"I am so sorry Austin, you have got two years to live!" The doctor's words were like thunder in his ears. He opened his weak mouth to say something but no word came. The man in question jerked up as his eyes widened. He grabbed his chest and asked painfully.
"What...what... are ...are you saying....doctor?" He finally gained enough energy to ask the dreaded question.
The doctor looked at him pitifully and repeated heavyheartedly, "Mr Dre, you have a very severe condition, it's only a miracle that you have managed to survive to your current age."
The doctor breathed heavily after delivering the news. The doctor then walked to his bed and patted his shoulder.
"What condition are you talking about, Dr. Moreau?" Austin Dre asked as tears rolled down his cheeks.
He might have expected something else from the doctor, but not this. No, this was too much. How would he face everyone he loved? This news was too intense. His heart thumped hard and almost stopped. He felt a searing sharp pain in his chest. His head wasn't resting straight. The doctor noticed his reaction. He shouted, "Mr Austin, please calm down, I know the news is too sudden, but I had no choice. You had to know," he slowly hang his neck down in dejection.
Austin Dre seemed to be having a panic attack. The doctor stabilized him with a shot of antihistamine and after ten minutes he slowly calmed down.
He rested his head down and stared blankly at the ceiling.
Opening his mouth, before first licking his dry cracked lips he asked, "Doctor what is really wrong with me, and since when have I had this condition?" The doctor sighed and said.
"From the time you were born, you had a certain gene disorder, you could have been born blind or even a complete vegetable bit only your cellular level was affected, your cells continued to disintegrate, it seemed like your body wasn't fully configured enough. Furthermore, your blood seems to be rejected by your body. This has caused numerous effects on your body which are irreversible. Maybe if it was discovered soon enough you could have been saved, but..." He paused and with an heavy heart looked away from Austin Dre.
"Doctor, please continue," Austin Dre said to the doctor, who swallowed hard and continued as asked.
"Austin, I can't promise anything, but maybe there might be a way to save you, but the truth is that you've got less than a year to live." "I can prescribe some medication to curb the pain and any other problem." "However, your lifeline will only remain for the next two years if you maintain your body well, don't harm it by any means," he finished his statement.
"Are there any side effects to this?" he asked even though he dreaded the answer.
The doctor gulped and then, with no other choice, explained.
His body was disintegrating from the cell level.
This meant that he was aging faster than any other normal person.
With his current cell lysis, his body wouldn't hold on for long. Over the next two years, his body will display every kind of aging and, at thirty-two years of age, his skin will wither and he will look like a seventy- or eighty-year-old, after which he will die naturally of old age.
"Before that, if the condition worsens, with your consent I will help you rest peacefully by applying anesthesia." The doctor explained sadly.
"Don't worry Doctor Moreau, it's just bad luck or maybe a curse or something. There is also something else I want to discuss with you."
The doctor glanced at him and asked, "What is it?"
"About my family," he started as he stared at the ceiling deep in thought. He contorted his face slightly as if in excruciating pain and said, "I want you to promise me that you will never tell them about this until I do it myself," he said to the stunned doctor.
"What!, why?" The doctor almost shouted.
Austin shook his head and said, "If I am really leaving, I need to spend some normal time with them." "I can't alarm anyone," "Especially my mom and my little sister," he said in a gloomy expression, as a tear slowly flowed down his cheeks and dropped on the pillow.
The doctor stared at him from the side sorrow engulfed his heart. It was too unfortunate and unfair for such a young man to slowly loose his life cue. He couldn't imagine the kind of mental struggle going on within him. "Ok Mr. Austin Dre, I understand," the doctor said.
The doctor then walked out, but in his mind he thought, "What a sincere young man. I hope a miracle happens, because if not, I don't think two years will suffice."
Austin Dre, a thirty-year-old man, walked through the exit door of the Royal Hospital with a heavy heart. He had received the most devastating news of his life. Even though he had pretended and acted normal, Doctor Moreau knew his predicament best.
From the way the doctor addressed him, Austin Dre knew that he was hiding something.
When he tried asking, the response was as expected. "My discernment might be wrong in a way, but, in a negative way, the two years might be a big gamble."
That voice resonated with him as he walked towards the road.
