I THOUGHT THAT I WAS IN HEAVEN,
BUT I WAS SURE SURPRISED.

_________ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

I'm nervous.

Notes of intoxicating orchids and jasmine flowers, blended with a whirl of rose, grounded with warm vanilla floods Austin's custom Cadillac. There's a certain musk to it. A more masculine air filling up my senses. It's him. Austin sits in the driver's seat with a low grunt. The atmosphere soaks in a sensual essence.

The luxurious black leather starts with the seats, then the little details around the windows, and is complete with the steering wheel, which is under the grip of Austin's tender fingers. Blinged up with gold rings.

Him starting the car, not aware of my intense stare at the veins on his hands. My knees press together, and I want to get out of the car. My heart can't handle the heavy ambience. It suffocates me, but in such a way that it makes me want even more.

Austin makes me nervous, but I can't get enough.

I gulp, hoping he doesn't notice my breathing over the vroom of the roaring engine. The car finally pulls out of the parking lot of Andromeda Hotel, and I start tapping my foot on the floorboard.

Austin takes notice, "You're worried about Damian."

That too...

"Ottie, I told you I won't let him fire you. Trust me," his voice suddenly takes a sharp turn, like he does with the black Cadillac, before stopping at a red light and leaning closer, "I won't let it happen."

He's closer to me than my heart would like. It's palpitating as if it has lost its mind. My heart is not my own when I'm around Austin. Everything belongs to him.

"Do you trust me, sweetheart?" His brows lift as he speaks in a raspy tone of depth and throat. It blows through my ears like a breeze of the finest melodies.

Sweetheart.

I never wanted to be one of the many women that is muddled by his charms, yet here I am.

Losing my mind over a simple word.

It sounds different in his mouth. Like it hasn't been spoken before. Like he's the first to ever use it.

"Ottie?" His inflections on my name make me build dreams I will soon have to break down myself. I can't keep falling for his voice... but it's irresistable.

I shake my head and clear my throat, "Yes?"

He says nothing, only turns away with a smirk, and a sort of pompous puff of his chest. He holds the steering wheel with one hand while the other dangles out of the window. The lights finally turn green.

"So, what is this ceremony for?" As always, I fail at my attempt to break the tension, and empty my head.

Austin clicks his tongue, and somehow he starts driving faster. Only a little, but I see the clenching around his jaw, which makes me regret asking.

As he's pushing pedals, I get a glimpse of his thighs. Dear god. I wish I kept looking out the window. His black dress pants perfectly hug his thighs, as well as the natural bulge in between his man-spreading.

He leans further back into the seat, and I struggle to keep my eyes off of the way he adjusts his hips for comfort.

From the corner of his eye, he catches me gazing.

"You're gonna get me in trouble, Ottie." Low, but enough for me to hear, he states, and licks his lips.

I freeze.

"Wh-What? Why?" Despite the jittering of my body, I manage to force a couple stupid words out.

A low chuckle escapes past his lips. "If you keep staring at me, I'm gonna have to believe in what your brother said."

"My sister's absolutely obsessed with you."

Goddamnit Hugo.

My fingers move to my lips before my nails painfully dig into the skin of my bottom lip. I almost draw blood.

"My brot-, my brother says... dumb things all the time." I try to explain, but Austin interrupts with an asserting noise.

He takes another sharp turn, "So you don't like me?"

My mind's a maze, and there's isn't a way out, nor is there a way in. It's made up of complete and utter chaos, similar to a pandemonium.

My eyes shot wide open, and my arms lift to level with my shoulders as I'm stuttering through my defense, "Th-That's not what, what I meant!"

Though my protests are quickly disturbed, and brought to an end by an amused laugh from Austin.

He throws his head slightly back, making sure to still keep his eyes on the road, and shows his pearly white teeth in a godly manner. Resembling a Greek sculpture. "I'm only messin' with you, Ottie."

My lips stay in a pucker. An embarrassed pucker. And the longer it stays silent, the more my face heats up. I'm sure my cheeks are pink now, and the quiet acoustic of the car isn't really helping.

