5 A Dream?

''Phew.''

Austin slumped into the car, his eyes looking distant, coupled with his swollen lips, a testament to how much he had bitten his lips.

After a brief silence, Rebecca sighed, her eyes not leaving Austin.

''How did it go?'' She asked, her eyes furrowed.

However, another seconds of weighing silence padded, yet, no response came from Austin.

''Those fuckers, what did they do this time around? Do you want me to intervene?''

''Just give the permission, I can make those dimwits beg for forgiveness on their knees,'' Rebecca said, her contorted face full of resentment.

''I can even-''

''It's okay please.'' Austin waved his hands, interrupting Rebecca halfway.

''I can't go back to that gloomy house, not now,'' he mumbled, dropping his shoulder.

However, different thought processes were coursing through his brain. He might've hidden it from everyone, but deep inside he felt hurt, pained, and betrayed.

Although he acted strong before Rebecca, posing as though he wasn't that bothered about the entire situation, in the depth of his mind, he wanted to give the biggest payback possible.

'You all think you're mighty and powerful, huh?' He thought inwardly.

'Fine, I'll show you what real oppression and humiliation look like, you all just wait.' Austin smirked, keeping his thoughts to himself.

Still not receiving any response from him, Rebecca threw him a side glance before motioning for the driver to start the car.

After a while, they came to a stop in front of a palatial building, guarded by hefty men in black.

Austin took a glance at the flat, the picturesque entering his view. Height that tore through the sky, black gate that stood proud, ready to defend any incoming threat.

Tall, beautiful, lush flowers twirled around the fence, adding to the beauty of the flat, making it seem as though an otherworldly painter splashed his beautiful ink into reality.

''You can stay here for the moment until we sort everything out… legally, you know,'' Rebecca said, her eyes on Austin who remained unmoving.

'This district…' Austin wondered, still absorbed in the exotic view before him.

Being a delivery man for a while now, he knew this district like the back of his hand. Only the cream of the crop could afford even the smallest flat here.

''Is everything okay?'' Rebecca asked, having not received any response from Austin.

''Or you don't like it? This is the smallest flat in your family's possession, just give me a while, and I'll personally move you to a better one,'' Rebecca explained, misunderstanding Austin's weird reaction.

''Huh?''

Austin's mind broke into fragmented thoughts, wondering if he heard Rebecca clearly.

He knew his family's business was flourishing pretty well back then. However, he never expected it to have reached such a terrifying level.

So great that one of the best flats in this elite district was deemed as a leftover property.

Regaining his composure, Austin nodded, collecting the keys from Rebecca, who kept glancing at him with a doubtful look.

'Not that I have anywhere to go anyway.' Austin said inwardly, a smirk etched on his face, shielded away from Rebecca.

With the company of Rebecca, Austin walked into the palatial building, his mind still telling him that he was in a dream, and the earlier he woke up, the better.

However, this dream seemed to be one that came to stay, lasting forever.

As they entered the room, Austin couldn't help but whistle in amazement. From the matte, grey wall, to the family-size bed, down to the ethereal floor-to-ceiling windows— everything appeared to be in sync.

'If this is really a dream, then I don't want to ever wake up from such sleep that gave me this bliss.' Austin thought, still not believing that a day would come when he would be sleeping in such a king-class room.

Glancing at the inheritance document in his hand, handed over to him by Rebecca, Austin didn't realize it, but a growling confidence had started brewing in his mind

***

Yawning and stretching his arms, Austin switched on the light, realizing that it was already the next day.

Having a quick look at the room, a thin smile crept on his face, his mind feeling soothed.

'It's not a dream… I'm not dreaming, Austin this is damn real.' He covered his mouth in excitement, his eyes twinkling with intense feelings.

Ding!

The dumbbell rang once more, making Austin jump to his feet. He had forgotten what woke him up in the first place before he got lost in his own world.

Opening the door, Austin saw Rebecca's graceful figure who met him with a soft smile.

''Good morning.'' She greeted, offering a handshake.

''Morning.'' Austin received the warm handshake with a nod.

''I hope the bed didn't feel too closed up?'' Rebecca smirked with a knowing look.

Upon hearing her, Austin couldn't help but blush, shaking his head with a wide grin.

''We've got a place to go in the next fifteen minutes, I hope you'll be ready by then.'' Rebecca handed him a piece of black suit, excusing herself from the room before Austin could utter a word.

Seeing her leave, he dashed into the bathroom, as he freshened up in the shortest time possible, adorning himself in the suit.

Exactly fifteen minutes later, Austin stepped out, bumping into Rebecca who froze for a moment, before recollecting herself.

''Stunning is an understatement I must say.'' She laughed.

___

''You didn't tell me it's going to be this rowdy,'' Austin gulped as reporters flooded them immediately after he left the car.

However, the security guards got them covered, as they soon paved a path for them.

Following Rebecca at close quarters, they soon reached the door. Just as they were about to enter, though, Austin's eyes caught a familiar person, making him pause in his tracks.