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89|Pick A Struggle
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Beautiful Disaster 90|A Little Turbulence
They left Clifton Bay just after 2:00 PM.For a large part of their three-hour flight to Rock Union, Marybeth helped Orlando with her homework while Austin made several phone calls and responded to emails."He's always working," Orlando whispered at one point, even though Austin had his AirPods on and couldn't hear their conversation. "I wish he didn't have to work so much.""I'm sure if he could, your father would spend all his time with you, Orly," Marybeth assured her."I know," Orlando nodded as she absently twirled a bright blue crayon between her fingers. "I just miss him, that's all. When Mrs Allan left, and Daddy took care of me, it was the best time ever. I miss that.""Oh, Orly, come here," Marybeth cried as she unbuckled her seat belt and took the little girl in her arms.She was afraid of this—of Orlando feeling neglected. And it was exactly what she'd tried to explain to Austin last night and this morning. Obviously, she didn't articulate herself very well. She'd have to
Beautiful Disaster 91|Chameleon
Two minutes into stepping off the helicopter, Marybeth wanted to run back inside and ask the pilot to take her back to Clifton Bay.She was overwhelmed by everything—from the sounds to the colours and smells. But the unbearable heat beating down on her was the worst.She'd heard the weather in Rock Union could be extreme and sometimes unpredictable. Scarlett had even warned her to take some sunblock and maybe a coat and rain boots.Convinced she'd melt into a puddle at any moment, Marybeth wished she'd heeded her friend's warning on the sunblock.Orlando, though, had no problem with the City of Gold. She made it known exactly how thrilled she was to be there as soon as she let go of Marybeth's hand and took off, screeching her excitement at the man leaning casually on one of several Mercedes G-Wagons on the tarmac, "Uncle Drei!"The tall stranger, clad in a dark two-piece suit, forgot all about the toy drone he'd been preoccupied with just moments before when he heard Orlando's voice.
Beautiful Disaster 92|Compromise
Rattled by her sudden epiphany and terrified of where she was headed if she didn't start thinking with her head again and keep her heart under lock and key, Marybeth went limp in Austin's arms."What's wrong?" he asked, breaking their kiss.Marybeth opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.How did she explain to him that she was an idiot and that her heart had gone and done the one thing it wasn't supposed to do?How did she tell him she was falling in love with him?"Beth?" Austin gently flicked her hair away from her face before kissing the tip of her nose. "Talk to me.""It's nothing," she smiled feebly.It was too soon and too quick to start opening herself up to him in such a huge way. She needed a little time to process and regroup."It's nothing," she said again, just to convince herself that the discomfort in her heart was really in her head and not a start of what could very well be a beautiful disaster...their beautiful disaster—"Are you sure?" Austin pressed. "We
Beautiful Disaster 93|Dread
Two housekeepers, dressed in classic black and white uniforms, dashed through the stately front door and whisked them inside to a large parlour decked out in Russian-inspired furniture and decor."Please make yourself at home, Marybeth," Andrei waved at the armchairs in the room. "Can I interest you in a drink?""No, thank you," Marybeth shook her head, asking as she sat down, "where is Orlando?""She ran upstairs to see my father as soon as we came in," Andrei explained as he handed Austin a glass of Scotch. "He'll be down shortly.""How has he been?" asked Austin."As well as can be expected, all things considered," replied Andrei as he joined them in the seating area."He had a bypass surgery a few years ago, and he hasn't been the same," he added for her benefit.Just then, Orlando ran into the room, an elderly man Marybeth assumed was Andrei's father trudging behind her."Young Hawthorne," he effused in a husky voice when his gaze fell on Austin. "Come here and give this old man
Beautiful Disaster 94|An Interesting Fellow
"I got your email," Nikolai said as soon as they walked into his study. "It's unfortunate what Willem tried to do.""Good," said Austin, allowing his gaze to wander through the room. "I'm glad we're on the same page."Like the rest of the house, all the luxuries and comforts in Nikolai's study were reminiscent of the Russian Imperial era.It was hard to believe the place still looked exactly as it did a decade ago. The only thing that was different was the burgundy damask wallpaper. The old, cream one had to be stripped off after Nikolai shot the pool boy in here—"Please have a seat," said Nikolai, waving at the settee facing his large oak desk."Did you get a chance to review my complaint?" Austin asked as he dropped his frame on the couch.Nikolai picked up a miniature world globe and spun it on its axis a few times before placing it back down. "The best I can do is a fine—"Austin firmly rejected his offer. Nothing less than an expulsion would quell his rage. And if Nikolai couldn
Beautiful Disaster 95|The Woman He Can't Forget
"Everything okay?" Marybeth asked when he jumped in the back with her and Orlando. "You were in there for a while.""Yeah, we had a lot to discuss," he replied, keeping his response vague."Daddy, can you please check why this isn't working?" Orlando shoved the drone controller in his hand.Marybeth, though, replied before he could check it out, "Uncle Andrei took out the batteries.""Why?" Orlando asked."Because you can't fly a drone at an airport—"Austin missed the rest of her explanation because his father called just then."What is this nonsense about expelling Willem from The Corporation?" Lukas ranted as soon as Austin reluctantly picked up his call. "Son, you have seriously lost your mind! What the hell is he supposed to do with his profits? You know damn well he needs us!""How many times have I needed him in the past, and he wasn't there? How many times did Orlando need him, and he couldn't bring himself to care?" Austin asked calmly, doing his best not to lose his temper i
Beautiful Disaster 96|Not His Circus
When the spindly guy with rimless glasses and tousled dark hair introduced himself as Seth Andrews, Austin's mood quickly took a nosedive. This guy—no, this kid—didn't look old enough to be out of college, let alone run his own PI agency."How old are you?" Austin couldn't help but ask as they sat down. He'd booked a balcony table right in the corner, away from curious eyes and ears. The stunning view of the sunset didn't hurt either."I was wondering when you'd ask me that," Seth grinned as he reached inside his backpack and took out his laptop."So it's a common question, then?" Austin mused, oddly comforted by the knowledge that he wasn't the only one who found the man's age questionable."Yep, it is," the PI nodded, his fingers rapidly stroking the keys on his keyboard as he brought up a couple of windows on the screen. "And to answer your question, I'll be turning twenty-seven in December."Austin's eyes lit up at his response; Marybeth's birthday was also in December. He wondere
Beautiful Disaster 97|Barking Up The Wrong Tree
As much as Austin wanted to sleep in and snuggle up with Marybeth and Orlando, he had too many meetings and too much to do before Indigo's launch party in the afternoon. So when his alarm screeched at 6:00 AM, he shook himself awake and jumped out of bed.By seven, he was freshly showered, dressed and ready for his first meeting. He kissed a still-sleeping Marybeth and Orlando goodbye before heading out.When he found Andrei waiting in the lobby with two Americanos, his morning, which was already shaping up to be a good one, got even better."I had a feeling you'll need this," said Andrei as he handed him one of the cups. "How did it go last night?""Thanks," Austin mumbled, wasting no time taking his first sip as he followed him to the car.Crush was only a few blocks away from The Castle, and he could have easily walked there, but he wasn't complaining. The air con in the car was a welcome relief from the scorching sun. The oppressive summer heat was probably one of the many reasons
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