To Give And Take

CHAPTER 4

As soon as she pushed open the door to her appartment, Lucy inhaled the sweet, gentle milky fragrance that reminded her of her personal warm home.

It was really good to be home again, freedom to do as she pleased without the care of other's feelings. Though she had never really cared about other's thoughts, she realised that today was quite an exception. Taking off her shoes, Lucy replaced them with her fluffy slippers worn indoor. Her fair white feet felt very comfortable as her pink toes curled in comfort and her body was relieved of all the stress.

However, thinking about Austin's sudden presence, she couldn't help but feel depressed once again. Her mind couldn't help but make up wild thoughts.

'What if...' Realising that her thoughts were a little innapropriate, Lucy shook it off, as if denying everything.

"You're back."

A familiar female voice brought Lucy back from her revery. The lady stood by the kitchen door lazily, as if her whole body couldn't bare to carry her weight, yawning lazily, she seemed to be trance, yet fully awake. She was dressed in purple strip pajama, her messy shoulder length hair was like a best nest and her make up free face was out of ordinary. She couldn't be considered a beauty that could turn heads, but her exquisite features was easily imprinted in other's memory. She could be considered a memorable beauty, a wild and flamboyant beauty.

This was Catherina Jeen, her childhood friend, and the only person in whom she could put all her trust in. Her mother had taught her not to easily trust others, but that didn't include this childhood friend of hers.

"Yeah.", Lucy lowered her head and searched for a hair band from her bag, she seemed to have kept one in her sling back. However, after searching for quite a while she still couldn't find it, not even after emptying the bag.

She was suddenly reminded of the incident at the Primavera Bay and decided to give up. picking a hand full of her light blonde lush hair, she rolled it into a high bun, leaving some baby hair hanging by the side of her face.

"Aren't you a little late today, though I don't understand why you must personally surpervise the clean up of that Ghost villa."

Catherina pouted, a little displeased, however she failed to notice Lucy's slight pause and gloom as soon as she talked about Ghost villa. She wasn't surprise to hear about the Ghost villa, Catherina had said it so many times that it became natural. However, that place could no longer be considered a Ghost villa.

As for the reason why Catherina was inclined towards naming that place a Ghost villa, she didn't know when it actually started. Probably it was at the beginning of Jane's frequent visit to the hospital. She had barely lived in that house, the number of her stay at Primervera Bay could be counted in hand. Despite these little amount of time she had spent in Primervera Bay, the rest of her ephemeral life had been spent there. And so the Ghost Villa was born from it, probably a playful side of her best friend.

"You won't need to call it a Ghost villa anymore." Lucy spoke lightly as she filled herself a glass of water to moisten her throat. She really felt much better after gulping down a whole glass of water. However, her heart was still quite uncomfortable, but she couldn't do anything about it.

"What do you mean?", Catherina asked a little in daze, her eyelids dropped lightly, while her long eye lashes casted a shadow like a butterfly's wings. No word couldn't explain how much her gloom she felt, as if her precious would soon be snatched from her at any moment.

Meanwhile, Catherina who felt a little sleepy, she didn't seem to have understood Lucy's worried tone.

She was so tired, taking care of that little devil had greatly exhausted, she didn't even understand how a petite girl like Lucy could handle that child's fiery temper and poissonouse tongue. It had taken her all the endurance of the world to hold back from hacking him on the wall.

Lucy looked at the yawning Catherina and her gaze returned to the warm water. She still felt pain and uncomfortable, but it was better than at the beginning. Lowering her gaze, Lucy regained her calm and controlled the pain in her eyes.

"I ... he's back Cathy, I... I'm afraid of losing my little baby."

She was scared and couldn't hold back her tears, just the thought of losing her son terrified her, but she couldn't fight with Austin who was the uncle.

"He's back."

Lucy added with a heavy tone, she didn't want to make it seem like she wasn't sharing Jane's joy upon hearing that her brother was finally out of prison. It should obviously be a joyful moment, because he was released a year earlier, but she couldn't explain how she felt at this moment, everything seems to be wrong.

"It's good that he's back."

Catherina replied nonchalantly, she had no emotional attachement towards that person, neither had she ever met him, so whether he was out or not meant nothing for her. She hadn't been closed to Jane either, she only knew about her from Lucy who had a rather close relationship with. She wasn't close to both siblings, but she was rather fond of the little Jesse. She could be considered the child's god mother, so she was very close to him.

But compared to her feelings towards the child, Lucy's were deep and imprinted, as if connected by one heart. To be able to bear everyone's humiliating mockery towards the outside world and her family because of the child who wasn't even biological hers, it just proves how much she loved and cherished him. Everyone mocked her for giving birth to a bastard, but not once had she denied her connection to Jesse, she protected and defended him like a mother hen.

"You've nurtured and raised him for four years, it was about time someone took over, right."

Lucy obviously didn't agree, she raised him, that was the truth, but it had never occurred to her that she'll have to give up on him sooner or later. That was her son, even if they didn't share thesame blood, it didn't matter to her.

"Lucy..."

"He's my son!"