He hailed a cab and rode away.
Austin sat in the passenger seat of the taxi. His face was contorted in a way that no one would be able to know what he was thinking.
His life had now taken a turn for the worst or maybe for the best if you thought of it from a different perspective.
He thought of his family. His dear mother and father, his two younger sisters, his fiancée, whom he was to marry very soon.
He didn't feel bad that he was dying soon, but the idea of leaving these people clogged his mind.
He wanted to peak his head out of the car and shout out loud. What was really wrong with him, what kind of future was it, how unlucky he could be?
On the bright side, he would live a fulfilling life for the next two years and rest in peace. How many people knew when they would die? This was a great privilege. He smiled at the thought and soon fell asleep.
"Sir, wake up, here we are," a male voice woke the sleepy Austin Dre. He rolled his eyes and his face brightened up at the thought that he was finally home.
After paying the driver, he walked to the gate and knocked twice.
A security guard walked over, he looked him up and down and asked, "Who are you?"
"Don't you know me?" "Are you new here?" Austin Dre thought but to the gateman said.
"Are you new here? Please call out Sonya?"
This was his in-law's home. Austin Dre had decided to visit his fiancée first. He wanted to start enjoying his final moments fast. He didn't want to lose any second.
The security guards retreated inside, and after almost three minutes walked out.
"Please come inside Sir, Miss Sonya wants to see you," Austin Dre nodded and followed the guard.
The home was contemporarily built.
The driveway, paved with polished stone, leads to the main entrance, where meticulously landscaped gardens are visible.
The front lawn was a lush expanse of perfectly manicured grass, dotted with evergreen plants, flowering shrubs, and ornamented trees.
Strategically placed outdoor lights illuminated the pave ways and garden features, creating a welcoming ambiance.
He watched the magnificence of this place and smiled broadly.
"You're here", a female voice broke his concentration.
Austin Dre raised his head and saw an elegant young beautiful woman standing at the entrance of the mansion. "Sonya," he shouted joyfully and rushed forward.
He reached her and was about to embrace her when she stepped back and pushed him away. Austin Dre face registered both confusion and worry.
"What's going on, Sonya?" he asked worriedly.
She pursed her lips and said.
"What's wrong?" Her hands were on her hips.
Austin Dre didn't speak. He watched her expression in awe.
"Why are you here, Dre?" She asked.
"What did I do Sonya?" he asked, finally grasping the situation.
"I don't want you to keep following me anymore," she said.
"What?" he said in confusion.
"Humph!" She humped and, looking directly into him, said.
"We just can't be together, Austin," she said. However, when someone looked closely, one would see a spec of worry and sadness.
Just then, the main door behind her opened, and a woman walked out.
"Sonya, what are you doing out here all that time?" Then, noticing Austin Dre, she said in disgust. "Huh!" "It's you,"
"Good evening Miss Jacobs", he greeted her respectfully. She didn't even look at him but said, "What do you want?" in annoyance.
"I came to see Sonya," he answered truthfully.
"Sonya?" "What do you want with her?" she asked. "What is wrong Mrs Jacobs?" he asked.
"What is wrong?" "Do you think my daughter will be with someone like you?" She said, putting emphasis on the last word.
Austin Dre frowned and asked, "What is wrong with someone like me,"
She eyed him sharply and then said mockingly, "You?" "A poor lowlife, you think you can compare with my daughter, a Harvard graduate, and the CEO of a renowned company?" She spat.
"Mom?" Sonya called out to her mother with both anger and confusion in her voice.
Mrs Jacobs turned and looked at her daughter. She looked as if she would beat her up there and then.
"What is wrong with you Sonya, don't tell me you still have feelings for this loser." She growled.
"Mom just stop it!" she said.
"Sonya, do you agree with her?" Austin asked, looking directly at her face. She just lowered her gaze and said no word.
"Sonya?" He called out again, this time visibly agitated.
Sonya at that time raised she raised her head and, with a forced smile, said, "I don't want you anymore, Austin Dre, please leave me alone." Her eyes were watery at the moment.
Austin Dre opened his mouth and asked, "Don't you love me anymore?"
She didn't answer and neither did she look at him.
"Sonya I..." Before he could explain to her that he had less than two years to live, she cut his speech.
