned to me, snapping me back to reality. "Won't you introduce me to your...friend." she hesitated.

When Austin didn't speak, she clung to him like a cat and referred to me. "Austin here is my boyfriend and I'm here to celebrate this joyous moment with him. Right, Austin?"

Austin simply glared at her, his hands still dug in his pockets.

I swallowed.

"Austin, your dad asked to see you in his office." I walked away immediately after.

The night went by in a blur of music and just when I thought to retire to bed, I passed by a room. The door was slightly ajar so I thought about checking.

Austin and his father were in the study room, facing each other. Their conversation had been heated, their voices intense. I knew I shouldn't eavesdrop, but I couldn't help myself.

"I'm only saying the truth and you know it, dad. Reina and her mom are only after your..."

"Listen to me, Austin. I tried my best to raise you alone after the death of your mother. I tried my best and I need to spend the rest of my life happy."

He scoffed. "And you think that woman is the one!? Wait until you give her all you have and watch how she will toss your name in the ditch!"

I couldn't blame Austin for how he was taking the news. It wasn't like I wanted it too. But he needed to understand they were adults and if anything, his father could take care of himself.

The next thing I heard was shocking.

"And unless you are ready to drop the family name, you will treat Reina like one. Starting tonight."

My heart skipped at the mention of my name.

Austin scoffed as he folded his arms and faced his father. "You must be kidding."

"The family cheers and photos is a few minutes from now. You must be by her side like her stepbrother!"

When I heard footsteps approaching, I flew down the hallway and down the stairs. As I disappeared through the crowds, I turned and looked back to see Austin looking like he had just been asked to walk through hot coal.

"It's time for family pictures." A voice echoed across the hall.

In no time, Brock and my mom had surrounded the cake. I approached the cake, feeling all eyes, especially Austin’s on me.

As I stood beside him, I felt a strong arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me closer. I held on to him so as to avoid falling but that only made me cling to his shirt, my eyes not leaving his. The camera lights fluttered and I was snatched back to reality. 

The photos felt endless as I had to smile here, chin up there, and pretend this wasn’t the worst night of my life.

Finally, it ended. I was just about to slip away when Beth in a tight red dress with perfectly her perfect hair and makeup strutted toward us. She walked like she was already a part of the family, her heels clicking, with her eyes locked on Austin.

She stretched her hands toward Brock and my mom, flashing a blinding smile.

"Hi, Brock and Angela. Congratulations to the both of you."

"Thank you," they chorused.

"I’m Bethany," she said. "Austin’s girlfriend."

Girlfriend? I turned to Austin. His jaw clenched, eyes darkening.

"We broke up," he said, flatly.

Beth’s face twitched, but she recovered quickly, linking her arm with his like she didn’t hear him. "We simply had a couple misunderstanding."

Brock chuckled. "Well, ex or not, you’re welcome here anytime. Join us for dinner one of these days, Bethany."

Of course he’d say that.

I took that as my cue and walked off. I didn’t want to be around for the toasts or whatever fake happy ending they had planned. I headed upstairs to grab my bag from the guest room.

When I came back down, Brock and Mom were in the lounge, glasses of wine in hand. Brock saw me and turned to Austin.

"Hey, it’s late. Drive Reina back to school."

Austin nodded stiffly. Beth’s voice chimed behind him. "She’ll be fine. I’m staying over tonight anyway."

I could almost hear the smirk in her voice. Brock had already turned away.

Austin looked back at me. "Find your way back yourself." His tone was cold and final.

Beth giggled and hooked her arm around his. "You’re such a gentleman."

And just like that, they disappeared down the hallway.

I stood frozen for a second, blinking back whatever that feeling was. It was definitely not tears. I left without saying goodbye.

The estate gates loomed behind me as I walked into the night. The street was quiet, wrapped in thick darkness that was only pierced by the lights from other houses that were more to look aesthetically pleasing than to navigate the dark. The only sound was my footsteps echoing against the empty road.

Then I heard rustling as soon as I turned the road outside the estate. Heavy footsteps followed behind me, indicating they belonged to men.

They stepped out one by one, surrounding me like they’d been waiting. My heart dropped to my stomach. I turned to run but it was too late.