To Give And Take

CHAPTER 17

"Oliver Stone?"

Lucy's gentle voice spelt out the unfamiliar name with an inquisitive tone, holding firmly unto the slightly thick documents, she lifted her head and looked up at Austin who was sitting opposite her.

He had his ussual gentle temperament, his slender fingers kept swipping on the iPad screen, illuminating his handsome features. A frown settled on his brows, however it was soft and gentle when he looked at Lucy.

"From your expression, I deem accurately Jane hadn't made known this piece of news."

Austin spoke gently, while Lucy didn't give him a reply, she simply lowered her head and continued to peruse the file in front of her with interest.

"Jane loved to do charity works, I helped her with funds in many orphanages and the construction of an orphanage..." She paused as soon as she commented, Austin didn't say anything to stop the awkward silence between them, he knew she still had a lot to say.

"Oliver Stone is different."

Lucy said with convinction, she gave Austin no way to refute her irrefutable claim. She raised her eyebrow, giving him an inquisitive gaze.

"Austin when are you going to tell me about the police narcotic involvement in Jane's estate?" Lucy said with a stern expression.

Her tone and expression brought with it no refussal, he also knew that she wouldn't take a no for an answer.

He raised his head and gazed into her innocent baby blue eyes, she had a gentle aura, with exquisite features comparable to that of a deity. He had never seen a deity before, Lucy in his mind was probably the deity he had never seen before.

"Austin, you're not going to change the topic to shove me aside , are you?" Lucy said with a smile, her expression was as gentle as ever, but he could swear that those gentle eyes of hers hid a threat that made him feel guilty and helpless with an unknown panic hidden in his heart.

"I won't dare." He spoke sincerely, holding her gaze with his electric blue eyes.

"I won't disclose hypothesis."

He added with a firm gaze, she could tell that his gaze confirmed his determination. She also firmly believed that no threat or coercion could push him to disclose any information. She couldn't find any words to refute his claim either, neither did he give her the opportunity to blame him.

"She was indeed right, I can say with conviction." Lucy suddenly said, it was this same inquisitive comment, she seemed to like it very much. She maintained her gentleness, while the coldness that seeped in her was another charm to her beauty. The sweet smile on her pink cherry lips said a lot, but he seemed to be unable to discern her thoughts.

He had a strong urge to unveil her words, yet he held himself back, he had never been the curiouse type.

However, Lucy had made him what he wasn't, he also had no idea if she knew the great effect she had on him. She made him desire to know more of her thoughts about him, equally giving him the desire to know her.

"Positive or negative ?" The words had already left his throat before he could realise it, as if he was controlled by an unknown force of attraction from her.

"What do you think?" She said it lightly, that familiar tone startled him, he frowned without saying a word, as if seriously analysing her words.

Regardless, she didn't give him that time.

"Austin, I won't disclose hypothesis."

He was very familiar with her informal comment, little did he know that in just a short few minutes she would be able to accurately use it against him.

Austin laughed !

Exactly, he laughed without reservation causing Lucy to be stunned for a few short seconds that made her see a different side of him. His electric blue eyes were slightly hidden as his lips curved into a crescent moon shape. His chest heaved with his reverberating laughter that filled the sorrounding like the gentle cello.

Lucy's sleeping heart skipped a beat, she had to admit from that very moment that a part of her had been charmed by his smile.

She believed that she couldn't stay indifferent anymore towards the ripple he had caused in her. The little ripple was like a calm lake that had been disturbed the surface and she didn't hate it, which only proved that Austin Kingston deserved her slight attention.

*>>>>>~*~>>>>>*

"Good day sir, are we at Oliver Stonne's homestead?"

Lucy asked politely with a gentle tone that was neither servile nor close, her tone was clearly indifferent, but it didn't give others that impression.

The man infront of them was slightly burly, dark spikey hair with a tanned skin, his deep set eyes sparked with light, just like every other man infront of a beauty. However, there was little restraint and a frivolouse admiration in his expression. He had a wild aura, probably because he grew up in a country side; he was dressed in clean washed off short sleeve blouser, exposing his slightly bulging muscles.

"You are." The wariness in his voice was obviouse, as if guarding against thieves, but it was unknown if his wariness could be explained otherwise.