"Yes, I don't love you anymore, Austin Dre," she said.
Austin Dre looked at her lowered face with mixed emotions. He wanted to speak and tell her that he would give her whatever she wanted, if only to live with him for the next two years, but he refrained from that.
"OK," he said and turned to leave. He wanted to cry, but he had no tears left. He had no more strength to argue with them. He just dragged his heavy legs from the place. The two looked at the fading figure until he disappeared.
"You did the right thing, daughter. I am so proud..." Mrs Jacobs spoke, but Sonya turned and ran to the house, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Mrs Jacobs watched her and looked at the gate and then shook her head.
"Poor brat, you think you deserve my daughter? I will never let you have her in this life, humph!" The woman cursed as she slowly followed her daughter inside.
They say when you are deeply troubled you will realize your true friends.
A man who had just been diagnosed to have less than two years to live had walked to his fiancées home. Here he had been humiliated and sent away. He had been dumped and completely betrayed by his love. What a twist.
Austin Dre turned and looked back at the mansion. He recalled the good moments he had experienced with his love of his life, Sonya. He remembered their first meeting.
He was just a sophomore student.
That day, he was in a hurry to watch a performance by a great musician in college. He had bumped into her. None of them had said anything.
Austin Dre remembered her flawless face, her long flowing hair, her small deep eyes which felt like oceans when he glanced into them. At that time, his heart beat faster than ever before. It was love at first sight.
She frowned and continued on her way. She didn't want to loose her position in the auditorium.
"Bastard," she cursed and rushed away.
When Austin Dre had gotten into the auditorium, he had sat in the nearest available space. However, their destiny was almost intertwined, for the girl who sat next to him was none other than the cute girl he had bumped into. He smiled at the heavens for the gesture.
"Hi" he started the conversation.
"What's your name? "Mine is Austin, Dre, Austin Dre," he asked.
"I am Sonya," she had said. Her rippling voice, like that of a songbird, had gotten to his ears and on through to his heart, warming it up.
"That's the best name I have ever heard in my entire life," he recalled saying. She had smiled with a reflection of two dimples and pearl white teeth which shone his heart with a new light.
"Well I gotta say, youve got a unique one at that too," she answered.
From that day he never had his eyes on any other girl until now, more than eight years ago.
He swore that day to cherish her and finally make her his no matter how long it took.
But now his poor heart had been broken. Ten years of boundless love would really cultivate eternal rest for his poor mind, body and soul. But now, as he dragged his feet through the streets, he felt almost half dead.
He wished that the doctor had proclaimed his end to be nearer. "A week, or maybe a few days would suffice."
He had left his family during the last year in college and a few years after graduation to live with hers, believing that true love could counter anything.
He regretted that hideous day he had bumped into her. Why wouldn't he have collided with any other girl? There were more than a thousand beautiful girls that day. Fate was truly dispeakable, he was the most unfortunate person in the entire universe of late.
He subconsciously tried rubbing off the tears he felt should be flowing down but to his dismay, there was nothing.
Austin Dre walked from the alleyway onto the main road. He stood there and watched the cars rushing past in front of him and had conflicted thoughts.
He thought of his entire life from the time he knew himself and now.
He recalled in high school how he had always tried being as normal just like others. He had kept his family situation under wraps and never revealed it to anyone.
He just wanted to be just like everyone else. And this worked, he accepted to be overstepped on to retain his facade among his peers.
Now everything he had ever felt he could have lived for was gone. He had no reason to live, not for two more years anyway.
"This pain, this life, every I have worked for all those years for what? for it all to go into drain like that?" He yelled.
He had had too many chances to pursue more of his dreams, but love had seemed to be of the best interest until now. This was just too much to take.
Everything he had done was all for her. He even recalled how at one time he had confused to die of her if it came to.
"Was this what they warned me about? Giving too much and expecting more? But later realizing less, or even nothing?" roared the detected Austin Dre.
But why now, what was his mistake, was loving someone this hard what had brought him all this of a bad luck.
How hopeful could one be when they lose their loved one and know that in one way or the other they will see them in the future, but not in the same way.
"Was this a lesson learned the hard way for what I had kept from her? But why," He thought to himself.