Austin senses the tension thickening, and works his charms once again. "Like I said, I know you like seeing me." His hand sits on my thigh, for an agonizingly brief second, but it is enough for me to freak out over.

He sends me into a frenzy with the way he gifts me a small and gentle wink, before turning back to the road like he didn't just commit murder on me.

Everything Austin does in an attempt to calm me down, or reassure me, only makes me more feral...

...And he knows it.

The rest of the road is quiet, with Austin chatting here and there. It's mostly me breathing sporadically, and continuing to nervously tap my foot on the floorboard.

-

I step out of the Cadillac and near Austin by the huge water fountain projecting neon purple lights around itself, being the first thing to notice after the humongous mansion. The moon above, along with the stars in the night sky makes everything look all the more elegant.

The doors are like a gate made out of gold, opening on request of Austin giving his name to security.

"What an honour seeing you on this special night, Mister Butler." One of the servers approach us the minute we walk in. Obviously enthralled by the great Austin Butler blessing the ceremony.

Austin nods in their way, and holds his elbow at an angle, waiting for me to tangle my arm with his.

I quickly do, as to not make him wait longer, but I feel my body starting to melt as soon as I touch him.

"Relax." He tells me in a whisper, before gently dragging me through the glamorous crowd of only the richest, most wealthiest of the city, wearing rings and necklaces of diamonds and golds.

Two women giggle at Austin as we walk by, nearly spilling their champaigne over their manicured hands. Long, painted nails is all I see, and it makes me ball my hands into fists in embarrassement.

"Looking good as always, Butler."

A smooth, but strong voice calls from behind our table. Austin turns on his heels, and his face drops instantly.

They guy standing with his arms stretched out wears a devilish grin from one ear to the other, forcing Austin into a not-so-friendly hug.

Austin sighs and breaks away from the hug, "I don't look good, Julian." He responds with the roll of his eyes and fixes his tie. "I look the best."

Such confidence. My mouth stays agape at it. Austin's shoulders straighten in a cocky manner, and he lets go of my arm to shove his hands in his pockets.

Julian laughs, but it's condescending to say the least. "You haven't changed a bit." He says, also burying his hands on his pockets. "Still a conceited trust-fund baby."

I notice Austin's jaw clenching, and further hear his teeth grinding piercingly when Julian presents the next query:

"I thought Olga would've been with you?"

My heart starts racing. So she is real, and she isn't a secret? Why have I never seen her in magazines, or on news reports if she's so close with Austin? I feel my heart slowly sinking its way to my toes.

It looks like that would be the final straw. Julian viciously teases Austin over the loud music, but Austin tries his hardest not to break, or lose his cool.

Julian then arches a brow, "Don't tell me the one and only Austin Butler got rejected?" Followed by an open-mouthed, and fairly annoying villanous laugh.

I feel like my heart skips multiple beats, and the lump of air stuck in my throat isn't really helping at all.

"Are you gonna stop creaming your pants over me?" Austin forces through tightly pressed teeth, "You talk about me more than you breathe."

Julian's face drop, but instead, his eyes land on me.

"Who's this?"

"None of your business!" With a swift pull, Austin holds me by my wrist and takes me away from the insanely awkward tension around Julian.

I wince at his grip. His fingers sit a little too tight around my flesh, turning it red over time.

Once we reach a free table to stand around, "Ignore him." Austin tells me, "We'll get back to the hotel the minute his speech his over."

His speech?

I can't help but pucker my lips at the thought... If he hates Julian so much, why attend his ceremony?

The snap of Austin's fingers pull me out of my mind. Over the music, "Bring me a bottle of Lafite!" He tells one of the many servers walking around with platters.

He clears his throat. The first button on his button up is open, and I see the honey tinted gloss on his collarbones. As he always does, he perches his elbows on the table in front of him, burying his face in his hands.

"Are... you okay?" I question, leaning in only a little.

Austin nods, "I have a headache."

I press my lips together in regret. I should've brought my handbag with me. Though Austin straightens back up, and a weird aura oozes out of him.

Like a pink, and floral energy.