"Austin Kingston and..." Austin volunteered to make the first presentation, keeping Lucy at arm's length away from the burly barbaric man. She was kept at a close distance to his back like an iron shield keeping her away from danger.

"Lucy Grey?" She still choose to complete the routine formality, saving Austin from going into the details. Despite being a prospective husband, they couldn't be considered much at current, so their relationship was still a little awkward.

Austin understood her intentions, though there was a slight dissapointment hidden in his blue electric eyes, he had an understanding look in his eyes.

"I'm called Logan Johnson." Logan Johnson extended his large hand towards them, Austin voluntarily took it, but Lucy stayed behind him with no intention of extending her hand for a hand shake. She instinctively didn't want to get close to the burly Logan Johnson for a reason she couldn't explain with words, Austin also respected her choice.

"How may I help you?" Logan took a swift lingering glance at Lucy, shielded by Austin, his question was still directed to Austin.

"We're here to meet Miss Debby Johnson, we were directed to this place, can we meet her?" Austin went straight to the point with his request, Lucy knew he wasn't the type to share pleasanteries or take round about.

She quite liked this straightforward attitude of his.

"Debby Johnson, that's my wife, may I know what business you have with her?" Upon having a complete understanding of his words, Austin didn't appear surprise, he simply raised his brows and added indifferently.

"We're here on behalf of Miss Jane Kingston, Miss Johnson should know about her." Austin explained concisely, yet withholding the rest of the informations, he was quite professional for a business man who didn't venture in law. Lucy wasn't surprised by it, Jane had noted this part of him as doing his best in whatever he placed his dutiful hands upon.

She looked towards Logan Johnson who suddenly showed a slight interest after a moment of contemplation. He didn't show any hint of surprise upon Austin's explanation. He held up his rough callouse hands to his unshaved beard and nodded with seriouseness.

"I know about Jane Kingston, he was quite close with my late brother in-law, but that obviously has nothing to with my wife, if I remember correctly."

Logan Johnson dropped down his hands and inserted them in his torn up jean, leaning closely to the run down wooden door behind him.

"We know about that, accept our sincere condolences, but may talk to your wife?" Austin said, his voice lowered to a certain degree of coldness, laced with impatience. He was a business man after all, Lucy understood he didn't like engaging in uncessary talks with strangers, even less with barbarians like Logan Johnson with whom they didn't share a close to common interest. It was probably his respect towards his sister that pushed him to assist her in visiting the beneficiaries to Jane's estate.

She was grateful towards him for that, because she didn't want to imagine herself having to meet another Logan Johnson or a worst one that him.

"I accept your condolences, can you then tell me why you need to meet my wife?" Logan Johnson repeated with an awfully irritating tone that would deserve a punch to put his brain on place. She suspected he needed to have his brain put in place with a punch, but it was obviouse Austin Kingston wasn't the type to throw punches at others, he didn't need to either.

"Mr Johnson, I understand you're wary about two strangers knocking at your door, but we assure you that we both have no ill intentions towards your family, we just request an audience with your wife, we'll live shortly after."

Lucy finished her sentence in one breath, despite her reluctance to exchange a word with the barbaric burly Logan Johnson, she compelled herself to participate. Austin looked down at her without saying a word, reverting his attention he found Logan Johnson's lecherouse interest on her. He clenched his hands on the side, with an indifferent expression he peered calmly at Logan Johnson with a hidden cold piercing gaze.

"Your words are pretty flowery barbie, but what's the guarantee ?"

"What?" Lucy exclaimed at his barbaric comment with a frown, she had known it wouldn't be easy to deal with a man like Logan, but it was even more unpleasant to face him. She always felt that a man like him lived in the era of chauvinism, the voice of a woman was probably nonsense to his ears.

"I mean, as a woman, what type of guarantee can you give another man."

Logan Johnson said with interest, despite his question directed at Lucy, his gaze playfully swiftly shifted to Austin Kingston.

Lucy had no idea what Logan Johnson was rambling about, but she had the weird feeling that she wouldn't like the explanation. She shifted her gaze towards Austin who had taken out his phone from his pocket, unbothered by Logan Johnson.