"Truly money can break any bridges and mend them too."
"I will be with you forever," a muffled voice sounded in his mind. He had heard this voice so many times that he had lost count, but now he wished to hear it even for the last time.
He thought of going back to her home and demanding an explanation as to why she would just cast him away like an old used rug.
At that time, his phone rang, "Hi honey, where are you?
You aren't home yet, it's getting late. I am getting worried.
I heard you went to see the doctor."
"Mom" he called in a completely drained voice.
"What dear, are you OK?" She asked, sensing the sadness in his tone.
"Sent someone to come get me," he said.
"Where are you son, I am coming myself." She shouted at the other end.
"OK mom, I will send you my location," he said and hung up. He then dropped on his knees and leaned on a lamppost nearby.
Nearby, several passers-by watched him. Some stopped to stare but no one confronted him.
After at least thirty minutes, a convoy of more than ten Rolls-Royce cars pulled by. Several men in black tuxedos came out and opened the door of one of the cars. A middle-aged woman walked out and ran through the streets to the lamp post.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she bent down to her son lying in a heap on the ground.
"Oh, Tin my dear son, what happened," she said, hugging him from the ground.
The spectators were more stunned. They had watched this filthy lookout kid lying on the ground a few moments ago, but now, a convoy of lavish cars came for him? Truly, the world was a strange one.
"Mom," he called again, and in almost a whisper said,
"Please take me home,"
The poor woman rose up at once and ordered the men to lift him up. They took him to one of the cars and, after she locked the door, the convoy rode away.
The spectators remained rooted in the place as some posted pictures and videos of the magnificent cars they had taken. However, what everyone had in their minds was, "who was that young man?"
"Son, just hold tight, I thought those snakes were human enough to be trusted, but no, I am going to get everything back and with interest," the woman said, looking down at her son's faint figure.
In the Dre Residence, the atmosphere was somber. Family members gathered to enjoy a lavish meal in the dining area. A long table was packed with every delicacy there was to offer.
More than twenty individuals ate without a word.
A girl who sat near the front glanced at everyone and asked, "Mommy, Grandpa, Uncle, why is no one talking?" "Can we play the game like we do when we eat?"
Everyone turned and looked at her, and many of them had blank faces. Just like her they didn't know what was going on.
So someone asked, "Last night I heard someone leave the residence with a heavy motorcade." "What was happening?" The others nodded and glanced at the two in the room who seemed to harbor the answers.
"Austin is back" she started.
Everyone's faces lit up at that, but they registered confusion. If Austin was back then, why were they so solemn?
"He's not feeling well," the old man added.
Everyone seemed unsatisfied with their answers, so they looked at them intently.
"OK then," the old said in submission.
They recounted to them what had happened last night, but the question that everyone had in their minds was, "What happened?"
The woman just shrugged but said nothing.
After the meal, everyone went on their own errands. The woman walked upstairs and stood at the door of a certain room. She knocked numerous times and then called out.
"Hey son, are you feeling hungry? I've got some food here, your favorite."
There was no answer, she leaned over the door and listened.
Inside the room, Austin Dre lay there on the bed, his eyes closed, but he wasn't asleep.
He breathed slowly and opened his eyes. He had completely cleared his mind and felt ready now to take the next step, move one. Furthermore, he had two years to live, so no matter how much time he spent wishing he was dead, it would be here sooner than later. He had only one wish in his life now: enjoy and live to the fullest.
He felt rejuvenated and full of life. He couldn't keep his mother waiting at the door anymore, so he stepped out of bed and rushed to the door.
At the door, Salma Dre was standing leaning at the door when she heard the door knob turn on the other side. She quickly collected herself and stepped back.
Her eyes were watery as soon as she saw her son emerge from the room.
"Are you OK Mom?" he asked after noticing the tears.
She soon grabbed him and embraced him as she asked, "Are you okay, son?"
"Of course, mom, why wouldn't I be?" she asked, still emersed in their embrace.
"You know last night..." She started before he cut her off as he pulled away but held her hands.
"Forget last night Mom, why didn't you wake me up to have breakfast with the others?" he asked.
"Well, I..." "I thought you were so tired," she answered sincerely, not saying everything she had in mind.
