Mask

When Austin didn't flinch at their threats, she walked angrily to separate their hands.

But Austin didn't give her a glance as he moved firmly to stand in front of Ethan Williams.

Holding strongly on to Bella's hand.

Sarah stood speechless with her jaw dropped and fuming in anger.

"Get the hell out of here, will you?"

She fumed walking back to him but Austin knew who he had business with, hence he gazed intermittently at Ethan, imposing his cold aura on him.

Ethan's body was in turmoil and a bit frightened, but he still managed to keep a straight expression.

For him to be challenging him like this, Ethan figured he must be from one of the conglomerate families, and in fact, his face was a bit familiar.

He glared dangerously at Austin.

"Whoever you think you are, is not up to what I am. So I suggest you get your lowly self out of this place, before I destroy you and the whole of your family, and I will not only destroy them, but also make them a laughing stock in the country." Ethan stamped vigorously.

But he got the outrageous shock of his life as Austin smirked instead.

"That is exactly what you will get if you don't get your mind off my wife!" He threatened back with a smirk dangling at his lips.

Shocking everyone and placing them on their toes, he walked away with Bella in large strides.

"Hey.. you.. You need to slow down.. hey I'm gonna fall if you continue like this." Bella whined behind his back.

"You need." Just as she was about to complain again, he bent over and swept her off her feet.

"What are you doing! People are watching." She muttered in whispers, but,

All fell on deaf ears as he opened the VVIP elevator that took them to the VVIP parking lots.

"Henry, get your daughter to be with me in three days, else get ready to hit rock bottom and maybe even lose your life in the process.." Ethan fumed angrily and left.

Sarah glared at Henry.

"What a disappointment you got as a daughter." She spat and walked away while Henry hissed and went after her.

"We need to save the company, what do you suggest we do now?"

"What else? Get that lousy girl to get married! Get her to marry whom she's meant to marry!"

Henry sighed heavily and kept sighing till they got home to meet excited Ann.

"Dad what keeps y'all out so long!" Ann beamed with so much excitement.

"You haven't asked about your sister! And why are you so excited?" Henry scowled.

"That lowly thing can't be my sister, Dad stop trying to kill this joy."

"And what joy is that?"

Sarah swiftly grabbed the envelope in Ann's hand.

"Mrs Beth accepted me completely mum! and I have been invited to her birthday, which of course can only be attended by the highest elites in the country! You guys are coming too!" She explained in excitement.

"Now this is what we are talking about Henry, not that stupid daughter of yours."

Henry without saying anything took the card from her.

"You mean, Austin Richard's mum gave this to you herself?"

"Yes, Dad! She did! Oh gosh, I'm so happy."

"And how did it go between you and Austin Richard himself?" Henry asked.

Her face suddenly turned sullen.

The fact that he mentioned he was married, gnawed at her heart.

"Does it really matter Dad, Mrs Beth's approval is what's important. Once we get married we'll work on our bond." She muttered and took back the card.

"I need to take care of my skin for the big day.. Bye y'all." She took her pinky Peugeot 108 Top and drove out at high speed.

"Daughter of a brainy one is always brainy." Sarah glared hard at Austin and walked away.

___

"Listen, I know you helped me out.. and I also know you're taking advantage of the help you rendered by holding me down here, but you shouldn't have gone that far. Mr Ethan Williams along with his family is a strong figure in the country, they could do anything, he could carry out his threat on you," Bella explained with her eyes holding enormous fear now.

She was torn between the chaos.

Ethan Williams would never let her parents, especially her dad off the hook, and then she was also hooked up with some stranger whose status she wasn't sure of. The stranger along with her family could get ruined by Ethan Williams.

Now she had to decide on either giving up on her life to just go back home to marry Ethan Williams or just stand by her decision.

Bella sighed heavily palming her head.

"Aren't you thinking too much wifey?" Austin chuckled at her distressed self.

"Like aren't you scared? You don't know who Ethan Williams is right?"

"Eat that." He chuckled pointing at their food on the dining table.

"You know you haven't recovered completely, you need to slow down with these worries," Austin muttered taking his seat.

"You know what, you're right, I don't need to be worried about who's not worried for himself."

"Good girl.. that's what you should do." He smiled at her.

"Really?? But I think you should be worried."

"But I'm not."

"Then I am! For my parents, everyone!"

"Whatever you're thinking, just know that we're bound by contract and I also have my own threats on you," he smirked and dipped into his own food.

"Come, who the f*ck are you! Austin Richard? Nelson Evans? If you're none of those guys, then you should be greatly worried for your life and forget about whatever threats you think you have."

"What if I say I'm Austin Richard?"

"Then, I'll advise you to stop impersonating."

Austin suddenly chuckled.

"Really??"

"Yeah, because Austin Richard must be somewhere in the Netherlands or wherever chilling his life away right now." Her face suddenly brightened with a smile.

"{Wow, is that what everyone thinks of me, chilling and vacating every day?}." Austin was amused.

Austin raised his head to see her still smiling.

"Why??"

Bella suddenly jerked and dug into her food.

"Wait.. are you crushing on Austin Richard?"

Her face turned red at once.

"Wow!" Austin couldn't contain his reactions.

"Like seriously?! You're having a crush on someone you don't even know."

"Who told you I don't know him, and what makes you even think I'm crushing on anyone?" She tried to form a straight face but she got betrayed by her own smile.

Austin chuckled at her behavior.

"Okay, tell me one thing you know about me."

"About you, why will I know anything about you?"

"Sorry, I mean about 'Austin Richard' ."

"Well.. I know he's an heir to the Richard group which is the richest family in California, he's a CEO and owner of MX Corp."

"That's about his business. Shouldn't you know some personal stuff about someone you're crushing on?"

"Oh yes, that's right. He doesn't like showing his face on camera and often wears a mask, but everyone sees his eyes clearly. He has the brightest eyes ever, along with his perfect jawline, he often looks cold and focused. His aura always screams, 'Don't touch!' ."

Austin chuckled brightly.

"{Is it that she doesn't see my eyes right now or what..}" he was amused.

"Then I'll happily tell you that, you should not worry yourself about Ethan Williams anymore and just focus on our contract, I'll protect you."

"Only those guys can challenge Ethan Williams but you're not." Bella scoffed.