She understood that he was a busy man, he had already been absent from his office for a whole day, tons of contracts and projects must be piled up in his office. He would have to busy himself with an extra efficacity to get everything done. It might seem like a gloriouse moment to be sitted on the president's chair in command of hundreds and more employees under you. However, the pressure and sacrifice that burdened one's shoulder is morethan one could imagine.

She didn't want to have to deal alone with Logan Johnson while Austin had his business call, but she didn't want to hold him back either.

She watched as Austin nodded at her and turned his back at her to answer his call, while she'd wished his phone hadn't rang at that moment.

"Now you tell me barbie, why would you follow your lover to a remote place like ours, isn't it best for women to stay pretty and devoted at home?"

His question baffled Lucy, but she wasn't surprised by his chauvinistic comment, she just lauted men like Logan Johnson who lived in the partriarchial era. She also hated his inanimate unruly address towards her, she wasn't a porcelaine doll. She'd wanted to refute when strong hands circled hers gently, a brush of warm air landed on her face without evoking her disgust or resistance. Austin leaned closely towards her ears, blowing unintentionally on her slender neck.

"Let me settle it."

She knew it was Austin Kingston, she'd hoped he would say that long ago. She had never relied on others to settle her affaires, but she'd gladly corporate with Austin Kingston.

"Alright." Lucy said, taking a step back, she let Austin tower in front of her, while she watched on the sideline.

"Mr Johnson, we're grateful for the little time you've granted us, though you haven't met our expectations, hopefully next time will make a difference."

"Should I understand by this that you're leaving ?" Logan Johnson said with a slightly raised tone that magnified his surprise. He didn't seem to have expected this comment from Austin, he made the guess.

"We're busy people, so we'll be on our way Mr Johnson."

Austin said politely, without giving the chance to Logan Johnson another opportunity to speak his mind, he pulled her out of the court Yard. She let him pull her after casting one last glance at Logan Johnson's alternating expression. She seemed to have caught a slight reluctance from his expression, enhancing her suspicions towards Logan Johnson and Austin's sudden reaction.

The walk out of the neighborhood was quiet but faster than their entry into the old folks neighborhood. The sun had gone up not long, on the late hours of the morning, the weather was slightly chilly. They met few village folks but chubby and dirty kids playing in their court yards and a few elders sat or lay on mats, basking under the morning sun.

She had visited country towns like this, so she was aware that most of the youths and capable village folks had probably gone to the farm. The place wasn't rich and developped, but she'd seen worst in her life.

"Are we really leaving just like that?"

Lucy finally couldn't hold back her curiosity once they sat in the car, she'd kept silent all the way to the car, but it didn't mean she wasn't curiouse.

"Yes." Austin replied, but she found his answer vague and uninteresting.

"Austin, can you give me a reply with concision?" Lucy demanded.

He knew he had to give her a reply, he'd be glad to nourish her curiosity as well.

"Logan Johnson is a typical male chauvinist."

"Can you tell me something new?" Lucy said without interest, she already knew from her observations what type of man Logan Johnson was.

"He wouldn't let us meet Debby Johnson and there's no reason to trust him with the reason of our coming?"

He gave a short concise explanation that satisfied her, but the frown on her brows didn't dissappear, she already had that hunch that they'll have to get Logan Johnson to agree to their request. But he showed no signs of willing to give into to them either.

"Is there no other way to meet Oliver Stonne and Debby Johnson ?" Lucy asked, with her baby blue eyes locked in his.

"Debby Johnson is at her foster home, her Foster mother is also Logan Johnson's mother."

Lucy took a deep breath upon Austin's explanation, she didn't need to venture further to understand that Logan Johnson and his mother were thesame kind. To raise a son like Logan Johnson, she didn't doubt his parents had some contribution.

"So is this some kind of child bride scenario, I thought such olden thoughts now only existed in movies." Lucy said with a gasp, she hadn't met Debby Johnson, but she'd started to sympathise with the poor girl.

"Mr and Mrs Johnson adopted Debby Johnson after her parents death." Austin explained.

"What about her brother?" Lucy asked with a slight frown, she knew that Debby had a brother who had been friends with Jane. Debby came to know Jane through her brother, so what about that brother of hers.

"He wasn't at home when his parents died, he had a dispute with them before he left his fifteen year old sister to study in Province C."