"Ok mom, don't worry, I will eat now," she said, grabbing the tray in her hands and walking downstairs to the dining table.
She followed him with a heavy heart. She didn't know what had happened last night and why he would just put off the situation like it nothing. As she walked down the stairs, her phone rang.
"Morning Auntie," a familiar female voice sounded.
"Good morning Jenny," she greeted back cheerfully.
"Auntie, please open the TV and watch the current news." "I am so sorry," she said, and hung up.
She walked the last stairs to the dining room and took the remote control from a nearby desk and clicked on.
Austin noticed her behavior and stared at her. She looked at him and then turned to the television.
As soon as she saw what was being aired, she felt out of breath. The headlines were, "THE YOUNGEST CEO OF
THE CLAY FAMILY HAS ANNOUNCED HER UPCOMING COLLABORATION WITH THE BRII FAMILY WITH HER ENGAGEMENT TO THE CURRENT HEIR OF THE BRII FAMILY, JAYDEN
BRII."
She turned and looked at her son sitting down there enjoying her meal with no worry in the world.
"Son!" She called with a heavy tone.
Austin Dre raised his head slightly and looked at his mother.
He followed her gaze towards the television. After seeing the familiar face, he frowned and his mood darkened.
"Are you really OK son?" She asked, walking to him.
He looked at her and said, "Mom, I am oats that I am OK now. Don't worry,"
"How could she do this after everything you've done for that vile woman?" she was fuming in anger.
"Mom, don't worry, now I will dedicate my time to you, my dear mother and my two little sisters," he said, comforting her.
"OK son, I get you, it's so good that you got over that woman and her evil charms," she said, smiling broadly.
"That's right mom, we should live at the moment." "God knows how long we've got left," he said matter-of-factly.
She nodded and turned off the television, but in her heart, she vowed to teach the Brii family a lesson.
After his meal, which he greatly enjoyed, Austin Dre told his mother he had something he wanted to settle, before he finally came back. She let him go with a heavy heart, after which she asked someone to follow him after noticing he hadn't taken a car but walked to the main road to take a taxi.
She then took the phone and called her husband.
Austin Dre walked onto the road filled with energy and vigor, mostly from the large amount of food he had taken that morning.
He was even whistling as he walked by.
Anyone who had witnessed his state last night would be awed. It was a miraculous transformation.
He soon stood by the road and hailed a taxi. Before getting in, he looked back and, noticing the two strange figures a few yards away, smiled and gave them a thump up. "Mom, thanks," he thought as he locked the door. They looked at each other as a cold sensation ran down their spines. They, however, shrugged and followed.
"To where sir," the driver asked.
"The Brii Building, sir," he answered and sat back with a smirk.
At the entrance of the Clay building, a taxi pulled over. Austin Dre walked out and walked towards the building.
He wore a smug look as he approached the building.
At the same time, a fancy car pulled over at the entrance. The owner chatted with the security guards at the entrance and then drove inside.
"What are you doing here?" A croaky voice sounded. Austin Dre raised his head and glanced at the speaker. It was one of the security guards.
"Sir, what did you mean?" he asked, his face contorted.
"You don't have the right to enter the premises," the guard said.
"And why is that so?" he asked in annoyance.
"The young Miss ordered me not to let any unknown person inside,"
"Really, well, I am managing director in the finance department." "Do you know me then?" he asked. Considering his current predicament, Austin Dre had no other choice but to use a feasible lie to be able to gain entry into the building.
The two men looked down and then said respectfully, "Sorry sir please, welcome."
Austin Dre didn't have the comfort of standing there and arguing with these people, so he walked in and disappeared.The two men breathed in relief when he was gone, but harbored doubts about his real identity.
If he really was a managing director in the company, they knew they would really have lost their jobs. But on the brighter side, they shrugged it off. It was none of their business now.
Austin Dre walked to the reception desk. A beautiful woman sat behind the desk. Austin Dre walked towards the desk and greeted, "Hi Mrs Vanessa?" The woman looked up when she heard the familiar voice. After noticing who it was, she frowned and asked coldly, "Why are you here?" Austin was taken aback by her arrogance. "Pardon me?" he asked in disbelief.
