IN LOVE WITH A SOLDIER, VOLUME 2 - Season 10 Episode 100

“My beauty, you are way better than those women. You are more elegant and refined. You have better taste in clothes. Besides, you are one of the top costume designers in the world. Do you think they are qualified to even compare to you?” Austin said emphatically, gesturing in her direction.

“Come on, Austin, stop being so flippant.” Alice blushed and seated herself on the sofa.

Austin sat down beside Alice and told her about his wonderful experience abroad – his studies, his work, and of course, his girlfriends.

Ten minutes later, the door turned opened again. Hand in hand, Mike and Amanda entered the room.

“Mike! It’s so good to see you!” Austin gushed as he immediately dashed forward, reaching out with his arms.

Amanda let go of Mike instantly. She knew everyone in the room except for the man who was currently sprinting toward Mike. She assumed he was Austin. Mike had mentioned him before. His father was Wilson, the CEO of H King Group.

“Ever so chummy, aren’t you? Aren’t you afraid Lawrence will teach you a lesson if you continue to be so cheeky?” Mike gave him a wide smile and pulled him into a hug. Lawrence and he had met Austin several times when they were abroad. It had been a couple of years since Mike last saw him and Austin seemed to have changed quite a bit.

“Of course I’m afraid of Lawrence! But it’s out of habit. I can’t get rid of it overnight. It takes time, you know?”

Austin shrugged, making an excuse for himself unabashedly.

His eyes shifted from Mike to Amanda. “Is this your girlfriend, Mike? She is pretty hot,” he said, nodding at her.

Before Mike could get in a word, Amanda intervened, introducing herself, “Hello, I am Amanda Wang!”

“Hi, Mandy!” Austin greeted her in a sweet voice. Hearing him refer to his girlfriend so intimately, Mike scowled.

Austin’s eyes were still glued on Amanda. “May I give her a hug?” he asked Mike off-handedly.

“No way!” Mike declined immediately, pushing Austin aside in jealousy. He put a hand on his girlfriend’s shoulder and they came over to Lawrence to sit beside him.

“Violet, I’m being bullied!” Austin cried out impudently as he turned to Violet for help.

“You were asking for it. Amanda is Mike’s girl. Why did you even put such a rude request before him?” Violet said, rolling her eyes. Austin obviously deserved what he got.

“I just wanted to give her a hug,” Austin whined loudly as a hurt expression came over his face. He took a seat beside Violet.

Austin wandered around the seats, talking to everyone. Although they didn’t seem to be delighted about his presence, he knew they were pleased to see him.

He was long used to the way they treated him. Their lives were more traditional and serious. Austin, on the other hand, lived on the fly. He was used to the casual life. Under such circumstances, he felt lucky that they didn’t kick him out of the room.

“Guys, let’s raise our glasses to Austin’s return!” Violet proposed a toast to him, picking up her own glass.

Everyone raised their glasses, turning to look at Austin.

“You know why I asked you back, don’t you?” Lawrence asked.

“Yes, I do. I will not let you down,” Austin nodded seriously as an eagerness came into his eyes.

“Welcome back, Austin. I hope you can behave yourself here,” Mike followed. “Also, she is my girlfriend,” he said, pointing to Amanda, a clear warning in his eyes. “Stop calling her Mandy.”

“Yes, boss!” Austin agreed, smiling obediently.

“Welcome back, Austin,” Amanda said, smiling politely.

“Thank you, Man… Amanda!” Austin said, tripping over his words.

“Austin, remember you can’t bully my Violet. Otherwise, I will kick your butt,” Alice joked. She was glad to have him back, but he wouldn’t get away with troubling her friend.

“You’re scaring me, Alice. Shouldn’t Greg be worried about that?” Austin feigned surprise, although he knew how close Alice and Violet were. They were the best of friends.

“She is also mine. Don’t you forget it,” Alice retorted, pointing a finger at him. “Fine. She is mine too!” Austin spluttered out. His coarse words could have been misunderstood, but everyone in the room was in too good a mood to take him seriously.

“I did as what Lawrence asked me. Here you go: this is the room card to your presidential suite,” Tim said as he handed a card from one of his five-star hotels to Austin.

“Wow! I love you, Lawrence, thanks! I love you too, Tim,” Austin exclaimed as he took the card. He was so grateful that he didn’t know what to say. After a pause, he regained his composure, saying to Lawrence, “As long as you help me with Auntie, I will try my best to help you manage the company. That way, you can fly abroad and reunite with Aria in no time and without any worries.”

Austin looked back at Tim. “Thank you, Tim. I can live in the suite for as long as I want, can’t I?”

“Of course you can,” Tim replied back. Lawrence had asked him to book a hotel room for Austin, not knowing how long he intended to stay. He hadn’t set a deadline for the booked suite.

“Great.” Austin beamed, making a sound of excitement.

“Listen, Austin,” Violet cleared her throat, interrupting him eagerly. “You are not my wee little brother anymore, but you must listen to me. All right?”

Austin pouted, biting his lips as he nodded in agreement.

“Good. I will look after you then, don’t you worry,” Violet said.

“What will you do if Lawrence gets mad and lectures me? Would you back me up?” Austin blurted out suddenly.

“Normally, yes, I will side with you. But I will take Lawrence’s side if the situation calls for it,” Violet replied, not giving him a definite answer.

“I guess that’s not so bad.” Austin mulled over it, satisfied. “I am glad at least you didn’t say you would always get behind Lawrence.”

Austin landed his gaze on Greg next. “Welcome, Austin. You will take charge of FS Empire and I will supervise you,” Greg said, smiling at him insidiously.

“God! Don’t scare me like that!” Austin cried, widening his eyes at Greg’s tone.

They clinked their glasses and swallowed down the wine. The bond of kinship between them seemed to have cemented between them, only growing stronger.