"A dispute?" Lucy asked with astonishment, she couldn't pin point what type of rift would cause a child to abandon his parents and sister.

"He only came back ten years later, but his sister had already been married off to Logan at the age of sixteen."

Once again Lucy gasped at the news, Logan was a man in his fifties, while according to the informations she'd gone through, Debby Johnson was in her early thirties. When she married Logan she was barely a child being married to a man old enough to be her father.

"That's child abuse." Austin nodded, agreeing with her point, he despised such inhumane treatment and negligence on children's right. As a father who had raised a daughter, he wouldn't sit by and watch his daughter married off at her most tender and innocent.

"Doesn't the law commends against such inhuman act?"

"Remote areas don't believe in law, neither do they give a second thought about human or a child's right." Austin give a concise reply that she'd hate to admit its absurd fact. She had payed a visit to places like this in the past and of course she was aware of the lives the village folks all lived, but Debby Logan is different.

"What was her brother's reaction towards Miss Debby's early marriage." Lucy asked after some contemplation.

"According to the information I got Larry Clark did try to save his sister from her early marriage, but he Lost the right to do so?"

Lucy was speechless at Austin's explanation, with an understanding expression she didn't probe any further. Larry Clark had abandoned his old parents and younger sister to move in town, only coming back a decade later. Though Mr and Mrs Johnson hadn't treated Debby Johnson quite well, they raised her for a decade or more.

She had no right to interfer in other's affair, but she felt a twisting injustice in her thraot.

"Is Debby Johnson happy ?" She asked with uncertainty.

"You saw Logan Johnson, so what do you think?" Austin short her another question, he knew Lucy was smart. No woman who had Logan Johnson as a husband and his parents behind the back would live a happy live, he also had some sympathy towards her.

"Here, there's everything you need to know here." Austin passed her his IPad, which she took after a slight pause. After going through a few swipes her face alternated from shock to suprise and concluded with a pained expression, an anger in indignation.

"Did you already know all this?"

She raised her head to look at Austin with a inquisitive gaze, her baby blue liquid eyes narrowed with a frown. Perharps because she was auppressing something, her gentle voice was low like a drop of water from the spring. But he heard her very clearly without any cloud to it.

"Lambert got me informed not long ago, I hadn't even digested it yet."

Lucy squinted at his reply, her cherry lips were pursed into a thin line, making it look more petite. He could deduce from her expression that she didn't believe what he said. He wasn't angry at her lack of trust, but locked his eyes into hers, leaning closely towards her.

"You can tell me if you have doubts."

"I aught to give you a benefit of doubt.", Lucy spoke up as soon as the words had left Austin's lips, she didn't lean away from him, neither shying away from his seductive gaze.

She wasn't a woman who was easily charmed, she could be impressed but not repressed or lose control of herself into a man's eyes and charm.

"I got a call from Lambert while we walked back to the car, I had him make a brief summary to me, I knew you would be interested to know." Austin explained after leaning back on his sit, he wasn't surprised by Lucy's indifferent reaction towards his approach.

"He did?" Lucy searched through her memory, recalling that Austin had indeed received a call from his PA while they walked back to the car. However, she didn't collect much from their discussion, the whole discussion had only let Austin speak twice, she guessed Lambert did most of the talk.

"Lambert is quite efficient, to be able to dig up so much."

"He is." Austin added with an indifferent expression, if she hadn't learned to observe his expression, she probably wouldn't catch the slight pride from his tone. It was hard to see through a man like Austin Kingston, but it was fun as well.

"So are we leaving just like that?" Lucy asked as soon as she saw Austin fastening his seat belt, despite being aware of his answer she still choose to ask.

"If not?" He answered without reverting his gaze from the windshield, while he tried to get out of the old parking lot of the remote town.

They were leaving, which wasn't a question anymore, but she had a lump in her thraot when she thought about Oliver Stonne and Debby Clark, she should call her Debby Clark because Logan Johnson didn't deserve to give her his name.

Thinking about the information she had read about Debby's miserable years of marriage, Lucy felt a lump of injustice in her chest.

"We'll come back." Austin spoke, without averting his gaze from the road he gave her comfort, putting her heart at ease.

She smiled, reminding herself that Austin would never leave a mission unfinished, he always did his best in whatever he had engaged himself in.

"Alright, sure."