"Mrs. Sonya instructed us not to let you in here, so, why did you come here?" She asked, weighing him up and down in disgust.
Austin scoffed at that and said, "Aim here to resign and get my pending salary and I will be on my way."
"You are already fired, this is your termination letter", the woman said, handing him a piece of paper.
He looked at it and smiled, then before he could say anything else, Mrs Vanessa said. "As for whatever you owe the company, you are going to be charged with misappropriation of company funds and abuse of power, so you will probably be arraigned and pay for your misdeeds, so good luck," the woman spat as she grinned mischievously.
"What?" Austin Dre was taken aback by the sudden occurrence. How could the company sue him, what audacity to perform such profanity?
He glared at the woman on the other side, but then a cold female voice sounded.
"What are you doing here?" He turned and, upon recognizing the other party, frowned.
"Are you here to beg me to take you back? How is life living on the streets?" Sonya Brii addressed him mockingly.
"Or did you come here with the hopes of securing a few millions from the Brii Corporation to raise your standards on the streets?"
Austin Dre laughed at this remark. He turned and, looking at Sonya, his expression darkened. Sonya was confused. When she had arrived at the gate a few minutes before Austin Dre, she had instructed the security guards to report to her any strange person trying to get into the building.
After Austin Dre had left the entrance, the security guards dialed her office. They explained what had happened.
When she realized he was there, she smiled joyfully. She didn't understand why, but her mood had exponentially improved. She had rushed down to the reception almost immediately. She herself couldn't understand why she felt such a deep urge to see him again.
However, when she saw him standing there possibly chatting with another woman, her mood made a oneeighty-degree turn.
"What's so funny," she asked.
"You!" He answered directly, speaking for the first time since she had arrived.
"Me?" "How? " She asked.
"I just shudder at how stupid a fully-grown human being like you can be," he said.
"What did you say, you..." She pointed at him angrily.
"Well, I must say I saw your small blog. I guess you should be proud. Your goal was achieved" he said, grinning.
"Also, I am glad you saved me a great deal of time going through the resignation process," he said, waving the piece of paper in his hand.
"I still don't get something though? Why did you do it?" he asked curiously.
"Do what?" She asked, feigning naivety.
He chuckled again.
"Mom, I was trying to send him away, but..." The receptionist tried explaining, but she cut her off.
"Don't worry, I know how to deal with him," she said, grabbing his hand and pulling him away. Austin Dre was stunned for a moment. He was forced to register what was going on. However, he could not think straight.
As her smooth delicate skin brushed against his, her body seemed to react strangely. He could feel the old buried feeling slowly being reborn.
Thinking about how he had taken the initiative to forget her after that long night, he was agitated. He pulled his hand out of hers as soon as they left the reception area.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" he asked in a deep cold voice.
"Don't talk to me like that," she retorted angrily.
"I want you to meet very important people and learn of your mistake," She then walked over to the lift. She looked back at him and then said, "Get over here."
Austin Dre looked at her smug look and vowed to make her pay a thousand times. All the same, he was still curious about these important people. So he followed her into the lift.
She pressed a button and the lift started ascending. Inside the lift, no one spoke. They both stood at different corners busy doing nothing.
Austin Dre wanted to question her and ask why she broke things suddenly but refrained. He wanted everything about her to be in the past. That was the reason he came here: to settle old scores and start a new life.
The lift beeped as it stopped and opened. She stepped outside, followed by Austin Dre.
He looked at these unfamiliar surroundings and wondered, "I was her fiancée for that long, but yet she never told me about this place?" "Why is she taking me with her?" "Does she think I will kneel and ask her to take me back, after showcasing her stupid status?" "Well I would be more than happy to see how that plays out," he thought to himself as he walked into a conference room at the side.
As the two reached the end of a long alleyway, Sonya pushed a big door in front of them, revealing numerous people sitting around a large table. As soon as the door opened, everyone in the room subconsciously turned their heads and glanced at the two. Austin Dre nodded his head and grinned when he noticed those before him: the company executives.
"Let's go," she said blankly and walked into the room. Austin Dre followed her silently, gleaming with the expectation of a great show. Unfortunately for him, he noticed only one seat was left at the front. Sonya walked and sat down. He looked from side to side and frowned.