Austin looks down at me, leaning one arm on the table, "I like what you did with the skirt."

He juts his chin at my thighs, and an imperious smirk appears on his face. I don't hear everything clearly, but surprisingly enough, my ears only choose to pick up his voice. That I do hear clearly. Something deep, laced with confidence, and a rasp all throughout.

"Fucking finally." The weird aura, which I was starting to like, is broken through once again, by the server approaching us with a bottle of expensive wine. Austin sighs as the server pours him a glass.

"I-I don't drink!" I tell him when he reaches for my glass.

Austin gets a quick glimpse at me, eyes narrowed, but smiles softly before nodding. "Leave it here." He points at the bottle. The server places it on our table and leaves.

It takes him a couple of seconds to swirl the wine around in the glass, before taking a sip.

"You don't drink?" He asks.

I shake my head, because words refuse to leave my mouth when he stares at me like that. He's leaned it, and his eyes are narrowed into a foxy shape.

"That's impressive."

My mouth opens and closes, not knowing if I should thank him or stay silent, but the high pitched sound of a microphone boosting through the speakers ends all conversations at once. The music stops, and the lights turn to a yellow-ish, and warm dim.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to start off by thanking every one of you for being here tonight." Julian announces from the stage, behind the large, golden speech stand. "I appreciate it."

Austin's fingers sneak around the glass of wine, and before I can wink, he downs all of it. Not losing any time, he reaches for the bottle to pour himself another glass. His movements seem jagged. Like he's angry...

...And he is.

Julian talks about things I don't understand, nor really care about, but Austin listens with open ears. He sighs every now and then, or lets out an annoyed scoff, but then Julian brings up his new company.

"I have been working to build this company for years, and it feels great to finally be able to share it with you all." For a very brief, but sneaky second, Julian looks in Austin's direction. A grin smeared across his face.

Austin sips on his wine. Eyebrows tied together.

I get it now.

This is a power war.

Julian finishes his speech, all high and proud, while Austin never really takes the wine glass away from his grape stained lips. He rolls his eyes and pours his third glass.

When he downs that one in a matter of seconds, Austin places his hand on my lower back.

Oh god.

My muscles freeze, and my jaw mops the floor.

Over the loud clapping, and cheering around, Austin leans in and his lips touch the shell of my ear.

"I'll be back in a second, and then we can leave." He says, while his large hand melts off my entire back.

I nods franctically, trying to calm my breathing.

He smiles softly and pats my head before leaving.

"Oh my god." I breathe out, hunching over the table and reaching for the glass bottle of water. I open it, and pour myself a glass. My throat is dry, and I'm parched after what Austin did to me.

As I'm drinking like a horse, "Hi there!"

I hear a familiar voice. It's Julian. He walks around me and finally stops to stand in front of me with that irritating grin of his. "I'm Julian-" he reaches out his hand for me to shake.

I'm in a dilemma.

Austin told me to ignore him, but it seems rude to do so. I defeatedly shake his hand, but don't say anything.

"We couldn't talk just then," he points over his shoulder, at the spot Austin pulled me away from him. "what's your name?"

I roll my eyes ever so slightly, hoping he doesn't take notice of it. "Ottie." I whisper, and sigh right after.

Julian nods, "Pretty name."

I nod back and press my lips together.

"I like your necklace," he then attempts to bring his fingertips to touch it, but accidentally brushes over my collarbone instead. "where'd you get it?"

I take a step back and narrow my eyes. He doesn't look like he really cares about where he touches me.

With the click of my tongue, "I didn't get it."

"A gift!" He guesses, "Did Austin give it to you?"

Annoyed, and searching around for Austin, I nod.

Austin is nowhere in sight...

Julian chuckles, "You probably feel special."

My eyes snap to him in an instant. Drawing my eyebrows closer, "What does that mean?"

"It means," Julian leans against the table, "Austin gives almost every girl he knows one of these pearl necklaces." He juts at the jewellery around my neck.

I gulp, but it gets stuck in my throat.

As Julian tries to conversate further, I look around again. Chewing on my bottom lip, my eyes widen in relief when I see Austin's back. He talks to a young man, who's handing him something I can't see.

