Chapter 5 Austin

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I inhaled deeply, held the breath for a moment, and exhaled twice before stepping out of the limo. The air outside felt fresher, yet it did nothing to calm the nervous storm brewing inside me. The ride had been as silent as I anticipated, except for the occasional glances from Mr. Gal, the driver, and the brief moment he introduced himself with stiff politeness.

I stood outside, watching as Mr. Gal opened the trunk and carefully pulled out my modest belongings.

"This way, Miss Aubrey," he said, bowing slightly. His voice carried a warmth that contrasted with his stern demeanor. The smile on his aged, weathered face hinted at kindness, though his eyes bore the weight of years.

I nodded without speaking, my lips pressed tightly together as I followed him.

The villa loomed ahead, a masterpiece of grandeur that could have rivaled the pages of a luxury magazine. Still, I refused to let awe consume me. **This isn't my life,** I reminded myself. **It's just a job.**

We entered the expansive living room, where the opulence was almost overwhelming. Still-life paintings adorned the walls with such precision they seemed almost alive. A massive chandelier dominated the ceiling, casting a golden glow over the room. The plush, gold-trimmed sofas were arranged in perfect symmetry, and a television was seamlessly embedded into the wall. Every corner of the room spoke of money-money I couldn't even fathom.

Four women stood in a neat row by the staircase, each dressed impeccably in crisp black-and-white uniforms. Their postures were perfect, their expressions unreadable.

"Stand with the others, Miss Aubrey. The boss will be down shortly," Mr. Gal instructed, his tone neutral yet respectful. He bowed once more before leaving me to my fate.

The moment he walked away, a wave of insecurity washed over me. I could feel their gazes burning into me-four sets of sharp eyes assessing, dissecting, judging. Their expressions betrayed nothing, but the tension in the air was palpable.

"Hi... hi..." I stammered awkwardly, attempting to break the silence. I turned to the woman standing closest to me, hoping for a shred of kindness.

She looked me up and down, her lip curling into a sneer. "Are you here for the maid audition?" she asked, her tone sharp enough to cut.

I nodded mutely, my throat dry.

She chuckled darkly, the sound dripping with disdain. "Take my advice, girl-leave. You don't belong here."

Her words hit me like a slap, and before I could even process them, the other women joined in, their laughter cruel and biting.

Heat rushed to my face as humiliation clawed at me. I lowered my gaze, wishing the ground to swallow me whole. **Why did I even come here?** I thought bitterly. **Not everyone has to be cruel.**

"Hi, I'm Lucille. What's your name?"

The voice was soft, almost tentative, yet it held a spark of warmth. I looked up to find a girl with striking black eyes that seemed to shine like polished onyx. Her long, golden hair fell in silken waves over her shoulders, catching the light and framing her delicate features.

"Aubrey," I managed, my voice barely above a whisper.

Lucille smiled, and it was genuine-something I desperately needed. "It's nice to meet you, Aubrey," she said lightly, her gaze flicking to my luggage. "You've brought quite a bit with you."

Her comment stung, though I knew she hadn't meant it unkindly. Compared to her sleek designer bags, my battered suitcase and second-hand duffel looked embarrassingly out of place.

"Yeah..." I said faintly, suddenly hyper-aware of every threadbare piece of clothing I owned.

Lucille leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I'm Mr. Andrew's mistress," she confessed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I disguised myself to work here. It's been my dream since I was seven. Isn't that cute?"

I blinked, dumbfounded by her confession. **A dream? To work here?** My mind struggled to comprehend how anyone could idolize Mr. Hunts so much.

As I glanced at the other women again, their flawless appearances only deepened my sense of inadequacy. Compared to their polished dresses and designer shoes, I felt like a stray who had wandered into the wrong place.

"Don't tell me all these people are here to serve Mr. Austin," I whispered, incredulous.

Lucille's smile widened. "Of course. Isn't that why you're here, too?"

I swallowed hard, unable to voice the truth. **I didn't come here by choice.** Instead, I nodded weakly, my lips trembling as I struggled to keep my emotions in check.

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**Author's POV**

Upstairs, Austin lounged in his chair, a glass of red wine in hand. He swirled the liquid absentmindedly, the faint clink of the glass against his ring the only sound in the room.

On the screen before him, Mae Margot stood stiffly, her posture betraying her unease. As his personal secretary, she had learned to handle pressure, but delivering news to Austin was never an easy task. Her voice wavered slightly as she updated him on the business strategy his grandmother had devised in his absence.

Austin's lips curled into a faint smile as he scanned the documents. His grandmother's brilliance never failed to amaze him. Even in her advanced age, she remained as sharp and ruthless as ever-a powerhouse of determination. She had raised him alone after his parents' untimely deaths in a violent mafia clash.

"This is perfect," he said finally, his voice calm but decisive. "Let's proceed with her plan. And don't tell her I approved it. Let her think I'm still undecided."

Mae hesitated, her mouth opening and closing as if unsure whether to speak. Finally, she nodded. "Understood, sir. One more thing-Mrs. Hunt has scheduled a board meeting tomorrow at 11 a.m."

Austin stood, brushing imaginary dust from his suit. "Noted. And good work, Miss Margot."

Her lips twitched into a relieved smile as the call ended.

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Downstairs, Aubrey stood rooted to the spot, her eyes fixed on the grand marble staircase. Her heart hammered in her chest, a cacophony of fear and anticipation. She prayed silently that she wouldn't be selected-or better yet, that Mr. Austin would simply never show up.

"It's Mr. Hunts," someone whispered, the words slicing through the tense air.

Austin appeared at the top of the stairs, descending with measured grace. His disheveled hair and casual confidence were magnetic, drawing every gaze in the room.

Aubrey kept her head down, willing herself to disappear. Yet she could feel his eyes on her-sharp, probing, and impossibly intense. Her heart raced as she shifted awkwardly behind Lucille, desperate to avoid his attention.

Austin's jaw tightened as irritation flared in his chest. Her refusal to meet his gaze felt like a challenge, and he didn't like being ignored.

"Out," he commanded, his voice cutting through the room like a blade.

Aubrey froze, her breath hitching. She stepped out from behind Lucille, her movements hesitant and trembling. Her hands clenched into fists as she tried to steady the wild rhythm of her heart.

The other women bristled with jealousy, their faces darkening as Austin's attention lingered on the timid girl before him.

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**Author's Note**

Thank you so much for reading *Love, Lies, and Fire*! Please show your love by commenting-it motivates me to deliver chapters diligently. I hope you enjoy this journey with Aubrey and Austin as their lives intertwine in unexpected ways.

Stay tuned, grab your favorite drink, and let's dive deeper into their story!

With love,

Muah!