"What's the meaning of this?" he asked, fuming.
"Well, since it's your first day in front of such noble individuals, why can't you stand by for everyone to clearly rate you?" she said mockingly.
As her words fell upon the ears of the others, laughter erupted, and glances full of ridicule were thrown at him.
"Yeah, that's what you deserve, punk," an angry male voice sounded.
"You think you are on the same level as Miss Sonya? Keep dreaming, boy." Another mocked.
"That's right, you don't even have the right to tie her shoelaces, let alone fantasizing of being with her"
The mockery continued for a while until everyone turned their gazes at Sonya as if to ask, "What next?"
She smiled broadly and spat, "Today I want to show you life in the upper echelons of society and let you see the difference between people like you and people like us," she pointed at those around her.
He wanted to yell at her and curse her for showing him such humiliation but refrained. He just smiled and continued staring around the room.
"You stupid woman, you don't know what's best for you," Austin thought and sighed inwardly. Since when had he been interested in such a shallow woman? He blamed himself for being so blind all these years.
He didn't say a word but wore a mischievous smile.
After the scene quieted down, Sonya cleared her throat and said, "Everyone, I asked all of you to gather here to witness my annulment and the next step for the company."
Austin Dre was stunned, and so were the other members present. "What was this foolish woman trying to do?" he thought cautiously as he weighed the matters in his head. They did not seem to add up. The two of them were just engaged but not married. Why would they be divorcing if they were never together? He smelled something fishy, so he listened further.
"I want us to break all our relationships so that in the future you will never claim any connections," she said indifferently.
Was this the loving partner he had known for all those years? He felt like he was gazing at a complete stranger.
He sighed inside and continued listening.
A secretary walked in at that moment. She threw a cold glance at him and then walked to Sonya. She handed her a file and then stood behind her as if waiting for the next instructions.
She opened the file and retrieved a paper, glanced at it before handing it to the secretary, who seemed to understand what to did next. She walked to Austin Dre and handed it to him before turning and walking back to her side.
He glanced at it and read a few sentences, "Severing all ties with Austin Dre and his family,"
He asked no one specifically, "Are you sure about this?" "Of course," Sonya answered.
"Well, OK, I hope you won't regret it," he said. She seemed to hesitate but then answered, "Why would I regret anything?" Even though her expression was indifferent.
"OK, then I will sign it, but not before I receive what I deserve," he said coldly.
"And what might that be?" She asked curiously.
"My payment for the last five years I have been working for your family for free,"
"What, how presumptuous, you think, because you have had the chance to be near Miss Sonya, you can ask for whatever you want," an angry you g make voice yelled in anger.
Austin Dre just glared at Sonya unblinkingly.
"Well, we never agreed we were to pay anything to you. "Remember?" she said.
"Also, you were staying at my house, so anything you thought you earned was used to pay off your living expenses."
Austin Dre, standing there, felt anger rush down his body.
How could she be this cruel? Truly, they had never agreed to anything concerning payment however, as a normal servant of the Clay Corporation he really deserved pay like any other person.
"Sonya, you vile woman, how could you do this to me?" "I worked for your company for more than four years. I truly deserve pay like any other company employee," he said, gritted his teeth.
"My lawyers are here, so anything legal you are thinking of partaking in just say it here or else you will regret it when you decide to proceed to court," She said coldly.
A young, well-dressed woman rose up from her seat and said, "I am attorney Kristen. I represent the Clay Corporation, and am also Miss Sonya's personal lawyer. With the power vested in me by the regional law and the constitution, I present these documents to you, Mr Austin Dre. This is an eviction order from the Clay family and company. There is, a restraining order from the county police.You should not follow or, in any way, be near Miss Sonya or her family. Please read the copies carefully and abide by them," the beautiful young woman finished and sat back smiling.
Sonya said, "Yeah you've heard it, let's not have trouble with each other in the future,"
Austin Dre just nodded but said nothing.
This was truly absurd. This woman really wanted to cut all ties with him. She was ready to avoid him like the plaque. If only she knew, she would beg him to stay back. Would she be willing to go against the court order to make things right with him? Only time would tell.
"What an idiot, well she is only beauty no brains, what was I thinking?" Austin Dre shook his head as he thought about his ex.