Austin nods at him and turns to approach me, but his eyes turn dark instead. His steps quicken, and when he nears me and Julian, "What the fuck are you doing here?"

"We're just talking, Austin." Julian rolls his eyes.

Austin takes a deep breath, "I don't care. Don't talk to her."

He holds my wrist again, only a little more gentle, and I die. I die over and over again. Everytime he looks at me, everytime he touches me, everytime he stands near me. I die, but I still want more of it.

"Relax man, it's cool." Julian says in a threatening tone.

Austin clicks his tongue, "Congrats on your company-" he points around the big mansion, "we're leaving." And drags me out by my arm.

I see Julian waving me goodbye before we're outside by the fountain again. Austin lets go of me and takes large steps to his Cadillac, which is parked further away.

I follow him after.

Once we're in the car, "I told you not to talk to him." Austin says. He doesn't sound angry, or annoyed. In fact, there is not a single emotion in his tone, but I can still feel the disappointment settling in my stomach.

"He came and started talking-"

"I don't care." Austin cuts me off and reaches into his pocket to draw out a little box of pills. That must be what the young man gave him inside. "I told you to ignore that motherfucker, but you didn't."

His fingers dig into the box to take out two pills, which he throws into his mouth and swallows without water.

Austin doesn't look at me once. He starts the car and quickly drives off onto the road.

He drives a lot faster now. As if he's taking his anger out on the gas petal. "Ottie I'm angry at you."

"I'm so sorry, Mister Butler-"

"Austin!" He corrects me with a rasp packed voice, and abuses the gas petal even more. The engine roars loudly.

I widen my eyes, "Austin." I breathe, "I'm sorry."

Something feels different. It doesn't feel like I'm talking to sober Austin, but it's definitely not drunk Austin sitting beside be either. It's a gray area.

He runs multiple red lights, not slowing down one bit.

His hands grip the steering wheel tightly, and the entire way to the hotel, Austin seems weird.

-

If I wasn't wearing a seatbelt, I would've flown out of the front window of the car, with the way Austin hit the breaks in a quick instant. Right in front of Andromeda Hotel. He steps out and throws the keys at the valet. His long legs stomp sturdily on the ground.

I follow him in, and am immediately greeted with Damian's terrifying glare. He crosses his arms in front of his chest and slightly bows towards Austin.

"Goodnight Mister Butler." He says and turns to me.

Austin remembers and watches me shatter into a million pieces. This is the moment he fires me.

"She was with me." Austin tells Damian, slurring his words. "If you try to fire her, I'll fire you."

Damian stands baffled in front of him.

Austin turns to wink at me, before leaving for the elevator.

Damian, still baffled, scorns at my state. "Fix your uniform, you're working over time tonight." He leaves Andromeda with his hands pressed together, praying to god for sanity.

I then realize I'm smiling, and immediately wipe it off my face.

Once I'm changed, I put the pearl necklace in a safe place under the reception counter, so i could give it back to Austin in the morning.

"Austin gives almost every girl he knows one of these pearl necklaces."

Why do I care anyway? Do I really believe I'm special, or important to Austin. He probably doesn't even care.

"Ottie!" Holly walks out of the employee's room, wide eyed, "Thank god you're back!"

I narrow my eyes at the state of her. "Holly? What's wrong?"

She points inside the employee's room, "There's just... another person who knows about Priscilla..."

"What?!" I exclaim and push her away gently to enter the employee's room. I'm first greeted with Oliver standing across the room, leaning against the wall, but then I hear cooing coming from my right.

"Maria?!" My voice cracks.

My step-mother looks up from little Priscilla in her arms, and grins from one ear to the other.

"My Ottilie pie!" She hollers, "Did you bang him yet?"

_________ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

➥ IN THE NEXT CHAPTER

Ottie grows suspicious of the painkillers,
and Austin dyes his hair back to black.

Holly and Maria fight over baby Priscilla,
Damian falls in love.

Oh and... Austin finally makes the first move.

Please don't forget to vote<3