Her words were firm and unshakable, as if trying hard to imprint each word in other's heart. It was defensive, as if to warn others against saying the contrary. Catherina had even thought Lucy might have taken her as an enemy if they weren't besties.

"Alright, alright, he's your son.", She really didn't dare say otherwise, don't underestimate a mother's protective stand towards her child.

"Cathy, you know, after dad died, my life had been meaningless, I only felt like dying each day. However, because of the promise I made to her, I could only keep moving on. However, my life was no less than that of a walking corps. It was only after I met Jane and witness the birth of Jesse that my life suddenly had some colour in it."

She turned to gaze at Catherina who had suddenly stop talking, her blue eyes flickered, yet she slowly withdrew her gaze and replied with determination.

"I'll do anything it takes to keep Jesse by my side."

Catherina understood her friend very well and as for her life before Jesse's arrival, Catherina didn't want to witness it any longer.

"You're right, Jesse is your son, as a god mother how can I not protect him as well."

Pulling Lucy into her arms, Catherina exhaled deeply. It would be a lie to say that she didn't have feelings for the little guy, so of course her words were sincere. It was just she couldn't think of any method to use in order to keep that little guy.

"Mummy !"

While the two girls were both deep in their thoughts, they were suddenly pulled out by the sweet baby voice that broke their thoughts.

Pulling herself from Catherina's arms, Lucy saw by the door a three or four year old boy, short black messy hair, black beady eyes. He had some baby fat that made him look slightly chubby. His appearance was some how similar to that of Austin, but he also had a lot in common with Jane. As for his biological father, she had never met him before and she didn't even wish to know of his where about.

This was her little baby, the baby she had painstakingly raised to this chubby and cute appearance.

"Baby."

Lucy opened her arms and invited Jesse into her arms. Feeling his warmth and milk powder fragrance on him, Lucy's heart was finally settled. He was soft and fragrant, so warm that she only wanted to keep her close to him.

"How are you baby, did you miss mummy?"

Hearing his mother's voice, Jesse smiled widely, not stingy a single bit with his smile. Coupled with his exquisite features, the smile on his lips was so attractive that it gave one the urge to kidnap this little milk powder. She had to admit that the Kingstons all had beauty in their genes. Though Jesse couldn't compare with Austin's heaven defying features, she believed that he would certainly grow up into a beautiful man.

"What a cute little bunny, I wonder how many girls would have their hearts stolen by you."

Catherina couldn't help but pull his cheeks, this little guy was too cute. Each time she faced him, she couldn't help but pull at his cheek.

"Good day Aunty Catherina."

"Good day little bunny, so, did you have a nice rest?" , Jesse nodded in affirmative, he was indeed more energetic after a long nap. His mother had said that if he rested well and wasn't picky with food, then he would grow tall and strong. He wanted to grow faster so he could protect his mother.

"Good boy."

Catherina rubbed Jesse' head lovingly, she had a doting smile on her face. As she thought about what Lucy and her had discussed about. She was also reluctant to part with this cute and fragrant child. Compared to those stinky men, this little treasure was really too loving.

"Here baby, drink some milk while I prepare lunch for you."

"Ok mummy.", Jesse took the glass of milk with his pudgy hands and obediently gulped it. Seeing that he was busy with his glass of milk, Lucy returned to the kitchen, while Catherina followed her.

"So, have you thought of a solution ?"

Catherina asked, causing Lucy to pause in her action. But after some thoughts her action ressumed.

"Let's not talk about it for now."

She was very cautiouse when it came to Jesse, as for the solution to the current situation. She wasn't in haste for the moment, so she was going to take her time to make a decision.

"Alright.", Catherina didn't ask further either, she believed that there was no need to think too much for the moment.

*~*~*~*~*~*

"Hello Mr. Jones, a certain Miss Sandra Ben is here to see you."

The receptionist female voice reverberated from the fix phone that was kept at his left hand side of his desk. Listening to the report from the receptionist, Vincent felt a headache coming. This should be the third time in two days that he heard about the coming of Sandra Ben, a name that wasn't unfamiliar to him, yet could be considered foreign. He had the choice to send her away, but he knew her personality, she would keep coming, unless she met him as requested.

"Send Miss Ben up."

He could only agree to meet her, as for her other request, he wasn't her family to begin with.

So not long after, a young lady in her late twenties walked in his office. She had an inverted triangle face, red wide lips. Dressed in a black mini skirt, white oversized shirt and black knee length boots. On her shoulder hung a black sling back that accentuated her fashion sense. Her features couldn't be considered etheral, but she had a certain degree of beauty that would definitely conquer a few men. Coupled with her fair skin, she exuded a high class model.

Despite her attractive appearance, Vincent who had seen many beauties wasn't a little bit interested in the average beauty in front of him.

"This is Miss Ben's third visit, I hope your visit prevails good news. My time is very precious, so..."

Dragging his words, he made it known how important his words were. He obviously didn't put the young lady in his eyes.

Sandra didn't care about his nonchalant attitude and impatience towards her. Sitting across him, she crossed her legs in an elegant manner and look straight at him.

"Where's he?"

Her straightforward order caused him to furrow his brows, and finally looked at the lady in front of him with an oblivious expression.

"Who?" Of course he knew whom she was talking about, but he was in no obligation to carter to Sandra's needs.

Obviously, Sara wasn't convinced either, she knew that Vincent was very well aware of whom she was talking about. She really wanted to scold him and make tell her everything. However, her upbringing didn't permit her to be unruly, besides Vincent was an important bridge so she still had to maintain a good relationship with. Smiling politely at him, Sandra replied without an hint of impatience.

"I went to visit my brother in-law two days ago, but I was told he had been released three days, I went to his resident, but he wasn't there, so I came to you."

It was obviouse what reason she came to him, as Austin's close friend, he wouldn't be oblivious about his friend's location.

However, Vincent wasn't moved a single bit by her, neither did he feel like talking to this woman.

"If I remember correctly, Miss Sandra only has one sister who's late, unless you suddenly became your ex brother's sister. So which brother in-law are you talking about?"

Hearing his words, Sandra's face turned slightly red from embrassement, however she maintained her calm composure.

"You're right, it was my mistake, I'm just used to calling him brother in-law, after all, we had once been a family and my sister even gave birth to his daughter, which is my niece." Sandra reitirated as if trying to remind Vincent of their connection.

Family?

Vincent thought of her words as a joke, it had been morethan a decade but she was still talking about that family ties that had barely existed between both parties. He didn't like people like Sandra who loved to claim relationships, so he decided to 'kindly' remind her.

"Sixteen years ago, Austin married Anna under certain circumstances, however he treated her quite well enough. Barely a year after their marriage she gave birth to a daughter, but Anna died just a year after giving birth to her son. Austin didn't remarry until the child was over four years old."

"He got a divorce four years after his marriage!", Sandra said firmly, she was very clear about Austin's current situation. She had always had feelings for Austin, but in the past she couldn't pursue him because he married her sister and she was barely twelve back then. Even with Anna's death she still wasn't qualified to pursue him, but when she was finally qualified to do so, she heard that he married that woman.

Left with no other choice she decided to travel abraod and develop her career. She only came back three years ago, two years after she heard that Austin got a divorce.

This was the best news she had ever heard, so or course she wasn't going to let go of an opportunity to be with Austin whom she had loved him for morethan a decade.

So she decided to make her presence known while he was still in prison, to make him realise that she was the one for him. However, she couldn't visit him too often, so he wouldn't be annoyed by her.

Everything seemed to work well, until three days ago she heard that he had been released and she had no idea where to find him, she could only pester Vincent. But Vincent was a tough nut to c***k, not only was he tricky, but he was also very cunning. It made it impossible for her to get any information out of him.

"I don't think Austin getting a divorce has anything to do with you.", Vincent reminded her calmly, while Sandra's calm expression finally had a c***k. He wasn't wrong, Austin's divorce really had nothing to do with her, so she decided to switch elsewhere.

"It's been three years since I came back, I haven't had any news about my niece I heard from my family she was taken away by Jane."

If she couldn't get close to Austin, then she could pass through her niece. She didn't have much impression of that niece of hers, but she heard from her family that he was very difficult to get allong. She was naughty and already in her rebelliouse stage, which didn't make her likable. Listening to her family's heavy tone of dissaproval on her niece, she was less interested in meeting him. But if she had no other choice she had to treat her well and make him unable to live without her, this aunty. She had done her homework and she knew that she didn't get allong with her ex step mother. As his Aunty, she believed that she would come closer to her.

"I really miss my niece, can you tell me where to find him?"

She said with a coquettish voice, but Vincent merely looked at her in disdain and gave her a simple word.

"No!"

He didn't want to waste time with this woman, she was just like those shameless women who wanted to crawl into Austin's bed. Now he understood why Austin didn't want him to disclose his location.

"It's useless to bother me every day, I won't tell you a single word even if you strip n***d in front of me. So give up, don't even keep those dirty thoughts about Austin, he would never like you."

"You ..." Sandra's face turned red with anger, her fist were clenched so tightly that it could dig into her palms, yet she looked at Vincent with watery eyes, yet Vincent didn't even give her any face and simply treated her as air.

Unable to hold on, Sandra stood up and glared fiercely at Vincent before striding out with a belly full of anger. She slammed the door with all her might, as if venting her anger on the door, she really didn't bother to pretend anymore.

Thinking about her sister who died two years after marrying Austin, he felt that both sister's really didn't look alike. One was gentle, kind, honest and smart, while the other was shameless, pretentiouse and arrogant. Both were obviously from thesame family, but apart from the face that looked a little similar, he really didn't see anything else that could bring them together.

He thought, if she hadn't died early, perharps Austin wouldn't have to go through a divorce in his life. It was just that life had been unfair to the Ben's eldest daughter and her family didn't make it easier for her either.

And now her sister was shamelessly trying to seduce Austin, he wouldn't believe that her family had no idea of her plans, they might even have helped her. However Austin wasn't one who could easily get seduced, if not he wouldn't even have been able to count the number of girls who would have crossed his bed. Like him, Austin had his limits and principles, he wouldn't even budge when a girl had stripped n***d in front of him, so why would he look at that pretentiouse woman who didn't know her place.